Review: Falling for the Trickster

Falling for the Trickster by Lucy Tempest was the seventh or eighth ARC I received from To Win a Dark Heart, a multi-author series of villainous fairy tale retellings. When I realized it was the first in the series and released this weekend, I bumped it up on my list. This is the perfect book to kick off the series since it directly follows the premise of combining two fairy tales and bringing two villains together without overcomplicating it by adding additional layers. The book is a retelling of "Rumpelstiltskin" and "The Goose Girl" with a heavier focus on "Rumpelstiltskin." It is a swoony fairy tale romance with relatable characters that takes place in a whimsical world of humans and fae.


Ottoline was frustrated by her life of servitude to the spoiled Princess Gertrude, who mistreated her so badly that a fae noble took pity on her. Roderick granted Ottoline the power to impersonate Princess Gertrude just in time to meet her betrothed, a prince from a kingdom with a perilous history. The princess's alliance was formed in the hopes that it would mend the rift between their two kingdoms, but the prince's father had other ideas. The wicked king took all his frustration with the kingdom's struggles out on the princess, forcing Ottoline to bear the burden meant for Gertrude and seek Roderick's help yet again for the impossible task of turning ordinary objects into gold.

This book adds just enough intrigue to the familiar tale of "Rumpelstiltskin" to make it feel fresh and original. Both characters have understandable motives and are not as villainous as their original fairy tale counterparts. Roderick seeks fair treatment for fae in the human realm, and Ottoline is reluctant to continue impersonating her mistress until she realizes how much Princess Gertrude would have been tormented by the wicked king. The romance that develops between them is similar to Cora's backstory in Once Upon a Time, with Ottoline requesting magic lessons to perform the task required of her by her own hand and bonding with Roderick in the process.

The ruthlessness of the king was a notable addition that tied this retelling together. In the original fairy tale, the king threatened to kill the miller's daughter if she did not provide enough gold, but he was presented as more ignorant and misguided than pure evil and is still accepted as the future princess's father-in-law by the end of the story. Here, there is no redemption for him, and it becomes clear that his demands of Ottoline are not out of greed but a sick desire to watch her suffer. This makes Roderick's desire to protect her all the more profound, allowing readers to root for them as a couple.

Falling for the Trickster is the perfect book to introduce To Win a Dark Heart, breathing new life into the classic tales of "Rumpelstiltskin" and "The Goose Girl." Lucy Tempest's whimsical world-building and relatable characters make for a swoon-worthy romance that's both fresh and familiar. With its blend of intrigue and heart, this book sets the stage for a series of dual fairy tale retellings that's sure to delight fans. Check out this newly released book, which is sure to become a favorite of the new year!
I have always dreamed of being a writer and creating the next great fairy tale princess heroine. Princesses inspire us to be our best selves. While you're here, feel free to follow my page on Facebook, subscribe to my YouTube channel, and check out my books. I'm also on Instagram and Twitter.

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