“Ghibli-esque” is probably the best descriptor for this book. At least, Ghibli is the only place before that I have seen the same kind of beauty and whimsy paired with such unsettling creatures. I read the entire thing in only 4-5 sittings. I think there’s some powerful messaging here about how societies are run-

the way leaders are consumed by fear and then force and manipulate the rest to conform. We’re told that things are a certain way and “that’s just how things are”, like there’s no other options. But really things were designed that way to benefit the scared leaders, who are now insisting this is the only way things can be and using violence to punish those who dare to want something more or better.