Book Review: Tale of Lilies by Noelia Acuña Perdomo
Tale of Lilies by Noelia Acuña Perdomo
ARC Review: Thank you to NetGalley and Troubador Publishing for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Published: April 28, 2025
Genres: Young Adult // Fantasy, Romance
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4.5 rounded up)
Spice Rating: 🌶️ (Tension & Kisses)
Quick Thoughts: Tale of Lilies felt like escaping into a fairy tale with a beautiful slow-burn romance. The setting was whimsical and gorgeous, the pacing was spot-on, and the romance felt authentic and well-paced. This one won’t have your heart pounding non-stop, but is a good book if you’re looking for a cozier fantasy to read!
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Sexual Assault
Death of family member (off page)
Grief
Violence/Blood
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Elemental Magic
Hidden Identities
Royal Court Setting
Magic Based on Goddesses
Whimsical Settings
What is Tale of Lilies About?
Here’s a spoiler free synopsis:
When twenty-year-old Delaira enters a life-changing raffle, she seeks not only escape from her haunting past but also a glimpse beyond her quiet fishing village. What she finds instead shatters expectations: dangerous rebels, a capricious princess, and political schemes drawing her into a journey she never imagined. At its core is a boy with caramel eyes and a name as elusive as the wind, leading her into a world where magic transcends her mother’s bedtime tales.
As truth and deception blur, Delaira must confront the myths and legends shaping her crumbling reality. Bound by love, loyalty, and awakening ancient powers, she embarks on a path that could reshape not just her destiny but the entire kingdom’s future.
"Once upon a time, when the sun was emerald and the moon its companion, the world thrived in enchanting harmony. Earth was the shared realm of Goddesses and humans alike, a tapestry woven by magic and love."
My Initial Take
Even after reading the synopsis before reading, I had no idea what to expect. The story is slow-burn and took me by surprise.
The way I immediately scoured the author's social media profiles after I finished hoping to find an announcement for a second book! I absolutely loved every single minute I spent reading Tale of Lilies.
Tale of Lilies Review
What if you met a stranger who told you that the fairy tales you heard growing up had some truth to them?
This is exactly the situation our FMC Delaira finds herself in when she wins a raffle to work for the Crown and leaves her small fishing village for the very first time to start her new life in the big city of Astelena. During her journey to the city, she meets Acoran, a mysterious boy who helps her learn the truth behind the tales she's always believed and the magic that could completely reshape her kingdom.
The setting was whimsical and gorgeous, the pacing was spot-on, and the romance felt authentic and well-paced. The writing itself is beautiful and evocative. Every detail felt purposeful and transported me into the world alongside the characters without saying too much and dragging on.
I also really appreciated the minimal world-building up front. There's no info-dumping, just pieces of information, lore, and even poetry woven throughout the story. Since Delaira is adjusting to life beyond her quiet village, we're discovering Astelena and her kingdom's secrets right along with her. It all felt so organic and added this wonderful layer of mystery that kept me hooked. However, if you do enjoy large amounts of world-building in the beginning of a story, the structure of this book may not be your jam.
Even though Delaira is experiencing life outside her hometown for the first time, she's far from being a weak or naive FMC. She's feminine but strong and street smart, which felt so refreshing. She consistently made smart decisions and could hold her own. Her character development throughout the book felt genuine and earned. As for side characters, I'm hoping we get to see more of that found family that emerged in the second half.
Last but not least, the romance was beautifully done. It had genuine tension, undeniable chemistry, and development that felt completely organic. Acoran is honestly the definition of a man written by a woman. He was tender, sweet, and oh so flirty.
So, should you read Tale of Lilies?
100%, yes, yes, yes! If you're interested in a story that feels like escaping into a fairy tale with a beautiful romance, pick this book up!
However, if you're looking for a heart-stopping, thrilling fantasy with intense battle scenes or plot twists every few chapters, this might not be your cup of tea.
Check out this review on Goodreads or Storygraph.
Happy reading!
Kim
Tale of Lilies FAQs
Some of the answers may be spoilers if you haven’t read it already. Proceed with caution!
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I haven’t seen an answer of whether Tale of Lilies a standalone or not. The ending wraps everything up nicely but still leaves room to explore the story more in later books.
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Tale of Lilies is a 1 🌶️ with just yearning, tension, and kisses.