So the first chapter feels like a mix between the Sound of Music or Mary Poppins and a dark Beauty and the Beast
The language and prose are written like historical fiction which I hadn’t expected from the cover image.
What are the secrets Asher carries in her suitcase?
Who does her rare ring belong to and why does she treasure it?
Why is she lying about her past?
What are her tasks? Did someone send her there on a mission? What questions is she trying to answer?
At the end of chapter 3 I was a bit bored by the long conversation with Enora Charlton. This is definitely a slower paced book with a lot of descriptions that readers need to settle into and take their time with. I didn’t make it very far. Yes, there are mysterious claw marks and I’m still unsure of what her “magical skillset” includes and what items she hid under her floorboards that would get her killed if discovered… but despite these tiny mysteries I’m bored. Asher’s character felt too flat. There seemed to be more telling than showing. The emotions portrayed seemed bland. Yes, there were little trickles of secrets that kept me intrigued but it wasn’t enough. Maybe I’ll be able to revisit this book later when I have more patience.