So This Is Ever After

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Thank you to Netgalley and Simon and Schuster for providing an ARC copy of this novel.

I wanted this book to be cuter and more clever than it actually is. My friend Kelsey can tell you that when I first started this book I was, to be quite honest, completely unimpressed. For the first handful of chapters, this book has no idea who it's audience is. It reads like middle grade fiction for a good long while, but then one of the characters drops an f-bomb, and suddenly who knows?? The beginning needs some serious reworking so it's a bit more clear who this book is for.

Once the book hits its stride, though, it gets pretty damn cute. It's fun, lighthearted, and something you can read without having to use too much of your brain.

However, besides the mention of getting a sword from a bog, there is NOT A SINGLE PIECE of this story that has anything to do with the Arthurian legend. Color me completely disappointed. I wanted some mention of Merlin, or Morgana, or hell, even a Lancelot. Nothing. I got over it though, because Arek and his friends are all rather fun. Though I do have another minor complaint — how come literally every other member of the friend group has a cool fantasy name, but Arek's love interest is just...Matt? Lame. Oh yeah — this book is rather gay. There's all sorts of representation in both the foreground and background of the story. It's done in a subtle way, not overly in your face about it, which is nice.

The basic gist of the story is what happens after the main bad guy is defeated and the kingdom is saved? It's a cute concept! The tone was off for a bit, but the book settles into itself close to around halfway through. I'd have given up if it took longer, but thankfully the book is short and it was worth it. If you're looking for something fun and lighthearted, I recommend So This is Ever After. I give it a good three and a half stars.

So This is Ever After comes out March 29, 2022.