Friday Favorites: All That Glows by Ryan Graudin


Friday Favorites is a weekly meme hosted here, that spotlights a favorite author, book, series, publisher, cover, blog, etc. Basically whatever bookish thing that you love, recommend, and want to tell others about. Just pick one and link up to my post each Friday to share. You can use the graphic I used above, the other one here, or your own.

I was supposed to have this posted last night, but late is better than never, right? :) This one is definitely a keeper!


All That GlowsAll That Glows
by Ryan Graudin
YA Urban Fantasy, Romance
Paperback480 Pages
February 11th 2014 by HarperTeen               

Summary

Emrys—a fiery, red-headed Fae—always embraced her life in the Highlands, far from the city’s draining technology, until she’s sent to London to rejoin the Faery Guard. But this isn’t any normal assignment—she’s sent to guard Prince Richard: Britain’s notorious, partying bad boy and soon-to-be King. The prince’s careless ways and royal blood make him the irresistible for the dark spirits that feed on mortals. Sweet, disheveled, and alive with adventure—Richard is one charge who will put Emrys’s magic and heart to the test.

When an ancient force begins preying on the monarchy, Emrys must hunt through the London’s magical underworld, facing down Banshees, Black Dogs and Green Women to find the one who threatens Richard’s life. In this chaos of dark magic, palace murders and paparazzi, Emrys finds herself facing an impossible choice. For despite all her powers, Emrys has discovered a force that burns brighter than magic: love.

       



My Review

I loved All That Glows! Loved it! It's been a little while since I've read about faeries and this was a great book to come back to them.

The story pulled me in from the beginning. How could it not with the danger to Prince Richard's life and a confused, beautiful, but strong Fae, Emrys, guarding him. I literally couldn't put the book down. This is a driven plot, but there are also these sweet and personal (sometimes humorous) moments between Emrys and Richard, Emrys and her friend Breena, and Richard and his sister, Anabelle. There was a good balance of action and romance. I liked that the romance didn't overtake the story, but just felt part of it.

I really didn't know who the villain was. There are whispers of a traitor and an Old One coming back to kill all the humans and return the land to its old wild glory where magic ruled. Graudin did a fabulous job in keeping me guessing and not knowing how the story would progress. I figured out what would probably happen in the end, but I didn't know how the story would arrive there.

I loved the characters! Emrys was fabulous! I did feel that she acted a little younger then her age, but she was also experiencing something she never had before, so things were very new to her. Then there's Richard. I loved him in all his messiness, loyalty, drive, and how he becomes who he was meant to be under the circumstances. He's also swoon worthy, if you were wondering. ;) Then there's Breena, Anabelle, Richard's mother, Queen Mab, Titania, and Herne. They were fabulous side characters and I liked that even though we just get glimpses of who they are I still felt they were well developed characters.

If you enjoy Fantasy, Faeries, or just stories with some action and some sweet romance then I would definitely recommend reading All That Glows! This is definitely a debut author to follow. 

Content: There is some violence, mild swearing, and some innuendo, but I would consider this clean.

Source: From Edelweiss, which did not affect my review in any way.

You can learn more about the author, Ryan Graudin, on my tour stop today here, and also enter a giveaway.

What do you think? Will you be picking this up?

Disclosure: This post contains a link to an affiliate program. If you make a purchase of any type using this link, I receive a small kickback.

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