Book Review: One For All by Lillie Lainoff
[ID: A book with a brown haired white woman sword-fighting on the cover surrounded by swords and pink flowers.]
“We’re Musketeers. We are sisters in arms. We don’t let each other fall, and we never will.”
Let me introduce you to my most anticipated release of 2021 and one of my favorite reads of all time: ONE FOR ALL by Lillie Lainoff. I have been screaming about this book since I first knew of its existence and I almost died of excitement when I was approved for an ARC. Than you so much to NetGalley and the publishers for making my year with this review copy!
ONE FOR ALL is the book I’ve been wishing for: a gender bent classic retelling with a chronically ill heroine! Let me say it again: AN OWNVOICES CLASSIC RETELLING ABOUT CHRONIC ILLNESS! Not only that, but it contains even more of my favorite things:
- Swordfighting!!!
- Found family
- Powerful female relationships
- Epic fight scenes
- Wonderfully detailed historical setting
- Did I mention the heroine is chronically ill? And never gets magically cured?
I was terrified that this book wouldn’t live up to my expectations but I’m happy to say that it is just as wonderful and heartfelt as I could’ve wished! The portrayal of chronic illness was simply amazing. I found it deeply relatable, the kind of representation I’ve been longing for all my life.
I admit, I was a little disappointed with how the mystery played out, but it did end with one of the best fight scenes I’ve ever read. The romantic elements were also not completely satisfying to me. However, I absolutely loved the writing and the characters. ONE FOR ALL is a standalone read, but I’m ready for six sequels and a movie!
Long story short: this book is amazing and it deserves all the sword bouquets in the world. I need you all to add it to your TBR lists immediately! Watch out, in March of 2022 this book is going to rock your world!!!