I love fairy tales. I love the dark mystique of the original ones, from Grimm and Anderson, pre-Disney. Parkin must love fairy tales as well, because they are intertwined all throughout the narrative; new fairy tales that capture that strange eeriness of those age-old tales.
This is a very interesting story, which wends and winds its way through different people's lives; dipping back to their past and through to the present. The characters are amazingly real; so much so that I feel as if I have watched this book like a film playing in my head. I could really see it all unfolding before me.
There were a few times when I got a little bit confused about timelines and such, but I soon flipped back through and figured it out. I think it's best to read this book quite quickly, rather than putting it down for a few days and trying to pick up from where you've left off.
What I like best of all is the realism. The old fairy tales did not always have a happy ending; this novel's ending is fitting, but far from the rainbows and glitter, Hollywood frame that we force so many good stories into these days.
I wanted more! I wanted to check in with each of the characters once again; see how they were getting on. But, Parkin knew when to put down her pen, and I applaud her bravery and confidence in letting her characters sail off into the sunset (perhaps not even metaphorically!). As a writer, I know that it's not always easy to let go of the characters you have moulded from nothing and cared for as your own; but sometimes to tell a good story you need to make sacrifices. And this was, indeed, a very good story.

Released at Bookingcrossing Meet up.

Picked this book up from the shared book table at the Leeds Bookcrossing meetup at the Museum Cafe. It was lovely to meet you :)