oh god where do I even start?

pros:
- EVERYTHING
- the lyrical writing. The metaphors that make you realise what metaphors are really for - for making you truly visualise the thing being described
- the complex, perfect plot that wiggles unpredictably along, always tense and awesome
- the characters, entirely 3D and fabulous
- the sort-of romance which was just so well handled. The possibility, the ending handled just right
- the MAGIC is just so cool. The Weird Fairytale atmosphere. Just imaginatively epic in every way
- the inserted fairytales are wonderful and creepy and brilliant
- the creepiness - genuinely unnerving
- the mother/daughter relationship. I totally teared up when they reunited. This is just such a rare focus in ya and books in general in my experience and I loved it. It felt genuine too, I loved Ella and wanted Alice to find her just as much as Alice did

cons:
- ehhh sometimes, just occasionally, the description was too much and I had to really slow down to pick out what was happening
(- I was a little sad that Alice didn't end up with Finch, but I loved the ending anyway)

Amazing. Perfect. Makes me as a writer want to give up entirely - which is great when you're reading a book. A++