Never Ever After
Contributors
By Sue Lynn Tan
Formats and Prices
- On Sale
- Oct 28, 2025
- Page Count
- 368 pages
- Publisher
- Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
- ISBN-13
- 9780316576208
Price
$19.99Price
$25.99 CADFormat
Format:
- Hardcover $19.99 $25.99 CAD
- ebook $12.99 $16.99 CAD
- Audiobook Download (Unabridged) $31.99
Buy from Other Retailers:
Order now and receive the SPECIAL FIRST EDITION while supplies last—featuring a designed case cover under the jacket and illustrated endpapers, in addition to shiny foil and embossing. This must-have special edition is only available in the limited first printing.
Life in the Iron Mountains is harsh and unforgiving. After the death of her beloved uncle, Yining has survived by becoming a skilled thief and an even better liar. When she acquires an enchanted ring that holds the key to a brighter future, it is stolen by her step-aunt, and Yining must venture into the imperial heart of the kingdom to seize it back.
Amid the grandeur of the palace, Yining catches the eye of the ruthless and ambitious prince, who tempts her with a world she’s never imagined. But nothing is as it seems, for she’s soon trapped in a tangle of power, treachery, and greed—her only ally the cunning advisor from a rival court who keeps dangerous secrets of his own. To break free, she must unravel the mystery of her past and fight for a future that both frightens and calls to her.
Never Ever After is the first in a breathtaking new fantasy romance series influenced by Chinese fairy tales from the acclaimed author of Daughter of the Moon Goddess.
Series:
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A New York Times Bestseller
An Indie Bestseller
A Kids Indie Next List Pick
A Goodreads Choice Awards Nominee
An Amazon Best Book of the Year – Young Adult -
"A satisfyingly complex and magical introduction to a new world."Kirkus Reviews
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"Tan brings her lush, detailed fantasy to a teen audience with this YA debut.... Sure to please fans of fairy tale retellings."Booklist
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“Never Ever After glitters, as bright and alluring as starfire and as deadly as the kingdom’s iron. I absolutely adored it and cannot wait for the sequel!” —Allison Saft, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Wings of Starlight
“Rich and layered and deliciously transportive, just like all my favorite fantasy books.” —Renée Ahdieh, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Wrath & the Dawn
“Tan has crafted a jewel of a fairy-tale retelling and each prism is lustrous with sinister wonder.” —Roshani Chokshi, New York Times bestselling author of the Gilded Wolves Trilogy
“A lush and effervescent, masterfully crafted fantasy.” —Elizabeth Lim, New York Times bestselling author of Six Crimson Cranes
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About the Author
Sue Lynn Tan is the award-winning author of the Celestial Kingdom series. Her books will be translated into seventeen languages and are USA Today and Sunday Times bestsellers. Find her online at suelynntan.com or on Instagram @SuelynnTan.
Peek the Audiobook
From NOVL Nation
“Sue Lynn Tan’s books are dangerous in the best way: once I start, I can’t put them down. Never Ever After isn’t just a Cinderella retelling: it’s a fierce, gorgeously written reinvention steeped in Chinese folklore, brimming with magic, court politics and lyrical prose that practically begs you to live inside it.”
– Jennifer, @williams_readalong
“Complete with a thief, a prince, and a mysterious ring, this is the fantasy that you need if you love royal backstabbing and family obligations. Perfect for these new chilly days if you’re looking for something cozy but not fall-coded!”
– Briana, Briana’s Book Nook
“Sue Lynn Tan is one of those authors that will never let me down. She always crafts such whimsical and magical settings and you feel like you could be right there. This was such a beautifully written story that I could not put down from the moment I started it. The political intrigue was great and I was left constantly second guessing everything I thought was happening. ”
– Brooke, @bookishbrookish_
“Inspired by the Chinese fairytale Yeh-Shen, Tan’s prose transports you to a lush palace of secrets, lies, and ambitious royals. Yining balances on a knife’s edge trying to fight her way out while protecting her heart.”
–Michaela, @thatbibliobabe
“Once I started Never Ever After I couldn’t put the book down. I just had to know where the story would take us and what a ride it was. From a competition, to several betrayals, to rescuing a princess trapped in a tower by a witch, to an open ending that will make you wish you had the second book, this is a sweeping fantasy you won’t want to put down.”
–Vanessa, A Bookish Archive
“This book truly kept me on my toes, and I never knew what to expect next! Def pick this up if you enjoy love triangles, rivals to lovers, betrayals, fairytale retellings, and unique magic systems!”
–Leanne, @lennylovesbooks3
“This was a surprising action/adventure read with a lot of twists and turns. The plot moves quickly with danger/peril and intrigue around every corner.”
–Olivia, @onemused
“The writing is so whimsical and felt timeless… This story brought me back to my childhood, but with fresh eyes. “
–AJ, @maybebetweenpages
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