So many people wonder if love at first sight is possible and I now know the answer! Thanks to this amazing read, yes! Yes it is possible. From the first pages I was, and still am, utterly enthralled with this amazing read. It is everything, EVERYTHING, I want in a book and more! John Connolly's style of narrative, alongside the twists and turns of the plot, made this a compelling read that I rocketed through in every spare pocket of my day. He manages to encapsulate everything it means to be young and confused and afraid of the world and, dually, everything it means to have been young and confused and afraid of the world. Reading this bonded me with David and transported me back to my adolescent self, as I felt I was reliving my burgeoning awareness of the world all over again. At the same time, my adult self acknowledged the metamorphosis taking place and the mythopoeic template that was used to detail this. The entire novel was a Gothic journey I already want to take again! 
 I am still under the 'book hangover' spell so please forgive this rather giddy and probably incoherent review! Once I compose myself I will gather up the reams of notes I was compelled to take and write something, probably just as giddy, but far more worthy of this great read.