Kierse McKenna is a pickpocket and professional thief trying to steal a diamond ring from the wealthy businessman, Graves. Her heist goes sour when Graves captures her, but he offers a deal: she can work for him and help steal a magical artefact from the King of the Monster Underworld. Kierse is originally reluctant, but turf wars and threats to her life from the rival gang of Druids force her back to Graves. She takes up a regime of spear combat training and reading fairytales, as Graves is adamant she learns more about the magical world. The Wren in the Holly Library is split between the heist, the mystery of Kierse’s origins, the search for her missing lover, and her relationship with Graves.
The book is inspired by both Beauty and the Beast and classic fairy/folk tales and, similarly to Olivie Blakes Masters of Death, the story is set in an alternate New York populated by monstrous creatures. Linde’s fun worldbuilding describes the terrible Monster War that led to this new, dangerous reality, but would have appreciated more time spent with the side characters in rival gangs, as they drop in and out of the plot sporadically.
Kierse and Graves’ love affair is your standard magical romance, and the story unfolds with plenty of mysteries. Kierse is a fun main character, but could have benefited from some more fleshing out, as her life and backstory is not overly touched upon until the ending and her friends remain largely absent. There were elements of the book I liked, but the story left me wanting a little more.
A classic entry for fans of the Romantasy genre.
Reviewed by Rachel Denham-White
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
K A Linde is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of both romance and fantasy novels. She has a Masters degree in political science from the University of Georgia, was a head campaign worker for the 2012 presidential campaign at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and served as the head coach of the Duke University dance team. She loves reading fantasy novels, traveling to far-off destinations, and dancing in her spare time.
She currently lives in Lubbock, Texas, with her husband, son, and super-adorable puppy.
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