The Laughing Listener
Format: ebook
*I was graciously given a copy of this in exchange for an honest review*
Overall Rating: 5 Stars

When I saw this pretty cover with the awesome-looking Zera brandishing a giant sword and read the title, I was pretty much sold on this. Then I realized that she was actually, LITERALLY trying to take the prince's heart and I was gone. I needed to get my hands on this thing and I'm so glad I was given the opportunity to read it! IT WAS SO GOOD.

THE GOOD

So many amazing things! Where do I even start?!



Okay, first of all, the sassy wonder Zera was my favorite. Wearing fancy dresses and kicking ass, all while dishing out the snappy one-liners! I loved watching her grow over the course of the book and make new friends after being alone for so long. She's a flawed character that's had her fair share of hard times (to say the least), but I loved that Zera still kept her spunk and humor even in the darker moments. Such a relatable quality to me. Despite having a hard outer shell, she had a great sense of loyalty and love that I really admired.

And of course, I OBVIOUSLY loved Lucien the dark haired prince with a heart of gold. The banter between him and Zera was great fun to watch and their romance was adorable. But the real relationship that I enjoyed watching was the one between Zera and Y'shennria. Good parents and/or guardians are always lacking in these young-adult books and it was so refreshing to see maternal relationship take center stage for once. To say they had a rough start would be an understatement, but by the end of the book, watching Zera and Y'shennria together gave my heart all the warm fuzzies!



Lastly, I thought the world building was awesome! I was really fascinated by this little universe Wolf created and it was fun learning all the rules. The contrast between the witches in the forest and the snooty nobles in the city was interesting. I’m curious to see how those opposing sides will merge if/when they fight in a war against one another.

Oh, and by the way. MALACHITE IS THE BEST AND I LOVE HIM. Just saying.

THE UGLY

I wouldn't change a thing about this book, it's perfect the way it is. There's only one thing I need to say and get out of my system...

THAT ENDING WAS THE SO DIABOLICALLY EVIL!!!! ARGGGG I NEED THE NEXT ONE NOOOOOOOW!!!!!!!



FINAL WORD

Perfect. Wonderful. Excellent. A medieval, stabby, sassy delight! I need the next one. Tomorrow. Now. Yesterday. GIVE ME MORE!!!