One of my most anticipated reads of 2021! When I heard this book had POTS rep, I was immediately hooked. While I don't have POTS myself, I do deal with chronic pain, so books that mention any kind of chronic illness/disability really appeal to me, especially since its rare to see in fantasy/historical fiction. Lillie mentions in the Author's Note at the end of the book that: "Tania having POTS, as a girl in a fictionalized version of seventeenth-century France, is the least fantastical element of One for All." Chronic illnesses have always existed...they were just not talked about and hidden from others, as we see Tania's mom try to do in this book.

I created a short thread on Twitter with some of my favourite quotes form this book that really stood out to me. All of them I think can be relatable to anyone with a disability because a lot of our experiences are similar, especially in terms of feeling like a burden and having to deal with the uncertainty and unpredictability of our illnesses.

<a href="https://twitter.com/aforestofbooks/status/1518876159022452737?s=20&t=BjqOfCEPEiyltsjhP2Udaw">Twitter Thread</a>

I think the hardest part for me to read was the beginning, especially seeing the way Tania's mom treated her and how her only focus was to marry her off without anyone figuring out her illness. It was also hard seeing Tania on edge around the other girls at first because she wasn't sure how she would be treated by them. I did love seeing their relationship grow and develop, and Tania coming to realize that this was her new family and she could depend on them just like they depended on her. I really wish we could have seen Tania's mom see this. Though I also understand that Tania has nothing to prove to her mother, I just wanted to see the look on her mother's face when she realizes that Tania's friends, Madame de Treville, and Henri know about Tania's condition and aren't embarrassed or ashamed of it.

I loved all the spying and the parties/balls and the pretty dresses and hidden swords. It just has a wonderful aesthetic and feel to the book and I seriously felt transported during those scenes. (I also sort of want to rewatch Barbie and the Three Musketeers now lol) I will say though, the plot was kind of straight forward and predictable at times. And it was obvious who the "villain" really was all along. We do get a classic "villain talks about their plans in detail" in the final act, and I was a little surprised that Tania hadn't figured it out, though I guess emotions can get in the way of that.

One thing I do like about this book is that Tania cries a lot? I don't know why, but I feel like a lot of heroines in books tend to hide their emotions in front of others, but Tania cries openly in front of her friends and Madame de Treville, and I think it was refreshing and relatable cause honestly if someone yelled at me and was disappointed in something I did, I too would cry lol

My favourite of the three other girls was Théa. She is so young and energetic and bubbly, and I love how great of a seamstress she is. Portia and Aria were also great and I loved seeing how each girl brought something different to the group. Their friendship was probably my favourite part of the book.

Overall, 4/5 stars.