This was a really cute, quirky, and cozy fairy‑tale story. We meet the main character, Adrianna, a princess who doesn’t actually want to be one because that would mean following the expected storyline. She lives in a quirky castle that she loves dearly. Her evil stepmother is actually sweet, just a little scatterbrained, and her “evil” stepsister is genuinely lovely and kind. Adrianna sets off on an adventure to find a dragon and help save her family. Along the way, she’s joined by a few more mischievous characters, and together they try to change their fates. I listened to the audiobook, which the author generously uploaded, and it was such a fun listen. I really enjoyed the narration. I really enjoyed it. In the end, you learn that we don’t have to be perfect or fit into a prescribed role, we’re all different, and that’s more than okay.
Rory and Longinus are relegated to working under Cruikshank's thumb in the workshop. Having nothing to do as of late, they are bored out of their minds. When they sneak out and Longinus finds out there is o black silk in Damsport (gasp) he decides he must solve this case. The next day, the Marchioness assigns Rory to investigate a body, who turns out to be her friend from the Rookery. After some investigating, it starts to look like their cases may be related and there is more going on than they could have imagined. Now Rory and Longinus must keep a visiting dignitary safe while trying to stay one step ahead of the most likely suspect, Myran.
Longinus was definitely more of a MC in this book for me. Rory was definitely still up front and center, but it was Longinus who really connected with the reader in this book. He starts to have old feelings of abandonment from his childhood resurface and he has a difficult time splitting up from Rory in this book. He shows more than just his haughty attitude, and it really made him more relatable. Rory does the bulk of the more difficult investigating, and we get see some of her insecurities as well. She realizes a certain character may be interested in her, but she doesn't know how to handle it. I'm hoping that her reaction at the end of the book isn't the way she leaves things.
This was another fun book to try to solve along with Rory and Longinus. There are so many clues but you never know who to trust with everything going on. While some of it was slightly more obvious there are definitely subtle clues hidden in that when you find out the entire conspiracy you kind of slap your forehead. There was more of the mystery that I loved from the first book as well. We are taken to different areas of the city than the previous book and really get a feel for the "seedy underworld" in that section as well. I enjoyed this book and can't wait to venture outside of Damsport for the next book.
I loved receiving this!! It is such a beautiful book and I recommend all Phantom of the Opera fans should get one.
