By: Cait Marie
Blurb
They say a dream is a wish your heart makes, but what happens when you’re trapped in nightmares?
Aika is playing a dangerous game.
Torn between the loyalties she thought she had and revelations she wishes she didn’t, she will burn the city down to get the answers she needs.
To get the vengeance she craves.
But when the boy from her past starts asking questions that could get them both killed, she is forced to choose between the people she needs to die and those she wants to save.
Even if it costs her the only thing true in a lifetime of lies.
Even if it costs her him.
A Cinderella retelling unlike any you’ve read before, where the stroke of midnight is just the beginning.
*The Twisted Pages Series continues with Aika’s story for books three and four, but don’t worry, Zaina and Einar have their scenes as well! This series does need to be read in order, beginning with Of Thorns and Beauty.
Review
This. Book.
Every time I read a book by this author duo, I think, “Wow, this is their best book.” And then, I read another one and am equally blown away.
This is the third book in the Twisted Pages series, but it’s the first of Aika’s portion of the story. AKA the Cinderella portion! I am a sucker for a Cinderella retelling, and I’ve read/watched so many that I’ve lost track. Yet, this one felt like an all new story.
It truly amazes me how these two can take such a well-known tale and twist it (no pun intended) into something so original.
This book is dark and gritty, full of emotions, and somehow also beautiful and moving. The characters are well developed and intriguing to the point where they might be my new favorites, though I say that with all of their books. Aika is unlike any character they’ve ever written. She’s grieving and in a really bad place, which leads her to becoming a vigilante of sorts. And then, there’s Remy… the new love of my life. He’s a royal guard with his own secrets, and the two have such an undeniable connection. Well, undeniable to readers. The characters themselves, especially Aika, refuses to acknowledge it.
As always, the world building is incredible. There is such a good balance with the amount of descriptions; it’s enough to paint a vivid image but not too much to make it drag. The writing just flows so well. It’s fast paced with short-ish chapters, but it doesn’t feel rushed at all. It just makes it impossible to stop reading because you’re constantly thinking, “one more chapter.”
In conclusion, this book blew me away. I loved the first two and wasn’t sure about it switching main characters, but it was completely fine. This whole series has been incredible, and I cannot wait for more!
I will say, I’m super glad I procrastinated this book because the next one releases in September, so I won’t have to suffer from that cliffhanger for a long time!
If you haven’t already started this series, I highly recommend it!
Read my review of book one, Of Thorns and Beauty, here.
Read my review of book two, Of Beasts and Vengeance, here.
Functionally Fictional 