I can't recommend this book highly enough. I don't normally go for urban (or in this case rural) fantasy, preferring my fantasy to be based off Earth but I couldn't help being spellbound by this.The narrative, characters, character "arcs", description, pacing, mood - all excellent, with incredible attention to detail. How many other writers, writing about an outsider, the decline of a relationship, your in-laws, loss, childbirth, the fragility of the human body, actually create something as worthwhile, poignant and true as this? How many of them actually have something new or meaningful to say? This book has the feel of someone really getting their teeth into the subject, squeezing every scene and character interaction for all it's worth - fantasy is much better off for this book being written. Shame on fantasy readers for letting such a gem fall out of print!You should buy it. It's terrific.