Accidentally stayed up until 5 AM reading this, which was clearly a mistake but did confirm that Naomi Novik is right up my alley. Sometimes there are writers, different for every person, that just get what you want and how to reach you, and it seems that she is one of mine.

I loved the creepiness of the mythology, and the way the magic systems were mostly unexplained but still seem consistent and believable. Agnieszka was great, and I love how her central characteristic is being a chaotic disaster at all times. I liked how Kasia continued to be a vital part of the story, though I wish she could have been more central. The Dragon? Love HIM.

Usually I don't like romance much at all, and I-hate-you-I-love-you romance is often some of the most annoying kind. The Staryk king/Miryem relationship from Spinning Silver was GREAT, though, and I think I might even like the Dragon and Agnieszka's dynamic better. It's so endearing how the Dragon is so uptight and OCD and annoyed with himself for even tolerating Agnieszka. She essentially does whatever she wants, and he sighs in grievous irritation and follows after her to help.

HOWEVER, I do want to warn about two scenes, one an almost-sex-scene and one a fairly explicit sex scene that you should be aware of. I thought about dropping a star for those, but honestly? This book was great regardless, and I did accidentally stay up to 5 AM, so that has to mean something.