Review: Never Ever After

Book information

Title: Never Ever After

Author: Sue Lynn Tan

Genre(s): Fantasy, Young Adult, Romance, Retellings, Fairy Tales

Publisher: Hodderscape

Published: October 28, 2025

Where to buy: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Bookshop.org

Rating: 4 out of 5

*I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.*

Quick Recommendation

Perfect for people who search for a compelling fantasy read where the romance isn't too much in the focus. It might be medium-paced but the world-building wouldn't have been so impressive as well as the explanations to the magic if it wouldn't have been for the medium pace. As the story progresses one gets to know three Kingdoms (Mist Island, Iron Mountains and Thorn Valley) as well as the magic system that is very intriguing. The love-triangle is unique from others as it has no obvious winner, making one wonder who will captivate Yining's heart at the end. What makes it even more interesting is that both male leads are morally grey which makes them both loveable for not being perfect. The reader never gets bored as there is a big adventure waiting for them. Romance isn't the big focus but political intrigues are which makes the relationships between the characters more tense. One doesn't know who to trust, it's all feels not only unsafe for Yining but also for the reader. There are lots of betrayals, broken promises and somebody wicked all amongst them. It reads exactly like a young adult book even if there are heavier themes, it never oversteps it.

If you're hoping to read something romantic then this book will not be for you as it's focus almost only lays in the fantasy, the world-building as well as the characters and lastly the political intrigues. There is definitely still romance, but it's extremely subtle and a slow-burn, not blooming any time soon. I think the author wanted to focus more on the characters developments, their relationships (not just romance) and their conflicts. Thus making it a good match for people who prefer plot-driven stories as well as character-driven stories, as it's well mixed, not outbalancing the other. Same goes for the romantasy, while the fantasy has a stronger focus the romance isn't gone, it just develops slower so that the characters can develop on their own without it.

Themes include dragons, betrayal, finding family and home — a place to belong, fighting for oneself, court politics, slow-burn romance, Cinderella re-telling, hidden powers, the desire for power and its destructive nature, magical objects and classism.

Yining's personality reminded me a lot of Yona of the Dawn.

Introduction

This read was not what I expected. It positively surprised me!

At first I thought it would mainly focus on the romance and the fantasy but that wasn't the case. The romance was very subtle, barely noticeable. There were definitely more intimate moments, but the love-triangle made it uncertain where the romance might lead. It wasn't obvious who the winner would be out of this, making it more intense than most love-triangles. 

In focus were the fantasy elements as well as a political intrigues that made the atmosphere tense. There were so many plot twists, especially near the end which made this read even more compelling. Every time I thought I know everything there was to be known I was wrong.

Cinderella re-telling

Unfortunately, I wasn't able to find the elements of the Cinderella re-telling that was promised to me. There was an evil step-aunt and losing something and trying to get it back is included as well, just like Cinderella lost her shoe. Overall though it wouldn't really have been noticeable to me if one wouldn't have told me that it is supposed to be a Cinderella re-telling. It might be possible that the re-telling is from a different Cinderella version than I know. Sometimes Chinese media likes to make their own versions instead of just simply adapting the same like others, so there is a possibility that I'm just not familiar with their version of Cinderella which made the re-telling aspect fell flat for me.

Characters

Yining

Yining was fierce, fighting for herself. She was also quick to lie and deceive others to get what she wants. I sometimes thought that she was a bit too much, but at the same time I couldn't think of another way to portray a character that was left alone in the world like she was. Yining had no one she could rely on, her only strength was to fight to get what she wants and what she wanted was freedom, respect and finding her family that she lost when she was younger. Her rage was thereof understandable. She was betrayed and used for advantage way too often. Yining doesn't want to be the second choice any longer, not somebody to be laughed at. She showed them all what she was capable of, she wasn't the type of girl to weep about her misery. Yining fought back and that's exactly why I liked her. Her personality was perfect for this type of story, a story full of betrayal and tension.

Lord Jin-Yong

Jin was one of the two male leads who were morally-grey. He was so similar to Yinying sometimes that I thought they would end up at some point, but many plot twists later I wasn't so sure about this any longer. What I liked about him was that he was so complex that he wasn't just simply a saviour or somebody who betrayed others — he was much more. He was likable and yet so hateable at the same time, he was morally-grey. I personally think romance stories are boring if the male lead is perfect. I kinda want them to be a walking red flag but yet not being completely sinked in with the red. I want them to be complex, more human.

Prince Zixin

I'm not entirely sure what to write about that character. I liked his backstory and how he was a perfect example of how the body and mind changes over time if exposed to too many bad influences. Some wither, some become strong and some others become the same thing they very much hated to become. Speaking of complexity, he definitely won that contest. He's confusing, but at the same time it's so clear what his motives are. The confusing part is how he switches his choice like his shoes in the morning. Did I like him? Probably not. Will I like him in the future? Probably.

Final thoughts

What I liked the most was the setting. I received a beautiful world-building. Another thing I received were political intrigues which I seem to enjoy in fantasy reads a lot. And of course the royalty aspect, which I almost always devour when I find one.

I'm glad that I gave this one a chance as it was much more than I initially expect from it. Looking forward to read the rest of the series!