“[A] lovely novel...In much the same way that nineteenth century illustrator Margaret Armstrong or the brilliant contemporary painter Barbara Kassel creates whole worlds that begin with a single flower, Isabel Zuber invents a world where the king is not mankind but the earth itself.” —The Washington Post Book World

“Zuber is a poet, and that gift is evident in this first novel, a moving story that is distinguished by her remarkable rhythms and eye for detail.” —St. Petersburg Times

“Zuber weaves her tale with the grace and lyricism of the poet she is. Her intricate narrative flows as smoothly as the ivory silk wedding dress Anna packs away, never to wear again. Her words capture the aura of the Appalachian landscape, the moodiness of its weather, and the supernatural beauty of its days and nights. Her characters...are clearly defined, complex, and memorable.” —Winston-Salem Journal

“In the recent tradition of Robert Morgan’s Gap Creek... Zuber tells Anna’s story with remarkable fullness.” —Library Journal