While I thought the mixed method approach to story telling was neat and well-woven, the story as a whole didn't work for me. There's a mythology to it, and while I got it, I thought the stronger storyline -- the notion of being lost in the shadow of your sister, of being lost in the shadow of yourself -- got swallowed in the mythology. Castellucci writes in a way I really appreciate. It's tight and it's direct, but I felt this book suffered from too much concept and not enough development.

Interestingly, this is the third book this year that's dealt with self-mutilation in some way.