I was absolutely hooked by the mystery. I gulped it down in 2 days! Started one evening and finished the next day and only because I needed sleep. The was something was happening in every chapter kept me glued to the pages. Perfect execution and I didn't expect the plot twist.
I will say one of the many men in these novels gave me a bad feeling and I was right about it, but it was very subtlety done.
When it comes to the love triangle I will say the back and forth between the two men was a little confusing but I understand why because the readers were not supposed to guess who will be end game.
I like one man better but there wasn't nearly enough development to ship them, and I'm glad the romance wasn't rushed, and it's up to the next book to develop it further.

I honestly don’t even know where to start, but ever since Caraval and OUABH, Stephanie Garber has been one of my favourite authors. So I was absolutely thrilled to get the chance to read her new work in advance.

Her writing style is unique and magical, and the story she created in this book had me hooked from the very beginning, I couldn’t put it down. The protagonist, Holland, was instantly likable, but just like her, I was unsure who she should believe. The lines between reality and magic were often interwoven, and just like in Caraval, you were left feeling delightfully confused, with all the twists catching you by surprise.

The ending answered many questions, but just as many remain open, and I can hardly wait to read the next books in this series.

Without a doubt, this book was an instant favourite of mine.

A 10/10, I was always a fan of Stephanie from her other series but this book blew me away!
The story was rich and immersive and I cant wait to see where it goes next.

I'm so grateful to have received this ARC through Netgalley. I've loved Garber's other novels, and this is once again, full of mystery, magic and twists, but with its very own original spin.

The story starts in California and Garber creates a very rich, atmospheric setting of old Hollywood, film noir, among art deco hotels and film studio lots, all wrapped into an Alice in Wonderland type mystery.

Once again, this book involves sisters, and though it is only Holland we meet, I feel like January may be appearing in a later novel. Holland is immediately thrown into a quest for the Alchemy of Secrets, a kind of magic holy grail that can grant it's owner magical powers or wishes. There's kidnapping, murder, a treasure hunt and a good old-fashioned love triangle (there's actually four possible heroes!). What's not to love?

For the first 15% I was very confused what was going on. (I must say it wasn't helped by the ARC's repeated disclaimers, which is usual for advanced copies, but this one had so many and only had a few sentences before 'Proof', 'Not for quotation', etc. interrupted it, sometimes pushing the end of a sentence to a few lines above. I felt like it was my own interactive mystery! This did make it very hard for me to get into the story.)

Things really picked up at the end, and I'm excited to see what happens in the next in the series. It's clear this one is the start of what could be another incredible trilogy from Garber.

I loved this one! Thank you so much to Orion Publishing for the ARC of this book. I was over the moon to get it!

This is everything I love in a Stephanie Garber novel - magic, mystery, twists, turns and heartbreak. Reading it really is like entering a whole new world, I was gripped from the start and was internally screaming at Holland not to trust certain characters!

The plot was engaging, the characters interesting and the writing, as always, immersive and compelling.

It retains the magic of Caraval, the heartbreak of OUABH and mixes in some mystery.

Holland is a compelling protagonist and her hunt for the truth behind her parents’ deaths had me hooked.

Despite being adult, there is no gore or spice, just some more adult themes.

I’d highly recommend it!

Stephanie Garber delivers something fresh and enchanting in this magical new read. I have always been a fan of her writing and this does not disappoint! The characters were captivating, the tension kept me on edge, and her signature storytelling shone through every page. I feel lucky to have read this early and also restricted as I just want to tell everyone what happens and make them read it immediately! I will be very happy to recommend this for purchase!

Honestly, it’s stunning. Much more adult and darker than her previous stories, but so, so interesting. Kind of reminded me of some of my favourite Scarlett Thomas books, with shades of Neverwhere as well.

I loved the magical treasure hunt vibes, loved the mad magical myth characters, loved the plotting.

Holland was great, but I do wish we’d got to know January better, and Holland’s friends. I’d like to know how things turned out with Chance and why he was so so angry. I did think four mysterious men was probably one too many, especially when Gabe, Adam and Mason were relatively interchangeable.

Nonetheless a truly great book, I hope we get new stories in this world. There were some loose ends that were intentionally and explicitly not wrapped up, but not sure if that’s to keep us guessing… or because there’s more to come.

I was lucky enough to read this stunning book pre release. Stephanie Garber has woven a beautiful, colorful world of myths and legends alongside a vibrant modern Los Angeles, full of glitter- but is everything as it seems?

The cast of characters are fantastic, with Holland as a very easy to like main character, and the details of her life and friends are organically woven throughout the story.

The story is imaginative and beautifully written- with incredible descriptions that really pull you in and bring the story to life. The folklore elements are so interesting, like all the best urban legends- part odd story, part terrifying, and very realistic! You can imagine students whispering about the watch man, and daring each other to buy the Devil a sidecar cocktail!

The twist is one that's pulled off well, and the hints throughout the story give you a real sense of finally understanding, and things clicking into place. It's quite satisfying for a big part of the plot to make sense, and the reveal is horrifying and absolutely heart breaking.

The book does miss a few small loose ends for me, but I do feel that this allows scope for more books in the future in this world and I would 100% read them- with more from the Professor, January, Gabe and Adam!

Overall, A genuinely enjoyable read, a fantastic universe to explore and I loved this read! Would definitely recommend!

Reading this book felt like falling down a magical rabbit hole that I never want to end. Stephanie Graber has been one of my favourite authors since reading Caraval, and she has once again crafted a unique and brilliant story that I wish there was more of. I went into this book blind and I’m so glad because I loved coming up with theories and I never knew who to trust, which I feel is a testament to how well Garber’s writing is.

There were surprises at every turn and I felt like I kept delving deeper into a Hollywood dream brimming with secrets. Something about her writing just always clicks with me as it’s effortless, beautiful, and sets the dazzling and dark atmosphere of Hollywood just right. All the characters were so interesting, but I loved Holland because of her continuous hope in finding magic in the mundane.

The way certain moments are described throughout the book where you can feel the magic made me feel as though as I was right there experiencing the moment. I think we all want to believe that there could be something magical in our world, in the small moments where it feel impossible that some sort of magic is not involved, and Holland made this part of me feel seen.
This book made me think back on moments in my life that have felt almost surreal and that I remember because of a certain feeling they provoked in me, and you know what? I would like to hope that maybe there was magic at play.

Thank you Orion Publishing Group and Netgalley for this arc💕

PREPARE TO BE SICK OF ME!!!

If you know me you know Stephanie Garber is one of my favorite authors and her Caraval and OUABH series both hold a very special place in my heart (and my shelves!), so of course I started this book the moment I was approved for it and I was immediately sucked into this story of magic, secrets, and old Hollywood vibes. Her writing always has that effortless feel that transports you into her world, and you find yourself just as swept up as the main character, trying to navigate your way through secrets and deceptions, never really quite knowing what is real and what isn’t.

Reading this book made me feel exactly like I felt reading Caraval for the first time almost 4 years ago, not because the books are similar (they really aren’t), but because of the nostalgic and enchanted way it made me feel. The story is fast paced and full of twists and turns, which makes the book impossible to put down, and I really liked all the characters and am desperate to know more about them! I am also happy with the ending, because yes, I need to know what happens next and desperately need the next books as soon as humanly possible, but the story wraps up nicely even when leaving a few open-ended questions, which will make the wait for the next installment that tiiiiiiny bit more bearable.

Thank you to netgalley, Gollancz, and the author for the arc!

Yet another brilliant story from one of my fave authors. Stephanie Garber’s writing is so captivating and effortless, I always feel like I’m in the worlds she builds. A story about magic that truly is magical.