Evangeline has rose-gold hair and, like other main characters, reads as White there is diversity among the fantasy races in this world.Ī lushly written story with an intriguing heart. The plot contains welcome surprises, and the large cast piques curiosity readers will wish more time was spent getting to know them. However, the themes of love, the power of story, family influence, and holding onto belief are well rounded and add depth. While the pervasive magic and concept of the Fates as a religious system add interest, other fantasy elements are haphazardly incorporated without enough time devoted to building a cohesive world. The writing style fluctuates from clever and original to overly verbose and often confusing in its jumble of senses. The bargain they strike sends her on a dark and magical journey throughout the land. Evangeline desperately prays to the Prince of Hearts, a dangerous and fickle Fate famed for his heart that is waiting to be revived by his one true love-and his potentially lethal kisses.

Despite inheriting a steady trust in magic, belief in her late mother’s homeland of the mystical North (where fantastical creatures live), and philosophy of hope for the future, her dreams are dashed when Luc, her love, pledges to marry Marisol instead. When her father passes away, Evangeline is left with her cold stepmother and kind but distant stepsister, Marisol. Shoshanna, her parents, and Jake are white Geraldine is Mexican American, Cheyenne has dark brown skin and is queer, and there is diversity in the supporting cast.Īfter praying to a Fate for help, Evangeline discovers the dangerous world of magic. Contemporary Jewish characters remain elusive this may not be a zinger, but it fills a niche, and Jewish teens seeking themselves in text will particularly appreciate it. This fast, undemanding read offers snappy dialogue, implausibly happy endings almost all around, and affirmation for nerdy girls everywhere. A diverse cast of secondary characters lack dimension but are respectfully portrayed (even the supremely weird goth couple at the bookstore) while frequent musings on favorite books and Harry Potter references will make any book nerd’s heart flutter even before the romance begins. But this year everything feels different: Her mothers are fighting, and the new hire at the bookstore (attractive Jake, who is Jewish-a rarity in their Georgia city) has made Shoshanna’s happy space fraught. Jewish Shoshanna has a perfectly imperfect life: her parents, Mom and Mama, have always showered her with love and affection her amazing best friends, Geraldine and Cheyenne, always have her back and while money is tight, Shoshanna has a dream job at Once Upon, the independent bookshop in the local mall. Classic rom-com setup with teen angst underpinnings.

Recommended for You by Laura Silverman