Thank you NetGalley and publisher for this arc.

Paragon by Kate Goodwin is a beautifully imaginative historical fantasy that combines magic, mystery, and heart into a compelling adventure. Set in a richly crafted version of Gilded Age Minnesota, the story's enchanted streetcars, hidden fae world, and unique magical system create an atmosphere that feels both whimsical and fresh.
Percy Paragon is a wonderfully relatable heroine whose desire to be seen for who she truly is drives the emotional core of the novel. Her struggle to define herself beyond the expectations and limitations placed upon her makes her journey especially engaging. The relationship between Percy and Obsidian Glimmery develops with a satisfying blend of tension, trust, and vulnerability, adding depth to the larger story.
The mystery surrounding the disappearing fae immigrants gives the plot momentum while also exploring themes of identity, belonging, and the cost of power. Goodwin balances fantasy elements with meaningful social commentary, creating a world that feels both magical and relevant.
While some sections of the story take time to fully develop, the creative world-building and memorable characters make the investment worthwhile. Overall, Paragon is an enchanting fantasy filled with magic, secrets, and heart. Fans of fae stories, historical fantasy, and character-driven adventures will find plenty to enjoy.

Sooo I've received an ARC of this book and OMG it's such an amazing debut!! The main characters are multifaceted and intresting. Percy Paragon does not have just an amazing name, she has a curse that lives inside her and kinda doesn't want her to succeed.The world building is out of this world, melting together fantasy and history briliantly.
One of my favourite reads of the year 💚

Thank you to the publisher or author for gifting me this ARC for an exchange on a review. I really enjoyed the book and it’s beautiful. What I liked from this book is the use of elements and magic. It does feel like historical fiction as well but I enjoyed it. I definitely recommend this book.

I am always a fan of books with Fae and magic, especially when they touch on Seelie versus Unseelie politics. I wasn't the biggest fan of Percy as she always felt like she was just floating along without doing much planning and finding herself in trouble. But it suited the world as she was a sheltered rich girl who was trying to break out of that. I wish she had more growth but this is only book 1 so I have faith she will learn more as she gets more involved. I loved the Glimmery family and their elemental powers. The way they served as a connection between our world and the Faes was also interesting. I can't wait to see where the story goes next!

(Review will be live on socials on August 24)

Thank you so much for giving me this book. I love love the hopeless romantic tropes and the fact that its a retelling . Must read of 2026 this is amazing.

I don't usually read romantic novels as I'm more of a sci-fi fan, but 𝘗𝘢𝘳𝘢𝘨𝘰𝘯 immediately drew me in. The book's premise and the captivating writing style made me invested in Percy's story as she challenges her fate and fights for the life she wants to live amidst the expectations of those around her in this story set in the fantastical Gilded age, Minnesota.
I especially loved Kate Goodwin's imaginative worldbuilding, enchanted streetcars, fae politics, the intriguing Glimmery family and their elemental powers. Percy Paragon's impulsive and naive nature annoyed me at times, but it suited her social standing and her sheltered upbringing.

The mystery, magic and the themes of fate, identity and belonging kept me wanting more. This was a magical, heartfelt and promising start to a series I'm excited to continue.

My sincere thanks to the publisher and netgalley for the advanced reader copy.

Imagine a Murder mystery meets the Pixar movie elemental but with fae in the 1920s/30,s. This was so good. The characters are fully flushed and have a unique charm about them. The story itself is captivating. And watching the story unfold was pure magic.

Paragon is a really interesting take on Sleeping Beauty, set in Gilded Age Saint Paul and building a world divided between the Tame and Wild. There is a lot of world building, and I actually really enjoyed falling into it. My advice would be not to overthink every new piece of information and just let the world develop around you. That said, there are a lot of characters introduced, particularly through the middle, and I definitely had moments of wondering who the hell everyone was.

Percy was probably the character I changed my mind about most. At first, I found her naivety a little frustrating. We’re so used to romantasy giving us these incredibly strong, independent FMCs that Percy initially felt a bit lacking in comparison. But the further I got, the more I realised that she actually fits this story perfectly. Her innocence, restraint and sense of propriety make sense within the Gilded Age setting. I really liked that the historical influence wasn’t simply an aesthetic; it actually shaped the characters and how they behaved.

I also really enjoyed Percy and Obsidian together. The slow burn and yearning were really well structured, and their relationship was given time to develop rather than being rushed. Obsidian’s position as the black sheep of his family also gave his character another layer that I really enjoyed.

The introduction of the Bloodletter POV was another highlight. It was sinister, unsettling and disconcerting, and every time we dropped into that perspective the atmosphere of the book shifted completely. It brought a much darker element into a world that can otherwise feel quite whimsical.

The middle was probably the weakest part for me. The number of characters alongside all the different pieces of world building became a little overwhelming, but as the cast thinned back out, the story really picked up again. By the end, the different threads came together nicely and I particularly enjoyed the darker, more tragic direction it took.

I don’t know whether Paragon is intended to continue, but I really hope it does. For me, this feels like a book that would work particularly well as the beginning of a series rather than as a standalone. It spends a lot of time establishing its world, its divisions and its characters, and by the end I felt like there was still so much more of that world worth exploring.

It wasn’t perfect, and I think the middle could have been tighter, but I became much more invested as it went on and finished genuinely wanting more.

A breathtaking triumph of a debut, this book weaves historical and lush fantasy into a world so vividly realized it lingers long after the final page. At its beating heart is Percy Paragon—a spellbinding protagonist burdened by a name meant for greatness and an insidious, living curse determined to see her unravel from within. I LOVED, LOVED, LOVED EVERYTHING ABOUT IT!