I received this book for free from Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Ida’s father went missing without a trace seven years ago, last seen at the court of the enigmatic Night King, which comes to life only after dark with magic and revelry.

So when a position opens up for a new court Luminaire, Ida doesn’t hesitate. She inherited her gift for enchantments from her father—and with this position, she’ll use it to find him again.

Ida is swept into the king’s collection of magical beings, those who bring light and entertainment to the Court’s midnight gatherings—and swept away by the Court, where faerie gardens edge into underwater masquerades, dreaming revels offer blissful escapes, and life is a mesmerizing euphoria.

Yet a sinister thread interrupts Ida’s nights of decadence. Memories go missing, the castle’s magic takes on a malevolence, and Ida can’t seem to leave the boundaries of the court itself.

Enlisting the help of the king’s breathtakingly beautiful daughter Lenore, Ida must unravel the castle’s secrets… before this enchanted world destroys her.

Short and Sweet Review

Ida has spent seven years wondering what happened to her father after he vanished at the mysterious Night King’s Court. When a position opens for a new Luminaire, she uses her candle magic to earn a place there, hoping to uncover the truth. But once inside the dazzling world of midnight revels, magical beings, and endless celebrations, Ida realizes something darker is hidden beneath the beauty—memories are disappearing, the court feels impossible to leave, and her father’s disappearance may be tied to something far more dangerous than she imagined.

This was a beautifully atmospheric YA fantasy that leans heavily into mystery, grief, and self-discovery. The strongest part of the book was easily the setting. The Night King’s Court felt dreamy, eerie, and mesmerizing all at once. From enchanted gardens to underwater masquerades and elaborate midnight celebrations, the world had a whimsical quality that made it easy to get pulled in. There was always this sense that something magical and unsettling was happening just beneath the surface.

I also really liked Ida as a main character. She isn’t the typical overpowering fantasy heroine, but instead relies on creativity, determination, and emotional resilience. Her candle magic was one of the most unique parts of the story, and I loved how her abilities tied into illusion and enchantment rather than brute strength. More than anything, Ida’s journey is rooted in grief and the desperate hope of finding answers about her father, which gave the story a lot of emotional weight.

The side characters were another highlight. Lenore was intriguing from the start, and I enjoyed the slow-building connection between her and Ida. Their relationship was subtle and sweet without taking over the main plot. Vegard also added a lot to the story, and together the trio had strong found-family energy that made the quieter character moments really enjoyable.

My main issue was that some of the worldbuilding and magic system felt a little vague. The atmosphere was stunning, but I sometimes wanted clearer explanations about how everything worked. There were also themes involving identity and relationships that felt interesting but could have been explored more deeply. The pacing is definitely slower, so readers looking for nonstop action may find it more gradual than expected.

Overall, this was an enchanting and thoughtful fantasy with a strong emotional core. It’s less about action and more about unraveling secrets, healing from loss, and finding yourself in a world designed to distract and consume you. If you enjoy whimsical settings, character-driven fantasy, and stories with a quiet sense of mystery, this one is worth picking up.