Holy shitttt I forgot how good this book is. Major spoilers for later in the series below.

I read this when I was 12-13 and I genuinely thought that Sophie and Agatha were soulmates romantically. Especially the ending scene. Aggie had never been interested in boys, Sophie was but only on a superficial level. They clung to each other through thick and thin. They danced at the ball. In fact, Sophie literally said Agatha was her date, albeit to manipulate the prince (I didn't care about him enough to remember his name. Ted something?) and at the end. DUDE. THEY LITERALLY HAD A TANGLED-ESQUE TRUE LOVE'S KISS. Which I guess the ending after that bit implied their actual relationship but I didn't catch it because the book had been playing gal pals when they were clearly gay.

But the author apparently ruined it later by having that be a Luke and Leia moment. According to the wiki (which I was looking at to try and find their ages since the author objectified Sophie - who had to be canonically 12-15 - a lot and it creeped me out) they're twin sisters who were separated at birth.

Listen, I get why that kind of twist can be compelling, but it was not set up right. Before I even knew I liked girls I knew Sophie and Agatha were in love with each other. If it's obvious to a middle schooler it's obvious in general. I really hope someone on the wiki was just trolling so I can have my magical witch princesses - but I also know Agatha marries Tedrose so BOOOOO).

ANYWAY 5* books are rare for me but this one really earned it and I'm so excited to read the whole series now that I've had my book 1 refresher.