3.5 stars 
 The one thing that bumped this up to 3.5 stars instead of 3 for me is that Coelho's use of magical realism is so delightfully subtle and effortless. Some books are magical because they're directly about magic, and don't get me wrong--sometimes I like that style of book too, but Coelho's idea of magic is so believable and graceful. I think the ease with which the characters recognized and accepted the Soul of the World, etc. coupled with the dessert setting, which in itself is mystical on its own, really underscored the novel's magical elements without them feeling forced. 
 Other than that, I found this quick read to be lackluster. I became engrossed in Santiago's journey immediately. There were definitely some beautiful moments, and overall it was a peaceful story. It didn't cause my heart to race, my jaw to drop, or my eyes to well up with tears, but just carried me along on its current. Maybe this is why I'm a little bit disappointed--while I enjoyed the story, I didn't feel invested in it. The writing is, for the most part, beautiful, but at times it was a little bit too sentimental and wordy and, I hate to use the word, but maybe a little bit pretentious. The characters are relatable in their own way, but lack depth and definition. Overall though, I appreciate this work and I'm glad I read it.