Stop what you’re doing! I need everyone that loves enemies-to-lovers, slow burns, retellings, and/or fantasy romance to buy and read this book immediately!!
Fly With the Arrow by Sarah K.L. Wilson is a Bluebeard fae retelling that takes the classic, mysterious legend and adds more than a touch of magic and whimsy. If you can’t tell, I adored this book. I can’t remember the last time a book painted such vivid images in my mind. I could swear I was walking in the character’s shoes. That is how immersed I was in this story. The creatures, the world building, the characters, everything was just *chef’s kiss* perfection.
Izolda is a pragmatic daughter of a lesser noble, who hopes for nothing more than a husband who will treat her fairly, while secretly yearning for an adventurous love story to call her own. When a grave error at court sets her feet down a strange, new path, she can’t decide if it’s the chance at a life she always wanted or a fate she must escape at all costs.
I loved Izolda from the first page, drawn to her internal conflicts. She dreams of something more, but resolves to accept what is. She is logical and reasonable, but decides with her heart. When faced with something unimaginable, she is able to quickly accept it and see past it to the next move. I think I wish I was more like her.
Bluebeard is something of a mystery, but I love a mystery. I hope that we get more answers from him in book 2. I found him engaging and endearing. He’s a character that I wanted to like for his dramatic presence and take-no-crap attitude, but I ended up loving him more for his simple gestures of kindness and what I hope is true empathy. It will break my heart if he ends up being more villainous in book 2.
The relationship between Izolda and Bluebeard is limited by the caveat that only one can speak during the day and the other at night. Although frustrating at times, it sure did ratchet up the tension level. I’m so curious to know what Bluebeard saw in Izolda that immediately had him treating her differently than his previous 15 wives. There were several moments between them that gave me hope for their future. I’m so invested in the two of them, but torn by their circumstances and the events that unfolded toward the end of the book. I don’t want to be too hopeful for book 2 in case it all comes crashing down.
If I’m talking about my favorite things, I can’t leave out the severed head that becomes an ally and maybe even a friend. Who thinks of keeping a severed head as a character? Sarah K.L. Wilson. That’s who. And it’s genius. I’m trying not to spoil who it is, but I love that the head becomes a go-between, a buffer if you will, between Izolda and Bluebeard. It helps ease some of the frustration behind the gag order and provides some much appreciated humor.
If you follow my reviews, you know I love a character-driven novel. Fear not, there is plot to this book and it’s amazing. The relationship between Izolda and Bluebeard may be the main focus for much of the book, but the game is intriguing, exciting, and dangerous. The stakes are high and the rival contestants are out for blood. Even those who seem innocuous cannot be trusted. If there was one flaw to be had with this book, it would be that I could have enjoyed more time playing the game and learning the competitors, but I suspect that we will get more of that in the sequel. Be warned: this book ends on a huge cliffhanger.
Some of you know that I was involved in the pre-order campaign for Fly With The Arrow by Sarah K.L. Wilson (If you’re interested in seeing my interview with the author click here). I chose to support this book over the other two that she is publishing this year based on the concept alone (although I’ll be buying those other two as well). While I received a copy of the book for my efforts, it was not until after it released. I’m so glad that this story surpassed all of my expectations! I’m going to need you all to read it and then immediately pre-order book 2 (like I did) so it can release sooner.
Thank you to Sarah K.L. Wilson and Book of Matches Media for providing me the opportunity to be involved in this promotion and for providing me a free book, which I chose to review on my own.
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