The human girl who wants to save her family, the mystery deals with a witch and a fea prince who falls for a forbidden love. You should read this review if you like Cinderella and A Court of Thorns and Roses.

Meert Raewyn, a desperate young woman who makes a dangerous bargain to save her starving family, agrees to attend a Fae royal ball in disguise and complete a mysterious task. But her plan goes awry when she captures the attention of two Fae princes— Stellon, intensely possessive, and the other, darkly enigmatic Pharis. As she uncovers court secrets and the true nature of her mission, she’s forced to choose between duty and desire. If she fails, her family dies. If she succeeds, she may doom herself—and the world.

Overall Review: 3,5/5 👠

Have you ever read a book that you wanted to know how it would end, and you have also been sooo annoyed by its wasted potential? This book could have been another Acotar, but I just could not find it in me to care for FMC and especially MMC. But I kept reading it because I was interested in how it all will end. Also, Prince Pharis and his sister look like they could supply for lack of interest in the main characters. Unfortunately, their presence was so rare that it was not enough.

I am not much of a cinnamon roll boyfriend kinda gall, so the whole time, I was rooting for brooding smartass brother, and MMC was just not my kind of tea. Also, he often gave so strong Tamlin vibes that I just immediately disliked him. He feels shallow and missing any personality. Doing everything for his father, not questioning anything; for most of the book’s first part, he is just self-pitying and selfish as hell… he is kind but only to the people he loves. Is controling and thinks only about himself. If you cannot say, I just don’t like Stellon. But it is an emotion, so I don’t count this as a flaw; maybe the author meant him to be this way.

FMC, for me, feels like a stereotypical human heroin… human caring for her two little sisters and sick father. Good, but naive as hell. I love good girl heroine as anyone, but I just can’t stand Raywens’ decision… her internal monologue is all about caring for her sisters and father. Still, she doesn’t take money because she doesn’t want pity… when the prince pampers her, she stops thinking about them until it fits her rage. She has her bright moments. She cares for others, but give her books, music, and perfume, and she will happily forget everything for you. I hope that she will get some character development in the second book like it was with so many heroins I now love.

I am also rooting for Prince’s brother Pharis, who seems to have such shadow daddy vibes that I just hope that in book 2, there will be more space, and the whole Stellon thing will go to hell. Also, I am outraged that we don’t get what Pharis was getting about Raywen with his matchmaking glamour and more explanation about shadow glamor. I must say that hooked me so much for book two.

Also, his sister seems like such an interesting character. I hope we will also see more of her.

I really like that we have 2 main villains in this story, and I can claim that both of them I hate with my full heart. King was the obvious one, but I appreciate the twist on the fairy godmother that is Earthwitch. And I can tell you: She is written well if you want the villain to hate.

As for the plot, I like it. It was not earth-shattering, but the mystery about what Raywen would do at the ball was there, even though it was pretty predictable. It kept me invested enough that I was hooked and wanted to know how this love story would end and if Reywen would end up with any of them. Some things were hinted at and not explained, like how the king knows about Raywen and Stellon, what the earth witch issue is, etc. It could be a plot holes or hooks for book 2. I am sure as hell that I will read book 2 to find out.