I received this ARC through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review!

Ive posted a full review on Goodreads, I'm looking forward to reading more from this author

Thank you for the chance to review this book, however, unfortunately, I was unable to download this title before it was archived

I was pleasantly surprised with this read! A great debut from Christina Soontornvat and if this is what we have to look forward to from her, I am all in!

This is a great read with tons of twists and turns that keep you longing to read the next chapter. Such great writing that kept you on the edge of your seat and wondering what was going to happen next. I think this one id going to be a big hit with young readers as well and I can't wait to share it with my daughter!

4.5/5 stars

A middle grade story following the folk tale of changelings. I like the idea and the whole concept of the book. I love the characters and the friendship that they build in their journey. Not only would the readers get to see the back story of one character but all the other characters as well. There are annoying parts here and there but I really enjoyed Izzy’s adventure as she tries to save her sister. And I also agree with Selden when it comes to his snide remarks about our fairytales, to be honest. I found that part very funny.

I imagined diving in this book to read a light middle grade book about adventures and fairytale creatures. However, if you look in the story a bit deeper, you’ll see that it gives you more than what you’re reading. You just have to read between the lines. I love this. Would definitley read the next book.

Khan, Joshua, ill. by Ben Hibon. pgs. 336. Disney Hyperion, 2016. $16.99. Language: G, Mature Content: PG, Violence: PG

Captured by slavers while trying to locate his father, Thorn is purchased by Tyburn, an executioner who works for the House Shadow. Agreeing to work a year and a day in exchange for his freedom, Thorn heads to Castle Gloom with Tyburn. There, he meets Lily Shadow. Except for her drunk of an uncle, her family was all recently murdered by a group of assassins. Tyburn managed to kill all but one and now that assassin seems to be back to murder Lily and Lily's betrothed may be the one who hired them. With no ideas who to trust, Thorn begins to look into what happened. As he and Tyburn look into the threat, however, Thorn starts to wonder if his father may be mixed up in it all. Could his father really be an assassin or is it Lily's obnoxious betrothed? Can Thorn save Lily?

The characters in this novel are amazingly well developed and the author does a great job of building the mystery behind their pasts. The plot is complex, engaging, and easily draws the reader into the story. Fans of mystery, magic, adventure, and fantasy will enjoy reading this book.

EL, MS. ADVISABLE. Reviewer: Kira M, Youth Services Librarian, WHI Public Library.

This is an entertaining, juvenile aged read. I look forward to reading more in this series.

Sisterhood, and Family

This book was a pleasant surprise across the board. No, I wasn't surprised that it was well written, or even that it was nicely paced, with a careful mix of action, exposition, whimsy, world building, and plot development. I wasn't even surprised that the heroine was as engaging, thoughtful and stouthearted as she turned out to be, or that the tale was loaded with quirky and interesting supporting characters.

No, I was surprised by how well the faerie angle was handled, and how interesting the characters' ability to shape shift turned out to be.

In urban fantasy it seems it's always faerie war and conflict. Modern faerie stories are often violent and like Game of Thrones with pixie dust. Older faerie stories are often too la-la-la in the garden as we dance among the dewdrops. Don't get me started on "dark" fantasy in which changeling babies sneak out of their cribs at night in order to eat the family pet. So, a book that tied faeries together with humans, and showed a magical, exciting and interesting faerie world was a nice touch. It was tart, with suspense and peril, but the faeries weren't scary/creepy psychos. This was set in a more mellow middle ground that allowed for action and adventure but wasn't sappy or unsettlingly dark.

Same for the changelings. Lots of books out there seize on shape shifting as a way to avoid character development or to skip over plot holes. Shape shifting should be a means to an end, or an interesting aspect of a character's larger presence, not just a magic trick that fills in the dull spots. Again, in this book we hit a nice balance that makes this interesting without overwhelming the book.

And, at bottom, this isn't really about faeries or shape shifting. It starts and ends on the theme of sibling love and affection and loyalty. Our heroine does everything she does for love of her younger sister, and this concern and duty runs through the entire book and informs all of the most dramatic developments. Along the same lines, family - ones we're born into, ones we find, and ones we create - is an essential and consistent element of the story. None of this is preachy or ham fisted. And I don't think good middle grade books need to have "messages". But it is nice, every now and then, to have an exciting, but also calm and warm, tale that reminds one of the virtues of family. This was a mellow find.

(Please note that I received a free advance ecopy of this book without a review requirement, or any influence regarding review content should I choose to post a review. Apart from that I have no connection at all to either the author or the publisher of this book.)

An enjoyable tale aimed at the younger reader but with a few darker moments. Plenty of twists and other unexpected surprises, engaging characters and a plot that keeps those pages turning!

Captivating and magical with a character students who love fantasy (and faeries especially) will love. The world drawn is marvellous!