Tag Archives: Fae

Down Among the Sticks and Bones by Seanan McGuire

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview

Title: Down Among the Sticks and Bones
Author: Seanan McGuire
Series: Wayward Children #2
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Fae, Fantasy, Mystery, Young adult
Pace: Fast
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2017

Thoughts

Jack and Jill absolutely intrigued me in Every Heart a Doorway, they were not quite evil, but not quite good. And both were able to surprise me again and again throughout their story – they were responsible for so many twists and turns throughout Every Heart a Doorway, so it was really fun to go back in time to their story. Their door. And their origin. And, as always with McGuire, it was everything that I absolutely wanted – dark, twisted and intense.

Everything about Down Among the Sticks and Bones was dark and unsettling. From the very conception of the story (and the girls) to the final moments, all of this wasn’t quite what I expected, but everything that I needed. It was dark, it was horrifying and it led perfectly back to the first book in this series and the darkness that follows.

Jill was always a creepy and sinister character, from the moment she showed up. But, her entitlement and decision making made her go from creepy to seriously sinister. Something about her just triggered all of my hell no flight instincts. Which is pretty impressive as all of her existed in my mind’s eye – McGuire is such a phenomenal writer to introduce that level of darkness in an otherwise entirely literary endeavor. I mean, I still shiver at the horrifying decisions Jill makes again and again…

Although I actually liked Jack, she definitely wasn’t a sane character either. She is just a little less vindictive and entitled. And a whole lot more relatable. Probably mostly because she is a whole lot more relatable than her twin. Being self aware and able to cope with the world helped to ground me a little more in this otherwise seriously uncomfortable (in all the best ways) story.

<- Every Heart a DoorwayBeneath the Sugar Sky ->

Image source: Goodreads

Tower of Thorns by Laura Greenwood

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview

Title: Tower of Thorns
Author: Laura Greenwood
Series: Grimm Academy #1
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Fae, Fairy tales, Retellings, Romance
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2020

Thoughts

Tower of Thorns had some pretty major Mother Gothel vibes to it, and because of this, I most definitely figured out who the culprit / bad guy in the story was. But, even though I 100% knew what was coming, I still loved going on the journey. Probably because it was still fun, still had a lot of emotion, and I loved how the story unfolded.

Rapunzel’s strength of self and forethought into how her prophecy might come true were beautiful things. I love that, although she wanted to trust her mother, she still decided to put things in place for just in case. I mean, the idea that she has this great strength of will and willingness to not let “fate” determine her future was beautiful. Particularly when there are so many retellings that have historically painted Rapunzel as a victim.

As much as I enjoyed Tower of Thorns, I really wanted to know more about Gavin’s prophecy. I mean, both of them have prophecies involving love. They both fall in love knowing that it will probably trigger their prophecies. You can understand how Rapunzel’s unfolded and what happened (plus, Greenwood brilliantly uses the more violent original of the fairy tale). But there is no hint about Gavin’s prophecy beyond the fact that he has one. And it is about being in love.

I really loved how Greenwood utilised the original Rapunzel fairy tale (which was slightly more violent and gruesome than Tangled). Which just means that I’m absolutely dying to jump into the rest of the series. I wonder if she will use the Grimm-style versions of the fairy tales, rather than the sweeter Disney ones… now onto Spindles and Spells, a Sleeping Beauty retelling.

<- More Laura GreenwoodSpindles and Spells ->

Image source: bol.

Emily Wilde’s Encyclopaedia of Faeries by Heather Fawcett

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: Emily Wilde’s Encyclopaedia of Faeries
Author: Heather Fawcett
Series: Emily Wilde #1
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Fae, Historical fiction, Romance
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2023

Thoughts

Sometimes I can be quite hesitant to read books which are getting a whole lot of hype, and this was one of those times. I really wanted to read this and enjoy it, but I was, admittedly, hesitant. It turns out that I didn’t need to be. This is just as amazing as the hype makes it out to be. And it is one of the most unique fae stories I’ve read in quite a while. Not only is the format of writing is through a journal, but it is also based in what I’m assuming is Sweden or something of that calibre, not the UK or US, which is often where I read about fae-based storylines.

Emily Wilde’s Encyclopaedia of Faeries is an epic journey in which she sets out to find out more about the fae of Ljoslander. I love how she is a bit of a socially awkward being who manages to actually annoy an entire village through her misunderstandings. Yet, she also manages to save them and become a part of their community. All of this is told through her journal entries – her lack of social finesse, her inability to understand it, and her completely, total and utter fascination of the fae, to the detriment of all else. It also highlights the time lost whilst cavorting with the fae and the stupidity of some of her decision making – stupidity that she is in fact aware of even while she is pursuing her chosen pathway.

It is fairly obvious (to me at least) from early on that Bambleby is also romantically interested in Emily, even if he doesn’t necessarily pursue her in the more traditional sense. The way that this little romance unfolds is kind of adorable, and I love that Emily is completely oblivious to the fact, even as she writes all of the hints throughout her journal. Plus, there is something about Bambleby that is just out and out hilarious. He is almost his own kind of bumbling fool in the world of humans, but to a more charismatic and forgiving degree. The way that they end the story with their future lives and romance together had me smiling and kind of sighing.

I love that, even though Emily thwarts fae plans and shows that she has a whole lot of moxie and power, she is still entirely human. There is no hidden heritage to explain away her skills, no secrets in her past. Rather, she is entirely human, just a mortal with a whole lot of knowledge, intelligence and drive. The fact that her knowledge is what ultimately wins the day (and also gets her into untold trouble), despite her physical and magical limitations made me so happy. And again, is something that most definitely sets this fae story apart from many of the others gracing my shelves. Now, I can’t wait to see where this intelligence and disregard for anything but the pursuit of knowledge will land Emily and Bambleby next!

<- More Heather FawcettEmily Wilde’s Map of the Otherlands ->

Image source: Goodreads

Summertide by Charlotte E. English

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: Summertide
Author: Charlotte E. English
Series: The Wonder Tales #4
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Cozy fantasy, Fae, Fantasy
Pace: Slow
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2020

Thoughts

It took me a little while to get the hang of what was going on in this story. Partly because it is actually fourth in the series, but also because there is quite a cast of characters. Once I started to distinguish between the characters, I actually really enjoyed this story. It had that fae / fairy tale feel to it, but with a more positive bend to it than what I’ve been necessarily been reading lately. Something about the Summertide felt like disappearing into a sunlit wood and coming out with a happily ever after. It just had that calm and fun vibe that is sometimes missing from the books I read.

Summertide was separated into five parts to give each part of the action its own attention. I don’t always like when stories are split into “parts”, but in the case of this novel, it worked really well for the flow. Plus, by separating each of the mini-adventures out, it made it so much easier for my overwhelmed brain to actually follow who was on what adventure. It meant that once one journey was finished, I couldn’t wait to dive into the next one.

English is wonderful at writing characters that I want to get to know even more. Plus, this story involved a walking tree, displaced summer monarchs and an enchanted forest. Everything about this short novel was fun and light hearted. Honestly, reading this, I just felt content and happy when I turned that final page. And, as a read before bedtime – it led to pleasant and nature filled dreams.

<- Sands and StarlightRavensby Old ->

Image source: Booklife

Hell and High Water by Charlotte E. English

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: Hell and High Water
Author: Charlotte E. English
Series: Fae Fatales #1
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Fae, Paranormal fantasy, Urban fantasy
Pace: Fast
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2020

Thoughts

I absolutely loved that this story was one about three femme fatales, I mean, fae fatales. Meeting up after almost one hundred years apart. With all sorts of tragedies and secrets in their past. Not only was this a story about solving the murders and protecting the fae of New York. But it was also about unravelling the why and the how of the breakup of the fae fatales in the past. It meant that, with these two storylines unfolding, it was incredibly difficult to put this book down and be, you know, a responsible adult.

Even though I guessed who the evil mastermind of this series was, it was still a brilliant reveal. And, even if I had already guessed what was coming, I couldn’t predict just how that reveal and motivation would go. It was very fun to read about, and all of the hints that English dropped throughout made it a ridiculously fun adventure. Plus, even if I didn’t actually agree with the villain’s motives, I did actually understand how that level of anger could manifest.

I loved that, even though this was a story featuring three femme fatales, it was only written from the point of view of two. Fionn and Tai are great voices which give different perspectives on the occurrences of the book. And, although I would have loved to know a little bit more of what Dax thought. She’s kind of insane, so I liked having the lens of the two more sane characters within the trio. Plus, it gave a bit more context to how different characters have dealt with the same level of nonsense.

Honestly, I mostly just want to read more about Dax in future adventures (I’m hoping that there are going to be more adventures). She seems to be the most balanced of the trio, even if she’s definitely a bit of a nutter. Plus, the friendship between the two, that has lasted a lot of nonsense, is incredibly beautiful. Particularly how Fionn and Tai are always there to support one another. Even when they weren’t actually talking.

Hell and High Water is a bit of a who-dunnit mystery. A bit of paranormal fantasy. And a whole lot of fun. It was an unforgettably enjoyable adventure, and there’s a reason that I really love the fact that I have a number of English books filling my shelves and my TBR.

<- More Charlotte E. EnglishTBC ->

Image source: Second Sale

Elvenbrood by Tanith Lee

Book Review, , , , , , , , ,
Overview

Title: Elvenbrood
Author: Tanith Lee
In: The Faery Reel (Ellen Datlow & Terri Windling)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Fae, Family, Paranormal fantasy
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Short story
Year: 2004

Thoughts

Elvenbrood is a short story that is all about the fae and the deals that they make. I mean, in none of the literature have I ever read a story that makes me think, “hmmm, making deals with the fae is a good idea”. Lee is able to expand on this and drive home the many, many ways in which this isn’t the best idea around. And just why it might be a better idea to just… steer clear. Yet, with the deals being made and the horrors of this being unleashed, there are still surprising twists and turns that I just didn’t see coming.

There is a lot of darkness to the fae, and I love that this story carries that tone and feeling throughout. Plus, Jack is a brother who will do anything for his sister, even brave the darker moments of the fae. I love that, while this is a somewhat dark short story, it also has a lot of light and hopefulness to it, primarily in Jack’s love for his sister and his ability to fight for both her and his mother. Plus, the villain isn’t quite who you think it is, and the ending makes you grateful for loyalty and love.

Like all of the other Tanith Lee short stories I’ve read, I absolutely adored this one. I loved the darkness and the twists, brilliantly countered by the light and love Jack shows for his family. This story was seriously enjoyable and I will most definitely read more of her works in the future!

<- CatnypYour Garnet Eyes ->

Image source: Amazon

Your Garnet Eyes by Katherine Vaz

Book Review, , ,
Overview

Title: Your Garnet Eyes
Author: Katherine Vaz
In: The Faery Reel (Ellen Datlow & Terri Windling)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Fae, Paranormal fantasy
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Short story
Year: 2004

Thoughts

This short story definitely jumps around a little bit. With big chunks of the story diving forwards in time, but I kind of liked it. It covered a whole lot of time in very few pages. I really liked this style, it made me not want to put this down and just dive through the pages. Although, in my experience, Vaz’s writing is a little like this.

Something about how this written has a very fae feeling. Which is something hard to describe, but has a very ethereal tone to it. This fit beautifully within the The Faery Reel collection, and it definitely meant that the time jumps felt even more mysterious and intriguing. I really loved the way that this was written and would love to read this short story again.

Your Garnet Eyes is all about the bargains of faeries, and how they must give and receive in equal parts. I love that almost all traditional stories feature faerie bargains of some form, and Vaz really drives this home in Your Garnet Eyes.

<- ElvenbroodTengu Mountain ->

Image source: Amazon

The Shell Box by Karawynn Long

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: The Shell Box
Author: Karawynn Long
In: Silver Birch, Blood Moon (Ellen Datlow & Terri Windling)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Fae, Fairy tales, Oceans
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Short story
Year: 1999

Thoughts

This was a bit of a sad story if I’m being honest. It definitely plucked at my heart strings and hurt my soul a little. But, ultimately, it as also hopeful and optimistic. The whole light shines the brightest in the dark kind of vibe. Merwen was a ridiculously fun lead character, and I just adored reading this tale.

I love Merwen and Sarina’s friendship. And, I don’t know if I’m reading a bit much into it, but I felt like there was so much potential for something more. Which, I completely loved the idea of and would actually really like a follow up story with Sarina and Merwen riding off into the sunset together. They are just too cute. I mean, Sarina’s brother is there, but still, they work so much better!

The power of the shell box is really quite intense and scarily powerful. I hate how Merwen just gives her voice so freely to her husband. And yet, I understand how so many women daily do this. The box may have had the power to take Merwens’s voice and hold it prisoner. But she had to be the one willing to give it away in the first place.

<- The Dybbuk in the BottleIvory Bones ->

Image source: Wikipedia

An Artificial Night by Seanan McGuire

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: An Artificial Night
Author: Seanan McGuire
Series: October Daye #3
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Fae, Paranormal fantasy, Urban fantasy
Pace: Fast
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2010

Thoughts

An Artificial Night actually freaked me out a little bit more than other fae stories that I’ve read. Possibly because the idea of losing a child is honestly a visceral fear. Which is most likely why it’s so featured in traditional fae tales – the fae take our children and therefore are terrifying. Having children’s rhymes interspersed throughout just made this all that much freakier and more uncomfortable. But, because of this serious discomfort – I couldn’t put this book down and / or forget about it. It was phenomenal.

I frequently fall in love with McGuire’s characters, and truly enjoy Toby and all of her adventures. But, I must admit I pretty much immediately fell in love with May. I mean, the differences between her and Toby are apparent from the very beginning. And I just found her really cute and kind of naïve, whilst also being a little bit scary. It also made me happy that, even if she is a portent of something that is usually seen as a negative, she was a really positive character.

Connor is interesting as a character from Toby’s past, but I find him kind of painful. I don’t really see the connection between him and Toby, and honestly, every time he shows up, he just causes problems. Mostly by showing his emotions and painting a target on Toby’s back with his somewhat psychotic wife. He just kind of… hangs on and mopes around. Not my favourite character, although not quite detestable either.

Tybalt is so obviously the end game love interest for Toby, and I keep wanting more and more of them. I mean, it’s incredibly obvious that Tybalt has claimed Toby in some kind of way, and that she is entirely clueless about his motives. But this just makes me want more of their relationship. Particularly because I love the whole feline doesn’t do what anyone tells him angle that they’ve got going. I’m not sure if I’m excited for Late Eclipses because I can’t wait to see what other trouble Toby gets herself into, or because I’m excited for more Toby and Tybalt.

Honestly, I was kind of surprised at the fact that Toby managed to triumph like she did. I was expecting her to have a whole lot more trouble than she did with winning the battle. I love that her triumph was totally unexpected and, I feel, has a whole lot of unforeseen consequences. Now onto the next insane battle that she should lose, but won’t…

<- A Local HabitationLate Eclipses ->

Image source: Amazon

A Local Habitation by Seanan McGuire

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: A Local Habitation
Author: Seanan McGuire
Series: October Daye #2
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Fae, Paranormal fantasy, Urban fantasy
Pace: Fast
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2010

Thoughts

This novel was absolutely impossible to put down and honestly, really quite tragic in moments. There was a lot more death and destruction than I had anticipated. Which, I absolutely loved, even as I felt sad for all of the tragedies that befell Toby Daye and the fae she was trying to help. Plus, I got to find out more about Toby’s powers and her role in the court.

I absolutely adore the Toby and Tybalt dynamic, and I love how it is unfolding within this series. I’m really hoping that he is the final partner for Toby, just with a lot more drama and action in the lead up. Although, I do wonder why, at the end of this tale, Tybalt starts to avert his gaze from Toby. I can’t wait to discover more about why her powers and actions have potentially made him uncomfortable – and how this will inform their future relationship.

There were a number of twists throughout this story that I just didn’t quite see coming, then there were those that I did predict. I saw the twist of Alex and Terrie coming, but I didn’t quite figure out all of the machinations of how it would work. I also love how their story arc ended. There were so many twists and turns throughout this that I just couldn’t put this story down – I didn’t know what was going to happen from one moment to the next.

I loved how the killer throughout this was manipulated and coerced into some pretty horrifying decisions. And, ultimately, at the core of all of this, it was about the hierarchy of the fae and the abandonment of the changelings. It’s a reminder that issues of abandonment and feeling unloved are universal and always scarring.

Honestly, even a long time after turning the final page of this story, I absolutely cannot stop thinking about this. There is something completely unforgettable about McGuire’s writing that makes me want to constantly devour her writing. And now I can’t wait to get into An Artificial Night.

<- Rosemary and RueAn Artificial Night ->

Image source: Hachette Australia