Started out a bit slow, but by the end I couldn't put it down (Why must good books always fall into my hands when I'm supposed to be studying?). Much darker than the Thursday Next and Nursery Crimes books, but there was still some classic Ffordeian whimsy and humor. My reading experience was enhanced by the fact that I got to go to a reading/q&a/signing by the author on 1/15 - a truly delightful event.