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3.8 AVERAGE
3.8 AVERAGE
adventurous
emotional
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
thank you to The Nerd Fam for the eARC of this book!
this is a cinderalla retelling in a high fae setting! raewyn is such a strong FMC and stellon is so DOWN BAD. no spice but sooo much tension. the cliffhanger had me on the verge of tears and i sense a possible love triangle on the rise??? great buildup for another book. the heroes were loveable, the villains were hateable, and the magic system is intriguing. i personally felt there were a few plot holes and wish we got more of mareth but overall a quick and good read!
this is a cinderalla retelling in a high fae setting! raewyn is such a strong FMC and stellon is so DOWN BAD. no spice but sooo much tension. the cliffhanger had me on the verge of tears and i sense a possible love triangle on the rise??? great buildup for another book. the heroes were loveable, the villains were hateable, and the magic system is intriguing. i personally felt there were a few plot holes and wish we got more of mareth but overall a quick and good read!
fast-paced
Diverse cast of characters:
No
okay so I wasn't sure how to feel about this going in because I am not typically a romantasy girl. there are such pervasive toxic themes in the genre that I usually reach for strict fantasy instead and have to hope a nice romance will sneak in at some point. but I received an eARC from The Nerd Fam and I am nothing if not a woman who likes to review a free book from a small press! 😅 especially when I realize it's got fairy tale retelling vibes-- I am consistently a sucker for that lol
pros: zippy little read! MMC is down bad, worldbuilding is cool, actual consequences for actions!!! bc that feels rare sometimes lol, MMC has shitty beliefs that are challenged and he learns and grows at a realistic pace!! and they actually listen to each other and empathize after honest moments! plot threads that can be followed to a logical point!
cons: FMC is SOOOOO wittle 😑; MMC is immortal fae compared to a young human woman (but honestly she's 20 and while that's.. a low bar. it is better than 17 or 18); tbh mono-normative but "one true mate" systems are just like that I guess
in the end, I am not above kicking my feetsies in glee when a MMC brings a FMC crates of books and candles so she can read all night in peace. it was quick and light and fun and I had a really good time. and there were a few plot threads left hanging that I am truly curious to see how they turn out! so count me in for the sequel, too!
Thanks again to The Nerd Fam and Amy Patrick for the chance to read this early!
All opinions are my own.
pros: zippy little read! MMC is down bad, worldbuilding is cool, actual consequences for actions!!! bc that feels rare sometimes lol, MMC has shitty beliefs that are challenged and he learns and grows at a realistic pace!! and they actually listen to each other and empathize after honest moments! plot threads that can be followed to a logical point!
cons: FMC is SOOOOO wittle 😑; MMC is immortal fae compared to a young human woman (but honestly she's 20 and while that's.. a low bar. it is better than 17 or 18); tbh mono-normative but "one true mate" systems are just like that I guess
in the end, I am not above kicking my feetsies in glee when a MMC brings a FMC crates of books and candles so she can read all night in peace. it was quick and light and fun and I had a really good time. and there were a few plot threads left hanging that I am truly curious to see how they turn out! so count me in for the sequel, too!
Thanks again to The Nerd Fam and Amy Patrick for the chance to read this early!
All opinions are my own.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Classism
Moderate: Sexual content, Violence, Alcohol
Minor: Domestic abuse, Sexual violence, Death of parent
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Although the pacing is a bit slow, there are a lot of fun hooks that made reading it really enjoyable. And with the promise of even better hooks coming in book two, I will definitely continue the series!!
emotional
hopeful
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This book was really good and easy to read- I read it in one sitting and was delighted at how well it flowed. It's giving Cinderella vibes minus the crappy step sisters and terrible step mother, but add a super dangerous fairy godmother and elves!
I thought the slow burn romance was done well and so sweet! However, I'm sensing a possible secret love triangle situation happening in the future, maybe? Honestly, I would be here for it! I was hoping it would go in that direction and I'm excited to see how the next book develops.
I found Raewyn to be super relatable and enjoyed following her character development. I'm looking forward to more from her.
I really liked Stellon and his siblings. I am hoping to get more from their characters in the next installment. I am also intrigued by the magical system and excited to learn more about that as well.
adventurous
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Thank you to The Nerd Fam for the gifted eARC.
A Court Bright and Broken by Amy Patrick can be described as captivating story about a girl who finds herself in a position to change her families fate. The Fae king’s tithe has left many humans in poverty, her war-wounded father and two younger sisters face inevitable starvation. Raewyn is forced to make an agreement with the village mother to feed her family in exchange for an unknown task she must complete. Upon learning what the village mother requires of her, Raewyn is faced with the impossible. If she fails to complete the task her family will die but if she succeeds she may not be able to live with herself.
Forbidden love, fierce loyalty and a great pace! I devoured this page turner in one sitting and can’t wait for the second book.
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
A very cozy fantasy fairytale…more cinderella retelling than anything else. My favorite part was how Raewyn met the prince before the ball as her real self, but the prince still falls for her then and again at the ball. Really cute book if you are here for the romance totally stay. But if you want more plot, then this isn’t it. Not sure what to think of the brother…I like him but he thinks Rarwyn and him are compatible? There’s definitely more to the story. So if you like fairytale retellings, court intrigue, he falls first and forbidden romance, you’ll like this one
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
First, the cover for this is amazingly beautiful. I love the brightness of the flowers.🌺 Totally in love with this story. Stellon has my heart for sure. I really loved the different chapter POVs and the way he and Raewyn talk about each other from beginning to end. I’m so excited for book two, this book left off on quite a cliffhanger and I will be waiting rather impatiently for the next. If I could rate this more than 5 stars I would. Love love love. Must read!
adventurous
challenging
tense
This book gave me Cinderella meets Beauty and the Beast vibes—with a fae twist! I was completely rooting for Raewyn throughout the entire story. Her journey was captivating and pulled me right in. The ending? That cliffhanger…I need the next book ASAP! If you love fairytale-inspired fantasy with strong characters and twists, this is one to add to your TBR.
Thank you Nerd Fam and Amy Patrick for the gifted eARC!
Thank you Nerd Fam and Amy Patrick for the gifted eARC!
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This was a fun and easy read. Good for beginners who have thought about getting into romantasy.
I love Raewyn, the FMC. She's a bit of a stubborn one! I found her to be pretty relatable and rounded character. And my goodness, did she find herself in quite a pickle.
Now, as far as Stellon goes, let me just say I really do love this man. Fae. Elf. All the above. Normally, my go to MMC is a morally grey one. But I do still love a golden retriever MMC every niw and then as well and Stellon fits the bill. Don't get me wrong, he does have some flaws, but who doesn't? He's sweet. Kind. Attentive. He's a gem and I'm rooting for the relationship between him and Raewyn. I hope they will have a happily ever after by the end of the series. The books ends on a cliffhanger so everything is all up in the air at this point. My stomach dropped a little over that ending.
I will say though, there were quite a few times where my mind would wander to her family. Like they must be worried sick over her absence!
Overall, I did enjoy the book. It had some of the tropes I love and I'm excited for when book 2 comes out! I'd love to see where this story goes.
I love Raewyn, the FMC. She's a bit of a stubborn one! I found her to be pretty relatable and rounded character. And my goodness, did she find herself in quite a pickle.
Now, as far as Stellon goes, let me just say I really do love this man. Fae. Elf. All the above. Normally, my go to MMC is a morally grey one. But I do still love a golden retriever MMC every niw and then as well and Stellon fits the bill. Don't get me wrong, he does have some flaws, but who doesn't? He's sweet. Kind. Attentive. He's a gem and I'm rooting for the relationship between him and Raewyn. I hope they will have a happily ever after by the end of the series. The books ends on a cliffhanger so everything is all up in the air at this point. My stomach dropped a little over that ending.
I will say though, there were quite a few times where my mind would wander to her family. Like they must be worried sick over her absence!
Overall, I did enjoy the book. It had some of the tropes I love and I'm excited for when book 2 comes out! I'd love to see where this story goes.
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I wished I had loved this book. I anticipated an epic narrative with significant stakes, hoping to be captivated by the lives of complex characters. However, I found myself reading a book centered on spoiled teenagers. The character development of the male main character is the only notable progression, and given that it begins at a low point, this is not particularly impressive. The writing style is quite repetitive, lacking a smooth flow. At times, there are abrupt transitions between scenes without any indication, leading to a realization that the time and place have changed only a few sentences later. There are no significant stakes; at no point did I feel concerned for the characters, and to be frank, they are not even endearing enough for me to invest emotionally in their journeys. The male main character is so gullible and oblivious that it becomes painful to read, which is quite frustrating. The female main character, yet again, embodies the thinnest and most delicate figure imaginable, burdened with the weight of her family’s troubles, much like many other characters in numerous novels—there is nothing original about this narrative. The relationship between the two protagonists is flat, lacking any form of banter or special connection.
This was not a bad book; it simply does not resonate with my preferences.
(eARC reading via the Nerd Fam that I thank for the opportunity to read this book)
This was not a bad book; it simply does not resonate with my preferences.
(eARC reading via the Nerd Fam that I thank for the opportunity to read this book)