OK, so I really enjoyed this book. It just took me a while. 3.5 stars. 
 The matter that this is a middle-grade book is very clear in the manner of the story, as well as the protagonist.The protagonist Alexis Queensmeadow I found was annoying as all hell. She was stroppy, she was self involved and she had an attitude that was not sassy but just plain irritating. The story was predictable in that, well everything that seemed like it would be ok was sure to go wrong. So don't bet on anything good happening until the last few chapters when we're wrapping this thing up ok?There were small pockets of warmth where a friendship between Alexis and her male guide throughout Furthermore were lovely and kind. The ending solidified that. Her male companion, Oliver I found to be far more interesting than I found Alexis. I liked how his powers were in lies and deceit and it made for really interesting points in the story. His history as a character had a far larger rationale for the way he acted that Alexis had and his actions following this history shaped the story well.Nonetheless I couldn't get over that the story was very middle-grade. Although I shouldn't complain, as it hit its target as a middle-grade book. I find what frustrated me most was that Alexis had many MANY complaints or needs throughout the book which were very childlike. To a reader in her twenties I found myself irritated by the self absorption and tantrums she had...or her absolute stupidity at times. I need to be nicer to kids clearly...However I have given this book 3.5 stars and that is because of the world and everything else BUT Alexis Queensmeadow. The world building is amazing and beautiful. The descriptions of Ferenwood and Furthermore were beautiful, fantastical and unique. I am a big fan of "quirky" books - fantasy books that aren't typical dragons and swords but an upside down of reality. This book delivered in heaps and more of quirkiness and it was excellent. I loved the different areas of Furthermore, especially when the most sinister individuals started off as extremely welcoming characters...but then they ended up having the worst agendas of all! I also enjoyed the watch women who reminded me of the nurses in the Silent Hill video games - very scary! 
 I would recommend this book to anyone who is happy to experience a very predictable story with a juvenile character with an extremely child like attitude - give it a read. The world building is amazing and the other characters make up for the protagonist. If you can look past the cons then what are you doing? Buy the book. It is beautiful for the shelf even if I wave my fist in irritation at Alexis Queensmeadow every now and then when I look at it tucked away on my bookcase.