Review: Twinkle Twinkle Little Scars

Abigail Manning is one of the most prolific fairy tale authors in the market right now, so I jumped at the chance to read an ARC of the latest book from her inspired Once Upon a Rhyme series. Twinkle Twinkle Little Scars is a clever princess-themed interpretation of my favorite nursery rhyme that adds layers of depth behind the innocent childhood jingle. Set in a world where magic jewels are a hot-button issue, this original fairy tale features a princess who is not what she seems and a rogue who hides behind numerous identities to prevent the world from seeing his true self.

Princess Lyra has a big secret. By day, she's a model royal, following all the procedures her high status requires with grace and dignity. By night, she is the inventor, a mysterious supplier of magical tools powered by enchanted stones that are highly coveted on the black market. Her dealer is Stirling, a boy she met as a child when he snuck into the castle through her window and continued to do so for years to come. While this did make me question the security of her fortress, their late-night soirees were romantic and mysterious. If Lyra and Stirling didn't fall for each other, one of them would surely end up in prison.

Everything changes when Lyra's parents arrange a marriage for her with a foreign prince named Soren. On the night of her engagement ball, she and Stirling are kidnapped by a greedy band of thieves who want to take advantage of the inventor's skills. The only problem is that they don't know which of them is the inventor. Stirling takes the fall so Lyra can escape, but it isn't that easy since the villains refuse to let either of them go. This results in a "Rumpelstiltskin" type situation in which Lyra must do the work so Stirling can take the credit for the sake of their mutual survival.

This book's strong theme of identity is presented in a multi-faceted way. Lyra defines her secret identity by the scars covering her arms that she received from fearlessly working with unrefined magic stones despite the dangers they posed. Stirling's dissociative identities provide a challenge for Lyra to discover who he really is and to help him accept his true self. Even Prince Soren has a small arc, in which he must accept that love takes time and cannot be forced through political means.

Twinkle Twinkle Little Scars by Abigail Manning is a mesmerizing adaptation of a classic nursery rhyme, woven with intricate characters, complex relationships, and a richly detailed world. The story's exploration of identity, love, and self-acceptance adds depth and nuance to the fairy tale genre. With its engaging plot, memorable characters, and thought-provoking themes, this book is a must-read for fans of fantasy and romance. Manning's Once Upon a Rhyme series continues to delight with its creative reinterpretations of beloved childhood rhymes.