This review originally appeared on the book review blog: justonemorepaige.wordpress.com.

This is the adult answer to the YA trend of magical romance stories. And really, don't get me wrong, I love those and read them as well. A lot. But I definitely enjoyed this more mature approach to that popular story line that we get here.

This book was great, on so many levels. First, I loved the title - like I said, I have a soft spot for lone titles and it's the reason I picked the book up to begin with. And it completely lived up to my expectations. Nora was a great heroine in that she is probably one of the most relatable, realistic women I have ever read. From her self-doubt and shortcomings that made it possible to be so thoroughly enchanted by Ilissa, to her intellect and curiosity that set her apart in the new world and so attracted Aruendiel to her, to her skills and interest in magic (both referring to her successes and failures). She is the everyday woman's reaction to everything she is experiencing. Or, slightly more than that, the very educated and intelligent, but still "normal," woman's reaction. I always like to think I react more like a traditional heroine, but let's be honest, I would totally be more like Nora. And after reading her character here, that's definitely not the insult I previously would have imagined it to be. The way she uses her own knowledge, experiences, and intelligence to address her new circumstances and challenges is inspiring in a very empowering way.

The development of Nora's relationship with Aruendiel was complete, believable, and frustratingly real. I loved reading their back and forth and how they started to become more comfortable with each other, only to be snapped farther away again by something or other - how many real life relationships look. I also admired her ability to keep the tension and not give in to the characters getting together in the traditional manner. It really makes for a more compelling read, but I can imagine it would be hard not to give in to urges to release the tension earlier/differently. I'm sure the author wanted it to happen just as much as I did, as a reader.

The supporting cast of characters was fantastic also. I loved Hiriz's character. Loved. And since the book leaves space for a follow-up, I sure hope she comes back! [Update from original post - the author has confirmed that she's working on a sequel. However worry not, this one leaves off in a very comfortable place and you won't be waiting on a cliffhanger for a second one.] Mrs. Toristel is wonderful as well.

My one critique would be how quickly Ilissa and Raclin were "defeated" and disappeared, as well as how fast the conclusion of the story was, compared to how long the earlier plot development was. The entire end just seemed a little rushed.

On the other hand, my favorite part was the continuous presence of Pride and Prejudice - one of Nora's favorite books. Throughout the book there are both obvious references and subtle parallels that I just LOVED (magic and Jane Austen are two of my very favorite things). The final piece, the last parallel to the Pride and Prejudice story, Nora's realization that she had been just as blind as Elizabeth Bennet and the only proper conclusion to her story would be to take the same steps Lizzy did, was perfect. I greatly admire what the author was able to do here, the reality of her characters and the beautiful overlap with one of the most beloved novels of all time, and I really enjoyed this read.