Never Ever After a fierce and romantic fairy tale retelling that is as alluring as starfire

The beginning felt a bit slow for me, and it took some time to get fully invested in the story. However, once I got past the first half, I became completely immersed in the world and the characters. The story is marketed as a Cinderella retelling, and while there are a few small similarities, I don’t think that comparison does the story justice. It offers so much more than that! I was genuinely surprised by the direction the plot took and ended up really enjoying the second half of the book. What truly stood out to me was the unique world-building - a fantasy realm that feels both fresh and enchanting, with beautiful Chinese-inspired elements, dragons, and even a magical carp. The author creates a vivid atmosphere that’s easy to get lost in, and as the plot unfolds, it develops into a compelling story full of high stakes, emotional depth, and engaging twists. It’s worth noting that while the book is often tagged as fantasy romance, the romantic aspect is very subtle and definitely stays in the background of the main story. This actually worked really well here - the focus remains on the world, the characters’ personal growth, and the unfolding adventure rather than on a love story. While the pacing at the beginning could have been a little tighter, fans of fantasy will appreciate the rich setting, the intriguing character dynamics, and the way the story grows in intensity. By the second half, it became an exciting, heartfelt, and magical read that I didn’t want to put down. I’m very curious to see where the story will go next - the ending left me both satisfied and eager for more!