F is for Fair

I’m doing folklore and book review posts to reach and please a larger audience. Previous years have shown select interest in both and to minimise blogging throughout the year, I’m focusing my efforts on April.

Focusing on an A to Z of my TBR (to be read) list, each letter will have books starting with that letter on my list, a book I’ve read and reviewed (with the review!) and one of my books matching the letter with a link about more info about the book.

If you’d rather check out my folklore post for today, go here.

My TBR

About the Book I’ve Read

I read the first book when it came out in 2022. When the trilogy omnibus came out, I knew I had to read this trilogy fully. Now.

About the Book

The Fair Queen (The Fair Chronicles #1) by Lyndsey Hall

The trees in Hartwood forest are hiding an ancient secret, a door into a magical realm where fairy princes and monsters are one and the same.

Seventeen-year-old Aria Colling is bored of her small town and dreams of a life filled with excitement and adventure. She’s about to learn you should be careful what you wish for.

After a chilling encounter at the local summer fair, Aria is ripped from her normal life and dragged through the Veil into the Fair Realm by a strange, silver-eyed boy and his band of fairy soldiers. They believe she is the legendary Fair Queen, the subject of a prophecy that promises to unite the war-ravaged realm and bring an end to the centuries-long conflict between the Five Kingdoms.

But it can’t be true. Can it?

Beset by terrifying creatures at every turn, and hunted by a tyrannical king who will stop at nothing to prevent the prophecy from coming true, Aria will have to rely on her wits if she’s to escape the Fair Realm with her life.

Check it out on Goodreads.

My Review

Vivid descriptions. Lots of action. The Fair Realm is an interesting combination of Elementals and Solitaries. I enjoyed the descriptions of barghests and the banshee – dark and horrific as it might be. Awesome worldbuilding and unexpected twists. I especially liked the tapestries and the family who owns them.

The mystery of time differences between Realms is intriguing. And the White Hart… can’t wait to find out who it really is.

A thrilling read. Waiting for book 2!

Trigger warning: abduction, murder, gruesome animal deaths.

About the Book

The Solitary King (The Fair Chronicles #2) by Lyndsey Hall

Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice…

When Aria returns to the Fair Realm to attend a ball at the Salamander castle, it isn’t long before things take a turn for the deadly.

With her father’s home in ashes and her newfound family reduced to dust, Aria finds herself King Auberon’s captive once more. Deep within the mountains that border the Celeste Kingdom, Aria is powerless to fight back, her newly-discovered abilities suppressed by the weight of the rock that surrounds her. But when a Celeste guard whispers about rebellion and promises to help her escape, Aria is desperate to trust him.

Crown Prince Xander returns home to the Gnome castle, laden with grief for his brother and father, and dreading the day he will be crowned king. Preparations are underway for his marriage and coronation, but thoughts of the girl he betrayed trouble him day and night. Until the morning of his wedding, when a note arrives that Aria has been taken by Auberon once more, and Xander is forced to choose between his life of duty and obedience, and what he believes is right.

Return to the Fair Realm and lose yourself in book two of The Fair Chronicles. Perfect for fans of Holly Black’s Folk of the Air series.

Check it out on Goodreads.

My Review

A thrilling romantasy with a few dark fantasy elements (Aria’s uncle abducting, torturing, and doing a blood sacrifice with her to resurrect her dead mother), great worldbuilding, a swoony hero, and lots of action and adventure.

I had so much fun reading this and enjoyed the various relationships, twists – and especially Rainer destroying a creature bent on harming his horse.

I’m so glad I finally got around to continuing Aria and Xander’s story.

Trigger warning: blood, murder, abduction, emotional torture, death of a loved one.

About the Book

The Fair War (The Fair Chronicles #3) by Lyndsey Hall

A mythical book, lost to the ages.
A prophesied evil, intent on destroying the realm.
A battle between hope and fear, love and hate.

The Fair Chronicles comes to a close with this epic series finale, bringing Aria and Xander’s story to an explosive conclusion. The Five Kingdoms are consumed by war as Aria and her friends hunt for a way to stop the dark forces that threaten the realm from destroying all that they hold dear. Plagued by strange dreams and struggling to control her ever-growing abilities, Aria must make a choice between keeping her friends safe and risking everything to stop the Celeste King, once and for all.

Return to the Fair Realm once more, and experience the heart-stopping climax of this gripping fantasy series.

Check it out on Goodreads.

My Review

I liked the Book of Origin and how it was used as a plot device.

It was clear from Aria’s visceral reaction to Alastor that he was an even greater threat than Auberon.

I sort of guessed at who the White Hart was and one of my guesses turned out to be correct – such a powerful scene.

Aria practicing her healing abilities was interesting, especially with the kestrel.

The final battle was so quick, I was left wondering what the fuss surrounding the books was about. But the death of a beloved character overshadowed that. (And I did figure out why the books were important.)

Loads of twists and turns, great worldbuilding, an emotional rollercoaster, and characters worth caring for. I enjoyed reading this very much. Highly recommended.

Trigger warning: death of a loved one, betrayal.

The fair chronicles: complete trilogy

Honestly, I enjoyed this more than the Folk of the Air as the hero here isn’t toxic.

My Book

Freedom (Faery Tales #5)

I hope you enjoyed this. For more books I’ve read and reviewed, check out either my Pinterest board about reviews or my Goodreads profile. Alternatively, you can check out my reviews on BookBub. Have you read any of the books? Loved or hated any of them?

You can now support my time in producing book review posts (buying books, reading, writing reviews and everything else involved) by buying me a coffee. This can be a once-off thing, or you can buy me coffee again in the future at your discretion.

*FYI, my reviews are my honest opinion and if something bothers me, I tell it straight. How else will anything change? My opinions are based on being a voracious reader and book buyer, not an attack on the author.*