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The Fragile Keepers
Following a lightning storm, Andre and her brother Ben discover a winged girl cowering in their backyard shed. The millennials are thrilled by the appearance of a mythical being, but they are wary too, particularly when she warns them that a dangerous monster has followed her from “Elsewhere.”
The girl, (Shae) is desperate to return to a world she can now only scarcely recall. Exquisite and beguiling, Shae evokes a protectiveness on their part—especially when she grants them gifts of extraordinary new talent. Andre and Ben want to help her however they can.
But the siblings soon find out that these gifts carry ghastly side effects. Andre is enchanted by prophetic dreams, but they wither her grip on reality; Ben creates sublime music, but his health deteriorates. And then, to their horror, they discover that Shae must complete a terrible task before she can return home and that everyone they know and love is in danger. Andre and Ben must now figure out how to thwart a being they’ve grown to care for.
What they don’t realize is that Shae is changing—she’s beginning to develop a conscience, and an affinity for her human hosts. And as her time runs out, she must make a terrible choice before all their lives spiral into a grisly climax of cruel irony and heartbreaking sacrifice.
The girl, (Shae) is desperate to return to a world she can now only scarcely recall. Exquisite and beguiling, Shae evokes a protectiveness on their part—especially when she grants them gifts of extraordinary new talent. Andre and Ben want to help her however they can.
But the siblings soon find out that these gifts carry ghastly side effects. Andre is enchanted by prophetic dreams, but they wither her grip on reality; Ben creates sublime music, but his health deteriorates. And then, to their horror, they discover that Shae must complete a terrible task before she can return home and that everyone they know and love is in danger. Andre and Ben must now figure out how to thwart a being they’ve grown to care for.
What they don’t realize is that Shae is changing—she’s beginning to develop a conscience, and an affinity for her human hosts. And as her time runs out, she must make a terrible choice before all their lives spiral into a grisly climax of cruel irony and heartbreaking sacrifice.
301 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 19, 2020
28 people are currently reading
397 people want to read
About the author
Natalie Pinter
3 books24 followersNatalie Pinter has been an accomplished daydreamer for most of her waking life. After working for many years as a bookseller, she started sharing her own stories. When she’s not reading or writing, she enjoys taking pictures of nature and hanging out with her family. She currently resides in a swampy part of Florida surrounded by large and scary looking bugs.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews
February 22, 2023
This is a dark take on folklore and weaves in a coming of age human aspect as well. I loved how faerie folklore was not shown as we often seen it today, giggly and helpful, rather in true spirit of the folklore, intelligent and twisted. Make no mistake, this goes down a chilling and spooky path. The main characters were likable and well-developed, making them relatable as they traversed their new and unexpected discoveries.
October 28, 2020
If you found a fairy in your backyard, what would you do? Andre and Ben are faced with this very question in a fantastic debut novel. How do they help Shae, the lost, but in no way helpless fairy? How do they protect and shelter her from both the world and the shadowy creature stalking the forest nearby? And how they face the unknown cost of consorting with the Fae?
Despite being a fantasy, this is a story grounded in reality. From the faceted characters to their efforts to balance normal life while understanding and caring for the interloping Fae - it all feels painfully true to life. Beautifully told, relentless, and tragic, it's clear Pinter is a connoisseur of old fairy tales; the ones where, when dealing with magic, there is always a price to pay...
Despite being a fantasy, this is a story grounded in reality. From the faceted characters to their efforts to balance normal life while understanding and caring for the interloping Fae - it all feels painfully true to life. Beautifully told, relentless, and tragic, it's clear Pinter is a connoisseur of old fairy tales; the ones where, when dealing with magic, there is always a price to pay...
January 1, 2021
It took me awhile to review this because it's one of those stories that stays with you after you finish it. I needed to sit with it. It's such a beautiful story: complex and dark but yet at the same time so relatable. The human characters are so deeply human. Their very average-ness makes their experience so much more extraordinary. You feel like you might be next. The lyrical writing draws you in and keeps you. To me, this book is a reminder that writing is an art. To read prose written by a gifted writer is a joy. Pinter crafts a story that has staying power. This is a book that you will want, maybe need to discuss in depth. It will make you look at the world a little differently. She shows us beauty's savage edge, and nature's merciless penalty for existence. You will gladly pay any tithe to remain in the magic a little longer. I hope Pinter writes another book soon. I look forward to reading more from her.
October 22, 2020
This is a very unique fantasy. Oftentimes fantasy books that have fairies, and the like, are in a fantastical world, but this was written in the present world and I loved that. I feel it connected me to the story on a deeper level because I could better understand what the characters are going through. Not to mention the characters are well written and relatable.
There is so much going on throughout that I couldn't help but get tangled into the story (in a good way)...Shae's struggle with her required tithe and the compassion she is beginning to feel towards her "keepers"... Andre's connection to Shae and the changes she feels and can't stop ... and Ben's connection to Shae through his music and the need to create. I loved all of it and would definitely recommend this one. Great debut.
I received a copy of the E-ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Any opinions expressed herein are mine and mine alone.
There is so much going on throughout that I couldn't help but get tangled into the story (in a good way)...Shae's struggle with her required tithe and the compassion she is beginning to feel towards her "keepers"... Andre's connection to Shae and the changes she feels and can't stop ... and Ben's connection to Shae through his music and the need to create. I loved all of it and would definitely recommend this one. Great debut.
I received a copy of the E-ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Any opinions expressed herein are mine and mine alone.
November 19, 2020
I'm grateful for getting an advanced digital copy of this book even though I sadly didn't finish it in time for publication. Thank you to Natalie Pinter for sending me the PDF!
I liked this book a lot and it wasn't the books fault I didn't finish it quickly. It has a good pace and storytelling and I'm really looking forward to reading more from this author! Hope there will be more books x
So if people wanna get into something a bit different: go get this book!
I liked this book a lot and it wasn't the books fault I didn't finish it quickly. It has a good pace and storytelling and I'm really looking forward to reading more from this author! Hope there will be more books x
So if people wanna get into something a bit different: go get this book!
August 1, 2023
This book has a lovely cover that immediately drew my eye.
The story itself is well written, but not as ominous or horrifying as I was expecting. It’s a contemporary dark fantasy tale that follows siblings and friends as they discover something otherworldly in their shed.
It’s very character driven, but again, I was hoping for something a bit more fast paced and grim.
It’s a great tale for young/general adults who like folktales, faeries, and fantasy.
The story itself is well written, but not as ominous or horrifying as I was expecting. It’s a contemporary dark fantasy tale that follows siblings and friends as they discover something otherworldly in their shed.
It’s very character driven, but again, I was hoping for something a bit more fast paced and grim.
It’s a great tale for young/general adults who like folktales, faeries, and fantasy.
October 25, 2020
The Fragile Keepers is an incredible debut from Natalie Pinter. The characters are well-written and likable, the plot is engaging, and the prose is quite lovely. It was descriptive and vivid, without ever feeling heavy-handed. The setting is the modern human world, which also makes this book an excellent choice for someone wanting to dip their toes into fantasy.
I flew through this book and loved all of the interconnecting plot lines of Shae, Andre, and, Ben. Along with the paranormal events taking place, the trio also must deal with their conflicting emotions regarding each other, as well as their struggle for purpose in a post-modern society. I would definitely recommend this to anyone looking for a compelling and unique read.
Thank you so much to Natalie Pinter for sending me a digital review copy!
I flew through this book and loved all of the interconnecting plot lines of Shae, Andre, and, Ben. Along with the paranormal events taking place, the trio also must deal with their conflicting emotions regarding each other, as well as their struggle for purpose in a post-modern society. I would definitely recommend this to anyone looking for a compelling and unique read.
Thank you so much to Natalie Pinter for sending me a digital review copy!
December 28, 2020
Natalie Pinter's first novel is a remarkable experience that will leave you wanting her to write more novels for you to read. "The Fragile Keepers" is a contemporary mythic fantasy that is mysterious, suspenseful, and deeply satisfying, though you will suffer with the characters and through the mysteries all the way to the end--and perhaps beyond. Pinter is especially good with her ensemble cast and multiple-POV structure; by the end, I was sorry to finish the book and to lose the friends I'd felt I'd made. Pinter is not afraid to swim in folkloric waterways, for the narrative geography she offers is both resonating and original. If I am mixing my metaphors, that's because the effect of "The Fragile Keepers" can be overwhelming; the novel is deeply immersive, and I recommend it highly.
October 23, 2020
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I think I expected a fairy tale when I started this. Instead got a dark, fairytale as Andre and Ben get dragged into the orbit of Shae (our otherwordly character) and the events that follow as you're dragged along the story as events happen that seem completely inevitable and like they're meant to happen. And two days of reading later I was finished and I felt like I'd been taken along for quite the ride.
We see the majority of the events through either Andre or Ben's eyes, with the odd paragraph here and there through Shae's. It means you are mostly in the dark about what Shae's end game is going to be, other than gifts must be given and tithes must be paid. You know that something bad is coming, but even when it happened I had no idea where it was going to take us.
Andre and Ben make for great main characters. They're normal people in their mid-twenties who are just unfortunate enough to be the first to meet Shae. They're empathetic and try to do their best for this creature that they've found. They're straight forward and make for great narrators.
The story was so much darker than I anticipated. With some pretty odd sexual undertones that I think are meant to creep you out (it makes sense within the like fae folklore setting). It didn't end up anywhere near where I thought it was going to and I was genuinely pretty shocked by the ending.
This is a compulsive read that you should pick up if you're interested in folklore, particularly those of the darker kind.
I think I expected a fairy tale when I started this. Instead got a dark, fairytale as Andre and Ben get dragged into the orbit of Shae (our otherwordly character) and the events that follow as you're dragged along the story as events happen that seem completely inevitable and like they're meant to happen. And two days of reading later I was finished and I felt like I'd been taken along for quite the ride.
We see the majority of the events through either Andre or Ben's eyes, with the odd paragraph here and there through Shae's. It means you are mostly in the dark about what Shae's end game is going to be, other than gifts must be given and tithes must be paid. You know that something bad is coming, but even when it happened I had no idea where it was going to take us.
Andre and Ben make for great main characters. They're normal people in their mid-twenties who are just unfortunate enough to be the first to meet Shae. They're empathetic and try to do their best for this creature that they've found. They're straight forward and make for great narrators.
The story was so much darker than I anticipated. With some pretty odd sexual undertones that I think are meant to creep you out (it makes sense within the like fae folklore setting). It didn't end up anywhere near where I thought it was going to and I was genuinely pretty shocked by the ending.
This is a compulsive read that you should pick up if you're interested in folklore, particularly those of the darker kind.
November 13, 2020
Beautiful lyrical writing! I read this book in one day with only one meal break! I really hope this book reaches many people with its dark, melancholy enchantment!
October 21, 2020
A Satisfying Story to the End!
When I received an ARC copy of this novel, I wasn't sure what I was in for but let me tell you---this is a great debut novel! What Natalie does right is--telling the reader a story that can do nothing but draw them into a fresh world of her creation. She has taken the fantasy genre and breathed life into it with great character development and amazing twists and turns. If you are looking for a book that scratches your Fantasy itch--look no further! I can't wait to see what she comes up with next.
When I received an ARC copy of this novel, I wasn't sure what I was in for but let me tell you---this is a great debut novel! What Natalie does right is--telling the reader a story that can do nothing but draw them into a fresh world of her creation. She has taken the fantasy genre and breathed life into it with great character development and amazing twists and turns. If you are looking for a book that scratches your Fantasy itch--look no further! I can't wait to see what she comes up with next.
May 10, 2023
Before you pick up Fragile Keepers by Natalie Pinter be warned...
A - It's not for the faint of heart.
B - bring beverages and snacks (you won't want to put this book down).
C - book hangovers are real.
I'm not the only one that looks at butterflies or dragonflies and thinks "What pretty wings you have little monster." And I'm not the only one that hears "fairy" and thinks "Watch out for their teeth!" Natalie Pinter is aware of the darker side of fey too.
A - It's not for the faint of heart.
B - bring beverages and snacks (you won't want to put this book down).
C - book hangovers are real.
I'm not the only one that looks at butterflies or dragonflies and thinks "What pretty wings you have little monster." And I'm not the only one that hears "fairy" and thinks "Watch out for their teeth!" Natalie Pinter is aware of the darker side of fey too.
January 31, 2021
Thank you so much to @cultofpersonatalie for reaching out and #gifting me a copy of this lovely book.
This is a modern day faerie tale set in our modern world. I really liked this! It’s starts fast and there’s no waiting around for the story to get going. Andre & Ben are our MCs and both are likeable and I related lots with Andre in particular. She is a dreamer living an introverted life, she was great to follow through the story. Shae is a faerie, she has gifts to bestow and a tithe to take. There are some really dark moments in this, some quite tense points and lots of sadness. It was a quick easy read. Written for an adult audience I’d say and a really enjoyable book to spend my Sunday reading.
This is on Kindle Unlimited now for anyone who would like to check it out!
This is a modern day faerie tale set in our modern world. I really liked this! It’s starts fast and there’s no waiting around for the story to get going. Andre & Ben are our MCs and both are likeable and I related lots with Andre in particular. She is a dreamer living an introverted life, she was great to follow through the story. Shae is a faerie, she has gifts to bestow and a tithe to take. There are some really dark moments in this, some quite tense points and lots of sadness. It was a quick easy read. Written for an adult audience I’d say and a really enjoyable book to spend my Sunday reading.
This is on Kindle Unlimited now for anyone who would like to check it out!
March 18, 2021
This is a story about the Fae that takes place in the modern world rather than in some far off fantasy land. Andre and Ben, two step-siblings in their twenties, live very ordinary, uneventful, boring lives. Their uneventful lives are interrupted when they find a lost faerie in their backyard shed after a lightning storm. Shae has been thrown into this world from somewhere else outside our reality. She is here to bestow gifts to the humans, but each gift comes with a price, a tithe, that must be given in return. As Shae’s new Keepers the siblings want to keep her a secret to protect her, but they may be putting themselves and everyone they know in danger. The Fae are not all beauty and magic, the darker more manipulative side of these faeries will begin to creep through. What price would you be willing to pay to have a magical gift bestowed upon you?
I definitely recommend this one if you like modern dark fantasy/fairytales. It was very well written and I loved the characters. I am glad that we got to see multiple POVs from different characters. The characters were relatable seem very real. The story takes you in different direction and you never really knew what might happen next. The descriptions were richly detailed, but not in a way that will throw you off if you don’t like long drawn out descriptions. I can’t wait to see what the author puts out next.
I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review
I definitely recommend this one if you like modern dark fantasy/fairytales. It was very well written and I loved the characters. I am glad that we got to see multiple POVs from different characters. The characters were relatable seem very real. The story takes you in different direction and you never really knew what might happen next. The descriptions were richly detailed, but not in a way that will throw you off if you don’t like long drawn out descriptions. I can’t wait to see what the author puts out next.
I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review
March 7, 2021
Pinter’s debut novel is so incredibly dimensional and starkly different from any other faerie story I’ve read. I could hardly put this one down, as I quickly became invested in the characters and needed to know how it would turn out. Her prose provide beautiful imagery and weave the tales of her characters in a manner that feels effortless. She describes grief, ecstasy, and even frail confusion with depth and skill. This story is labeled a fantasy but it is squarely grounded in a very realistic world - I would call it magic realism. This tale is perfectly glittering, ethereal, dark, and mysterious, but yet it feels plausible. Much like the old stories, in Pinter’s, magic comes with a steep price. One that is more costly than the young siblings who find a faerie can fathom.
Synopsis: Following a the strange appearance of ball lightening in their yard, Andre and Ben find a winged girl creature in their shed. First sickened and then held in thrall by this unnatural and mythical occurrence, the siblings become protective and attempt to keep her a secret. Shae is a faerie, who was sent here from a realm she can hardly remember to perform a dark task she hardly understands. The siblings slowly realize that they and everyone they know are in grave danger, but they are unsure how to thwart this danger, especially as they care for and are entranced by the creature they suspect may hold their demise. The faerie begins to care for her hosts as well, but will she realize the true repercussions of her journey and task before it’s too late?
If you enjoy magic realism, dark fantasy, and faerie lore then I would definitely recommend this book. Pinter is a skilled storyteller. 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑭𝒓𝒂𝒈𝒊𝒍𝒆 𝑲𝒆𝒆𝒑𝒆𝒓𝒔 is extraordinary and impressive. I look forward to reading more from her in the future. Thank you to Natalie Pinter for the review copy in exchange for an honest review. The opinions contained within this review are mine and mine alone.
Synopsis: Following a the strange appearance of ball lightening in their yard, Andre and Ben find a winged girl creature in their shed. First sickened and then held in thrall by this unnatural and mythical occurrence, the siblings become protective and attempt to keep her a secret. Shae is a faerie, who was sent here from a realm she can hardly remember to perform a dark task she hardly understands. The siblings slowly realize that they and everyone they know are in grave danger, but they are unsure how to thwart this danger, especially as they care for and are entranced by the creature they suspect may hold their demise. The faerie begins to care for her hosts as well, but will she realize the true repercussions of her journey and task before it’s too late?
If you enjoy magic realism, dark fantasy, and faerie lore then I would definitely recommend this book. Pinter is a skilled storyteller. 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑭𝒓𝒂𝒈𝒊𝒍𝒆 𝑲𝒆𝒆𝒑𝒆𝒓𝒔 is extraordinary and impressive. I look forward to reading more from her in the future. Thank you to Natalie Pinter for the review copy in exchange for an honest review. The opinions contained within this review are mine and mine alone.
December 24, 2020
I am SHOOK after reading this novel. Though I'm not that familiar with faerie legend, I've read enough to know that any gift from the fae is likely to exact a terrible price (and oh, what a price Andre and Ben, the book's eponymous fragile keepers, ultimately pay!). Pinter takes this familiar trope and creates a wholly new tale that is equal parts beauty, pain, and horror. Reading it put me through an emotional wringer, almost as though I paid a tithe of my own, but I loved every minute of it. I look forward to future novels by this very talented writer.
November 18, 2020
I loved this book. A really fun read and I was engaged from beginning to end. There aren't a lot of books that I specifically clear time to read, these days, but this was one of them. I think this is Natalie Pinters first novel, and I hope she writes many more, because the amazing world she keeps in her head needs to be set free. ...so I can read more about it!
March 6, 2023
The book: 4 stars
My enjoyment: 2 stars
This is going to be a tough review to write.
So this is a lovely atmospheric and sad boho fairy tale of sorts, beautifully written in the style of Charles de Lint (i used to love his books) so that's a pretty good recommendation from me.
The strength of the book lies in the characters, it's heavily character focused. They are all fully detailed bohemian millennials, and by halfway through you care for them enough that they feel like family. We get to follow their lives, their social circles, families and activities.
In the background, some stuff happens. Of the supernatural fairy kind.
So... I'll admit i ended up not being the best audience for this book. I went in with the knowledge it's a light horror book so i read through it expecting that and it was not happening. One dark creature appears in the beginning, in the background, seen briefly once, and it held some suspense and promise, but its two actions were off screen and then he was dealt with by halfway through the book - off screen again. Bits of action and almost horror happened here and there, but the focus was always on the main characters and their feelings and thoughts. The little fairy appeared more but even she felt to be in the background. Time was often skipped ahead and it was jarring as not much was happening. The fairy had a task, but little action was taken towards it.
So i feel a balance between action and characters would have worked better for me. I was skimming by the end, and was upset to see the ending was extremely depressing and unjust and the whole task (it's actual purpose or function was never explained) felt brutally pointless.
I'm glad that most people got so much out of this book as the author clearly is excellent at writing, and i wish her the best of luck with the book.
My enjoyment: 2 stars
This is going to be a tough review to write.
So this is a lovely atmospheric and sad boho fairy tale of sorts, beautifully written in the style of Charles de Lint (i used to love his books) so that's a pretty good recommendation from me.
The strength of the book lies in the characters, it's heavily character focused. They are all fully detailed bohemian millennials, and by halfway through you care for them enough that they feel like family. We get to follow their lives, their social circles, families and activities.
In the background, some stuff happens. Of the supernatural fairy kind.
So... I'll admit i ended up not being the best audience for this book. I went in with the knowledge it's a light horror book so i read through it expecting that and it was not happening. One dark creature appears in the beginning, in the background, seen briefly once, and it held some suspense and promise, but its two actions were off screen and then he was dealt with by halfway through the book - off screen again. Bits of action and almost horror happened here and there, but the focus was always on the main characters and their feelings and thoughts. The little fairy appeared more but even she felt to be in the background. Time was often skipped ahead and it was jarring as not much was happening. The fairy had a task, but little action was taken towards it.
So i feel a balance between action and characters would have worked better for me. I was skimming by the end, and was upset to see the ending was extremely depressing and unjust and the whole task (it's actual purpose or function was never explained) felt brutally pointless.
I'm glad that most people got so much out of this book as the author clearly is excellent at writing, and i wish her the best of luck with the book.
November 13, 2020
The moment had a personality. It was self-aware, poised, and graceful, a drifting soap bubble saying, "Look at me, remember this. Remember when everything changed."
This is the kind of line, in the kind of book, that makes me want to read it all over again. There’s moments in The Fragile Keepers—quiet, innocuous moments—that could be glossed over without much thought, but actually mean everything.
Premise: Andre and her step-brother Ben witness a freak lightning storm of sorts in their California backyard, after which Shae—a beautiful winged creature, a faerie—appears in their shed. Unnerved at first, Andre and Ben eventually welcome Shae into their home. But Shae is no sweet little faerie. She has been sent to our world from another world by other faeries who, we can only assume, have a much bigger plan. In order to return to her world, Shae is tasked with giving gifts and collecting tithes, the details of which are shadowy and unknown even to her. When Shae starts developing a conscience and an affinity toward these humans—her fragile keepers—all of their lives, as well as the lives of their friends, spiral towards a haunting, transformative climax.
The Fragile Keepers is an incredible mix of real-world people and fantastical, otherworldly creatures. There are a lot of vivid descriptions of faerie lore and odd magic, but it never feels like too much. In fact, even in places where it doesn’t make any sense at all (to an unfamiliar reader, at least), we get the comforting feeling that either it will make sense at some point, or it was never meant to. It is ominous, like thunderclouds; the reader knows something bad is coming, perhaps only a page away.
The novel does run into moments of having too many characters hanging around, some of whom are arguably inconsequential to the story. Maybe it’s a personal preference, but these extra characters slowed me down a little in parts, especially around a very key scene to the whole story.
Natalie Pinter has crafted a wonderful debut. A dark, real-world fairy tale that is at once beautiful, ugly, haunting, dreamy, tragic, and thick with mood. It also has one of the most perfect endings I’ve ever had the pleasure of reading. And by “perfect” I don’t necessarily mean “happy”.
The Fragile Keepers makes you look for the beauty in small things, and requires you to question the existence of something more.
This is the kind of line, in the kind of book, that makes me want to read it all over again. There’s moments in The Fragile Keepers—quiet, innocuous moments—that could be glossed over without much thought, but actually mean everything.
Premise: Andre and her step-brother Ben witness a freak lightning storm of sorts in their California backyard, after which Shae—a beautiful winged creature, a faerie—appears in their shed. Unnerved at first, Andre and Ben eventually welcome Shae into their home. But Shae is no sweet little faerie. She has been sent to our world from another world by other faeries who, we can only assume, have a much bigger plan. In order to return to her world, Shae is tasked with giving gifts and collecting tithes, the details of which are shadowy and unknown even to her. When Shae starts developing a conscience and an affinity toward these humans—her fragile keepers—all of their lives, as well as the lives of their friends, spiral towards a haunting, transformative climax.
The Fragile Keepers is an incredible mix of real-world people and fantastical, otherworldly creatures. There are a lot of vivid descriptions of faerie lore and odd magic, but it never feels like too much. In fact, even in places where it doesn’t make any sense at all (to an unfamiliar reader, at least), we get the comforting feeling that either it will make sense at some point, or it was never meant to. It is ominous, like thunderclouds; the reader knows something bad is coming, perhaps only a page away.
The novel does run into moments of having too many characters hanging around, some of whom are arguably inconsequential to the story. Maybe it’s a personal preference, but these extra characters slowed me down a little in parts, especially around a very key scene to the whole story.
Natalie Pinter has crafted a wonderful debut. A dark, real-world fairy tale that is at once beautiful, ugly, haunting, dreamy, tragic, and thick with mood. It also has one of the most perfect endings I’ve ever had the pleasure of reading. And by “perfect” I don’t necessarily mean “happy”.
The Fragile Keepers makes you look for the beauty in small things, and requires you to question the existence of something more.
March 23, 2023
I was given a copy of this book in return for an honest review. So here it is! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ five stars!
It's about Ben and Andromeda (Andre). One night they see a strange ball of lightning in their backyard. When they go to investigate, they come across a strange creature in their shed. Shae is a sort of faerie that was sent here with a mission, but she has lost most of her memory. She does remember that she has to collect some sort of tithe.
This book was not what i was expecting, but it still managed to surprise me in a good way. I would not call it horror, but it definitely had enough horror-elements to keep me interested. It was more like a dark fairytale. It starts of quite magical but gets more grim towards the end.
You get a constant feeling of impending doom. You know that things are gonna go wrong, but the 'how and when' is what kept me on the edge of my seat while reading this book.
I highly recommend this one! I have a very one-sides taste when it comes to books. I like horror and I like fantasy. (And the occasional romance as a palate cleanser😂) But that's about it!
This book was a perfect mix for me!
It's about Ben and Andromeda (Andre). One night they see a strange ball of lightning in their backyard. When they go to investigate, they come across a strange creature in their shed. Shae is a sort of faerie that was sent here with a mission, but she has lost most of her memory. She does remember that she has to collect some sort of tithe.
This book was not what i was expecting, but it still managed to surprise me in a good way. I would not call it horror, but it definitely had enough horror-elements to keep me interested. It was more like a dark fairytale. It starts of quite magical but gets more grim towards the end.
You get a constant feeling of impending doom. You know that things are gonna go wrong, but the 'how and when' is what kept me on the edge of my seat while reading this book.
I highly recommend this one! I have a very one-sides taste when it comes to books. I like horror and I like fantasy. (And the occasional romance as a palate cleanser😂) But that's about it!
This book was a perfect mix for me!
May 22, 2023
I am a huge fan of Folklore based stories. Stories based around the Fae are so glittery and happy that they go so far from the traditional lore. That all changes here. This story centers on the lore that has fascinated me for so long. This story goes down a dark and deliciously twisted path. We have always heard that magic comes with a price and that price can be high. For siblings Andre and Ben they are going to pay the ultimate tithe. The character development is utterly beautiful and the pace of the book is fantastic. It goes just slow enough for that sinister feeling of what happens next to enter your bones. The most fantastic aspect of this story is Shae. What a beautifully complex emotional character. I felt myself both loving and hating her at the same time. This story had me feel so many emotions and I couldn't put it down. I am so thankful I was provided a copy of this in exchange for my review because it was breathtaking.
July 1, 2023
4.5 stars
The Fragile Keepers
Wow, this book was such a new experience for me. I normally read horror or psychological thrillers. While this book is mostly fantasy (?) it definitely has some light horror elements sprinkled throughout.
Natalie Pinter is a storyteller through and through. She spun a wonderfully magical world, in our modern world setting, with believably flawed and likable characters. This is a slow burn in the best of ways. Everything unfolded at the right pace and even minor details were not forgotten. For the first time in a very long while, I choked up just a bit at the end.
I was quite surprised to find out that this is a debut novel, as the writing is so poetic, beautiful, and sharp. If this is a first, I really can’t wait to see what Natalie Pinter has in store for us in the future.
The Fragile Keepers
Wow, this book was such a new experience for me. I normally read horror or psychological thrillers. While this book is mostly fantasy (?) it definitely has some light horror elements sprinkled throughout.
Natalie Pinter is a storyteller through and through. She spun a wonderfully magical world, in our modern world setting, with believably flawed and likable characters. This is a slow burn in the best of ways. Everything unfolded at the right pace and even minor details were not forgotten. For the first time in a very long while, I choked up just a bit at the end.
I was quite surprised to find out that this is a debut novel, as the writing is so poetic, beautiful, and sharp. If this is a first, I really can’t wait to see what Natalie Pinter has in store for us in the future.
February 28, 2024
4.5/5 Stars
A pair of siblings witness what they can only describe as a lightning ball happen in their backyard, and that is the beginning of a journey both marvelous and terrifying. For with it comes an otherworldly being who has tasks to accomplish, and there is always a price to pay.
This was a beautiful dark fantasy, a dive into old lore of the faerie realm, and that playing nice is not something we're all designed to do. I loved the cast of characters. They each had personalities and their own story, and invited you to attach to their world. Doing so though promises that you will feel their joys, and their pain. But I promise, it's worth it.
Ancient faerie lore mixed with modern-day life weaves a fantastic journey that I recommend and am glad I have a copy.
Oh, and side note, it was good enough I read it in the afternoon, even with work exhaustion. Just sayin'.
A pair of siblings witness what they can only describe as a lightning ball happen in their backyard, and that is the beginning of a journey both marvelous and terrifying. For with it comes an otherworldly being who has tasks to accomplish, and there is always a price to pay.
This was a beautiful dark fantasy, a dive into old lore of the faerie realm, and that playing nice is not something we're all designed to do. I loved the cast of characters. They each had personalities and their own story, and invited you to attach to their world. Doing so though promises that you will feel their joys, and their pain. But I promise, it's worth it.
Ancient faerie lore mixed with modern-day life weaves a fantastic journey that I recommend and am glad I have a copy.
Oh, and side note, it was good enough I read it in the afternoon, even with work exhaustion. Just sayin'.
November 4, 2020
First off thank you to @cultofpersonatalie for sending me this copy of Fragile Keepers for an honest review.
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Second what an amazing story, I didn’t want to put it down, I loved this modern day dark fantasy read, it was a nice change to what I normally read. It just kept me guessing as to what was going to happen, which turned out being a wonderful story with a sad end, which wasn’t my favourite but I think I had this feeling something like it would happen. 😕 The character development was great I loved Andre and Shae, the connection they had was great. I’m really happy for Ben and how things turned out for him even if he doesn’t want it. All in all I really liked this story and would suggest it to any fantasy readers out there! 👌🏻
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Second what an amazing story, I didn’t want to put it down, I loved this modern day dark fantasy read, it was a nice change to what I normally read. It just kept me guessing as to what was going to happen, which turned out being a wonderful story with a sad end, which wasn’t my favourite but I think I had this feeling something like it would happen. 😕 The character development was great I loved Andre and Shae, the connection they had was great. I’m really happy for Ben and how things turned out for him even if he doesn’t want it. All in all I really liked this story and would suggest it to any fantasy readers out there! 👌🏻
July 24, 2024
This book takes you into a world of Faerie Fantasy mixed with real world coming of age trials and tribulations.
When Andre and Ben find Shae in their shed the night after a storm where they saw ball lightening, their whole world is turned upside down. How do you hide a Faerie and still carry on normal life with no one finding out? As time went on, they were dazzled by what Shae can do and did start to notice odd happenings and subtle changes. Very slowly things start to take a darker turn when they learn how She is giving Andre and Ben gifts but she does have to also take a tithe but they do not know who, what or when this will be. As the story goes on things continue to take darker and more traumatic turns that crescendo into an emotional with a hint of surprising ending.
The characters in this book are relatable and this is such a good book to read, I recommend.
When Andre and Ben find Shae in their shed the night after a storm where they saw ball lightening, their whole world is turned upside down. How do you hide a Faerie and still carry on normal life with no one finding out? As time went on, they were dazzled by what Shae can do and did start to notice odd happenings and subtle changes. Very slowly things start to take a darker turn when they learn how She is giving Andre and Ben gifts but she does have to also take a tithe but they do not know who, what or when this will be. As the story goes on things continue to take darker and more traumatic turns that crescendo into an emotional with a hint of surprising ending.
The characters in this book are relatable and this is such a good book to read, I recommend.
September 8, 2024
This was a strange story, and one that took some twists that I definitely was not expecting. I guess I would call this fantasy horror, because while you don't think of faeries being horrific, the ones in Fragile Keepers by Natalie Pinter definitely are. Throughout the book, the reader is warned that something terrible is going to happen, and that sense of dread never goes away. There were nights I stayed up reading this just to see what would happen next. One big compliment to the author is that everything was wrapped up and answered by the end of the book. I would read another book by this author. 4.5/5
Trigger warning: death of an animal
Trigger warning: death of an animal
October 22, 2020
I was thrilled to have the honor of an advanced read of this debut novel. What I loved most about this story was how it allowed me to escape into an enchanting and magical place while keeping me grounded to what's familiar and common. As someone who is unfamiliar with this genre, I felt the ordinary and relatable characters helped guide me as they embarked into their other-worldly experience. The author's writing style kept me enthralled as the story unfolded and she cleverly set in motion the many intricate themes that came together in such a hauntingly beautiful ending.
August 13, 2022
This book pulled me in from the start. It was dark and twisted while still having magical aspects. I found I was unable to put it down sometimes. The ending is a twist I did not see coming. She mentions in the beginning about 'small girls who are always cold' and I felt attacked 🤣🤣. The description use throughout the book is easy for you to get lost in and the grey man was creepy. There was a lot of suspense and it kept me reading to find out what would happen next. Grab a copy and support our authors!
July 8, 2021
Natalie Pinter has written an engaging story that integrates Celtic lore with a California beach vibe. Her characters - a group of young adult friends - are believable. The relationships ring true. The pacing is excellent. I was hooked in the first chapter and wanted to read on, yet dreaded what might happen. It is scary.... the ending is quite bittersweet. I look forward to reading Natalie's next book!
March 28, 2023
This was a dark and different kind of Faerie story. The prose gripped me from the start. The story was so well written that I found myself lost in the world and magic Natalie created. I loved the characters and how they showed a realistic reaction to finding a faerie. This sparked what I can only call a dark and mysterious adventure that led me down a path that ended in a very different place than I originally thought. Fantastic read.
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