The Lost Sisters

★★½ Alternate Title: Why it is acceptable for my womanising 'lover' to swindle my sister while I sit idle (did I mention my sufferings?)Spoiler-Free Summary: I believe this is either Taryn's letter to Jude or a rehearsal for the conversation in front of a mirror. Taryn narrates the events of [b: The Cruel Prince|26032825|The Cruel Prince (The Folk of the Air, #1)|Holly Black|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1574535986l/26032825._SY75_.jpg|45959123] from her point of view, explaining how Locke contacted her and why he did what he did with Jude. Overall, this is meant to be an apology, but it is actually a collection of weak excuses, justifications, and guilt-tripping.If you have read [b: The Cruel Prince|26032825|The Cruel Prince (The Folk of the Air, #1)|Holly Black|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1574535986l/26032825._SY75_.jpg|45959123] and are debating whether to read it or not, let me advice against it if:1. You would like to progress with the plot (this novella reiterates events from [b: The Cruel Prince|26032825|The Cruel Prince (The Folk of the Air, #1)|Holly Black|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1574535986l/26032825._SY75_.jpg|45959123] but from Taryn's perspective).2. Share my dislike for Taryn (or even characters like Donatella Dragna from the [b: Caraval|27883214|Caraval (Caraval, #1)|Stephanie Garber|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1465563623l/27883214._SY75_.jpg|45697227] by [a: Stephanie Garber|14137787|Stephanie Garber|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1437192619p2/14137787.jpg]).And above all:3: Have a strong moral compassThree things this novella contributed to:1. Added more reasons to dislike Taryn.2. Increased my degree of distaste for Locke.3. Intensified my love for Cardan.This is how it contributed:1. Added more reasons to dislike Taryn.As previously stated, no single word in these 30+ pages is an apology. Instead, she says this:"See, I am confessing everything." Taryn, you are guilt-tripping Jude with lame excuses instead of apologising.I must admit that I was biased against Taryn from the start because she gave off the same vibe as Donatella Dragna, which was only proven to be true (sisters who start the problem, leave their sisters to solve them, and then play victim), but this novella portrayed Taryn as worse than Tella. Tella at least tried to make up for her actions rather than telling Scarlet to forget them and act like a loving sister.2. Increased my degree of distaste for Locke.Stole his friend's girlfriend, cheated on her with Taryn, led to her twin sister, Jude, being blamed for their actions, and then cheated on Taryn with Jude while emotionally blackmailing her.No further explanation.3. Intensified my love for Cardan.The fact that even Prince Cardan, whom Taryn thought was the cruellest, disapproved of what Jude did to her sister demonstrates that Jude deserves an actual apology rather than a "here's what happened, now move on because I'm your sister," even by Cardan's standards.“You’re awful.” He said it as though he was delighted. “And the worst part is that you believe otherwise.”Taryn appropriately summarised in a sentence by her worst enemy. “I know what you did,” he drawled, voice low, not at all sounding like he was asking a question. “Wicked girl. Yet you let your sister take the brunt of my ire. That wasn’t very nice, was it?” Thank you, King, for being the only one who called her out.Honestly, I finished this book hoping for more of Cardan because he is far more entertaining than this 'apology.'I appreciate you reading my rant :)

A fun and interesting perspective from Taryn for what she did and why she made her decisions. A short and easy read.

3.5, still don't like Taryn