drews

This is my 1st read by this author Ava Reid and as I understand this is her debut novel

Inspired by jewish and germanic folklore and religion even pulling from some old testament biblical stories this is enemies to lovers trope

A Girl with no magic is taken from her village by woodsman thinking she has magic so that their king can harness her power for himself. Through shared trial battling monsters and navigating kingdom politics they must fight for survival and earn each others repsect.

Overall I really enjoyed this read. fusing folklore wtih biblical stories monster haunted forests. Evike our main character was one i really found myself cheering for as she struggles to accept her own feelings for the woodsman who takes her vs her peoples long held mistrust and hate for them.

Her own trauma is a source of strength for her as she fights the monsters both at the kings court and the haunted forest where the trees walk and sacred beasts roam with mystical powers

good read for the those that like fantasy based in folklegen and lore i really enjoyed this one