I enjoyed this book much more than I thought I would. Many people seemed to be upset, both about the homosexuality and the 'random' [certain monsters], but I found it to be interesting the whole way through and I really liked the writing style. I wish I didn't leave such big gaps between my readings as I may have missed a lot by constantly forgetting names and a few plot points (what was the importance of no one finding the journal?), but from the experience I did have I can say it was nicely written and it never bored me (yes, even the journal scenes).

It was jarring to move from Charlotte's POV to James', but once the journal made its way in and we were shown other POVs it became easier to digest. I wish we could have stayed with James longer. It was strange to go to him and then almost entirely take his narrative when we returned to Charlotte. I wish she was as stubborn and headstrong as an adult as she was as a child, though it was interesting to see how James grew up from the sensitive boy he was, though both characters were rounded out nicely.

I went back to the first chapter around the halfway mark and loved how much I didn't remember about relevant points (I believe their father died during the turning process. I wonder if it was a family thing since the house was decorated with the club's colours or something of the like). It was so bittersweet to start and end with the priest hole; Charlotte never did fulfill her promise to return soon.

I wish the pacing was done better, though. Once that final battle took place it didn't really seem like one (I barely knew what was going on and it took a while for me to understand)- and telling it three or four different ways was a bit confusing. The denouement with Charlotte and Arthur didn't really feel like the story was winding down so it was disappointing to see that they never found the answers they were looking for. I hate how it ended but love how it was done, making us wonder what really happened to James and mourn for how Charlotte turned out (Adeline did warn her).

I really did wish that certain things happened, but as a story it did turn out well despite the lack of a happy ending and I don't begrudge the author for giving me hope only to tear it from me.