UNRAVEL

A deaf princess must use her magical gift to save her kingdom.

Princess Marguerite is gifted in Skeincraft—literally embroidering magic into fabric and thread. Unfortunately, her uncle leads a crusade against witchcraft, imprisoning and burning the accused. While saving a child from the witch hunt, she meets Tys, a handsome young man who also has a magical gift. Loken’s fantasy world feels European, including the religion, which borrows several ancient Greek deities and puts them into a Roman Catholic–inspired framework. Major characters are presumed White; Marguerite’s parentage on her father’s side is default White, and on her mother’s, Mirvray—an ethnic group that reads like a fantasy corollary of Roma people, including the prejudice they experience. Marguerite was born deaf and given magical hearing aids in the form of silver hair combs that do not work well. She uses speech, listening, and lip reading, but when she is introduced to Mirvray culture, in which deafness is more common, she discovers a signed language that was kept from her. Marguerite’s deafness is naturally woven into her characterization and realistically shown to have an impact on her life. Overall, this is a smooth, enjoyable read with a heroine who is both feminine and strong. The satisfying ending leaves just a few loose threads that will make readers hope for more.

A lovely tale for readers in search of magic, adventure, and romance.