Alli is our orphan, fae heroine set in a new world. After eight years of training with her fellow untried fae, they must swear fealty to a fae power source known as Underhill. Underhill shatters and Alli is forced to run from her home after it becomes clear she knows who destroyed it. I loved this urban fantasy world and the elaborate magical systems that were in play. The relationship between Alli and her orphan best friend, Hyacinth, made me laugh. They also gave each other what each of them needed, even if it wasn’t always what they wanted. Alli is hunt down by none other than her childhood crush turned malicious acquaintance, Faolan. Faolan’s constant meanness had me cheering that she would end up on team Drake. The political plot and pacing remained rapid throughout the book. I’ve struggled with Mayer’s books, when it’s her own series, but when she’s paired with another author, I like the stories better. I know I’m in the minority there, but her Forty Proof series ruined her as an ‘auto buy’ author. Moving forward to book 2. (4/5 rating)
