This was the first time I had a hard time getting into an A.G. Howard book, and I'm not sure why, but I ended up loving it! A.G. never disappoints -- I have loved every book so far! Also, I highly recommend the audiobook format.

I picked this book up on a whim (the cover got me!) and was very pleasantly surprise! This turned out to be such an amazing and unique story! I highly enjoyed it! This is a true fairy tale with a happy ending so if you're in the mood for that this is the book for you. The world building is lush and beautiful along with satisfying characters development. I love this book! I'm sure to love it even more when I reread this again.

From the very beginning, the lush and enthralling writing of Stain captivated me and didn't let go until the end. With a very unique twist on a fairy tale and a world so vivid I felt literally transported to it, there was no way this wouldn't become one of my new favorite books. I feel like the synopsis gives too much of the story away, so I will just say this is a story of two kingdoms, divided long ago into day and night. Nerezeth, the night kingdom has gotten not only the moon, but the cold and winter and the creatures of the night. Eldoria, the day kingdom has gotten the sunlight and spring and birds. But each kingdom has its problems due to the lack of balance that has governed their worlds for centuries. Until one day, an unusual princess is born in the kingdom of Eldoria. A princess with skin almost blue as moonlight, with white long lashes and lavender colored eyes. A princess who can see in the dark, where her eyes turn amber and who will burn if her skin comes into any contact with the sunlight. Because of the beautiful song that comes out of her vocal cords instead of the cry of a baby, her king father gives her the name of Lyra. There is a prophecy surrounding Lyra's birth: a prophecy that says that she and the prince of Nerezeth, a prince that is made of sunlight born to a world of night; will bring the balance back to both worlds. It is a beautiful tale of strength, friendship, found families and love. A story of finding one's true self and conquering it, before conquering the world. It is a slower sort of read, and at times it tips the balance more towards descriptive writing than I would have normally liked, but every word is so well put, almost every character so well developed and interesting, a world with so many details and things to be learned about. I am not normally one for re-reads, but this is definitely a world I would like to revisit often.