After loving the author's Wolf by Wolf, I decided to explore her backlist. This book, while very different from the action-packed alternate history Wolf by Wolf, looked interesting. I like stories involving the fae and like urban fantasies involving the fae.

Unfortunately, I found this book extremely shallow, both in characterization and plot. The focus was on the relationship between Emrys and Richard -- a relationship that, in truth, I found rather boring -- to the detriment of the much more compelling plot of a older fairy trying to destroy all humanity.

The world building was interesting, but the story was lackluster. ( )

Ever since Queen Mab's agreement with King Arthur, the royal humans have been protected by an invisible guard of her Fae. She rotates her favorite youngling, Embrys, on a protection detail for the brat prince, Richard - who loves his polo matches and nights in the pubs. It is during one of those nights when the steel, concrete and wi-fi of London make Embrys so weak that her magic fails and she becomes visible. Richard, being a gentleman, helps the obviously ill and very beautiful girl but when he touches her the blood magic, Mab's marker passed down in his veins, sparks between them. A spark that will change London forever.

I enjoyed how she worked the Fairy bits in. How they chose to become corporeal forms instead of spirit, how technology made them ill, etc. I also liked Richard's character arc. It's not a great masterwork but it's a fun afternoon's diversion. ( )

Tedious, rambling, overly long.

And as if that weren't enough, first person POV. ( )

I was quite excited for this one, a bit of cover lust and a I liked the plot idea, but after seeing some of the reviews I must admit my excitement did dwindle a little.

However, when I started reading I was pleasantly surprised to find out I really loved this book. I loved the world building the unique take on Fae magic mixed with Arthurian legend. I particularly liked the way the London setting worked so well.

As a UK resident I tend to get quite annoyed with fantasy novels with a London setting as there are lots of other cities and towns in the UK to set a novel in. But it worked really well in this case, and I really liked the take on the Royal Family. Respectable and likeable characters.

And Richard was quite swoon worthy from me. I felt his character grew immensely throughout the novel and turned into a fantastic hero. I also absolutely loved Emrys. Powerful but without being overly conceited about it. And it was really well done seeing her come apart as she began to fall for Richard. Her decisions twisted and turned to stay loyal to her Fae beliefs but also she couldn't deny how her feelings were changing.

The romance was swoony and not insta lovey. So big plus worked.

The narrative was beautiful.

I really did love this book and am looking forward to the next one. ( )

My dominating reaction while reading All That Glows? Meat! Where is the substance I say? Is there Romance - yes! But I need something more to attach onto. But perhaps that isn't totally true because sometimes now and then I enjoy a strictly romantic book. Sympathizing and liking the characters is very key for me though. Barring a somewhat lackluster love interest and some juvenile behaviors, which didn't make sense given supposed age (I'm confused here I tell you - I've seen this done before and in this case it didn't work for me), I pushed forward in hopes that there would be more to this story, because hey I love all things fey, but I'm sad to say I did in no way love this. Don't get me wrong it was not bad, just simply not my cup of tea.

There are many out there I'm sure that might love All That Glows where I did not. The setting is a good one, descriptions and writing style was good, but the chemistry wasn't there. So, yes of course this one will find it's audience and I could absolutely picture a few teenage girls I know really adoring it.

It's a lighter blustery read that won't have the cogs in your brain whirring because there isn't much to it past the romance. One might say, 'well many young adult books just focus on the romance,' but I would say, Wrrrrong. A lot of them still have excellent world building, strong main plot lines and just that bit of oomph that leaves you flipping the pages. I didn't get that here. Indeed I was left feeling like maybe I should give up. But I have a need to complete things!

I do think with more tweaking to the plot line and some fine tuning to the characters All That Glows could have been a much stronger book, and tried harder to break outside of the common tropes seen in young adult books. ( )