“The Prince of Never” by Lorelei Johnson and Hailey Jade [not to be confused with the book of the same title by Juno Heart and also happens to be a Fae romance] is a slow-burn, enemies to lovers, fated mates fantasy romance read. The novel follows Imogen, a university librarian, who’s attacked by a vampire as a teen. After suffering at the hands of psychiatrists and doctors who don’t believe her story, she goes through much of her young adult life seeing things that no one else sees. A second attack years later and subsequent kidnapping finds Imogen in the Fae realm and at the mercy of the dark Prince Tarian, heir to the Unseelie Court.
Imogen’s quick wit, sassiness and general fire paired nicely with the equally strong, morally gray Tarian, who’s drawn to the human newcomer since their first touch. The banter between the two and the fact that Imogen just can’t stay out of trouble leads to some precarious situations between the two of them. I also loved that despite being a bookish librarian (which I also loved), Imogen didn’t take shit from anyone - including the Unseelie Queen or her son; she consistently spoke her mind and didn’t back down from anything or anyone.
The secondary characters just made me love the story more. Ethan - the best friend who coincidentally is also a halfling - swoops into the Fae realm to rescue his bestie. Sarah is the quintessential friend that softens Imogen’s imprisonment at Dreadhold. And Vesryn, the courtly cousin of Tarian and general troublemaker and antagonizer is a perfect mirror to Tarian and everything he’s trying to deny.
I appreciated that the world building was uncomplicated and allowed the reader to easily visualize what this Fae realm looked like, along with all of its magical inhabitants, from the flesh-hungry pixies to the prophecy-wielding comedic satyr. The pacing of the novel was also spot-on; it had me hooked early on in the reading and led me right off that cliff-hanger at the end. (Like, when is book two supposed to be out!?)
I know that there are so many Fae “romantasy” books out there and it's a challenge to stand out among the masses, but this book surprised me in all the right ways. If you’re a fan of ACOTAR or The Cruel Prince, this book - filled with cursed prophesies, political intrigue and rival Fae courts - will be right up your alley. Seriously…when does the second book come out?!
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