This book is absolutely enchanting. There is something in the slow, methodical pacing of the first chapter that shakes the reader a little bit, just enough to disorient them, and prepare them for the world surrounding Melstone House. Every description in the book is sort of like viewing the world through stain-glassed window, which is nice, like putting on a pair of really dark sunglasses on a sunny day, in order to better see your surroundings.

But it's also slow. And methodical. You have to suspend your disbelief a little bit more with each instance. Of course Andrew knew why he leaves food on the top shelf of the outhouse. And of course he gave that giant his jumper as a boy. And of course both Aiden and Andrew have magical abilities when they take off their glasses. And of course... well, around here I started to feel like I was struggling in quicksand. I wasn't sinking into the story, but I couldn't pull myself out of it and on to the next thing either.

A palate cleanser seemed to have done the trick, but not quite enough for me to slip back into this one.