Not all fairy tales end happily ever after in this Cinderella-inspired fantasy by the bestselling author of Daughter of the Moon Goddess—for fans of Renée Ahdieh, Tahereh Mafi, and Stephanie Garber.
Life in the Iron Mountains is harsh and unforgiving. After the death of her beloved uncle, Yining has survived by becoming a skilled thief and an even better liar. When she acquires an enchanted ring that holds the key to a brighter future, it is stolen by her step-aunt, and Yining must venture into the imperial heart of the kingdom to seize it back.
Amid the grandeur of the palace, Yining catches the eye of the ruthless and ambitious prince, who tempts her with a world she’s never imagined. But nothing is as it seems, for she’s soon trapped in a tangle of power, treachery, and greed—her only ally the cunning advisor from a rival court who keeps dangerous secrets of his own. To break free, she must unravel the mystery of her past and fight for a future that both frightens and calls to her.
This sweeping fantasy romance inspired by Cinderella and a Chinese fairy tale is the first in a breathtaking new series by the acclaimed author of Daughter of the Moon Goddess.
The series
In a world where fairy tales don't always end with happily ever after, Never Ever After by Sue Lynn Tan invites readers into a realm where magic, betrayal, and ambition collide in the most unexpected of ways. Inspired by timeless myths and reimagined with a fresh, captivating twist, this series transports us into a lush, intricately crafted landscape where ancient curses and powerful secrets lie just beneath the surface.
Read full series description
At the heart of the story is Yining, a resourceful thief whose fate is bound to a mysterious enchanted ring. Her once-simple life spirals out of control when the ring is stolen by her treacherous step-aunt, forcing Yining into the heart of a glittering, yet perilous imperial court. Here, where every glance hides a secret and every promise feels like a trap, she must navigate the dangerous politics of a royal family who will stop at nothing to get what they desire.
The prince she meets—a dark, ambitious figure—offers Yining a life of luxury and power. But his charm is only a veil for a ruthless ambition, and soon, Yining is caught in a game of shifting allegiances and treacherous plots. With the help of an enigmatic advisor from a rival court, Yining is drawn into a web of power and deception that threatens to destroy everything she holds dear.
What makes Never Ever After truly stand out is its seamless blend of rich world-building, complex characters, and an atmosphere teeming with mystery. As Yining’s journey unfolds, readers are swept into a spellbinding narrative where nothing is as it seems. The stakes are high, the tension thick, and the path to redemption fraught with danger.
This series is a must for fans of fantasy romance who crave stories where love and power collide in ways that are as unpredictable as they are thrilling. With its intricate plotting, richly developed characters, and themes of fate, betrayal, and self-discovery, Never Ever After promises to captivate from the first page to the last. Get ready for a tale where the magic is dark, the stakes are high, and the endings are never what you expect.
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