★★★★★ 5 stars
*I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review from the author. In no way does my getting the book for free influence my review.*
Wow. I finished it about an hour ago and was quite unprepared for the book hangover I acquired, so please, bear with me.
Synopsis Time!
Anna (I’m not even gonna pretend I can spell her last name) is a paesant girl living in Brittany in the, I believe, 11th century. She is merely fourteen and eventually fifteen in the beginning of the book which may make you hesitate but back then women hood came at a younger age, so it works.
She lives with her five brothers and step brother, motherless and with a drunken father away on sea voyages half the time. She is beaten and ridiculed by her family for the fact she is a woman and therefore thought weak. Though her gender may be cause to overlook, her sharp tongue and beauty catch the eye of literally every other man in the book. I’m not even kidding. At least four men have a thing for Anna, but it’s not like a bad love square or what have you. In fact, it’s written really well.
One night, a man literally stumbles into her lap, seeking her healing hands for his headache (she’s an apothecary). Upon seeing her, the man instantly becomes infatuated with her beauty and witty, if not snide, remarks. He seeks her out, proposing to her not a week later. Oh, and one more thing. He’s the prince of France, Bernard L’Court. Yep, you guessed it. Princess Anna here we come! Surprise!
Bernard and Anna go through the motions of marriage, I won’t give anything away. Then people in the town and even some jealous nobility start spreading rumors about Anna. They finally settle on one accusation-she’s a witch.
Anna is then forced to hide, but the outcome of her trial leaves her a literally changed woman. And I mean literally in the most literal way. Then, Anna goes badass on her hunt for revenge
I know that was really confusing for you and rather general, but trust me, you want the twists to be kept a surprise.
So now, my thoughts.
Frankly I wasn’t expecting much from this book. I’m sorry to say that but mermaid books make me suspicious. But boy, am I glad I was offered the chance to read it. I read it quickly (for me) and loved, loved, LOVED it.
Anna’s character development was so great, she actually changed and adapted instead of remaining the same despite what she went through. The characters were all well constructed, the plot and story written so well it felt like loads had happened but you’d only read about 10 pages.
There was an even spread of humor, action, maybe a lot more romance, and sadness (I felt for the characters. There may have been some frustrated growls and tears escaping me). Just reading what my Update Status’ were on Goodreads proves the emotional roller coaster I went through while reading this. Bravo to S.K. Munt for writing a brilliant book that makes me really badly crave for more. I suppose I must read her other books if they are even half as good as this one.
All in all, I order you to read this book. You’ll thank me later.
Happy reading!!!