Before I get into my review I must give a shout out to the person who created the cover. It is spectacular and draws readers in instantly. I loved how it is perfect for the story and compliments it very well. An eerie world sets the stage for this tale where danger is close and decisions can be harmful if you make the wrong choice.

Thea is facing a big day as this is the last time she is eligible to be chosen Mortal Queen. She doesn’t want to be chosen and has other plans for her future. You can feel her heart pounding as she approaches what could be the biggest day of her life. Her father is betting everything that she will win, but at what cost will Thea face if she wins?

As Thea becomes the Mortal Queen odd rules begin to be told to her. She must wear her mask at all times. No one should ever see her face in public. It was odd that she chose the color black as her mask since no one has ever picked that color before. Earrings that’s painful when inserted and a tattooed crown that will never fall nor fade. These rules should start to cause Thea to become a bit nervous. What has she gotten herself into? I did not like her father at all and knew he had somehow known she would be chosen.

The new realm Thea has entered is strange as alliances must be made in order to have power. Enemies are near and Thea must be ready for anything. It was quite intriguing to watch Thea figure out who she could trust. Thea starts to make alliances but I’m not sure they were good choices. This new place she lives in is filled with enemies and she needs to be on guard at all times.

With suspense, unsavory characters and a few unsettling scenes the author does a good job of keeping the story going. I was fascinated by where the other Mortal Queens were and somehow knew that secret was dangerous to know. For fans of this genre you will not be disappointed as action and twists rule this story.

I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion. ( )

"It was funny how one bad decision could bring the clarity you lacked before you made it, but it was always too late."

This is not my first book by Victoria McCombs and she never fails to surprise, delight, and amaze me with the depth of her fantasy worlds, the beauty of her characters, and the intricate nature of her plots. The fae world she has created for this book is incredibly detailed with so many layers to peel back. I loved entering the fae world with Thea and seeing it through her eyes. I loved sharing with Thea the wonder of a world so beautiful and different and felt her confusion, pain, and determination as she discovered that this world is not as it seems. I was sometimes frustrated with Thea because she was still only seventeen - with all the rash, impulsive, grandiose nature of a teenager - but her generous heart, compassion, and kindness made her easy to love. Her first person voice was honest, raw and endearing. The political climate of the fae world was mind-boggling at first. And just when I thought I had grasped it - bam! The author threw in tons of curveballs to the plot that had me reeling. There has to be another book, perhaps two, to complete this series. If there isn't, I would be utterly lost because the book ends on a cliff-hanger.

Oh my word, if you're a YA fantasy lover, you absolutely need to pick up this book. I received a complimentary copy courtesy of Enclave Publishing via Celebrate Lit Tours and was under no obligation to post a positive comment. All opinions are my own. ( )