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The Last Fae King #1
Crimson Stained Catalyst
They found me when I was five; a little girl sitting on a bench in Grand Central Station, soaking wet, asking about the rain.
I remembered nothing about how I got there, or who my parents were. I couldn't even remember my name. I was tagged, labeled and doomed to cycle through state care for the next twelve years; moving from one family to another. They all rejected me as the dreams began to come, the memories began to return, and things around me began to explode.
Now my mind is full of a world of shadows, things that my heart pleads with me to be true, that I hope are only fantasy. That the disturbing past I see is not mine.
When I sleep I hear whispers of magic, and of evil queens, and a world that exists alongside our own. Things that could never be. But, there is one thing I know to be true. That there was a boy who was torn from me. A boy that I know means more to me than a brother, or than a lover. But what he is to me, I am not sure. I hear him cry for me in my dreams, I hear people call him The Catalyst.
I know I need to find him.
I remembered nothing about how I got there, or who my parents were. I couldn't even remember my name. I was tagged, labeled and doomed to cycle through state care for the next twelve years; moving from one family to another. They all rejected me as the dreams began to come, the memories began to return, and things around me began to explode.
Now my mind is full of a world of shadows, things that my heart pleads with me to be true, that I hope are only fantasy. That the disturbing past I see is not mine.
When I sleep I hear whispers of magic, and of evil queens, and a world that exists alongside our own. Things that could never be. But, there is one thing I know to be true. That there was a boy who was torn from me. A boy that I know means more to me than a brother, or than a lover. But what he is to me, I am not sure. I hear him cry for me in my dreams, I hear people call him The Catalyst.
I know I need to find him.
604 pages, Paperback
Published July 12, 2024
26 people are currently reading
348 people want to read
About the author
Rebecca Ethington
98 books1,466 followersRebecca Ethington has been telling stories since she was small. First, with writing crude scripts, and then on stage with years of theatrical performances. The Imdalind Series is her first stint into the world of literary writing. Rebecca is a mother to two, and wife to her best friend of 14 years. She was born and raised in the mountains of Salt Lake City, and hasn’t found the desire to leave yet. Her days are spent writing, running, and enjoying life with her amazing family.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
July 19, 2024
Oh my gosh! I have no words!
The world building is top tier, the characters are multi faceted, there is magic and adventure. Secrets and deception. The twists towards the ending I never would have guessed! Be wary of the cliff hanger ending, I was left gaping at my kindle. I need book two asap!!
The world building is top tier, the characters are multi faceted, there is magic and adventure. Secrets and deception. The twists towards the ending I never would have guessed! Be wary of the cliff hanger ending, I was left gaping at my kindle. I need book two asap!!
July 7, 2024
I absolutely loved this book! I was intrigued from the beginning and begging to know the answers to questions by the ending. The storyline was complex enough to keep me interested but not too complicated that it was confusing. The way she integrated her characters feelings, desires and shortcomings were flawless. I’m so glad she was able to write something she enjoyed because it paid off. This story gave me some From Blood and Ash vibes mixed with Kingdom of Lies vibes as well. I cannot wait for the next installment! Well done, Rebecca. After reading this one I’m starting to delve into her other work as well. I’ll recommend this read for all my fantasy girlies out there. Thank you for letting me Beta read for you. Dual POV, lost family, mysterious male character, no spice (which this story does not need). Enjoy!
July 9, 2024
I had the pleasure of receiving this book as an ARC in exchange for my honest review. When I originally signed up for an ARC of this book, it was based on an excerpt which immediately grabbed my interest. That excerpt grabbed me and I grabbed right back!
What I Loved About Crimson Stained Catalyst:
- Detailed World Building
- Relatable FMC: likeable, strong minded, not cocky, but not a withering flower either
- Super Unlikeable Villain: Nasty evil. I want to learn how to use a sword just to swing it at her head myself.
- Interesting Magic System & World
This book is described as romantic fantasy, however, I stayed confused on who the actual love interests are, or will be? We get some clarity latter in the book, but I'm still not sure I know where the romance is actually going to be. I'm also hesitant to call this book romantasy but I do get the feeling that future books in the series may be amped up in that department. Definitely a great fantasy novel, but very low on the romance aspect. My rating for this novel is basing it as a purely fantasy novel and not a romantic fantasy even though it's listed in the book description as such.
The MMC irks the living snot out of me. If, somewhere along the way, he becomes likeable I'll have a stroke. As of right now, ugh. I mean, that definitely says something about the writing to pull that kind of reaction out of someone! When a fictional character can make you want to ring it's fictional neck pretty consistently, then I feel the writing of said obnoxious creature is on point! I will say that he is totally set up for some MAJOR character development and I'm looking forward to seeing how that plays out.
My only real gripe to this novel is that it moved slower than I like. With that being said, I feel like this book was mostly spent with building the world effectively and setting the stage for book two. I can definitely see the next book being a completely different beast now that the world is established, the issues and goals are clear, the main players are introduced, and we have the support characters laid out.
It's time to get to business in book two which I'm eagerly looking forward to reading!
What I Loved About Crimson Stained Catalyst:
- Detailed World Building
- Relatable FMC: likeable, strong minded, not cocky, but not a withering flower either
- Super Unlikeable Villain: Nasty evil. I want to learn how to use a sword just to swing it at her head myself.
- Interesting Magic System & World
This book is described as romantic fantasy, however, I stayed confused on who the actual love interests are, or will be? We get some clarity latter in the book, but I'm still not sure I know where the romance is actually going to be. I'm also hesitant to call this book romantasy but I do get the feeling that future books in the series may be amped up in that department. Definitely a great fantasy novel, but very low on the romance aspect. My rating for this novel is basing it as a purely fantasy novel and not a romantic fantasy even though it's listed in the book description as such.
The MMC irks the living snot out of me. If, somewhere along the way, he becomes likeable I'll have a stroke. As of right now, ugh. I mean, that definitely says something about the writing to pull that kind of reaction out of someone! When a fictional character can make you want to ring it's fictional neck pretty consistently, then I feel the writing of said obnoxious creature is on point! I will say that he is totally set up for some MAJOR character development and I'm looking forward to seeing how that plays out.
My only real gripe to this novel is that it moved slower than I like. With that being said, I feel like this book was mostly spent with building the world effectively and setting the stage for book two. I can definitely see the next book being a completely different beast now that the world is established, the issues and goals are clear, the main players are introduced, and we have the support characters laid out.
It's time to get to business in book two which I'm eagerly looking forward to reading!
August 26, 2024
‘Is it so bad to love what you cannot have?’
Crimson Stained Catalyst by Rebecca Ethington is an incredible start to The Last Fae King series. This book pulls you into a world of fae and power-wielding humans (unlike any you’ve experienced before), magic, and multidimensional characters that you’ll quickly get hooked on.
From the first few pages, you can tell Ethington has a knack for vivid descriptions and creating intense, dark moments that set the tone perfectly. The story revolves around Caspyn, a relentless fae hunter driven by his sister’s death, and Princess Elara, who’s been confined and kept away from the world. Their paths cross in the most unexpected (yet… not) ways, making for an intriguing plot.
Additionally, Ethington keeps you on your toes with constant twists and turns. Just when you think you know what’s coming or you’re starting to figure something out, she surprises you again. The world-building is fantastic, drawing you into the rich and dangerous land of Okivo and the Qits, where magic and political intrigue abound. The dual POV lets you connect with both Caspyn and Elara, as well as the secondary characters important to each of them, making their struggles and growth feel personal and real.
One of the highlights of the book is the relationship between Elara and her enigmatic guard, known only as “the Boy.” Their dynamic is charming and layered, promising even more development in coming books. I also really enjoyed the characters of Lyani and Vaelar, and can’t wait to read more about them in future as well. In general, the characters are all well-crafted, each with their own flaws and strengths, though Elara’s character does have a notable inconsistency regarding her best friend, Aeinya, that is out of character for her, in my opinion.
While the book is undeniably well-written, it does need a thorough copyedit. The grammatical errors and awkward phrasing can momentarily pull you out of the story, which is the only reason Crimson Stained Catalyst is a 4.5-star read for me (instead of a perfect 5 stars). However, Ethington’s storytelling is strong enough to keep you engaged despite these hiccups and it is otherwise one of the best books I’ve read this year.
The book ends on a bit of an uncertain, heart-racing note (though not quite a cliffhanger), leaving you desperate for the next installment. Fans of Sarah J. Maas, Leigh Bardugo, Holly Black, Jennifer L. Armentrout, Sarah A. Parker, Stacia Stark, and the like will find much to love in this story (and subsequent books). Trust me when I say that if anything in this review interests you, you have to read this book. I very rarely give perfect or near-perfect ratings, but this is one of the few books I will always recommend if you are even remotely interested in the genre.
Crimson Stained Catalyst is a unique epic fantasy that promises an exciting journey filled with danger and magic, a mysterious male main character and relatable female main character, a villain you’ll love to hate, an interesting take on both the “enemies to lovers” and “friends to lovers” tropes, and more. While the romance in this first book is minimal, the slow-burn and sweet moments certainly hint at more to come. If you’re a fan of unpredictable plots, complex magic systems, and well-crafted characters just primed for some amazing growth, this book is a must-read. I’ve got some theories on different plot points that need proving (or disproving, I suppose), and I can’t wait to see where the story goes next!
Content warnings include abandonment, imprisonment, violence, gore, death, and genocide.
Website | Bookstagram | BookTok
Crimson Stained Catalyst by Rebecca Ethington is an incredible start to The Last Fae King series. This book pulls you into a world of fae and power-wielding humans (unlike any you’ve experienced before), magic, and multidimensional characters that you’ll quickly get hooked on.
From the first few pages, you can tell Ethington has a knack for vivid descriptions and creating intense, dark moments that set the tone perfectly. The story revolves around Caspyn, a relentless fae hunter driven by his sister’s death, and Princess Elara, who’s been confined and kept away from the world. Their paths cross in the most unexpected (yet… not) ways, making for an intriguing plot.
Additionally, Ethington keeps you on your toes with constant twists and turns. Just when you think you know what’s coming or you’re starting to figure something out, she surprises you again. The world-building is fantastic, drawing you into the rich and dangerous land of Okivo and the Qits, where magic and political intrigue abound. The dual POV lets you connect with both Caspyn and Elara, as well as the secondary characters important to each of them, making their struggles and growth feel personal and real.
One of the highlights of the book is the relationship between Elara and her enigmatic guard, known only as “the Boy.” Their dynamic is charming and layered, promising even more development in coming books. I also really enjoyed the characters of Lyani and Vaelar, and can’t wait to read more about them in future as well. In general, the characters are all well-crafted, each with their own flaws and strengths, though Elara’s character does have a notable inconsistency regarding her best friend, Aeinya, that is out of character for her, in my opinion.
While the book is undeniably well-written, it does need a thorough copyedit. The grammatical errors and awkward phrasing can momentarily pull you out of the story, which is the only reason Crimson Stained Catalyst is a 4.5-star read for me (instead of a perfect 5 stars). However, Ethington’s storytelling is strong enough to keep you engaged despite these hiccups and it is otherwise one of the best books I’ve read this year.
The book ends on a bit of an uncertain, heart-racing note (though not quite a cliffhanger), leaving you desperate for the next installment. Fans of Sarah J. Maas, Leigh Bardugo, Holly Black, Jennifer L. Armentrout, Sarah A. Parker, Stacia Stark, and the like will find much to love in this story (and subsequent books). Trust me when I say that if anything in this review interests you, you have to read this book. I very rarely give perfect or near-perfect ratings, but this is one of the few books I will always recommend if you are even remotely interested in the genre.
Crimson Stained Catalyst is a unique epic fantasy that promises an exciting journey filled with danger and magic, a mysterious male main character and relatable female main character, a villain you’ll love to hate, an interesting take on both the “enemies to lovers” and “friends to lovers” tropes, and more. While the romance in this first book is minimal, the slow-burn and sweet moments certainly hint at more to come. If you’re a fan of unpredictable plots, complex magic systems, and well-crafted characters just primed for some amazing growth, this book is a must-read. I’ve got some theories on different plot points that need proving (or disproving, I suppose), and I can’t wait to see where the story goes next!
Content warnings include abandonment, imprisonment, violence, gore, death, and genocide.
Website | Bookstagram | BookTok
August 28, 2024
I picked up this book thinking it would be worth the many 5 star reviews it’s received but I’m disappointed. I had high hopes and they were quickly squashed within the first 30% of the story and it continued to go downhill from there.
Let’s discuss the plot or should i say multiple plots because i feel as though I’m reading two different stories at the same time. One of the stories comes from Caspyn’s POV and although he seems to be the MMC, he’s completely seperate from the Elara throughout most the story despite the repetitive promise that he makes of wanting to find Elara. Caspyn has travelled back in time to prevent the future of his family from dying and in doing so he’s taken on a mission to kill as many fae as he can but he slowly discovers things are not as they seem, his enemies are not who they seem. He is not even who he seems, and so he has to rediscover himself through his powers. What didn’t make sense is that he is Fae because why would vaelor king of the fae kill his family? That’s what started the whole story isn’t it? But Vaelor also said he knew Caspyn by walking through time and if that’s the case Vaelor should’ve known who Caspyn was the night he killed his family. It just seemed like that bombshell left me with more questions than answers.
Elara is adamant to prove she is not weak despite losing her power and she seems to have a complexed relationship with the “boy” her literal shadow who acts as her guardian. I think i would love to see their relationship grow but it seems irrelevant since Vaelor is Elara’s mate. The author could’ve done more for Elara’s character but she made her out to be a prisoner the entire story and it was just your typical boring line you’ve heard over and over again, damsel in distress waiting for her knight in shinning armour to rescue her.
I struggled with the writing style, and the fact that this author blabbers with her wordy paragraphs— only because they’re not interesting. Also the fucking rural/folk speech “de sum interestin eyes ye hav boy” 😐 —it made me want to bleach my eyes. It was difficult reading that because there’s no balance. You go from well written dialogue to half broken English making the character sound like a pirate.
The world building was as bland as the magic system. I also think the different POVs are annoying and messy. It just makes the story feel more confusing and jumbled like it hasn’t been properly organised and the author has just shoved a lot of perspectives down our throats.
For this book to be 700+ pages long it surely was boring. It needed more organisation so the events would make more sense but it was like running around blind. Overall if you value your time, don’t read this book.
Let’s discuss the plot or should i say multiple plots because i feel as though I’m reading two different stories at the same time. One of the stories comes from Caspyn’s POV and although he seems to be the MMC, he’s completely seperate from the Elara throughout most the story despite the repetitive promise that he makes of wanting to find Elara. Caspyn has travelled back in time to prevent the future of his family from dying and in doing so he’s taken on a mission to kill as many fae as he can but he slowly discovers things are not as they seem, his enemies are not who they seem. He is not even who he seems, and so he has to rediscover himself through his powers. What didn’t make sense is that he is Fae because why would vaelor king of the fae kill his family? That’s what started the whole story isn’t it? But Vaelor also said he knew Caspyn by walking through time and if that’s the case Vaelor should’ve known who Caspyn was the night he killed his family. It just seemed like that bombshell left me with more questions than answers.
Elara is adamant to prove she is not weak despite losing her power and she seems to have a complexed relationship with the “boy” her literal shadow who acts as her guardian. I think i would love to see their relationship grow but it seems irrelevant since Vaelor is Elara’s mate. The author could’ve done more for Elara’s character but she made her out to be a prisoner the entire story and it was just your typical boring line you’ve heard over and over again, damsel in distress waiting for her knight in shinning armour to rescue her.
I struggled with the writing style, and the fact that this author blabbers with her wordy paragraphs— only because they’re not interesting. Also the fucking rural/folk speech “de sum interestin eyes ye hav boy” 😐 —it made me want to bleach my eyes. It was difficult reading that because there’s no balance. You go from well written dialogue to half broken English making the character sound like a pirate.
The world building was as bland as the magic system. I also think the different POVs are annoying and messy. It just makes the story feel more confusing and jumbled like it hasn’t been properly organised and the author has just shoved a lot of perspectives down our throats.
For this book to be 700+ pages long it surely was boring. It needed more organisation so the events would make more sense but it was like running around blind. Overall if you value your time, don’t read this book.
July 7, 2024
*No Spoilers* I loved this book so much. It's been my favorite read of the year so far. I have already pre-ordered the next in the series (it does end in a way where you absolutely want to know what's next but I wouldn't necessarily call it a cliffhanger, it's a well wrapped ending and obvious set up for more)! This had adventure, romance (not spicy), magic and unpredictable intertwining story lines (multiple first person POVs.)
There is A LOT of world building and magic system information. I found the glossaries at the beginning super helpful to reference in the beginning. Stick with it because you easily become familiar and immersed with the terminology.
My only qualm is that I don't have an emotional attachment to the main characters... Yet. I feel at this point I should be feeling something more for them. I say yet because this is clearly setting up for more story and the information portion is necessary to build on later. And I do feel their personalities and vulnerabilities were coming out in the last few chapters and will continue more in the next book. Hence, my excitement for the next installment!
This was just such a refreshing pallet cleanser after reading so many of the same fae romantasy tropes. If you need something unpredictable I highly recommend this book. Honestly, I could go on and on but I feel like I'd start to slip in some accidental spoilers and I want everyone to be as pleasantly and continuously surprised as me :)
There is A LOT of world building and magic system information. I found the glossaries at the beginning super helpful to reference in the beginning. Stick with it because you easily become familiar and immersed with the terminology.
My only qualm is that I don't have an emotional attachment to the main characters... Yet. I feel at this point I should be feeling something more for them. I say yet because this is clearly setting up for more story and the information portion is necessary to build on later. And I do feel their personalities and vulnerabilities were coming out in the last few chapters and will continue more in the next book. Hence, my excitement for the next installment!
This was just such a refreshing pallet cleanser after reading so many of the same fae romantasy tropes. If you need something unpredictable I highly recommend this book. Honestly, I could go on and on but I feel like I'd start to slip in some accidental spoilers and I want everyone to be as pleasantly and continuously surprised as me :)
July 5, 2024
First I'll warn you, this book is long! Over 600 pages. That's a whole lot of reading enjoyment. Oh, you'll definitely enjoy every moment.
Most of the book is practically two separate stories. We have Caspyn, basically avenging the death of his family and working his way to kill the queen. Then we have Elara, the princess with a mother who totally despises her and has taken away every speck of enjoyment she could have in life, almost. She feels like a prisoner. She soon realizes her mother keeps many prisoners under her thumb.
Sometimes, when it was getting really good, the perspective changed to the other main character. Like a cliffhanger mid read. Grrr. But don't fret, it's not over yet. Most of the time the changing from one to another isn't jarring. One particular spot I screamed NOOOOOO because I NEEDED to know what happens next. At some point in the book, their paths do converge.
This is a really engrossing story, with more to come. I'll be anxiously awaiting the next book.
I received an advanced review copy and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Most of the book is practically two separate stories. We have Caspyn, basically avenging the death of his family and working his way to kill the queen. Then we have Elara, the princess with a mother who totally despises her and has taken away every speck of enjoyment she could have in life, almost. She feels like a prisoner. She soon realizes her mother keeps many prisoners under her thumb.
Sometimes, when it was getting really good, the perspective changed to the other main character. Like a cliffhanger mid read. Grrr. But don't fret, it's not over yet. Most of the time the changing from one to another isn't jarring. One particular spot I screamed NOOOOOO because I NEEDED to know what happens next. At some point in the book, their paths do converge.
This is a really engrossing story, with more to come. I'll be anxiously awaiting the next book.
I received an advanced review copy and am voluntarily leaving a review.
July 24, 2024
This expansive fantasy novel spans over 600 pages and is the first book in a series, with rich world-building. The index at the start, detailing the magical system, proved especially helpful; I took photos for quick reference during my reading. The story is told through various viewpoints. The author has crafted a Fae realm brimming with magic, romance, adventure, deceit, and unexpected turns, particularly towards the end.
As this is a series, I expect the romantic aspects to deepen in the next book. I especially loved the exploration of the new magic system and how well-developed the characters were, particularly the impressive villain. I do look forward to further character growth in the second book as the story expands.
Set aside time to fully enjoy this thrilling new epic fantasy. Although there is a minor cliffhanger at the end, rest assured that the next book will hopefully be released soon.
As this is a series, I expect the romantic aspects to deepen in the next book. I especially loved the exploration of the new magic system and how well-developed the characters were, particularly the impressive villain. I do look forward to further character growth in the second book as the story expands.
Set aside time to fully enjoy this thrilling new epic fantasy. Although there is a minor cliffhanger at the end, rest assured that the next book will hopefully be released soon.
July 11, 2024
I read this book based on a subreddit recommendation, and it was a solid recco. I burned through it in a day.
Apparently I like books in which the reader discovers truths and uncovers secrets along with the main characters. I found this reminiscent of Sara Parker's books "To Bleed a Crystal Bloom" and "When the Moon Hatched" in which the MFC is in the dark and you learn along with her.
I also like that I didn't know where this book was going. Its plot is fresh with a unique world and power structures.
My only gripe is that there were a few typos or misused homophones: die/dye, taught/taut, Lilly/Lily.
Sad thing about reading great books when the series is incomplete is having to wait for the next book for answers! Author, please write swiftly without sacrificing quality ☺️
Apparently I like books in which the reader discovers truths and uncovers secrets along with the main characters. I found this reminiscent of Sara Parker's books "To Bleed a Crystal Bloom" and "When the Moon Hatched" in which the MFC is in the dark and you learn along with her.
I also like that I didn't know where this book was going. Its plot is fresh with a unique world and power structures.
My only gripe is that there were a few typos or misused homophones: die/dye, taught/taut, Lilly/Lily.
Sad thing about reading great books when the series is incomplete is having to wait for the next book for answers! Author, please write swiftly without sacrificing quality ☺️
July 26, 2024
This story has outstanding character development and great world building. We begin with an evil queen who is hunting any children who have magic. The hunters go from Qit to Qit to eliminate them until they get to a family that has a surprise for them. After a bit of time travel we follow two people Princess Elara and Caspyn. Each character has their strengths and weaknesses but they are like minded when it comes to Queen Dalyah. A daughter spurned and a brother's revenge propel the story to many different places. Hints are dropped through the book to keep you hoping for it to go a certain way and then pivot just when you thought you had it. The writing is exquisite and the ending explosive. I cannot wait until the next installment!! Highly recommended!!
July 29, 2024
This epic fantasy book was entertaining and full of adventure and mystery. Filled with magic wielders, fae, political intrigue, betrayal, love, this book as it all. The plot was great, the magic system was unique, and it was just a great book to read overall.
The book is big, though, so if you like your books short, this one is not for you. If you like epic fantasies with lots of great world building, multiple character POVs, an intricate plot, then this is definitely for you. Highly enjoyable and a fun read, I definitely recommend for fantasy fans. Looking forward to reading book two to see where the story leads!
I received an advance reader copy from the author, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The book is big, though, so if you like your books short, this one is not for you. If you like epic fantasies with lots of great world building, multiple character POVs, an intricate plot, then this is definitely for you. Highly enjoyable and a fun read, I definitely recommend for fantasy fans. Looking forward to reading book two to see where the story leads!
I received an advance reader copy from the author, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
January 18, 2026
I actually had to stop reading this book, but I read enough that I consider it “read” and not “DNF”.
The plot premise had the potential to be interesting, but it honestly was not told very well. The characters were ALL somehow unlikable. The writing was…challenging to get through. Also, lots of very basic typos that weren’t caught, as well as plenty of sentences that I had to go back and reread several times just to make sense of.
Weirdly, the description of this book on both Amazon and Goodreads does not match the book I read in any way, not sure if that’s just an error or what? And this does not seem to be available on Kindle Unlimited anymore either.
I would not read more from this author.
The plot premise had the potential to be interesting, but it honestly was not told very well. The characters were ALL somehow unlikable. The writing was…challenging to get through. Also, lots of very basic typos that weren’t caught, as well as plenty of sentences that I had to go back and reread several times just to make sense of.
Weirdly, the description of this book on both Amazon and Goodreads does not match the book I read in any way, not sure if that’s just an error or what? And this does not seem to be available on Kindle Unlimited anymore either.
I would not read more from this author.
August 14, 2024
Really enjoyed reading Crimson Stained Catalyst! It is very different from the rest of the fantasy books I have read recently. Without giving anything away, the story really captured my attention in the beginning. It was a little slow after that with some of the character/plot building. A lot of things going on and at times a little hard to follow. It starts to pick up in the middle and I didn't want to put the book down for the last third of it. Loved the story, can't wait for the sequel! Definitely recommend reading...not really spicy at all so good for young adults as well!
March 30, 2025
I came across this book on TikTok and the idea of the book caught my interest. I bought the book on Amazon (£20 is not cheap for a paperback) and started to read it. The images in the paperback aren’t great quality and distract from the story.
The story itself gave me almost Snow White vibes - a princess, an evil mother and then a boy who wants to help save the princess. Then throw in some magic, death and fae.
I really wanted to enjoy this book but I was left so disappointed. It was just really slow and the only reason that I didn’t DNF it, is because I had spent £20 on the book.
The story itself gave me almost Snow White vibes - a princess, an evil mother and then a boy who wants to help save the princess. Then throw in some magic, death and fae.
I really wanted to enjoy this book but I was left so disappointed. It was just really slow and the only reason that I didn’t DNF it, is because I had spent £20 on the book.
July 24, 2024
This is the first book I've read by Rebecca so I wasn't sure what to expect but I thoroughly enjoyed it!
I found I enjoyed Elara's POV more than Caspyn's. The pacing of his POV felt slow/off at times but it is book 1 in a series so that's not uncommon
I'm anxiously waiting for book 2 after the ending!
I found I enjoyed Elara's POV more than Caspyn's. The pacing of his POV felt slow/off at times but it is book 1 in a series so that's not uncommon
I'm anxiously waiting for book 2 after the ending!
August 25, 2024
A big book but worth it!
If you enjoy in-depth worldbuilding, then this is perfect for you. There's complex magic systems, political intrigue, and stunning world creation. Add to that a complicated romantic plot, and this book really does have it all.
Highly recommend!
If you enjoy in-depth worldbuilding, then this is perfect for you. There's complex magic systems, political intrigue, and stunning world creation. Add to that a complicated romantic plot, and this book really does have it all.
Highly recommend!
July 25, 2024
This book was amazing! It left me wondering what was going to happen next and it was extremely difficult to put down! I’m sad that I have to wait until next year to read more about Caspyn and Elara!
May 14, 2025
dnf
I was just bored tbh
I wasn’t clicking with the characters nor the story
So for now I’ll dnf but might comeback to this another time when I have more patience.
I was just bored tbh
I wasn’t clicking with the characters nor the story
So for now I’ll dnf but might comeback to this another time when I have more patience.
August 4, 2024
Tropes include: epic fantasy, enemies to lovers, lost family, mysterious character, complex/detailed world building, and more. The fae in this book are different than the typical form of fae and I loved that about this story. Don’t let the 600+ pages scare you, the world building and unpredictable intertwining storylines are worth it! I loved the FMC, she was strong without being a damsel in distress; and I loved to hate the villain, fantastic villain! Minor cliffhanger and I need to read book 2 asap.
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