Member Review

Plain and clumsy Foss lives in a kingdom where people give up pieces of their hearts to the magic-workers who use them for spells to keep the peace and prosperity. She's convinced no one will ever want her, until a visiting sorcerer, the only male magic worker, snags her heart and she finds herself on an adventure full of magic, revelations, and love.

Leading lady Foss is a murky character at the beginning. She's confident in herself, but that comes from accepting that she's somehow cursed to be ugly and unlovable because her mother died during childbirth. It's a weird juxtaposition that keeps popping up, but it fuels a pettiness that drives Foss to many of the actions she takes, and it's a big part of her character arc. I wasn't sure I liked her until she meets Cornelius, the best character in the whole book, and she has someone to talk to and show more of her personality.

Foss, Cornelius, and Sylvester make an interesting trio to guide readers through the very complex machinations of the king and the magic of the kingdom. A lot of twists make up the plot of the book, but the reasons it shines are the characters and their actions. It's showing what the magic does to the kingdom and the people who use it that makes their rush to find a way to stop and fix heart magic so enjoyable.

Delighted thanks to NetGalley, Kensington Publishing, and Erewhon Books for the magical read!