The way the magic is explained is clear and easy to follow, and I liked the light magic vs. The fact that Finn can steal faces is so original, and it is interesting how magic is unique to each person. What I found notable about the novel is the magic system, especially the characters’ abilities. Because these characters are developed, I found them more realistic. I sympathized with him since he really just wants to be a good leader and bring his brother back. Alfie, on the other hand, is the next in line for the throne after the death of his brother, and he is also dealing with trauma.

She is sarcastic and strong, and I loved reading about her mission with Alfie as well as her dialogue. Finn is a thief who can change faces, which I found so intriguing, and she has a complex and painful backstory. I very much enjoyed both the main characters, Finn and Alfie. As well as this, the plot has a nice balance of action and description which made for an enjoyable reading experience. Honestly, I was not expecting this book to be as funny as it is since I don’t typically see much humour in fantasy novels, but Finn’s wit has to be one of my favourite aspects of the story. I love this opposites/unlikely duo trope, and I was glad to see a fresh and complex take on it. This book tells the story of a prince and a thief who must join forces in order to save their kingdom from dark magic. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. ❃ I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. And with Castallan’s fate in their hands, Alfie and Finn must race to vanquish what they have unleashed, even if it means facing the deepest darkness in their pasts. Riddled with grief, Alfie is obsessed with finding a way to bring his brother back, even if it means dabbling in forbidden magic.īut when Finn and Alfie’s fates collide, they accidentally unlock a terrible, ancient power-which, if not contained, will devour the world. But Alfie can’t help but feel that he will never live up to his brother’s legacy. But when Finn gets caught by a powerful mobster, she’s forced into an impossible mission: steal a legendary treasure from Castallan’s royal palace or be stripped of her magic forever.Īfter the murder of his older brother, Prince Alfehr is first in line for the Castallan throne. To Finn Voy, magic is two things: a knife to hold under the chin of anyone who crosses her…and a disguise she shrugs on as easily as others pull on cloaks.Īs a talented faceshifter, it’s been years since Finn has seen her own face, and that’s exactly how she likes it. Set in a Latinx-inspired world, a face-changing thief and a risk-taking prince must team up to defeat a powerful evil they accidentally unleashed.

Nocturna by Maya Motayne