Beguiled (The Fairest Maidens #2)

Beguiled (The Fairest Maidens #2)

By Jody Hedlund

Published by Northern Lights Press

Publication Date: October 20th, 2020

Description:

Princess Pearl flees for her life after her mother, Queen Margery, tries to have her killed during a hunting expedition. Pearl finds refuge on the Isle of Outcasts among criminals and misfits, disguising her face with a veil so no one recognizes her. She lives for the day when she can return to Warwick and rescue her sister, Ruby, from the queen’s clutches.

 Amidst his royal testing on the Isle of Outcasts, Prince Mikkel of Scania has kept his identity a secret. Captured by a warring band of outcasts and condemned to die, he finds himself making friends with an intriguing but feisty young veiled woman. Intending to win her trust and gain her help to escape, he soon finds himself coerced to wed her.

Mikkel reluctantly agrees to the union to save his life, and Pearl hopes the marriage will provide protection for her and Ruby. But the queen is more determined to kill her daughter than either Pearl or Mikkel realizes and has a sinister reason neither expects—one that could rip their new love apart forever. 

Review:

Another great novel from Jody Hedlund! Snow White has never been one of my favorite fairy tales, but I found this retelling to be captivating. I've always thought of Snow White as kind of bland--pretty and kind but bland nonetheless. Well, Pearl is awesome--she's determined and fierce, a fighter who will do anything she can to protect those she loves. I also really liked how she wanted to find someone to love her because of who she is and not what she looks like. Mikkel was a great character as well; he irritated me sometimes at the beginning (he definitely had some growing to do), but he had a good heart, and I appreciated the moments of self-reflection and how he grew throughout the story. I also really liked how he and Pearl had a good friendship. With terrific characters, fast-paced action, a great message about caring about more than outward appearances, and of course, the romance, this book is a lot of fun to read and will appeal to lots of readers. 

4.5 stars. 

I read an ARC provided by the author/publisher. All opinions are my own.