I wasn't sure what to fully expect going into this one. The preview showed me that it was more of a gothic horror fantasy where as at first I thought start of a fantasy series. This book is so much creepier than I expected which is just amazing and what I hoped for. The gothic vibes were here and the type of fantasy I like is one based in horror. Also I just love a creepy house (well castle in this instance). This book gave me Shirley Jackson, Edgar Allan Poe, Mike Flanagan, with a little bit of Fear Streat 1666 sprinkled in vibes which is just perfect for fall. Also loved the romance in this which just added to the vibes of this book. Mara Rutherfords writing is just absolutely beautiful and haunting and I felt like I was transported into this world of horror. I loved Princess Imogen and Nico and their tentative connection to get out of the horrors of this book. Overall I loved this one.