More series (and a couple standalones) with all the magic and mystery of the fae.
Okay, there are two parts to this because I originally bit off more than I could chew and (life got in the way) I ran behind on time..
Not one of my finer moments.
Almost everyone agrees that the fae are one of the leading figures in fantasy but.. I feel like the books written about them are hit or miss. How can they not be with such a wide range of complicated creatures?
These books focus on female protagonists getting sucked into whatever kind of crazy..
With fairies riding shotgun.
Enjoy!
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The Iron Witch by Karen Mahoney
A vicious attack by the fae as a child has left Donna scarred, permanently branded by magic, and labeled the town ‘freak’.
Her father is dead.
Her mother gone mad.
When deadly wood elves descend on the town and kidnap her best friend Navin.. she’s had enough. With the help of the handsome half-fey outcast, Xan, she’s going to save her friend.
Even if it could cost them everything.
Personal Note: Some interesting ideas with this one! Just not sure if some of it was executed as well as it could have been. I found it sweet(and slightly sad) how so fiercely protective of her friend she was, feeling like Navin keeps her sane and grounded.
Tithe by Holly Black
Following her mother’s band around means Kaye’s never in one place for long.. until a sudden attack sends them back to her childhood home.
Is her fate to become a pawn in the silent war between two faerie kingdoms?
And if either succeed.. Will she survive?
Personal Note: This was one of those books where everything just seemed ‘meh’. I didn’t dislike it but.. It wasn’t love either. Still a good read!
The Replacement by Brenna Yovanoff
Standalone
He is not one of us.
Switched at birth to replace a stolen human child, Mackie was raised in a world he physically rejects.. and never expected to survive.
When his crush Tate’s baby sister goes missing Mackie will return to the fey underworld, ruled by two warring factions of deadly creatures, to rescue the child.. and face an impossible choice:
Us or them?
Personal Note: This is a love/maybe read. Really loved some of the ideas(don’t want to spoil anything!) but also not so sure I liked others. In the end.. it was worth reading.
Wondrous Strange by Lesley Livingston
Kelley just wants to land the lead role as Titania in ‘Midsummer’s Night Dream’.
Careful what you ask for.
With her handsome new crush claiming she’s not even human and that terrible danger is coming for her.. Kelley gets a crash course in all things magical. But when the time comes..
Will she have what it takes to save the only world she’s ever known?
Personal Note: I don’t want to just come out and say that I didn’t really like the protagonist but.. I won’t be asking her to prom. Her character seemed rather typical and it just didn’t click with me.
Fire and Hemlock by Dianna Wynne Jones
Standalone
What Polly remembers doesn’t add up.
Sometimes she’s here and sometimes she’s there..
Fractured memories of another time and place send Polly on a journey through her childhood that entwines with a mysterious man, Thomas Flynn, who’s life may be in great danger.
With few clues to aid her.. will Polly unlock her hidden past in time to save Thom?
Personal Note: I first read this book in my early teens and every single time I read it.. it exposed another hidden layer or meaning. This book is not a gripping, fast paced joyride. It is a skillfully woven tale of mystery and intrigue.
At six years old and convinced her daughter had been replaced with a monster,
Wendy’s mother tries to kill her.
Her mother wasn’t wrong.
It seems Wendy is actually a changeling, surprise!
And the walking enigma that is Finn Holmes has come to see her home.
But is she ready to leave everything behind and face her unknown birthright?
Personal Note: I liked this one enough to maybe reread it(not until I get my TBR more under control though.) I’d say it’s a bit darker than the others but really.. it’s practically a requirement for fae related books.
After the loss of her family, Lucy is just trying to get back to normal.
So when a hot guy lands in her lap and magical creatures(that shouldn’t even exist!) start coming out of the woodwork.. It becomes pretty obvious that things will never be the same again.
With a psychotic siren to stop and her old life in ruins.. there’s certainly no going back.
Personal Note: I really recommend this one! Writing and character’s are a little young but it’s worth reading. These books are riddled(get it?😂) with Scandinavian myths and folklore and has an intriguing array of diverse characters.
None of these are new or trending.
They probably don’t even get five stars but.. one just might be your next favorite reading experience.
What do you think makes for a good fairy/fae? Are they beautiful, otherworldly beings of magic and mystery? Or wicked, dangerous things that slip through the cracks of your nightmares?
What kind of fae fascinates you the most?
