“You couldn’t trust people. Dogs snarled before they bit you, but people often smiled.”

I picked this up simply because the cover and title were interesting, having no idea that this was actually a children’s book! However it was very enjoyable and one of the most appealing and unique stories I’ve read in a while.

The main character was strong and entertaining, without being your typical naïve beauty. Bear was also a fun addition. It was refreshing to read a YA book that had no romance. Not everything needs to revolve around a very old vampire seducing a very young child! ( )

Very good, I really liked it. Interesting story, nice characters. ( )

3.5
It’s well written and I’m basically giving all the stars for Makepeace & Bear.
Otherwise the pacing is slow and the plot is confusing - I also didn’t care for any of the other characters including the ghosts. ( )

Looooved it! Shocking no one, I think. I have loved every book I've read by Frances Hardinge, she always has kickass protagonists, cool worlds that are kinda like ours but not really, and isn't afraid to put her MCs through quiet a lot of shit before the ending. But that shit is never sexual assault which I'm so thankful for ( )

4,3 stars

Full disclosure? I bought this book for the beautiful cover. It's been sitting on my shelf for a while now and I wasn't even sure what it was about. I picked it up now because it was one of the few covers in my personal library with the picture of a land animal on the cover and that's the prompt for Care of Magical Creatures in the O.W.L.s readathon in 2019.

Having said all that, I really enjoyed this story, which is saying quite a lot considering this is historical YA fantasy and I rarely feel any pull toward said subgenre.

The characters were likeable (and dislikeable) enough, the plot was okay, and above all the premise of, well, having a skin full of shadows was pretty interesting. In addition, I really enjoy YA that doesn't have any kind of romance involved. ( )