A middling entry compared to Kingfisher's other works. While I liked the characters, particularly the Golden Girls-esque friendship of Hester, Imogene, and Penelope and the classic butler energy of Willard, I didn't love them. The story dragged quite a bit in the middle as everyone worried about Doom, and the ending felt slightly anti-climactic. I wish we got more backstory on Evangeline and Falada - as villains, they were horrible but one-note - as well as the magical systems at play in this world. Certain elements reminded me of 'Carrie' or a darker 'Ella Enchanted', both books I enjoyed, so I wasn't disappointed in the story as much as not as enthralled as I would've wished to be.