I was disappointed by this book. The writing was lovely and atmospheric. I was initially drawn in by the setting and the characters, eager to see what the author would do with this modern retelling of a Russian fairy tale. But it turned out that there was really nothing more to it. While I enjoyed the story as I was reading it, in the end I was left with one thought, "Well, that was certainly tragic. What’s the point?"There were parts that I really liked, but I think the overall experience for me was just OK. The story ultimately failed to stir my emotions or leave me with any lasting impression.
