I loved this book. Going into it I already knew what the Lie Tree was, but I think I pictured it taking place in a middle school somewhere, a contemporary story about friendship or something. I was thrilled when I dove in and found myself in 19th century England with a 14-year-old would-be woman natural scientist whose family relocates to a little island (full of gossipy inhabitants) to escape a scandal. I think this might be my favorite type of fantasy--it's set in the real world with just one fantastic element. In this case, a seemingly magical tree, though one which the characters attempt to explain through science. Victorian science abounds in the book--head-measuring, animal magnetism, spiritualism, etc.

The main character is familiar in that she's a girl struggling against the limits of Victorian womanhood, but she's unique in her darkness. She also develops a relationship with a boy which might or might not blossom into romance someday, but is itself darkly intense and unique. It sets up a sort of Joan/Peggy conflict between heroine Faith and her mother, who plays the patriarchal game more traditionally but with whom Faith finally comes to an understanding.

The Lie Tree itself doesn't really make an appearance until a ways into the book, but I was already enthralled in the social drama going on.