I think Catherine Fisher actually cannot write anything bad -- she is endlessly creative, especially when coming up with interesting twists on old stories, as here. Plus, she creates really involving characters and settings.I adored this book even though -- (or maybe because?) -- I did not immediately love the heroine, Sarah. She is -- at first -- quite unsympathetic, though you have to feel for her despite this. Her circumstances are so awful, it's no wonder she's rather awful herself!I also love how Ms. Fishers heroes are rather villainous -- it's very well done. (I hope that's not a spoiler, but I really don't think it is).On the whole, the most interesting take on the "Faustus" story I've read in quite a while.Four stars? Maybe that's not fair, because I'm judging this book mostly against the rest of Catherine Fisher's and I pretty much love everything she does. So.. It doesn't match the brilliance of [b:Incarceron|332775|Incarceron (Incarceron, #1)|Catherine Fisher|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1327414514s/332775.jpg|323310] or [b:Sapphique|4499214|Sapphique (Incarceron, #2)|Catherine Fisher|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1327885488s/4499214.jpg|4548192], but it's definitely still a very good book!
