This takes the book to an entirely different level

When TNAIM came out in paperback I devoured it to the point that I have every version going. What maybe a shock is I’m not the target audience and that makes Piper’s book special to me. The story has traditional fantasy plots with an extra special twist. You have main characters who are strong, independent yet vulnerable. They have strengths and flaws while avoiding preconceptions.

There are 2 main protagonists who meet in an orphanage. They become friends however through varying circumstances are separated before this friendship can reflect the love they have. The majority of the novel explores their lives, trials and challenges.

What I enjoyed is the untraditional aspect to what can be a generic genre. There’s a heroine who doesn’t swing a weapon while having her own strength and abilities. Another who goes against tradition and prejudice to attempt a position through their own strength and determination. At the heart of this is a story of love that has a depth of feeling which encompasses the hurdles the protagonists face. Even then it’s a reflection of society in that no emotion is specific to be given to only one person. We can love and hate many people and even then those emotions are nuanced.

A supporting cast who also have their own flaws and admirable qualities. In other words they are like anyone you could meet. They have their own lives and some are cut short while others I look forward to seeing in future novels.

Piper’s use of folklore and mythology enhances the narrative and takes TNAIM into a different dimension than the generic fantasy setting many authors do. There are also preconceptions that are explored not only within the fantasy genre but in our real world. This is a fantasy novel that made me think and reassess my own views. One protagonist ends up in an occupation that in our world still has those preconceptions and stigma applied on a daily basis. Being defined by one element of a person’s life is a disservice to them and this book again entertains while educates.

This is a spicy novel and explores LGTBQIA themes. If that offends anyone then I would point out again I’m not the target audience and found this novel fascinating and you would be missing out on a captivating story.

Narration wise Natalie Naudus’ voice is elegant, sultry, warm, malevolent in all the right places and at all times clear. There are minimal character voices however the tone and emotions are applied perfectly throughout. This is a book I listened to and the narrative was embracing me in the journey.

I look forward to the next book and hope that Natalie continues to narrate this captivating tale.

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Love

Absolutely love this book. Can't wait to start the next one!
It's written very well and the first book in a while that I couldn't put down.

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I cannot wait for book two

So excited for book two to come out on audio 🙌🏻
This was a new Experian E for me. Outside of my norm BUT that might have changed

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Absolutely Loved It

Great writing… I couldn’t put it down! Straight onto the next one in the series and can’t wait to know what happens!

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Completely captivating

Far from the usual tropes of YA fantasy, this book is a breath of fresh air. Piper CJ has a writing talent that pulls you into her world with the ease of a seasoned author, I’m astounded this is a debut book! That coupled with her deep knowledge and understanding of folklore and fae across the world lends to some beautiful descriptions of magical lands, people, and creatures that don’t for a moment take away from the story.

Piper doesn’t just manage to capture the imagination, but the heartstrings too. To hear LGBT romance written with such love and grace is something I’ve been craving from fantasy fiction for a long time. Not just the usual smut, she writes about passion, lust, sex, and above all else, deep world shattering love like I’ve never heard before.

Despite being a fantasy novel, the characterisation is so deeply human it makes it easy to connect to the characters as if you were having a conversation with them yourself. And none of the frustrations of lies and miscommunication seen in most other books in this genre, as an autistic reader this made my heart sing.

The narration was beautiful, I’m not always a fan of American narrators but Natalie Naudus has a voice I’m sure could sooth a savage beast.

Overall this is a beautiful tale of female strength, great love, and heart stopping fantasy you won’t regret reading. I’m waiting on tenter hooks for the next instalment!

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Did not see the twists coming!

Wow, stunning. I ALWAYS guess what’s coming but I couldn’t in this book. And the fact the author has such brilliant knowledge of folklore and sews it into the fabric of the book is just a delight! Highly recommend,

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a good start to a hopefully epic story

Only dropped one star because some small things felt a bit rushed, not a huge deal. I imagine the author wanted to include important things without making the book too long, so I can forgive it.

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Better than sjm, definitely

And I say that as a sjm fan (and I see the flaws in that self proclamation).
The world building is better, the characters are more complicated, the laws of the universe and its magic are my thought out and better presented. Do yourself the favour of this gorgeously sapphic, beautifully written, immediately addictive joy - reading Piper CJ <3

Book two, right now

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