Early Review: So This is Ever After by FT Lukens
So This Is Ever After
by F.T. Lukens
Release Date: March 29, 2022
So this is an idiots to lovers/soulmates story about a couple of oblivious dumbasses who take forever to realize how the other one feels. Arek is the Chosen One; 17 years old and prophesied to overthrow the “Vile One”. Matt is Arek’s best friend, his mage, and his secret crush. The story begins at the fulfillment of the prophecy and shows us what comes after “The End.” This is a single POV, hilariously narrated in the first person by Arek.
This was charming and sweet and just really fun. I think the best point of reference for understanding the tone of this book is Season 2 of Miracle Workers (Dark Ages), the TBS show with Daniel Radcliffe. That has the exact same ‘Modern-style Characters in an Old-style World’ feel and the same deadpan parodic comedy style. That they felt so contemporary despite living in a world that could have existed a thousand years ago made them easily relatable. The language they use and the attitudes they have are so completely incongruous with the world they are in, and that just made it all the funnier. ‘King Arthur meets Simon Snow’ is also a good way to describe the premise, and Arek himself. (I might also throw in a *touch* of The Princess Bride.) The characters were my favorite part of the book; the whole cast is charming, lovable, and hilarious.
So This Is Ever After upends many of the expectations that are typical of this kind of story. (But follows many others.) Just like with Miracle Workers, this is more like watching LARPers enact an extended fantasy sequence or listening to gamers in an MMORPG than reading a period/fantasy book. The language is contemporary but the writing is also so self-aware that the characters even refer to romance and fantasy tropes and famous fairytales in their own story.
“We should find the princess.”
I furrowed my brow. “Isn’t she locked in a tower?”
“I think we need to wake her from an eternal slumber.” Bethany asked. “With true love’s kiss?”
“I think that’s a different quest.” Lila dropped her sack, the contents clanging. “Doesn’t she have to let down her hair?”
“No,” Sionna said. “We have to guess her name.”
“You’re all wrong.” Matt waved his hand. “We just need to let her out.”
“Well, that doesn’t sound right,” Bethany said, hands on her hips. “Are you sure?”
The romance aspect of the book is very sweet, though the run-up to the resolution felt a bit drawn-out. Arek longs for an opportunity to tell Matt how he feels but those opportunities keep getting thwarted. There is much angst and yearning. By the end, it’s legitimately painful watching these doofuses make themselves miserable because of wrong assumptions and self-sacrifice. But that’s only because Lukens has made us love them so much. (Side note: the romance is very age-appropriate; Arek and Matt are 17 and there is only ever kissing, and it comes towards the end of the book.)
The universe is one where queerness and fluid sexuality is completely normalized; many of the characters are casually implied to be not straight and it is never an issue. Everyone is unquestionably accepted for who they are. It also included smart women in powerful positions and a fairly diverse cast. I especially loved the subtle messaging about kindness, humility, and doing good for others.
I’ve never read anything by this author before (In Deeper Waters is on my TBR) but I am now a fan of FT Lukens. The writing is funny as hell. I really enjoyed reading this. Can’t wait to see what they do next.
Many thanks to NetGalley and to the publisher for providing the digital arc.
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