The Melody and the Master A Standalone Marriage of Convenience Fantasy Romance (The Book of All Things)

Sarah M. Cradit — 2022

Her song is death. His offer is life. Disappear into this twisty tale of a ruthless heir and the sheltered, gifted orphan he chooses as both his wife and his greatest weapon against a growing list of enemies. Siofra has lived her entire life in isolation, terrified of her unrestrained dark magic. Then the unthinkable happens, and she and her brother are imprisoned for murder. Before the law can deliver their punishment, the siblings are rescued by a mysterious benefactor, whisked away to a glamorous manor in the far north, where everyone treats them like a prince and princess. Shadowfen Hall, and the surrounding forest, keeps a wall between Desemir and his rivals. His lack of heir leaves him vulnerable, but to marry within his peerage would ignite the very coup he needs to avoid. Siofra and Desemir’s needs conveniently intersect. She needs protection for herself and her brother. He needs a wife and children to secure his legacy. If it all seems too good to be true, it is. Because everyone knows darkness can only be soothed, not contained. __ The Book of All Things is a series of standalone fantasy romance tales set in the vibrant, epic world first introduced by USA Today Bestselling Author Sarah M. Cradit in the Kingdom of the White Sea trilogy. The Melody and the Master is a marriage of convenience dark fantasy romance tale set in the Kingdom of the White Sea universe, with hints of Beauty and the Beast, Hades and Persephone, and Jane Eyre. It is the first story in the Darkwood Cycle of The Book of All Things.

Reviews

Selena-Marie Christian@books_cats_andchemistry_tt

Sep 30, 2022

The Melody and the Master Review

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5

Another 5 star read from Sarah M Cradit. I really enjoyed this book, especially the Beauty and the Beast elements. As you all know the fastest way to a bookworm's heart is to give them an entire library.

I have also found that my favorite romance appears to be Marriage of Convenience. I just love seeing the couple gradually fall in love with one another and boy did they fall hard.

This book is the fourth installment in the Book of All Things Standalone series and is the first in the Darkwood cycle. I was really happy that Siofra and Fen had happy endings after a not so happy beginning (🚨 Spoiler: Very happy that pig of a child got what he deserved real quick🚨). The nick names in this book are just the cutest like desi and Wolfie, I literally couldn't hold myself together when I read wolfie. It's too adorable.

I love the character development in Si as she gained for confidence in herself and decided she wanted to take more control of her life instead of depending on Fen to protect her. I happy then Fen learned that he has a life outside of protecting his sister, I also can't wait to see how his relationship with Pesh unfolds. I also liked the magic system of different hair and eye colour to differentiate between the different magical skills.

My poor sweet Desi, you deserve the world. You are nothing like your father. Des reminded me a lot of Anthony Bridgerton ( if you read the book that is) with his list of demands for a wife and not wanting to fall in love with said wife but finds that he can't resist her. I am really happy that Des was able to open up to Si about his past and that he can now heal from all the trauma his father has caused.

Overall a definite 10/10 read and the spice 🥵. You'll love it all, trust me.