Poetic
Ever listen to a singer or an actor whose voice gives you a little chill down the spine? Maybe it's Adele or James Earl Jones. Some voices just demand attention and that's all there is to it.
Patchett's writing style is like that. It's warm, poetic, and rich. Even if you're not immediately grabbed by the story, it's hard to resist that voice, which sets a tone that's poetic and thoughtful. It tells us right off the bat that this won't be just an action story, and that we'll linger on certain moments, think about their significance, and explore them at length.