The book was a masterpiece in its descriptions and character development. It was a page turner. I was immersed and it fuels colorful imagination.

The book delved deeply into many deaths in excruciating and vivid detail. This is part of life but it depressed me. I would have preferred to have Rachel s many children also fleshed out as 3 dimensional characters as Camille received all the focus. Being a mother with so many children is life changing and time consuming and it begs the question, who raised them?

Overall, the historical references, magical metaphor, and relationship development were excellent.