• Author: Nora Sage
• Release Date: December 8, 2025
• Genre: Fantasy Romance
• My Rating:
• ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
• 🌶️🌶️/5

😘A Tale of Rebellion and Romance. If you love Dual third person POV, with adventure, mystery, and sigils that do different types of magic  (this one was a new one to me that I really enjoyed), this book might be for you!

Spoilers Ahead

💋This story follows a head strong, fights for what’s right, rebellious elf named  Holly Greenspire, our FMC, the heir to the Greenspire Dynasty. On the day of her mother’s coronation Holly has had enough, I love the way Nora laid out this scene, we get right into the coronation and into Holly protesting this new regime as Holly is not one to bite her tongue. After fleeing her mother’s coronation Holly finds herself in a smalltown 

Very few elven children were taught to read for another one of her people’s ridiculous beliefs said that written histories and stories dulled the reader’s memory. According to Holly’s elders, it was better to hear such works read out loud, for it was the feeling in the orator’s voice that truly allowed their words to adhere in the listener’s memory. It always astounded Holly to consider what kinda of hogwash the elders believed.

Hiding her true identity Holly poses as a tutor. Something an Elf would almost never do, as most elves believed story telling was better heard then read. But that never stopped Holly from learning all she could thanks to her mother before the whole Greenspire Dynasty turned into what it is today under her mother’s rule. 

🛡️We also meet stoic, rule following rigorous master Julius Stilguard our MMC. The complete opposite of Holly. How does the saying go “Opposites attract” . He is a very military man in my opinion, like I said he likes to follow the rules and doesn’t really question his superior until now. 

“You’ve freed me from the numbing cold,” Julius continued. “I’m no longer sealed beneath the snow.”

“You said… you’re no longer sealed beneath the snow?” 

I found it really interesting that the military would dampen aspects of their soldiers and not all of them could break the Nobel Seal. I wonder how others have fared with their Nobel seal and if there were any lasting side effects.  

Julius isn’t just a military man but is also secretly a cinnamon roll who would end anyone who touched or wronged Holly. I would almost say this is enemies to lovers as these two are very hostile to each other. Hostile or full of pent up lust for one other. I say that as the spice to me happens fast, and gets spicier throughout the book. I also think that the hostility was more of them finding each other intriguing but not being able to do anything about it. I also think he fell first and just didn’t know it 

For some reason Minos the (I would say mastermind behind the Greenspire crown/ Zello frost elves) reminded me of Captain Nemo from Once Upon a Time but with no redemption arc. He seems to be the one running the place even tho her mother sits on the throne. Definitely keep his name in mind when you’re reading as he may have a bigger part in this story then meets the eye. I believe he had people, goblins or other elves working for him or under his control without their knowledge.

“It must be dreadful to hear someone you trusted make a mistake like that,” she said “Do you really think a spy stole the manuscript?”

“I wouldn’t think it’s likely, but these days, anything is possible. Next time I’ll have to hire my own team of proofers and insist they complete their work in a more secure location.”

Favorite Scenes

“looks like you have the bigger half.” Julius said. “That means you get to make a wish.”

‘A wish?” Holly replied. “What need have I for a wish?” 

“I’m fine Julius,” she insisted. “You’ve already listened to me air my regrets a dozen times already.”

“And odds are I’ll listen to you air them a dozen times more, but that doesn’t make me any less willing.” 

How freaking cute! Just clutching my pearls over here at this scene

Kraz too assumed that her romance with Julius was without flaw. It embittered Holly a little bit, but she said nothing to contradict her, for it was a delusion born from Kraz’s own loneliness

I can understand why Holly would be upset about someone assuming her relationship was perfect with Julius, especially when they are at odds with one another. Kraz may have been lonely but I don’t believe that is why she believed that Holly and Julius were without flaws, I think she saw them together. How caring Julius is for Holly and how even Holly cares for Julius when they are fighting or miscommunicating

“Do you really think so little of me?” Holly asked.

“Low expectations of others are what’s kept me alive all these years.” Jaina replied 

Girl, same. I feel like I have always said “expectations lead to hurt feelings” So I totally understand where Jaina is coming from. Why put yourself through the hope and let down when you can lower your expectations. 

Favorite Quotes

“Holly, I can’t… I can’t imagine how I used to endure life’s daily trials and challenges before I had you by my side.”

“We shall endeavor to reach the Crimson Sand Keys and learn more about the ancient Greenspire Dynasty’s magic… even if it means marching straight into our graves”

Zeljo, always the optimist. He just makes me laugh 

“If there’s one thing I know about you, it’s that you cannot bear to live with your questions unanswered,” he said “But now, for the first time in your life, you’re face to face with the true risk of what seeking those answers will entail.”

I just love how Julius understands Holly’s mind

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