What do you think?
Rate this book
Dark World: The Faerie Games #1
The Faerie Games
I’m Selena Pearce, and in the past few days I’ve been kidnapped by faeries, gifted with powerful magic, and forced by the gods to compete in a twisted game to the death.
Growing up on the magical island of Avalon should be great... but I have no magic to speak of. And my parents forbid me from leaving.
So when I sneak out to Earth for a night and meet a hottie named Julian with ice blue eyes that leave me breathless, of course I say yes to a date with him. But when Julian pulls me through a magical portal, I realize he isn’t human. He’s a half-blood faerie sent to bring me to his realm of the Otherworld. Because apparently, I’m a half-blood faerie, too. And I’ve been chosen to compete in the annual Faerie Games—a brutal, gladiator-like competition where half-bloods fight to the death.
Too bad I can’t get my new magic under control. But with all eyes on me, I only have two options: Die in the Faerie Games, or win and earn my freedom.
Now the other players—including Julian, who still captivates me even though I should hate him—better watch out. Because I’m determined to get home.
And I’ll fight anyone blocking my path to get there.
Full of magic, mythology, adventure, and romance, The Faerie Games is the first book in an addicting young adult urban fantasy series by USA Today bestselling author Michelle Madow that will keep you reading late into the night!
Growing up on the magical island of Avalon should be great... but I have no magic to speak of. And my parents forbid me from leaving.
So when I sneak out to Earth for a night and meet a hottie named Julian with ice blue eyes that leave me breathless, of course I say yes to a date with him. But when Julian pulls me through a magical portal, I realize he isn’t human. He’s a half-blood faerie sent to bring me to his realm of the Otherworld. Because apparently, I’m a half-blood faerie, too. And I’ve been chosen to compete in the annual Faerie Games—a brutal, gladiator-like competition where half-bloods fight to the death.
Too bad I can’t get my new magic under control. But with all eyes on me, I only have two options: Die in the Faerie Games, or win and earn my freedom.
Now the other players—including Julian, who still captivates me even though I should hate him—better watch out. Because I’m determined to get home.
And I’ll fight anyone blocking my path to get there.
Full of magic, mythology, adventure, and romance, The Faerie Games is the first book in an addicting young adult urban fantasy series by USA Today bestselling author Michelle Madow that will keep you reading late into the night!
290 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 30, 2019
About the author
Michelle Madow
68 books3,300 followersMichelle Madow is a USA Today bestselling author of fast-paced, young adult fantasy novels that will leave you turning the pages wanting more! Her books are full of magic, adventure, romance, and twists you'll never see coming.
Visit her website, www.michellemadow.com, to get books of Michelle's for FREE!
Visit her website, www.michellemadow.com, to get books of Michelle's for FREE!
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 314 reviews
October 11, 2019
Predictable, no originality
This book was very similar to the Hunger Games, which was disappointing. I would have liked to read something new. The book ended right after the first official day of the Faerie Games, so the pacing is much slower than the Hunger Games. Selena was chosen for the games, and has two fairies assigned to her to train her in her magic and to make sure she looks presentable. Selena is then required to ride a chariot with the other champions to a place where she’s required to show off her skills. This part of the book was very similar to the Hunger Games. Julian is in the games to try and secure a future for his sister (like how Katniss in the Hunger Games was trying to save her sister Prim). I guess it was different from the Hunger Games with the fact that it wasn’t the main character in that position, but it was still very similar. The characters have to perform their best to get support from the watching faeries, and in return the faeries will support them. Kind of like the sponsorship thing in Hunger Games.
It was interesting that the author used Roman mythology instead of Greek, but it seemed a little inconsistent. Cerberus was in this story, and Cerberus isn’t from Roman mythology. He’s from Greek mythology. Another thing that I had an issue with was during the middle of the book, Selena randomly says that her (adoptive) father is a vampire. Slow down there...this wasn’t even hinted at at the beginning of the book...
Selena feels this connection to Julian, and starts falling for him even though she says she hates him (Katniss and Peeta). Multiple times through the book she feels drawn to him, and feels like he completes her. Soulmates are a thing in this book, and they each have matching marks to help them find each other. Selena has a clover mark. I’m guessing that in the next book, or maybe the book after that, it’ll be revealed that Julian has the same mark. Selena and Julian will be soulmates, and they’ll have the problem of only one faerie leaves the Faerie Games alive. What will probably happen is something similar to Hunger Games, where Julian and Selena are the last ones left and refuse to kill each other.
This seems more like a fanfiction or a crossover story than an original book.
This book was very similar to the Hunger Games, which was disappointing. I would have liked to read something new. The book ended right after the first official day of the Faerie Games, so the pacing is much slower than the Hunger Games. Selena was chosen for the games, and has two fairies assigned to her to train her in her magic and to make sure she looks presentable. Selena is then required to ride a chariot with the other champions to a place where she’s required to show off her skills. This part of the book was very similar to the Hunger Games. Julian is in the games to try and secure a future for his sister (like how Katniss in the Hunger Games was trying to save her sister Prim). I guess it was different from the Hunger Games with the fact that it wasn’t the main character in that position, but it was still very similar. The characters have to perform their best to get support from the watching faeries, and in return the faeries will support them. Kind of like the sponsorship thing in Hunger Games.
It was interesting that the author used Roman mythology instead of Greek, but it seemed a little inconsistent. Cerberus was in this story, and Cerberus isn’t from Roman mythology. He’s from Greek mythology. Another thing that I had an issue with was during the middle of the book, Selena randomly says that her (adoptive) father is a vampire. Slow down there...this wasn’t even hinted at at the beginning of the book...
Selena feels this connection to Julian, and starts falling for him even though she says she hates him (Katniss and Peeta). Multiple times through the book she feels drawn to him, and feels like he completes her. Soulmates are a thing in this book, and they each have matching marks to help them find each other. Selena has a clover mark. I’m guessing that in the next book, or maybe the book after that, it’ll be revealed that Julian has the same mark. Selena and Julian will be soulmates, and they’ll have the problem of only one faerie leaves the Faerie Games alive. What will probably happen is something similar to Hunger Games, where Julian and Selena are the last ones left and refuse to kill each other.
This seems more like a fanfiction or a crossover story than an original book.
March 10, 2021
A friend of mine read this series recently and absolutely loved it. Since we have very similar reading tastes I got super excited and decided to pick it up right away.
If The Hunger Games, Big Brother and Percy Jackson had a love child, ‘The Faerie Games’ would be it. It’s very much the same overarching premise as The Hunger Games but... with wings and lightning bolts.
The world building and mix of mythologies had me scratching my head in a few places, but I suppose that’s what I get for starting a spin off series before picking up the main one so I can’t blame anybody but myself for that.
It’s enjoyable, but nothing spectacular (though I’ve been assured the series goes racing uphill from here). I’m on my way to pick up the second one, hoping it will tie a few more things together and have me more invested.
Overall a solid 3 star read.
If The Hunger Games, Big Brother and Percy Jackson had a love child, ‘The Faerie Games’ would be it. It’s very much the same overarching premise as The Hunger Games but... with wings and lightning bolts.
The world building and mix of mythologies had me scratching my head in a few places, but I suppose that’s what I get for starting a spin off series before picking up the main one so I can’t blame anybody but myself for that.
It’s enjoyable, but nothing spectacular (though I’ve been assured the series goes racing uphill from here). I’m on my way to pick up the second one, hoping it will tie a few more things together and have me more invested.
Overall a solid 3 star read.
June 13, 2021
oh good god. could get it for free, so i figured why tf not.
well, for those of you considering it, i can now tell you why~
well, #1: this is absolutely a hunger games ripoff.
#2: it's predictable af. what is the point
#3: the stereotypical protagonist. once again. what is the point
#4: the romance was. it was. not good. julian was giving me predator vibes???? i just don't like it.
#5: honestly just all of it.
#6: the plot was questionable at best.
if you're looking for entertaining trash, this is it. because it's nothing if not dramatic.
well, for those of you considering it, i can now tell you why~
well, #1: this is absolutely a hunger games ripoff.
#2: it's predictable af. what is the point
#3: the stereotypical protagonist. once again. what is the point
#4: the romance was. it was. not good. julian was giving me predator vibes???? i just don't like it.
#5: honestly just all of it.
#6: the plot was questionable at best.
if you're looking for entertaining trash, this is it. because it's nothing if not dramatic.
November 23, 2020
note: this review is for the entire series as a whole
overall cheap quality, but gave an extra star for readability.
story: copied off many other series (hunger games, percy jackson, what seems like every mythology from christian to wiccan to, randomly, eastern european)
characters: shallow and unlikable, mostly due to being really stupid, not noticing or realizing obvious things, constantly making stupid decisions, and never learning from their mistakes; there's basically no character development - in fact, the main character by some accounts gets worse - at least in the beginning she recognized that she was sheltered and didn't know much, by the end she's got so much unearned and undeserved power that she thinks she knows everything while still being as stupid and reactionary as ever
romance: repetitive, predictable teen angst with a couple of completely unnecessarily graphic sex scenes (especially for 16-year-olds, jeez); first-person POV reveals main character selena to have a complete lack of emotional self-awareness making it extremely difficult to believe anyone actually likes her; love interest has two functions only - 1. to validate main character's faults (never good); 2. to try to stop main character from making some of her worst decisions, but because she is stupid, usually failing and getting verbally/emotionally abused as a result (not an exaggeration; main character gaslights love interest A Lot later on, making her even more unlikable, but the poor love interest can't do anything because he's her soulmate so he's just saddled with her for eternity)
world: could be interesting, but is too cluttered - you don't have to cram _every_ legend or myth into one universe, pick a theme for goodness's sake
writing: makes for quick and easy reading; there's good usage of just enough but not too many details to describe scenes; but there are vocabulary issues (both in terms of errors and repetitive word usage) and a lack of depth in the characters, their motivations, and the overall plot, exposing the author's young age (probably recently out of college if not still in college). also, everything is extremely predictable and given too much foreshadowing so there are no twists that you didn't figure out 5 chapters ago: the first male character to show up in any female narrator's thoughts is not only their main love interest but there aren't even any other male characters presented as any kind of competition or contrast, he's just The One (gag); the battle royale participants have exactly the social dynamics one would expect, where there's one main "mean girl" and one "nice girl best friend" and the characters with the least "screen time" get killed off first; etc etc
style: caters to a pretty cheap and shallow view of fantasy where everyone has impressive magic and is also stunningly beautiful (so many characters are described as "stunning" that it makes you wonder if any of them are actually above average), and the main character is The Chosen One for no particular reason; it's both unrealistic and boring when every male character has a "chiseled" chest and "chiseled" abs (I think she actually uses the word "chiseled" to describe them every time, harking back to the repetitive word usage), and the love interest is unilaterally devoted to the main character despite having just met her and knowing almost nothing about her but she's still the most beautiful girl he's ever met! aka every teenage girl's fantasy but like, have a little more imagination please. explanations for the randomness of certain plot elements are slim to none, like any of the many random mythologies thrown in there just for kicks, it seems; and the main baddie just comes out of nowhere, completely unrelated to any of the characters, and yet through *magic* and the boringly convenient appearances of various future-seeing or even *literally omniscient* characters, the baddie mystery is solved relatively quickly and anticlimactically
i finished the books because sure i'll binge a trashy fantasy/romance series every now and again, but was basically rage-reading by the end - i read it on kindle and could not stop myself from starting to highlight all the places where there were 1. vocabulary errors; 2. unimaginably dumb decisions made by the main character; 3. places where it seemed like a little further editing would have caught some blatant mistakes - like she never thanks the fae, EXCEPT THIS ONE TIME in book 5 and it's never addressed; also in book 5 (because maybe they got tired of editing by then?) they somehow discern the main baddie's gender even though their divinations only ever revealed the baddie's location (when the location is revealed, the baddie is always referred to as "the demon," whereas later on, they start referring to the demon as "she" despite there being no way that they could know this)
these books could have been really compelling, but i had less than zero respect for the main character's stupidity and frequently found myself wishing i could violently shake some sense into her (it would need to be violent because she is really thick-headed); and by the end of the series, nothing had changed except she's somehow now equal to some really powerful and much wiser people, so good luck universe because she's absolutely going to screw everything up sooner rather than later.
overall cheap quality, but gave an extra star for readability.
story: copied off many other series (hunger games, percy jackson, what seems like every mythology from christian to wiccan to, randomly, eastern european)
characters: shallow and unlikable, mostly due to being really stupid, not noticing or realizing obvious things, constantly making stupid decisions, and never learning from their mistakes; there's basically no character development - in fact, the main character by some accounts gets worse - at least in the beginning she recognized that she was sheltered and didn't know much, by the end she's got so much unearned and undeserved power that she thinks she knows everything while still being as stupid and reactionary as ever
romance: repetitive, predictable teen angst with a couple of completely unnecessarily graphic sex scenes (especially for 16-year-olds, jeez); first-person POV reveals main character selena to have a complete lack of emotional self-awareness making it extremely difficult to believe anyone actually likes her; love interest has two functions only - 1. to validate main character's faults (never good); 2. to try to stop main character from making some of her worst decisions, but because she is stupid, usually failing and getting verbally/emotionally abused as a result (not an exaggeration; main character gaslights love interest A Lot later on, making her even more unlikable, but the poor love interest can't do anything because he's her soulmate so he's just saddled with her for eternity)
world: could be interesting, but is too cluttered - you don't have to cram _every_ legend or myth into one universe, pick a theme for goodness's sake
writing: makes for quick and easy reading; there's good usage of just enough but not too many details to describe scenes; but there are vocabulary issues (both in terms of errors and repetitive word usage) and a lack of depth in the characters, their motivations, and the overall plot, exposing the author's young age (probably recently out of college if not still in college). also, everything is extremely predictable and given too much foreshadowing so there are no twists that you didn't figure out 5 chapters ago: the first male character to show up in any female narrator's thoughts is not only their main love interest but there aren't even any other male characters presented as any kind of competition or contrast, he's just The One (gag); the battle royale participants have exactly the social dynamics one would expect, where there's one main "mean girl" and one "nice girl best friend" and the characters with the least "screen time" get killed off first; etc etc
style: caters to a pretty cheap and shallow view of fantasy where everyone has impressive magic and is also stunningly beautiful (so many characters are described as "stunning" that it makes you wonder if any of them are actually above average), and the main character is The Chosen One for no particular reason; it's both unrealistic and boring when every male character has a "chiseled" chest and "chiseled" abs (I think she actually uses the word "chiseled" to describe them every time, harking back to the repetitive word usage), and the love interest is unilaterally devoted to the main character despite having just met her and knowing almost nothing about her but she's still the most beautiful girl he's ever met! aka every teenage girl's fantasy but like, have a little more imagination please. explanations for the randomness of certain plot elements are slim to none, like any of the many random mythologies thrown in there just for kicks, it seems; and the main baddie just comes out of nowhere, completely unrelated to any of the characters, and yet through *magic* and the boringly convenient appearances of various future-seeing or even *literally omniscient* characters, the baddie mystery is solved relatively quickly and anticlimactically
i finished the books because sure i'll binge a trashy fantasy/romance series every now and again, but was basically rage-reading by the end - i read it on kindle and could not stop myself from starting to highlight all the places where there were 1. vocabulary errors; 2. unimaginably dumb decisions made by the main character; 3. places where it seemed like a little further editing would have caught some blatant mistakes - like she never thanks the fae, EXCEPT THIS ONE TIME in book 5 and it's never addressed; also in book 5 (because maybe they got tired of editing by then?) they somehow discern the main baddie's gender even though their divinations only ever revealed the baddie's location (when the location is revealed, the baddie is always referred to as "the demon," whereas later on, they start referring to the demon as "she" despite there being no way that they could know this)
these books could have been really compelling, but i had less than zero respect for the main character's stupidity and frequently found myself wishing i could violently shake some sense into her (it would need to be violent because she is really thick-headed); and by the end of the series, nothing had changed except she's somehow now equal to some really powerful and much wiser people, so good luck universe because she's absolutely going to screw everything up sooner rather than later.
August 18, 2019
I read ARCs of the prequel series to this one and really enjoyed them, so I was excited to read this book and start a new series! The ending of the last prequel series was also left at quite an ending, so I was excited about who the main female character was going to be in this book! I started reading this book as soon as I received an ARC, and after reading, I can say that I enjoyed it a lot! It was the perfect start to this series and to the main female character's story! The plot also developed at the perfect pace and it only took me one sitting to read because it wasn't very long! The plot was interesting, and I wasn't really sure what to expect from it, but I loved what happened in it! There was also the hint of romance in the plot, but I can see this being a bigger part of the plot as the series progresses! There was a little bit of action as well, which added to the plot too! The characters were also amazing and made this book even better! Selena was the main female character, and in this book her life completely changed and I did feel for her! She went through a lot in a short space of time and she was surrounded by people that she didn't know! I felt like Selena came out of her shell more as this book progressed and she did learn a lot! I can see Selena growing a lot in this series and proving her worth to everyone! Julian was the main male character and love interest of Selena! Julian was an intriguing character when he was first introduced, but he then did something that I wasn't expecting him to do! Julian had his reasons for doing what he did, so I was able to understand him a bit more! I can't wait to find out more about Julian and learn a bit more about his background! It was also easy to see that he did feel something for Selena! This book was written from Selena, Julian, Torrence, and Jacen's point of view! I was expecting this book to be written from a few different point of views because the prequel books have all been written this way! I loved that this book was written from a few different characters point of views! The majority of it was written from Selena's point of view, which was understandable because it's her journey! I did love the other point of views and they all added to the plot and allowed for more things to happen! I now can't wait to read the next book in this series! I loved this book a lot and it started the character's story off perfectly, so I can't wait to find out what's going to happen next! The ending of this book was also left at an open ending, so this has me excited to find out what's going to happen next! It says that the next book is going to release before the end of the year, so that isn't long of a wait! The cover for this book is also absolutely stunning and would definitely draw me to it! The cover actually makes more sense after you read the book and you can see how everything matches the story and the character of Selena! Big thank you to Michelle for an ARC of The Faerie Games!
September 20, 2023
Edit to the more appropriate usage of sl*ve
CW: Misuse of sl*ve, my use of the word repeatedly in this review.
The White supremacy is a lot.
Interchanging "sl*ve" and "servant". NO. Sl*very is sl*very. A violent racist system. Hard work is not sl*very. Do not use sl*very unless you are talking about ACTUAL sl*very. It negates the violence and erases the experience of actual ensl*ved people and their descendants. (White authors? Maybe don't use that word without a sensitivity reader. Because it's really not okay.)
Along that line of thinking, our protagonist says she's not built to be a sl*ve. WOW. Because thin White blonde girl knows she's so privileged that she's not ever going to be treated that way?
Hideous.
CW: Misuse of sl*ve, my use of the word repeatedly in this review.
The White supremacy is a lot.
Interchanging "sl*ve" and "servant". NO. Sl*very is sl*very. A violent racist system. Hard work is not sl*very. Do not use sl*very unless you are talking about ACTUAL sl*very. It negates the violence and erases the experience of actual ensl*ved people and their descendants. (White authors? Maybe don't use that word without a sensitivity reader. Because it's really not okay.)
Along that line of thinking, our protagonist says she's not built to be a sl*ve. WOW. Because thin White blonde girl knows she's so privileged that she's not ever going to be treated that way?
Hideous.
February 29, 2024
Selena has the perfect life with one glaring and one minor exception. One, unlike everyone else in her protected bubble, she has no magic. Also, as she is the daughter of the queen, she's not allowed to leave said protected bubble. Until she does anyway, what's the worst that can happen?!? Stolen away to another realm, she labled a half blood and entered into the hunger games, last one alive wins... owe and her soulmate is in the games as well.
Honestly, I was not invested in this book at all and was hoping the Faerie games were only for this book... spoiler alert, they don't even end in the next book either. If I hadn't gotten the box set, I would have just stopped after this book. I lived the Hunger Games... I was invested in the world and people. I wad not invested in anything in this book.
Honestly, I was not invested in this book at all and was hoping the Faerie games were only for this book... spoiler alert, they don't even end in the next book either. If I hadn't gotten the box set, I would have just stopped after this book. I lived the Hunger Games... I was invested in the world and people. I wad not invested in anything in this book.
August 28, 2019
I’m rubbing my hands as this is going to be another brilliant series from Michelle Madow. This lady can write !! She can manipulate your every thought and all of your imagination as soon as you turn the first page. She creates worlds and characters that you find yourself cheering for & crying for. I like the way I am transported to new worlds to meet new and old characters. This series follows The Dark World Angel Trials Series which I would recommend. (However not needed to read this series) Selena’s birth was the end of that series. Picking up 16yrs later, Selena accepts an exciting gift which ends up in the worst case scenario plus some !! We then accompany her on a journey that starts with the excitement of romance, followed by deceit, lies and trickery. Her Sanguine life is turned upside down with a secret revelation, sending her into a world that spirals out of her control and under the control of others. Now she is being trained and entered into games where the prize is her life. I can’t wait to continue to follow this young ladies battles, woes & hopefully a bit of light in the next book in this new exciting series
April 7, 2023
This is an interesting book. I'm not into fantasy type books but I'm intrigued. It seems to be geared to a younger audience and I have to keep that in mind while reading it. I wasn't sure I wanted to continue the series but this book ended on a cliffhanger so now I have to go on. I need to know what happens.
August 30, 2019
Great New Series
So I absolutely love that she has continued another story set in dark world. Seriously all of them keep getting better and this one's no exception. I cannot wait for the next book
So I absolutely love that she has continued another story set in dark world. Seriously all of them keep getting better and this one's no exception. I cannot wait for the next book
September 24, 2019
DNF
I found it quite childish and stopped reading after 15%. The teenage angst and insta feelings were giving me whiplash.
I found it quite childish and stopped reading after 15%. The teenage angst and insta feelings were giving me whiplash.
August 21, 2019
Do you know what I love the most about this author's stories? It's that they are always fast-paced and very exciting. There won't be a single boring moment that you could find in her books. And do you know what I don't love about her books? They end too soon... (yes, I'm venting here). OMG! It was so cruel when it ended so soon. I want more. I want to keep reading. The only reason why I am staying sane is the knowledge that the next book will be out soon. I can't wait for it. I'm already in love with this series. It has fairies! what more can a fantasy lover ask for? Right. ;)
Selena has always felt like a failure because she can't access her magic. She is the only one in Avalon who has no powers to speak of. So, when her best friend brews a special potion for her, she is more than willing to have an adventure of her own. It will be only for a day and no one will ever find out about it. Unfortunately, things go horribly wrong. She is duped by a half-blood and now she is forced to play in Games that are deadly, to say the least. She hopes that her parents would find her soon and save Otherworld from gods who think everything is for their amusement only. For now, she has no choice but to go along with her biological father's plan and pretend to be someone she isn't.
Seriously, this series is going to be super exciting if Book One is any indication. I loved everything about the Otherworld and Faerie Games are so thrilling. And they've only just begun. :)
Selena has always felt like a failure because she can't access her magic. She is the only one in Avalon who has no powers to speak of. So, when her best friend brews a special potion for her, she is more than willing to have an adventure of her own. It will be only for a day and no one will ever find out about it. Unfortunately, things go horribly wrong. She is duped by a half-blood and now she is forced to play in Games that are deadly, to say the least. She hopes that her parents would find her soon and save Otherworld from gods who think everything is for their amusement only. For now, she has no choice but to go along with her biological father's plan and pretend to be someone she isn't.
Seriously, this series is going to be super exciting if Book One is any indication. I loved everything about the Otherworld and Faerie Games are so thrilling. And they've only just begun. :)
January 2, 2021
Guilty pleasure read
3.5 for me because I felt a little confused with the world rules. What's real, what's not? It's so strange that the fae don't seem real to Selena just because they all went to a different world and she's never seen one on Avalon. And she says a lot of earth slang for someone who's never left home. Just let me know she's read a bunch of teen drama, or watched illegally brought in movies. Something, so I know why she says what she does without it looking like an oversight.
I love life-threatening games but was worried about the reviews who compare it to The Hunger Games. Sadly, it did seem a lot alike in the beginning. Forced to join, different from the rest, beautified and paraded for the crowd that can decide what happens to you. It could've been more like the colosseum they seem to enjoy, but with all the cameras and eccentric host, that's not what I got.
I like the soul mate stuff and the drama, it's not too infuriating when she acts dumb and thoughtless for the sake of plot. I wish more on... everything... had been elaborated on. It goes straight into the story without setting her home up, and it came off as someone's fantasy instead of an actual book. It evened out once Selena got to the Otherworld, though.
Anyway, I'm still reading on. It's more fun than annoying.
3.5 for me because I felt a little confused with the world rules. What's real, what's not? It's so strange that the fae don't seem real to Selena just because they all went to a different world and she's never seen one on Avalon. And she says a lot of earth slang for someone who's never left home. Just let me know she's read a bunch of teen drama, or watched illegally brought in movies. Something, so I know why she says what she does without it looking like an oversight.
I love life-threatening games but was worried about the reviews who compare it to The Hunger Games. Sadly, it did seem a lot alike in the beginning. Forced to join, different from the rest, beautified and paraded for the crowd that can decide what happens to you. It could've been more like the colosseum they seem to enjoy, but with all the cameras and eccentric host, that's not what I got.
I like the soul mate stuff and the drama, it's not too infuriating when she acts dumb and thoughtless for the sake of plot. I wish more on... everything... had been elaborated on. It goes straight into the story without setting her home up, and it came off as someone's fantasy instead of an actual book. It evened out once Selena got to the Otherworld, though.
Anyway, I'm still reading on. It's more fun than annoying.
October 4, 2022
Oh boy. I'm super attached to the characters in the Dark World series' (plural). I absolutely love the author and her writing style. Which is why I was surprised that this series is pretty dang close to being Hunger Games with magic and wings.
While most of the faeries are volunteering, Selena did not. They have to battle it out to the death. There's a prize at the end. There's a ridiculous over the top host and don't forget the makeovers before they do a parade through the capital.
It's still a quick read and there's a second storyline happening in the background while all of this is happening to her. I want to read the entire thing so I'm committed to keep going. I just wish it wasn't so close to Hunger Games. All of the other series in this world are original and different.
While most of the faeries are volunteering, Selena did not. They have to battle it out to the death. There's a prize at the end. There's a ridiculous over the top host and don't forget the makeovers before they do a parade through the capital.
It's still a quick read and there's a second storyline happening in the background while all of this is happening to her. I want to read the entire thing so I'm committed to keep going. I just wish it wasn't so close to Hunger Games. All of the other series in this world are original and different.
August 30, 2019
I dont know how to keep functioning through life without knowing what happens next. this book is pure amazingness that made it impossible for me to stop reading it. When work forced me to have to put it down I kept thinking about it and looking forward to the next time I could pick it back up.
I loved following Selena and I can't wait to follow her some more. The book ends on a slight cliffhanger that makes it even harder to have to wait for the next book.
Julian also has my heart and I cant wait to follow him and get to know him a little better. There is so much mystery surrounding him that draws me in even more.
This book is one that has a feeling of the Hunger Games yet is original all in its own. It is full of suspense, romance, and knots of dystopian intrigue. Get ready for a night of no sleep because you will be unable to close your eyes well after you finish the last page.
I loved following Selena and I can't wait to follow her some more. The book ends on a slight cliffhanger that makes it even harder to have to wait for the next book.
Julian also has my heart and I cant wait to follow him and get to know him a little better. There is so much mystery surrounding him that draws me in even more.
This book is one that has a feeling of the Hunger Games yet is original all in its own. It is full of suspense, romance, and knots of dystopian intrigue. Get ready for a night of no sleep because you will be unable to close your eyes well after you finish the last page.
August 30, 2019
Wow I loved this book!! This is the 1st book of this new series, HOWEVER, this series comes after a few of the other series written by Michelle. I recommend reading the Vampire Wish series and then the Angel Trials series before reading this one. This series will not make much sense otherwise!
I LOVE the main character, Selena! She gets taken to the Otherworld and meets her biological father. The main story is about the Faerie Games, which are somewhat similar to the Hunger Games if you enjoyed that! There's also a good amount of romance too, of course... Great book! I can't wait for the next book!
I LOVE the main character, Selena! She gets taken to the Otherworld and meets her biological father. The main story is about the Faerie Games, which are somewhat similar to the Hunger Games if you enjoyed that! There's also a good amount of romance too, of course... Great book! I can't wait for the next book!
September 3, 2019
I was glad to see the Dark World continue, this one put a big jump on the time line from the end of the last series, The Angel Trails. This puts you 16 years later from the birth of Selena. She has grow up with some very big secrets being kept from her and those will be the ones that get her into trouble that she never thought possible. Being throw into a world that she doesn't know very much about nor who to trust may just cost her, her life, if she isn't careful. The book is full of many ups and down, and it's own mysteries. You also finally get to learn more about the Faerie world that you have only gotten glimpses of in the other series. Great read, ready for the next one already.
April 22, 2020
Did not finish at 47%
This was a cheap rip off of the Hunger Games qith a supernatural twist. Huge disappointment. The character development is so sparse that I find I don't really care about any of them. Every page I found myself thinking, wow that sounds almost exactly like the Hunger Games. And although I really enjoyed the Hunger Games, I don't want to read another version of it. Would jave liked to see a little more originality.
This was a cheap rip off of the Hunger Games qith a supernatural twist. Huge disappointment. The character development is so sparse that I find I don't really care about any of them. Every page I found myself thinking, wow that sounds almost exactly like the Hunger Games. And although I really enjoyed the Hunger Games, I don't want to read another version of it. Would jave liked to see a little more originality.
November 24, 2019
The Faerie Games (Dark World: The Faerie Games Book 1)
This book was incredible.:... from start to finish, always action packed.. I love ❤️ the dynamic between Selena & Julie..... now with her family trying to get her back it’s gonna get so much juicier, so I would buckle your seat for this new adventure.
This book was incredible.:... from start to finish, always action packed.. I love ❤️ the dynamic between Selena & Julie..... now with her family trying to get her back it’s gonna get so much juicier, so I would buckle your seat for this new adventure.
July 8, 2022
3.75 *
February 24, 2022
*Spoilers*
This was definitely slow starting out. It has a very similar plot to the Hunger Games with Selena having a stylist to prepare her for the games and each competitor having to show a little of what they can do. I don't like Juliana and how he moved so fast on Selena by kissing her the first night they met. I also hated how he tricked her and basically kidnapped her. I also hate her father and how he puts her in the Faerie Games. It seems like he doesn't care about her life at all. I do like that Julian is competing in the games only to help his sister and make enough money to buy the medicine she needs. I love that Selena is the first to be chosen by Jupiter. I feel like it might give her the push she needs to win. I love that even though she messes up in the beginning that Juno gives her a second chance. I also love how encouraging she is to her ally even though they don't know each other. Definitely a pretty good book and I can't wait to read the next one.
This was definitely slow starting out. It has a very similar plot to the Hunger Games with Selena having a stylist to prepare her for the games and each competitor having to show a little of what they can do. I don't like Juliana and how he moved so fast on Selena by kissing her the first night they met. I also hated how he tricked her and basically kidnapped her. I also hate her father and how he puts her in the Faerie Games. It seems like he doesn't care about her life at all. I do like that Julian is competing in the games only to help his sister and make enough money to buy the medicine she needs. I love that Selena is the first to be chosen by Jupiter. I feel like it might give her the push she needs to win. I love that even though she messes up in the beginning that Juno gives her a second chance. I also love how encouraging she is to her ally even though they don't know each other. Definitely a pretty good book and I can't wait to read the next one.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 17, 2022
Not for me
Frankly, this book is terrible. Unless of course you’re all about insta-love and the worn out chosen one tropes. If that’s your thing you’ll love this book. Thank you - NEXT!
Frankly, this book is terrible. Unless of course you’re all about insta-love and the worn out chosen one tropes. If that’s your thing you’ll love this book. Thank you - NEXT!
September 7, 2022
Купа всього намішано, багато є схожого з іншими книгами такого жанру, але загалом цікаво (книга має свою родзинку) - читається легко, інтрига тримається, сюжет активно розвивається.
Нормальне підліткове фентезі😇
Нормальне підліткове фентезі😇
September 8, 2022
Review To Come
February 7, 2024
did what it needed to. but come on… she’s sixteen and she’s going through all this..??? boorrrring.
May 7, 2024
Meh. So far it's kind of mid. I'm hoping it gets better as it moves along. The writing is only OK 🤷♀️
May 31, 2024
Hunger games but make it fae with gifts from the Roman Gods
January 11, 2024
3.5⭐️
February 10, 2021
Starts out shocking you but turns in to the hunger games. Interesting book. Look forward to next.
January 19, 2020
This was such a fun read! It totally gave me hunger games vibes but with more magic! I enjoyed the faster pace of this and I didn't want to put it down! Very close to a perfect rating, so far really enjoying Kindle Unlimited!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 314 reviews