This novel struck me as both refreshingly unique and jarringly odd. It’s fantasy, but in an old school kind of way and I do really love that. Don't get me wrong, I am obsessed with the direction in which the YA fantasy genre has gone over the last decade, but it's always fun to dive into a story that does not mirror the typical YA fantasy tropes/patterns. The world and writing style reminded me of the books that originally got me into science fiction and fantasy literature, but the characters and storyline were not especially compelling, so I am not sure yet if I’m gonna commit and read the sequels...we shall see!