So this is Ever After by FT Lukens

Superficially this book has a lot of similarities to the Simon Snow trilogy by Rainbow Rowel. More than the gorgeous covers I mean. Both have a Chosen one who is a poor choice (at least in his own estimation), a fantasy setting and focus more on what comes after the prophesy. But that is where the similarities end.

If you are looking for a sugary, easy read that is relatively short then this book might work for you. It is a silly romcom with a bit of fantasy, and role-playing trappings. And actually, that is what I didn’t like about the book.

First of all, the author loves her some romance tropes. But did she really have to go all in on the ‘oh no he doesn’t love me, actually whoops it was all just a big misunderstanding’. Does anybody actually enjoy these stories? To me its not only dumb, its lazy. Dumb because people are not this oblivious; and lazy because its far easier to stretch a misunderstanding beyond all reasonable limits that to build enough character depth to provide an actual reason why one or more of the MCs are hesitant about getting into a relationship.

Add to that, Luken’s book has no plot to speak of. I mean the things that happen in the book have no connection with each other or the end result. Its not even a ‘one thing after another’ plot it’s a ‘oh, something needs to happen so we can achieve the Bethany rejection plot point – I know let’s have them fight a giant octopus! – where is the nearest body of water?’ that is how disconnected it is. It’s a lot of nobody goes anywhere, nobody speaks to anyone and nothing happens for far too many pages.

Also did nobody Beta-read this thing? ‘Cos its got more plot holes than a golf course. Why does the king have to be married by the time he’s 18? What happens if he inherits but isn’t married after that age? How was there a witch in the village outside the castle if they had all been rounded up by the evil one? Why does the castle only have two types of servants?

I am being unfair, mostly because I wanted something with the emotional kick of Simon Snow, and this book is not that.
Its a mini chocolate bar and should be enjoyed accordingly.

Basically if you want a subversive read into the tropes around prophesies, chosen ones and what damage those concepts could do to a young person, then go read Rainbow Rowel. But if you want to kill an evening with something immensely forgettable, then this is a great book for you.