Ten Thousand Stitches

When I say I sent at least 10 “I can't handle the cuteness” gifs to the friend who recommended this to me...
Seriously, this is sweet and soft with the lightest touch of dark faerie and dark humanity and it's WONDERFUL

This was a fun read! I appreciated seeing it center Effie's anger and anger as a catalyst for change. Lord Blackthorn was fun to see return from the first book, and I enjoyed seeing him try to figure out how to be helpful if that's what he wanted to be. In some ways I think the romance was paced better than in the first book and I enjoyed seeing it build, although like the first one the pace doubles in the last third of the book. I also loved Effie's very practical magic.

This one did not grab me as much as the first book, though. The main characters are likable, and a properly angry heroine is something I would like to see more of, though I would have liked to see Effie's needlework better incorporated into the climax — since it does play a role but is never narratively acknowledged. Both books had something to say, but I suspect Dora's metaphor for neurodivergence spoke to me more. But if you're interested in fractured fairytales or enjoyed the first book, I suspect you'll enjoy this one!

It was cute and funny, but lacked the sparkle that made the first book (Half a Soul) so special. 

Some of the critiques I had in the first book carried over to the second book, so I'm debating if I'll continue the series. 

A take on a Cinderella type story that while predictable has it's own flair. Compared to the first book I thought it had a much tighter plot with better pacing, but outside of Blackthorn I wasn't nearly as enamored with the characters. 

Just as enchanting and thought-provoking as the first

Once I read and adored Half A Soul more than a month ago, it was never in doubt that I was gonna pick up this sequel. And just like I hoped, this was an unputdownable fun read from beginning to end. I'm feeling so glad that I discovered this trilogy.

Just like the first book, the writing captured me immediately. We are so used to reading about the lords and dukes in historical fiction, so this was a nice change because our POV is a maid in a household where none of the servants are treated well. With the author's smart but funny writing, we get to see the plight of the people who work in such households and have no status, how their invisibility is considered their best quality, any wrongs done unto them have no consequences for the perpetrators but they are really powerless to do much about it. But the way this story progresses and makes a point for solidarity between the working class people and how their unity can be a big factor in them being able to change their circumstances, is written in a very meaningful way, and while it may seem a bit too hopeful and fantastical, the message conveys beautifully. I think it's this ability of the author to comment on important social issues but still keep the whimsy and fun intact in the story is what has impressed me the most.

Now, how can I not talk about our lovely characters. Effie is a maid who is full of anger because what else does she have left when she is I'll treated every single day. She doesn't have much choice though because who wants to starve, but it doesn't mean that she has no hope for a change. She too dreams of marrying her Prince Charming and is even okay with making a deal with a Fae to get her wish fulfilled. But what the author does with her story is give her the opportunity to see the truth behind the supposed Prince she wants to marry, realize what is it that she values in a partner and what she hopes her future will actually be. It's a slow realization, and she stumbles a bit in between, repressing her anger at every turn when she is belittled or forgotten or not seen, until it all bubbles up and comes out in an explosive way. But what I loved about her character arc is that the author makes sure we understand that Effie's anger and that of anyone else working in that household is justified, and while them being quiet about it is necessary for their job prospects, it doesn't mean that it's the right thing to do. They have every right to be angry at their dire circumstances and do something about it if possible, stand together with each other to demand better working conditions.

But it's definitely Lord Blackthorn who brings the fun to this story. This is a tangent but in most fanfics of MDZS (and The Untamed), Lan Jingyi is called the most un-Lan among the Lans and I think it's perfect to say that Lord Blackthorn is equally un-Fae compared to how most Fae seem to be in this world. He is hopeful and optimistic and wants to learn and grow and be virtuous, and his cheer just lights up the pages here. Even Effie realizes that her anger dissipates when she is with him because he is one person who doesn't treat her differently just because she is a maid, respects her for the hard work she puts in every day, and hopes she will get her wishes fulfilled. Yes, his help leads to some disasters but he is too endearing to be very angry at, and I know Effie will agree with me. Their developing friendship and more is just so lovely and we as readers will keep hoping as the story goes on that she'll forget her Prince Charming, and look at Lord Blackthorn romantically because they are just so perfect together.

There's also an interesting cast of characters, our feelings towards whom keep fluctuating as the story goes on and things are revealed. Lydia is a fellow maid and Effie's no 1 cheerleader and I loved their friendship. We start of hating Lady Culver because of her extremely harsh treatment of the staff, but we also slowly get to see why she came to be that way - not that it elicits much sympathy towards her though coz she still takes out her frustrations on people who can't talk back. Benedict is like the blandest Prince Charming and we can see why Effie might think he is sweet and charming but we learn along with her about his depth of character (or lack thereof). Mrs. Sedgwick and Mr. Allen are the housekeeper and butler, almost antagonistic towards each other but the way their character arcs develop is also a joy to discover.

What more can I say here. I feel like I've written the most boring review for one of the most endearing and whimsical and charming books I've read in recent times. The author's take on the story of Cinderella, telling it from the pov of a working class person and giving us some hope about the power of solidarity - it's a very entertaining story, but also full of heart and many things to think and ponder about. Here's hoping I'll get my copy of Longshadow from Orbit soon because I'm even more excited to read it now.

For more of my reviews, check out my blog.

Thank you to Netgalley and Orbit Books for providing an ARC copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

Ten Thousand Stitches is just as cute as Half a Soul, though I think I enjoyed it just a tad bit less. (Like almost miniscule amounts less.) To put it simply, I enjoyed Elias Wilder as a hero more than Lord Blackthorn. While I do love a gooey cinnamon roll of a hero, for some reason Lord Blackthorn read as more childish to me, than just pure innocence. Either way, I liked both books.

I thoroughly enjoyed that Atwater's version of Cinderella actually starred a maid, and not a noblewoman forced down into servitude by horrible happenstance. I also very much enjoyed that Effie was well and truly angry about her position. It is so rare to see or have a historical romance heroine who sees the injustice in her own life, and is PISSED about it. I loved it. I loved her anger, and I loved that she ended up being able to use it to better everyone else's (and her) life.

Though I had a slightly harder time with the romance in this one, I still very much enjoyed watching Effie and Lord Blackthorn fall in love. Especially since neither one of them appeared to realize that it was happening. I especially adored the scene when they were in faerie, and they were dancing the day away. It was incredibly romantic, and I loved the atmosphere that Atwater wrote in this particular scene. Though, now that I think back on it some more, I'm not even sure Lord Blackthorn and Effie even kiss once? I need more spice than that.

Ten Thousand Stitches is a good entry into the Regency Faerie Tale series, and I can't wait to jump right into the next one.

Olivia Atwater just might one day be added to my favorite authors list. Though I didn't feel this book is as well rounded as Half a Soul, it's pretty fantastic. Like the first book, this one too covers some positive themes great for teen readers (are these books YA, I keep getting confused). I didn't feel as interested in our main protagonist or the story as early on as I did with the first book, but well by the middle I was rooting for the main characters and by the end happily surprised by some of the twists it took. Im excited to continue following Atwater and see what they do next.