I really enjoyed this mostly light hearted read. Although, it is important to know that there are a couple of trigger points early on in this book... passed that It I mostly just a fun read. Considering how the characters just sort of decide to do and feel certain things throughout the book (as in there's no actual character development as such it is more that they just decide as they go with no real thought or angst within the decision process, despite making life changing decisions). As long as you don't think too hard about these things then you can just be swept along with the story and have fun in the process. 

I read this book because I was intrigued by the burning children but honestly the novel really doesn't focus so intensely on the children as a I thought it would. In my opinion they were really a way to bring the other characters together. I really enjoyed the experience of reading this book however, there were some challenges along the way. There was some implied representation of some uncomfortable topics that I felt should have potentially had some trigger warnings for. It was also a book that I felt would have benefitted from being longer to allow for some of the relationships and characters to develop more. I think this because it is a book that is very character driven  and I was left with a lot of wonderings and questions. Things I really appreciated about the book was the delving into the effects of different types of upbringing on the person as an adult. I can't really elaborate on that without spoiling the story. Another aspect that I would like to see in fiction more is the representation of m/f relationships that are not romantic. I was worried that a romantic element would be brought in that I would have been disappointed by, I was very glad that didn't happen. Overall, I would recommend this book and I enjoyed the overall experience of the story.

This was a read recommended by Danni.Dabbles on YouTube and it has just solidified how much I can trust her recommendations. This was such a beautiful tale that while it is a inspired by several different fairy tales it is uniquely written and Toadling and her knight are now two of my favourite characters of all time!!!!

I will be reviewing this over on my YouTube on 3/3/24

This book has my whole heart! I am so grateful for the opportunity to read this advance copy. I now need to purchase the physical copy to re-read and annotate. 

However, for anyone reading this for the first time I would make sure to check the trigger warnings. Although, I will say that Emily B. Rose does handle these topics with absolute respect and understanding that I haven’t otherwise seen done quite as well as this. I really appreciated the fat human representation and it was refreshing to see a setting that is accepting of people as they are - other than some fatphobia and the pressure placed on Kenna to marry and take over the kingdom. There is beautiful Scottish Gaelic language and influence in this world that was a pleasure to be immersed in. The relationship between Kenna and Tristan is beautiful, not to mention the relationship that happens later in the book. They are funny, sweet, and there were many times I got face-ache from smiling. I also appreciated the way the characters’ physicality was described and I felt that the experience of fatphobia was pretty accurate. I have never read a book where I have felt this seen and represented. I also really loved the merman twist! Sooooooo gooooooddd!!! I am sort of hoping for a sequel to this because I would love to know how they cope when things settle, and the way confidence issues can't just disappear that quickly, and also what happens to the kingdoms and how they get on.