**Very mild spoilers**

It was clear from the beginning of the book that Ella was hiding something from Alice. In the end, Ella did deceive Alice but for all intents and purposes she was still a mother to her that raised her with love and gave her a new opportunity to write her own story rather than be stuck in a fairy tale. I appreciated the magic in this world as it had a very dark tone and displayed that magic is powerful and amazing, but is just as dangerous. It was very reminiscent of Neil Gaiman’s fantasy writing in terms of the way all magic has consequences and stakes. I really like that, especially right after reading The Magician King by Lev Grossman that similarly explores the dangers magic can bring. 

Finn was my favorite character in the book. It’s a shame we didn’t really get to spend as much time with him as I would have liked. I’m hoping that we get to see more of him in the sequel. Alice is really prickly on the outside, but that’s largely a product of the instability she has been raised in. Finn is friendly, charming, and warm, but he’s also never been homeless or had to face the harsh realities of poverty that Alice has. Alice isn’t very likeable compared to Finn because of this in the beginning, but by the end of the story they have grown to really appreciate each other as friends. I’m not sure if their relationship will develop into a romantic one. Finn implies that he might like another girl by the end of this book and honestly I like him and Alice as just friends currently. However, if the author writes it well enough, I think I can get on board with them as a couple. The book ends in a way that lets it stand on its own without a sequel. I’m hoping the next book is able to live up to all of the excitement this book delivered on.