An ambitious epistolary novel, the plot was intriguing but also incredibly frustrating with the way it felt like the author was contriving to stall the ultimate reveal. With most mixed media fantasy novels of this ilk the exposition was at times clunky and forced. 

Despite all that I do think the story and mysterious disappearance was engaging, while the romances were mostly meh and stilted by virtue of the twice removed format. 

Initially I found the writing style charming, its purposefully verbose and formal style making it unique. But around halfway through the use of parentheticals began to drive me crazy, especially because all the characters used them. The asides never felt funny or clever enough to justify their overuse.