Overly pretty language distracts me from the narrative flow, which is why I always had troube with Penumbra's writing until Fathom Five came along.

That's how I feel about a lot of poetic writing, too, although, I'm not sure narrative flow was the point of Parabiosis. It's long on characterization and short on plot, apart from season seven's. "Fathoms Five" is very carefully plotted, the writing is clear and lucid and lyrical. It's very dark--but I think it is by far her best writing.