A Rumplestiltskin retelling? YES. This was such a unique take on the classic fairytale and it definitely is an original all on its own. Alchemy, magic, contracts, secrets, and romance all collide in this amazing story. The story begins with Sepha, a girl who wants to be a Lady Alchemist, but in abusive home and with difficult and barely any control over her magic, her chances are bleak. When it comes time to show her magic in order to gain entrance into the academy, she also runs into a mysterious guy who she feels a connection to. When a slip of the tongue gets her sent to prison and given an ultimatum: turn all the straw into gold and get the title of Lady Alchemist (without having to go to the school or pay for anything and be given funding, living space, and a court title) or die if she cannot. A mysterious and conniving magician appears as Sepha struggles to complete her task and offers her a deal: she will have one year to either alchemically create body for the magician or else her firstborn child will be his and in exchange he will turn all her straw into gold. With no way out Sepha agrees... except now she has a clock on her and she must find a way to get out of the deal. Things start to take a turn for the worst when there are more attempts on her life, she is thrown in the middle political fights, her complicated feelings for a sweet and kind alchemist who is hiding his own secrets, and the fact that everyone will want to kill her... especially when she discovers what her true powers are and what she actually is. I had so much fun reading this and I really loved the way the story worked in the classic fairytale. The romance is sweet and light and the magic in the story was amazing. The book ends a little open, with the possibility of a continuation of the story ( I WOULD 100% LOVE IT IF IT WAS CONTINUED) but wraps up the main Sepha story well!