Synopsis: 
 Rachelle knows her soul is damned by the choice she made when marked by a forestborn. Serving as one of the King's bloodbound in order to protect his people can never redeem her, but it's her only reason for living. When the King orders her to act as bodyguard to his son, Armand, she is infuriated. Not only does she hate the handless young man who poses as a saint, but the assignment threatens her plans to find the legendary sword that will free those she protects from the impending doom of the Devourer and, with the darkness growing, there isn't much time. 
 Thoughts: 
 I am in love. 100% in love. I'll admit it took me a little bit longer to fall in love with this one than it did with Cruel Beauty, but by the end, I was hooked. For some reason I kept getting bogged down by the French inspired setting, but Rosamund Hodge's characters have flaws and a depth that I just can't resist. And the writing style? It is pure beauty. There's a love triangle that never really felt like a love triangle. It's messy and complicated and dark, much like the rest of the book. And the twists. Oh there will be twists and they will leave you stunned. Also huzzah for female friendships and showing that you can still kick butt while wearing makeup! 
 This is very loosely based on Little Red-Riding Hood and The Girl Without Hands (which I am not familiar with). It's also a stand alone and doesn't take place in the same realm as Cruel Beauty so if you haven't read that yet it's ok. But you should, especially if you like your fairy tale retellings on the darker side. 
 Rating: 4.5 
 Thanks to Edelweiss and the publisher for the ARC. 
 Publication Date: May 5, 2015.