I really loved this book, it took me by surprise. The Celtic language and folklore used throughout was lovely, I also really enjoyed the authentic forest/woodland fae lands which were a welcome change from the modern settings we often see in fae romantasy these days. 

 

My favourite character was Corra - what’s not to love about sarcastic but sentient magical house?! I liked that there were plenty of riddles, bargains and curses slipped into stories and rhymes, it was very on brand for the fae. I also enjoyed the elemental magic system, the descriptions of Fia’s greenmark/magic were beautiful and conjured really strong imagery. 

 

The spice was hot but not overdone. Despite only having a handful of scenes but they were steamy enough that it didn’t feel lacking. One thing I noted and appreciated, was the lack of purity pressure for the female main character. She spoke of past and present lovers openly and without shame. Even when jealousy reared its head, it was directed at her current affections and future commitments, not past choices. This is so refreshing to see, as in romance as a genre we so often see unrealistic and unfair expectations put on female main characters, that aren’t extended to the males. 

 

I felt the dynamic between Fia and Rogan was also realistic and heartfelt. The author did a great job of portraying their connection as it grew through childhood friendship, teenage infatuation and adult companionship. Anyone who has fallen out of love with a friend or fallen in love with the wrong person, can relate to that urge to comfort yourselves and each other, of trying to extend the peaceful protection of being in their arms for just one more night before facing the harsh reality that you are not meant to be. As well as the back & forth of each of them trying to do “right” at different times, despite it feeling all wrong. 

 

Of course, I adored Irian as a character. A morally grey, dangerous, cruel, tortured shadow daddy? Take me, I’m sold. 

 

It was frustrating to read Fia be so trusting and accepting of Eala and the Queen’s words and intentions, especially when they did so little to camouflage their backhanded compliments and scheming. I hope we get to see a moment of vengeance and Fia taking the upper hand against the other women in future books, as she has suffered a lot at their hands. 

 

Not to judge a book by its cover but I think the US cover art does not do the story any justice. I wasn’t expecting much and probably wouldn’t have purchased this based on the cover alone, I ended up blown away. I think the UK cover is so much more aligned with the story inside. I’m really looking forward to the next book, Lyra Selene has gained a new fan in me. 

 

Thank you Orbit Books and Lyra Selene for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.