1) I love that the author is making use of a number of basic techniques. The first-person narrator has a fun voice. The young adult protagonist is insecure about her appearance, especially in comparison with her sister. She is not primarily motivated by the prospect of romance, isn’t big on social situations, and thinks she’s different from most people. The use of these basics makes us comfortable and allows the author to provide us with the unexpected in other parts of the story.
2) Releasing exposition in a helpful manner is a particularly big challenge when it comes to fantasy novels. Why? In addition to teaching the reader about the characters and their situation, the author must also teach the reader about the unique world of the story. It’s very shrewd to begin the novel at the palace because doing so puts Eimear in contact with a lot of people who are important to the fantastic setting.
3) I was surprised that the first chapter was so short. I also noted that the next chapter is forged from several short scenes. There’s no right or wrong length for scenes, of course. It seems appropriate that the scenes are as staccato and punchy as the sentences are.
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