There's a lot to like about this book from the quirky characters to the frequent and quite relevant pop culture references.
The book is riddled with pop culture from a cat being named after Beyonce to older songs that we don't necessarily know all the words to like 'Sweet Caroline'. There's also the references in Esther's outfits, wearing each costume like armour in characteres such as Wednesday Adams and matilda, as well as strong historical women like Amelia Earheart.
I liked the concept for Death, not the usual skeleton in dark robes but a man with features and a life around his career. A man with acne scars and pockmarks who you wouldn't really notice in a bar but still has a sense of humanity when he befriends Esther's grandfather, Reginald.
The characters are also an extremely interesting bunch with various quirks that make them all individual but still endearing. Rosemary who tries to attract luck with a wide range of talismens ranging from a Goblin Rooster to a Tiger's eye pendant who blows everything at the slots. Peter, a vet who retreats to the basement after suffering from a stroke. Eugene, Esther's twin who is scared of the monsters in the shadows and can't bare to be without some sort of light source. There's heph, her willowly ghost-like friend who doesn't speak and Jonah, a conman with a bold sense of fashion and artistic flair who will do anything to keep his sister safe from their alcoholic father, including giving up his dreams. Then there's Esther, the only true believer of her grandfather's curse - that the solar's will die by their greatest fear. Due to this fear, she hides herself away in costumes.
The book is riddled with pop culture from a cat being named after Beyonce to older songs that we don't necessarily know all the words to like 'Sweet Caroline'. There's also the references in Esther's outfits, wearing each costume like armour in characteres such as Wednesday Adams and matilda, as well as strong historical women like Amelia Earheart.
I liked the concept for Death, not the usual skeleton in dark robes but a man with features and a life around his career. A man with acne scars and pockmarks who you wouldn't really notice in a bar but still has a sense of humanity when he befriends Esther's grandfather, Reginald.
The characters are also an extremely interesting bunch with various quirks that make them all individual but still endearing. Rosemary who tries to attract luck with a wide range of talismens ranging from a Goblin Rooster to a Tiger's eye pendant who blows everything at the slots. Peter, a vet who retreats to the basement after suffering from a stroke. Eugene, Esther's twin who is scared of the monsters in the shadows and can't bare to be without some sort of light source. There's heph, her willowly ghost-like friend who doesn't speak and Jonah, a conman with a bold sense of fashion and artistic flair who will do anything to keep his sister safe from their alcoholic father, including giving up his dreams. Then there's Esther, the only true believer of her grandfather's curse - that the solar's will die by their greatest fear. Due to this fear, she hides herself away in costumes.