Review: A Fragile Enchantment by Allison Saft

In this romantic fantasy of manners from New York Times bestselling author Allison Saft, a magical dressmaker commissioned for a royal wedding finds herself embroiled in scandal when a gossip columnist draws attention to her undeniable chemistry with the groom.

A FRAGILE ENCHANTMENT

 by ALLISON SAFT

Series: n/a

Publication date: January 2, 2024

Published by: Wednesday Books

Genre: romantasy

 

SYNOPSIS

Niamh Ó Conchobhair has never let herself long for more. The magic in her blood that lets her stitch emotions and memories into fabric is the same magic that will eventually kill her. Determined to spend the little time she has left guaranteeing a better life for her family, Niamh jumps at the chance to design the wardrobe for a royal wedding in the neighboring kingdom of Avaland. 

But Avaland is far from the fairytale that she imagined. While young nobles attend candlelit balls and elegant garden parties, unrest brews amid the working class. The groom himself, Kit Carmine, is prickly, abrasive, and begrudgingly being dragged to the altar as a political pawn. But when Niamh and Kit grow closer, an unlikely friendship blossoms into something more—until an anonymous gossip columnist starts buzzing about their chemistry, promising to leave them alone only if Niamh helps to uncover the royal family’s secrets. The rot at the heart of Avaland runs deep, but exposing it could risk a future she never let herself dream of, and a love she never thought possible.

Transporting readers to a Regency England-inspired fantasy world, A Fragile Enchantment is a sweeping romance threaded with intrigue, unforgettable characters, and a love story for the ages.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Allison Saft is the New York Times and indie bestselling author of A Far Wilder Magic and Down Comes the Night. After receiving her MA in English Literature from Tulane University, she moved from the Gulf Coast to the West Coast, where she spends her time rolling on eight wheels and practicing aerial silks. She lives with her partner and an Italian greyhound named Marzipan.

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REVIEW

A Fragile Enchantment by Allison Saft
My rating: 1 of 5 stars


I was so excited to start this because the premise sounded really different and intriguing. Sadly, it was a bit of a mess, and very difficult to read for many reasons. Surface level character development, pacing, inconsistencies, unlikable hero, minimal fantasy worldbuilding, and the weak historical setting were just a few of the things that came together to make this lackluster romantasy. I am so bummed that I didn't love it, but I'm honestly patting myself on the back for trudging through and making it to the last page.

Niamh Ó Conchobhair is the female protagonist. She's eighteen years old and has just been offered the position of clothing maker for the upcoming royal wedding of the youngest prince. Prince Christopher, Duke of Clearwater (Kit) is marrying Rosa because his older brother has decreed that it's for the good of the kingdom. The alliance will prove to strengthen them financially and improve Kit's battered reputation. Kit is seen as a bit of a joke because of his alcoholism and the fact that he's been living away from Avaland in an attempt to recover from his addiction. He's reluctantly going along with the wedding, but he's not happy and everyone knows it.

From the first introduction, Kit is surly, mean-spirited, and just generally unpleasant to be around. Niamh is asked to stitch something for him and the prince regent in order to show the capabilities of her magic. He sneers at her work and makes her feel unwelcome before stomping off. This immediately causes her to (understandably) hate him from the get-go. During all of their interactions, his behavior takes a similar vein, though she starts to sympathize with him as she sees hints of compassion in him. Personally, I did not see enough in him to excuse his bratty behavior, nor did I see him as a multi-layered person who is misunderstood. His reputation is well-earned, and I didn't even feel sorry for him being forced into a loveless marriage.

Niamh came off as a bit of a people pleaser and a martyr. She lives to help support her family (even though they're ungrateful), has no personal life to speak of, and weakens herself by working her fingers to the bone knowing that it's accelerating the mysterious disease she is "dying" from. When she is overly stressed or anxious she ages and/or weakens which is shown in the physical manifestation of her hair gradually turning white. In the synopsis, it says that the magic she uses in her clothing is "the same magic that will eventually kill her." However, in the book, it says this:

Some illnesses pass through generations. We tend to see them appear more often in families with divine blood—not necessarily because they’re connected [...]

Absolutely nobody else in the book with magic powers is suffering the same health issues as her. Nobody else has hair turning white. None of this was explained with any type of detail, and no one seems to be overly concerned when she baldly states to various people that she is "dying." When she blurted it out to Kit, they were becoming involved at that point and he acted surprised but that was the extent of it. How do you not react with horror to a statement like that for someone you are supposedly falling for? I kept thinking that this would be addressed somehow towards the end in order to ensure a smooth HEA, but unfortunately no. She could literally die one year after they get together...one day even. But they calmly accept that like it's no biggie. In fact, all of the seemingly insurmountable hurdles these two have are hopped over quickly and unrealistically. Kit's engagement is even solved from many different angles in very few pages. Everything all tied up in a neat bow, but not in a remotely realistic manner.

The magic system is described very vaguely as well as the historical setting. All we are told about the magic is that every person with an ceird (magic) claimed they could trace their ancestry back to one of the Fair Ones. The Fair Ones are described in one paragraph. None of it really makes sense. Are there a set amount of powers based on the six Fair Ones named, or are there too many to count? Despite the source of the magic, some of the Machlish people who are peasants who live in poverty have magic, like Niamh. It seems that anyone in any class can have them, but having them doesn't earn respect unless you are upper class. There is no structure to any of it, and it's all briefly, sporadically, and in an inconsistent way. If I'm reading a fantasy with magic involved I expect world building and in-depth explanations in order for the setting to come to life. The historical detail was sufficient either, despite the fact that this world was supposed to have been modeled after Regency England. Their clothing may have been appropriate, but I didn't have the benefit of a description besides a bit of lace here, or a mention of a garter under her dress there. The speech and social customs were more modern than antiquated, so everything was a bit artificial for my taste.

There is the addition of various conflicts like the gossip columnist Lovelace, and Lady Helen Carlile who pop up at various points in the book but again, lack any focus or detail. The romance pretty much sprouts out of nowhere after she spends more than half the book despising him, and I couldn't find excitement for it once it did. His fiancé pretty much says it all.

    “He is . . . pretty, in his way, I suppose. In theory,” Rosa conceded. 

“But I am shocked at his poor breeding. 

He is gentlemanly to no one but you. To the rest of the world, 

he is peevish, extraordinarily rude, and

possesses no grace or decorum.”

To me, this feels like a story you would expect from a debut author. I don't think I'll be trying another book from Allison Saft because her writing is just not for me. Many others have read her work and appreciate it, so maybe you will have a different experience.

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Review: The Poison Season by Mara Rutherford

One choice could change everything.

THE POISON SEASON by MARA RUTHERFORD

Series: Standalone

Publication date: December 6, 2022

Published by: Inkyard Press/Harlequin

Genre: YA fantasy

 

SYNOPSIS

Leelo has spent her whole life on Endla, coexisting with the bloodthirsty forest and respecting the poisonous lake that protects her island from outsiders who seek to destroy it. But as much as Leelo cares for her community, she struggles with the knowledge that her brother will be exiled and forced to live with the outsiders unless he gains enchantment powers before his next birthday.

Then comes the day that Leelo sees a young outsider on the verge of drowning in the lake. She knows she is supposed to leave him to his fate, but, instead, she betrays her family, her best friend, and her whole community by helping nurse the young man, Jaren, back to health, understanding that discovery could lead to unthinkable consequences for both of them.

As they grow closer, Leelo and Jaren discover that not all danger comes from beyond the lake—and they can only survive if Leelo is willing to question the very fabric of her society, her people, and herself.

Purchase your copy now!

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Mara Rutherford began her writing career as a journalist but quickly discovered she far preferred fantasy to reality. A triplet born on Leap Day, Mara has lived all over the world with her diplomat husband and two sons. She is the author of Crown of Coral and Pearl and its sequel, Kingdom of Sea and Stone; Luminous; and the upcoming THE POISON SEASON (December 6, 2022).

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REVIEW

The Poison Season by Mara Rutherford


I absolutely loved the Crown of Coral and Pearl series, so when I saw this book up on Netgalley, I instantly jumped to request it. The COCAP duology was a top favorite of mine in 2019, and kept me on the edge of my seat, effortlessly grabbing me from beginning to end. I was hoping and probably even anticipating for that same magic again here, but unfortunately this one missed the mark in a number of ways. My main issues were the pacing and my dislike of the heroine's way of life and cult like culture on the island. Honestly, it was very hard to find redeeming qualities about the islanders on Endla. Man, oh man...they were Shady (yes, with a capitol S). It was so hard to feel any sympathy for any of them as they were so clearly in the wrong the entire time. Leelo's set of morals was a little more ambiguous as you saw signs that she had a conscience about the very questionable things going on. It gave me hope that she was redeemable and that she would win me over in the end. This book actually gave me strong Bone Crier's Moon flashbacks (not in a good way, except for them both having Charlie Bowater covers). In both books, the characters' ritual killings/sacrifices turned me off and made me feel a bit repulsed over the fantasy world.

Endla is an island inhabited by people who possess magic through their ritual songs. There are many songs that they sing that make them almost like sirens but in human form. These songs put people in a trancelike state and lure them to their death if they are deemed a threat. The victim is given a "choice" to either die by the vicious magic of the Wandering forest, or to get sent into the poison lake surrounding their home where the water would disintegrate their flesh and bones down to nothing. Doesn't sound very pleasant does it? Yep, it's pretty horrific. You might be wondering who they typically deem to be a threat and the answer is EVERYONE. All people from the mainland are supposed to be killed immediately by the Watchers who guard the shore. It is believed that those without magic who try to visit Endla are coming for one purpose only: to destroy the last remaining Wandering Forest that helps protect and nourish them. This forest is malicious and must be placated with blood rituals and sacrifices or they fear it would turn on them. However, it was clear from the start that nothing was quite what it seemed. The way of life that was so forcefully protected was mired in lots of death and despair. They just saw what they were doing as a necessary evil.

Leelo is a Watcher who will be able to marry after her year of duty is up. After that, she will officially be inducted as a member of the town and learn the closely guarded secrets that the elders are so intent on protecting. The older members of Endla have a cynicism about them that Leelo still hasn't succumbed to. She's on the cusp of losing that innocent optimism that the younger members have. She also seems to be the only one on Endla that tries to avoid killing people and animals. It just doesn't sit right in her gut, despite being told that it was her duty. That's pretty remarkable when you think about the fact that their way of life is all she's ever been exposed to or known. Even the most outlandish things can seem normal when you haven't experienced anything else to compare it to. Leelo also feels great distress over her little brother's imminent departure from the island. The rule of law is that if children do not show signs of having magic by the age of thirteen, they are considered Incantu.

   Islanders like Tate—incantu, they were called, or “voiceless”—

weren’t allowed to attend the festival, even though 

he wasn’t quite old enough to be affected by the magic yet. 

Once an islander reached adolescence, 

generally around age twelve, they were susceptible.

The incantu would have to leave as the dangerous songs would inevitably lure them to their death. Leelo's brother Tate has not developed their magic and very soon will be sent into the woods across the lake to fend for himself. This was a really disturbing aspect of the story and a big reason why I just didn't care about anyone living there. The way they abandoned their children and forced them to fend for themselves in the outside world that had been villainized to them their entire lives was outrageous. I do understand that they didn't really couldn't stay, but it was the heartless way that it was handled. Mothers, fathers, siblings, aunts and uncles would send these children off and then wash their hands of the entire matter as if it never happened. Those kids just don't exist anymore. How? Leelo and her mother are noticeably torn up, but it doesn't take long at all for them to push the uncomfortable thought of him out of their minds. Then there were some like Sage and Ketty who were happy to get rid of them with no regrets or second thoughts. I just can't wrap my head around people ever thinking that this was a necessary part of life.

   As small and insular as her island was, 

Leelo had never considered leaving. 

She didn’t even try to imagine what life 

on the mainland was like, because 

her elders made the rest of the world 

sound terrible and frightening.

Jaren is an outsider who comes across the lake to escape a wolf attack. He's been told about the dangers and the magic of the people there, but he never fully believed in all of it. Once there, he faces the very real threat of imminent death as many have before him. When Leelo stumbles across him, she tries to make herself kill the boy, but her aversion to killing and her gut instinct stops her. In the beginning she is overcome with the moral dilemma of what to do with him. It goes against everything she's ever been taught to actually help him. However, Jaren genuinely seems harmless with no ill will towards the people there or the woods. She finds herself protecting him and trying to form a plan to get him back home. As she visits him, he becomes less threatening and she sees his common humanity. Outsiders are not all bad...so what other lies has she been told her whole life?

Miraculously, a romance develops between the two and Leelo is desperate now to save the sweet boy who only wishes to return to his family. Hiding him becomes harder as the months go by, however, and she knows their time together is short. I thought they were sweet together and though they fell fairly fast, it didn't have an insta-lovey feel. It definitely wasn't obsession, head-over-heels at first sight because they had to overcome her preconceptions of him first.

The big climax at the end had me much more engrossed and reading pretty intently which brought my rating up from what it would have been. I will say that the pace was quite slow for me before that and I was forcing myself to stay with the characters. The Endlans did realize the error of their ways, secrets were outed, and people adjusted their beliefs based on their full knowledge of the truth. However, I just couldn't find it in myself to like them even at that point. Leelo and her mom are the exceptions, but they were not without their flaws either. The story had a satisfying ending, but my overall feelings never reached enthusiastic. Perhaps others will love the dark atmosphere of the book and not have the same issues as me. Personally, this ended up just being okay for me, but maybe Maya Rutherford's next offering will be a bigger win.

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Review: Long Story Short by Serena Kaylor

In Serena Kaylor's sparkling debut, a homeschooled math genius finds herself out of her element at a theater summer camp and learns that life—and love—can’t be lived by the (text)book.

LONG STORY SHORT by SERENA KAYLOR

Series: n/a

Publication date: July 26, 2022

Published by: Wednesday Books

Genre: YA 

 

SYNOPSIS

Growing up homeschooled in Berkeley, California, Beatrice Quinn is a statistical genius who has dreamed her whole life of discovering new mathematical challenges at a school like Oxford University. She always thought the hardest part would be getting in, not convincing her parents to let her go. But while math has always made sense to Beatrice, making friends is a problem she hasn’t been able to solve, so her parents are worried about sending her halfway across the world. The compromise: the Connecticut Shakespearean Summer Academy and a detailed list of teenage milestones to check off. She has six weeks to show her parents she can pull off the role of "normal" teenager and won't spend the rest of her life hiding in a library.

Unfortunately, hearts and hormones don't follow any rules, and there is no equation for teenage interactions. When she's adopted by a group of eclectic theater kids, and immediately makes an enemy of the popular—and, annoyingly gorgeous—British son of the camp founders, she realizes that relationships are trickier than calculus. With her future on the line, this girl genius stumbles through illicit parties, double dog dares, and more than your fair share of Shakespeare. But before the final curtain falls, will Beatrice realize that there’s more to life than she can find in the pages of a book?

In this sparkling debut from Serena Kaylor, Long Story Short is a YA rom-com about a homeschooled math genius who finds herself out of her element at a theater summer camp and learns that life—and love—can’t be lived by the (text)book.

Purchase your copy now!

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Praise for Long Story Short:

"Charming repartee and plenty of heart make for a delightful debut." --Kirkus Reviews

"With characters you can't help but fall in love with, a vibrant, fun atmosphere and a stunning, tender romance at its center, Long Story Short is the perfect romantic comedy for connoisseurs of hate-to-love, fans of Pride and Prejudice, and readers who love found families. An unmissable debut from a voice to watch in the YA romantic comedy sphere!" ―Sophie Gonzales, author of Perfect on Paper

“I loved this book to pieces. Delightful and charming with the familiar biting wit of a Shakespearean production, Long Story Short was the perfect read. At times I wanted to scream at Beatrice and others, I wanted to give her a big hug (or three) for being so darn relatable. Thankfully, she had a supporting cast to die for in Mia, Nolan, Shelby and *sigh* Nik who lead our heroine gently from behind the curtains to center stage in her own life.” -Erin Hahn, author of You’d Be Mine and Never Saw You Coming

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Thirty-something-year-old with a love of all things sparkly, over-dramatic, and pizza-related. Serena writes books about awkward teens, the chaotic world of theater, found families, Shakespeare himself, and a sprinkle of kisses.

You can find her on:

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REVIEW

Long Story Short: A Novel by Serena Kaylor
My rating: 4.5 of 5 stars



Beatrice Quinn is a handful for her parents to deal with at the age of sixteen. Not because she's going through the normal rebellious stage that other teens her age do. No, it's because she's a mathematical genius who got her high school degree at fourteen and was accepted to Oxford University two years later. Most parents would be ecstatic for their child to get accepted to such a prestigious school at such a young age, but moving out and becoming independent in a foreign country with very little social skills is a bit of a problem. As a homeschooled student, Beatrice focused more on books and intellect. Her personality is very analytical and straightforward, leaving very little room for building close connections with others. She's been completely happy with that-up until now. Now her inability to pick up social cues and form connections with others may prevent her from her dreams in England.

    [...]the entire city of Oxford, 

a place built by this paragon of learning, 

was likely filled with people who were similar to me. 

People who loved books more than people, 

and nobody thought that was weird.

I have a particular weakness for nerdy/socially awkward heroines and Beatrice certainly fit that bill. I think her awkwardness was more than just the lack of social skills. That plays into it, sure, but this is a girl that has probably never felt as if she never fit in anywhere her entire life. Not only was she far ahead of her peers intellectually and academically, she couldn't be more different from both of her parents. As marriage therapists working in Berkley, their world revolves around messy emotions and how to manage them. Beatrice tends to shy away from uncomfortable feelings.

I rolled my eyes for what was 

probably the millionth time 

and once again reminded myself why I’d 

never really fit in here. 

Berkeley, California, 

where even the academia had 

an emotional component to it.

Sometimes I wondered if

I had any emotional components at all.

Now that she's free from her high school obligations she just wants to leave the stifling environment of her parents house and find somewhere that she finally fits in. I would imagine it's incredibly lonely and isolating to not have one single person in the world you can relate to. You really feel for Beatrice's intense desire to move on to the next stage in her life where she can grow intellectually and hopefully truly feel at peace. One thing that bothered me a little was that the emphasis was put on her homeschooling being the major cause of her socializing deficiency. This is a stereotype, not a developmental handicap. You are perfectly able to make friends and have normal teen experiences while doing in-home learning.

Getting approval to attend Oxford comes with conditions. She must attend an acting summer camp where she will be forced to engage with other people her age and practice at a variety of skills including making friends. As an introvert, the thought of being forced to act on stage is absolutely terrifying to her, but she's willing to do anything it takes. Once there, Beatrice bumbles nervously through meeting new people and trying to fit in. It's both endearing and awkward to watch her open herself up to new acquaintences and occasionally embarrass herself. She just brushes herself off and keeps trying. The more she persists, the more empowering the challenges become. Because she can see that even if she fails, it's a learning experience. She's learning how to find her own personal fashion sense as she understands who she is a little bit better. It was very sweet how her new friends helped her navigate through her new experiences with so much patience.

Beatrice clashes with the golden boy of camp immediately. She meets Nik at the welcome party and they immediately make a bad impression on each other. She snipes at him and blames nepotism as the reason he gets all of the leading roles. He makes an unflattering comment on her looks. Enemy status achieved. They spend the majority of the book circling around each other with distrust. There isn't a huge amount of noticeable development in their relationship, though it's not for a lack of trying on his part. He does try to understand her a little better but he's always firmly rebuffed by her. She's pretty much completely clueless recognizing his interest in her which did make me a bit impatient. Even when told by her friends, she brushes it off as nonsense and continues to hang on to her misjudgment of him. I do wish that there could have been a bit more tangible romance between the two of them earlier on, but the Shakespeare quote challenge they did was super cute and original.

Beatrice is pushed out of her comfort zone and beyond during the summer. Although she'll probably never be a social butterfly (and that's perfectly okay) she learned that she is capable of much more than she was giving herself credit for. She was no longer trapped by her routines, she adapted to change better, and she realized that people can't be put in neat and tidy boxes. Although she never could have conceived having anything in common with impulsive, creative theater kids, they still bonded. You can celebrate each other's differences rather than allowing them to separate you. They were just as impressed with her intelligence as she was with their creative sides. By the end of the book you see her mature quite a bit, but more importantly, she didn't have a complete personality
transplant. She was still that quirky girl inside, just with more confidence and strength.

Overall, I really enjoyed this debut author's first book and would definitely read more from her in the future. Her writing style is in the same vein as Emma Lord, so if you enjoyed Tweet Cute or You Have a Match, this could be the perfect book for you.

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Review: This Vicious Grace by Emily Thiede

Three weddings. Three funerals. Alessa’s gift from the gods is supposed to magnify a partner’s magic, not kill every suitor she touches. 

THIS VICIOUS GRACE

 by EMILY THIEDE

Series: The Last Finestra #1

Publication date: June 29, 2022

Published by: Wednesday Books

Genre: YA fantasy

 

SYNOPSIS

Now, with only weeks left until a hungry swarm of demons devours everything on her island home, Alessa is running out of time to find a partner and stop the invasion. When a powerful priest convinces the faithful that killing Alessa is the island’s only hope, her own soldiers try to assassinate her.

Desperate to survive, Alessa hires Dante, a cynical outcast marked as a killer, to become her personal bodyguard. But as rebellion explodes outside the gates, Dante’s dark secrets may be the biggest betrayal. He holds the key to her survival and her heart, but is he the one person who can help her master her gift or destroy her once and for all?

Emily Thiede's exciting fantasy debut, This Vicious Grace, will keep readers turning the pages until the devastating conclusion and leave them primed for more! 

Purchase your copy now!

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Praise for This Vicious Grace:

Goodreads, "The 68 Most Anticipated YA Novels of 2022"

Nerd Daily, " Upcoming YA Book Releases to Add to Your TBR" and "24 Debut Releases To Get Your Hands On In 2022"

"This book is incredible! The banter, the romance, the tension! I couldn't get enough!" - Lauren Blackwood, New York Times bestselling author of Within These Wicked Walls

"Filled with witty banter, unlikely friendships, a swoon-worthy romance, and high stakes tension, Emily Thiede creates an immersive fantasy world inspired by the sun-drenched Amalfi coast that will captivate readers until the very last page. Sure to be a favourite for fans of Stephanie Garber, Leigh Bargudo, and Kerri Maniscalco." - Lyndall Clipstone, author of Lakesedge

"A richly imagined world featuring a slow burn, sizzling romance and a conflict that crackles with magic." - Elle Cosimano, award-winning author of Seasons of the Storm

"A remarkably fresh debut, This Vicious Grace is an absolute delight from cover to cover. Its rich, transportive world sparkles on every page, and I was spirited away by Thiede’s beautifully rendered cast. I would follow Alessa and Dante anywhere, and can’t wait for their next adventure." - Ayana Gray, New York Times bestselling author of Beasts of Prey

"From the lush setting to dire stakes and whip-smart banter, This Vicious Grace is romantic, suspenseful, and utterly unforgettable." - Sarah Glenn Marsh, author of the Reign of the Fallen series

"Riveting, passionate, and full of high stakes danger." - Tamora Pierce, #1 New York Times bestselling author

"The perfect blend of humor and heart, This Vicious Grace is a high-stakes romp that brims with deadly magic, sparkling chemistry, and the deep yearning for connection in an alienating world. Prepare to fall head-over-heels with Alessa and Dante!" - Allison Saft, author of Down Comes the Night

"Remixing all the best parts of a dark fantasy and a romantic comedy, This Vicious Grace is a wonderfully fun time from start to finish, with lush, complex worldbuilding, intensely relatable characters, and relationships that are easy to root for." - Hannah Whitten, New York Times bestselling author of For The Wolf

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Emily Thiede is the author of THE LAST FINESTRA (Wednesday Books/MacMillan, summer 2022.) She grew up dreaming of becoming a dragon rider and now writes fantastical tales about magic, mayhem, and characters who flirt with their enemies while the world crumbles.

Born in New Jersey, Emily moved across state lines in high school like a true YA heroine, and now calls Virginia home. When she isn’t writing, you can find her fostering kittens, mentoring, and hosting writer social events.

You can find her on:

 Website | Goodreads | Facebook | Twitter 

REVIEW

This Vicious Grace by Emily Thiede
My rating: 4 of 5 stars


This Vicious Grace is an italian influenced fantasy world where magic gifted people must battle hordes of deadly demon bugs each generation. The Finestra and Fonte team is chosen by the goddess Dea who must marry and partner in the fight to conquer the insects that attack the city. Alessa Paladino is the Finestra and she must choose her partner wisely out of all of the Fonte who have been gifted elemental magic. The right Fonte will enable her to bring out her power and amplify it, the wrong choice will lead to his or her death. At eighteen, she has chosen incorrectly three times and has suffered through the guilt of three funerals. In this situation anyone would feel like a black widow picking off innocent victims rather than the savior of an entire island. Alessa takes it deeply to heart and becomes paralyzed with indecision.

What I noticed right off the bat was that this protagonist isn't your typical strong, confident, kickass female lead that saves the world with one hand tied behind her back. She's a more relatable teen with insecurities and doubts. She's overwhelmed with feelings of inadequacy about the savior role that's been thrust upon her. Alessa sees herself as a failure and shrinks away from confrontation when challenged or threatened. I think many more readers could identity with that internal struggle at some point in their life. It gives the story a coming-of-age feel in a fantasy setting. This young woman must learn how to recognize her weaknesses and turn them into strength in a very short, finite time.

The other overwhelming challenge Alessa faces is that the very townspeople she is expected to save start to turn on her. While the chosen Finestra is typically revered and protected at all costs, many start to lose faith in her and want to do her harm. After all, if you can't believe in yourself, how can you expect others to do so? It doesn't help that there is a "priest" sowing seeds of doubt around town. He and his followers are pushing the idea that she should die in order for a better candidate to fill her shoes before it's too late. Even her own family and guards betray her, pushing her feelings of isolation and helplessness to a whole new level.

    She’d never realized quiet had weight to it, 

a pulse that somehow, paradoxically, 

made it difficult to hear anything else.

It was pretty frustrating to see the callousness of these people all around her, who so casually discussed murdering an innocent girl who was desperately trying to help them. They quickly formed a mob mentality and lost all sense of reason because of a silver-tongued con man.

  Blessed. Oh, yes, she was the luckiest 

girl in the world, 

fending off murderers 

on a daily basis for the right 

to live long enough to fight 

a swarm of demons 

slavering to chew on her bones.

When her situation becomes desperate, Alessa turns to a criminally marked, anti-social stranger who fights for money on the wrong side of town. Dante is rough around the edges and prickly, the complete opposite of her in many ways. I think being exposed to his unapologetic personality helps her reach for those qualities within herself. No matter how impersonal and distant he tries to be with her, when he sees the weight she's silently carrying, he begins to soften. It's gradual, but you can see how he grows an attachment against his better judgment. Against all odds, he becomes a confidant, a friend, and someone she finally feels safe with. However, Dante has a dark past and a secret that could bring ruin upon them both if discovered. The subtle romance growing between them is impossible for too many reasons but necessary for one: they make each other feel whole. They are seen for the first time in their life and supported in a way that defines partnership. And yet, it is her duty to marry another when the time comes to fulfill her destiny.

“I can’t change how I feel about you.” 

“It doesn’t matter how we feel. Some things 

aren’t possible.”

This was a unique fantasy world, however it was a little slower paced in the first half than I would have liked. It dragged at times, forcing me to push through sections where I was feeling the urge to set the book down. I'm very glad I did, because the second half picked up. Especially the battle scene at the end which was action-packed and filled with suspense. Obviously there is a bit of a cliffhanger here because this book is part of a duology, but it isn't too painful to handle. Alessa and Dante still have much to do until they can put this fight behind them. A new enemy is coming for them in the next installment that will culminate in the ultimate battle of good vs. evil. I for one am invested to see how it will all go down.

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Review: When You Get the Chance by Emma Lord

A bighearted novel about falling in love, making a mess, and learning to let go, When You Get the Chance is the next effervescent novel from Emma Lord, New York Times bestselling author of the Reese Witherspoon YA Book Club pick You Have a Match.

WHEN YOU GET THE CHANCE by EMMA LORD

Series: Standalone

Publication date: January 4, 2022

Published by: Wednesday Books

Genre: young adult romance

 

SYNOPSIS

Nothing will get in the way of Millie Price’s dream to become a Broadway star. Not her lovable but super-introverted dad, who after raising Millie alone, doesn’t want to watch her leave home to pursue her dream. Not her pesky and ongoing drama club rival, Oliver, who is the very definition of Simmering Romantic Tension. And not the “Millie Moods,” the feelings of intense emotion that threaten to overwhelm, always at maddeningly inconvenient times. Millie needs an ally. And when a left-open browser brings Millie to her dad’s embarrassingly moody LiveJournal from 2003, Millie knows just what to do. She’s going to find her mom.

There’s Steph, a still-aspiring stage actress and receptionist at a talent agency. There’s Farrah, ethereal dance teacher who clearly doesn’t have the two left feet Millie has. And Beth, the chipper and sweet stage enthusiast with an equally exuberant fifteen-year-old daughter (A possible sister?! This is getting out of hand). But how can you find a new part of your life and expect it to fit into your old one, without leaving any marks? And why is it that when you go looking for the past, it somehow keeps bringing you back to what you’ve had all along?

Purchase your copy now!

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Praise for Emma Lord:

"Brimming with energy, rapid-fire banter, and affectionate theater references, this memorable Mamma Mia! retelling...thoughtfully pays homage while skillfully modernizing it for today’s readers." -Publishers Weekly (starred review) 

"Chock-full of musical theater references and humor, the novel includes high-stakes emotional drama that is balanced by supportive friendships and strong, deep family connections...An entertaining personal journey with plot twists galore." - Kirkus Reviews

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Emma Lord is the NYT bestselling author of YOU HAVE A MATCH and TWEET CUTE, a BuzzFeed market editor, and dessert gremlin living in New York City, where she spends whatever time she isn’t writing either running or belting show tunes in community theater. She graduated from the University of Virginia with a major in psychology and a minor in how to tilt your computer screen so nobody will notice you updating your fan fiction from the back row. She was raised on glitter, a whole lot of love, and copious amounts of grilled cheese. 

Follow her:

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REVIEW

When You Get the Chance by Emma Lord
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Title: When You Get the Chance
Series: n/a
Author: Emma Lord
Release date: January 4, 2022
Cliffhanger: no
Genre: ya romance

Emma Lord is quickly cementing herself as one of my top favorite authors in the young adult genre. I've read all three books of hers now and each one is a fresh, modern, and poignant coming of age story. When I read the synopsis for When You Get the Chance, I was intrigued by the description of Millie Price. As a teen with aspirations of making it big in theater, she seemed like she would have a larger than life personality. And boy...did she ever. I guess you could call her a bit of a drama queen, in more ways than one. She's brash, impulsive, confident (sometimes overly so) and strong-willed. There are tons of YA books out there about teens who are shy, uncertain of their futures, and perhaps even scared to enter into the next chapter of their life. Millie is a completely different personality which I have to say, was very refreshing.

Millie knew where she was headed from a very young age. She started belting out tunes whenever the opportunity arose, which led to her meteoric internet fame in the "Little Jo" video. We all have embarrassing home videos that we'd rather never see the light of day ever again, right? What if that home video were available for millions to view and ridicule for public entertainment? (Think back to Rebecca Black's video, Friday. Now you get the picture.) Millie is so ashamed of her warbling childhood singing video that she decides that the only solution is to constantly re-invent herself. Her wardrobe is like a revolving door of identities that swing from one extreme to another. She knows she has the talent to succeed in the business, but only if she can keep the skeleton firmly hidden in the closet.

Oliver is the thorn in her side at school who lives to annoy her as much as she does him. After starting off on the wrong foot, they've had a competitive edge in their school relationship. After getting accepted into Madison with a scholarship, it's an added bonus that she won't have to work alongside him in their theater department anymore. That is, if she can convince her dad to allow her to attend the school she never got permission to apply to. Yes, she went through rigorous auditions and screenings to get approved, but she didn't plan far enough ahead to figure out how she was going to actually get permission to go. She has one summer in order to make that happen-and when she sets her mind on something she goes after it like a tenacious Pit Bull. Then her dad's college journal happens. Left open, she's suddenly faced with the possibility of solving the mystery of her mother.

When Millie's was a newborn, her mom dropped her off on her dad's doorstep and never came back. He's handled being a single father like a champ with a little help from her Aunt Heather-she couldn't have asked for two more supportive people in her life. She also has her endearing best friend Teddy to lean on. However, not knowing who her mother was or why she was abandoned has always eaten away at her, and her dad has never offered her any explanations or clues about what transpired in the past.

My dad has always sidestepped the topic like he’s allergic to it, 

and my aunt says my dad never actually told her who my mom was.

I took their cues growing up and never discussed it much either. 

Not even with Teddy. The secrecy aside, it just always kind of left 

a bad taste in my mouth to think about, let alone say out loud.

So typical Millie style, she hatches an impulsive plan to find her mother by applying for an internship that Oliver is up for (which was definitely not well thought out and led to more secrecy and dishonesty with her family.) In some ways, Millie is very strong and confident for her age, but in others she's kind of a mess. She often sticks her foot in her mouth, unintentionally hurting those around her. She's also much more vulnerable than she appears on the surface. The stress of competing against Oliver for the internship while simultaneously trying to find her mom wore her thin. Her mentor is hardcore tough, and her dance class is just as impossible as she feared it would be. Add in some conflicting feelings for Oliver that start to develop and she's got a lot to deal with.

I feel like the romance between Oliver and Millie was a bit underwhelming, but overall they were sweet together. After they got beyond the antagonism and competitiveness that prevented them from truly getting to know one another, they hidden depths that neither expected. There was also a side story with Teddy and Chloe that I really enjoyed.

In summary, there was a lot to love about this book. In Millie's search for her mother, she learned so much about herself along the way. She learned to embrace who she was without shame and open herself up to new possibilities. I'm excited to see what Emma Lord has to offer next.

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