Deja vu. I have a love/hate relationship with Stephanie Garber's writing. Like J.J. Abrams: She can set something up, reel me in... but she can't stick the landing. She creates a disorienting amount of mysteries and conveniences, recycles plots/characters, expects cameos and nostalgia to be as rewarding as fleshing out new characters/scenarios... Is this book atmospheric and delightful with its Cinderella meets Alice in Wonderland meets Vampire Romance fairytale? Absolutely. Am I, nevertheless, dissatisfied with the final outcome? Unfortunately, also absolutely. I keep waiting for the day when Jacks will finally get HIS story. But this is not that. And in the end, Evangeline and Marisol are just the more malicious version of Scarlett and Tella. I'm tired of girls fighting over boys, tricking each other with magical subterfuge, and undergoing too many costume changes. I am, sadly, even tired of girls finding their inner hero by pitting themselves against much wilier, stronger, magical men. I just want Jacks - who is a delightful, tortured, complex character - to finally have HIS due. Evangeline is a distraction from the story I REALLY want. And unfortunately, she seems to have dashed all my hopes for a redemption arc for Jacks.

#JusticeForJacks