Marta (white) lives in the attic of the grand Hotel Balzaar with her mother, a maid. Marta’s father, away at war, has not contacted them in more than a year, but Marta hasn’t given up hope he will return. Marta heeds her mother’s warnings to bother no one at the hotel; she explores quietly and alone. But her days change dramatically with the arrival of the countess. The wealthy woman with a parrot on her shoulder explains to Marta that she’s come to tell her seven stories. The countess calls Marta “my little ray of light,” which is how Marta’s father addressed her in his last letter. Her stories are about a general, a parrot, a nun, a king, a fox, a boy, and his parents. Are they real? What do they mean? Marta is frustrated and unsure. But as seemingly impossible things start happening and connections begin to emerge, Marta thinks “that there is some small amount of light seeping through the stories.” When the countess disappears before the final story, Marta is devastated. But the story is still unfolding, and this time Marta plays a part. It is “the story of people finding each other again against all odds. It is the story of love enduring.” This warm, cozy tale will delight readers who like to puzzle through clues and make connections. There is enchantment throughout, from the hope that Marta holds onto to the intricate black-and-white illustrations that grace each chapter.