I was thoroughly bewitched by this book. It was a gorgeously, quietly contained story. It's intimate in its world-building, there aren't many facets to the world-building, yet in its simplicity it felt immersive and meaningful. I bought into that wandering forest and all its encompassing magic and hunger.

And I rooted so very much for our leads Leelo and Jaren, especially kindhearted Leelo. So isolated from the world yet feeling so much that she simply could not keep in her fears, doubts, questions, and truths. She always called for the truth, no matter its cost. And she carried such a beautiful, loving, strong heart.

Jaren felt very much like the audience insert, he is our vehicle into this small other-worldly adventure. He is understanding, respectful, protective, and caring. And also very intuitive, also seeing that truth behind Leelo's eyes.

Sage and Ketty were complex foils, so many times I felt anger, frustration, and annoyance at them-- at Sage especially. Yet I found myself wondering about their stories and motivations. Not caring, but curious. They intrigued me as much as they angered me. They were worthy antagonists, but again, it's not so simple as just being an antagonist. They, and once again especially Sage, were layered characters that brought a lot of life and complexity to the narrative.

In terms of what I enjoyed most: that quietness. That contained feeling. Not in terms of the inhabitants of that magical forest being contained, but in the storytelling. It is intimate, it bides a reader to stay close and relish their time as they journey through the mystique and adventure. There are no elaborate high fantasy hijinks, it's simple yet oh so effective. Every point written is written with purpose and direction. It didn't need to go far, it just needed to go on the right path.

And it did. It gave me more than enough to love.

I have to admit I did struggle deciding on the rating, as I did have one major hurdle to jump: the romance. It felt sanitized to the point I am not sure I believed in its love story. At least not in its very beginning, I don't mean I needed heavy petting, I just wanted more overt romance by means of that falling in love. It was stated more so than shown. Yet, I find I cannot find it in myself to lower the rating for it. I would for most books, but I can't here. And that's become of how strong the writing it-- how enthralling it is. I never wanted to look away from the story being unfolded, I wanting it to keep going and me along with it.

I loved it, and I'll cherish this one for a long while.

Thank you NetGalley and Inkyard Press for providing me an arc in exchange for an honest review.