When true love’s kiss woke Princess Helena from her cursed sleep, she was supposed to marry her childhood best friend. But while she slept, he actually married someone else. Helena sets out to find her own way, which begins with joining a certain famous bandit who lives in the woods.

Erin Halbmaier gallantly borrows from Robin Hood’s riches to begin Arrows and Gems with a twist, delivering the adventure and emotional beats of a fairy-tale retelling. This adds lore and builds on the magic system established in previous books of the Roumaterra Chronicles series of retellings. Arrows and Gems, however, is lighter on action than many Hood stories, focusing on politics and relationships for a satisfying addition to one’s library of fairy tale retellings.

Arrows and Gems is a book 4, yet can be read independently of the other books.

Best for: Teen and young-adult fans of fairy tale or classic story retellings, fantasy readers who enjoy strong romance subplots.

Discern: Light fantasy violence, a few kisses between couples, fantasy magic.

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