5/5 ⭐️

I really, really loved this book.

The story is simple, yet beautiful and haunting and full of love and sorrow and hope. This is a fairy tale, through and through.

This book hit me deep, as someone who once struggled with an abusive partner. It is gut wrenching, yet heartwarming to read Marra’s journey from feeling helpless to finding the courage to save her sister. And though they are not close, nor do they really seem like they “like” each other, Marra loves Kania.

I, too, have a sister and will traverse across the universe for her, even though we also are not that close and bicker often.

The “lack” of world building a lot of people mentioned does not bother me, in fact, I rather enjoy the mysteries of it. Marra is not considered the “brightest”. She said so herself. And this is ultimately her journey, and we are reading everything through her eyes. She didn’t learn much as a princess, and learned only sewing and needling and threading at the convent. It is only when she travels with the dust-wife that we really see the world through her eyes for the first time— even then, she is on a mission, with a singular goal in mind. She is not on a grand “adventure” to see the world, though to Marra, I suspect that’s what it probably felt like.

I loved it, personally. I loved the grim reality of Kania’s situation. Her endurance, her perseverance. I loved Marra’s strength and her courage. I loved this story.

This book meant a lot to me.