“Real, she is learning is a slippery thing, not a solid black line but a shape with soft edges, a great deal of gray.”

I finished it today and I have no words. This book was hauntingly beautiful. The prose was lyrical and magical. The use of simile and descriptive language had me entranced. I am one to picture books in my mind as a read, and the language just completely enhanced my experience.

To say I didn’t tear up at the end would be a lie. Olivia is truly gallant. The world is so interesting - I want to know what happens to her in the future. I know I will continually wonder for the foreseeable future.


There is no romance & it’s YA (audience grades 10-12) - however if you enjoy gothic-esque novels (à la Mexican Gothic) with haunting, creepy, melancholic vibes this is the book for you.


(Please check the TW - fairly graphic descriptions, alluding to suicide…)