If you enjoy a good set of deadly trials and a more traditional take on fae, this fantasy book is for you! I started reading it at lunch, then started it again immediately when I got home and finished it in one day.

The story starts in media res with our heroine Rosalind being forced to participate in Nature's trials. Every ten years, each Fae court must offer up a member who is paired up with a chosen human. They must compete together in deadly trials to repay Nature for all the evils that have been done to her. Rosalind has been selected as the human for the Winter Court and mysterious Aalto is her fae partner. For some reason, she doesn't remember much before being transported, but she soldiers on nonetheless.

I really enjoyed being dropped in the story knowing not much more than the main character, and learning along with her on this journey. I also loved the more traditional depiction of the fae in this: mysterious, devious, alien, and at times cruel. The dynamic between fae and humans is very interesting and I am excited to see more in the next book.

There is a particular twist that stabbed me right through the heart, but at the same time I don't know if I can trust that it is true. Perhaps I am just as suspicious of the fae as Rosalind.

I would say this could be read as upper YA/NA, provided attention is paid to the trigger warnings placed thoughtfully in the beginning of the book. I would also say there is almost no spice, just one scene with no explicit depictions.