3.5 rounded up

We return once again to the Court of the Erlking, the Alder King, where Serilda lives with five little ghosts whom she dearly loves. In the morning she’s to live a lie and marry the Erlking but they are, of course, at odds. He is determined to use Serilda for his own nefarious plans whereas she has only one aim which is to help Gild, the forgotten prince, to recover his true name and his past. Can they break the curse that binds them both to Adelheid Castle before the Endless Moon when it will become unbreakable?

The plot is very creative and there are some excellent visual images especially of the multitude of fantastical creatures they encounter. Initially, it’s very funny with some sparkling dialogue especially between Serilda and Erlking. Their wedding is a bit of a ‘shot gun’ affair and there’s delicious irony and mockery which is very entertaining. The whole novel is peppered with fun, games, ghosts, ghouls, poltergeists, some magic spells, fairytales, gods and some romance! It’s certainly a packed plot as Erlking becomes more audacious in order to achieve his goals. Along the way there’s an abundance of lies, guilt and betrayal. Characters make discoveries and have to make sacrifices, facing cruelty and vengeance.

The second half is much darker and more macabre than the first and I don’t enjoy it as much. It’s overly descriptive which means it’s too long, it could easily lose 100 pages and still be a good read. It builds to a good versus evil, love versus hate ending. After all the build up it’s maybe resolved too quickly but it is immensely satisfying.

Overall, a good read but not as enjoyable as Gilded which I loved.

With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Faber and Faber for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.

I will update the review with a link to our blog closer to publication date.
I'd like to thank the publisher Faber and Faber and Netgalley for providing me with an advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review