Never Ever After

Overall Rating: 3/5

For my first novel by Sue Lynn Tan, I thoroughly enjoyed the way that the author has managed to spin the tale of Cinderella into something a bit more creative and a bit more like a Chinese drama. If you are looking for something that incorporates that classic fairytale retelling mixed with a lush, fantastical world and complex fantasy on top of it, Never Ever After is definitely something to add to your to-read list.

For the first half, I thought this was going pretty good, I was enjoying how Yining was trying to make a name for herself despite her step-aunt being overly repressive and trying to use Yining for her own advantages, trying to pass off our main character as a fake fortune teller so she can benefit and contribute to the thief ring the step-aunt has essentially forced our main character into.

I enjoyed seeing Yining then making a name for herself to some degree, establishing her own identity and getting to know the palace and the rumors that often bounce in palace walls... the magic there... and royalty.

I enjoyed the magic system especially as well and always love when authors can spin together such a creative system, and seeing it being put to use in the novel.

However, I really started having issues with the pacing and the way the story was moving in the second part. The first part seemed so slow, and I was so thoroughly invested, and then things just jumbled into a landslide with how quickly the plot began to just roll down a hill. Some parts felt odd to read where they were placed. Some parts were confusing to me and required another read to make sure I somewhat understood what just happened. Overall, I liked Never Ever After for the Chinese-inspired influence as well as the Cinderella-esque story, but this just didn't satisfy the itch as much as it should've.