*I received a digital copy of this book on NetGalley for free in exchange for an honest review.*
Title: The Court That Bleeds Gold
Author: Zara Storm
Publisher: Independently Published
Publication Date: March 24, 2024
ISBN: 9798320764832
Synopsis:
“I can spin gold,” I lie. With my life at stake, I have no other choice. I get one chance to turn my lie into truth, and I’m shocked when I succeed. But now the cruel human king demands I become his wife—passing between his bed and being locked away in a tower, spinning gold until my last breath. My only way out is to summon him. A brutal Fae prince. The deal we strike is sickening, but it’s the only way I’ll live after I’m caught escaping. My new captor drags me back to his realm. A place of profound beauty and savage cruelties. As wicked fairies play sadistic games, the prince is my sole protector. He’s not just protecting me, though. He’s guarding his own secrets. I should hate him. But our pact shows me a side his court never sees. There is more behind his monstrous mask. I can’t stop myself from looking. Especially when I learn what he really wants with me.
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I have to admit something. I had no idea this was a self-published book before I read it, and having read it, I’m actually blown away to learn this fact while I’m writing this review. I have actively avoided reading “independently published” books for a decade now, simply because every time I’ve tried to read them, they have, without fail, been garbage. This is absolutely NOT the case for The Court That Bleeds. In fact, I was pleasantly and delightfully surprised to learn this fact and have read this story without knowing. I wouldn’t have given it a chance if I’d known in advance, but I’m glad that I was able to read this book and enjoy it without my own biases getting in the way.
White The Court that Bleeds isn’t the best dark fantasy/romance that I’ve read this year, it certainly holds its own. A unique story that draws on fairy tales like Rumplestiltskin and Beauty and the Beast, it tells the story of a maiden who makes a dark and irrevocable deal in a moment of desperation and finds herself whisked off to the fairy lands to fulfill her end of the bargain.
Strengths: this story has incredible world-building, particularly as it comes to the Seelie court of the fairy lands. The human realm could have used a bit more strength to really highlight the contrast between the poverty and near enslavement of the humans, in opposition to the wealth and beauty of the Seelie court. The Unseelie court is mentioned, but there is little description in this debut novel, so I expect this will unfold in the later books in the series. What we do see, especially within Ruskin’s palace, is a vivid description of beautiful architecture, parties, gardens, food, and excess. This place is dripping with luxury and Storm does an excellent job of enticing the reader into her world.
Where this book really lacked was in the overall dialogue and breadth of thinking for her protagonist. I found the main character to be flat and devoid of any true critical thinking skills. This ultimately drove the plot and the conflict, but I really struggle with characters who are not given the benefit of robust intellect (i.e. they fail because they were dumb, not because they didn’t try their hardest). Things just kind of happen to her, without her driving action through her own agency. She’s propelled through the story due to added plot devices, not her intrinsic motivation. This point is where I do struggle with independently published works. I think a lot of this could have been combatted and diminished by a seasoned editor to really guide some purpose into the protagonist.
But you know what? Overall, this novel was pretty fantastic considering it’s self-published. Though it’s not without its issues, it’s a different and interesting new series that hopefully will only get better as the plot moves forward.
Happy reading!
Worn Pages and Ink 