An instant New York Times bestseller!
An Indie Next Top 10 Pick
A Parents’ Choice Silver Honor Winner
“A funny, action-packed, and sweet romance.” —School Library Journal (starred review)
“A phenomenal read.” —RT Book Reviews
A skilled painter must stand up to the ancient power of the faerie courts—even as she falls in love with a faerie prince—in this gorgeous bestseller that’s “an ideal pick for fans of Holly Black, Maggie Stiefvater, and Laini Taylor” (Publishers Weekly, starred review).
Isobel is an artistic prodigy with a dangerous set of clients: the sinister fair folk, immortal creatures who cannot bake bread or put a pen to paper without crumbling to dust. They crave human Craft with a terrible thirst, and Isobel’s paintings are highly prized. But when she receives her first royal patron—Rook, the autumn prince—she makes a terrible mistake. She paints mortal sorrow in his eyes—a weakness that could cost him his life.
Furious, Rook spirits her away to his kingdom to stand trial for her crime. But something is seriously wrong in his world, and they are attacked from every side. With Isobel and Rook depending on each other for survival, their alliance blossoms into trust, then love—and that love violates the fair folks’ ruthless laws. Now both of their lives are forfeit, unless Isobel can use her skill as an artist to fight the fairy courts. Because secretly, her Craft represents a threat the fair folk have never faced in all the millennia of their unchanging lives: for the first time, her portraits have the power to make them feel.
“One raven for uncertain peril. Six for danger sure to arrive. A dozen for death, if not avoided. The enchantment is sealed.”
Things I Liked:
✑ The worldbuilding = 👍👍 (The idea behind "craft" was really cool!!)
✑ THERE WERE FAE. I will never say no to a book about Fae (and Holly Black is not helping this).
✑ The Star-Crossed Lover trope is always fun.
✑ There was some fun banter between Rook and Isabell. And oh, there was definitely some great steamy scenes and angsty romance.
✑ The writing style was solid and technically well-developed.
Things I Liked... Less:
✑ I wasn't very invested in the characters or their relationships.
✑ The love felt...too insta-lovey and forced.
✑ Although the world was interesting, the plot felt subpar in comparison.
✑ I never felt worried or in doubt about how the story would end. There was no suspense for me while reading; the peril didn't feel perilous because I knew that Rook and Isabelle would get their Happily Ever After.
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Reading updates
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Started reading
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Finished reading
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23 March, 2019:
Reviewed