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Realms of Fae and Shadow: An Exclusive Fae Anthology
Enchanted forests.
Deadly bargains.
Welcome to the magic of Faerie.
Realms of Fae and Shadow is a breathtaking fantasy anthology featuring eight exclusive tales. Discover magic, romance, and betrayal as you lose yourself in the faerie world...
Can a human girl rescue a cursed fae prince before she’s shackled to a dull mortal life?
When the heir to the Unseelie Court is confronted with an unsettling fate, does he embrace the dark magic of the crown or turn his back on duty forever?
A fae princess is set to inherit a kingdom… only to discover devastating secrets lurking beneath the legacy of her throne.
Experience these stories (and more!) unfold as you journey through a portal to Faerie where danger meets beauty and the darkest shadows face the light.
If you love brooding royals, glittering courts, and fierce heroines, then you’ll adore this dazzling selection.
REALMS OF FAE AND SHADOW is a limited edition collection featuring stories by:
Stacey Trombley
Kay L Moody
Clarissa Gosling
Tessonja Odette
Joanna Reeder, USA Today Bestselling Author
Alison Ingleby, USA Today Bestselling Author
Valia Lind, USA Today Bestselling Author
Hanna Sandvig
Deadly bargains.
Welcome to the magic of Faerie.
Realms of Fae and Shadow is a breathtaking fantasy anthology featuring eight exclusive tales. Discover magic, romance, and betrayal as you lose yourself in the faerie world...
Can a human girl rescue a cursed fae prince before she’s shackled to a dull mortal life?
When the heir to the Unseelie Court is confronted with an unsettling fate, does he embrace the dark magic of the crown or turn his back on duty forever?
A fae princess is set to inherit a kingdom… only to discover devastating secrets lurking beneath the legacy of her throne.
Experience these stories (and more!) unfold as you journey through a portal to Faerie where danger meets beauty and the darkest shadows face the light.
If you love brooding royals, glittering courts, and fierce heroines, then you’ll adore this dazzling selection.
REALMS OF FAE AND SHADOW is a limited edition collection featuring stories by:
Stacey Trombley
Kay L Moody
Clarissa Gosling
Tessonja Odette
Joanna Reeder, USA Today Bestselling Author
Alison Ingleby, USA Today Bestselling Author
Valia Lind, USA Today Bestselling Author
Hanna Sandvig
602 pages, Paperback
First published September 15, 2020
110 people are currently reading
623 people want to read
About the author
Clarissa Gosling
24 books107 followersClarissa has always lived more in the world of daydream and fiction than in reality. In her writing she explores purpose and belonging across worlds. Having never found an actual portal to faeryland, she creates her own fantastical worlds where dragons, fae and other magical creatures rule.
She now lives in the Netherlands with her family, where she writes as much as they will let her. When not reading or writing, she drinks too much tea and has a burgeoning obsession with Bundt cakes.
She now lives in the Netherlands with her family, where she writes as much as they will let her. When not reading or writing, she drinks too much tea and has a burgeoning obsession with Bundt cakes.
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February 28, 2024This anthology contains 8 stories by 8 different authors all exploring the same theme: fae. These stories are prequels to bigger series.
》Night Bringer by Stacey Trombley
⭐⭐
Short-novel-length novella.
I personally can't speak for the series, Wicked Fae, goodreads says it's NA, but the prequel works for YA readers.
Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
》Heir of Bitter Thorn by Kay L Moody
⭐⭐⭐
YA short story
Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
》Fae Bargains by Clarissa Gosling
⭐⭐
YA rated prequel for the Lost Princess of Starlight series
This story was originally written with UK spelling. This version of the story was edited with US spelling to match the rest of the anthology. The other books in this series use UK spelling.
Faerie punishments usually spell death. For Evan, it could offer freedom.
As reluctant heir to the Moonlight Court, Evan would take forest games over a royal crown any day. But when he’s caught sneaking humans into Faery for fun, the fearsome Huntsman of the Forest delivers a fateful ultimatum: give up the throne to serve as a guardian of the gates between realms or face the wrath of the combined Courts of Faery for breaking the Treaty of the Yews.
With a chance to escape the dreaded role he was born to finally within reach, Evan is willing to do whatever it takes to claim the Huntsman’s bargain. But it’s easier said than done when his mother, the domineering Queen of Moonlight, orders him to go on a last royal mission that pits him against his heart.
With his future on the line, can Evan complete this final task… or will he unwittingly set into motion the greatest betrayal known to faekind?
Things you should know.
1. These fae can lie. Boo.
2. Fae supporting character who uses "they" pronouns!! ♥
3. All of the main players in this story suck, specifically Evan the mc and his mother, Queen of Moonlight Court. Example:
These humans deserved what they got for thinking their dreams were easy to achieve. Nothing was handed to you on a plate, as it all needed work and dedication., thinks the trash bag Evan while using glamours against them. He's just releasing his frustrations on them, while being impotent to work towards his dreams, for it is not in his fae nature to trick humans and lead them into the forest! Unlike the nature of the boggart (I wasn't upset at the boggart, it's in his nature to play with humans and eat them).
And speaking of ill fates, he's bringing -- no, he's showering others with them! You'd think they'd know stealing the newborn babes of 2 Courts, who were at war not too long ago, could only lead to tragedy!! Wtf was the queen thinking, they could've shared the visions with all the Courts and come to an agreement! And expect 2 young fae raised as siblings to fall in love? Who said wisdom came with age?
There's nothing wrong with the story or the writing, I just wasn't that entertained. Mostly aggravated. Sadly, I read quickly only when Evan was completing his icky distasteful "task", though mostly because I was wondering how on Earth he was going to do it (I expected royal sproutlings to be better watched over ) and maybe hoping he'd get caught.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
》To Rule A Fae Throne by Tessonja Odette
⭐⭐⭐
Shortest story in the anthology. Side story
Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
》Exiling a Fae Queen by Joanna Reeder
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
》Crown of Darkness by Alison Ingleby
Longest story in the anthology
Review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/edit...
》Marked by Fae by Valia Lind
YA short story. Prequel
Review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
》The Wolf Gate: A Retelling of Little Red Riding Hood by Hanna Sandvig
Novella, not necessarily a prequel as it happens at the same time as the first book, The Rose Gate.
Review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
》Night Bringer by Stacey Trombley
⭐⭐
Short-novel-length novella.
I personally can't speak for the series, Wicked Fae, goodreads says it's NA, but the prequel works for YA readers.
Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
》Heir of Bitter Thorn by Kay L Moody
⭐⭐⭐
YA short story
Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
》Fae Bargains by Clarissa Gosling
⭐⭐
YA rated prequel for the Lost Princess of Starlight series
This story was originally written with UK spelling. This version of the story was edited with US spelling to match the rest of the anthology. The other books in this series use UK spelling.
Faerie punishments usually spell death. For Evan, it could offer freedom.
As reluctant heir to the Moonlight Court, Evan would take forest games over a royal crown any day. But when he’s caught sneaking humans into Faery for fun, the fearsome Huntsman of the Forest delivers a fateful ultimatum: give up the throne to serve as a guardian of the gates between realms or face the wrath of the combined Courts of Faery for breaking the Treaty of the Yews.
With a chance to escape the dreaded role he was born to finally within reach, Evan is willing to do whatever it takes to claim the Huntsman’s bargain. But it’s easier said than done when his mother, the domineering Queen of Moonlight, orders him to go on a last royal mission that pits him against his heart.
With his future on the line, can Evan complete this final task… or will he unwittingly set into motion the greatest betrayal known to faekind?
Things you should know.
1. These fae can lie. Boo.
2. Fae supporting character who uses "they" pronouns!! ♥
3. All of the main players in this story suck, specifically Evan the mc and his mother, Queen of Moonlight Court. Example:
These humans deserved what they got for thinking their dreams were easy to achieve. Nothing was handed to you on a plate, as it all needed work and dedication., thinks the trash bag Evan while using glamours against them. He's just releasing his frustrations on them, while being impotent to work towards his dreams, for it is not in his fae nature to trick humans and lead them into the forest! Unlike the nature of the boggart (I wasn't upset at the boggart, it's in his nature to play with humans and eat them).
And speaking of ill fates, he's bringing -- no, he's showering others with them! You'd think they'd know stealing the newborn babes of 2 Courts, who were at war not too long ago, could only lead to tragedy!! Wtf was the queen thinking, they could've shared the visions with all the Courts and come to an agreement! And expect 2 young fae raised as siblings to fall in love? Who said wisdom came with age?
There's nothing wrong with the story or the writing, I just wasn't that entertained. Mostly aggravated. Sadly, I read quickly only when Evan was completing his icky distasteful "task", though mostly because I was wondering how on Earth he was going to do it (I expected royal sproutlings to be better watched over ) and maybe hoping he'd get caught.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
》To Rule A Fae Throne by Tessonja Odette
⭐⭐⭐
Shortest story in the anthology. Side story
Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
》Exiling a Fae Queen by Joanna Reeder
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
》Crown of Darkness by Alison Ingleby
Longest story in the anthology
Review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/edit...
》Marked by Fae by Valia Lind
YA short story. Prequel
Review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
》The Wolf Gate: A Retelling of Little Red Riding Hood by Hanna Sandvig
Novella, not necessarily a prequel as it happens at the same time as the first book, The Rose Gate.
Review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
September 12, 2020
What a great anthology! Realms of Fae and Shadows contains eight exclusive fantasy stories. The stories are rich and vivid in their descriptions of the fantastical fae worlds, and I found myself quickly immersed in the stories. Dynamic characters and thought-provoking themes, as well as heart-pounding action and some chemistry-laden romance, make this a can’t miss compilation!
Kay L. Moody’s Heir of Bitter Thorn is the prequel to Court of Bitter Thorn and focuses on Elora, a mortal tasked with rescuing a fae prince. When a dryad, who notices Elora’s skill in sword fighting, offers Elora the opportunity to put her sword skills to use, Elora immediately agrees. She is desperate for an adventure before she enters into a marriage her parents arranged. Of course, Elora is not experienced in political intrigue and fae curses, but her determination to find and save Brannick makes up for her inexperience.
A fantastic introduction to Moody’s fae world as well as the fascinating characters who inhabit it, this novella provides great context for what is sure to be a fabulous new series. And that can be said for all of the stories. My TBR has grown quite a bit since reading this collection.
Kay L. Moody’s Heir of Bitter Thorn is the prequel to Court of Bitter Thorn and focuses on Elora, a mortal tasked with rescuing a fae prince. When a dryad, who notices Elora’s skill in sword fighting, offers Elora the opportunity to put her sword skills to use, Elora immediately agrees. She is desperate for an adventure before she enters into a marriage her parents arranged. Of course, Elora is not experienced in political intrigue and fae curses, but her determination to find and save Brannick makes up for her inexperience.
A fantastic introduction to Moody’s fae world as well as the fascinating characters who inhabit it, this novella provides great context for what is sure to be a fabulous new series. And that can be said for all of the stories. My TBR has grown quite a bit since reading this collection.
September 22, 2020
Fae and magic like no other! 💫
In no order! im still reading!
Marked by Fae by Valia Lind
Oh how much i loved it! This story sucked me in and left me wanting more! a great prequel to the much anticipated book shadow of the fae; hawthorne chronicles! Great start and i can’t wait to see where this goes! I already know i will love it! #Witches#Fae#wolves#thunderbirdacademyIsback#❤️
Night Bringer by Stacey Trumbley
😱 OMG! A very unique and intriguing story! great introduction/ prequel to the wicked fae series!!! when you make a deal with the devil aka night bringer... you basically sell your soul! 😭 So good! it was heartbreaking. I couldn’t believe it! Book one and two are now out!! on to the next!#ImObssedWithThisSeries
The Wolf Gate by Hanna Sandvig
Light hearted and funny! the chemistry on the two leads - girl and wolf were adorable!!! i really had fun with the quirkinesses and light humor! The chemistry was super cute and HEA!
In no order! im still reading!
Marked by Fae by Valia Lind
Oh how much i loved it! This story sucked me in and left me wanting more! a great prequel to the much anticipated book shadow of the fae; hawthorne chronicles! Great start and i can’t wait to see where this goes! I already know i will love it! #Witches#Fae#wolves#thunderbirdacademyIsback#❤️
Night Bringer by Stacey Trumbley
😱 OMG! A very unique and intriguing story! great introduction/ prequel to the wicked fae series!!! when you make a deal with the devil aka night bringer... you basically sell your soul! 😭 So good! it was heartbreaking. I couldn’t believe it! Book one and two are now out!! on to the next!#ImObssedWithThisSeries
The Wolf Gate by Hanna Sandvig
Light hearted and funny! the chemistry on the two leads - girl and wolf were adorable!!! i really had fun with the quirkinesses and light humor! The chemistry was super cute and HEA!
September 15, 2020
I don't normally seek out short stories but I knew a few authors whose novellas were included and I love all things fae, so I figured I would give this set a whirl. I originally picked up this book to get to the short stories for two of my favorite fae series, Heir of Bitter Thorn and To Rule A Fae Throne (both prequels so can be read without knowledge of the series). I loved seeing these small pieces of the worlds I already love, even if I didn't enjoy the rest of the novellas, the collection would be worth it for those two alone. Another fantastic novella was The Wolf Gate by Hanna Sandvig which I enjoyed due to the modern take on the fae and the mix of werewolves ( and now I need to read the rest of her fairytale retellings!).
But that being said, this was a great snippet of all things fae. Each story was completely unique with plot twists and world building, but still keeping true to the mischievous, sometimes devious, character of the fae. Expect court intrigue, deception, magic and maybe a touch of romance when you jump in.
So many of these were new to me worlds and authors but I happily discovered that a majority are prequels to series that I now need to go pick up and binge. I recommend this series for anyone who loves all things fae and is looking for some new series to start.
But that being said, this was a great snippet of all things fae. Each story was completely unique with plot twists and world building, but still keeping true to the mischievous, sometimes devious, character of the fae. Expect court intrigue, deception, magic and maybe a touch of romance when you jump in.
So many of these were new to me worlds and authors but I happily discovered that a majority are prequels to series that I now need to go pick up and binge. I recommend this series for anyone who loves all things fae and is looking for some new series to start.
September 7, 2020
What an interesting experiment it is to give basically the same topic to eight horribly talented people and see what they come up with. Each story is rich with descriptions of faerie and it's fantastical characters. Darkness and light are both represented so well. The aspect I find the most engaging is what each author chose to keep regarding faerie lore, what they discarded, and what they added. All this to create such individual stories that are delightful in their contrasts. I wanted to pick a favorite, but I honestly couldn't. The bad news is that I now have eight new series I need to read.
September 16, 2020
“ Enchanted forests.
Deadly bargains.
Welcome to the magic of Faerie.
Realms of Fae and Shadow is a breathtaking fantasy anthology featuring eight exclusive tales. Discover magic, romance, and betrayal as you lose yourself in the faerie world...”
After reading that who wouldn’t want to read this? It’s a gripping, exciting, magical boxset with stories written by some fantastic authors.
You have Stacey Trombley, Kay L Moody, Tessonja Odette, Joanna Reeder, Alison Ingleby and Valia Lind. Each story was well written and full of fae mischievousness, twists and turns, mystery, intrigue, magic and so much more. A couple of the authors I was not familiar with but I have to say i enjoyed their stories too and look forward to reading more of their work. If you love fae stories then this is the boxset for you!
Deadly bargains.
Welcome to the magic of Faerie.
Realms of Fae and Shadow is a breathtaking fantasy anthology featuring eight exclusive tales. Discover magic, romance, and betrayal as you lose yourself in the faerie world...”
After reading that who wouldn’t want to read this? It’s a gripping, exciting, magical boxset with stories written by some fantastic authors.
You have Stacey Trombley, Kay L Moody, Tessonja Odette, Joanna Reeder, Alison Ingleby and Valia Lind. Each story was well written and full of fae mischievousness, twists and turns, mystery, intrigue, magic and so much more. A couple of the authors I was not familiar with but I have to say i enjoyed their stories too and look forward to reading more of their work. If you love fae stories then this is the boxset for you!
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September 15, 2020REALMS OF FAE AND SHADOW IS LIVE!!! Only 99 cents during release week! Don't miss out!
𝐀𝐦𝐚𝐳𝐨𝐧 ➔ https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08...
If you love faerie worlds, brooding royals, glittering courts, and fierce heroines, then you’ll adore this dazzling selection of eight exclusive fae tales.
I'm very excited to be part of this anthology, and each story opens up to a full series. So if this is your thing, I'd love for you to check it out!
𝐀𝐦𝐚𝐳𝐨𝐧 ➔ https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08...
If you love faerie worlds, brooding royals, glittering courts, and fierce heroines, then you’ll adore this dazzling selection of eight exclusive fae tales.
I'm very excited to be part of this anthology, and each story opens up to a full series. So if this is your thing, I'd love for you to check it out!
September 15, 2020
⚓⚓ONE INCREDIBLE TREAT⚓⚓
Fantastic! This uniquely impressive and immensely talented group of authors joined forces for one unforgettable, intense treat, serving up all the heat, passion, desire and unquenchable passion delivering this brilliantly gathered anthology, keeping you riveted on a razors edge and frozen to your seat, fusing this baby together beautifully. Every individual story is incredibly thrilling, compelling and intense with separate plots, destinies, purposes and destinations, each different and unique, with all the vivacity and fervor, lighting it up like the 4th of July and watching the fireworks, thrusting these mind-blowing gems to life flawlessly. A raging tempest of dubious mishaps and suspicious events, observing the formidable trials and hard fought triumphs, stumbling through the daunting twists and wicked turns, blasting this jewel to a whole new level. The characters, dialogue, interactions and charged atmosphere along with relatable qualities and individual traits, blend and flow, adding depth and diversity, transforming into genuinely charismatic personalities. The scenes are strikingly sharp with abundant details and graphic descriptions creating an elaborate backdrop that feels as though you were transported to ground zero with them. Fantastic job guys, thanks for sharing this bad boy with us.
Fantastic! This uniquely impressive and immensely talented group of authors joined forces for one unforgettable, intense treat, serving up all the heat, passion, desire and unquenchable passion delivering this brilliantly gathered anthology, keeping you riveted on a razors edge and frozen to your seat, fusing this baby together beautifully. Every individual story is incredibly thrilling, compelling and intense with separate plots, destinies, purposes and destinations, each different and unique, with all the vivacity and fervor, lighting it up like the 4th of July and watching the fireworks, thrusting these mind-blowing gems to life flawlessly. A raging tempest of dubious mishaps and suspicious events, observing the formidable trials and hard fought triumphs, stumbling through the daunting twists and wicked turns, blasting this jewel to a whole new level. The characters, dialogue, interactions and charged atmosphere along with relatable qualities and individual traits, blend and flow, adding depth and diversity, transforming into genuinely charismatic personalities. The scenes are strikingly sharp with abundant details and graphic descriptions creating an elaborate backdrop that feels as though you were transported to ground zero with them. Fantastic job guys, thanks for sharing this bad boy with us.
September 15, 2020
This is a great anthology! and fair warning you might be adding substantially to your TBR list since all of the stories are prequels to series. A varied selection on a theme, I preferred some stories to others but enjoyed them all. My favourite is Crown of Darkness, by Alison Ingleby, I do like a good battle scene! Also the cover is very appealing... eye candy indeed.
Crown of Darkness - Ciaran is the half human crown prince of the unseelie, not quite ready to fully commit to his role. This story has a little bit of everything, interesting characters, different races, fashion, politics, betrayal, treason and a battle. I really look forward to reading more of this series.
In the interest of brevity I won't describe each one... the blurbs do a great job of informing you. I do think if this is your genre you can't go wrong picking up this read, and I was pleasantly surprised at how long the stories were... more novellas than short stories so great value for your reading dollar too.
I received an ARC and this is my voluntary and unbiased opinion.
Crown of Darkness - Ciaran is the half human crown prince of the unseelie, not quite ready to fully commit to his role. This story has a little bit of everything, interesting characters, different races, fashion, politics, betrayal, treason and a battle. I really look forward to reading more of this series.
In the interest of brevity I won't describe each one... the blurbs do a great job of informing you. I do think if this is your genre you can't go wrong picking up this read, and I was pleasantly surprised at how long the stories were... more novellas than short stories so great value for your reading dollar too.
I received an ARC and this is my voluntary and unbiased opinion.
September 14, 2020
I can't even express how much love this anthology deserves! So I personally am currently all about reading Fae/high Fantasy novels and I feel like I need to branch out. This book was the perfect solution! I found myself reading a story a night from Realms of Fae and Shadow and it was so amazing! The stories are beautiful, and creative! This is something I was a little surprised I enjoyed so much, but I found myself not being able to put it down. This really allowed me to get out of my reading slump as school started and I am forever grateful for this!
Realms of Fae and Shadow is 8 short stories that are each independent but are all amazing! I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to get into fantasy, or just wants to add a little more fantasy to their lives! It is also the perfect way to find your niche and maybe a future read! Thank you so much Hanna Sandvig who provided me with an ARC of this anthology. I can't wait to read future works by all of these authors!! Pick it up on amazon.com for $0.99 for its opening week starting September 15th!
Realms of Fae and Shadow is 8 short stories that are each independent but are all amazing! I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to get into fantasy, or just wants to add a little more fantasy to their lives! It is also the perfect way to find your niche and maybe a future read! Thank you so much Hanna Sandvig who provided me with an ARC of this anthology. I can't wait to read future works by all of these authors!! Pick it up on amazon.com for $0.99 for its opening week starting September 15th!
September 15, 2020
This set is full of amazing reads! I didn't want any of them to end. I read every book and the theme was change. The main characters for each story had a choice to make. To either continue on the path that was set for them or see where things were wrong or maybe different and go on a different journey. In Crown of Darkness by Alison Ingleby, Ciaran is the heir to his kingdom, but he is stagnant. He is unhappy, unsure, and wary, but things happen and he is forced to open his eyes. I'm very interested to learn more about the mysterious woman and her role in everything. Great writing, amazing descriptions, and very interesting characters. Again, all of these books were amazing! I can't wait to continue with each series and author. I was given the opportunity to read a copy of this book.
September 14, 2020
3.5 stars. This was a hit and miss for me. A few of the stories I loved, and plan on reading on to see what happens next, others I struggled to get through. This made my reading time way longer than my norm, however I pushed on because I couldn't judge the tales that came after the one I was struggling to get through by it. All in all I enjoyed parts of this book and don't regret reading. I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
April 8, 2021
Omg I forgot to review this! 😅
Anyway, a good sampling of authors! Some I enjoyed. Some not as much, but a lovely compilation all the same.
Anyway, a good sampling of authors! Some I enjoyed. Some not as much, but a lovely compilation all the same.
September 17, 2020
I received an ARC thanks to the publisher through BookFunnel.
REALMS OF FAE AND SHADOW contains 8 short stories by 8 different authors. Summaries of individual stories are written before the story begins and will be included in my reviews below. Each story will be rated individually and the entire anthology will be rated as a whole.
Summary of anthology thanks to GoodReads:
“Enchanted forests.
Deadly bargains.
Welcome to the magic of Faerie.
Realms of Fae and Shadow is a breathtaking fantasy anthology featuring eight exclusive tales. Discover magic, romance, and betrayal as you lose yourself in the faerie world…
Can a human girl rescue a cursed fae prince before she’s shackled to a dull mortal life?
When the heir to the Unseelie Court is confronted with an unsettling fate, does he embrace the dark magic of the crown or turn his back on duty forever?
A fae princess is set to inherit a kingdom… only to discover devastating secrets lurking beneath the legacy of her throne.
Experience these stories (and more!) unfold as you journey through a portal to Faerie where danger meets beauty and the darkest shadows face the light.
If you love brooding royals, glittering courts, and fierce heroines, then you’ll adore this dazzling selection.
REALMS OF FAE AND SHADOW is a limited edition collection featuring stories by:
Stacey Trombley
Kay L Moody
Clarissa Gosling
Tessonja Odette
Joanna Reeder, USA Today Bestselling Author
Alison Ingleby, USA Today Bestselling Author
Valia Lind, USA Today Bestselling Author
Hanna Sandvig”.
Review for anthology as a whole: 4 stars
Overall, the stories a fantastic. Each has a larger piece of writing that goes with them and I’m going to be looking into all of them. This was my first anthology so I wasn’t sure what to expect. I was pleasantly surprised. The stories fit together but were different in characters, system, and plot (even sub-genre). I would definitely recommend for anyone looking for a new fairy book.
NIGHT BRINGER by Stacey Trombley 4 stars
TRIAL OF THORNS follows after the short story.
“A terrible bargain.
An impossible choice.
Kill my soul mate, or lose my life?
Caelynn adores her homelands in the Shadow Court, but as one of the poorest and weakest courts in the realm, there’s little opportunity for a talented fae like her.
When she overhears her parents planning to force her into another court, she runs away–straight to the Cave of Mysteries to jump start her initiation. She’ll become a shadow fae with or without permission.
But there are monsters in those deep tunnels. The Night Bringer is waiting for her, and once she’s in his clutches, she must complete his bargain or accept eternal slavery.
But this bargain is no simple task. The Night Bringer dresses her like a princess and sends her to a ball to kill a fae prince. A prince who just so happens to be her soul mate…”
Review:
This is an excellent set up for the full book. I read this and immediately obtained TRIAL OF THORNS. NIGHT BRINGER leaves on such a cliffhanger that I could not resist! And this is a definite theme throughout the anthology.
HEIR OF BITTER THORN by Kay L Moody 3.5 stars rounding up (would be higher if I read this before Book 1)
Series The Fae of Bitter Thorn
“Never bargain with a fae.
Elora dreams of adventure.
With her unwanted marriage approaching, she is desperate to have some excitement before it arrives. A dryad appears and asks for help with saving a lost fae prince from the clutches of an evil queen. Believing it’s nothing more than a dream, Elora agrees willingly.
But Faerie is more dangerous than she imagined. Alongside iridescent clouds and frosted beauty, it also has dangerous enchantments, scheming fae, and frightening trolls. Even with her experienced sword skills, the land challenges her courage and wit to their breaking points.
Unfortunately, she already broke the first rule of Faerie: Never enter a bargain.
Now she has no choice. She must save the prince… or die.”
Review:
I hate to say this, but I was a tad disappointed in this one. I think it is mainly because I loved the full book and the prequel seemed to only restate information we already had. That being said, it is a perfect way to start the series! It sets up the world and characters without overloading you. It definitely leaves you wanting to return to Faerie.
FAE BARGAINS by Clarissa Gosling 3 stars (due to disliking character, but series follows someone else so I’m thrilled)
Series Lost Princess of Starlight
“Faerie punishments usually spell death.
For Evan, it could offer freedom.
As reluctant heir to the Moonlight Court, Evan would take forest games over a royal crown any day. But when he’s caught sneaking humans into Faery for fun, the fearsome Huntsman of the Forest delievers a fateful ultimatum: give up the throne ot serve as a guardian of the gates between realms or face the wrath of the combined Courts of Faery for breaking the Treaty of the Yews.
With a chance to escape the dreaded role he was born to finally within reach, Evan is willing to do whatever it takes to claim the Huntsman’s bargain. But it’s easier said than done when his mother, the domineering Queen of Moonlight, orders him to go on a last royal mission that pits him against his heart.
With his future on the line, can Evan complete this final task… or will he unwittingly set into motion the greatest betrayal known to faekind?”
Review:
This is probably one of my least favorite stories in the bunch and I still really enjoyed it. I didn’t fully connect with Evan, but I love the politics and consequences (or are they?) that are depicted in this story. I am definitely interested in more of the series especially because it is not going to be based around Evan.
TO RULE A FAE THRONE by Tessonja Odette 3.5 stars rounding down
Series One of the Fair Isle
“There are Fae far worse than me lurking in the woods…
I am Aspen, King of the Autumn Court. With me lies the great and terrible burden of hosting this century’s Hundred Year Reaping. Two human girls will be sent to my palace. I’ll hold not only their lives but also the fate of the Fair Isle in my hands.
I get to decide whether peace is maintained… or left to crumble beneath the tides of war.
Wouldn’t you know, it’s a bloody, rotting chore.
Or is it? A fiece human girl I meet in the woods might make me change my mind…”
Review:
This one has my interests piqued. The story was fairly short, but had a lot of set up. I am really interested to see where this goes. It doesn’t hurt that I connected with the characters either.
EXILING A FAE QUEEN by Joanna Reeder 5 stars
Series Raven Court
“I’m the heir to the throne. My birthright comes with a dark legacy. But to save Faerie, I must betray my sister.
I can’t dodge the responsibilities that comes iwth being a Crown Princess of the Raven Court any longer. I’ve always left the boring responsibilities of learning to rule Faerie in the capable hands of my twin sister Carys–with whom I’ll share the throne someday–trading stifling meetings for the freedom of riding the stormy seas on water horses. To appease my father–and the brooding Captain Tien Firetail who thinks I’m just a silly girl–I must journey to a neighboring court on a diplomatic peace mission. But what I discover about my own kind is devastating and makes me question everything.
The truth is dangerous and pits me against everyone I love… including my sister. But who am I sworn to protect?
Her?
Or our people?
And with the fate of faerie resting in my hands, I must make an impossible choice: condemn fae to die, or claim the throne alone.
Whatever I decide, one this is certain: I must become a traitor.”
Review:
I think this was my favorite of the 8. Sisters, crushes, friends, betrayal, high stakes? Yes, please! I really like the characters and you can already see how their arcs emerging. I think this is going to be a series to look out for going forward!
CROWN OF DARKNESS by Alison Ingleby 4 stars
Series Dark Elemental Courts
“I am darkness. But I dream of the light.
As the heir to the Unseelie throne, I have everything I could want. Apart from the one thing I long for–freedom.
Since my father brought me here from the mortal world, I have trained for war, learned to harness my power over the earth and tried to stay as far away as possible from the politics and intrigue of the Unseelie Court.
Against the wishes of my father, I resist the dark pull of the crown. But with every year, it gets harder, and the part of me that is human grows weaker.
There is nothing left for me in the mortal realm. No reason for me to leave. Nothing except a dream of a woman who tells me life could be different… And when I discover the truth about an ancient prophecy, even that hope disappears.
Do I run and face the shame of betraying my people? Or accept my duty as Unseelie Prince and earn my father’s respect?
When the threads of Fate are woven before us, do I even have a choice?”
Review:
I enjoyed this one. It had a really awesome magic system and the potential for more going forward is there. The end definitely had a punch, and throughout you really understood where Ciaran was torn. Human vs. fae, mother’s dying wish vs. father’s approval. Definitely one of the more interesting internal struggles. Plus it ends in a mystery so I have to find out the answer!
MARKED BY FAE by Valia Lind 3 stars
Series is The Fae Chronicles
“They say nothing bad has ever come from reading a book. I guess it depends on the book…
Thunderbird Academy is the perfect place for me. Brilliant academically and extraordinary magically, it’s where I need to be in order to earn my place on the Council as a Watcher.
Yet, before I know it, I’m thrust into a magical war I want no part in. My magic holds a key to Ancient spells and when I discover a book that unlocks powers within me that can make or break all of Faery, things just get worse.
Hunted by all of Faery, I have no choice but to go into hiding.
With time running out, I hope my luck changes because more than anything, I want to stay alive.”
Review:
Honestly, I wasn’t a fan. The concept was good and the world was cool, but I felt like I missed so much because I didn’t read the previous series. So I recommend reading those before this series. Great writing and interesting so I’ll probably pick up that series but I’m gonna give it a bit of time.
THE WOLF GATE by Hanna Sandvig stars TBD
Story continues in The Rose Gate
“My… What big teeth you have!
have you ever wondered if something was up with your boyfriend? Distant. Moody. Never texts you back. Turns into a wolf at nightfall?
No, just me?
When a wolf chased me through a faerie portal in the forest, the last person I expected to see on the other side was my ex-boyfriend, Gavin. Turns out, he’s a fae, and everything I thought I knew about him was a lie. Now we’re on the run from his Alpha, the minion of the Unseelie Queen, through the mountains and forests of Faerie.
But our deadly pursuers may be the least of my worries.
Because the longer I stay in Faerie with Gavin, the harder it is to remember why I’m so mad. I can feel my defenses crumbling, but how can I give him another chance when he’s proven he can break my heart?
Am I strong enough to discover if this is true love? And will I survive long enough to find out?”
Review:
I swear I am this character. From page one I identified so much. I loved it! Highly recommended! It’s a really cool retelling of Little Red Riding Hood with exes and magic and running for your life with someone you hate.
REALMS OF FAE AND SHADOW contains 8 short stories by 8 different authors. Summaries of individual stories are written before the story begins and will be included in my reviews below. Each story will be rated individually and the entire anthology will be rated as a whole.
Summary of anthology thanks to GoodReads:
“Enchanted forests.
Deadly bargains.
Welcome to the magic of Faerie.
Realms of Fae and Shadow is a breathtaking fantasy anthology featuring eight exclusive tales. Discover magic, romance, and betrayal as you lose yourself in the faerie world…
Can a human girl rescue a cursed fae prince before she’s shackled to a dull mortal life?
When the heir to the Unseelie Court is confronted with an unsettling fate, does he embrace the dark magic of the crown or turn his back on duty forever?
A fae princess is set to inherit a kingdom… only to discover devastating secrets lurking beneath the legacy of her throne.
Experience these stories (and more!) unfold as you journey through a portal to Faerie where danger meets beauty and the darkest shadows face the light.
If you love brooding royals, glittering courts, and fierce heroines, then you’ll adore this dazzling selection.
REALMS OF FAE AND SHADOW is a limited edition collection featuring stories by:
Stacey Trombley
Kay L Moody
Clarissa Gosling
Tessonja Odette
Joanna Reeder, USA Today Bestselling Author
Alison Ingleby, USA Today Bestselling Author
Valia Lind, USA Today Bestselling Author
Hanna Sandvig”.
Review for anthology as a whole: 4 stars
Overall, the stories a fantastic. Each has a larger piece of writing that goes with them and I’m going to be looking into all of them. This was my first anthology so I wasn’t sure what to expect. I was pleasantly surprised. The stories fit together but were different in characters, system, and plot (even sub-genre). I would definitely recommend for anyone looking for a new fairy book.
NIGHT BRINGER by Stacey Trombley 4 stars
TRIAL OF THORNS follows after the short story.
“A terrible bargain.
An impossible choice.
Kill my soul mate, or lose my life?
Caelynn adores her homelands in the Shadow Court, but as one of the poorest and weakest courts in the realm, there’s little opportunity for a talented fae like her.
When she overhears her parents planning to force her into another court, she runs away–straight to the Cave of Mysteries to jump start her initiation. She’ll become a shadow fae with or without permission.
But there are monsters in those deep tunnels. The Night Bringer is waiting for her, and once she’s in his clutches, she must complete his bargain or accept eternal slavery.
But this bargain is no simple task. The Night Bringer dresses her like a princess and sends her to a ball to kill a fae prince. A prince who just so happens to be her soul mate…”
Review:
This is an excellent set up for the full book. I read this and immediately obtained TRIAL OF THORNS. NIGHT BRINGER leaves on such a cliffhanger that I could not resist! And this is a definite theme throughout the anthology.
HEIR OF BITTER THORN by Kay L Moody 3.5 stars rounding up (would be higher if I read this before Book 1)
Series The Fae of Bitter Thorn
“Never bargain with a fae.
Elora dreams of adventure.
With her unwanted marriage approaching, she is desperate to have some excitement before it arrives. A dryad appears and asks for help with saving a lost fae prince from the clutches of an evil queen. Believing it’s nothing more than a dream, Elora agrees willingly.
But Faerie is more dangerous than she imagined. Alongside iridescent clouds and frosted beauty, it also has dangerous enchantments, scheming fae, and frightening trolls. Even with her experienced sword skills, the land challenges her courage and wit to their breaking points.
Unfortunately, she already broke the first rule of Faerie: Never enter a bargain.
Now she has no choice. She must save the prince… or die.”
Review:
I hate to say this, but I was a tad disappointed in this one. I think it is mainly because I loved the full book and the prequel seemed to only restate information we already had. That being said, it is a perfect way to start the series! It sets up the world and characters without overloading you. It definitely leaves you wanting to return to Faerie.
FAE BARGAINS by Clarissa Gosling 3 stars (due to disliking character, but series follows someone else so I’m thrilled)
Series Lost Princess of Starlight
“Faerie punishments usually spell death.
For Evan, it could offer freedom.
As reluctant heir to the Moonlight Court, Evan would take forest games over a royal crown any day. But when he’s caught sneaking humans into Faery for fun, the fearsome Huntsman of the Forest delievers a fateful ultimatum: give up the throne ot serve as a guardian of the gates between realms or face the wrath of the combined Courts of Faery for breaking the Treaty of the Yews.
With a chance to escape the dreaded role he was born to finally within reach, Evan is willing to do whatever it takes to claim the Huntsman’s bargain. But it’s easier said than done when his mother, the domineering Queen of Moonlight, orders him to go on a last royal mission that pits him against his heart.
With his future on the line, can Evan complete this final task… or will he unwittingly set into motion the greatest betrayal known to faekind?”
Review:
This is probably one of my least favorite stories in the bunch and I still really enjoyed it. I didn’t fully connect with Evan, but I love the politics and consequences (or are they?) that are depicted in this story. I am definitely interested in more of the series especially because it is not going to be based around Evan.
TO RULE A FAE THRONE by Tessonja Odette 3.5 stars rounding down
Series One of the Fair Isle
“There are Fae far worse than me lurking in the woods…
I am Aspen, King of the Autumn Court. With me lies the great and terrible burden of hosting this century’s Hundred Year Reaping. Two human girls will be sent to my palace. I’ll hold not only their lives but also the fate of the Fair Isle in my hands.
I get to decide whether peace is maintained… or left to crumble beneath the tides of war.
Wouldn’t you know, it’s a bloody, rotting chore.
Or is it? A fiece human girl I meet in the woods might make me change my mind…”
Review:
This one has my interests piqued. The story was fairly short, but had a lot of set up. I am really interested to see where this goes. It doesn’t hurt that I connected with the characters either.
EXILING A FAE QUEEN by Joanna Reeder 5 stars
Series Raven Court
“I’m the heir to the throne. My birthright comes with a dark legacy. But to save Faerie, I must betray my sister.
I can’t dodge the responsibilities that comes iwth being a Crown Princess of the Raven Court any longer. I’ve always left the boring responsibilities of learning to rule Faerie in the capable hands of my twin sister Carys–with whom I’ll share the throne someday–trading stifling meetings for the freedom of riding the stormy seas on water horses. To appease my father–and the brooding Captain Tien Firetail who thinks I’m just a silly girl–I must journey to a neighboring court on a diplomatic peace mission. But what I discover about my own kind is devastating and makes me question everything.
The truth is dangerous and pits me against everyone I love… including my sister. But who am I sworn to protect?
Her?
Or our people?
And with the fate of faerie resting in my hands, I must make an impossible choice: condemn fae to die, or claim the throne alone.
Whatever I decide, one this is certain: I must become a traitor.”
Review:
I think this was my favorite of the 8. Sisters, crushes, friends, betrayal, high stakes? Yes, please! I really like the characters and you can already see how their arcs emerging. I think this is going to be a series to look out for going forward!
CROWN OF DARKNESS by Alison Ingleby 4 stars
Series Dark Elemental Courts
“I am darkness. But I dream of the light.
As the heir to the Unseelie throne, I have everything I could want. Apart from the one thing I long for–freedom.
Since my father brought me here from the mortal world, I have trained for war, learned to harness my power over the earth and tried to stay as far away as possible from the politics and intrigue of the Unseelie Court.
Against the wishes of my father, I resist the dark pull of the crown. But with every year, it gets harder, and the part of me that is human grows weaker.
There is nothing left for me in the mortal realm. No reason for me to leave. Nothing except a dream of a woman who tells me life could be different… And when I discover the truth about an ancient prophecy, even that hope disappears.
Do I run and face the shame of betraying my people? Or accept my duty as Unseelie Prince and earn my father’s respect?
When the threads of Fate are woven before us, do I even have a choice?”
Review:
I enjoyed this one. It had a really awesome magic system and the potential for more going forward is there. The end definitely had a punch, and throughout you really understood where Ciaran was torn. Human vs. fae, mother’s dying wish vs. father’s approval. Definitely one of the more interesting internal struggles. Plus it ends in a mystery so I have to find out the answer!
MARKED BY FAE by Valia Lind 3 stars
Series is The Fae Chronicles
“They say nothing bad has ever come from reading a book. I guess it depends on the book…
Thunderbird Academy is the perfect place for me. Brilliant academically and extraordinary magically, it’s where I need to be in order to earn my place on the Council as a Watcher.
Yet, before I know it, I’m thrust into a magical war I want no part in. My magic holds a key to Ancient spells and when I discover a book that unlocks powers within me that can make or break all of Faery, things just get worse.
Hunted by all of Faery, I have no choice but to go into hiding.
With time running out, I hope my luck changes because more than anything, I want to stay alive.”
Review:
Honestly, I wasn’t a fan. The concept was good and the world was cool, but I felt like I missed so much because I didn’t read the previous series. So I recommend reading those before this series. Great writing and interesting so I’ll probably pick up that series but I’m gonna give it a bit of time.
THE WOLF GATE by Hanna Sandvig stars TBD
Story continues in The Rose Gate
“My… What big teeth you have!
have you ever wondered if something was up with your boyfriend? Distant. Moody. Never texts you back. Turns into a wolf at nightfall?
No, just me?
When a wolf chased me through a faerie portal in the forest, the last person I expected to see on the other side was my ex-boyfriend, Gavin. Turns out, he’s a fae, and everything I thought I knew about him was a lie. Now we’re on the run from his Alpha, the minion of the Unseelie Queen, through the mountains and forests of Faerie.
But our deadly pursuers may be the least of my worries.
Because the longer I stay in Faerie with Gavin, the harder it is to remember why I’m so mad. I can feel my defenses crumbling, but how can I give him another chance when he’s proven he can break my heart?
Am I strong enough to discover if this is true love? And will I survive long enough to find out?”
Review:
I swear I am this character. From page one I identified so much. I loved it! Highly recommended! It’s a really cool retelling of Little Red Riding Hood with exes and magic and running for your life with someone you hate.
September 7, 2020
What a collection of stories. Loved the romance, magic that the characters brought to you. Once I started reading I was lost forever. Don’t miss out on this enchanting collection.
September 6, 2020
Review for To Rule a Fae Throne by the highly entertaining Tessonja Odette!
This was absolutely enjoyable and sheer fun!! I loved seeing these moments that set the stage for To Carve a Fae Heart! Aspen really is so intense and there is just something so alluring about him. I only wish that this was longer, but other than that, it was perfect!!! I love this author!! This series will sweep you away!! It's just the fae series with court intrigue that you've been dreaming of!!! The writing style is beautiful as is the magical world building!!
This was absolutely enjoyable and sheer fun!! I loved seeing these moments that set the stage for To Carve a Fae Heart! Aspen really is so intense and there is just something so alluring about him. I only wish that this was longer, but other than that, it was perfect!!! I love this author!! This series will sweep you away!! It's just the fae series with court intrigue that you've been dreaming of!!! The writing style is beautiful as is the magical world building!!
Read
October 3, 2020# review
Realms of Fae and Shadow Arc is a collection of 8 stories by different authors. These stories are all centered around Fae folks. Some of them are high fantasy and some of them are portal fantasy. Fortunately,I was given an advanced copy of this book to write an honest review. So I am going to review each stories of this book, one by one and while doing so, I will try to be as impartial as possible. I hope you'll find my review helpful :3
First one is Night Bringer by STACEY TROMBLEY;which follows a girl assigned to murder the youngest heir of Luminescent Court King. The girl is from Shadow court,total opposite of Luminescent court and most oppressed court to be present at the current time. Her task was simple,find the fae prince and kill him,and then she would gain infinite amount of power so that no one would ever be able to defy her or her court. But she soon realizes that she won't ever be able to kill him,because he also happens to be his soulmate. The author has a fluid writing style,that quickly tugs a reader inside the story. I had fun while reading it. But one thing I didn't like was how quickly everything happened and how quickly the author seemed to put an end to the story. There's a cliffhanger at the end,and probably I'll read the second book too, but the thing is that the book lacked depth,which I deeply crave. But otherwise it was a light,short,and interesting story you won't mind reading with your evening tea/coffee.
Second one is Heir of Bitter Throne by Kay L Moody. It's about a girl who enters into a bargain with a fae to rescue a prince in exchange of an adventure.The prince is bound to an evil queen ,and the girl must rescue him to finish her bargain. The thing I most liked about this book is how the author put visual representations through her narrative ,it's like you can feel and sense the world she created for this story. I myself have felt every touch,every smell, every sight while reading the story. I loved how she represented Elora and her father's interaction in such short period of time. If I had to talk about one bad thing about the book,its the ending.It's fraustrating!
Third one is Fae Bargains by CLARISSA GOSLING.It's about a prince who doesn't want to be the king. One day,a huntsman catches him tormenting a human which he used to do pretty often. The huntsman them makes a bargain with his mother,the queen,to release the prince of his duty and let him be the protector of the gates that connect different realm.The story illustrates the prince's journey to become the protector of the gates,for which he must complete a task assigned by her mother.There is no real conflict or plot twist,but I guess the author has more in her sleeve for the book that follows.
To Rule a Fay Throne by TESSONJA ODETTE. It's the story of a king who despises humans but he has to marry a human because of a treaty signed thousands of years ago. The plot is unique,because it's the only story in this book that shows a fae-human acknowledged relationship.The other ones show that mortals aren't informed about faes and if they somehow slip through a portal and end up being in fae realm,they pass their remaining life as a slave. So yeah,this one's concept was good but again ,it is too short to give a proper review.
EXILING A FAE QUEEN by JOANNA REEDER. At first,I thought this story was slow.But after a while,it got...interesting.I won't say it was fast paced,but it surely had elements in it. It was unique in its own way and I liked that about it. The story follows a princess who is to be a queen one day,along with her twin. This princess likes to wear pants and ride sea horses,while her sister is her complete opposite ,always dressed up in elegant clothes. One day, she reluctantly agreed to visit a court under her kingdom,and that's when she comes to the realization that she was living inside a comfort bubble her whole life. The story is basically her quest to find ways to make the lifes of ill-treated faes better and create a change.It's a prequel to a book she has written,so you wouldn't get a full reader-satisfaction after reading this one,like most other stories in this book.
Next is Crown of Darkness by ALISON INGLEBY. It is the last story with a male lead in this book. The story follows Prince Ciaran,heir of unseelie court but totally unware of his duty. Honestly,I it's the only story I've found in this book that has character conflicts and plot complexity. I loved how Ciaran,despite his darkness,despite the fae side in him,tried to bring light,tried to bring kindness in his character. The author's depiction of greyness in the world-that not all faes are dark and not all humans are light was a beautiful plot point added to the story. From forming the climax to draw an end line,the story did a beautiful job despite being caged in limited page counts.The only problem with this story that is it unfinished,but comparing it with other stories in this book,I would say it's really not a problem.
Next one is Marked by Fae by VALIA LIND. I would say it's a plot setup rather than a story. Because there is actually nothing except world building. By the end of it,you can guess the commotion of a book. Avery,who is the protagonist of this story recently transferred to Thunderbird Academy,which seemed somewhat like Hogwarts from Harry Potter Universe. She is very determined and hard-working.She wants to work for the council but soon discovers that she is part of something bigger.
Last one is The Wolf Gate by HANNA SANDVIG. It is a retelling of Little Red Riding Hood,plotted in the world of her first book,The Rose gate. Audrey is a high school graduate and a programmer;currently living in a mundane town called PilotBay. The story starts with her sending messages to her boyfriend
asking her to come meet her,but he doesn't reply back. Her friend runs a bakery shop and when her Aunt requests to deliver some doughnuts to her home over phone call,there is no one except Audrey to take up the task. Unfortunately,after delivering her parcel,she is chased by a pack of wolves on her way back home. Strangely,she found herself portaled back to another land when a wolf jumps over her. She discovers that the wolf is no one but her ex boyfriend,who she loathed above everything else in the world. What I liked about this story was that the writing style-which is very smooth and easy that I had no trouble diving into it. Also,the girl is quite sassy and I loved the snappy comebacks. The fact that the boy is not the alpha exalted me,because I'm tired of seeing the alphas being the only one to get girls in werewolves related stories. But one thing I didn't like was how easily they fought their battles,unlike the first one. I also didn't like the flawlessness of the character Gavin. It was like he was all positive person. But then again I guess one shouldn't expect too much depth from a short story. If you like sweet,romantic,light stories,give it a go!
Realms of Fae and Shadow Arc is a collection of 8 stories by different authors. These stories are all centered around Fae folks. Some of them are high fantasy and some of them are portal fantasy. Fortunately,I was given an advanced copy of this book to write an honest review. So I am going to review each stories of this book, one by one and while doing so, I will try to be as impartial as possible. I hope you'll find my review helpful :3
First one is Night Bringer by STACEY TROMBLEY;which follows a girl assigned to murder the youngest heir of Luminescent Court King. The girl is from Shadow court,total opposite of Luminescent court and most oppressed court to be present at the current time. Her task was simple,find the fae prince and kill him,and then she would gain infinite amount of power so that no one would ever be able to defy her or her court. But she soon realizes that she won't ever be able to kill him,because he also happens to be his soulmate. The author has a fluid writing style,that quickly tugs a reader inside the story. I had fun while reading it. But one thing I didn't like was how quickly everything happened and how quickly the author seemed to put an end to the story. There's a cliffhanger at the end,and probably I'll read the second book too, but the thing is that the book lacked depth,which I deeply crave. But otherwise it was a light,short,and interesting story you won't mind reading with your evening tea/coffee.
Second one is Heir of Bitter Throne by Kay L Moody. It's about a girl who enters into a bargain with a fae to rescue a prince in exchange of an adventure.The prince is bound to an evil queen ,and the girl must rescue him to finish her bargain. The thing I most liked about this book is how the author put visual representations through her narrative ,it's like you can feel and sense the world she created for this story. I myself have felt every touch,every smell, every sight while reading the story. I loved how she represented Elora and her father's interaction in such short period of time. If I had to talk about one bad thing about the book,its the ending.It's fraustrating!
Third one is Fae Bargains by CLARISSA GOSLING.It's about a prince who doesn't want to be the king. One day,a huntsman catches him tormenting a human which he used to do pretty often. The huntsman them makes a bargain with his mother,the queen,to release the prince of his duty and let him be the protector of the gates that connect different realm.The story illustrates the prince's journey to become the protector of the gates,for which he must complete a task assigned by her mother.There is no real conflict or plot twist,but I guess the author has more in her sleeve for the book that follows.
To Rule a Fay Throne by TESSONJA ODETTE. It's the story of a king who despises humans but he has to marry a human because of a treaty signed thousands of years ago. The plot is unique,because it's the only story in this book that shows a fae-human acknowledged relationship.The other ones show that mortals aren't informed about faes and if they somehow slip through a portal and end up being in fae realm,they pass their remaining life as a slave. So yeah,this one's concept was good but again ,it is too short to give a proper review.
EXILING A FAE QUEEN by JOANNA REEDER. At first,I thought this story was slow.But after a while,it got...interesting.I won't say it was fast paced,but it surely had elements in it. It was unique in its own way and I liked that about it. The story follows a princess who is to be a queen one day,along with her twin. This princess likes to wear pants and ride sea horses,while her sister is her complete opposite ,always dressed up in elegant clothes. One day, she reluctantly agreed to visit a court under her kingdom,and that's when she comes to the realization that she was living inside a comfort bubble her whole life. The story is basically her quest to find ways to make the lifes of ill-treated faes better and create a change.It's a prequel to a book she has written,so you wouldn't get a full reader-satisfaction after reading this one,like most other stories in this book.
Next is Crown of Darkness by ALISON INGLEBY. It is the last story with a male lead in this book. The story follows Prince Ciaran,heir of unseelie court but totally unware of his duty. Honestly,I it's the only story I've found in this book that has character conflicts and plot complexity. I loved how Ciaran,despite his darkness,despite the fae side in him,tried to bring light,tried to bring kindness in his character. The author's depiction of greyness in the world-that not all faes are dark and not all humans are light was a beautiful plot point added to the story. From forming the climax to draw an end line,the story did a beautiful job despite being caged in limited page counts.The only problem with this story that is it unfinished,but comparing it with other stories in this book,I would say it's really not a problem.
Next one is Marked by Fae by VALIA LIND. I would say it's a plot setup rather than a story. Because there is actually nothing except world building. By the end of it,you can guess the commotion of a book. Avery,who is the protagonist of this story recently transferred to Thunderbird Academy,which seemed somewhat like Hogwarts from Harry Potter Universe. She is very determined and hard-working.She wants to work for the council but soon discovers that she is part of something bigger.
Last one is The Wolf Gate by HANNA SANDVIG. It is a retelling of Little Red Riding Hood,plotted in the world of her first book,The Rose gate. Audrey is a high school graduate and a programmer;currently living in a mundane town called PilotBay. The story starts with her sending messages to her boyfriend
asking her to come meet her,but he doesn't reply back. Her friend runs a bakery shop and when her Aunt requests to deliver some doughnuts to her home over phone call,there is no one except Audrey to take up the task. Unfortunately,after delivering her parcel,she is chased by a pack of wolves on her way back home. Strangely,she found herself portaled back to another land when a wolf jumps over her. She discovers that the wolf is no one but her ex boyfriend,who she loathed above everything else in the world. What I liked about this story was that the writing style-which is very smooth and easy that I had no trouble diving into it. Also,the girl is quite sassy and I loved the snappy comebacks. The fact that the boy is not the alpha exalted me,because I'm tired of seeing the alphas being the only one to get girls in werewolves related stories. But one thing I didn't like was how easily they fought their battles,unlike the first one. I also didn't like the flawlessness of the character Gavin. It was like he was all positive person. But then again I guess one shouldn't expect too much depth from a short story. If you like sweet,romantic,light stories,give it a go!
September 15, 2020
Collections are great ways to explore new authors using a common theme. I was intensely interested in this collection because it has stories by new authors I have already tagged as favorites, plus other authors I hoped to love.
I did not read every story. My interest now lies in feminine pov's. I like to become the character, feel the world, feel the angst. Thus, stories by the authors I actually wanted to read did not get read. I have read their main stories and absolutely would recommend you check out the authors for the stories I don't mention. The stories in this collection from male POVs seem to be side-stories for the awesome series.
1. Night Bringer by Stacey Trombley:
Cinderella remake with "shadow fae". Not sure if I like the story but it is written well. The mc is young and the luminous prince sparks instalove. Too bad she acted impatiently beforehand. Desperate to achieve her first of 3 rite of passage, she gets caught by an evil demigod who forces her into a bargain to kill the heir. She didn't try to negotiate since she is an adolescent. I needed something aimed to an older audience. Otherwise it was entertaining.
2. Heir of Bitter Thorn by Kay L Moody: Already read and love it. Absolutely love it. One of my favorites of all time.
3. To Rule A Fae Throne by Tessonja Odette: Guy's pov. Love the author and the main series. This is a side story.
4. Exiling a Fae Queen by Joanna Reeder: I want to check out this author now! A story about twin sisters assigned to rule faerie together. Carys grew up immersed in court politics while Alys gamed and rode her water horse. Alys realizes one day that she really wants to save the true Fae who have become enslaved by Star (half) fae and save the dying earth. I love the concept. Her lack of sophistication gets in her way but she nonetheless manages to gain some support for her cause. But her sister predicts Alys's duplicity and outthinks her. the king is dead long live the... One queen. The one part that irks me is that Alys caves in every time Carys gives her an order. How would she ever be considered good enough to rule? The plot is smart even if Alys is not.
5. Alyson Ingleby: Crown of Darkness: Guy’s POV, didn’t read.
6. Valia Lind: Marked By Fae: I read Thunderbird Academy and loved it. This is a preview, and I found the beginning a little slow. I decided to skip the rest of the story because I already read Thunderbird Academy.
7. Hanna Sandvig: The Wolf Gate. new author to me. Starts with a bang, just the way I like it. It’s a modern Red Riding Hood retelling. Audry, Neve...cool and interesting names. Pink-tipped hair (similar to mine once) and red cape are symbiotic. I like it already. It's quirky, modern, and funny. It includes a little Hansel and Gretel action, and I laughed a lot. I am going to check out this author's stories, too!
I did not read every story. My interest now lies in feminine pov's. I like to become the character, feel the world, feel the angst. Thus, stories by the authors I actually wanted to read did not get read. I have read their main stories and absolutely would recommend you check out the authors for the stories I don't mention. The stories in this collection from male POVs seem to be side-stories for the awesome series.
1. Night Bringer by Stacey Trombley:
Cinderella remake with "shadow fae". Not sure if I like the story but it is written well. The mc is young and the luminous prince sparks instalove. Too bad she acted impatiently beforehand. Desperate to achieve her first of 3 rite of passage, she gets caught by an evil demigod who forces her into a bargain to kill the heir. She didn't try to negotiate since she is an adolescent. I needed something aimed to an older audience. Otherwise it was entertaining.
2. Heir of Bitter Thorn by Kay L Moody: Already read and love it. Absolutely love it. One of my favorites of all time.
3. To Rule A Fae Throne by Tessonja Odette: Guy's pov. Love the author and the main series. This is a side story.
4. Exiling a Fae Queen by Joanna Reeder: I want to check out this author now! A story about twin sisters assigned to rule faerie together. Carys grew up immersed in court politics while Alys gamed and rode her water horse. Alys realizes one day that she really wants to save the true Fae who have become enslaved by Star (half) fae and save the dying earth. I love the concept. Her lack of sophistication gets in her way but she nonetheless manages to gain some support for her cause. But her sister predicts Alys's duplicity and outthinks her. the king is dead long live the... One queen. The one part that irks me is that Alys caves in every time Carys gives her an order. How would she ever be considered good enough to rule? The plot is smart even if Alys is not.
5. Alyson Ingleby: Crown of Darkness: Guy’s POV, didn’t read.
6. Valia Lind: Marked By Fae: I read Thunderbird Academy and loved it. This is a preview, and I found the beginning a little slow. I decided to skip the rest of the story because I already read Thunderbird Academy.
7. Hanna Sandvig: The Wolf Gate. new author to me. Starts with a bang, just the way I like it. It’s a modern Red Riding Hood retelling. Audry, Neve...cool and interesting names. Pink-tipped hair (similar to mine once) and red cape are symbiotic. I like it already. It's quirky, modern, and funny. It includes a little Hansel and Gretel action, and I laughed a lot. I am going to check out this author's stories, too!
September 16, 2020
1) Night Bringer by Stacey Trombley wow what a great start to a series I’m surely doing to pick up ASAP. Caelynns character captured me from the beginning. Her devotion to the Shadow Court is so pure I cannot believe the event that she endured.
2) Heir of Bitter Thorn Kay L Moody Certainly another series I must read. Elora makes a bargain but ended up getting more then she bargained for; isn’t that the way of Fae. I hope to see the growth of and see where her loyalties will lie, does she end up getting back to Faire in time ?
3) Fae Bargains : Clarissa Goslin Evan was hard for me to continue on his story at first. He was so willing to do whatever he could to avoid his duty as heir to the Moonlight Court it was unthinkable. The more I read the more I understood. It may take me a while to continue his story but I am intrigued enough it’s been added to my TBR.
4) To Rule a Fae Throne Tessonja Odette: although this was the shortest in the anthology I was not disappointed one bit. Aspen King of the Autumn Court is force time keep tradition or start a war with a reaping. This was not what I expected for an outcome and I cannot wait to continue.
5) Exiling a Fae Queen Joanna Reeder. This novella took me a while to get into. Twin Female Heirs are set to rule as one. Each with a personality of their own. One must betray the other in order to rule.
It may take me a while to continue their story but I am intrigued enough it’s been added to my TBR.
6) Crown of Darkness Alison Ingleby: what a fascinating story! A mortal and heir to the Unseelie throne. A new take on the Fae and how they rule. It may have taken me a little longer to read then I prefer but I loved the writing style and content that this has also been added to my tbr.
7) Marked by Fae Valia Lind. This was enthralling. I was captured from the beginning. Avery is one of a kind and I can relate in some ways. Her story is extremely fascinating and has just begun. So many new books on my TBR.
8.) The Wolf Gate : Hanna Sandvig. A new take on the Fae realm. Portals connecting the human and Fae realm, I absolutely flew through this novel. Having seen The Rose Gate is a Beauty and the Beast retelling it’s higher up on my TBR then all the rest as I’m very bias with B&B it’s a favorite story of alll time.
2) Heir of Bitter Thorn Kay L Moody Certainly another series I must read. Elora makes a bargain but ended up getting more then she bargained for; isn’t that the way of Fae. I hope to see the growth of and see where her loyalties will lie, does she end up getting back to Faire in time ?
3) Fae Bargains : Clarissa Goslin Evan was hard for me to continue on his story at first. He was so willing to do whatever he could to avoid his duty as heir to the Moonlight Court it was unthinkable. The more I read the more I understood. It may take me a while to continue his story but I am intrigued enough it’s been added to my TBR.
4) To Rule a Fae Throne Tessonja Odette: although this was the shortest in the anthology I was not disappointed one bit. Aspen King of the Autumn Court is force time keep tradition or start a war with a reaping. This was not what I expected for an outcome and I cannot wait to continue.
5) Exiling a Fae Queen Joanna Reeder. This novella took me a while to get into. Twin Female Heirs are set to rule as one. Each with a personality of their own. One must betray the other in order to rule.
It may take me a while to continue their story but I am intrigued enough it’s been added to my TBR.
6) Crown of Darkness Alison Ingleby: what a fascinating story! A mortal and heir to the Unseelie throne. A new take on the Fae and how they rule. It may have taken me a little longer to read then I prefer but I loved the writing style and content that this has also been added to my tbr.
7) Marked by Fae Valia Lind. This was enthralling. I was captured from the beginning. Avery is one of a kind and I can relate in some ways. Her story is extremely fascinating and has just begun. So many new books on my TBR.
8.) The Wolf Gate : Hanna Sandvig. A new take on the Fae realm. Portals connecting the human and Fae realm, I absolutely flew through this novel. Having seen The Rose Gate is a Beauty and the Beast retelling it’s higher up on my TBR then all the rest as I’m very bias with B&B it’s a favorite story of alll time.
September 17, 2020
Realms Of Fae And Shadow is a anthology of eight fantasy short stories by many different authors. I'm going to review them separately.
Heir of Bitter Thorn - Kay L Moody
This short novella is about Elora, a human girl who seeks an adventure before getting married. One night her dreams come true and a dryad brings her into Faerie to rescue the Prince of Bitter Thorn from the grasps of the Queen of Fairfrost Court.
Heir of Bitter Thorn is the prequel to the Fae of Bitter Thorn series and is definitely worth a read. It's a suspenseful short novella with a great plot and interesting characters. (4/5 stars)
To Rule a Fae Throne - Tessonja Odette
In this short story we accompany Aspen, the King of Autumn Court on his trip to a human village to collect the names of the girls he and his brother are going to marry. The marriage is part of an old event, the Hundred Year Reaping, that is supposed to maintain peace between the Fae and the Humans.
It's a short story with a great concept of the Fae-Human-Relationship and I enjoyed reading it, but it felt like it was just a teaser for "To Carve A Fae Heart". (3/5 stars)
Marked by Fate - Valia Lind
This short novella is about Avery, who transfers to Thunderbird Academy for her senior year. After a few days there she finds a magical book in an ancient language she can't read, but after she let's her magic connect with it she's able to read the pages and suddenly everyone is after her.
This short novella is super captivating and has an interesting topic, but unfortunately it also seemed like it's the beginning of the actual book (Shadow of the Fae). But it teased me enough to check out Shadow of the Fae. (3/5 stars)
Heir of Bitter Thorn - Kay L Moody
This short novella is about Elora, a human girl who seeks an adventure before getting married. One night her dreams come true and a dryad brings her into Faerie to rescue the Prince of Bitter Thorn from the grasps of the Queen of Fairfrost Court.
Heir of Bitter Thorn is the prequel to the Fae of Bitter Thorn series and is definitely worth a read. It's a suspenseful short novella with a great plot and interesting characters. (4/5 stars)
To Rule a Fae Throne - Tessonja Odette
In this short story we accompany Aspen, the King of Autumn Court on his trip to a human village to collect the names of the girls he and his brother are going to marry. The marriage is part of an old event, the Hundred Year Reaping, that is supposed to maintain peace between the Fae and the Humans.
It's a short story with a great concept of the Fae-Human-Relationship and I enjoyed reading it, but it felt like it was just a teaser for "To Carve A Fae Heart". (3/5 stars)
Marked by Fate - Valia Lind
This short novella is about Avery, who transfers to Thunderbird Academy for her senior year. After a few days there she finds a magical book in an ancient language she can't read, but after she let's her magic connect with it she's able to read the pages and suddenly everyone is after her.
This short novella is super captivating and has an interesting topic, but unfortunately it also seemed like it's the beginning of the actual book (Shadow of the Fae). But it teased me enough to check out Shadow of the Fae. (3/5 stars)
September 6, 2020
I absolutely loved this fantasy/faerie anthology. The cover is GORGEOUS and it contains 8 stories, which are all lead-ins for different faerie series. These are not simple short stories either, but rather are novellas. I was surprised to find this anthology to be approximately 650 pages give or take as I was expecting "short" stories. I was pleasantly surprised to find my belief was in error. The contents are as follows:
Nightbringer by Stacey Trombley
Heir of Bitter Thorn by Kay L. Moody
Fae Bargains by Clarissa Gosling
To Rule a Fae Throne by Tessonja Odette
Exiling a Fae Queen by Joanna Reeder
Crown of Darkness by Alison Ingleby
Marked by Fae by Valia Lind
The Wolf Gate by Hanna Sandvig
Perfect for any fan of Faerie stories. These have all the elements I love about Faerie - magic, mystery, character development, moral conflicts, good vs evil (and how good/evil can be dependent on one's perspective) and romance (innocent romance - this one has no graphic love scenes so younger readers can enjoy all of these stories as well, although there are references to sex so if sharing with younger readers use your own personal judgment).
Be warned though, that this anthology may very well cause your TBR list to increase in size - I know mine has because now I have had to add all of the series to my list as there wasn't a single intro story in this anthology that I did not enjoy...which means I now have to continue with all 8 of the series.
Thank you to author Hanna Sandvig for the e-ARC of this one in exchange for my honest review.
Nightbringer by Stacey Trombley
Heir of Bitter Thorn by Kay L. Moody
Fae Bargains by Clarissa Gosling
To Rule a Fae Throne by Tessonja Odette
Exiling a Fae Queen by Joanna Reeder
Crown of Darkness by Alison Ingleby
Marked by Fae by Valia Lind
The Wolf Gate by Hanna Sandvig
Perfect for any fan of Faerie stories. These have all the elements I love about Faerie - magic, mystery, character development, moral conflicts, good vs evil (and how good/evil can be dependent on one's perspective) and romance (innocent romance - this one has no graphic love scenes so younger readers can enjoy all of these stories as well, although there are references to sex so if sharing with younger readers use your own personal judgment).
Be warned though, that this anthology may very well cause your TBR list to increase in size - I know mine has because now I have had to add all of the series to my list as there wasn't a single intro story in this anthology that I did not enjoy...which means I now have to continue with all 8 of the series.
Thank you to author Hanna Sandvig for the e-ARC of this one in exchange for my honest review.
September 14, 2020
A collection of 8 wonderful stories: Realms of Fae And Shadows is worth the read.
I adore the writing styles of all of the authors, my favourite being that of Allison Ingleby's ‘Fae's Destiny’.
The book which hooked me the quickest is Court of Bitter Thorn.The introductory statement (or blurb, if you may) really made me wonder about how the story will go---it did not disappoint.
I really liked the general consistency of the authors crafting intelligent, strong and powerful women leads most especially Kay Moody's turning the tables through creating a story where the heroine becomes the hero, the knight saving a beloved.
The unique and wonderful character that is Evan, from Fae Fair greatly enticed me along with the plot.
This is also true with Imitating a Fae Queen by Joanna Reeder, who's injecting wonderful entertainment into the story made me giggle and snicker multiple times.
To Carve A Fae Heart's brevity made me thirst for more of the story.
The Rose Gate and Shadow of the Fae will bait you with their well crafted-plots.
A few of the stories were too dramatic, bordering on sappy and corny for my liking but fans of such books would definitely fall for Realms of Fae and Shadows. This anthology shall conquer your pocket and your TBR list. You have been warned!
I adore the writing styles of all of the authors, my favourite being that of Allison Ingleby's ‘Fae's Destiny’.
The book which hooked me the quickest is Court of Bitter Thorn.The introductory statement (or blurb, if you may) really made me wonder about how the story will go---it did not disappoint.
I really liked the general consistency of the authors crafting intelligent, strong and powerful women leads most especially Kay Moody's turning the tables through creating a story where the heroine becomes the hero, the knight saving a beloved.
The unique and wonderful character that is Evan, from Fae Fair greatly enticed me along with the plot.
This is also true with Imitating a Fae Queen by Joanna Reeder, who's injecting wonderful entertainment into the story made me giggle and snicker multiple times.
To Carve A Fae Heart's brevity made me thirst for more of the story.
The Rose Gate and Shadow of the Fae will bait you with their well crafted-plots.
A few of the stories were too dramatic, bordering on sappy and corny for my liking but fans of such books would definitely fall for Realms of Fae and Shadows. This anthology shall conquer your pocket and your TBR list. You have been warned!
September 8, 2020
Voluntarily reviewing an ARC of this. All opinions are objective and my own.
I am already a fan of Steacy Trombley and Tessonja Oddette already, but interested in finding other authors perhaps. Received this book from Tessonja’s Launch Team.
Other than the two authors just named, the other stories did not impress me. They just were not plots for me. They bored me. Some were interesting and unique, but nothing that made me want to continue with their series.
Night Bringer by Stacey Trombley:
I have already read Night Bringer before, but can not find my review of it…. I really enjoy the addition. It’s good to read before or after book 1. Before, sets the story up, while after explains a bit of what we see in book 1. Either way, it’s a nice read before book 2 though. Sets the scene for what is a great series.
To Rule a Fae Thorn by Tessonja Oddette:
Being in love with the series, I had already read this book, so here is the review I already have written:
Cute story that gives insight into Aspen’s life before the Reaping, and how they met for the first time. Now I want to reread book 1.
It gives another view that I loved. I found this one best to read after book 1 because it just will not carry the same weight if reading it before.
I am already a fan of Steacy Trombley and Tessonja Oddette already, but interested in finding other authors perhaps. Received this book from Tessonja’s Launch Team.
Other than the two authors just named, the other stories did not impress me. They just were not plots for me. They bored me. Some were interesting and unique, but nothing that made me want to continue with their series.
Night Bringer by Stacey Trombley:
I have already read Night Bringer before, but can not find my review of it…. I really enjoy the addition. It’s good to read before or after book 1. Before, sets the story up, while after explains a bit of what we see in book 1. Either way, it’s a nice read before book 2 though. Sets the scene for what is a great series.
To Rule a Fae Thorn by Tessonja Oddette:
Being in love with the series, I had already read this book, so here is the review I already have written:
Cute story that gives insight into Aspen’s life before the Reaping, and how they met for the first time. Now I want to reread book 1.
It gives another view that I loved. I found this one best to read after book 1 because it just will not carry the same weight if reading it before.
October 7, 2020
I was lucky enough to have snagged an advanced reader copy of Realms of Fae and Shadow and man am I glad I did! All of the stories in this Fae Anthology were amazing, obviously I have my favorites, but honestly I have to admit I loved them all.
*Night Bringer by Stacey Trombley
This was a second reading of this story for me. I read it after I read books 1 and 2 in the Wicked Fae series by the same author. I loved it just as much the second time around! Night Bringer is a great prequel to the Wicked Fae series. (One of my favorite new series by the way.) It was interesting to read about Caelynn’s first encounter with the Night Bringer and how the events of her life unfolded. I highly recommend Night Bringer and the Wicked Fae series and cannot wait until Books 3 and 4 come out!
*Heir of Bitter Thorn by Kay L Moody
I like that Elora has a close relationship with her father and that he taught her how to sword fight even though it is considered unbecoming of a woman in their time. That’s very cool for a young heroine. I really enjoyed this prequel. Blaz was one of my favorite characters but I have to say Elora and Brannick were pretty great too. It’s too bad the story ended the way it did but I cannot wait to read the first book in the series.
*Fae Bargains by Clarissa Gosling
Enjoyed this one! At first I didn’t like Evan because of the boggart thing, but the way he felt about the sproutlings, even though his actions were wrong, give me hope for him. I hope he appears in Fae Fair when it comes out in April. I really want to know his fate. I’ve already pre-ordered! If anything, I can’t wait to find out what happens with the sproutlings.
*To Rule a Fae Throne by Tessonja Odette
I’ll be honest, I was so ready to write Aspen and the Autumn Court off. He sounded really unpleasant, he has quite the temper, and violent. I wasn’t sure I’d enjoy his story, until the end that is. His encounter with Evelyn left me wondering if there was more to him than I initially thought. I’ll be continuing their story for sure!
*Exiling a Fae Queen by Joanna Reeder
Wow did this one end with a bang! A frustrating bang, but an unexpected, amazing cliff hanger! I really enjoyed this story as a whole and feel invested in the characters and the story. I’m looking forward to reading the first book in the Raven Court series in January!
*Crown of Darkness by Alison Ingleby
Intriguing story! I wasn’t sure what to expect or how to feel about the Prince. The story about the unicorn was pretty depressing. So is the suspicions surrounding the death of Ciaran’s mother. So many secrets, lots of intrigue! It was a pretty dark story with quite a lot of backstabbing going on. I’m interested to see what happens next.
*Marked By Fae by Valia Lind
Absolutely loved this story! I was captivated by the first word and devoured the story in one sitting. I really can’t wait to read what happens to Avery next! I want to see if she learns to master her magic and the book she found as well as what’s going to happen with the fae that’s chasing her. I can’t wait until October!
*The Wolf Gate by Hanna Sandvig
Great retelling of Little Red Riding Hood. I absolutely love retellings of fairy tales, especially when they have a completely new twist on the original story! I really loved Avery and Gavin! The story was super engaging as well, another one I couldn’t put down! It definitely left me wanting more though. Who’s the lost princess? Is it really who Gavin suspects? What’s going to happen to Gavin and Avery? I seriously want to know more!
*Night Bringer by Stacey Trombley
This was a second reading of this story for me. I read it after I read books 1 and 2 in the Wicked Fae series by the same author. I loved it just as much the second time around! Night Bringer is a great prequel to the Wicked Fae series. (One of my favorite new series by the way.) It was interesting to read about Caelynn’s first encounter with the Night Bringer and how the events of her life unfolded. I highly recommend Night Bringer and the Wicked Fae series and cannot wait until Books 3 and 4 come out!
*Heir of Bitter Thorn by Kay L Moody
I like that Elora has a close relationship with her father and that he taught her how to sword fight even though it is considered unbecoming of a woman in their time. That’s very cool for a young heroine. I really enjoyed this prequel. Blaz was one of my favorite characters but I have to say Elora and Brannick were pretty great too. It’s too bad the story ended the way it did but I cannot wait to read the first book in the series.
*Fae Bargains by Clarissa Gosling
Enjoyed this one! At first I didn’t like Evan because of the boggart thing, but the way he felt about the sproutlings, even though his actions were wrong, give me hope for him. I hope he appears in Fae Fair when it comes out in April. I really want to know his fate. I’ve already pre-ordered! If anything, I can’t wait to find out what happens with the sproutlings.
*To Rule a Fae Throne by Tessonja Odette
I’ll be honest, I was so ready to write Aspen and the Autumn Court off. He sounded really unpleasant, he has quite the temper, and violent. I wasn’t sure I’d enjoy his story, until the end that is. His encounter with Evelyn left me wondering if there was more to him than I initially thought. I’ll be continuing their story for sure!
*Exiling a Fae Queen by Joanna Reeder
Wow did this one end with a bang! A frustrating bang, but an unexpected, amazing cliff hanger! I really enjoyed this story as a whole and feel invested in the characters and the story. I’m looking forward to reading the first book in the Raven Court series in January!
*Crown of Darkness by Alison Ingleby
Intriguing story! I wasn’t sure what to expect or how to feel about the Prince. The story about the unicorn was pretty depressing. So is the suspicions surrounding the death of Ciaran’s mother. So many secrets, lots of intrigue! It was a pretty dark story with quite a lot of backstabbing going on. I’m interested to see what happens next.
*Marked By Fae by Valia Lind
Absolutely loved this story! I was captivated by the first word and devoured the story in one sitting. I really can’t wait to read what happens to Avery next! I want to see if she learns to master her magic and the book she found as well as what’s going to happen with the fae that’s chasing her. I can’t wait until October!
*The Wolf Gate by Hanna Sandvig
Great retelling of Little Red Riding Hood. I absolutely love retellings of fairy tales, especially when they have a completely new twist on the original story! I really loved Avery and Gavin! The story was super engaging as well, another one I couldn’t put down! It definitely left me wanting more though. Who’s the lost princess? Is it really who Gavin suspects? What’s going to happen to Gavin and Avery? I seriously want to know more!
September 13, 2020
I received a free copy of this book from Kay L Moody in exchange for an honest review. As of now, I have only read her novella, Heir of Bitter Thorn, but will update progress as I delve into the other stories.
Her novella alone makes this anthology worth the buy. Having read book 1 in her series Fae of Bitter Thorn (which I absolutely recommend), this was a wonderful expansion - and a total surprise! - of the events that happened before that book. We got insight on so many things that led to Elora entering the faerie lands to help Brannick, and learned that they themselves don't know the actual truth of what went on. I thoroughly enjoyed this novella, so much so, that I'm thinking about rereading The Court of Bitter Thorn again just to continue the journey in that world.
Review for Night Bringer by Stacey Trombley:
Not having read the series this preceeds, I can't comment on how much of a boon it would be to fans of the Wicked Fae stories. On its own, it tells of a girl who is so eager to prove herself, to save her fallen court, that she bargains with a devilish monster to do it.
It's an interesting tale, posing evil options disguised as choices, and sacrificing heart for for survival. It'd be interesting to see who Caelynn turns out to be after the events here.
Review for To Rule A Fae Throne by Tessonja Odette:
This was my first taste of a book from this author, and though it was brief, it was enjoyable. The banter between the king and his court had me audibly giggling at times, and I'd be curious to see if that feel continues onto book one. We were given a glimpse at the strife between courts, even between family, but very little to go on there except to explain some of the discomfort seen in their customs. Either, this appeared to be a good entry into yet anothrt appealing fae series.
Her novella alone makes this anthology worth the buy. Having read book 1 in her series Fae of Bitter Thorn (which I absolutely recommend), this was a wonderful expansion - and a total surprise! - of the events that happened before that book. We got insight on so many things that led to Elora entering the faerie lands to help Brannick, and learned that they themselves don't know the actual truth of what went on. I thoroughly enjoyed this novella, so much so, that I'm thinking about rereading The Court of Bitter Thorn again just to continue the journey in that world.
Review for Night Bringer by Stacey Trombley:
Not having read the series this preceeds, I can't comment on how much of a boon it would be to fans of the Wicked Fae stories. On its own, it tells of a girl who is so eager to prove herself, to save her fallen court, that she bargains with a devilish monster to do it.
It's an interesting tale, posing evil options disguised as choices, and sacrificing heart for for survival. It'd be interesting to see who Caelynn turns out to be after the events here.
Review for To Rule A Fae Throne by Tessonja Odette:
This was my first taste of a book from this author, and though it was brief, it was enjoyable. The banter between the king and his court had me audibly giggling at times, and I'd be curious to see if that feel continues onto book one. We were given a glimpse at the strife between courts, even between family, but very little to go on there except to explain some of the discomfort seen in their customs. Either, this appeared to be a good entry into yet anothrt appealing fae series.
September 19, 2020
I have not read every inclusion yet, but my reviews for the ones I have read are below:
Night Bringer
Gah! Not what I was expecting, but excellent. The novel that continues the story is officially on my wish list now. I will be reading that one as soon as time and funds allow.
Heir of Bitter Thorn
I found myself enjoying Elora's attitude toward life and her introduction to another realm more than a little. Yet another intro that has me chomping at the bit for more of the series.
Marked by Fae
Yup! I want to read everything this author has ever written about Thunderbird Academy. Fortunately, my research informs me there are several books already.
The Wolf Gate
I love Hanna Sandvig. This story only confirmed the worthiness of my devotion once again. I will be rereading this short and her other novels for years to come.
Full disclosure: I did receive a complimentary ARC; my opinions, of course, are mine alone and shared because I felt like it.
Night Bringer
Gah! Not what I was expecting, but excellent. The novel that continues the story is officially on my wish list now. I will be reading that one as soon as time and funds allow.
Heir of Bitter Thorn
I found myself enjoying Elora's attitude toward life and her introduction to another realm more than a little. Yet another intro that has me chomping at the bit for more of the series.
Marked by Fae
Yup! I want to read everything this author has ever written about Thunderbird Academy. Fortunately, my research informs me there are several books already.
The Wolf Gate
I love Hanna Sandvig. This story only confirmed the worthiness of my devotion once again. I will be rereading this short and her other novels for years to come.
Full disclosure: I did receive a complimentary ARC; my opinions, of course, are mine alone and shared because I felt like it.
September 17, 2020
This is a 5* PG Anthology about Wanting More than what is currently on offer to the young (17-18- years old)protagonists and should fill up an extended weekend.
Night Bringer by Stacey Trombley: Allow about half of a day for this PG13 tale of temptation. 5*
Heir of Bitter Thorn by Kay L Moody: A PG rescue attempt that takes about two hours. 5*
Fae Bargains by Clarissa Gosling: A PG tale of consequences that takes about two hours. 5*
To Rule a Fae Throne by Tessonja Odette: This PG15 prequel to her Fair Isle Trilogy takes about two hours. 5*
Exiling a Fae Queen by Joanna Reede: PG13 and takes about four hours. 5*
Crown of Darkness by Alison Ingleby is a PG15 political intrigue and takes about five hours. 5*
Marked by Fae by Valia Lind is set at Thunderbird Academy, family-friendly, and takes a little more than two hours. 5*
The Wolf Gate by Hanna Sandvig is a PG15 Red Riding Hood variant that takes about three hours. 5*
Night Bringer by Stacey Trombley: Allow about half of a day for this PG13 tale of temptation. 5*
Heir of Bitter Thorn by Kay L Moody: A PG rescue attempt that takes about two hours. 5*
Fae Bargains by Clarissa Gosling: A PG tale of consequences that takes about two hours. 5*
To Rule a Fae Throne by Tessonja Odette: This PG15 prequel to her Fair Isle Trilogy takes about two hours. 5*
Exiling a Fae Queen by Joanna Reede: PG13 and takes about four hours. 5*
Crown of Darkness by Alison Ingleby is a PG15 political intrigue and takes about five hours. 5*
Marked by Fae by Valia Lind is set at Thunderbird Academy, family-friendly, and takes a little more than two hours. 5*
The Wolf Gate by Hanna Sandvig is a PG15 Red Riding Hood variant that takes about three hours. 5*
September 13, 2020
Such a fascinating collection of fantasy novellas ♥️
Reading all of them felt like reading a book about all the fae courts. I liked that. It was like a bigger picture of the entire realm and learning more about each court.
Before receiving the ARC, I only knew and read Kay's books but now I had the chance to discover another seven great fantasy writers and definitely going to read the rest of the books. Yes, my TBR list has increased considerably 😅😁
For some of them I posted a review separately. Go check them out 😜
Thank you so much Hannah for giving me the ARC for this great collection ♥️
Reading all of them felt like reading a book about all the fae courts. I liked that. It was like a bigger picture of the entire realm and learning more about each court.
Before receiving the ARC, I only knew and read Kay's books but now I had the chance to discover another seven great fantasy writers and definitely going to read the rest of the books. Yes, my TBR list has increased considerably 😅😁
For some of them I posted a review separately. Go check them out 😜
Thank you so much Hannah for giving me the ARC for this great collection ♥️
September 15, 2020
Realms of Fae and Shadow: An Exclusive Fae Anthology by Kay L Moody, Stacey Trombley, Clarissa Gosling, Tessonja Odette, Joanna Reeder, Alison Ingleby, Valia Lind, Hanna Sandvig is an awesome Fae anthology that I have read. I loved reading this anthology very much. I highly recommend this anthology to everyone who loves reading about Fae in their stories.
I read a complimentary Advanced Reader Copy of this book & am voluntarily leaving an honest and unbiased review.
I read a complimentary Advanced Reader Copy of this book & am voluntarily leaving an honest and unbiased review.
September 15, 2020
Spoiler free
So this is actually the first time I read about fae and i’m sure if won’t be the last.
I was intrigued from the start, I love reading about fictional creatures and fae was unknown domain for me but I liked it. The stories also made me realise I need to know more and more about fae. The only downside to this book is that it ends. I loved it. The stories keep you interested and the world that was created sounds so alluring and magical.
Loved it! I need more 😅
So this is actually the first time I read about fae and i’m sure if won’t be the last.
I was intrigued from the start, I love reading about fictional creatures and fae was unknown domain for me but I liked it. The stories also made me realise I need to know more and more about fae. The only downside to this book is that it ends. I loved it. The stories keep you interested and the world that was created sounds so alluring and magical.
Loved it! I need more 😅
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