I didn't connect solidly with the characters and while the feminism is appreciated, the execution felt heavy-handed.

However! The writing! And the subtle historical and literary twists!

Not every reader will like the writing (another reviewer referred to it as "purple" and I understand why) but for me, it landed perfectly with the rural Southern character voices.

The way every fairy tale (now witch-tales) is just a tiny bit altered was delightful. The way the disparate tales connect is intriguing.

Bottom line, the faults did make it slow-going at times, but the virtues made it worth it.