Thank you to NetGalley and Page Street Publishing for the ARC in exchange for an honest revew

This was such an intriguing read. Curses that turn people into stone, Greek mythology vibes and a fat vengeful heroine and the soft neurodiverse boy who falls for her.

This was a fantastic read with amazing representation! The ages old animosity between Gia and Ennio leads to romance with an autistic boy, Milo, who has my whole heart. The vengeance and passion in this one is killer! Excuse my pun. I have a huge book hangover and will be reading anything else that comes out by Leanne Schwartz.

A quintessential YA fantasy with representation that makes the group of characters and narrative so much more fulfilling and realistic than the usual, smoothed-over cast seen in fantasy. Schwartz clearly knew what she wanted to do with this story and followed through wholeheartedly.

Truly a perfect culmination of typical YA fantasies but with a much bigger heart and a much more personal care.

Leanne Schwartz has written the perfect fantasy for readers who love justifiably fierce heroines and soft, brilliant, love-struck heroes- the comp to STRANGE THE DREAMER does not miss. Schwartz's graceful prose compliments the vibrant world, and the representation of a plus-size heroine and autistic love interest breathes new life into YA tropes. As an autistic reader and writer myself, I adore seeing good representation: Milo is a fully formed character, with flaws but so many charms. The balance of Milo and Gia's distinct voices is one way this novel shines on a craft level, and in addition its deeper themes of who writes history and religious doctrine and how it is framed will resonate in the current climate. This book will be a wonderful and much-needed addition for libraries trying to ensure their YA shelves represent all their patrons, and is an engaging read for any fan of the YA fantasy genre.