I’ve read the other books in this series, but it has been awhile. So unfortunately, I spent 2/3 of this book struggling to remember what the heck was going on. And it definitely can’t be read as a stand-alone. So be sure to read the others first!

Mistress of all Evil tells the origin story of Maleficent, the dark fairy that cursed Sleeping Beauty. But it’s also the continuation of the story of the odd sisters that have been a constant throughout the series.

The first thing that struck me is how dark this book is. The series is marketed as middle grade, but I think it has evolved beyond that level. Much of the story is focused on why Maleficent wants Aurora dead so badly, and on how betrayal changes people and relationships. Calling it heavy would be an understatement. And while I love the direction Valentino took this in, I think the execution of it could have used some cleaning up.

While the characterization and world building was excellent, the pacing of the story was very uneven. Maleficent’s backstory was executed well - it was hands down the best part of the book. But the present day events ambled along with no clear direction; almost like filler while waiting for the final showdown between Maleficent and Prince Philip. And even that was hardly touched upon. I was left feeling like this book was just a bridge to the next book in the series.