[1] The book collects five short stories, the award-winning novella Something Rich and Strange, and one essay by the author, together with an afterword by Peter S. Beagle.

In a starred review, Publishers Weekly calls the book an "outstanding collection of nine dazzling shorter pieces."

McKillip's tantalizing storytalling cleverly leaves us guessing, as the twists and turns of magic unravel in unexpected ways.

[3] Kristi Chadwick in Library Journal notes "[t]he seven ethereal tales ... collected here touch on people's dreams and desires" and "McKillip ... once more enchants with this volume, which fantasy readers will devour as they are transported into multiple realities."

[4] Charles de Lint in The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction pronounces that "[s]ome authors we read for their characters and their plots, others for the beauty of their language. "

Calling it "reminiscent of Kelly Link's Pretty Monsters, she notes that "[y]oung adults who like fantasy tales with strong female characters willing to save themselves and others will enjoy this volume."