Blending the gothic and the romantic with a light touch, Page’s debut kicks off a duology centered on Estelle, a young woman in the kingdom of Eventide whose indentured service to a meat-pie seller is abruptly ended when she catches the eye of Dirk, a blind wizard who shuns daylight, grants wishes for a living, and clearly harbors dark secrets. Uncertain whether she’s a guest, servant, or captive, Estelle is brought to swank Nightingale Manor, where the staff proves welcoming—"Well, my dear, the best cure for a worried mind is a caring ear,” declares the lovable Berry. Readers won’t be too surprised to learn that beneath his (literally) frigid exterior, Dirk is both hurting and capable of love … or that in Estelle’s starlit aura, he sees something rare: hope.

While the novel is episodic and hefty in length, Page establishes all of this with brisk, chipper aplomb, quickly getting to the heart of the matter—the curse that Dirk has been suffering under ever since dabbling in necromancy to restore life to his beloved sister. Estelle quickly begins to find her place in the labyrinthine manor, studying herbs with the gardener and soon developing skills in magic, guided by Dirk himself. Unlike many romantasies that luxuriate in dark held-captive scenarios, Page eschews provocations as the leads lower their walls and discover each other. This choice, plus a disinterest in graphic spiciness, diminishes the tension somewhat but will please readers who prefer their fairy-tale fantasies upbeat and healthy.

The broader plot involves the machinations of wizards beneath the town of Bulbrook, plus Estelle and Dirk’s efforts to remove his curse and unlock the mysteries of Estelle’s soul. Characterization is lively and consistent, with antagonist wizard Fiorenza a particular delight. While the pacing flags somewhat in a second half involving Dirk’s alma mater and a wizards’ council, Estelle’s development into a confident woman, wielding magic and innovating new healing techniques, is a pleasure to witness.

Takeaway: Warmly romantic fantasy debut of a servant bought by a mysterious cursed wizard.

Comparable Titles: Tricia Levenseller’s The Shadows Between Us, Lauren Blackwood’s Within These Wicked Walls.

Production grades
Cover: B
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: A-
Marketing copy: B+