Wow. Sometimes you just read a book, and it’s just an incredible journey. That’s what this book is—a haunting, beautiful, magical journey though a world that’s vivid and still so surreal. Yet, the language and writing is beautifully clear. There’s no hard-to-follow stream of consciousness writing, just evocative imagery and an incredible mystery. What’s more, unlike some books that taunt you with a deep mystery and then never answer any questions or solve anything, Piranesi comes to an incredible, heartfelt, and well-earned ending.

Much of the charm of Piranesi is probably due to its protagonist, a man who is called Piranesi, though he’s certain that’s not his name. He has a kindness, warmth, and decency to him, as well as wonder and love for the incredible world around him, that makes him incredibly likable and fun to read. The world he inhabits is a magical house with seemingly infinite halls and a sea in the lower rooms, yet Clarke draws it so realistically that you can picture every statue and doorway.

I wish I could explain more without giving away parts of the mystery, but honestly, if there’s one book you read this year, it should be this one. I can’t recommend it enough for anyone who like fantasy, or honestly any thoughtful and compelling books at all. I’m literally tempted to re-read it now that I know what happens, just to catch all the fantastical details and haunting secrets.