Read of the Week: All That Glows by Ryan Graudin

Emrys—a fiery, red-headed Fae—always embraced her life in the Highlands, far from the city’s draining technology, until she’s sent to London to rejoin the Faery Guard. But this isn’t any normal assignment—she’s sent to guard Prince Richard: Britain’s notorious, partying bad boy and soon-to-be King. The prince’s careless ways and royal blood make him the irresistible for the dark spirits that feed on mortals. Sweet, disheveled, and alive with adventure—Richard is one charge who will put Emrys’s magic and heart to the test.

When an ancient force begins preying on the monarchy, Emrys must hunt through the London’s magical underworld, facing down Banshees, Black Dogs and Green Women to find the one who threatens Richard’s life. In this chaos of dark magic, palace murders and paparazzi, Emrys finds herself facing an impossible choice. For despite all her powers, Emrys has discovered a force that burns brighter than magic: love.

It is rare that I express my cover love, but I have to say that All That Glows really does make a statement with that beautiful little frontal number.

Aside from it’s gorgeous cover, A lot of people are speculating that this book is going to be a historical read based on the summary provided, but do not be fooled, this is in no way a historical young adult novel. Not even close.

I’m having a hard time trying to think of things to say about All That Glows, and there’s been about fifteen minutes of me staring at my keyboard with no clue of where to send my ravenous little fingers. So, that means it’s taken me fifteen minutes to realize why I’m having such a hard time trying to figure out something to say about this book.

I am feeling indifferent. Impassive.

All That Glows, with all respect, is not a bad book, nor is it a bad story, but it is not bold, and despite being something a little twisted when it comes to the Fae world, it just doesn’t stand out. Something about the way the story was written and upheld makes me think that Graudin was holding back from taking plot risks. There wasn’t one moment where I was surprised or befuddled and that was because, if you so choose to sit back and think it through, All That Glows can actually be entirely predictable, and it’s rather quite fun, if you’re into that sort of masochistic book spoiling thing. And I’m not(I so am). I am personally a fan of books that lead you on unexpected journeys and thrive with the unanticipated. A lot of the story line in All That Glows, though, just didn’t have this and never gave me that on-the-edge feel that we love so much when it comes to reading only the best of stories.

All That Glows is what I like to call a simply supernatural read. Meaning, that while All That Glows centers Fae and otherworldly creatures existing within our realm, there isn’t anything at all intricate, or, well, extravagant, about what you’re reading. Cute and simple. No strings attached kind of book.  While this can work out more times than not, I find that the paranormal genre is better off without all the shortcuts, because isn’t it fun being exposed to all the complicated? I think yes.

Something else that kept me from hopping on board the little fairy train was the lack of events happening during the course of the novel. Of course, yes, we have the action and the romance and the blah blah blah, but, as odd as it may sound, a lot of it felt passive. I didn’t feel like I was living through any of that, I felt like I was watching it happen from an out of body experience. Nothing was palpable, and most of the events going on really weren’t lived, they just happened. Am I making sense? I don’t think I’m making sense.

Maybe this has something to do with me listening to Yaz as I’m writing this? Yes? Maybe. I figured.

Moving on, characters came off as bland and didn’t grow or benefit from the situation at hand all that much, me thinks.

Despite being what’s considered a dry YA para read, All That Glows is a good light supernatural read that has it’s quirks, but overall just wasn’t my cup of tea.

Rating: 6/10

**Thanks to Ryan Graudin and HarperTeen for the arc**