3.5 / 5 
 Ring around the Rosey, pocketful of posey 
 Although The Ring and the Crown gives the reader a unique version of alternate history London, there are no less than 4 heroines in this book. Aelwyn, Marie, Ronan and Isabelle. Even with the 4 heroines the storyline and their individual story arcs were very easy to follow. They each had distinctive personalities and voices I could hear in my head. In addition to reading from the perspective of each young lady we also get one male perspective as well. I found this to be so refreshing and a much needed change now and then from the tempo of female life during their time period. Through each of their eyes we see a different picture painted of history, one with magic as an integral part of London's society. This very magic is at at odd with electric and steam innovation. Combine these things with the flair of Arthurian legend and it all melded for quite the enjoyable read. 
 Proper etiquette wouldn't be proper without lies and manipulation 
 It's always been interesting to read period books that contain such different standards of etiquette and behavior than we have today. Not that people are much different today than they were then if you are getting right down to the heart of matters. Money, power, prestige, lust - these are things that people will destroy lives for. So believe me when I say, this was darker than I thought it would be. And while that might not give you the warm and fuzzies you want, if you enjoy an occasional emotional roller coaster read than you will appreciate this one. Heck, I'd like to say the old bait and switch was pulled on me quite a few times, which is certainly hard to do. 
 And this is how a heart breaks 
 I didn't actually cry while reading The Ring and the Crown but I could picture some of my friends prone to tears doing so. This book took an approach and direction in the storytelling that I wouldn't have expected from reading the description. Typically, most young adult books follow a pattern that I definitely feel the author here veered away from. In actuality I likely wouldn't even consider this in the young adult genre. If I were shelving it I would put it right into the adult fantasy section. It was a bold move the way Melissa de la Cruz did things and I anticipate many readers will enjoy the stray from the norm. I'm unsure, but this might be the first in a series. I personally don't believe it needs anything further because all of the strings are effectively tied off and the end definitely felt like an ending. Which I was very pleased to feel like I had closure.