Look, I know what you're thinking. "Jordan, this is a fantasy romance with a Bachelor-style premise. Why are you reviewing this?" And honestly? Fair question. But here's the thing - when a book opens with twenty brides competing for a fae prince and promises that the competition "turns deadly," my horror-adjacent brain perks right up. Shirley (my cat, not Jackson) gave me a judgmental look when I started this one. She was right to be skeptical. And also wrong.
Because Bec McMaster does something sneaky here. She wraps what could be a fluffy romantasy in genuine menace. The Court of Dreams isn't just pretty set dressing - it's a place where wrong moves get you killed, and Zemira Az Ghul knows it. She's a thief bound to a Wraith King, sent to steal a relic called the Dragon's Heart while pretending to be bride material. The setup is pure heist-meets-romance, and at three and a half hours, it doesn't overstay its welcome. The Last Wish pulls off a similar trick with short-form fantasy storytelling that respects your time.
When the Danger Actually Lands
I'm picky about stakes. Horror has trained me to spot when a story promises danger but delivers cotton candy. McMaster doesn't fully commit to the darkness - this isn't grimdark by any stretch - but there's an undercurrent of genuine threat that kept me engaged. The other brides aren't just catty competitors; some of them might not survive. And Zemira's situation with the Wraith King? That's not romantic tension, that's captivity with magical chains. The book knows the difference.
The romance with Prince Keir builds slowly, which I appreciated. He's not immediately trustworthy (good, because no one in fae courts should be), and Zemira's torn loyalties feel earned rather than manufactured. When she has to choose between freedom and her heart - yeah, it's a romance novel beat, but the groundwork is there.
Rachael Beresford Gets It
Here's where I have to be honest: I couldn't find much about Beresford's other work before listening. But based on this performance? She understands the assignment. Her Zemira has an edge to her - not quite cold, but guarded. The kind of voice that makes you believe this woman has been surviving dangerous situations her whole life.
The pacing is solid. At 3 hours 35 minutes, this is basically a long commute or two gym sessions, and Beresford keeps the energy up without rushing the quieter moments. Some reviewers mentioned her accent being hit-or-miss for them, and I get it - narrator accents are deeply personal. For me, it worked. She differentiates the characters clearly enough that I never lost track of who was speaking, which is more than I can say for some fantasy audiobooks with twice the production budget.
One thing I noticed: she leans into the tension during the court scenes. The paranoia, the watching-your-back energy - it comes through in her delivery. That's not easy to pull off without going full melodrama, and she threads the needle.
The Romance Readers Will Love This (Horror Fans, Adjust Expectations)
I need to be real with you. If you're coming to this expecting horror, you'll be disappointed. The "deadly competition" is more thriller-lite than anything that would make my podcast. But if you're a horror fan who occasionally wants something lighter with just enough edge to keep things interesting? This hits that spot.
The romantic elements are well-done - sweet when they need to be, tense when the plot demands it. McMaster knows her genre and delivers exactly what readers of romantasy want. The fae court politics are present but not overwhelming, and the heist elements add a layer of fun that pure romance sometimes lacks. That blend of fantasy politics and adventure reminds me of Wizard's First Rule, though McMaster keeps things considerably lighter.
My podcast listeners probably won't find this one in their rotation. But my librarian colleagues who devour romantasy during their lunch breaks? I've already recommended it to three of them.
Who Should Listen (And Who Should Skip)
Romantasy fans who want a quick, competent heist with genuine stakes and a slow-burn romance - this is your book. Horror purists looking for something to keep you up at night? Keep scrolling through my other reviews.
Would I Listen in the Dark?
Didn't need to. This isn't that kind of book, and it doesn't pretend to be. I listened while shelving returns at the library (yes, we still have those) and during a rainy Sunday morning with coffee. Perfect vibes for both.
Shirley remained unimpressed throughout. But she's a cat. Her standards are impossible.
