Overall: not bad.
This was a sweet book but I found the lack of confidence and desperation for love to be heartbreaking. While the ending is happy, the book as a whole has a darker tone.
There's no world building. While the plot doesn't really suffer for it since the morals and character relationships are the most important, the book as a whole fell a little flat for me because of it. I know it's a stand alone so I'm not expecting high fantasy world building but something would've really improved it.
the magic and alchemy was really cool. I love seeing how different authors and books use alchemy.
oh and:
1. never marry someone who treats you like the King did.
2. Never allow someone to treat you like this father did. no matter if they are a parent
3. You don't need romantic love to be complete and happy
4. a step parent that is there for you is a parent.

love yourself! ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️