Publisher's Weekly Review
Beaty's engrossing debut introduces 16-year-old Sage Fowler, who is sent to apprentice with a matchmaker, Darnessa Rodelle, after her Uncle William declares her unmatchable. Sage is initially livid about this turn of events, but she realizes that the apprenticeship might be her ticket to freedom. Soon, Mistress Rodelle, Sage, and a bevy of brides-to-be set off on a monthlong journey to the capital city of Tennegol, where the girls hope to be matched, with Capt. Alexander Quinn and his soldiers as escorts. When a plot to overthrow the king is discovered, Quinn seeks to use Sage as a spy. The frippery of matchmaking provides an enticing counter to the treachery; Sage is outspoken, smart, and determined to make her own way, though all bets are off after she meets the intriguing Ash Carter. This is an action-packed, expertly plotted story, drenched in double crosses and intrigue, with an irresistible heroine and a sweet and sexy romance. A late-breaking twist gives way to a final act that will leave readers eager for subsequent books in this planned trilogy. Ages 14-up. Agent: Valerie Noble, Donaghy Literary. (May) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
Horn Book Review
Sixteen-year-old Sage isn't very ladylike--not marriage material--but her powers of observation are outstanding. Working as a matchmaker's apprentice, Sage finds herself in romantic entanglements as well as political ones when she's recruited as a military spy. In Beaty's debut novel, a complex snarl of alliances set the tale's stage, and well-wrought espionage tradecraft powers the clever plot twists. (c) Copyright 2018. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Kirkus Review
Marital and martial matters collide when brides and spies become ensnared in a treasonous plot. A matchmaker's apprentice, 16-year-old Sage Fowler accompanies a bevy of noble brides on their way to the quinquennial Concordium. Not a bastarddespite her botanical namebut an orphaned poor relation, the unmarriageable, white Sage cannily observes servants and ladies until her spycraft catches the attention of the military and the mysterious, "dusky"-complexioned Ash Carter. The brides' escort of royal soldiers (and incognito royalty) provides protectionand also seeks to stop an impending revolt by disgruntled nobles and a raid by desperateif one-dimensionally barbaricKimisar bandits. Soon, Sage and the soldiers must save the brides, the prince, and the kingdom. As indicated by cuisine and clothing, Demora is a pre-industrial, vaguely European nation bound by marriage and divided by class. Sage is a clever, contrary female protagonist who remains realistic and likable, while her fellow protagonist Ash is enigmatic enough to require a second read. Debut author Beaty overcomes a pedestrian fantasy premise and built world through her complex characterization, deftly layered adventure story, and balanced blend of political maneuvering, romantic interludes, and action scenes. This is one series opener that really merits a sequel. Both epic and intimate, a semi-old-fashioned alternative to the wave of inexplicably lethal superheroines and their smoldering love triangles. (Adventure. 14-adult) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Booklist Review
Sage's guardian wants to marry her off, but her meeting with matchmaker Darnessa goes awry and Sage ends up working as her assistant rather than becoming one of her clients or so it seems. Due to rumors of unrest, Darnessa's future brides are escorted by soldiers to the country's largest matchmaking fair, the Concordium. That trip introduces Sage to the elusive Ash Carter, and when Sage uncovers a treasonous plot, they must work together to stop it. Can they trust each other when neither is what he or she seems? Beaty's debut is a delightful entry in the romance genre that offers a variation on the female soldier and the idea of matchmaking. Sage and Ash are two halves of a whole, each spying for their respective bosses and each unable to resist their growing attraction to one another. Supporting characters recede for the most part, but this duo is pure fun to follow. There are heartbreaks and losses along the way, but they are handled simply and softly, and everything is leavened with humor.--Welch, Cindy Copyright 2017 Booklist
