Such a wonderful, deep, surprising work! It is labeled as YA, and certainly is a story that thoughtful older teens could, and should, read and love. But it’s deeper than any YA novel I can think of (and I’ve read more than my share!). The author quite gracefully pulls off a blend of a coming of age story, a murder mystery, an examination of loyalty, family, and the purpose of life, and a look at power dynamics both personal and political. And she does it in a historical, geographical, and social setting that will be completely new to most of her readers. Yet her characters and her narrative are so strong that you are pulled into this world. The author makes you deeply feel what living in early 1800’s Korea might have been like, without lecturing or over-explaining. She shows you through action and characterization what you need to gain understanding of the time and place while still propelling the plot forward at a quick pace.And as a side note, although I do love a good romance, it was refreshing that the young heroine worked through her conflicts and struggled with finding her place in life without the need to pair off with a love interest. One hopes that Seol’s life contains love and happiness going into the future, yet her hard-won maturation and belief in herself do not require her finding a romantic interest. Lovely!