The more time that passes (about 2-3 weeks), the more I realize that I really liked this book. I knew I liked it, but now I know I really liked it. 
 It had a few minor drawbacks that kept me from loving it, at least immediately. The narration seemed a bit off at times, but that might be more my problem than the book's. 
 The magic system was a bit strange to me, because it seemed inherently designed around being nearly impossible to describe unless you yourself have the gift...yet that didn't stop a few dozen pages spent describing it you anyway. Lots and lots verses telling us about the emphasis of syllables to made-up words, and the inflection one gives to a chant. I mean, I did like the juxtaposition of the Dragon's meticulous, nearly scientific magic next to a more intuitive and prodigious magic. But I could have dealt with a more brief explanation, at least a few times. 
 Near the beginning I was a bit worried about the relationship of Agnieszka with the Dragon. I thought it was about to go down some sort of ABUSIVE-Stockholm Syndrome route. But it peters off nicely, with a much more benign understanding. It develops into a charming and genuine friendship of two people kind of socially inept, in their own ways, and both exasperated by each other's social limitations. Not that the "captive" situation lasts long anyway, but it's far closer to Beauty and the Beast than 50 Shades of Grey, thank goodness. 
 Everything else is just rich and fun and beautiful. While the "clumsy girl protagonist" has been done quite a bit, it is still fun when done right--and it is certainly done right here. The Dragon's reaction to her ineptitude is at times laugh-out-loud funny.(view spoiler)["Are you deranged?" (hide spoiler)]. 
 The other cast of characters are all well developed and believable, even if at first they simply appear predictable or even cliche. 
 So much of the book, namely The Wood and the inhabitants of it and the corruption it causes, are just so fantastically creepy. In spite of the genuinely eerie aspects, it never becomes dark horror; it maintains the atmosphere of whimsical adventure. Like a fun mix of Guillermo del Toro, Neil Gaiman, and Jim Henson. Perhaps along the lines of Willow or Labyrinth. 
 I hope Naomi Novik comes back to this world and these characters, because I'd like to see what happens next and see more of their charming relationships develop! 4.5 stars.