Four and a half
This author takes not one much loved story but two to inspire this satisfying series. With a touch of Cinderella mixed up with Harry Potter and let's be honest who amongst us didn't want to be Hermione ? This never lacks originality as our clever heroine upends the idea of what it actually means to be magical in a very uneven society. Yes Sarah is definitely shaking off the fairy dust as she seamlessly moves amongst her new elitist schoolmates only to discover that if she is really going to help save other Changelings she might have to sacrifice the very things she has worked for !
Sarah is everything I love in a heroine as she's bright, compassionate, resourceful and yet funny too. This story is full of magic from the very beginning and it only got better as it highlighted the bonds of friendship that Sarah has formed. Perhaps the villain was a little obvious but nevertheless I loved this almost Victorian setting with its overtones of Pygmalion and the world building and imaginative possibilities are first class. The class system was clearly defined, the romance certainly escalated just enough and the pace just right. Sarah shines bright as a heroine and I cannot wait to find out where this journey will take her.
This voluntary take is of a copy I requested from Netgalley and my thoughts and comments are honest and I believe fair.