This book, was definitely different from the previous books Robin McKinley has written, a lot darker. This book, may not be funny/charming enough to read quickly, but that does not make it 'bad'. When I first read it, I was drawn into the story. Lissar's growing realization of wrongness, her attempts to live under the shadow of her parents, the madness of her father, betrayal, and her escape. The moonwoman who healed her, and the other kingdom (like the opposite of her father and mother's), and her deepening friendship with the prince. The ending was all that it should be, and I admire Robin McKinley for not making it a "happily ever after, period" ending.