Member Review

Princess Melilot grew up enduring quests from her domineering stepmother, who just happens to be a very powerful sorceress. So when she's told she has to travel to a nearby kingdom to marry the king, she sets off to do as she's bidden. It's not as easy as she'd thought it would be when she's rescued from terrifying spider-wolves by 12 eerily similar masked huntsmen, forced to hide her identity to survive, faced with a talking lion that makes up ridiculous gender rules and tests, and a bewildered king who seems incapable of recognizing his true love simply because she's wearing trousers.

It's a very fun take on some classic fairytale tropes and stories. Herman took the least interesting character in one of the least known fairytales and created a likable character who's just doing her best with what life's given her. Other characters are mostly confusing and feel like comedy/interest breaks more than fully realized people, but it works to keep the focus on Melilot and everything she's going through.

A big part of the entertainment, at least for me, was more in figuring out what other fairytale elements Herman was weaving into the story, from obvious ones that everyone would know to some obscure ones that I was delighted to spot. I kind of feel that someone who's not as familiar with fairytales might not get as much enjoyment out of the slightly disjointed storytelling, but I had a lot of fun with it.

Very happy thanks to NetGalley and Dial Press Trade Paperback for the super fun read!