Well, I was really glad when that night was finally over.

A creepy prisoner held in an even creepier building. The doors are locked until the next crew comes. Have fun!

Even though it was only 80 pages or so I was very relieved when I finished the story. It was not even that scary, that would have been something I could handle. No, I just wasn't enjoying myself and then 80 pages can be quite long. I read this book based on some recommendations and great reviews I read, but I feel like the odd one out. I didn't like the characters or the writing. Like I said, I didn't think it was that scary. I'm sure there are people who would enjoy it, but it wasn't for me.

I went into this book expecting it to be dark upper YA due to the age of the main characters and the murder mentioned in the book description. It is neither. It's got a dark moment or two and a bunch of murders and attempted murders, but it's pretty fluffy for the most part. The writing gave me the impression it's aimed more at tweens than teens. Once I got over my disappointment, it was a cute, enjoyable fantasy.

The Fabrication magic system put me in mind of Patricia C. Wrede's Enchanted Forest Chronicles with everything being connected by threads which magic users can manipulate. Jensen and King take it further, giving the system a firm grounding in textile terms and analogies. I think it works pretty well, though it adds to the twee feel. Still, I liked the imagery.

Some sloppy editing got in the way every now and then, (super odd/wrong word choice, a dangling participle or two, a missing period, etc.), but overall it was a fun read. Some good opportunities were missed in the way the story dealt with grief and loss and prejudice, and I would have like to see these issues explored in a less shallow manner. Because of the shallowness, the character development fell a little flat for me, but I'd probably still come back to the world of Nels and Tyra (not Banks) if a sequel eventuates.

When the book description said one of the main characters (Nels) gets murdered, I was all, "Oooooh! YA dark fantasy!" But alas. So far its got a fluffy twee feel to it, almost more middle grade than YA. The Ghost of Nels is currently haunting the princess Patrick Swayze style, attempting to annoy her into doing his bidding and helping him find his killer, and I'm getting bored with the both of them.

Now I'm miffed at myself, because the book isn't badly written, and if I hadn't misled myself and given myself false expectations, I would probably be enjoying it more.

Sigh.

The princess's name is Tyra. I automatically picture this:

But no. It's this:

And suddenly I'm unreasonably disappointed.