The cover really draws the eye, the dripping gold forming a cage around the castle. I love Serilda's story-telling, the way she doesn't even know how a tale will end until she tells it. Her home is an enchanting place of superstitions about magical creatures, but the hunt is real. The myths are real. When terrifying hellhounds howl, Serilda offers shelter to two moss maidens and lies outrageously to the Erlking which made me immediately root for her to succeed. She seems to get away with it, embellishes the tale of that night to others in town, but then the hunt rides again and the tension increased. I eagerly awaited the return of the Erlking, especially after the creepy visit from the night raven. I was delighted to be delayed by the ghost who retrieved her and was glad the journey into the Aschen Wood and to the Erlking's castle was so well-paced and detailed. It was just as creepy and dark as I hoped. I can't wait to read more of this story!