Fans of Valente will certainly not find themselves let down by this novella. Set in a fantastical Jazz Age New York in the Artemisia hotel, Speak Easy follows the paths of a number of characters, but the heart of the story lies in Zelda Fair. Zelda's a truly remarkable character--a little unruly, very determined, just the teensiest bit aloof, and beloved by all. 
 I had the best time reading this book. I was captivated for the few hours I spent reading it, and continue to be fascinated by the world Valente created as well as the questions she left unanswered. As far as I'm concerned you can't beat a 140 page book containing secret doors, Prohibition parties, gangsters, lust, the pursuit of art, and a devoted pelican. 
 Oh, and did I mention this is a fairy tale retelling (The Twelve Dancing Princesses) mashed up with a fictionalized (or maybe not so much depending on which side of the argument you fall on) history of F. Scott & Zelda Fitzgerald? 
 Do I really need to say anything more?