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Star-Fae Trilogy #1
Halayda
The ASIN B01MUJHWWD has been moved to the latest edition.
A mortal alchemist. A faerie king. A bond that transcends death.
Betrayed by a trusted mentor, Sylvie Imanthiya hides on the fringes of society, caring for half-fae orphans and trading her alchemical creations on the black market. She lives for the one night each season when she can see her dearest friend—a man whose destiny is far above hers.
King Taylan Ashkalabek knows better than to exchange halayda vows with a mortal. Even their friendship is a risk; love is an impossible dream. Then a brutal alchemical attack poisons his realm, unearthing a dark power within him—and leaving Sylvie with the ancient mark of Faerie’s savior.
Manifesting unpredictable abilities and aided by allies with their own secrets, Sylvie and Taylan journey into the wilds of Faerie to heal the damage and confront Casimir, an invincible star-fae determined to claim the realm as his own. But only their enemy knows Sylvie’s true capabilities—and Taylan’s weaknesses—and how to use them in his vicious schemes.
Her fate is life. His fate is death. With Faerie in the balance, Sylvie and Taylan must stand together before reality as they know it is destroyed.
A mortal alchemist. A faerie king. A bond that transcends death.
Betrayed by a trusted mentor, Sylvie Imanthiya hides on the fringes of society, caring for half-fae orphans and trading her alchemical creations on the black market. She lives for the one night each season when she can see her dearest friend—a man whose destiny is far above hers.
King Taylan Ashkalabek knows better than to exchange halayda vows with a mortal. Even their friendship is a risk; love is an impossible dream. Then a brutal alchemical attack poisons his realm, unearthing a dark power within him—and leaving Sylvie with the ancient mark of Faerie’s savior.
Manifesting unpredictable abilities and aided by allies with their own secrets, Sylvie and Taylan journey into the wilds of Faerie to heal the damage and confront Casimir, an invincible star-fae determined to claim the realm as his own. But only their enemy knows Sylvie’s true capabilities—and Taylan’s weaknesses—and how to use them in his vicious schemes.
Her fate is life. His fate is death. With Faerie in the balance, Sylvie and Taylan must stand together before reality as they know it is destroyed.
438 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2017
About the author
Sarah Delena White
8 books88 followersSarah Delena White was raised by wolves in an alternate dimension. She writes eclectic speculative fiction that reworks mythology with a fine balance of poetry and snark. She’s an experienced world traveler who loves to weave world folklore and ancient concepts into vibrant, original story worlds. She is the administrative manager for Uncommon Universes Press. When she’s not writing, she can be found making elegant designer bead jewelry, traveling to festivals as a professional ballad singer, drinking tea, and seeking to create the perfect latte. She can be bribed with dark chocolate.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 77 reviews
August 7, 2017
I LIKE THIS BOOK.
Things I like:
Sweet adult heroines who aren't dealing with teenage angst or delusions that being kick-butt and angry-all-the-time makes them a strong female.
Faerie kings who don't act like they are sexy, super mysterious, super powerful...I mean, he IS, but he doesn't act it.
Really awesome side-kick duo who are actually married. And are flirty and playful without provoking the reader.
Characters who come from tainted, even promiscuous pasts, but have still become good people who regret their mistakes and aspire to be something better.
No love triangles.
Really complicated villains who almost start to make sense. (Do I like this actually? It gets confusing. But it was well done.)
Clever conversations and adorable quotes.
Richly realized worlds, strongly visualized settings, interesting magic systems.
A main theme that honors and promotes the power and beauty of faithful marriage.
ANYWAY, I like this book. Sure, it may not be perfect, but it was the only book I've read in a long time that made me want to read every bit of it and not miss anything....plus....there's a lot of mystery and info drops scattered throughout, so it's really important not to miss anything, lol.
Things some readers may want to be aware of....
Okay, so there is a lot of magic, obviously, its faerie world. That being said, the humans also deal with alchemy that has magical effects.
There is a fair, though not over-saturated amount of language. Uses of d----, b-----d, a--, and one use of b---h by a villainess while tearing down a heroine.
Violence happens often, but is not heavily described. Mostly magic violence.
There is a lot of kissing, mostly between married couples. However I was SO OVERJOYED how the usual emotional/physical/lustful descriptions from the inner pov of the character were left out. I mean that stuff provokes the readers, not to mention is an invasion of personal space. Please, please, please, dear author, keep that up.
Also, one brief moment of a female flirting to a female, though this is quickly rebuffed.
Anyways, this was really well-written, I loved the characters so much, the themes and messages were very interesting, and although the ending was solid (yay for happy endings), I am totally looking forward to the next book!!!
Things I like:
Sweet adult heroines who aren't dealing with teenage angst or delusions that being kick-butt and angry-all-the-time makes them a strong female.
Faerie kings who don't act like they are sexy, super mysterious, super powerful...I mean, he IS, but he doesn't act it.
Really awesome side-kick duo who are actually married. And are flirty and playful without provoking the reader.
Characters who come from tainted, even promiscuous pasts, but have still become good people who regret their mistakes and aspire to be something better.
No love triangles.
Really complicated villains who almost start to make sense. (Do I like this actually? It gets confusing. But it was well done.)
Clever conversations and adorable quotes.
Richly realized worlds, strongly visualized settings, interesting magic systems.
A main theme that honors and promotes the power and beauty of faithful marriage.
ANYWAY, I like this book. Sure, it may not be perfect, but it was the only book I've read in a long time that made me want to read every bit of it and not miss anything....plus....there's a lot of mystery and info drops scattered throughout, so it's really important not to miss anything, lol.
Things some readers may want to be aware of....
Okay, so there is a lot of magic, obviously, its faerie world. That being said, the humans also deal with alchemy that has magical effects.
There is a fair, though not over-saturated amount of language. Uses of d----, b-----d, a--, and one use of b---h by a villainess while tearing down a heroine.
Violence happens often, but is not heavily described. Mostly magic violence.
There is a lot of kissing, mostly between married couples. However I was SO OVERJOYED how the usual emotional/physical/lustful descriptions from the inner pov of the character were left out. I mean that stuff provokes the readers, not to mention is an invasion of personal space. Please, please, please, dear author, keep that up.
Also, one brief moment of a female flirting to a female, though this is quickly rebuffed.
Anyways, this was really well-written, I loved the characters so much, the themes and messages were very interesting, and although the ending was solid (yay for happy endings), I am totally looking forward to the next book!!!
Read
February 14, 2019Another Fellowship of Fantasy Indie Book Club read!
HALAYDA was a fun read - fast-paced, never dull, and showcasing some intriguing speculative-fiction concepts (for example, I really enjoyed the storm dragon).
The central conceit of the book is the faerie concept of marriage - after all, when you live for thousands of years, marriage is pretty serious, and so in HALAYDA it becomes this whole mystical bond that allows you to mind-meld with each other, share powers and become stronger together than apart. It's unusual to have a focus on marriage in an adventure story, especially happy marriage, and so it was great to have that be a theme front and centre here.
I enjoyed that aspect, but it did get me thinking. This is possibly a matter of personal taste, because recently I've been more drawn, myself, to writing highly problematic romances. It's an axiom of storytelling that conflict is basic to story, and I admit I do tend to glaze over a bit when relationships run too smooth. I did find myself wondering, for instance, don't any fae marriages go down in flames? What happens when your halayda turns evil and tries to kill you? I mean, in faerie as in real life, some halaydas must turn out to be flagrant covenant breakers, right?
Maybe I'll just put that on my wishlist for future instalments of this trilogy, because oooh the drama :-)
HALAYDA was a fun read - fast-paced, never dull, and showcasing some intriguing speculative-fiction concepts (for example, I really enjoyed the storm dragon).
The central conceit of the book is the faerie concept of marriage - after all, when you live for thousands of years, marriage is pretty serious, and so in HALAYDA it becomes this whole mystical bond that allows you to mind-meld with each other, share powers and become stronger together than apart. It's unusual to have a focus on marriage in an adventure story, especially happy marriage, and so it was great to have that be a theme front and centre here.
I enjoyed that aspect, but it did get me thinking. This is possibly a matter of personal taste, because recently I've been more drawn, myself, to writing highly problematic romances. It's an axiom of storytelling that conflict is basic to story, and I admit I do tend to glaze over a bit when relationships run too smooth. I did find myself wondering, for instance, don't any fae marriages go down in flames? What happens when your halayda turns evil and tries to kill you? I mean, in faerie as in real life, some halaydas must turn out to be flagrant covenant breakers, right?
Maybe I'll just put that on my wishlist for future instalments of this trilogy, because oooh the drama :-)
August 8, 2020
VIDEO REVEIW HERE: https://youtu.be/aCv2wkHe0mw
KANDFDAHGEIOKAJDFJEAIOHIOEAHKDALFAHIHEANC
(Translation: I JUST EXPERIENCED ALL THE FEELS!!!)
Oh my. This book. Purely amazing. I loved it so much. It will forever be marked as a I-must-reread-this-book-over-and-over-again because of everything it created for me.
Every time I sat down, I was immediately thrown into this incredible world that produced so much awe and wonder. Never was there a moment was I not leaning closer to the book or making some dramatic hand movement because of what came next. (Let's not forget how I cried-almost-sobbed-but-really-sobbing at the end.)
Just everything. So very good. The message, the feels, the story, the characters (aka TAYLAN *coughs*), the adventure.
I strongly recommend this book to fantasy readers, steampunk, and everything in between because this story is wonderful and you're going to fall into a world that you may not want to leave. (Of course, as long as you have our special heroes because otherwise things could certainly get ugly really fast.)
Very much eagerly anticipating book two in this series!
KANDFDAHGEIOKAJDFJEAIOHIOEAHKDALFAHIHEANC
(Translation: I JUST EXPERIENCED ALL THE FEELS!!!)
Oh my. This book. Purely amazing. I loved it so much. It will forever be marked as a I-must-reread-this-book-over-and-over-again because of everything it created for me.
Every time I sat down, I was immediately thrown into this incredible world that produced so much awe and wonder. Never was there a moment was I not leaning closer to the book or making some dramatic hand movement because of what came next. (Let's not forget how I cried-almost-sobbed-but-really-sobbing at the end.)
Just everything. So very good. The message, the feels, the story, the characters (aka TAYLAN *coughs*), the adventure.
I strongly recommend this book to fantasy readers, steampunk, and everything in between because this story is wonderful and you're going to fall into a world that you may not want to leave. (Of course, as long as you have our special heroes because otherwise things could certainly get ugly really fast.)
Very much eagerly anticipating book two in this series!
March 7, 2018
It's difficult to know where to begin in describing how truly excellent this novel is. There are so many layers to its brilliance. I was enthralled from beginning to end, and sorry once I'd finished. The sequel can't arrive fast enough for my liking. It's also hard to talk about the story without delving into spoilers, because startling plot twists come into play as early as the first few chapters. I will cautiously summarize the things I loved, but trust me, you should go into this book spoiler free.
Here, then, are a few of the things that make Halayda awesome.
The characters. Not only were all the main players delightful, the relationships between them were refreshingly original. Sylvie (a human alchemist) and Taylan (the King of Faerie), the couple at the center of the story, are unique in that they have a pre-existing relationship when the book begins. They don't meet and then rush into a deep romantic relationship all in the course of one book. As such, the developments between them as the story progresses feel natural and "earned." Then there's the supporting romantic couple, Zad (a pooka, or horse-shifter) and Diza (a mysterious fae whose backstory I don't want to spoil). These two are--wonder of wonders--married! Take note, fantasy writers, marriage is not an instant romance-killer. Zad and Diza prove this. Zad, by the way, was probably my favorite character--he got so many great one-liners, and the snarky dynamic between him and Taylan was brilliant. Also, the villainous Casimir is a particularly well-written character. His motivations are clearly-explained and believable, and his evil plot raises the stakes in a gripping way.
The world-building. WOW. I was blown away by this element of the book. What we have here is a magical multiverse--and yes, that's just as cool as it sounds. The story alternates between a steampunk human world and the epic-fantasy setting of Faerie, but even more realms are teased besides these. (I'm hoping they will feature in subsequent Star-Fae books.) Faerie, where much of the book takes place, is filled with intricate magic, fascinating species, and breathtaking settings. White does a marvelous job adapting various elements of Celtic, Irish, and Scottish mythology into her world. Also, the magic is perfect. It's complex in a good way, without being overly intricate or presumptuous. Plus, there are some fascinating, atypical elements to it, like reality-warping.
The plot. I'm hoping nobody actually saw me yelling out loud at the pages during some of the more tense, startling moments. There were quite a few of them, though not so many that I felt overwhelmed--the story also had plenty of welcome pauses to allow the reader to enjoy the character interactions and the setting. I've already touched on the subverted tropes in the character relationships. These are used to build toward a surprising, yet very satisfying, conclusion. Some intriguing plot threads are left over for a sequel, but the book doesn't end on a frustrating cliffhanger. It's also worth mentioning that White is very good at writing multiple viewpoints and storylines without allowing the story to become muddled. I never felt lost or confused as I read, even though the book didn't hold my hand by indulging in a lot of tiresome info-dumps.
The only quibble I have with Halayda isn't a bad thing in principle. As I read, I got the feeling that there were all kinds of stories that came before this book--for example, the tales of how some of the characters met for the first time, or various snippets of the world's history. That didn't cause the book to become confusing--everything was clearly explained. The only reason I mention this is because I really want prequels. In particular, I want an entire book about how Zad and Diza got together, because their love story sounds amazing.
If Halayda is still several books down your to-be-read list, like it was on mine for a long time, you should definitely bump it higher. You'll understand exactly what I mean once you've read it. It's a masterfully-written work of fantasy that I'm proud to have on my shelf, and that I plan on recommending to fellow readers at every opportunity.
Here, then, are a few of the things that make Halayda awesome.
The characters. Not only were all the main players delightful, the relationships between them were refreshingly original. Sylvie (a human alchemist) and Taylan (the King of Faerie), the couple at the center of the story, are unique in that they have a pre-existing relationship when the book begins. They don't meet and then rush into a deep romantic relationship all in the course of one book. As such, the developments between them as the story progresses feel natural and "earned." Then there's the supporting romantic couple, Zad (a pooka, or horse-shifter) and Diza (a mysterious fae whose backstory I don't want to spoil). These two are--wonder of wonders--married! Take note, fantasy writers, marriage is not an instant romance-killer. Zad and Diza prove this. Zad, by the way, was probably my favorite character--he got so many great one-liners, and the snarky dynamic between him and Taylan was brilliant. Also, the villainous Casimir is a particularly well-written character. His motivations are clearly-explained and believable, and his evil plot raises the stakes in a gripping way.
The world-building. WOW. I was blown away by this element of the book. What we have here is a magical multiverse--and yes, that's just as cool as it sounds. The story alternates between a steampunk human world and the epic-fantasy setting of Faerie, but even more realms are teased besides these. (I'm hoping they will feature in subsequent Star-Fae books.) Faerie, where much of the book takes place, is filled with intricate magic, fascinating species, and breathtaking settings. White does a marvelous job adapting various elements of Celtic, Irish, and Scottish mythology into her world. Also, the magic is perfect. It's complex in a good way, without being overly intricate or presumptuous. Plus, there are some fascinating, atypical elements to it, like reality-warping.
The plot. I'm hoping nobody actually saw me yelling out loud at the pages during some of the more tense, startling moments. There were quite a few of them, though not so many that I felt overwhelmed--the story also had plenty of welcome pauses to allow the reader to enjoy the character interactions and the setting. I've already touched on the subverted tropes in the character relationships. These are used to build toward a surprising, yet very satisfying, conclusion. Some intriguing plot threads are left over for a sequel, but the book doesn't end on a frustrating cliffhanger. It's also worth mentioning that White is very good at writing multiple viewpoints and storylines without allowing the story to become muddled. I never felt lost or confused as I read, even though the book didn't hold my hand by indulging in a lot of tiresome info-dumps.
The only quibble I have with Halayda isn't a bad thing in principle. As I read, I got the feeling that there were all kinds of stories that came before this book--for example, the tales of how some of the characters met for the first time, or various snippets of the world's history. That didn't cause the book to become confusing--everything was clearly explained. The only reason I mention this is because I really want prequels. In particular, I want an entire book about how Zad and Diza got together, because their love story sounds amazing.
If Halayda is still several books down your to-be-read list, like it was on mine for a long time, you should definitely bump it higher. You'll understand exactly what I mean once you've read it. It's a masterfully-written work of fantasy that I'm proud to have on my shelf, and that I plan on recommending to fellow readers at every opportunity.
March 24, 2018
If you love fantasy like I do then this is the Fae story you've been looking for! This story is rich in world building and captures the story so well you feel everything with the characters. It is full of action, fighting, politics and some romance. This is a book I didn't want to put down and will definitely re-read again!
Sylvie is half-human and half-fae. She lives in the neutral area between the world of fae where Fae are dangerous creatures not to be trifled with and the human world full of alchemists and scientists because halflings are looked down on and treated just as bad. She decides to take care of the halfling orphans and give them hope while doing the best she can to teach them. She becomes acquainted with the Fae King when he helps her with supplies for the orphans. One day she gets marked with the sacred mark of the Fae savior. Now she must travel past the veil into the Fae world with her alchemist human friend and learn everything she can about what the mark means and what she should do.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing a copy of the book for a fair and honest review!
Sylvie is half-human and half-fae. She lives in the neutral area between the world of fae where Fae are dangerous creatures not to be trifled with and the human world full of alchemists and scientists because halflings are looked down on and treated just as bad. She decides to take care of the halfling orphans and give them hope while doing the best she can to teach them. She becomes acquainted with the Fae King when he helps her with supplies for the orphans. One day she gets marked with the sacred mark of the Fae savior. Now she must travel past the veil into the Fae world with her alchemist human friend and learn everything she can about what the mark means and what she should do.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing a copy of the book for a fair and honest review!
March 8, 2017
I had the privilege of reading this book before its official release date! The story had some plot twists that I didn't see coming at all, but that I appreciated -- particularly because once they had happened, they made sense in the story world and there were hints beforehand, but I hadn't anticipated them.
Similarly, one of the great strengths of this book was the "otherness" of Faerie. The world building was very cohesive, yet it felt appropriately alien to me. I was able to empathize with Sylvie's confusion, uncertainty, and wonder as the story unfolds, because everything that was new to her as a character was new to me as a reader, as well.
I love stories where characters get to grow and deepen, becoming more themselves and more suited to fill their role in the world, so I enjoyed that the characters all had areas for growth driven by both external circumstances and by their own character flaws and pasts. I think the combination of redemption happening at a very large level in Faerie and at a smaller level in individual characters makes for a powerful story of redemption.
I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys speculative fiction, romance, stories of redemption, or opportunities to think through growth and responsibility.
Similarly, one of the great strengths of this book was the "otherness" of Faerie. The world building was very cohesive, yet it felt appropriately alien to me. I was able to empathize with Sylvie's confusion, uncertainty, and wonder as the story unfolds, because everything that was new to her as a character was new to me as a reader, as well.
I love stories where characters get to grow and deepen, becoming more themselves and more suited to fill their role in the world, so I enjoyed that the characters all had areas for growth driven by both external circumstances and by their own character flaws and pasts. I think the combination of redemption happening at a very large level in Faerie and at a smaller level in individual characters makes for a powerful story of redemption.
I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys speculative fiction, romance, stories of redemption, or opportunities to think through growth and responsibility.
March 23, 2017
Fantastic fantasy story!
I had the privilege of reading this story before its official release date and it's definitely worth buying when I can. The characters were very real and I was drawn in immediately from page one! I would definitely recommend this book.
I had the privilege of reading this story before its official release date and it's definitely worth buying when I can. The characters were very real and I was drawn in immediately from page one! I would definitely recommend this book.
August 7, 2017
(Review originally posted here: https://thepagedreamer.wordpress.com/...)
Ten Thoughts on Halayda
1. TAYLAN. He’s the best. :D He’s the Faerie King and he’s epic and also caring and I love him to absolute bits. I love Zad too. ZAD IS ABSOLUTELY AWESOME. And snarky. XD
2. It takes place in a steampunk fantasy world and an attached Faerie world. I LOVED THIS. The Faerie world was very messed up for pretty much the entire story, but it was still kind of amazing and epic and just WOW too, and I loved the creatures, Fae, and fantasy-ness of it. Also it’s VERY LONG. (It also took me 2 months to read because I was busy with other books.) So I kind of lived in this book for a very long time, and it’s kind of hard to leave...
3. The dynamics between the four main characters are FABULOUS. Sylvie, Taylan, Zad, and Diza. I particularly loved how Zad and Diza are married, and Sylvie and Taylan kind of like each other (like a lot but don’t always admit it... *is quietly in the background aggressively shipping them because their romance is so cute*) but they have great dynamics with each other, and also since Zad and Diza are married, I didn’t have to worry about any tedious love-triangles. Silvie and Zad can be friends and work together, without her having a stupid love-triangle, and same with Diza and Taylan. They’re all super-connected to each other, and Diza and Sylvie are besties, and Zad and Taylan are kind of friends, in the best buddy-story-where-they-snark-at-each-other kind of way. XD And just... I really really loved these four characters and how they interacted and it was fresh and awesome. LOVE.
4. IT’S FUN TOO. I mean, sometimes it’s hard to find things this epic that can still be funny at times. It’s a sweeping fantasy epic with snark and hilarity and great banter. I love the snark and dialog! ^_^ Sooo much Kindle-highlighting going on. XD
5. Points for awesome Faerie references and things: like iron, and the Wild Hunt, and Banshees, and so many things. I love that it’s in a fantasy world so it can have different rules, so not ALL the old faerie lore applies, and much of it was flipped around, but it was so neat to have many of them woven in all the same. :D
6. It’s rather dark at times, and it’s probably more New Adult than Young Adult, not to mention that naturally it’s verrry violent and there’s a bit of language for those who worry about such things, but despite the darkness and stuff, it was still mostly clean, and I still loved it!
7. It’s utterly epic and gorgeous and Fae, all in the best possible way. It felt... well, this may sound silly, but it felt like all those gorgeous fantasy/faerie pictures on Pinterest... Like... sort of shadowy but colorful and vivid and so FAERIE AND FANTASY-ISH. I can’t describe it any better way.
8. I will say that I’m a liiiittle worried/hesitant about the future sequels. Because it ended just well enough that I’m happy with it, but just not-well-enough that I can easily see it breaking some of my happilies in sequels and I don’t know if I can go through that kind of trauma. O.o So at the moment, I love it as a standalone (just figuring that there’s naturally a few very very loose threads left hanging for the sequels) and will just pretend that everything’s okay. *coughcough* I kind of need the sequels but I also don’t because I’m happy with where things are and can’t bear the thought of anything happening to my precious characters. <333 Buuut more stuff needs wrapping up because CERTAIN THINGS are kind of left hanging, a bit. But at the same time it ended perfectly. <3 SO I’M TORN. IN A MAJOR WAY. I don’t even know, somebody save me from these feels.
9. Also, I love the word Halayda and what it means and just yes. <3
10. BUT THE EPIC. AND THE FANTASY. AND THE CHARACTERSSSS. I... I... I... Words fail me. Easily one of the most epic, sweeping, mythic, dark, gorgeous, Fae things I’ve ever read. Definitely a favorite this year.
Favorite Quotes
Ten Thoughts on Halayda
1. TAYLAN. He’s the best. :D He’s the Faerie King and he’s epic and also caring and I love him to absolute bits. I love Zad too. ZAD IS ABSOLUTELY AWESOME. And snarky. XD
2. It takes place in a steampunk fantasy world and an attached Faerie world. I LOVED THIS. The Faerie world was very messed up for pretty much the entire story, but it was still kind of amazing and epic and just WOW too, and I loved the creatures, Fae, and fantasy-ness of it. Also it’s VERY LONG. (It also took me 2 months to read because I was busy with other books.) So I kind of lived in this book for a very long time, and it’s kind of hard to leave...
3. The dynamics between the four main characters are FABULOUS. Sylvie, Taylan, Zad, and Diza. I particularly loved how Zad and Diza are married, and Sylvie and Taylan kind of like each other (like a lot but don’t always admit it... *is quietly in the background aggressively shipping them because their romance is so cute*) but they have great dynamics with each other, and also since Zad and Diza are married, I didn’t have to worry about any tedious love-triangles. Silvie and Zad can be friends and work together, without her having a stupid love-triangle, and same with Diza and Taylan. They’re all super-connected to each other, and Diza and Sylvie are besties, and Zad and Taylan are kind of friends, in the best buddy-story-where-they-snark-at-each-other kind of way. XD And just... I really really loved these four characters and how they interacted and it was fresh and awesome. LOVE.
4. IT’S FUN TOO. I mean, sometimes it’s hard to find things this epic that can still be funny at times. It’s a sweeping fantasy epic with snark and hilarity and great banter. I love the snark and dialog! ^_^ Sooo much Kindle-highlighting going on. XD
5. Points for awesome Faerie references and things: like iron, and the Wild Hunt, and Banshees, and so many things. I love that it’s in a fantasy world so it can have different rules, so not ALL the old faerie lore applies, and much of it was flipped around, but it was so neat to have many of them woven in all the same. :D
6. It’s rather dark at times, and it’s probably more New Adult than Young Adult, not to mention that naturally it’s verrry violent and there’s a bit of language for those who worry about such things, but despite the darkness and stuff, it was still mostly clean, and I still loved it!
7. It’s utterly epic and gorgeous and Fae, all in the best possible way. It felt... well, this may sound silly, but it felt like all those gorgeous fantasy/faerie pictures on Pinterest... Like... sort of shadowy but colorful and vivid and so FAERIE AND FANTASY-ISH. I can’t describe it any better way.
8. I will say that I’m a liiiittle worried/hesitant about the future sequels. Because it ended just well enough that I’m happy with it, but just not-well-enough that I can easily see it breaking some of my happilies in sequels and I don’t know if I can go through that kind of trauma. O.o So at the moment, I love it as a standalone (just figuring that there’s naturally a few very very loose threads left hanging for the sequels) and will just pretend that everything’s okay. *coughcough* I kind of need the sequels but I also don’t because I’m happy with where things are and can’t bear the thought of anything happening to my precious characters. <333 Buuut more stuff needs wrapping up because CERTAIN THINGS are kind of left hanging, a bit. But at the same time it ended perfectly. <3 SO I’M TORN. IN A MAJOR WAY. I don’t even know, somebody save me from these feels.
9. Also, I love the word Halayda and what it means and just yes. <3
10. BUT THE EPIC. AND THE FANTASY. AND THE CHARACTERSSSS. I... I... I... Words fail me. Easily one of the most epic, sweeping, mythic, dark, gorgeous, Fae things I’ve ever read. Definitely a favorite this year.
Favorite Quotes
“There have to be a few perks to being king of Faerie or no one would want the job.”
***
It’s sad when one’s highest priority is to not get captured by a tree.
***
“Say it, Your Loftiness.”
“Fine; you’re actually good for more than making smart remarks and eating other people’s food.”
***
"but I know you. And no matter what happens, no matter what you do or what you become, you’ll always be my Taylan.”
***
“Hey, your majesty!” Zad’s voice cut through the haze of her thoughts. “Are you coming back, or are you planning to leave all the packing to your peons?”
Taylan pulled away, scowling. “I’m coming.”
***
“I’m putting all the heavy things in the royal pack,” Zad called.
***
Zad gave a loud snort. “That’s it. Next time, I’m choosing the quest.”
Taylan rolled his eyes. “You did volunteer for this.”
“It serves me right for being noble and selfless.”
“You know you love being the hero, Zad.” Diza laughed.
***
“I’d rather walk through the darkness with you than have the most privileged life with anyone else.”
***
"I vow with all my heart to love you with the constancy of the sun, to protect you as the thorn protects the rose, to sustain you as a river in the wilderness, to stand beside you when all others desert. This is my promise to you, my halayda, until the world fades to nothing.”
***
“You’re an idiot.” Zad walked with plodding steps, his hooves thudding on the rocky ground.
“Thank you so much Zad, but I already knew that.” Taylan gripped the pooka’s mane, trying to stay upright.
***
“You haven’t eaten in two days.” Zad stopped to nuzzle a clump of dying leaves that clung to a gnarled branch. A shriveled brown fruit was buried in the middle. He snorted. “I haven’t eaten in two days.”
“If you rescued people faster, we wouldn’t be having this problem.”
***
“Why does a horse need to steal a horse?” Taylan held the reins of the bay stallion while Zad swung into the saddle of his new acquisition— a dapple gray that threatened to bite anyone who came within easy reach.
“Why would I run the whole way when someone else can do the work?” Zad settled onto the gray stallion’s back and smacked the horse’s nose as it nipped at his leg.
“It looks like you two will get along perfectly.”
“Shut up and start destroying things so we can get out of here.” Zad urged the scowling horse into the cover of the trees.
June 2, 2018
I'm so mad at myself for taking so long to get started reading this book, it was amazing!! I enjoyed getting to know the different types of faeries and the complexity of which faeries were considered "good" versus "bad." The characters were all distinctive, and even the secondary characters had depth and interesting back stories. The writing was beautiful, with excellent pacing and vivid descriptions. Most of all, I loved that Sylvie stayed true to herself and her kind, compassionate nature and the importance and meaning of the halayda bond in the faerie world. Definitely a must-read for fantasy fans!
*I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.*
*I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.*
June 10, 2018
The only reason this book isn't a 5-star read for me is that I didn't quite click with the characters (Sylvie in particular) or the writing style as well as I would've liked. That's probably just me, though. I still highly recommend this; it's got an awesome magical-steampunky world, an exciting plotline, delightful romance (without love triangles! or detail better left to the imagination! or characters being idiots for the sake of love!), excellent twists, intriguing magic, and the Wild Hunt. (Seriously, though; I love the author's twist on the Wild Hunt.) Oh, and all its characters have the sort of dark pasts that would usually result in them being complete angstballs, but they're all determined to move on, do what's right, and not let that define them. So that's awesome.
October 18, 2017
I loved this story! Fantasy and alchemy are both favorites of mine, so a story that combined the two was already appealing, but throw in amazing characters (I love Sylvie so much!) and a well-built world (well, worlds, really), and you have the perfect combination for this particular bookworm. I can't wait to read the other books in the series once they arrive!
August 21, 2024
Stopped reading at 55%. This was a nope for me.
March 24, 2017
This story had such an impact on me - not only was it a trippy, fascinating fantasy story unlike any I'd ever read before, but there were beautiful themes of hope and restoration woven throughout, which I found deeply encouraging.
The characters are fantastic!! Each one is unique and distinct, and stands out from the page, and their interactions and banter are so much fun to read, and their growth satisfying and beautiful. There are also a lot of very strong female characters (and males who totally hold their own beside them, too) which was wonderful and refreshing. I wanted to step into the story and be friends with them and explore the world with them.
Speaking of the world - Faerie is one of the most fun realms I have ever "visited". There were so many twists and turns that I was constantly surprised, in the best way! Never a dull moment. All of the settings were fresh and exciting. Because of the multiverse aspect, I'd recommend this not only to fantasy lovers but also people who love soft science-fiction or science-fantasy (like Marvel films and Doctor Who).
This book is GORGEOUS and shiny and truthful - a beautiful addition to the fantasy genre. Highly recommended!!
The characters are fantastic!! Each one is unique and distinct, and stands out from the page, and their interactions and banter are so much fun to read, and their growth satisfying and beautiful. There are also a lot of very strong female characters (and males who totally hold their own beside them, too) which was wonderful and refreshing. I wanted to step into the story and be friends with them and explore the world with them.
Speaking of the world - Faerie is one of the most fun realms I have ever "visited". There were so many twists and turns that I was constantly surprised, in the best way! Never a dull moment. All of the settings were fresh and exciting. Because of the multiverse aspect, I'd recommend this not only to fantasy lovers but also people who love soft science-fiction or science-fantasy (like Marvel films and Doctor Who).
This book is GORGEOUS and shiny and truthful - a beautiful addition to the fantasy genre. Highly recommended!!
March 27, 2017
Loved this book! I don't usually read stories about fairies -- I tend to gravitate more toward urban or contemporary fantasy, but the author pulled me in. Before the first chapter was over, I was rooting for Taylan and Sylvie. I also loved the secondary characters, Diza and Zad. There were hints of a deeper story with them and hope the next books share more of their background.
The world-building was well done. A directory listing all the different kinds of fairies and their abilities was included, which was very helpful the further I read. This was a pretty clean book, although there was some language. Nothing gratuitous or overtly offensive. The "sexual content" was more in the form of the growth of desire between the two main characters, but again nothing offensive. I actually liked seeing it, because it made it feel more like a real relationship. And the violence was very mild, mostly in the form of magic, but with little to no blood.
I'm looking forward to the rest of the series!
I received an advance reader copy of this book from the publisher. This is my fair and honest review.
The world-building was well done. A directory listing all the different kinds of fairies and their abilities was included, which was very helpful the further I read. This was a pretty clean book, although there was some language. Nothing gratuitous or overtly offensive. The "sexual content" was more in the form of the growth of desire between the two main characters, but again nothing offensive. I actually liked seeing it, because it made it feel more like a real relationship. And the violence was very mild, mostly in the form of magic, but with little to no blood.
I'm looking forward to the rest of the series!
I received an advance reader copy of this book from the publisher. This is my fair and honest review.
December 8, 2018
If you know anything about me, you know I absolutely love (well-written) Fantasy novels. I don’t always get the opportunity to read in this genre. Well, I found one brilliant fantasy novel in, Halayda!! Wow, wow, wow! There…that basically sums up my review. I’m going to go into a little more detail here, but just go pick up this book. It’s THAT good.
The characters were fantastic. The relationships between them were refreshing. One thing I really enjoyed was the relationship between Sylvie and Taylan, because it was already established before the book began. Translation, no insta-love! The growth of their relationship feels real, and I loved reading it. Each character is brought to life with interesting dialogue, believable motivations and well-written backstories.
One important element in any story, but specifically in the Fantasy genre is good world-building and a well-established magic system. Well, Halayda has amazing world-building that I’m still thinkingabout. This story alternates between a steampunk human workd and a fantasy Faerie world, with other realms teased. Intricate magic, speces and settings, are some of the reasons why I’m absolutely obsessed with this book.
Alright, I really could go on and on. There are so many elements to this story, it’s something you have to read. If you couldn’t tell, I was hooked from the beginning and absolutely in love with this world. This is definitely on my list of favorites read this year.
*I received a copy of this book as part of a blog tour. All opinions are my own.*
The characters were fantastic. The relationships between them were refreshing. One thing I really enjoyed was the relationship between Sylvie and Taylan, because it was already established before the book began. Translation, no insta-love! The growth of their relationship feels real, and I loved reading it. Each character is brought to life with interesting dialogue, believable motivations and well-written backstories.
One important element in any story, but specifically in the Fantasy genre is good world-building and a well-established magic system. Well, Halayda has amazing world-building that I’m still thinkingabout. This story alternates between a steampunk human workd and a fantasy Faerie world, with other realms teased. Intricate magic, speces and settings, are some of the reasons why I’m absolutely obsessed with this book.
Alright, I really could go on and on. There are so many elements to this story, it’s something you have to read. If you couldn’t tell, I was hooked from the beginning and absolutely in love with this world. This is definitely on my list of favorites read this year.
*I received a copy of this book as part of a blog tour. All opinions are my own.*
November 3, 2018
Absolutly adored this story. The characters were great the world was fantastic. I want to reread it again and again. A must read for any steampunk fantasy fan for sure.
December 10, 2018
Okay this was really good. Mainly because I love the characters and also that ending has to be one of the more creative ways to be able to overcome boundaries between mortal and immortal (vague because spoilers). This was great all on its own--looking forward to the next book!
May 7, 2018
Thanks to NetGalley and to the editor. I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I had waited a lot to write the review for this book because I liked it and I enjoyed the reading, but I didn’t fall in love with it and I didn’t find something really peculiar to say about it. I’ve read it this some months ago and I was hoping for a good idea, but nothing came up and in the end and now I am here to write the few things that I have to say.
It wasn’t a bad reading, and it has a lot of good things in it: the world building is quite interesting and original, for example, and I loved the mix between the fae mythology and the alchemy. It’s original and I may be a sucker for alchemy, too. It’s a world full of wonder and of magic, and the author did a great job with it.
The story is fast-paced and it’s full of things, you don’t get bored, that’s for sure. But I wasn’t so enthralled by it. It wasn’t bad and it wasn’t boring, yes, but it was lacking in something. Or maybe the fault is with the characters. To me, the weak point of this book is about the characters. I didn’t empathize with them, sadly, and I found a lot more interesting the side characters than the main ones.
Sylvie is a nice girl, and she has a really big heart, and King Taylan was an interesting character with some depths, but… I found them plain. I liked more the “side-kick” but they weren’t so well developed, even if we learn some interesting things about all of them, that really helps us to see them as persons and not just as wallflowers.
All in all, I enjoyed the reading, but I was expecting something more and I won’t go on with the series.
I had waited a lot to write the review for this book because I liked it and I enjoyed the reading, but I didn’t fall in love with it and I didn’t find something really peculiar to say about it. I’ve read it this some months ago and I was hoping for a good idea, but nothing came up and in the end and now I am here to write the few things that I have to say.
It wasn’t a bad reading, and it has a lot of good things in it: the world building is quite interesting and original, for example, and I loved the mix between the fae mythology and the alchemy. It’s original and I may be a sucker for alchemy, too. It’s a world full of wonder and of magic, and the author did a great job with it.
The story is fast-paced and it’s full of things, you don’t get bored, that’s for sure. But I wasn’t so enthralled by it. It wasn’t bad and it wasn’t boring, yes, but it was lacking in something. Or maybe the fault is with the characters. To me, the weak point of this book is about the characters. I didn’t empathize with them, sadly, and I found a lot more interesting the side characters than the main ones.
Sylvie is a nice girl, and she has a really big heart, and King Taylan was an interesting character with some depths, but… I found them plain. I liked more the “side-kick” but they weren’t so well developed, even if we learn some interesting things about all of them, that really helps us to see them as persons and not just as wallflowers.
All in all, I enjoyed the reading, but I was expecting something more and I won’t go on with the series.
July 31, 2017
Halayda is a good old-fashioned fantasy with beautiful messages!
The characters were all very well-developed and relatable in their own right. Sylvie, marked as the Faerie savior, she is a lot braver than she thinks. She is willing to risk everything to save those she cares about, while at the same time wishing she could hide under her blankets. Which quite frankly, quests make you want to do that sometimes. Taylan is the Faerie king, struggling with his power both in politics and in magical abilities. Diza is a changeling with a spunky attitude and a dark past. Zad, a pooka who has a great sense of humor, but also a promise to keep. These are just some of the awesome people you'll meet!
The world building (or I guess worlds, since there were a couple), was so well done! I felt that I knew just about everything from politics, the different species involved, magic, the whole deal!
The only qualm was that all this world building sometimes slowed down the plot. But everything came together beautifully in the end, so that's why no stars were lost. :)
In addition to all this there are beautiful messages about love, hope, persevering despite all odds, and embracing your calling, whatever it may be.
Would highly recommend this book!
The characters were all very well-developed and relatable in their own right. Sylvie, marked as the Faerie savior, she is a lot braver than she thinks. She is willing to risk everything to save those she cares about, while at the same time wishing she could hide under her blankets. Which quite frankly, quests make you want to do that sometimes. Taylan is the Faerie king, struggling with his power both in politics and in magical abilities. Diza is a changeling with a spunky attitude and a dark past. Zad, a pooka who has a great sense of humor, but also a promise to keep. These are just some of the awesome people you'll meet!
The world building (or I guess worlds, since there were a couple), was so well done! I felt that I knew just about everything from politics, the different species involved, magic, the whole deal!
The only qualm was that all this world building sometimes slowed down the plot. But everything came together beautifully in the end, so that's why no stars were lost. :)
In addition to all this there are beautiful messages about love, hope, persevering despite all odds, and embracing your calling, whatever it may be.
Would highly recommend this book!
September 24, 2018
I'm officially a fan! This was exactly the fantasy story I was looking for, and I'm breathless with impatience for the next book. Vivid characters and an ethereal writing style make this book unique in the ranks of fantasy.
July 23, 2017
**I received the copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review**
This was quite the read. The beginning was intriguing and kept my interest. There was significant world building. There were a quite a few characters introduced throughout the story. Sometimes it made it hard to keep track of who was who.
The thing that kept me from really enjoying the story though was the main female heroine. Sylvie was just plain annoying to me. She was good. Too good. She was so good it was unbelievable. She never wanted to hurt anyone, even if they were trying to kill her and her lover. She became mad at the people who were trying to save her when they hurt another. Well... you are at WAR. Of course people are going to get hurt! Ugh. I got so tired of hearing her righteous speeches that I began skipping those parts. The only saving grace for her, was she eventually does step up and stop being such a saint. Still, I didn't really like her character. I didn't really care what happened to her in the story up until the end.
I did enjoy reading about the other characters however. From Taylan, to Diza, Zeren, and even Zad. They were fun, interesting, and not goody goods. They understand the world. They knew the danger around them and did whatever they could to protect both themselves and all they loved (while Sylvie got angry with everyone for being "mean" (major eye roll).
Overall the story was fairly interesting. I did feel the middle of the story was somewhat dull and had a hard time concentrating on the story however. It was an ok read. It definitely had its moments where I was pulled in. But the middle was just so much... stuff that I had to constantly put the book down.
The ending was quite interesting however. Once I hit the last few chapters, I was right back into the story. It was fun and I couldn't wait to see what would happen next. The ending of the story definitely left room for a lot more sequels to come though. But at the same time, could have been read as a standalone. Which is fine by me since I don't think I will be picking up the next installment.
This was quite the read. The beginning was intriguing and kept my interest. There was significant world building. There were a quite a few characters introduced throughout the story. Sometimes it made it hard to keep track of who was who.
The thing that kept me from really enjoying the story though was the main female heroine. Sylvie was just plain annoying to me. She was good. Too good. She was so good it was unbelievable. She never wanted to hurt anyone, even if they were trying to kill her and her lover. She became mad at the people who were trying to save her when they hurt another. Well... you are at WAR. Of course people are going to get hurt! Ugh. I got so tired of hearing her righteous speeches that I began skipping those parts. The only saving grace for her, was she eventually does step up and stop being such a saint. Still, I didn't really like her character. I didn't really care what happened to her in the story up until the end.
I did enjoy reading about the other characters however. From Taylan, to Diza, Zeren, and even Zad. They were fun, interesting, and not goody goods. They understand the world. They knew the danger around them and did whatever they could to protect both themselves and all they loved (while Sylvie got angry with everyone for being "mean" (major eye roll).
Overall the story was fairly interesting. I did feel the middle of the story was somewhat dull and had a hard time concentrating on the story however. It was an ok read. It definitely had its moments where I was pulled in. But the middle was just so much... stuff that I had to constantly put the book down.
The ending was quite interesting however. Once I hit the last few chapters, I was right back into the story. It was fun and I couldn't wait to see what would happen next. The ending of the story definitely left room for a lot more sequels to come though. But at the same time, could have been read as a standalone. Which is fine by me since I don't think I will be picking up the next installment.
August 11, 2017
*voluntarily and honestly reviewed the ARC I received from NetGalley*
4.5 - 5 stars for me. I love fae fantasies and the fact that the author combined them with alchemists was just downright cool. I liked what I took to be a spin on the Seelie and Unseelie, loved Sylvie and Taylan's chemistry (pun intended). Alchemists are a very interesting group not seen enough, which is why I enjoyed reading this so much. The thought of science and magic coming together is always exciting, you know? Add that with the medieval tone and their adventures through Faerie, and you've got quite a unique and entertaining read.
I really enjoyed the other characters, as they all had their own interesting stories as their POVs came up. I loved her friends, but weirdly, my favorite character would have to be the antagonist. Cas is a bit of a weirdo but an awesome, determined one who doesn't take anything but what he wants to hear. He's horrible, of course, but so complex... I thought the writing was nice, and the world build up on a classical, magical place left me wanting more of it. I can't wait to see what else Faerie is hiding in its mysterious, scary depths. Definitely check this out if you love adventure, overdue I love you's and what makes Faerie, Faerie.
4.5 - 5 stars for me. I love fae fantasies and the fact that the author combined them with alchemists was just downright cool. I liked what I took to be a spin on the Seelie and Unseelie, loved Sylvie and Taylan's chemistry (pun intended). Alchemists are a very interesting group not seen enough, which is why I enjoyed reading this so much. The thought of science and magic coming together is always exciting, you know? Add that with the medieval tone and their adventures through Faerie, and you've got quite a unique and entertaining read.
I really enjoyed the other characters, as they all had their own interesting stories as their POVs came up. I loved her friends, but weirdly, my favorite character would have to be the antagonist. Cas is a bit of a weirdo but an awesome, determined one who doesn't take anything but what he wants to hear. He's horrible, of course, but so complex... I thought the writing was nice, and the world build up on a classical, magical place left me wanting more of it. I can't wait to see what else Faerie is hiding in its mysterious, scary depths. Definitely check this out if you love adventure, overdue I love you's and what makes Faerie, Faerie.
September 4, 2017
I received a copy from NetGalley.
Overall, I was impressed with the story. It is on of the first stories I have ever read about facesfaesand I was quickly sucked in to the story. The only thing that stopped me from giving it 5 stars is the fact that I got rather confused in the beginning with all the different kinds of faes. Since I'm fairly new to this it would have been helpful to maybe have a glossary in back explaining what each fae powers and what they can do. After about 25% I started to understand a little more and was able to focus more on the story and not flipping back and forth. I have to say that this book is extremely fast paced at times it was thrilling and at other times it felt a little rushed. I loved all the characters and became quite attached to them as time went on. Even though it was fast paced the character development was great. The author didn't skip over that. They were well developed and had several layers. Last but certainly not least this cover is absolutely gorgeous. I mean the colors and the dragonflies.
I was impressed with the writing and intrigued by the story. I look forward to reading the next book in the series. I will be recommending this to several of my friends.
Overall, I was impressed with the story. It is on of the first stories I have ever read about facesfaesand I was quickly sucked in to the story. The only thing that stopped me from giving it 5 stars is the fact that I got rather confused in the beginning with all the different kinds of faes. Since I'm fairly new to this it would have been helpful to maybe have a glossary in back explaining what each fae powers and what they can do. After about 25% I started to understand a little more and was able to focus more on the story and not flipping back and forth. I have to say that this book is extremely fast paced at times it was thrilling and at other times it felt a little rushed. I loved all the characters and became quite attached to them as time went on. Even though it was fast paced the character development was great. The author didn't skip over that. They were well developed and had several layers. Last but certainly not least this cover is absolutely gorgeous. I mean the colors and the dragonflies.
I was impressed with the writing and intrigued by the story. I look forward to reading the next book in the series. I will be recommending this to several of my friends.
August 29, 2017
This is probably about 3.5 stars.
I struggled to get into this book at first. I felt like I was thrown into the deep end, being thrown into this new world with very little explanation and meeting lots of characters from the get go. Thankfully, once they all arrived in Faerie, the world-building greatly improved and the characters began to develop into individuals I could recognise.
I admit that the MC, Sylvie, was a little too good to be true throughout this book and is probably my second least favourite character after Zeren. I loved the pack and the Hunt, but Zeren was just a bit annoying.
Overall, this story was pretty good, though I'm not sure if I'll continue with the series. I'm happy with the ending that I got.
I struggled to get into this book at first. I felt like I was thrown into the deep end, being thrown into this new world with very little explanation and meeting lots of characters from the get go. Thankfully, once they all arrived in Faerie, the world-building greatly improved and the characters began to develop into individuals I could recognise.
I admit that the MC, Sylvie, was a little too good to be true throughout this book and is probably my second least favourite character after Zeren. I loved the pack and the Hunt, but Zeren was just a bit annoying.
Overall, this story was pretty good, though I'm not sure if I'll continue with the series. I'm happy with the ending that I got.
June 29, 2018
What a wonderful story, falls right in line with all things Faerie with a new definition for the Hunt. Sylvie is the compassionate heroine who posses strength that she doesn't even realize fueled not by hate but by love. Love of all things as she also learns love of self. What story would be complete with out a Fae King for romance and halflings as loyal friends. On the edge of my seat and can't believe I had taken so long to load this to the Kindle. Thank you NetGalley for being able to read this incredible story that is right up there with Red Queen, the Lunar Chronicles, and The Shadow and Bone series.
May 13, 2020
There are three reasons that I love this book...
The first is the combined settings of steampunk and ethereal woods. I absolutely love the blend.
The second are the characters, but especially Zad and Diza, the pooka and the elf who are probably the most chaotic-but-loving couple ever.
The third is the way that the idea of destiny intertwines and weaves through all of these characters and their stories.
Sarah Delena White writes in a way that, mostly, captures the ethereal quality of some of the stories about the fae. It really is a fun and unique entry in the world of fae books, so I'd highly recommend it!
The first is the combined settings of steampunk and ethereal woods. I absolutely love the blend.
The second are the characters, but especially Zad and Diza, the pooka and the elf who are probably the most chaotic-but-loving couple ever.
The third is the way that the idea of destiny intertwines and weaves through all of these characters and their stories.
Sarah Delena White writes in a way that, mostly, captures the ethereal quality of some of the stories about the fae. It really is a fun and unique entry in the world of fae books, so I'd highly recommend it!
November 21, 2017
This book has an intricate, interesting world and interesting, likeable characters. However, it often feels that there are too many pieces, and too many characters with complicated backstories, which sometimes obscures the main plot rather than clarifying it. Lots of intriguing pieces, but we don't get a chance to explore anything as deeply as we perhaps should. Liked the characters, loved the Wild Hunt, and I would be interested in continuing with the series, to see if further books give the broad worldbuilding some depth.
May 28, 2017
Excellent Indie Novel: I enjoyed this read very much. it was something new for me because I don't read near enough books by independent authors, and I imagine I'm missing many good stories because I don't. I loved the world of the fae Ms. White introduced and the characters who must work together to save faerie from a horrible fate.
November 8, 2017
This book was amazing, just like all books about fae😂 I honestly haven't read a book about faeries that i haven't liked yet. I love how this has a twist with alchemists. More people need to read this!
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