Top positive review
4.0 out of 5 starsNot what I was expecting
Reviewed in the United States on August 14, 2018
Let me start by saying that this isn't a stand alone story. It does not finish on the last page. While you can certainly read it without having read the Wicked Trilogy, you will definitive be JLA watching afterwards to find out when you will get more.
Far different than every other 1001 Dark Nights Novella that I have read, this book feels like the beginning of a story. The romance develops slowly and takes a back seat to the mystery that is the Prince. What is he doing? Why is he where he is?
When the romance begins, it is deep and heady but it happens far into the book and you will desperately want more when the pages end. But, alas, waiting makes the heart grow fonder. And I am waiting.
I do love the world of Wicked. Fae and the order make for so many possibilities. And the Prince has his own story to tell. I hated...HATED him in the Wicked Trilogy. I was confident that I would never change my mind. Of course, a few strokes of an authors pen can change my rage at him to sympathy and compassion. And there is one point in this story where my heart hurts for him. He chooses to help Brighton but at what cost? I have learned to love him. However, I am currently VERY mad at him. And I have questions. Lots and lots of questions. How and why are among them. But you will have to read the story to get the rest. And then, you too will be waiting for more.
It was nice seeing Tink. He's spending time with Brighton as Ivy is in Florida. He tends to split his time between them. I love seeing him and hearing his silly comments. I enjoyed seeing a few snatches of Ivy and finding out what her and Ren are up to. The order is still recovering from the mess that was created with the way things ended with the Wicked Trilogy. They don't really play a role in this story for which I was irritated with them.
I enjoyed the rich culture that is New Orleans. Most of the book plays out on the streets and in the bars of that city. It is certainly a place I should visit.
Brighton is an interesting character that I learned to love. She feels like she isn't seen. Not valued as a member of the order. Her training stopped when she was twelve because of her mother's injuries. She face a mighty struggle in this story and she faces this idea of feeling like a ghost. It's an interesting idea that I can sometimes relate to. Her decisions as a result of these feeling were not always wise. I cared that she took risks. The Prince cared that she took risks. It was where their relationship began. I cheer for Brighton. I'm still cheering for her as her story is not complete. Right now, I wish I could hug her and be her friend. She needs one.
As always, this author does a good job of getting my emotions involved. I already loved this world. And I did enjoy this story. I would have loved a bit more romance and I wish I'd know it wasn't stand alone. But other than that, it's a great read.
If you enjoyed the Wicked world, you're going to want to read this one. Just be prepared. It doesn't end here.
