A cute book for the most part, Calcifer was my favorite character by far. I feel the author tried to cram way too much stuff in this book, and having the confrontation in the last chapter really made this book feel cramped. I think she should have stretched out to the story a bit more, or at least shaved off a few plot-points. 
 I will give the Miyazaki film a watch soon, as I hear the storylines are different. Maybe I'll like that one better.