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Chronicles of Twinsbane #1
Sons of Day & Night
Win a free kindle copy of this book!
5 days and 10:58:24
100 copies available
U.S. only
Not even death can tell them apart.
In the wild and lush kingdom of Twinsbane, everyone has a look-alike, and each twin is cursed to die when their double breathes their last. When an ancient plague arises, the kingdom’s only hope is to sever these deadly ties. Yet King Daccias refuses to relinquish the cure, a legendary potion called the Separator.
Waruu, an orphan determined to break these ties, discovers he’s the king’s doppelgänger. He’s certain that if he can switch places, he can save the kingdom. But if anyone learns his true identity, he’ll lose everything—including the people he’s desperately trying to protect.
King Daccias wants nothing more than for his subjects to cease threatening to behead him if he doesn’t hand over the Separator. Intent on catching those opposing him, he finds himself ensnared in his own trap. If he doesn’t break loose, the kingdom will rest in the hands of an insolent boy who knows nothing about the truth behind the events unfolding around him.
To save their kingdom, both Waruu and Daccias must face their greatest enemy—each other.
In the wild and lush kingdom of Twinsbane, everyone has a look-alike, and each twin is cursed to die when their double breathes their last. When an ancient plague arises, the kingdom’s only hope is to sever these deadly ties. Yet King Daccias refuses to relinquish the cure, a legendary potion called the Separator.
Waruu, an orphan determined to break these ties, discovers he’s the king’s doppelgänger. He’s certain that if he can switch places, he can save the kingdom. But if anyone learns his true identity, he’ll lose everything—including the people he’s desperately trying to protect.
King Daccias wants nothing more than for his subjects to cease threatening to behead him if he doesn’t hand over the Separator. Intent on catching those opposing him, he finds himself ensnared in his own trap. If he doesn’t break loose, the kingdom will rest in the hands of an insolent boy who knows nothing about the truth behind the events unfolding around him.
To save their kingdom, both Waruu and Daccias must face their greatest enemy—each other.
272 pages, Hardcover
Published November 18, 2025
About the author
Mariposa Aristeo
4 books118 followersMariposa Aristeo is a writer of fantastical adventures filled with heart, humor, hope, and sometimes dinosaurs. But, most importantly, she’s a creative who seeks to glorify God on every page of her life.
Besides writing snarky characters who sass everybody, Mariposa loves bringing stories to life in full color as an illustrator. She also enjoys inspiring other creatives as the Public Relations Director at Story Embers and the Social Media Manager at the Young Writer’s Workshop.
Her writing escapades include being a finalist in the ACFW First Impressions Contest and a semifinalist in the Realm Makers Aurora Contest. Her fantasy retelling of The Prince and the Pauper, Sons of Day & Night, releases November 2025 from Enclave Publishing.
Known affectionately as “Mari” by her real-life found family, she enjoys hanging out in local coffee shops, watching Disney films, and telling people that a pterodactyl isn’t actually a dinosaur.
Besides writing snarky characters who sass everybody, Mariposa loves bringing stories to life in full color as an illustrator. She also enjoys inspiring other creatives as the Public Relations Director at Story Embers and the Social Media Manager at the Young Writer’s Workshop.
Her writing escapades include being a finalist in the ACFW First Impressions Contest and a semifinalist in the Realm Makers Aurora Contest. Her fantasy retelling of The Prince and the Pauper, Sons of Day & Night, releases November 2025 from Enclave Publishing.
Known affectionately as “Mari” by her real-life found family, she enjoys hanging out in local coffee shops, watching Disney films, and telling people that a pterodactyl isn’t actually a dinosaur.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 109 reviews
August 30, 2025
Oh my goodness! This was soooo good...like so good! You have all the humor of The False Prince mixed with all the heart and crazy world building of something like The Wingfeather Saga! Yet, entirely new and fresh and its own thing! I love it!
Characters:
Our main characters are Waruu - a rebel and troublemaker, and I love him so much! How he struggles with the past and trying to decide what the right thing to do is. *hugs*
Daccias is the other MC, and he's struggling to rule a kingdom, and he's so stubborn and sarcastic... I love him! Him and Waruu are both excellent characters!
I also loved Aalinta and Sydney and Brissbane and Victooria and Banjoo! All such fantastic characters!
Themes:
Strands of loss, loneliness, and doing the right thing even when it's hard. Beautiful, and I can't wait to see how book 2 pans out!
Romance:
Picking up that two characters like each other, and it's cute!
Magic:
A tonic that never runs out and is said to sever the bond between doubles.
Violence/Gore:
Fighting, kidnapping. lying, there are some injuries, including cuts, burns, and a sickness that cracks people apart... We're never given gruesome details on that.
Overall:
This was a fantastic book! one that both boys and girls will love! Always a bonus when I can say boys will enjoy it...lol...
It's hilarious and heartwarming! An adventure well worth the having!
Recommend ages 14+
Characters:
Our main characters are Waruu - a rebel and troublemaker, and I love him so much! How he struggles with the past and trying to decide what the right thing to do is. *hugs*
Daccias is the other MC, and he's struggling to rule a kingdom, and he's so stubborn and sarcastic... I love him! Him and Waruu are both excellent characters!
I also loved Aalinta and Sydney and Brissbane and Victooria and Banjoo! All such fantastic characters!
Themes:
Strands of loss, loneliness, and doing the right thing even when it's hard. Beautiful, and I can't wait to see how book 2 pans out!
Romance:
Picking up that two characters like each other, and it's cute!
Magic:
A tonic that never runs out and is said to sever the bond between doubles.
Violence/Gore:
Fighting, kidnapping. lying, there are some injuries, including cuts, burns, and a sickness that cracks people apart... We're never given gruesome details on that.
Overall:
This was a fantastic book! one that both boys and girls will love! Always a bonus when I can say boys will enjoy it...lol...
It's hilarious and heartwarming! An adventure well worth the having!
Recommend ages 14+
November 30, 2025
Delightful fast-paced read that keeps you hooked with the sharp quips. I particularly appreciated the way the book helps you really sympathize with a certain character who...would not really be sympathetic in most other novels. And how your sense of which side is right and wrong is challenged multiple times throughout the book. Can't wait for the next one!
September 1, 2025
This book is SO MUCH FUN.
The humor and the voice of both POV characters is outstanding. I started the story with my own presumptions of who was "good" and who was "bad," but as the story unfolds, those assumptions are challenged in the best of ways. I can also confidently say I've never read another fantasy world based on Australia, and those elements, as well as the "double" elements that continue through their world, made it such a fascinating and unique setting.
Highly, highly recommend for the young and the young at heart. Can definitely see this being a fantastic starter YA.
The humor and the voice of both POV characters is outstanding. I started the story with my own presumptions of who was "good" and who was "bad," but as the story unfolds, those assumptions are challenged in the best of ways. I can also confidently say I've never read another fantasy world based on Australia, and those elements, as well as the "double" elements that continue through their world, made it such a fascinating and unique setting.
Highly, highly recommend for the young and the young at heart. Can definitely see this being a fantastic starter YA.
Did Not Finish
July 18, 2026DNF at 67%
I've been trying to get through this audiobook for weeks, but I just cant get invested, and when you find yourself dreading the thought of continuing a book, it's time to dnf and find something else.
I've been trying to get through this audiobook for weeks, but I just cant get invested, and when you find yourself dreading the thought of continuing a book, it's time to dnf and find something else.
September 15, 2025
4.7 stars (5/10 hearts). I have read one short story of Mariposa Aristeo's before, and I was pretty sure this book would be funny, hard-hitting, and clever. It was. I understand it's a retelling of
The Prince & the Pauper,
and I totally saw inspiration from the Barbie film as well as the actual Twain novel—which I loved, because I adore both of those stories. ;) The setting is extremely unique and complex: a (nonmagical) fantasy world where everyone has a twin, whose death brings about their own. The Sons of Night, which includes the Royal Family, lord it over the Sons of Light, and the kingdom finds itself in very much the situation described in Mark 3:24. The author did a great job creating history, culture, and beliefs; her world-building is immaculate!
My favourite part was the characters. Ruu and Daccias were both hilarious in their own way. I loved the one's charming devil-may-care ways + tender heart, and the other's deadpan sarcasm + deep desire for righteousness. I related heavily to D's depressive tendencies, too. Most of all, I really appreciated how the good guys & bad guys were so, so convoluted—how in the end the distinction between them became so hard to trace, because both meant well, and both fell short. It really led me to think.
The plot was certainly a rollercoaster. I never knew what was coming next, and every fresh revelation left me bamboozled anew. I think some of the backstory confused me, but that's very likely because I was reading so fast. It was more of a moral story and less of a Christian one, for those who prefer overtly Christian fiction; but the themes of Light over darkness/good over evil were there (ok, a bit confusing because of the whole Sons of Day/Light + Sons of Darkness/Night thing, which made it hard for me to see where it was allegory/message and where it was just the way this world worked—but still good!). The ending is something of a cliffhanger, leaving me eager for book 2, and I can't wait to see how the characters end up working together!
Content: a illness that makes dead people crack open (non descriptive); mild, undetailed violence; an in-world, infinitely replenishing potion that "separates" twins so they no longer live or die together; twins can become close enough to live each other's memories, feel each other's pain, etc.
*I received a complimentary copy of this book for promotional purposes. I was not required to write a positive review. These are my honest thoughts and opinions.*
My favourite part was the characters. Ruu and Daccias were both hilarious in their own way. I loved the one's charming devil-may-care ways + tender heart, and the other's deadpan sarcasm + deep desire for righteousness. I related heavily to D's depressive tendencies, too. Most of all, I really appreciated how the good guys & bad guys were so, so convoluted—how in the end the distinction between them became so hard to trace, because both meant well, and both fell short. It really led me to think.
The plot was certainly a rollercoaster. I never knew what was coming next, and every fresh revelation left me bamboozled anew. I think some of the backstory confused me, but that's very likely because I was reading so fast. It was more of a moral story and less of a Christian one, for those who prefer overtly Christian fiction; but the themes of Light over darkness/good over evil were there (ok, a bit confusing because of the whole Sons of Day/Light + Sons of Darkness/Night thing, which made it hard for me to see where it was allegory/message and where it was just the way this world worked—but still good!). The ending is something of a cliffhanger, leaving me eager for book 2, and I can't wait to see how the characters end up working together!
Content: a illness that makes dead people crack open (non descriptive); mild, undetailed violence; an in-world, infinitely replenishing potion that "separates" twins so they no longer live or die together; twins can become close enough to live each other's memories, feel each other's pain, etc.
*I received a complimentary copy of this book for promotional purposes. I was not required to write a positive review. These are my honest thoughts and opinions.*
Want to Read
September 16, 2025:OOOO this looks sooo good
October 8, 2025
What a fun read!
First, the cover is so pretty! I love the contrast of the night and day, and I found it a particularly intriguing element of the worldbuilding. I'm really hoping the sequel dives even more deeply into the distinct cultures between the Sons of Night and the Sons of Day. I loved the mythology hinted at behind the two different lineages. And I found the whole premise of the doppelgangers fascinating from the beginning. It's kind of genius to expand the Prince and the Pauper to the whole society - and super clever to flip the idea on its head for the king to be the only one without a twin - and it made for some interesting character moments as different people interacted with the "twin" of the person they knew better.
The nods to the Prince and the Pauper (and beloved retellings, such as the classic Barbie Princess and the Pauper *heart eyes*) were delightful. I loved the hidden Easter eggs woven throughout the story. I could also absolutely see how the absolutely incredible The False Prince inspired Aristeo's story and writing. Both Waruu and Daccias had a distinctive sass and wit reminiscent of one of my all-time favorite characters, Sage. I also really liked the playful adventurous nature of both Waruu and the story itself.
I was a little confused with some of the transitions between scenes. A few places felt abrupt and were a little hard to follow when we'd moved to a new idea or place, but overall, the story kept me engaged and the world was compelling. There were some neat twists and turns that kept me guessing. Oh, and I loved all the tunnel stuff! The characters were fun and the themes hint at something deeper that I'm very excited to see where we end up with in the sequel. This story hinted at some themes of trust, vulnerability, and depending on one another. I hope we can follow the thread of leaning being close, rather than separated from, your twin. I really want to see where that idea leads. Looking forward to the sequel!
This story is a fun, intriguing adventure that I think boys especially might enjoy. A clean middle grade fantasy with no romance, no foul language, and some mild fantasy violence. I'd be fine recommending it to middle grade students.
First, the cover is so pretty! I love the contrast of the night and day, and I found it a particularly intriguing element of the worldbuilding. I'm really hoping the sequel dives even more deeply into the distinct cultures between the Sons of Night and the Sons of Day. I loved the mythology hinted at behind the two different lineages. And I found the whole premise of the doppelgangers fascinating from the beginning. It's kind of genius to expand the Prince and the Pauper to the whole society - and super clever to flip the idea on its head for the king to be the only one without a twin - and it made for some interesting character moments as different people interacted with the "twin" of the person they knew better.
The nods to the Prince and the Pauper (and beloved retellings, such as the classic Barbie Princess and the Pauper *heart eyes*) were delightful. I loved the hidden Easter eggs woven throughout the story. I could also absolutely see how the absolutely incredible The False Prince inspired Aristeo's story and writing. Both Waruu and Daccias had a distinctive sass and wit reminiscent of one of my all-time favorite characters, Sage. I also really liked the playful adventurous nature of both Waruu and the story itself.
I was a little confused with some of the transitions between scenes. A few places felt abrupt and were a little hard to follow when we'd moved to a new idea or place, but overall, the story kept me engaged and the world was compelling. There were some neat twists and turns that kept me guessing. Oh, and I loved all the tunnel stuff! The characters were fun and the themes hint at something deeper that I'm very excited to see where we end up with in the sequel. This story hinted at some themes of trust, vulnerability, and depending on one another. I hope we can follow the thread of leaning being close, rather than separated from, your twin. I really want to see where that idea leads. Looking forward to the sequel!
This story is a fun, intriguing adventure that I think boys especially might enjoy. A clean middle grade fantasy with no romance, no foul language, and some mild fantasy violence. I'd be fine recommending it to middle grade students.
October 22, 2025
I'm not a huge Prince & and The Pauper fan, but this was a fresh, fun take on the story! I loved loved loved the Aussie inspired background, and the world building and magic system was really fun. I'm curious to see how the story resolves in book two!
November 20, 2025
2 stars. Giving this rating really saddens me. I was so excited to read this book. I know some of this must be a me problem because there are so many 5 star reviews, but for me there was truly no element of the story that I really enjoyed. I didn't connect to any other character and I found the plot confusing and parts of it really frustrating.
I received a free arc copy in exchange of an honest review.
I received a free arc copy in exchange of an honest review.
August 16, 2025
Not even death can tell them apart.
SUCH a fun book! The funniest characters, fascinating worldbuilding, and impeccable sarcasm. Daccias and Ruu are the BEST.
The retelling take was so interesting, and kept me hooked through the end. Can't wait for the next book!
CW: Fantasy violence, a really gross illness that splits people in half.
SUCH a fun book! The funniest characters, fascinating worldbuilding, and impeccable sarcasm. Daccias and Ruu are the BEST.
The retelling take was so interesting, and kept me hooked through the end. Can't wait for the next book!
CW: Fantasy violence, a really gross illness that splits people in half.
October 12, 2025
Unique world building, great characters, and humor (and mangos) scattered throughout. In a world where everyone has a double, this Prince and the Pauper retelling raises the stakes to the fate of a divided kingdom. I loved this book and am looking forward to continuing the story in the next one. 😍
August 23, 2025
The plot premise of everyone having a doppleganger is incredibly fun and creative, and lends itself perfectly to The Prince and the Pauper elements. The lush jungle setting added a fun twist. Fans of the cast from The Ascendance Trilogy will love the characters in Sons of Day and Night. Waruu and Daccius both have their own snarkiness and lively character voices.
Overall, a solid debut from Mariposa Aristeo that will leave readers both satisfied and ready for more.
Cautions: non-graphic, moderate violence
(I received an eARC from the author. All thoughts are my own!)
Overall, a solid debut from Mariposa Aristeo that will leave readers both satisfied and ready for more.
Cautions: non-graphic, moderate violence
(I received an eARC from the author. All thoughts are my own!)
April 21, 2026
Gahhh this book was SO good
I devoured it in two days, it constantly piqued my interest and I rly loved the characters. Aristeo managed to write a truly unlikable character who becomes sympathetic as you get to know him more. Like, I definitely don’t agree with a lot of the things Daccias did, but I never found him annoying or a painful POV to read.
It was really well paced, nothing ever felt slow, I always wanted to read more (the shorter chapters helped with that)
It had all the ingredients for a novel I love (no romance, unique world building and concept, broskis and found family, sword fights) and it absolutely delivered.
I devoured it in two days, it constantly piqued my interest and I rly loved the characters. Aristeo managed to write a truly unlikable character who becomes sympathetic as you get to know him more. Like, I definitely don’t agree with a lot of the things Daccias did, but I never found him annoying or a painful POV to read.
It was really well paced, nothing ever felt slow, I always wanted to read more (the shorter chapters helped with that)
It had all the ingredients for a novel I love (no romance, unique world building and concept, broskis and found family, sword fights) and it absolutely delivered.
May 29, 2026
Me after finishing this book: "I'm speechless." *proceeds to record a 10 minute audio message review to a friend*
I'd heard this book be compared to The False Prince by Jennifer Nielsen. At the time, I was skeptical, because The False Prince is a really fantastic, memorable book, and I thought "wow, that's a high bar." Now that I've finished Sons of Day and Night: that comparison is 100% accurate and deserved.
If you've read The False Prince, Sons of Day and Night is like if the MC (don't want to use a specific name here, iykyk) had an evil twin, who was the king of a kingdom full of people with "evil" twins, and the "evil" twins had power over the "good" twins. And then our two main character twins swapped places.
But they both have very, very strong, snarky, stubborn personalities and make it EVERYONE'S problem.
I personally find snarky characters very entertaining. And something I loved about Ruu and Dasius was that while they were both very snarky, they had their own flavors of snark. I could tell who's chapter it was purely by their distinct narration voice. (I listened to the audiobook and by the way, the narrator does a really good job of using his tone to indicate who's head we're in. Definitely recommend.)
The plot was also very gripping. It intrigued me in the first half, threw me for several loops in the second half, and that ending made me question everything in the best way possible. It felt like puzzle pieces had been falling into place the whole time and I finally could see the whole picture.
There's not really a romantic subplot, but I don't think it was necessary for this story, so I can respect that it wasn't forced in there. There were plenty of rich friend, brother, and mentor dynamics to uncover.
All that to say, if you've been thinking about reading/listening to this book, DO IT. Five stars on all fronts. And I can't WAIT for Kings of Dawn and Dusk.
I'd heard this book be compared to The False Prince by Jennifer Nielsen. At the time, I was skeptical, because The False Prince is a really fantastic, memorable book, and I thought "wow, that's a high bar." Now that I've finished Sons of Day and Night: that comparison is 100% accurate and deserved.
If you've read The False Prince, Sons of Day and Night is like if the MC (don't want to use a specific name here, iykyk) had an evil twin, who was the king of a kingdom full of people with "evil" twins, and the "evil" twins had power over the "good" twins. And then our two main character twins swapped places.
But they both have very, very strong, snarky, stubborn personalities and make it EVERYONE'S problem.
I personally find snarky characters very entertaining. And something I loved about Ruu and Dasius was that while they were both very snarky, they had their own flavors of snark. I could tell who's chapter it was purely by their distinct narration voice. (I listened to the audiobook and by the way, the narrator does a really good job of using his tone to indicate who's head we're in. Definitely recommend.)
The plot was also very gripping. It intrigued me in the first half, threw me for several loops in the second half, and that ending made me question everything in the best way possible. It felt like puzzle pieces had been falling into place the whole time and I finally could see the whole picture.
There's not really a romantic subplot, but I don't think it was necessary for this story, so I can respect that it wasn't forced in there. There were plenty of rich friend, brother, and mentor dynamics to uncover.
All that to say, if you've been thinking about reading/listening to this book, DO IT. Five stars on all fronts. And I can't WAIT for Kings of Dawn and Dusk.
May 19, 2026
So...I unintentionally read all of this today ✌🏼
I was going to rate it four stars, but honestly I can't find anything wrong with it to knock it down from five stars. The banter, the plot, the worldbuilding, the characters, the relationships, the everything was absolutely fantabulous and where the heck is the second book?
I was going to rate it four stars, but honestly I can't find anything wrong with it to knock it down from five stars. The banter, the plot, the worldbuilding, the characters, the relationships, the everything was absolutely fantabulous and where the heck is the second book?
October 16, 2026
I really liked the concept of this book, and the setting had some fun, quirky bits of worldbuilding. Waruu’s POV was also entertaining at times.
Overall, I didn’t enjoy the story as much as I’d hoped to, mainly because a lot of characters made choices that either confused me or seemed unrealistic.
I may read the sequel, though, because with that cliffhanger twist at the end, I’m curious about where the story is headed.
Overall, I didn’t enjoy the story as much as I’d hoped to, mainly because a lot of characters made choices that either confused me or seemed unrealistic.
I may read the sequel, though, because with that cliffhanger twist at the end, I’m curious about where the story is headed.
September 26, 2026
honestly rage baited me the whole time
![Profile Image for Sara [semi ia].](https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/users/1789487238i/184595227._UY200_CR33,0,200,200_.jpg)
July 25, 2025
-☀︎︎ 𝑆𝑜𝑛𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝐷𝑎𝑦 𝐴𝑛𝑑 𝑁𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 ☽-
’ 𝐴 𝑔𝑜𝑜𝑑 𝐾𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑖𝑠 𝑛𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑟 𝑎 ℎ𝑎𝑝𝑝𝑦 𝑜𝑛𝑒.
𝐵𝑒𝑐𝑎𝑢𝑠𝑒 𝑎 𝑔𝑜𝑜𝑑 𝑘𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑡𝑎𝑘𝑒𝑠 𝑢𝑝𝑜𝑛 ℎ𝑖𝑚𝑠𝑒𝑙𝑓 𝑎𝑙𝑙 𝑇ℎ𝑒 𝑤𝑜𝑟𝑟𝑖𝑒𝑠 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑡𝑟𝑜𝑢𝑏𝑙𝑒𝑠
𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑘𝑖𝑛𝑔𝑑𝑜𝑚 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑓𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡𝑠 𝑖𝑡𝑠 𝑏𝑎𝑡𝑡𝑙𝑒𝑠 𝑢𝑛𝑡𝑖𝑙 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑒𝑛𝑑..’
☽☀︎︎~~~~~~~~~~~~~~☀︎︎☽
5★| 11-13+
~Sons Of Day And Night - Mariposa Aristeo~
𝑇ℎ𝑜𝑢𝑔ℎ𝑡𝑠 .
.
.
⇩
This book has ruined me..quite literally.
Basically everyone has a look-alike and if your ‘twin’
Dies, you’re dead too.
Which is so creative! (in my opinion)
Also not to mention a deadly plague pops outa nowhere and now there’s no hope for the kingdom of Twinsbane…
Except one-
A legendary tonic called
The Separator.
And I’ve been left SHOCKED..
Who knew this book would ruin me
And make me happy at the same time.
I loved the plot sooo much and laughed out loud A LOT
at some of the humor that was sprinkled throughout the book.
I have only good things to say about this book,
and cannot wait for the next one.
The characters felt so real and different, and I loved each and every one of them so much.
The world was so immersive and unique than anything I’ve read before,
and the map was so helpful for visualizing everything.
I definitely have a new favorite book that I can continue to swoon over
even though Im CRYING OUT for the next one!
☽☀︎︎~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~☀︎︎☽
-Thoughts on The Characters-
☽~Daccias~☽
I feel so bad for him..
This boy is so misread and deserves JUSTICE!!
His whole character was so unique and
Really so lovable
I loved how he was the complete Opposite of Waruu
And how the banter between them felt so real and hilarious
And I need to give him a big ol hug ASAP!
☀︎︎~Waruu~☀︎︎
He was sooooo fun!!
(And sweet)
I loved how he constantly called up sassy comments
Whenever people tried to make him mad.
I loved how realistic Mariposa wrote him
And how she made him so vulnerable in some points.
And how dramatically different he was from Daccias
(In a good way!)
☽☀︎︎~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~☀︎︎☽
Needless to say all the characters
(Not just the main ones.)
Were so amazing and I have no complaints:)
☽☀︎︎~Content~☀︎︎☽
Violence: sword fights, wounds, little detail to blood.
Romance: N/A
Magic: The Separator is a potion
Language: N/A
Sass: Tons :D
☽☀︎︎~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~☀︎︎☽
.↯Final Thoughts↯.
. .
I loved this book and im so excited
to see what Mariposa writes next!
Im so happy i had the opportunity to meet her
And cant wait to see what Daccias and Warru do next!
If you are considering reading this
READ IT WHEN IT COMES OUT!!!
Its so good and worth every second of your time!
Thank you Enclave for the Arc!
☽☀︎︎~Bye lovelies~☀︎︎☽
I recieved an Arc and all thoughts and expressions in this review are my own and were not persuaded by the author.
’ 𝐴 𝑔𝑜𝑜𝑑 𝐾𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑖𝑠 𝑛𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑟 𝑎 ℎ𝑎𝑝𝑝𝑦 𝑜𝑛𝑒.
𝐵𝑒𝑐𝑎𝑢𝑠𝑒 𝑎 𝑔𝑜𝑜𝑑 𝑘𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑡𝑎𝑘𝑒𝑠 𝑢𝑝𝑜𝑛 ℎ𝑖𝑚𝑠𝑒𝑙𝑓 𝑎𝑙𝑙 𝑇ℎ𝑒 𝑤𝑜𝑟𝑟𝑖𝑒𝑠 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑡𝑟𝑜𝑢𝑏𝑙𝑒𝑠
𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑘𝑖𝑛𝑔𝑑𝑜𝑚 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑓𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡𝑠 𝑖𝑡𝑠 𝑏𝑎𝑡𝑡𝑙𝑒𝑠 𝑢𝑛𝑡𝑖𝑙 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑒𝑛𝑑..’
☽☀︎︎~~~~~~~~~~~~~~☀︎︎☽
5★| 11-13+
~Sons Of Day And Night - Mariposa Aristeo~
𝑇ℎ𝑜𝑢𝑔ℎ𝑡𝑠 .
.
.
⇩
This book has ruined me..quite literally.
Basically everyone has a look-alike and if your ‘twin’
Dies, you’re dead too.
Which is so creative! (in my opinion)
Also not to mention a deadly plague pops outa nowhere and now there’s no hope for the kingdom of Twinsbane…
Except one-
A legendary tonic called
The Separator.
And I’ve been left SHOCKED..
Who knew this book would ruin me
And make me happy at the same time.
I loved the plot sooo much and laughed out loud A LOT
at some of the humor that was sprinkled throughout the book.
I have only good things to say about this book,
and cannot wait for the next one.
The characters felt so real and different, and I loved each and every one of them so much.
The world was so immersive and unique than anything I’ve read before,
and the map was so helpful for visualizing everything.
I definitely have a new favorite book that I can continue to swoon over
even though Im CRYING OUT for the next one!
☽☀︎︎~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~☀︎︎☽
-Thoughts on The Characters-
☽~Daccias~☽
I feel so bad for him..
This boy is so misread and deserves JUSTICE!!
His whole character was so unique and
Really so lovable
I loved how he was the complete Opposite of Waruu
And how the banter between them felt so real and hilarious
And I need to give him a big ol hug ASAP!
☀︎︎~Waruu~☀︎︎
He was sooooo fun!!
(And sweet)
I loved how he constantly called up sassy comments
Whenever people tried to make him mad.
I loved how realistic Mariposa wrote him
And how she made him so vulnerable in some points.
And how dramatically different he was from Daccias
(In a good way!)
☽☀︎︎~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~☀︎︎☽
Needless to say all the characters
(Not just the main ones.)
Were so amazing and I have no complaints:)
☽☀︎︎~Content~☀︎︎☽
Violence: sword fights, wounds, little detail to blood.
Romance: N/A
Magic: The Separator is a potion
Language: N/A
Sass: Tons :D
☽☀︎︎~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~☀︎︎☽
.↯Final Thoughts↯.
. .
I loved this book and im so excited
to see what Mariposa writes next!
Im so happy i had the opportunity to meet her
And cant wait to see what Daccias and Warru do next!
If you are considering reading this
READ IT WHEN IT COMES OUT!!!
Its so good and worth every second of your time!
Thank you Enclave for the Arc!
☽☀︎︎~Bye lovelies~☀︎︎☽
I recieved an Arc and all thoughts and expressions in this review are my own and were not persuaded by the author.
April 22, 2026
I'm in the minority on this one, but honestly this book was wild.
First off we have a lack of world building. The framework is there, but that's about it. Twins that are night and day are great and all, but what's the actual difference between day and night? Is it just the hair color? Why do the two groups hate each other? I don't know, because basically it's just a thing with no further development.
Why is the one group in charge? How did the sun group become second class to the night one? Why is their a council if the king has all the power and they never actually seem to do anything? How do we have day and night on the council? So it's the one area that day and night have equal status?
I give full props to the fact I listened to the audiobook and it was not my preference. He managed to to make both MC's sound whiny, arrogant, and annoying. That being said the tone was all his own, but the words would've been the same in the book. If I spell a name wrong that's because of the audio aspect.
The Australia theme could've been cool, but it was over done. It'd have been like trying to establish an American fantasy world and having everyone throw around "pardner". Or have expressions like, "By the bald eagle's wings!" or insults be something like, "You blundering bison!" or "that whining beaver!" It was so overdone it was cringy. And have your characters named Miiiami, Shicago, Denvver, Moosse, and Lyynx. Change that to the Australian version and that's what we had.
Abbreviated version: Way too many holes in the plot, motives, and world building. Unlikeable characters, and an ending that's either open ended or a cliffhanger. Also, as a personal note while this is written by a Christian author I wouldn't label it a Christian fantasy. It's the second book I've read in the past week that was tagged as such, but there's nothing in this entire book that would place it in that genre.
First off we have a lack of world building. The framework is there, but that's about it. Twins that are night and day are great and all, but what's the actual difference between day and night? Is it just the hair color? Why do the two groups hate each other? I don't know, because basically it's just a thing with no further development.
Why is the one group in charge? How did the sun group become second class to the night one? Why is their a council if the king has all the power and they never actually seem to do anything? How do we have day and night on the council? So it's the one area that day and night have equal status?
I give full props to the fact I listened to the audiobook and it was not my preference. He managed to to make both MC's sound whiny, arrogant, and annoying. That being said the tone was all his own, but the words would've been the same in the book. If I spell a name wrong that's because of the audio aspect.
The Australia theme could've been cool, but it was over done. It'd have been like trying to establish an American fantasy world and having everyone throw around "pardner". Or have expressions like, "By the bald eagle's wings!" or insults be something like, "You blundering bison!" or "that whining beaver!" It was so overdone it was cringy. And have your characters named Miiiami, Shicago, Denvver, Moosse, and Lyynx. Change that to the Australian version and that's what we had.
Abbreviated version: Way too many holes in the plot, motives, and world building. Unlikeable characters, and an ending that's either open ended or a cliffhanger. Also, as a personal note while this is written by a Christian author I wouldn't label it a Christian fantasy. It's the second book I've read in the past week that was tagged as such, but there's nothing in this entire book that would place it in that genre.
October 8, 2026
I AM SO ANNOYED AT THIS BOOK and yet I couldn't put it down.
Waruu is a Son of Day, and his one goal is to take the place of the king in order to free his people from tyranny. King Daccias is a Son of Night, and he will go to his grave with the secret of where the Separator is, even if his entire Kingdom is decimated by the plague.
As a retelling of the Prince and the Pauper, Aristeo has created a fascinating premise for this magical world - the fact that everyone has an opposite twin. Her writing pulls you through the story even when you don't want it to - I finished it in basically one sitting even though I spent half the time being VERY, VERY ANNOYED at a lot of things. It's also written in alternating first person POV, which made Daccias' sections even more annoying because he obviously has Reasons for not wanting to release the Separator, but he refuses to tell anyone WHY. Not even the reader.
So you spend the whole book not knowing why, and agreeing with everyone else that Daccias is a stupid, annoying brat of a king. And then you find out why and realise that actually, he is still a stupid, annoying brat. It's one of those tropes that I hate (whatever it's called) because all the tension is built up on one person refusing to explain something which would resolve ALL THE PROBLEMS and he refuses to say anything despite everyone asking him to (and almost forcing him to) because nyeh nyeh nyeh he is the king and can do whatever he wants. His twin/opposite Waruu is also an annoying brat, but he is at least entertaining, and trying his best. Waruu is also pretty upfront about all his motives, which is maaaaaybe why I liked him a little better. (Side note: Maybe this is why YA is irking me more and more - I have no more patience for teenage shenanigans. I would have probably enjoyed it more if I read this as a teen myself.)
There's a bunch of backstory to the founding of this kingdom and the stark separation between Day and Night layered into the things/history Waruu discovers when he takes Daccia's place. I found this pretty fascinating, especially since you don't really know anything about the current day except that the Sons of Night are the elite ruling class and the Sons of Day are the poor commoners.
So anyway, the plot and execution could be stronger, and I spent a lot of time thinking all the characters in the book are slightly dumb (or are prone to making brainless decisions) but it's fast-paced enough to pull you along anyway despite your better inclinations.
Note: I received a digital ARC of this book from Enclave Publishing. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Waruu is a Son of Day, and his one goal is to take the place of the king in order to free his people from tyranny. King Daccias is a Son of Night, and he will go to his grave with the secret of where the Separator is, even if his entire Kingdom is decimated by the plague.
As a retelling of the Prince and the Pauper, Aristeo has created a fascinating premise for this magical world - the fact that everyone has an opposite twin. Her writing pulls you through the story even when you don't want it to - I finished it in basically one sitting even though I spent half the time being VERY, VERY ANNOYED at a lot of things. It's also written in alternating first person POV, which made Daccias' sections even more annoying because he obviously has Reasons for not wanting to release the Separator, but he refuses to tell anyone WHY. Not even the reader.
So you spend the whole book not knowing why, and agreeing with everyone else that Daccias is a stupid, annoying brat of a king. And then you find out why and realise that actually, he is still a stupid, annoying brat. It's one of those tropes that I hate (whatever it's called) because all the tension is built up on one person refusing to explain something which would resolve ALL THE PROBLEMS and he refuses to say anything despite everyone asking him to (and almost forcing him to) because nyeh nyeh nyeh he is the king and can do whatever he wants. His twin/opposite Waruu is also an annoying brat, but he is at least entertaining, and trying his best. Waruu is also pretty upfront about all his motives, which is maaaaaybe why I liked him a little better. (Side note: Maybe this is why YA is irking me more and more - I have no more patience for teenage shenanigans. I would have probably enjoyed it more if I read this as a teen myself.)
There's a bunch of backstory to the founding of this kingdom and the stark separation between Day and Night layered into the things/history Waruu discovers when he takes Daccia's place. I found this pretty fascinating, especially since you don't really know anything about the current day except that the Sons of Night are the elite ruling class and the Sons of Day are the poor commoners.
So anyway, the plot and execution could be stronger, and I spent a lot of time thinking all the characters in the book are slightly dumb (or are prone to making brainless decisions) but it's fast-paced enough to pull you along anyway despite your better inclinations.
Note: I received a digital ARC of this book from Enclave Publishing. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
September 3, 2025
4.5
"A broken kingdom. A cursed throne. A selfish king."
Sons of Day and Night is a fantasy reimagining of Mark Twain's The Prince and the Pauper. In Twinsbane, every person has a double. But the two sides, Day and Night, do not get along. What's more, if one twin dies so does the other. The King, Daccias, is the only person who knows the whereabouts of a serum called the Separator which can destroy the connection between doubles. Despite protests and pleas, he refuses. People hate him for it. Is Daccias evil and hard-hearted or does he have reason behind this seemingly mad decision?
Waruu is a member of the rebellion led by The Separatists. Stubborn, sarcastic, and impulsive, he sets on his own mission and learns he's the king's double. This is where he hatches a plan---switch places with the king and get the Separator. Is Waruu trusting the right side?
This book would be enjoyed by lower YA readers (and even some advanced MG readers!) Following Mariposa for sometime now, I was expecting all the snark and tomfoolery and that is allll in Sons of Day and Night. But more, there are themes of found family, things (and people) not always being what they appear, there being two sides to every coin (and more than one POV for a story), the power of choices, and the importance of discernment.
There are a few areas that are slower in pace, and there is a scene with self-harm. I have strong feelings about self-harm appearing on page in YA books especially without adequate addressing of said act(s); however, there is no glorification of hurting one's self. There is a gray area, to me, because the character wasn't trying to repent or process emotion etc through his actions but rather he had a different end goal (can't give any more without spoilers). Still, I think it is important to note it is present.
Overall, I greatly enjoyed Mariposa Aristeo's debut! I cannot wait for book two in the Chronicles of Twinsbane. I also cannot wait for Mariposa to write a MG book/series. I know it will be snarky and whimsical and just plain fun!
Sons of Day and Night is a must read for fans of the Classics Retold series, fantasy with familiar tropes, and stories with light versus darkness!
Some of my favorite quotes:
"Just because where you're going is good, that doesn't mean the path you've chosen to get there is right."
"A king, a true king, protects his own from the darkness they cannot see."
"The Light will always prevail over the Darkness."
"Stories are what connect us all. They help us to live and breath the life of someone else, and they show is we're not so different after all."
"I don't know what the answer is. Maybe nothing is the right answer. The recourse you take depends on what you're willing to risk."
"There is always a choice."
"A broken kingdom. A cursed throne. A selfish king."
Sons of Day and Night is a fantasy reimagining of Mark Twain's The Prince and the Pauper. In Twinsbane, every person has a double. But the two sides, Day and Night, do not get along. What's more, if one twin dies so does the other. The King, Daccias, is the only person who knows the whereabouts of a serum called the Separator which can destroy the connection between doubles. Despite protests and pleas, he refuses. People hate him for it. Is Daccias evil and hard-hearted or does he have reason behind this seemingly mad decision?
Waruu is a member of the rebellion led by The Separatists. Stubborn, sarcastic, and impulsive, he sets on his own mission and learns he's the king's double. This is where he hatches a plan---switch places with the king and get the Separator. Is Waruu trusting the right side?
This book would be enjoyed by lower YA readers (and even some advanced MG readers!) Following Mariposa for sometime now, I was expecting all the snark and tomfoolery and that is allll in Sons of Day and Night. But more, there are themes of found family, things (and people) not always being what they appear, there being two sides to every coin (and more than one POV for a story), the power of choices, and the importance of discernment.
There are a few areas that are slower in pace, and there is a scene with self-harm. I have strong feelings about self-harm appearing on page in YA books especially without adequate addressing of said act(s); however, there is no glorification of hurting one's self. There is a gray area, to me, because the character wasn't trying to repent or process emotion etc through his actions but rather he had a different end goal (can't give any more without spoilers). Still, I think it is important to note it is present.
Overall, I greatly enjoyed Mariposa Aristeo's debut! I cannot wait for book two in the Chronicles of Twinsbane. I also cannot wait for Mariposa to write a MG book/series. I know it will be snarky and whimsical and just plain fun!
Sons of Day and Night is a must read for fans of the Classics Retold series, fantasy with familiar tropes, and stories with light versus darkness!
Some of my favorite quotes:
"Just because where you're going is good, that doesn't mean the path you've chosen to get there is right."
"A king, a true king, protects his own from the darkness they cannot see."
"The Light will always prevail over the Darkness."
"Stories are what connect us all. They help us to live and breath the life of someone else, and they show is we're not so different after all."
"I don't know what the answer is. Maybe nothing is the right answer. The recourse you take depends on what you're willing to risk."
"There is always a choice."
September 29, 2026
I have been in a reading slump of sorts, where I only want to read books that make me laugh. Currently that has been the Emma M. Lion series, which is quite the opposite of this book.
However, the moment I read the first chapter, I knew there was a strong chance this book would keep my attention. And it did, I binged the majority of it today. Waruu was such a fun character to read, and I wasn't expecting Daccius to turn out to . The hints of the brotherhood to come were so, so good, and I love how it's basically platonic soulmates. I look forward to reading the next one!
Content Considerations: Child abuse and disturbing descriptions of death by a vicious disease.
However, the moment I read the first chapter, I knew there was a strong chance this book would keep my attention. And it did, I binged the majority of it today. Waruu was such a fun character to read, and I wasn't expecting Daccius to turn out to . The hints of the brotherhood to come were so, so good, and I love how it's basically platonic soulmates. I look forward to reading the next one!
Content Considerations: Child abuse and disturbing descriptions of death by a vicious disease.
September 21, 2026
Filled to the brim with action, adventure, mystery, and a compelling take on The Prince and the Pauper, Sons of Day & Night is a glorious fantasy novel that will have you questioning who's right and wrong until the very end. Aristeo has a strong command of writing quirky, unique characters with quips aplenty that will catch your attention and keep you turning pages. I thoroughly enjoyed this story and its fascinating premise. What a great story, and I look forward to reading the rest of the series! (Plus, the cover is GORGEOUS.)
I read a review edition via the publisher; all opinions are my own!
I read a review edition via the publisher; all opinions are my own!
February 20, 2026
It was truly painful to get through this book, but I'm glad I did because the ending raised the rating from 0.25 all the way to one star. As I understand it, this book is a retelling of The Prince and the Pauper, and I think that the fact that I've never read it gives me a unique and unbiased opinion on the matter.
I picked up this book because the concept of everyone having a doppelganger sounded super cool and there was a lot of world building potential in there. Unfortunately, this was not explored at all. Really. Why does everyone have a twin? Doesn't matter. How does the fact that you could be speaking to an entirely different person than you thought affect conversations and relationships? It doesn't. What measures and precautions are taken to make sure no one is able to usurp their twin's identity? None. The sons of day are second class citizens for some reason (not explained or even gone into a tiny bit of detail, and this is despite the fact that they have members on a council that does something), why don't they rise up against the sons of night considering they're all fully armed? They just don't. Do the two sides mingle and have children, and what would the consequences of that be? I guess not since the kings have had an unbroken line of night children and it's never brought up anywhere. Twins cause absolutely no cultural impact in this world. The only thing that's slightly fleshed out is that there's no death sentence in this world for obvious reasons. I didn't need that pointed out to me and waved in front of my face, Waruu.
Next point. For some reason, even though this is a relatively small island, even though what's essentially the capital city is called a village, they built a whole castle. What. I dare you to find construction workers that would happily pursue that project. Also, how on earth did a kingdom get founded on a tiny island? What citizen would agree to listen to the orders of some random schmuck when his entire "army" (a handful of guards) could be completely overrun by a crowd of 500 or less? Adding on to this, realistically, there's no way King Daccias should have stayed in power for as long as he has. He is despised by literally every single person on the island except for two people; his citizens could have easily overrun the castle and deposed him at any time, why didn't they? Dunno. Also, there's a council that doesn't seem to do anything and doesn't advocate for the rights of the people (see sons of day are second class citizens). Why is it there? What does it even do? How are the council members chosen? Evidently, not by election, otherwise they wouldn't all be doubles of each other. Where do they even live? Do they have mansions in a village? I guess it doesn't matter since it's never explained.
The prison is also situated right underneath the castle. As in the main prison, the one that takes in both petty criminals and worst offenders alike. That's stupid, and even Waruu agrees. If it's idiotic, why do it? Deus ex plot armor.
The jungle, don't even get me started on the jungle. It's supposedly super dangerous, but Daccias wanders around it all night multiple times without any harm befalling him. Deus ex plot armor. This book is just one giant plot hole, and that's without even getting into the characters.
Oh, the characters.
I have never in my life read a book with more dislikable and annoying characters than this one, and that's including side and minor characters, not just protagonists and antagonists from other books. Waruu's personality is prideful and insufferable, and he thinks his snide and rude remarks are hilarious. They are not. The worst part is though, everyone around him seems to think they are, and this just puffs up his ego even more. Daccias is mildly better. He's slightly more mature, and even though he makes the same snide and rude comments, he knows they're only self-destructive. Of course, he still does it anyway because he hates and pities himself in equal measure. I like him better because he's self-aware and there's the mystery of why he won't give up the separator surrounding him. Waruu is still awful enough to make up for the both of them though.
This book suffers from a severe case of 'side characters and antagonists doing idiotic and contradictory things for plot reasons'. This is only a little spoilery, but
Overall, I don't recommend this book in the slightest, there's just too many plot holes to take it seriously. I'm really disappointed because I was stoked to see what would be done with such a cool concept.
July 15, 2026
What a fun adventure of sass and snark! I love both Waruu and Daccias for different reasons, and their humor and sarcasm is quite unmatched. The concept, while many aspects left me with a lot of questions, is so unique and fascinating, and I can't wait to see what happens next!
November 29, 2025
I love the whole concept of having a doppelganger and having the whole lives connected.
I enjoyed the book. A definitely easy and fun read and the characters are fun and interesting.
The only thing I didn't like about the book is I felt like the reader was dragged about for most of the book and not really given any clues about that object until one clues appear then more of a answer is given in the next chapter.
Overall I enjoyed the book and can't wait to read the next book.
I enjoyed the book. A definitely easy and fun read and the characters are fun and interesting.
The only thing I didn't like about the book is I felt like the reader was dragged about for most of the book and not really given any clues about that object until one clues appear then more of a answer is given in the next chapter.
Overall I enjoyed the book and can't wait to read the next book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 5, 2025
Full disclosure: I received an ARC of this book from the publisher as thanks for being on their street team. Reading the book was not required, and a positive review was not required. The following review is my honest opinion.
I have been following Mariposa Aristeo on social media for years simply because she’s a delightful, funny, and very talented person, so imagine my delight when her debut novel got picked up by one of my favorite publishers. 😀 I have been looking forward to reading this book since it was announced, and dove right in the day I got the ARC.
Truly, I’ve never read another Prince and the Pauper retelling like this. The ones I’ve read previously tend to be pretty standard, “I want your life and you want mine, so let’s switch and see if the grass is greener.” But Sons of Day and Night didn’t take that easy road, oh no, this involved a world where everyone has a doppelganger, and the switch was not voluntary, it involved kidnapping!
To start with, the characters were so strong. From the very first page, I could practically hear Waruu’s voice with his strong personality and so much sass. (SO. MUCH. SASS.) The other characters were so distinct, too, and I liked how they all had good points and flaws instead of being oversimplified. They really felt real. Add to that a fantasy setting with flavors of Australia, which I don’t think I’ve personally seen before, and I was hooked.
I would hate to spoil the many, many, (Many!) twist and turns of this book with too many details, but I will say that my favorite thing about it was how a lot of things were not as they seemed. Daccias seemed like only an antagonist at first, and nobody understands why he’s so stubborn and refusing to cooperate with a plan that seems on a surface level that it will save the whole kingdom. Buuuut what if the proposed solution actually had a hidden dark side? And what if our hero, Waruu, in being too willing to accept surface appearances, might be making a mistake that could cost everybody everything?
As someone who is usually pretty good at predicting plots, I enjoyed not knowing who was right and who was wrong, and even wondering if the “victory” near then end was really a victory. And then that ending. THAT ENDING. I’m really glad the adventure will continue because YOU CAN’T JUST LEAVE IT LIKE THAT AAAAAAHHHH!
*ahem* Overall, I loved every second of this unique, fun, and dramatic story. Near the end, I was reading every spare minute I could get to find out what was going to happen, and I can’t wait to see what’s going to happen in the next book!
Highly recommended to lovers of fairytale retelling, twists and turns, and unique fantasy settings.
Content Advisory:
This book is a young adult fantasy and appropriate for that age range.
Language:
Various forms of “scorching” get used as exclamations, but there are never any real swears used.
Violence/Scariness:
Someone’s parents died tragically in an attack where they ended up falling from a great height. This isn’t described, but their son does mention to someone briefly that he had to witness their “guts spill out”.
The castle has a dungeon with floors and walls that are hot enough to burn a person’s feet. (The rumor is that it was made from the remnants of a falling star.) Waruu hears someone in the dungeons screaming, but never sees what’s happening to the person. He does encounter a prisoner whose face is swollen from beatings.
A plague kills people in a terrible manner. This isn’t described constantly, but witnesses report that a man died in convulsions in the street, seeming to be killed “from the inside out.” Daccias goes to look at the body in the morgue and we’re told briefly that the man’s face is split in half. Brief mentions of black blood. Waruu sees some of these split bodies in the morgue, too, and they're briefly described again. Later, a little girl becomes one of the victims, though her death is not described graphically.
There are a couple of fight scenes during the story, but never anything graphic. Mainly superficial cuts. One person does end up stabbed in the chest, and there is brief mention of blood, but nothing extreme.
Someone falls from a height and is injured, but survives. While it sounds like the injuries are serious, they aren’t described.
Mentions of a piece of art that depicts a bloody historical murder. (This seems to be a warning to others.)
A girl says her own doppelganger “owned her,” using her as a servant, and if she tried to escape, the woman would threaten suicide since it would kill the girl, too. Obviously, this never actually happened, since the girl lived to tell the tale.
Two other individuals threaten harm to themselves in order to harm their doppelganger. In one case, it’s an empty threat. In the other instance, the person actually does touch a poison frog, and pain and skin blisters are described. (He gets treatment and lives, but has some hallucinations from the poison in the process.)
Someone gets punched repeatedly, and the pain is described.
People who are supposed to be the "good guys" claim they'll deny a girl medical treatment if they don't get what they want from their captive, but they actually do treat the girl.
Sexual/Romance:
A girl is clearly attracted to a boy, but it doesn’t go further than crushy feelings.
Spiritual/Magic:
While the themes are not overtly Christian so far, the themes agree with a Christian viewpoint, including seeking light and truth, forgiveness, and seeing people who are different from us as people and not enemies. It also shows the deep harm that can come from holding grudges.
As for the magic, in the fantasy world in which this story is set, everyone who is ever born has a doppelganger somewhere in the world. They may or may not ever meet this person, but even still, their lives are connected so that if one twin dies, the other will too. At one point in their history, the connection was even deeper so that some doppelgangers could feel the pain and thoughts of their twin, and one pair of characters does experience this.
A potion called “The Separator” (the origins of which have not been specified yet, that I recall) is supposed to separate doppelgangers so that they no longer have to worry about dying if the other person dies. It’s a self-refilling potion, and is held up as a good thing through most of the book, but (MAJOR SPOILER)
Other:
Mentions of taverns, and one description of the pain of getting a tattoo.
I have been following Mariposa Aristeo on social media for years simply because she’s a delightful, funny, and very talented person, so imagine my delight when her debut novel got picked up by one of my favorite publishers. 😀 I have been looking forward to reading this book since it was announced, and dove right in the day I got the ARC.
Truly, I’ve never read another Prince and the Pauper retelling like this. The ones I’ve read previously tend to be pretty standard, “I want your life and you want mine, so let’s switch and see if the grass is greener.” But Sons of Day and Night didn’t take that easy road, oh no, this involved a world where everyone has a doppelganger, and the switch was not voluntary, it involved kidnapping!
To start with, the characters were so strong. From the very first page, I could practically hear Waruu’s voice with his strong personality and so much sass. (SO. MUCH. SASS.) The other characters were so distinct, too, and I liked how they all had good points and flaws instead of being oversimplified. They really felt real. Add to that a fantasy setting with flavors of Australia, which I don’t think I’ve personally seen before, and I was hooked.
I would hate to spoil the many, many, (Many!) twist and turns of this book with too many details, but I will say that my favorite thing about it was how a lot of things were not as they seemed. Daccias seemed like only an antagonist at first, and nobody understands why he’s so stubborn and refusing to cooperate with a plan that seems on a surface level that it will save the whole kingdom. Buuuut what if the proposed solution actually had a hidden dark side? And what if our hero, Waruu, in being too willing to accept surface appearances, might be making a mistake that could cost everybody everything?
As someone who is usually pretty good at predicting plots, I enjoyed not knowing who was right and who was wrong, and even wondering if the “victory” near then end was really a victory. And then that ending. THAT ENDING. I’m really glad the adventure will continue because YOU CAN’T JUST LEAVE IT LIKE THAT AAAAAAHHHH!
*ahem* Overall, I loved every second of this unique, fun, and dramatic story. Near the end, I was reading every spare minute I could get to find out what was going to happen, and I can’t wait to see what’s going to happen in the next book!
Highly recommended to lovers of fairytale retelling, twists and turns, and unique fantasy settings.
Content Advisory:
This book is a young adult fantasy and appropriate for that age range.
Language:
Various forms of “scorching” get used as exclamations, but there are never any real swears used.
Violence/Scariness:
Someone’s parents died tragically in an attack where they ended up falling from a great height. This isn’t described, but their son does mention to someone briefly that he had to witness their “guts spill out”.
The castle has a dungeon with floors and walls that are hot enough to burn a person’s feet. (The rumor is that it was made from the remnants of a falling star.) Waruu hears someone in the dungeons screaming, but never sees what’s happening to the person. He does encounter a prisoner whose face is swollen from beatings.
A plague kills people in a terrible manner. This isn’t described constantly, but witnesses report that a man died in convulsions in the street, seeming to be killed “from the inside out.” Daccias goes to look at the body in the morgue and we’re told briefly that the man’s face is split in half. Brief mentions of black blood. Waruu sees some of these split bodies in the morgue, too, and they're briefly described again. Later, a little girl becomes one of the victims, though her death is not described graphically.
There are a couple of fight scenes during the story, but never anything graphic. Mainly superficial cuts. One person does end up stabbed in the chest, and there is brief mention of blood, but nothing extreme.
Someone falls from a height and is injured, but survives. While it sounds like the injuries are serious, they aren’t described.
Mentions of a piece of art that depicts a bloody historical murder. (This seems to be a warning to others.)
A girl says her own doppelganger “owned her,” using her as a servant, and if she tried to escape, the woman would threaten suicide since it would kill the girl, too. Obviously, this never actually happened, since the girl lived to tell the tale.
Two other individuals threaten harm to themselves in order to harm their doppelganger. In one case, it’s an empty threat. In the other instance, the person actually does touch a poison frog, and pain and skin blisters are described. (He gets treatment and lives, but has some hallucinations from the poison in the process.)
Someone gets punched repeatedly, and the pain is described.
People who are supposed to be the "good guys" claim they'll deny a girl medical treatment if they don't get what they want from their captive, but they actually do treat the girl.
Sexual/Romance:
A girl is clearly attracted to a boy, but it doesn’t go further than crushy feelings.
Spiritual/Magic:
While the themes are not overtly Christian so far, the themes agree with a Christian viewpoint, including seeking light and truth, forgiveness, and seeing people who are different from us as people and not enemies. It also shows the deep harm that can come from holding grudges.
As for the magic, in the fantasy world in which this story is set, everyone who is ever born has a doppelganger somewhere in the world. They may or may not ever meet this person, but even still, their lives are connected so that if one twin dies, the other will too. At one point in their history, the connection was even deeper so that some doppelgangers could feel the pain and thoughts of their twin, and one pair of characters does experience this.
A potion called “The Separator” (the origins of which have not been specified yet, that I recall) is supposed to separate doppelgangers so that they no longer have to worry about dying if the other person dies. It’s a self-refilling potion, and is held up as a good thing through most of the book, but (MAJOR SPOILER)
Other:
Mentions of taverns, and one description of the pain of getting a tattoo.
December 27, 2025
Mate, this is a scorching adventure. With plot twists that hit like Ruu's boomerangs, this is a wild ride. The first time, I went in unprepared for snark, challenged expectations, and flying food. The second time, I went in expecting it and I still wasn't fully prepared for how awesome it was.
November 24, 2025
Sons of Day and Night is an Australian-inspired fantasy retelling of The Prince and the Pauper. Yet it is also a story wholly its own, set in a really unique, original fantasy setting.
In this world, everyone has a double. One twin of Night, which is made up by the wealthy, ruling class, and one of Day, which comprises everyone else. Nighties and Brighties, if you will. Each group at large despises the other. But whatever the divide between each twin in terms of wealth and status and quality of life, the link between them is inextricable. If your double dies, so do you, even if you’ve never met them and the two of you are separated by hundreds of miles. There exists a Separator potion, one that could break the twin bond. Only the king knows the location of the potion. King Daccias has refused for years to allow usage of the Separator, so our pauper stand-in, Waruu, has decided to take matters into his own hands and steal the potion.
While both prince and pauper in the original might have their faults, they are both solidly good boys. That’s not really the case here, at least on the surface. Waruu is definitely portrayed as morally superior to our prince, King Daccias. And whereas the switch in the original tale is something of a mutual lark gone south, this switch isn't accidental. It's very much forced by Waruu upon Daccias.
King Daccias is a Son of Night, and a bit of an angsty, entitled brat. But I supposed being crowned king at eight years old and having your every move watched, critiqued, and controlled might do that to a person. Waruu is a street rat with a heart of gold. For two boys sharing the same face, the pair couldn’t be more different on the surface. Both have scars that they're sure their counterparts could neither understand nor share. And yet, share them they do. As the story progresses, the lines between the two begin to blur. Both Waruu and Daccias become more nuanced, neither as wholly good or completely bad as they first appeared.
My favorite aspect of the book was definitely the worldbuilding. I haven’t read many—if any—Australian-inspired fantasies, and I really enjoyed the bright freshness that setting gave the story. Australian wildlife, such as echidnas and wombats, are mentioned. All of the animals are akin to conjoined twins, having twice as many legs or tails or shells as they should. Waruu’s weapons and tools of choice are boomerangs. Even some of the names drew inspiration from Australia, like Sidnee and Brissbane. I also appreciated little details, from the wonderful map in the front to the fact that each name in the story included double letters in some way.
However, I do have to say that this novel felt a bit juvenile to me in terms of voice and craft. It took most of the novel for the characters to grow on me. I found them pretty one-dimensional and unlikable at first, which wasn’t helped by the emotionally overblown dialogue. There was no one I really believed in for the first half of the novel. However, they did grow on me as the story progressed. While I never became wholeheartedly invested in the characters, I did find enough charm in the worldbuilding and interest in the plot to not only enjoy this first installment, but to find myself already eager for the next installment in the story.
Sons of Day and Night is a promising, unique debut, even if the execution leaves something to be desired. While I didn’t fall in love with the characters, I was intrigued by the premise and the worldbuilding and swept away by the plot. This story ends on a cliffhanger, with the world in turmoil. And yet, it also ends on a note of hope. I’m interested to see where the story goes from here, and will definitely be picking up the sequel.
In this world, everyone has a double. One twin of Night, which is made up by the wealthy, ruling class, and one of Day, which comprises everyone else. Nighties and Brighties, if you will. Each group at large despises the other. But whatever the divide between each twin in terms of wealth and status and quality of life, the link between them is inextricable. If your double dies, so do you, even if you’ve never met them and the two of you are separated by hundreds of miles. There exists a Separator potion, one that could break the twin bond. Only the king knows the location of the potion. King Daccias has refused for years to allow usage of the Separator, so our pauper stand-in, Waruu, has decided to take matters into his own hands and steal the potion.
While both prince and pauper in the original might have their faults, they are both solidly good boys. That’s not really the case here, at least on the surface. Waruu is definitely portrayed as morally superior to our prince, King Daccias. And whereas the switch in the original tale is something of a mutual lark gone south, this switch isn't accidental. It's very much forced by Waruu upon Daccias.
King Daccias is a Son of Night, and a bit of an angsty, entitled brat. But I supposed being crowned king at eight years old and having your every move watched, critiqued, and controlled might do that to a person. Waruu is a street rat with a heart of gold. For two boys sharing the same face, the pair couldn’t be more different on the surface. Both have scars that they're sure their counterparts could neither understand nor share. And yet, share them they do. As the story progresses, the lines between the two begin to blur. Both Waruu and Daccias become more nuanced, neither as wholly good or completely bad as they first appeared.
My favorite aspect of the book was definitely the worldbuilding. I haven’t read many—if any—Australian-inspired fantasies, and I really enjoyed the bright freshness that setting gave the story. Australian wildlife, such as echidnas and wombats, are mentioned. All of the animals are akin to conjoined twins, having twice as many legs or tails or shells as they should. Waruu’s weapons and tools of choice are boomerangs. Even some of the names drew inspiration from Australia, like Sidnee and Brissbane. I also appreciated little details, from the wonderful map in the front to the fact that each name in the story included double letters in some way.
However, I do have to say that this novel felt a bit juvenile to me in terms of voice and craft. It took most of the novel for the characters to grow on me. I found them pretty one-dimensional and unlikable at first, which wasn’t helped by the emotionally overblown dialogue. There was no one I really believed in for the first half of the novel. However, they did grow on me as the story progressed. While I never became wholeheartedly invested in the characters, I did find enough charm in the worldbuilding and interest in the plot to not only enjoy this first installment, but to find myself already eager for the next installment in the story.
Sons of Day and Night is a promising, unique debut, even if the execution leaves something to be desired. While I didn’t fall in love with the characters, I was intrigued by the premise and the worldbuilding and swept away by the plot. This story ends on a cliffhanger, with the world in turmoil. And yet, it also ends on a note of hope. I’m interested to see where the story goes from here, and will definitely be picking up the sequel.
September 28, 2025
As part of the review team, I received an ARC copy from the author. This is an honest review and my own thoughts and opinions.
Check out the full video: https://youtu.be/Awm064ePcNU?si=v6aUv...
I’ve been so excited to read this ever since I read (and loved) her short story, The Boy Who Didn’t Exist. I so enjoy Mariposa’s creative and unique story lines. Sons of Day and Night was no exception.
~The worldbuilding was phenomenal! So unique and intriguing! The author truly brought this world to life.
~The banter/snark/sass was everything. I got a lot of chuckles and enjoyed the dialogue. The characters were great, and the POV switches kept me reading.
~The writing style was very enjoyable! Right off the bat, the story had the same feel as The False Prince, which I loved. This is a Prince and the Pauper retelling, and the classic definitely shown through. This was some fantastic storytelling! And the plot twist was perfect!
There’s only one thing that hindered any enjoyment for me, and that was my own fault. Instead of reading in one or two sittings, it took me about a month to finish due to a busy work schedule. I feel like I either forgot some details or didn’t catch on to a couple of points over the long reading period.
All in all, this was an exciting and enjoyable read. Giving it 4.5 stars. I highly recommend this for readers of clean fantasy with little to no romance and tons of banter.
Special thanks to the author for the ARC copy! It’s been a pleasure being part of the launch team.
Check out the full video: https://youtu.be/Awm064ePcNU?si=v6aUv...
I’ve been so excited to read this ever since I read (and loved) her short story, The Boy Who Didn’t Exist. I so enjoy Mariposa’s creative and unique story lines. Sons of Day and Night was no exception.
~The worldbuilding was phenomenal! So unique and intriguing! The author truly brought this world to life.
~The banter/snark/sass was everything. I got a lot of chuckles and enjoyed the dialogue. The characters were great, and the POV switches kept me reading.
~The writing style was very enjoyable! Right off the bat, the story had the same feel as The False Prince, which I loved. This is a Prince and the Pauper retelling, and the classic definitely shown through. This was some fantastic storytelling! And the plot twist was perfect!
There’s only one thing that hindered any enjoyment for me, and that was my own fault. Instead of reading in one or two sittings, it took me about a month to finish due to a busy work schedule. I feel like I either forgot some details or didn’t catch on to a couple of points over the long reading period.
All in all, this was an exciting and enjoyable read. Giving it 4.5 stars. I highly recommend this for readers of clean fantasy with little to no romance and tons of banter.
Special thanks to the author for the ARC copy! It’s been a pleasure being part of the launch team.
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