Many thanks to my friends at @tornightfire and @macmillan.audio for the #gifted copies of this book.  

 

Highly entertaining yet deeply disturbing.  Leede’s debut proves she is one to watch (and maybe be a little afraid of?).

 

This book begs the question:  princess or villain?  Maeve, our female protagonist, has a fervent answer: BOTH! 

 

By day, Maeve is everything society expects.  She’s pretty.  She’s polished.  She dotes on little children.  But as day turns to night, she puts aside the crowns and pixie dust to embrace her depraved nature.

 

Trolling smoky dive bars, often covered in blood {Happy Halloween!}, she can’t quite understand why it is that men are allowed inner demons while women must answer for their darkness. 

 

“Men have always been permitted in fiction and in life to simply be what they are, no matter how dark or terrifying that might be. But with a woman, we expect an answer, a reason.” 

I loved the dichotomy found in Maeve.  A murderous princess.  It’s a smart, irreverent social commentary worth exploration.    

 

There’s also a love story.  (Is romantic horror a thing?)  Oh to be fully seen and fully loved.  The way Gideon looked at Maeve!  The way he expressed himself to her!  Alas there are no HEAs in horror.  Sometimes love just isn’t enough.  

 

Gross or engrossing?  Unequivocally, both.  Even with such a debauched narrative, I found myself captivated.  It’s a provocative, fresh, and compelling tale. 

 

BUT.  It spares no details.  It’s a vivid picture of gore and violence.  The content is explicit and gruesome.  It’s erotic and obscene.  Trigger warnings abound and should be heeded as this isn’t for everyone.  (I’m still wondering if it was for me!)

 

This made for a great buddy read and discussion with @bookmarked.by.becky @thats.one.for.the.books and @its_liz_reading

 

🎧 @sosiebackon has narrating chops!  I utilized both print and audio for this read, but I found myself grabbing for my earbuds.  Bacon’s narration amplifies the rage within Maeve while showcasing her softer sides too.  It’s a full-bodied portrayal that I highly recommend.