The story telling is really evocative and atmospheric. It honestly took a while for it to sink in that there was no Fairy Tale Logic happening IRL- it was a construct carefully balanced by all the characters, who bought into the ideas and values. But the Fairy Tale Rules were no less strong because of it- almost more so.

Honestly didn't see the twist at the end coming, which is a great sign. Normally I can call endings like this, but it crept up in a nice way.

None of these characters are "likeable" per say. I found the Groomsman off putting due to how he viewed his wife, as a mythical Creature or Being, and not a person. Indigo throughout is shown as self centered, exacting, and vengeful. Azure mostly inspires pity and protectiveness, but she so quickly becomes a shadow, there isn't much substance to cling to. Even though none of them are "likeable", they balance the story they're telling well, and all the decisions seem extremely coming from the people we see them being.

I'm not sure what's keeping me from giving it a full 4 star rating- I liked it, I enjoyed reading it, I was anxious to read the ending when life made me stop halfway through. I will probably think about it for a while. But I don't think I would ever come back to re-read it.