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Two Monarchies Sequence #6
Castle and Key
A groom with a beard of blue, a bride in lace of gold, and a house running red with blood…
Returning to Glause from a diplomatic mission with her own personal cohort of Horselords, Susan Farrah is looking forward to a hot meal and a good night’s sleep at the closest inn. Once ensconced in her room, however, what she finds is a frightened young woman in golden lace hiding in her wardrobe.
The next morning, Susan learns that her late-night visitor was a new bride, passing through the town on her way to the castle on the hill—the latest in a long line of castle brides, and the only one still alive. No one seems to know if the house itself is consuming bride after bride, or if the groom is marrying and then murdering his brides for reasons of his own.
Obviously, someone needs to do something—and luckily, the castle has an opening for a maid. All Susan needs to do is stash her favourite Glausian Horselord in the pantry for a few nights to watch her back while she solves the mystery, and avoid any unnecessary household drama…
Returning to Glause from a diplomatic mission with her own personal cohort of Horselords, Susan Farrah is looking forward to a hot meal and a good night’s sleep at the closest inn. Once ensconced in her room, however, what she finds is a frightened young woman in golden lace hiding in her wardrobe.
The next morning, Susan learns that her late-night visitor was a new bride, passing through the town on her way to the castle on the hill—the latest in a long line of castle brides, and the only one still alive. No one seems to know if the house itself is consuming bride after bride, or if the groom is marrying and then murdering his brides for reasons of his own.
Obviously, someone needs to do something—and luckily, the castle has an opening for a maid. All Susan needs to do is stash her favourite Glausian Horselord in the pantry for a few nights to watch her back while she solves the mystery, and avoid any unnecessary household drama…
334 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 15, 2022
23 people are currently reading
192 people want to read
About the author
W.R. Gingell
43 books1,073 followersW.R. Gingell is a Tasmanian author of urban fantasy, fairy-tale retellings, and madcap science fiction who doesn’t seem to be able to write a book without a body suddenly turning up. She solemnly swears that all such bodies are strictly fictional in nature.
W.R. spends her time reading, drinking a truly ridiculous amount of tea, and slouching in front of the fire to write. Like Peter Pan, she never really grew up, and is still occasionally to be found climbing trees.
GOODREADS FRIEND POLICY: I don't tend to friend anyone unless they're a personal friend or someone from my close author circle. I have a limited social battery which needs constant care. If you want to keep up with my reading/writing, you can absolutely follow me here or on pretty much any social media site.
W.R. spends her time reading, drinking a truly ridiculous amount of tea, and slouching in front of the fire to write. Like Peter Pan, she never really grew up, and is still occasionally to be found climbing trees.
GOODREADS FRIEND POLICY: I don't tend to friend anyone unless they're a personal friend or someone from my close author circle. I have a limited social battery which needs constant care. If you want to keep up with my reading/writing, you can absolutely follow me here or on pretty much any social media site.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
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June 28, 2022i'm doing final edits, so it's time to mark this puppy as "read" because i'll tell you it has been read, and read, and read...
this is my gothic romance (the first, anyway) so i hope you're all ready for blood dripping down walls, dead bodies, grand chandeliers, and creepy servants. as a bargain, i've also thrown in a brooding master of the manor, constant swathes of mist, and at least one case of either poisoning or ghosts.
(just don't check the furnace out back because i can't promise there isn't a body there...)
this is my gothic romance (the first, anyway) so i hope you're all ready for blood dripping down walls, dead bodies, grand chandeliers, and creepy servants. as a bargain, i've also thrown in a brooding master of the manor, constant swathes of mist, and at least one case of either poisoning or ghosts.
(just don't check the furnace out back because i can't promise there isn't a body there...)
December 8, 2024
Wait—WR Gingell wrote a gothic house mystery that’s actually a meta commentary on both romance novel writing and the unhelpful arbitrary roles that legalistic communities assign to the individuals within them, and how that hurts BOTH women and men??
(That scene with Mr Hawthorne 😭)
How did I not read this before?!
Also, 10/10 friends to lovers arc, which is always my favorite type of romance anyway.
Note: I wouldn’t recommend this as your first Gingell novel by any means (start with Masque or Between Jobs)—I did get very confused for a bit in the middle, which sometimes happens because Gingell’s brain works faster than mine—but if you enjoy gothic tropes and subversions, a lot of narrative complexity, and feel a bit nauseous at the idea of Bluebeard “romance” retellings…you will find a lot to sink your teeth into here!
(That scene with Mr Hawthorne 😭)
How did I not read this before?!
Also, 10/10 friends to lovers arc, which is always my favorite type of romance anyway.
Note: I wouldn’t recommend this as your first Gingell novel by any means (start with Masque or Between Jobs)—I did get very confused for a bit in the middle, which sometimes happens because Gingell’s brain works faster than mine—but if you enjoy gothic tropes and subversions, a lot of narrative complexity, and feel a bit nauseous at the idea of Bluebeard “romance” retellings…you will find a lot to sink your teeth into here!
September 1, 2022
Emmett is a delight, and Gingell’s heroines are always unique and wonderful in their own ways. There’s something particularly spot-on in her depiction of the older-sister-youngest-sister relationship of Isabella and Susan, too: where you can tell that Susan comes across to Isabella as terrifyingly self-confident, but Susan actually values (is even uncomfortable without) Isabella’s approval, though she doesn’t need it and...is terrifyingly self-confident, honestly. Sisters who love each other, but also are juuust a little in awe of each other are kind of my jam.
Also, Gothic vibes!!! Ghosts!!! Mysterious masters!!! Forbidding servants!!! Strange and fatal accidents!!! Mysterious violin music at night!!!
I do love a good over-the-top Gothic book, honestly.
Also Brennan. Brennan is...it’s kind of spoilers. It’s great though.
And I’ve never read a Bluebeard retelling before, so that was cool.
Also, Gothic vibes!!! Ghosts!!! Mysterious masters!!! Forbidding servants!!! Strange and fatal accidents!!! Mysterious violin music at night!!!
I do love a good over-the-top Gothic book, honestly.
Also Brennan. Brennan is...it’s kind of spoilers. It’s great though.
And I’ve never read a Bluebeard retelling before, so that was cool.
July 22, 2022
I don't think I've ever read a Bluebeard retelling before??? Anyway this was a wonderfully gothic, twisty mystery featuring one of Gingell's trademark shin-kicking heroines blundering into a situation nobody has explained to her and saving everyone's bacon. I loved how meta the whole book was, all about roles and narrative: I loved how the book isn't actually about the Determined YA Heroine and the Brooding Bad Boy (who are definitely characters) but about two random outsiders who just sort of barge into the story and make themselves at home. Excellent fun, as ever.
July 15, 2022
Delightfully creepy! Truly a different vibe from previous Two Monarchies books, but altogether wonderful and well worth the wait for the elusive “Susan’s story.”
One thing that WR Gingell has always done well (in my humble opinion) is how she writes the dynamics between characters and develops them from what they were to what they will be and that was particularly true for this story with the twists and turns that take place and confuse character and reader alike.
While I liked Susan well enough in Masque, I really began to appreciate her in this one and and even more the dynamic between her and the horse lords and most specifically, the dynamic between her and Emmett. Friends to lovers has been something that I either hate or love, depending on how it’s done, and this was done quite well, with quite a bit of development in their personal relationship from where we see them in Masque.
Better still, the twistiness of who was really to blame for everything really sort of got me thinking, which is how you tell a good book from a bad book and I greatly appreciate the light commentary on responsibility for one’s own actions despite circumstances which may have nudged you into said actions, which may have just been something I picked up on and wasn’t super intentional, but something I enjoyed tremendously.
All in all, another fabulous addition to one of my favorite series and another great read from my favorite author!
One thing that WR Gingell has always done well (in my humble opinion) is how she writes the dynamics between characters and develops them from what they were to what they will be and that was particularly true for this story with the twists and turns that take place and confuse character and reader alike.
While I liked Susan well enough in Masque, I really began to appreciate her in this one and and even more the dynamic between her and the horse lords and most specifically, the dynamic between her and Emmett. Friends to lovers has been something that I either hate or love, depending on how it’s done, and this was done quite well, with quite a bit of development in their personal relationship from where we see them in Masque.
Better still, the twistiness of who was really to blame for everything really sort of got me thinking, which is how you tell a good book from a bad book and I greatly appreciate the light commentary on responsibility for one’s own actions despite circumstances which may have nudged you into said actions, which may have just been something I picked up on and wasn’t super intentional, but something I enjoyed tremendously.
All in all, another fabulous addition to one of my favorite series and another great read from my favorite author!
July 29, 2022
A big thanks to the lovely author of this book, who provided me an eARC in exchange for a review.
So, this is basically Bluebeard meets Rebecca, except everything is told from the PoV of the gothic heroine's maid, which turns it into more of a screwball comedy than an actual gothic novel and quite frankly? It's so much more fun that way, because it still manages to be meta about the genre it provides a pastiche about.
I also appreciate the fact that once everything is done and the castle is gone, the Brooding Byronic Hero turns out to be a redhead with himbo vibes, because that's the only upgrade of the Brooding Byronic Hero I will ever accept.
(Honestly with all the feminist retellings I've seen of fairytales as of late, I am *very* surprised we haven't seen Bluebeard yet, since I'm pretty sure this is the first one I came across, but I digress)
So, this is basically Bluebeard meets Rebecca, except everything is told from the PoV of the gothic heroine's maid, which turns it into more of a screwball comedy than an actual gothic novel and quite frankly? It's so much more fun that way, because it still manages to be meta about the genre it provides a pastiche about.
I also appreciate the fact that once everything is done and the castle is gone, the Brooding Byronic Hero turns out to be a redhead with himbo vibes, because that's the only upgrade of the Brooding Byronic Hero I will ever accept.
(Honestly with all the feminist retellings I've seen of fairytales as of late, I am *very* surprised we haven't seen Bluebeard yet, since I'm pretty sure this is the first one I came across, but I digress)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 11, 2022
Somewhere between 2.5 and 3 stars
This most recent installment did rather make me wonder about Gingell's feelings towards the LGBTQ population based on the conspicuous lack thereof in her books as well as the somewhat bewildering take on gender with one of the characters in this story. Hope I'm wrong but wouldn't be surprised. Otherwise, this story was mildly entertaining but dragged quite a bit, with a lot of confusion and minimal cohesion.
This most recent installment did rather make me wonder about Gingell's feelings towards the LGBTQ population based on the conspicuous lack thereof in her books as well as the somewhat bewildering take on gender with one of the characters in this story. Hope I'm wrong but wouldn't be surprised. Otherwise, this story was mildly entertaining but dragged quite a bit, with a lot of confusion and minimal cohesion.
July 17, 2022
DELIGHTFUL!!! Susan’s book was so fun, with a fun gothic atmosphere and the author’s trademark twisty everything is not what it seems plot threads. The theme of story and roles and stepping in and out of character and re-making the rules to chart your own story was very fun as well. Loved Susan and Emmett kissing in corners as well. 4.5 stars!!!
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July 1, 2024Maybe 3.5 stars, in a that series has been hit and miss for me. This is another Gingell story where the rules are very complicated and not fully explained, and the architecture does not stay put. Sometime I like that and sometimes it confuses me. As a frame for the weirdness of a Bluebeard retelling it did work fairly well.
The big difference is usually whether I like the characters. This book is entirely peopled by new characters or side characters from the previous book who the author clearly loves to bits and have clear and distinct personalities in her head, but which I could barely name let alone distinguish going into the book and was not doing a lot better by the end. And the MMC is a strong silent type who is off page a lot and I felt we were told rather than shown what he was like. I just didn't like our FMC and POV character Susan that much either.
The big difference is usually whether I like the characters. This book is entirely peopled by new characters or side characters from the previous book who the author clearly loves to bits and have clear and distinct personalities in her head, but which I could barely name let alone distinguish going into the book and was not doing a lot better by the end. And the MMC is a strong silent type who is off page a lot and I felt we were told rather than shown what he was like. I just didn't like our FMC and POV character Susan that much either.
December 26, 2022
Gingell can do no wrong. I've probably said it before but I will say it forever. Also this is the most gorgeous cover asdglhgjkg
October 24, 2024
An intriguing concept and clever plot. It dragged a bit in the middle but all came together nicely at the end.
July 20, 2022
suspenseful and delightful
4.5 stars. Susan and Emmett get stuck in a magically cursed mansion with a bride, a master and some servants, and it’s a race to figure out what’s going on and who knows what before people die. It’s fun and quirky and suspenseful and with that classic Gingell development of the delightfully understated romantic relationship.
4.5 stars. Susan and Emmett get stuck in a magically cursed mansion with a bride, a master and some servants, and it’s a race to figure out what’s going on and who knows what before people die. It’s fun and quirky and suspenseful and with that classic Gingell development of the delightfully understated romantic relationship.
November 16, 2022
This is the latest (but hopefully not the final!) book in the author's Two Monarchies series. I have loved all of the books in this series and highly recommend that you read them. This most recent book is the story of Susan Farrah and is an intricate tale of a Bluebeard-like villain, magic, and romance. It is a delightful read, full of drama and fun.
The series is best read in order if you want to experience the most out of the characters. The author has a vivid and whimsical imagination that she transfers well onto paper. This book (and the series) is highly recommended!
The series is best read in order if you want to experience the most out of the characters. The author has a vivid and whimsical imagination that she transfers well onto paper. This book (and the series) is highly recommended!
August 28, 2022
The author's charming reinvention of fairy tales as comedic romances slides into gothic fiction territory with a new take and a take down of the Bluebeard story. When Susan, intrepid sister of Lady Isabella Farrah, runs into a town that is sacrificing brides on a regular basis to the castle on the hill, she drags along her large friend (very large, he's a "horselord" or basically a paladin) to investigate. The castle is creepy, the servants creepier, and why can one only view the master from the back? As anyone familiar with the author's stories will guess, the answers will be found through many comedic conversations and moments with characters. This is screwball comedy done as high fantasy. You don't need to have read all the Two Monarchies to understand this one, but it will probably be helpful to start with Masque. You can catch up on the other fantastical adventures later. All ends as it should and one must now wait impatiently for a book about the sisters' oft mentioned but not yet seen brother.
October 15, 2024
I do love the whimsy of W. R.Gingell.
Pretty great book, though I am perplexed as to Susans complete obtuseness in regards to Emmet.
The funniest part has to be the sentient hatstand 😀
Pretty great book, though I am perplexed as to Susans complete obtuseness in regards to Emmet.
The funniest part has to be the sentient hatstand 😀
August 6, 2022
Lots of Twists
There’s not much I can say about this book without giving away the plot. I will say that I thought I had everything figured out multiple times throughout the book, but there were multiple twists that I hadn’t foreseen, up to the end. Even better, the twists made perfect sense when they were explained, and I felt like an idiot for not having seen them earlier.
This book follows Susan and Emmett, who become trapped in a cursed manor. Multiple complications prevent them from escaping, and there are unspoken rules which, if they don’t follow, will get them killed.
I was pleased to find that Susan had a separate personality from Isabella. I worried that they would seem like the same person in this book. They’re obviously sisters, but some of their proclivities differ.
If you read the last book and didn’t care much for the violence or head explosions, you can rest assured that this book is not as violent. People die, but only one death describes the body, and it is very brief. There is no gore.
As for Emmett and Susan’s relationship throughout the book, there is a lot of interaction between them but very little communication until the end. A lot of the book is in Susan‘s head as she tries to figure out her own feelings.
(Sorta spoiler?)
The book has a very Georgette Heyer ending. As soon as the confessions are over, the book is done. There is no interaction (after the beginning) with people we’ve seen in other books. I wish there could’ve been just one more chapter with some closure in that regard, but perhaps Gingell did not want to do the cliché epilogue.
There’s not much I can say about this book without giving away the plot. I will say that I thought I had everything figured out multiple times throughout the book, but there were multiple twists that I hadn’t foreseen, up to the end. Even better, the twists made perfect sense when they were explained, and I felt like an idiot for not having seen them earlier.
This book follows Susan and Emmett, who become trapped in a cursed manor. Multiple complications prevent them from escaping, and there are unspoken rules which, if they don’t follow, will get them killed.
I was pleased to find that Susan had a separate personality from Isabella. I worried that they would seem like the same person in this book. They’re obviously sisters, but some of their proclivities differ.
If you read the last book and didn’t care much for the violence or head explosions, you can rest assured that this book is not as violent. People die, but only one death describes the body, and it is very brief. There is no gore.
As for Emmett and Susan’s relationship throughout the book, there is a lot of interaction between them but very little communication until the end. A lot of the book is in Susan‘s head as she tries to figure out her own feelings.
(Sorta spoiler?)
The book has a very Georgette Heyer ending. As soon as the confessions are over, the book is done. There is no interaction (after the beginning) with people we’ve seen in other books. I wish there could’ve been just one more chapter with some closure in that regard, but perhaps Gingell did not want to do the cliché epilogue.
July 29, 2022
Susan and her friends, the Horselords, get sucked into a Bluebeard-like story in which the owner of a manor on the hill has gone through multiple wives who always mysteriously end up dead. When they encounter his frightened future bride on their way through town, Susan and her friend Emmett decide to get jobs at the manor and investigate. They discover a complex curse that wraps around all the inhabitants - even the manor itself seems to take a malevolent part in it - and Susan and Emmett each have a role that the curse wants them to play.
This was a creepy gothic romance/mystery (although not too creepy - it helps that the Susan is no jumpy victim to fate and takes all the shenanigans in stride). There's plenty of humor too. Interesting subplots about being forced into roles and what our standard of truth should be. A nice understated romance tops it off. Recommended for fans of Diana Wynne Jones - it has that same blend of quirky humor and mind-twisty fantasy elements.
This was a creepy gothic romance/mystery (although not too creepy - it helps that the Susan is no jumpy victim to fate and takes all the shenanigans in stride). There's plenty of humor too. Interesting subplots about being forced into roles and what our standard of truth should be. A nice understated romance tops it off. Recommended for fans of Diana Wynne Jones - it has that same blend of quirky humor and mind-twisty fantasy elements.
July 17, 2022
Perfectly satisfying!
I have been looking forward to Susan's story in the Two Monarchies Sequence for several years now and it was every bit as satisfactory as I hoped! We were first introduced to Susan as Isabella's younger sister in Masque. That brief acquaintance led me to want a more in-depth story and Gingell has provided! Castle and Key continues Susan's working attachment to the Horselords. They have a rather deep friendship after being assigned missions together for several years, especially with Lummox/Emmett. I hope this isn't the final book of The Two Monarchies Sequence; Masque is one of my favorite books and I love inhabiting this fictional world. I highly recommend this book and this series!
I have been looking forward to Susan's story in the Two Monarchies Sequence for several years now and it was every bit as satisfactory as I hoped! We were first introduced to Susan as Isabella's younger sister in Masque. That brief acquaintance led me to want a more in-depth story and Gingell has provided! Castle and Key continues Susan's working attachment to the Horselords. They have a rather deep friendship after being assigned missions together for several years, especially with Lummox/Emmett. I hope this isn't the final book of The Two Monarchies Sequence; Masque is one of my favorite books and I love inhabiting this fictional world. I highly recommend this book and this series!
July 27, 2022
Excellent stuff. I always love the whimsy of W.R.'s Two Monarchies series (and I mean all her books, but especially these ones) and Susan was another delightful protagonist, and the romance was lovely and shippable
Worth noting that this ones a tad on the spooky side, I would go as far as to call it horror, but I did turn on more lights than usual going to the bathroom at night while reading this book.
I would recommend this to fans of Marissa Meyer's Gilded, but I'd also recommend reading Masque before this one.
Worth noting that this ones a tad on the spooky side, I would go as far as to call it horror, but I did turn on more lights than usual going to the bathroom at night while reading this book.
I would recommend this to fans of Marissa Meyer's Gilded, but I'd also recommend reading Masque before this one.
September 19, 2022
So good
My heart is so happy. I have been hoping for this book since I read Masque. The twists and turns are awesome. I did not expect the conclusion! Clean (only kissing), murderous ghosts, some descriptions of death, and some chase scenes. I loved it. Gingell always does a solid job in murder mysteries with some magic thrown in. Highly recommend. It's good on its own, but I would recommend reading Masque first as you get to see the whole group in action at the beginning of their time together.
My heart is so happy. I have been hoping for this book since I read Masque. The twists and turns are awesome. I did not expect the conclusion! Clean (only kissing), murderous ghosts, some descriptions of death, and some chase scenes. I loved it. Gingell always does a solid job in murder mysteries with some magic thrown in. Highly recommend. It's good on its own, but I would recommend reading Masque first as you get to see the whole group in action at the beginning of their time together.
October 18, 2022
Horsemen and magic
This story of Isabella younger sister Susan and the adventures she gets into was delightful from the first chapter to the last sentence. I just love the spunky character that she is and the progression of each of the characters and the subtle romance make this a very fascinating read. Such a fun take on the fairy tale and interesting twist for how it all works out in the end. Emmett aka lummocks is one of my favorite characters and his interactions with Susan are definitely entertaining. I think we got the perfect result after all. Highly recommend.
This story of Isabella younger sister Susan and the adventures she gets into was delightful from the first chapter to the last sentence. I just love the spunky character that she is and the progression of each of the characters and the subtle romance make this a very fascinating read. Such a fun take on the fairy tale and interesting twist for how it all works out in the end. Emmett aka lummocks is one of my favorite characters and his interactions with Susan are definitely entertaining. I think we got the perfect result after all. Highly recommend.
July 21, 2022
Twisty and delightful
I love all of W.R. Gingell's work and this book is no exception. This is a fun loose retelling of the folk tale Bluebeard with all the twisty magic and curses you could reasonably expect. The characters are delightful--I love Susan and Emmet and this is probably the first time I can say that a hall stand is one of my favorite characters haha. Definitely recommend!
I love all of W.R. Gingell's work and this book is no exception. This is a fun loose retelling of the folk tale Bluebeard with all the twisty magic and curses you could reasonably expect. The characters are delightful--I love Susan and Emmet and this is probably the first time I can say that a hall stand is one of my favorite characters haha. Definitely recommend!
February 8, 2024
This is my favorite of the Two Monarchies books! The characters are great and make you want to root for them. The mystery of the spelled manor they find themselves in and all the twists and turns for how it resolves kept me hooked. There were really poignant moments in there, as well; this is a book that knows when to be a bit silly and when to be serious. And it has a lovely touch of friends-to-lovers romance that adds to the fun. Definitely recommend!
July 16, 2022
Loved this continuation of Susan and Emmet's story. Sigh! The Blue Beard aspect was fascinating and the story was perfectly twisty. Very satisfying read and I enjoyed seeing a little bit of Isabelle again.
Content:
Sexual: kissing
Violence: not overly graphic but there are deaths. It's a Blue Beard retelling after all
Language: none
Content:
Sexual: kissing
Violence: not overly graphic but there are deaths. It's a Blue Beard retelling after all
Language: none
July 17, 2022
Delightful fairytale
Refreshing retelling of Bluebeard, with a terrible curse to be unravelled. Susan meets an unwilling bride on her way to the castle where so many other brides have met with fatal accidents. But a curse must also benefit someone if wants to last, and the bride, with Susan pretending to be her ladies maid, must defeat human as well as magical opposition.
Refreshing retelling of Bluebeard, with a terrible curse to be unravelled. Susan meets an unwilling bride on her way to the castle where so many other brides have met with fatal accidents. But a curse must also benefit someone if wants to last, and the bride, with Susan pretending to be her ladies maid, must defeat human as well as magical opposition.
July 30, 2022
Favorite Gingell to date
I can’t even guess how many times I’ve recommended this series, and this one was so deeply satisfying. Gingell weaves classic troupes into such beautiful frames for gorgeous locations, compelling characters, thrilling plots, and relatable moral dilemmas. She is one of my few pre-order authors, and in my second reading, I love Castle and Key even more.
I can’t even guess how many times I’ve recommended this series, and this one was so deeply satisfying. Gingell weaves classic troupes into such beautiful frames for gorgeous locations, compelling characters, thrilling plots, and relatable moral dilemmas. She is one of my few pre-order authors, and in my second reading, I love Castle and Key even more.
July 16, 2024
Have not read a Bluebeard retelling before, or at least not in a long while. Darker than the prior books but still fairytale like. OK for all ages.
I like the range of characters, particularly that there are two sets of main characters- that of the book I physically am reading and that of the cursed retelling the plot revolves around.
I like the range of characters, particularly that there are two sets of main characters- that of the book I physically am reading and that of the cursed retelling the plot revolves around.
March 11, 2025
A pretty good retelling of Bluebeard, but it wasn't my favorite of this series. I wished the ending was a little longer, cuz Susan's obliviousness and Emmett's giant teddybear quality. As always, I enjoyed the cleverness of the FMC but was also pleasantly surprised by the things she got wrong and that she wasn't the only clever character
July 12, 2025
Apparently this is a Bluebeard retelling... too bad I've never read the original. This story was a little harder to follow than her previous one. There were layers that I struggled to grasp or visualise at times. But, once again, it's nice to have a book that I can pass on to the kids. The romance of this one was SO respectful and selfless. I really appreciated the values being portrayed.
July 18, 2022
wonderful twisty tale
I love WR Ginger’s twisty stories and this one does not disappoint! Susan’s story is a wonderful gothic mystery with all the confusion you could ever want from a curse!
I love WR Ginger’s twisty stories and this one does not disappoint! Susan’s story is a wonderful gothic mystery with all the confusion you could ever want from a curse!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews