A novel about learning to trust and rely on oneself, and embracing the strength from within. 

We follow Valla, chosen to be the bride of the Count Leonid in exchange for providing for her village. But when she is injured traveling through the woods towards her betrothed, she realizes that promises mean nothing and she must do whatever it takes to survive her new husband. 

A combination of fairytale and horror, it isn’t until we see the true colors of everyone around that Valla can embrace her anger to claw her way to victory - no matter the cost. This book was a whirlwind of events, and there were multiple twists I absolutely didn’t see coming. Without spoiling anything, I’ll say that I really enjoyed how the multiple villains within this novel were handled - even those we are unaware are villains until it is almost too late. (I will say that I was a bit disappointed that one character is so violently treated and then killed, but then another survives - if only because it makes the one who survived much more tragic, despite the almost-hopeful feeling at the end of this novel.)

Brutal and dark, this book doesn’t hesitate to explore the darker aspects hidden in any fairytale, and forces Valla to either embrace her destiny and thrive - or to wither and die.