The story doesn't sound thrilling, but it turned out to be much better than I expected. I enjoy historical fiction, and this one was well-written. The langauge Brooks uses gives the book the "feel" of a period peice, as does the subject matter (obviously). There are MANY plot twists, and while the book seems to plod along unnecessarily at times, the conclusion is satisfying, and I felt my time well spent in reading this novel

I really liked this book - I have a tendency to miss the twists and surprises until they're revealed, so it left me delighted and surprised throughout. I thought it was rich and full of intrigue, and I loved the shifting POV/narrator technique - it absoloutley made me feel as though I was IN the book. I thought it started slowly, but once Margaret meets Vida in person, it picked up for me. However, it's not for everyone - this book is gothic in style and harkens back to Victorian literature. It even takes its cues from old classics such as those written by the Bronte sisters. If you don't like literature that's dark, gothic, and in that style, skip it. Otherwise, this book was a fun and intriguing read.