I didn’t expect to fall too hard for this book but the intriguing magical world building, secret identities, mixed bloodlines, witchery, forbidden love, whirlwind tension-twisty espionage theme blew my mind!
First of all I have to admit: both of the MCs are adorable and I enjoyed the chapters tell us how their characters evolve and how deeply their secret romance blooms.

Maralyth and Alac : narrators of the story, trying to discover their own powers, define their abilities to use magic. Both of them have strict daddy issues.

Maralyth has undeniably deep and powerful connection with barrels of fermenting wine. She can ripen grapes with a few whispered words! She inherited her powers from her mother’s side but she gave her word to her mother not to share her ability with anyone and keep it as a secret and now she thinks she deserves to be the woman in charge by getting full of vineyard.

But her father thinks otherwise by choosing her brother as his successor. So poor Maralyth stays as a talented cook, cursing to her faith as Alac also has problems about his own position. He’s king’s second son, not happy with his position as the spare heir, hating the guts of his brother and also having issues with his father who took control of the throne with help of stolen magic.

Both characters’ paths cross in the middle of coup which will bring them together to learn more about the secret bloodline who deserves to claim the throne.

It’s such an addictive, riveting, well developed, entertaining cat-mouse chase with mind bending intrigues, surprising revelations. The characters find themselves tangled with web of lies and enigmatic secrets. I love to see their blooming forbidden romance and the way how they test their endurance against the dark magic!

I’m giving my five cheers to tough, smart, powerful heroine, likable, honest, fair hero, magical, stunning world building, I couldn’t put it down stars!

Special thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan/ Tor-Forge / Tor Teen for sharing this magnificent digital reviewer copy with me in exchange my honest opinions.

I'm not much of a fantasy reader, but I really enjoyed the magical aspects of this novel. This would be a fun read for teens, though there is some violence. I also thought that the cover was beautiful!

Kindly received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This book was such a pleasant surprise for me! I didn't know much about it, so I just went into it sort of blind and I was so surprised by how much I enjoyed it! Of course, it had all the elements that I love in a YA fantasy, so I should've known I'd read it all in one sitting! I love the politics and atmosphere of this novel, and I highly recommend picking up a copy once it comes out!

Coverage for Frolic: https://frolic.media/perfect-pairings-books-and-candle-scents/

A great read! Just your average girl with the drive to make life easier and better for those around her, thrust into a world of secrets, intrigue and a forbidden romance!

I enjoyed the magical elements of this book, a lot. It was like a YA version of The Vine Witch (a book I love)! I didn't enjoy the religious elements so much and some parts of the story dragged for me. I LOVE the cover - gorgeous! Overall, a fun and creative story with much excitement.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This book was received as an ARC from Macmillan-Tor/Forge - Tor Teen in exchange for an honest review. Opinions and thoughts expressed in this review are completely my own.

I loved this book because it reminded me of The Covenant movie and how there was a bloodline of male witches which is similar here but it is a peasant girl part of the royal bloodline with magic in her blood and she has no idea its there. Maralyth's journey was so powerful, inspiring and romantic when she meets Alec who is the current heir to the throne and they may have more to them then meets the eye. The drama starts and war breaks loose literally. If you are fans of Grave Mercy and Red Queen, this book is for you. It is one thrilling, magical ride that will take you away and not wanting to return. I can't wait to share this with our teen book club and hear their thoughts on it. I know there will be conversations sparked.

We will consider adding this title to our YA collection at our library. That is why we give this book 5 stars.