"Bachmann's writing is as polished as in his earlier books-the violence is fittingly gruesome, the decadent and mazelike palace is gorgeously described, and Anouk has an engagingly snarky narrative voice." -- Publishers Weekly "Bachmann keeps the pages turning with this thriller...The peculiar circumstances add to the strange atmosphere and also to the suspense, lending the book an appealing, unworldly quality. When the explanation finally arrives, it fits quite well with the odd atmosphere. Bizarre and hugely suspenseful." -- Kirkus Reviews "Anouk's and Aurelie's stories skillfully mirror each other and are engaging...it is certain to please those who demand constant action blended with their historical fiction." -- Booklist "The sadistic house of horrors is fantastically drawn...readers looking for a scare for scare's sake will revel in the grotesqueness and cheer when Anouk and company take down their captors for a satisfying end." -- Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books