Think Cinderella meets Groundhog Day–or maybe more aptly Live, Die, Repeat. This book has an angle that is both interesting and a challenge for the author. Basically, how do you keep the same thing interesting to the reader? Written in first person and usually in quite short scenes and chapters (almost all the chapters are numbered “Chapter One”), it is a little disorienting and confusing to fill in the gaps of magic systems, politics, and people with only snippets. The staccato, repetitive nature is both a problem for the pacing and a way to embroil the reader into the protagonist’s entrapment. As frustrating as it feels to be stuck with Anais, if the reader hangs in there, they will find it worth it. As Anais begins to develop some grit and identity, then the plot begins to progress. Anais’ love interest is unexpected and although not the main driver of the story, a positive element. A somewhat unconventional, but somehow appropriate ending wraps up this young adult fantasy, which ultimately charmed me.

Review of an Digital Copy provided by Delacorte Press

Content Analysis:

Profanity/Language: 21 religious exclamations; 28 mild obscenities; 10 religious profanities; 5 derogatory names; 10 scatological words; 1 anatomical terms; 31 F-derivatives.

Violence/Gore: Various discussions throughout the book about blood oaths; a type of magic is called blood magic and throughout the book a character often performs this by self-inflicting cuts to produce blood to use in the spells; character punches another in the face; character says “Let’s go watch them burn”; scene in catacombs with skeletons; references to bones used as magic objects; character slits another’s throat, mention of blood; report of suicide(s); many reports of death(s); character shoots another point blank to make sure they die; many brief reports of how a character kills others to try to generate different outcomes to a curse; siblings battle with magic in attempt to kill each other, inflicting damage and death around them; explosion (repeated scenes) causing death and destruction; family member kills other family members; premise of the book is that a night keeps repeating and ending in a massive attack that kills many so there are many varying versions of description of this violent event, some briefer and some longer, some with the mention of blood and descriptions; multi-page climactic scene in which characters battle with magic and one is ultimately burned to death.

Sex/Nudity: Several instances of innuendo; male and female characters kiss, multiple separate instances; one scene (a few paragraphs) where male and female kiss passionately, some description; reference to bi-sexual character; it is said a man fancies another man; French kissing; flirting; dancing; thinking about another romantically; female is attracted to a male; character tells someone that she loves him; person learns that they are descended from a union between a human and a fairy.

Mature Subject Matter:

Treason, rebellion, death, murder (including of family members), suicide, discrimination (ethnic/racial).

Alcohol/Drug Use:

Frequent drinking at tavern and a ball, sometimes to excess/drunkenness.