Escaping to the Fae world is an intriguing experience, especially when it’s a twisty take on Cinderella. There are many differences between the original Cinderella and Patrick’s to become lost in the story. Raewyn and Stellon have a unique bond shared during an experience in the village. He’s royalty while she’s the poor human from a suffering village because the King is a spoiled selfish immortal. It’s quite clever with beautiful details and whimsical characters. Fair warning this one ends on a bit of a cliffhanger. In all honesty, I prefer this version. Plus I read an early copy so I can share my review, voluntarily.

3.75✨
Thank you NetGalley for providing the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

A Court Bright and Broken is a very beginner friendly romantasy. I’d likened it to A Dawn of Onyx with less drama and fluffier characters. I had a good time. Laughed, blushed, swooned and just had fun. It’s easy to read, relatively short and relaxing read. The right book for someone who wants something simple but not “dumb”. Also for someone who wants to start with romantasy.

Think Ella Enchanted and Cinderella vibes with forbidden love, a hint of a love triangle, forced proximity, character oriented plot, easy worldbuilding and charming (beware, he’s blond so is he really the main one 🧐🤨) love interest.

We follow Rawyn and Stellon, a human and an Elf, a peasant and a crown prince, who accidentally cross paths and grown kind of smitten with each other. They come from very different circumstances and while Stellon up until now didn’t think about humans often and deeply, Rawyn saw Elves only as evil creatures. Their views were very black and white at the beginning and I like how both of their worlds expanded and became more complicated when they slowly got to know each other more.

I like my fantasy more plot driven, which this wasn’t, though it still kept me entertained. There’s a few twists and turns, but the story is more focused on the romance, on their interactions, though the ending may suggest the second book will have more action.

I liked how Stellon wasn’t only good but had legitimate flaws. I also liked how the book focused on the idea that ignoring a problem, not doing anything, is sometimes as bad as participating in it.

I would recommend it to someone who wants a chill romantasy with simple worldbuilding, fun romance and stakes that are kind of high but don’t feel like it most of the time.

Overall, I’m interested to see what happens in the next books - I’m making up my theories 🧐 especially after that bonus chapter.


If you’re looking for tropes:
(may be spoilery)

❤️ forbidden love
❤️ forced proximity
❤️ one bed
❤️ hint of love triangle
❤️ sunshine MMC
❤️ Cinderella inspiration
❤️ let me take care of you trope
❤️ kind of mates but not
❤️ there’s a bath scene - “I forgot my towel, will you hand it to me please”
❤️ kind of insta-love, but kind of a slow-burn?

This is book one in the Age Of Fae series. It is a reimagining of the Cinderella story, only in this one there are two princes (the heir and his younger brother) who must find brides and they are fae and are expected to marry someone who is also fae royalty. When the crown prince saves a human girl from a band of thieves at the market, and then she returns the favor and saves his life when the thieves take their revenge on the prince, he falls in love with her. I don't want to say much more and ruin the story for you, because I know you are going to want to read this. So lets just say that there is romance, intrigue, magic, a village witch, a ball where the two princes must find their mates, and so much more. The book ends on a cliffhanger, so I am eagerly awaiting the next book in the series. It can't come soon enough for me!

This was an engaging book with a unique take on the conflict between fae and humans. It featured an assassination attempt and ended on a gripping cliffhanger.

True rating: 2.75/5

The major reason for the low rating was the dialogue and interactions between our MCs. The beginning started off strong with secret identities and our couple saving each other. But once Raewyn gets to the ball, things unraveled fast and not in a good way.

The instalove Stellon has for her is cringy at best. His naivety when it comes to not truly seeing how evil his father is and worse not doing anything about it made me shudder with disgust. And then him trying to buy her love with gifts and promises made me scream and pull my hair. It just rubbed me so wrong how lame this Fae Prince was and for the love interest, he’s such a weak tool.

Now Pharis on the other hand, I was rooting for him to be the one to steal Raewyn’s heart. His bad boy, Devil May care attitude and attention to detail in trying to solve the mystery that is her had me invested in this. Had it not been for him, I’d probably have DNF’d this.

My biggest annoyance with this is that it’s marketed as a “deeply romantic”, “gripping NA high fantasy” and I get none of that. Spice level wouldn’t qualify this as NA and the story reads more of a YA fae fantasy.

It also states <i> “Readers who love character-driven high fantasy like Stephanie Garber's Once Upon a Broken Heart series, Spark of the Everflame, These Hollow Vows, Daughter of No Worlds, Powerless, A Court of Thorns and Roses, LJ Andrews' Broken Kingdom series, and Holly Black will devour A Court Bright and Broken”</i>….. yea the writing is nowhere near this level.

A fae twist on the classic tale of Cinderella, with some light Ella Enchanted vibes!

This was a pretty fast-paced, quick moving story about a human woman trying to keep her family alive when she accidentally bumps into the Fae prince who decides that she’s important to him. Human Raewyn is protective, caring, and just a bit shy; Prince Stellon is honorable (as much as he can be), sweet, and falls hard and fast. Their love story didn’t have a ton of depth, but it was very sweet!

I think Cinderella stories (except for Another Cinderella Story with Selena Gomez) just aren’t as much for me, but I didn’t hate my time with this one. Thanks so much to NetGalley for a chance to read this in exchange for an honest review

A Court Bright and Broken is a gripping NA romantic fantasy novel set in the beautiful and dangerous world of the High Fae where magic rules, secrets abound, and true love will not be denied. It's a magical slow-burn Romantasy with Cinderella vibes and will enchant readers who crave delicious romantic banter, toe-curling tension and sizzling chemistry, immersive and accessible world-building, magic, angst, and royal Fae intrigue.

“Inhaling deeply, I pried my hand away from Pharis, with whom I didn’t want to stay, and placed it in the hand of Stellon, with whom I didn’t want to go. The ball was off to an interesting start.”

The human girl who wants to save her family, the mystery deals with a witch and a fea prince who falls for a forbidden love. You should read this review if you like Cinderella and A Court of Thorns and Roses.

Meert Raewyn, a desperate young woman who makes a dangerous bargain to save her starving family, agrees to attend a Fae royal ball in disguise and complete a mysterious task. But her plan goes awry when she captures the attention of two Fae princes— Stellon, intensely possessive, and the other, darkly enigmatic Pharis. As she uncovers court secrets and the true nature of her mission, she’s forced to choose between duty and desire. If she fails, her family dies. If she succeeds, she may doom herself—and the world.

Review

Overall Review: 3,5/5 👠
Characters:👠👠👠
Atmosphere:👠👠👠
Plot:👠👠👠
Logic/Relationships:👠👠👠
Enjoyment:👠👠👠👠👠
Spice: Almost non

Have you ever read a book that you wanted to know how it would end, and you have also been sooo annoyed by its wasted potential? This book could have been another Acotar, but I just could not find it in me to care so much for FMC and especially MMC. But I kept reading it because I was interested in how it all will end. Also, Prince Pharis and his sister look like they could supply for lack of interest in the main characters. Unfortunately, their presence was so rare that it was not enough.

I am not much of a cinnamon roll boyfriend kinda gall, so the whole time, I was rooting for brooding smartass brother, and MMC was just not my kind of tea. Also, he often gave so strong Tamlin vibes that I just immediately disliked him. He feels shallow and missing any personality. Doing everything for his father, not questioning anything; for most of the book’s first part, he is just self-pitying and selfish as hell… he is kind but only to the people he loves. He is controlling and thinks only about himself. If you cannot say, I just don’t like Stellon. But it is an emotion, so I don’t count this as a flaw; maybe the author meant him to be this way.

FMC, for me, feels like a stereotypical human heroin… human caring for her two little sisters and sick father. Good, but naive as hell. I love good girl heroine as anyone, but I just can’t stand Raywens’ decision…I hope that she will get some character development in the second book like it was with so many heroins I now love.

I am also rooting for Prince’s brother Pharis, who seems to have such shadow daddy vibes that I just hope that in book 2, there will be more space.

Also, his sister seems like such an interesting character. I hope we will also see more of her.

I really like that we have two main villains in this story, and I can claim that I hate both of them with my full heart.

As for the plot, I like it. It was not earth-shattering, but the mystery about what Raywen would do at the ball was there, even though it was pretty predictable. It kept me invested enough that I was hooked and wanted to know how this love story would end and if Reywen would end up with any of them. Some things were hinted at and not explained, It could be a plot holes or hooks for book 2. I am sure as hell that I will read book 2 to find out.

Overall, this book is a nuanced retelling of Cinderella’s story, with mystery and suspense. Its story will make you want to know how it will end. Just be warned: It ends on a cliffhanger, so keep that in mind. I would recommend it as a quick light read for someone who doesn’t mind imperfect characters and likes Cinnamon Roll Boyfriend.

I'm totally mind blown 🤯 I don't even know where to begin with this book! I absolutely loved the 2 POV from the MMC and the FMC. Raewyn is ABSOLUTELY AMAZING FMC and Stellon is ABSOLUTELY AMAZING MMC. This particular book gave me Cinderella vibes minus the evil step mother and step sisters. Raewyn will do anything in her power to protect her father and sisters. She even goes as far as agreeing with the village mother into one of her schemes. Raewyn isn't allowed to know the plan tell its time for it to unfold. Stellon is a Elven prince who is next in line for the throne. Humans and Elven don't mingle let alone fall in love. Stellon sneaks of to the Rough Market where he comes across Raewyn and immediately is flocked to her and wants to protect her. Fast forward its enemy to lovers vibe but the MMC falls first and it takes time for the FMC to come around to her feelings. She is held in his room for 2 weeks to heal from an injury where there whirlwind romance buds even more and honesty is strikes between the two and their feelings. Stellon dad the king cannot stand humans and believes human women are only good for one purpose and when he finds out about Raewyn he throws her in the dungeon and give Stellon a choice on what to do even though Stellon wants to give up his rights to the throne in order to marry Raewyn. AND DON'T GET ME STARTED ON THE CLIFFHANGER!! I NEED BOOK 2 ASAP

First of all, I want to thank Net Galley and the author for the arc because this was an incredible read.
I was hooked from the first chapter, which is rare in fantasy books! I think that for the first book in a series, it was an amazing read with great promise. I am very excited to read the next book, this has everything to be a great series that deserves great hype, I mean....fae meets cinderella and the Selection, with forbidden love? Sign me up for it!
I have great expectations for book 2, I hope we see more character development, especially on the mmc, he was charming but I need more attitude! Following that thought I really like the mysterious and dark brother and need much more of his participation in the future. The worldbuilding was easy to understand but I also hope that we learn more in future books.
This book was a great time, and I think is great for someone who's starting to read romantasy!

Hooked from chapter one and I will be recommending this to all my friends. The ending was not as shocking or a large cliffhanger like I tend to like but overall this book was a fun escape from reality.

Fun tropes and romantic tension. The pacing was pretty good but slightly rushed during the end.

A wonderful fae Romantasy! Stellon is the fae prince of the land, though rumors of fae ruthless abounds, Stellon is compelled by the world around him and wants to experience and observe everything in the land. One day he happens upon Raewyn, a human girl in the market he frequents to sketch the humans and observe them. Hijinx happen along with some twists and turns in this sort of fae version of Cinderella.

Unfortunately, this was a DNF for me. The world map- I know art can be different in an ARC vs published book, but at this current moment I am trying to mentally escape the current climate in my country, and to see a straight up actual map of it that’s been divided into imaginary Fae realms… I cannot immerse myself in this world. I would have DNFd regardless of the map, because I also really didn’t connect with the insta-love and lack of depth and detail in the characters.

This is such a fun read. It’s comforting in that there wasn’t anything shocking plot wise that happened (at least in my opinion) but the characters were well developed and for one I throughly enjoyed the MMC. Stellons POV was something I found myself enjoying and looking forward too where in other stories I generally don’t care too much for the males POV(personal preference 🤷🏻‍♀️)

I love a human and fae book. Very ACOTAR without giving you expectations.
Thank you NetGalley for this eARC.

I really loved reading this book and I can not wait for more by this author!! I flew through this book because it was that good. The author did an amazing job keeping the plot interesting without it getting boring or slow. I will be recommending this book to all of the family and friends.

A fae romantasy retelling of Cinderella featuring a golden retriever-esque fae prince who falls for a poor human girl who makes a bargain with a witch that will change both their lives. The story follows Raewyn, a human girl who's family is poor and she needs to find a way to feed her sisters and find medicine for her father, and Stellan, a fae prince who dreams about marrying for love. When they meet and Raewyn saves Stellan, he gives her an invitation to the ball his father is hosting. The very night Raewyn goes to the local witch to try and sell her something in order to make ends meet but the witch gives her a new bargain: if Raewyn attends the ball (which she never intended to in the first place) and do a service for the witch (which she will tell her at a later time) then said witch will plant a garden to feed her sisters and cure her father. The bargain is too good to turn down and Raewyn immediately agrees.... yet when she arrives at the ball she realizes too late that she has been enchanted and that she is enchanting both the prince and the entire royal court. Raewyn must keep up the act but finds herself thrown in a love triangle between the two princess. Unfortunately I did not care for this story at all. I love a fun retelling of a classic fairytale but I just found myself so bored by this take. I didn't care all that much for the characters and wasn't all that invested in the slow burn romance. I didn't feel any chemistry and the story just felt kind of dragged on. I wish i could like the story more but I won't be continuing the series as it isn't for me but I do think maybe other fantasy slow burn romance readers might have a fun time with this.

Release Date: February 14, 2025

Publication/Blog: Ash and Books (ash-and-books.tumblr.com)

*Thanks Netgalley and Oxford South Press and The Nerd Fam for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

This was cute and fun. I appreciated the dual POV. It was full of tropes with a few twists. I liked the characters and I felt they stayed true to themselves/ became a better version of themselves. I also liked the Cinderella parallels. As for depth, it’s great as a palate cleanser. I might pick up the sequel to find out what happens.
After reading the book, I felt it was a bit odd how most of it took place in a single setting. I prefer fantasy books that take you everywhere. Also, It’s too steamy for my taste.

Wow oh wow! I loved the spin on Cinderella meets fae in this book. I’m a sucker for a fae book but also a classic spin. As readers we obvs know the secrets our MC know but they don’t know so it always makes for good drama and sometimes a miscommunication trope, except here the MMC is like a golden retriever who is immediately forgiving over the miss communication. He fell first, also has a broody grumpy brother we can’t help but love. But also THE ENDING?! WHAT??? Ima need boom 2 in my hands like yesterday because we have so many things we need answered and hello anxiety.

The characters are easy to love! I did also dislike a few characters too. The story had me hooked from the start. Great character development throughout. Can't wait for book 2.

Thank you Amy Patrick for sending me this advanced review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

This was an enjoyable quick and easy read, and was an interesting take on Cinderella. There were a lot of cozy vibes happening in the last half of the book too. The evil witch instead of a fairy godmother was a great change!

I like Raewyn's independent streak, and intense determination to take care of her family. Stellon is the sweetest cinnamon roll, but he is naive and sheltered, and has a possessive streak too. It will be interesting to see how they grow and change as the series goes on.

The worldbuilding is great, and overall the magic system was explained fairly well. My only negative was that this book ended on a huge cliffhanger. Otherwise it was a solid fun read, and I'm looking forward to the next one.

As an added TW note, this book did contain discussions about other human characters being forced to do nonconsensual s3xual acts, and the magical equivalent of date r@pe. No scenes or graphic details were written.