Actual rating: 4.5 stars

I absolutely DEVOURED this book. I read it as part of one of the NEWTS2019 prompts - to read a book recommended by a friend. She had been TRYING for YEARS to have me read this. I’m a fan of Holly Black and have read most of her work, but I wanted to wait.

I have no idea what I was waiting for!

As most of her fey books, Black captives the reader with her enchanting world of magic and mischief. Her faeries are dark, cruel, and murderous. While her mortal characters are cunning and strong.

I really like how the central plot is Jude’s survival to navigate a world that is unkind to her. She hates faeries, yet wants to BE them. That is only one complicated theme of many in this story.

I wanted to HATE Cardan and I don’t fully forgive him for his actions. All I can say is that I do understand and even sympathize. Just a smidge. I don’t know how to feel about the possible romance between Jude x Cardan, but I’ll just have to see how that’s developed in the next two books! (I really love the narrative memes I’ve seen of the two.)

There is so much to unpack. I am barely scratching the surface, but I also don’t want to spoil too much and that is hard with this book.

Overall, this book is action packed with intriguing storylines and secrets, deceit, betrayal, and murder. There’s also an inkling of romance throughout.