This is a really pleasurable read and I thoroughly enjoyed it. It is only very loosely linked to Rapunzel and therefore I wouldn't class it as a retelling as such. This is an interesting and intriguing world and magic system, both of which are described in detail by the author. I particularly enjoyed the hot air balloon ride and the descriptions of the Floating Mountain and the city below. It is fast paced, action-packed from the onset and a lot of fun to read.
There are some wonderful friendships within the cast of characters, Selestra and Irenya, her apprentice dressmaker and Nox and Micah, his best friend and fellow Last Army soldier. The romance is an enemies-to-lovers one, it's gentle and kept clean but it's nevertheless lovely to read about and watch the relationship unfold.
I really liked the fact it's a standalone, investing masses of time into endlessly long fantasy series can be onerous and daunting and this is a refreshing change. It's well written and easy to read and a well thought out standalone novel with a happy and conclusive ending.
There are some wonderful friendships within the cast of characters, Selestra and Irenya, her apprentice dressmaker and Nox and Micah, his best friend and fellow Last Army soldier. The romance is an enemies-to-lovers one, it's gentle and kept clean but it's nevertheless lovely to read about and watch the relationship unfold.
I really liked the fact it's a standalone, investing masses of time into endlessly long fantasy series can be onerous and daunting and this is a refreshing change. It's well written and easy to read and a well thought out standalone novel with a happy and conclusive ending.