I was impressed with the amount of background info and detail on the characters as far as short stories go. One of my main issues with reading short stories is my desire to know more about the characters and setting. It's a personal problem I know, short story means less space for world-building and character backstory and development. I was happy to feel very familiar with Ivory and her family life by the time all the mystical bits and scary stuff came around. This one had a very dark fairytale feel for me but in a modern and realistic way. (Hopefully, that makes sense?)