I love these books, they are so much fun but also full of heart. At the heart of everything Sam does is her friends and family; she is far more eager to help people than for fame or fortune. Unfortunately, there’s just too many people in need of saving, especially when she has powerful enemies. Still, there’s time for a bit of fun; a glamourous ball with her boyfriend and best friend.

Combined with the royal tour, the hunt for her great-grandmother’s potion diary takes Sam all over this richly imagined world. I’ve been enviously following Amy’s travels via her Instagram and many of the far flung places she’s visited lately form the basis for Sam’s adventures. I liked that the story talked about the impact on different cultures by those who feel they can come in, take what they want and leave.

There’s plenty of characters from the first book making a reappearance and it’s great to see this kind of fantasy where characters’ morals aren’t so black or white. I'm so glad the ending implies there will be another book!