Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.79 AVERAGE
3.79 AVERAGE
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This was a super cute Cinderella retelling - with a magical fae twist! I love fairytale retellings, and seeing how authors take significant moments from stories I loved in my childhood and see how they put their own spin on it. This was no different - Raweyn is our Cinderella. I really liked seeing Patrick's interpretation of her step-mother and step-sisters, the magic required to get her ready for the ball and her ensuing disguise, and the infamous glass slipper. It wouldn't be a Cinderella retelling without these elements - but Patrick did a really good job making it her own.
I enjoyed Raewyn's budding romance with the crown prince Stellon, but I do think it leaned a little hard into the insta love. For a book that is described to be an enemies to lovers, I wish the actual progression of enemies to lovers was drug out a little more. Similarly to how the Prince doesn't know who Cinderella is, Raewyn is disguised and thus the prince doesn't recognize her at the ball, even though they had met in the market just a few weeks ago. Stellon was infatuated with her then - but as soon as he sees Raewyn in her disguise, he doesn't think twice about her for the rest of the night. I get that they're the same person so if there does end up being some sort of fated mates subplot, that Stellon would've been smitten either way. But Stellon doesn't know that - and he barely thinks about Raewyn and even goes so far to propose to her elven disguised self??? It felt very left field and I think the infatuation was a little overdone, especially at the end when the earthmother claims she didn't put a love spell on the disguise. Especially since Pharis seemed to be under the spell as well. However we also don't really get any follow up to the proposal or the potential consequences from the realm, only that his father now expects him to bond his ally's daughter. It felt like some of these plot points regarding the romance were introduced, but not quite followed through in execution.
Following up on the romance - as much as I like Stellon and Raewyn, I am also very intrigued by Pharis. I really hope we get some sort of love triangle, or even better, why choose.
All in all, if you enjoy fast paced romantasies, or fairytale retellings in general, you don't want to miss this.
Thank you to Amy Patrick, Oxford South Press, and The Nerd Fam for this e-ARC! I would definitely like to be considered for the sequel!
I enjoyed Raewyn's budding romance with the crown prince Stellon, but I do think it leaned a little hard into the insta love. For a book that is described to be an enemies to lovers, I wish the actual progression of enemies to lovers was drug out a little more. Similarly to how the Prince doesn't know who Cinderella is, Raewyn is disguised and thus the prince doesn't recognize her at the ball, even though they had met in the market just a few weeks ago. Stellon was infatuated with her then - but as soon as he sees Raewyn in her disguise, he doesn't think twice about her for the rest of the night. I get that they're the same person so if there does end up being some sort of fated mates subplot, that Stellon would've been smitten either way. But Stellon doesn't know that - and he barely thinks about Raewyn
Following up on the romance - as much as I like Stellon and Raewyn, I am also very intrigued by Pharis. I really hope we get some sort of love triangle, or even better, why choose.
All in all, if you enjoy fast paced romantasies, or fairytale retellings in general, you don't want to miss this.
Thank you to Amy Patrick, Oxford South Press, and The Nerd Fam for this e-ARC! I would definitely like to be considered for the sequel!
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I loved the characters right from the beginning, I couldn't stop reading.
The chemistry between Raewyn and Stellon made me smile the whole time ...however near the end, I was definitely more interested in his brother Pharis.
I am so excited for the next book, I hope there is more of Pharis POV coming!
If you enjoy books with magic, elves, a secret identity and forbidden love, this is definitely the book for you.
Thank you to The Nerd Fam for the gifted eARC
The chemistry between Raewyn and Stellon made me smile the whole time ...however near the end, I was definitely more interested in his brother Pharis.
I am so excited for the next book, I hope there is more of Pharis POV coming!
If you enjoy books with magic, elves, a secret identity and forbidden love, this is definitely the book for you.
Thank you to The Nerd Fam for the gifted eARC
adventurous
funny
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
"Thank you to The Nerd Fam for the gifted eARC. #acourtbrightandbroken #thenerdfam"
Raewyn is in trouble. She's lost the trinket her family desperately needs to survive a couple more days in their poor village; she had a run-in with a Fae against her better judgement; and if she doesn't figure out a way to bring some money in soon, she'll be forced into the pleasure houses to keep her young sisters and disabled father off of the street. When the village mother offers to save Raewyn's family in exchange for a night at the Fae Court and a yet-unnamed favor while in attendance, she has little choice but to accept. As Raewyn captures the unwanted attention of all in attendance - including the crown prince she accidentally helped and his dark and brooding brother - she also must decide what matters most - her family, her freedom, or her aching heart, as her favor is named and fate forces her hand.
This book perfectly captures the vibe and experience I want when someone tells me that they're writing a retelling. "A Court Bright and Broken" captures the Cinderella vibes that haunt all little girls as adults - the balls, the desperation of running away, handsome princes, misunderstood/undervalues oldest daughter FMCs, and a heaping dusting of magic - and grows them for an adult audience, inserting the realities of poverty, the consequences of choice, the yearning and smoldering tension of capturing at least one heart, and the taught tension and lingering danger of meddling in the affairs of the Fae.
I really resonated with Raewyn as a FMC - I think there's a temptation to make perfect, reasonable FMCs that can also undergo a soldier's training at the drop of a hat, and Raewyn is so human in her response to everything - she is oblivious to the danger she's in as a lone girl in a market, her human heart and sense of justice compels her to act against her own interests, she's completely fragile in a magical world, and she thinks through the consequences of her actions in a pretty reasonable way for a 20 year old who's been a primary caregiver for most of her life.
If you like fairytale retellings/reworkings and can stand to be left in the midst of the action (BOOK 2 WHERE), this is an excellent start to a series that promises to be fraught with magic, yearning, sizzling and possibly spice, hidden agendas, handsome MMCs (I am so curious to see where Raewyn is going and with whom, there is such potential there), and secrets thicker than the tension in a "I must pick you up from the bath shirtless for plot reasons" scenario.
adventurous
medium-paced
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Thank you to Netgallery, Oxford South Press and Amy Patrick for this ARC.
I enjoyed this retelling of Cinderella, however it didn't grip me as much as I hoped. I did like that it was just the shoe left behind....
Raewyn is a poor human who is struggling to support her family, and is driven to do anything possible to keep her father and sisters healthy. Stellon is a elven prince who is fascinated by the human world his father looks down on right from the start.
This is a fast paced plot with a slow burn romance, there is perhaps one 'door slightly ajar' scene. Stellon is a sunshine MMC, I am more intrigued about Stellon's brother Pharis who is darker, exploring his character would be great for the second book.
What I did like about this book was the secret identity and forbidden love vibes, but did feel a little lost in the middle. The elven magic is different and again can be expanded on in the second book.
I enjoyed this retelling of Cinderella, however it didn't grip me as much as I hoped. I did like that it was just the shoe left behind....
Raewyn is a poor human who is struggling to support her family, and is driven to do anything possible to keep her father and sisters healthy. Stellon is a elven prince who is fascinated by the human world his father looks down on right from the start.
This is a fast paced plot with a slow burn romance, there is perhaps one 'door slightly ajar' scene. Stellon is a sunshine MMC, I am more intrigued about Stellon's brother Pharis who is darker, exploring his character would be great for the second book.
What I did like about this book was the secret identity and forbidden love vibes, but did feel a little lost in the middle. The elven magic is different and again can be expanded on in the second book.
This book was paced wonderfully. It was captivating, beautifully written, and just the perfect mix of magical/fae elements. I read this quick because the writing was easy to follow. Nothing felt over complicated like some fantasy books can sometimes feel. Fair warning, it left on a cliff hanger and you’re going to be desperate for the release of book 2!
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
From the very first page, I was completely drawn in. This story, with its loose Cinderella inspired roots, struck the perfect balance between familiarity and originality, making it both immersive and refreshing, Raewyn was a standout protagonist - resilient, fiercely loyal, and easy to root for.
The male lead's character growth was expertly crafted, and the world building was easy to follow, making this a great entry point for romantasy readers. I can't wait for the second book!
The male lead's character growth was expertly crafted, and the world building was easy to follow, making this a great entry point for romantasy readers. I can't wait for the second book!
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Thank you to the Nerd Fam for providing me an eBook for my honest review. From the first sentence I thoroughly enjoyed the writing style. I was hooked. I did struggle a bit with the fact that the MMC couldn't figure out that Raewyn and Wyn were the same person. I also thought it would be a lot more like cinderella than it turned out to be (which I am not upset about). But other than that I loved it. I can not wait for the next book. The story got soooo addictive at the end. I loved how the MMC grew throughout the book. I feel as though there is so much to unpack and so many secrets to uncover.
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Thank you to Rachel at NerdFam and to Amy Patrick for partnering with me and sending me the ARC of A Court Bright and Broken! It was the CUTEST book mail for upcoming Valentine’s Day! Let’s dive into this review
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
medium-paced