Fount and Fortune delivers an inventive blend of dystopian fantasy and slow-burning romance, anchored by a quest to save a loved one. Evangeline’s journey is compelling, and the magical conspiracy around the Fount creates strong tension and emotional stakes. While the pacing dips in spots, the rich worldbuilding and heartfelt connection between characters carried me through. Thank you to Mickey Schoonover, Victory Editing, and NetGalley for providing this ARC.

my first ARC read has been amazing! this book intrigued me within the first 20-30 pages, which is all i can really hope for when reading an author/world that’s new to me.

i’ll break my review down into some rough categories:
- characters: the characters were overall lovable and sweet, i’m not usually a dual pov fan but i feel like the split pov was executed really well in this book.

- plot/world: the setting is unique in that its urban fantasy but also set in this world i thought the concept was really interesting and topical. regarding the plot, i wasn’t sure where it was going to go at points but it really stayed exhilarating throughout in terms of tense side quests, the links between events, and the ending line i ate up.

- writing style: i really enjoyed the writing of this & i can’t wait to read the second one i need to know what happens!!!!

✨Arc Review✨

Thank you to the author Mickey Schoonover And Netgallery for sending me a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

-All thoughts and opinions are my own.

High Stakes, Strong World-Building & a Slow-Burn Romance That Almost Had Me

Fount and Fortune by Mickey Schoonover drops readers into a gritty, dystopian world ruled by an immortal tyrant, where rebel networks operate in the shadows and a magical spring known as the Fount has the power to heal anything — even cancer. The premise? Wild. The execution? Intriguing, especially at first.

Evangeline’s story pulled me in right away. She’s desperate to save her little sister, which leads her to team up with Rafe — a con man with a dangerous edge, a soft side, and just enough charm to make you question your judgment. Their plan to sneak into the palace and reach the Fount is risky, chaotic, and totally binge-worthy.

The world-building is a real highlight. Schoonover paints a vivid, unsettling picture of a broken society balanced on the edge of rebellion and corrupted magic. The writing flows effortlessly, and the slow-burn romance between Evangeline and Rafe is packed with tension, emotion, and just the right amount of angst.

So why only three stars? As much as I appreciated the craft and concept, I struggled to stay emotionally connected to the characters. There’s a cliffhanger ending, but I didn’t feel invested enough to continue with the next book. Maybe it's because dystopian fiction isn’t my usual genre — or maybe the magic-meets-rebellion vibe didn’t fully click for me.

Still, I can absolutely see the appeal. If you’re into daring heists, reluctant allies, magical healing ponds, and slow-burn romance set in a richly imagined world, Fount and Fortune might be the start of your next favorite series.

I absolutely love this book! I love so much the idea of the fountain and I am waiting for the second book!

This was a pleasant, easy read with a predictable twist and strong world building. It also was not the book for me as I just found myself uninterested in the characters and the story. Maybe it’s because I don’t read many dystopians and so those elements fell completely flat for me; maybe it’s the magical pond that can cure cancer, but there was something in this book that didn’t click for me. There’s a cliffhanger, but I don’t think I was invested enough in this book to want to read on to the second.

It’s rare I have so little to say on a book but this one … I just have nothing really to say about it. The world is better than the plot, the plot is fine, and the characters are … fine. But nothing sparkled, nothing caught me, and my whole reading experience is that this book is … fine.

Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for the ARC.

What an adrenaline rush! It jumps into action and never lets up! Evangeline is someone who will do anything for her sister. When she finds out her sister is dying (not a spoiler, happens in the first chapter or two), she is determined to do whatever it takes for Juni to survive. This includes breaking all sorts of rules and boundaries in order to save her sister.

Then we meet Rafe, a true con artist with a heart of gold. He seems to jump at the chance to help people in this crazy society that has wronged so many people. His friends and partners in crime are some of the best characters in the book. My favorite character is Twain. He spews wisdom and cheesy quotes like they are going out of style. He is a true ride or die friend, and the story lights up when he's in the scenes.

Evangeline and Rafe meet in unusual circumstances. Their personalities cause them to get in many situations that are a bit tricky and complicated. Some of these circumstances are a little more fun to me (heists, stealing jewels) and some not so much (I don't want to ruin anything, but boo on those Ferals!)

I enjoyed getting to know these characters a lot. Most of the plot was enjoyable. A few of the parts I really enjoyed felt rushed and other parts seemed to last a little too long. This is a personal preference, and it didn't ruin any parts of the story. The setting was intriguing, but I needed a little more backstory on a few parts. I would love to know more about Rafe's past and the Conquistador. I also want to know more about Evangeline's father and the other people who work on the farm. I have a feeling more of this backstory is coming in the second book after a great cliffhanger ending!

I would highly recommend this book by this debut author! Thank you Mickey Schoonover for the ARC! I would also recommend following her on Instagram @authormickeyschoonover

Evangeline’s story pulled me in straight away—she’s desperate to save her little sister and ends up teaming up with Rafe, a con man with a soft side and a lot of charm. Their plan to sneak into the palace and reach the magical Fount is risky and messy.

The world is wild— ruled by an immortal tyrant, magic that can heal anything, and rebel networks trying to take him down. I love the writing and the romance is slow-burn and full of feels, and I couldn’t stop reading.

If you like high-stakes fantasy, morally grey characters, and a bit of magic and romance, this one’s a must-read. Can’t wait for book two...especially after that cliffhanger.

📖 ARC Review 📖

Summary:
Welcome to the Eternal Empire, a dystopian Florida ruled by fear and power, a land with a spring that defies death.

For over 500 years, the Conquistador has held dominion over the land, sustained by the Fount hidden within his fortified Citadel. Immortality is his weapon, reserved for the elite, sold to the desperate, and hoarded like gold.

Evangeline is a farmer on the outskirts, desperate enough to sell her future for a chance to save her sister.

Rafe is a rogue with a cause, part of a rebel network using tech to insert the poor amongst the elite and sabotage the Conquistador’s rule from within.

When their paths collide, everything changes. What begins as a reluctant alliance becomes so much more, a game of cons, infiltration, and rebellion. One that will take them from the underbelly of the Citadel to the edges of the empire itself.

My Overall Thoughts:
This book hit the ground running and rarely slowed down. We were quickly immersed in its world and then just as I began to settle into a location or plotline, we were whisked away again. The story is packed with elements of oppression, strict government control, a bit of romance, heists and cons, high stakes adventure, and some magical realism thrown in. It truly had a bit of everything.

And that’s where I ran into trouble with the story. While the world was intriguing, I struggled to connect with the characters or setting, simply because there wasn’t enough time to fully engage with either.

If you're into dystopian worlds, alternate history, and fast paced stories with a hint of magic, this might be for you. Just know the author covers a lot of ground and you’ll only get to skim the surface of most of it.

What I Liked:
⛲️ The dystopian setting. I really enjoyed the mix of high tech and simple living within the same world. It gave me Divergent vibes, especially the contrast between Amity and Erudite, but with a fun Spanish flair.
⛲️ The found family trope. I’m a sucker for this one every time. The relationship between Rafe and his crew felt genuine, very ride-or-die. I just wish we had more scenes of them working together. Twain definitely needs more page time in the next book!
⛲️ The Transitorios. I loved spending time with this group and found myself especially drawn to their leader. I can’t say much without spoilers, but just know he stood out to me in the best way.

What I Didn’t Like:
⛲️ The tropes. I had a bit of an issue with the trope tags for this story. I was promised enemies to lovers but that’s not what I got. They were never really enemies, more like reluctant allies to lovers? And honestly, most of the tropes were more light touches than central elements. Not a huge deal in the end, but it’s a personal pet peeve. 🫣
⛲️ The romance. It leaned more reflective than swoon worthy. There were multiple opportunities for strong, emotional scenes between the love interests, but instead, those moments were skipped over and only mentioned later in hindsight. I found it frustrating not to experience those moments as they happened.

Thank you to NetGalley and Mickey Schoonover for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. This was one whirlwind ride!