I feel lots of ways about this book. On one hand, I love it. On the other, the plot and overall structure and characterization felt a little lacking. So my oft-awarded four stars it is.

The writing here is exquisitely beautiful. Fairy tales (the author's own, I understand, from another publication?) are woven throughout, and provide some hints as to Miren's history mystery. (LOL, I now love that phrase). But, I found myself just really dragging through the first - HALF - of the book. Not much had happened to move the plot along. I also wasn't sure what kind of world I was in, because the fantasy aspects took awhile to actually be confirmed.

There are swaths of book that take place in two main settings and a minor third. I'm just not sure everything tied together. Likewise, while this was a bildungsroman for Miren, I felt her characterization a little inconsistent. Perhaps the place dictates her character.

Overall, I am very glad I stuck with the book even when it felt nothing was happening. The beauty of the writing kept me in, and ultimately, I felt rewarded and very satisfied when finished.