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Fae of Brytwilde #2
Fortress of Blood and Power
Sacrificed to the fae, her only hope is to run. But the cruel royals who seek her have never lost their prey.
Florentia (Ren) Cantwell has always been an outsider. The townspeople fear her and her unusual silver hair, spreading rumors that she’s not entirely human. She’s never believed those crafted lies—until a stranger causes her to manifest dangerous winter magic.
Determined to be rid of her, Ren’s brother casts her beyond their town’s borders, into the fae land of Silverfrost, leaving her as an offering to the cruel royal family. Ren knows that if the royals come to fetch her, she will face unspeakable horrors.
Accepting the help of Garrick Darkgrove, a handsome wolf shifter and fellow loner, she flees the royal hunters in a desperate attempt to reach safety.
But all goes wrong one heartbreaking night.
The sibling king and queen take Ren to their austere fortress, where she is entangled in a series of deadly trials meant to test her magic and her bloodline. She is a spectacle. A tool. A captive.
Forced to navigate a world of torture, manipulation, and demons, Ren knows she can trust no one. Not even Garrick, the man she now understands is forbidden to her. The one that, against her better judgment, she’s falling for.
She’s prepared to pay for her freedom—but when the cost is her heart, the price may be more than she can bear.
Loosely inspired by Mansfield Park, enter a Gothic reimagining of Jane Austen’s story as you’ve never seen it before. This standalone fantasy romance is part of the Fae of Brytwilde series, books that each include their own characters and stories and can be read in any order. It is full of romantic tension, not spice.
Florentia (Ren) Cantwell has always been an outsider. The townspeople fear her and her unusual silver hair, spreading rumors that she’s not entirely human. She’s never believed those crafted lies—until a stranger causes her to manifest dangerous winter magic.
Determined to be rid of her, Ren’s brother casts her beyond their town’s borders, into the fae land of Silverfrost, leaving her as an offering to the cruel royal family. Ren knows that if the royals come to fetch her, she will face unspeakable horrors.
Accepting the help of Garrick Darkgrove, a handsome wolf shifter and fellow loner, she flees the royal hunters in a desperate attempt to reach safety.
But all goes wrong one heartbreaking night.
The sibling king and queen take Ren to their austere fortress, where she is entangled in a series of deadly trials meant to test her magic and her bloodline. She is a spectacle. A tool. A captive.
Forced to navigate a world of torture, manipulation, and demons, Ren knows she can trust no one. Not even Garrick, the man she now understands is forbidden to her. The one that, against her better judgment, she’s falling for.
She’s prepared to pay for her freedom—but when the cost is her heart, the price may be more than she can bear.
Loosely inspired by Mansfield Park, enter a Gothic reimagining of Jane Austen’s story as you’ve never seen it before. This standalone fantasy romance is part of the Fae of Brytwilde series, books that each include their own characters and stories and can be read in any order. It is full of romantic tension, not spice.
320 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 15, 2023
62 people are currently reading
932 people want to read
About the author
Rachel L. Schade
15 books504 followersRachel L. Schade was born on the first day of summer in a small town in Michigan, only to end up in another small town in Ohio. She attended The Ohio State University to learn how to write obnoxiously long papers, cite people who use big words, and discuss her passion: books. She has a great love for the color blue, sunshine, chocolate, and not folding her laundry. Currently she lives with her husband and surrounds herself with coffee and books on a regular basis.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 93 reviews
October 29, 2023
Probably one of the most challenging books I’ve written to date. For one, it was intimidating to follow on the heels of Castle of Dusk and Shadows—not only because it was my most hyped release to date, but also because it is a PRIDE & PREJUDICE retelling, the most popular of Austen’s stories. Top that off with longer-than-expected writing breaks due to pregnancy, and BAM! it was also difficult to collect my disjointed thoughts and keep any sort of flow going. But I’m proud of this thing. It’s dark and gritty, it’s a bit creepy and angsty, but it’s also hopeful and swoony. And hopefully, even with all the new twists I threw in, the heart of Mansfield Park remains in this tale…but in a way where the love interests aren’t cousins and they get a lot more time together on page.
December 17, 2023
Ren, with her unusual silver hair and possible fae parentage, is an outsider among her village in this reimagining of Jane Austen's Mansfield Park. When her high emotions yield ice magic, Ren is cast into the realm of the fae as a sacrificial offering to the ruthless royal family. The story takes an unexpected turn as Ren forms an alliance with Garrick, a charismatic wolf shifter and hunter.
There is delightful banter and swoony romance. The exchanges between Ren and Garrick bring a spark of humor and warmth, providing a counterbalance to the darker undertones of the story. The twists in the plot kept me engaged with surprises unfolding in a satisfying manner.
However, I did not like that forgiveness was extended to a certain character and the resolution of certain plot events, at times, feels too convenient, lacking the natural flow that would make them seamlessly integrated into the narrative. This aspect slightly detracts from the authenticity of the story, making some developments appear forced.
The strength of "Fortress of Blood and Power" lies in its ability to weave a tale of romance amidst the complexities of a fae world. The chemistry between Ren and Garrick is palpable, adding a layer of romantic tension that keeps readers invested in their journey. This is altogether a fun fantasy romance that blends elements of Jane Austen's classic with the allure of fae magic.
Thanks to the author for the eARC. This is an honest review.
There is delightful banter and swoony romance. The exchanges between Ren and Garrick bring a spark of humor and warmth, providing a counterbalance to the darker undertones of the story. The twists in the plot kept me engaged with surprises unfolding in a satisfying manner.
However, I did not like that forgiveness was extended to a certain character and the resolution of certain plot events, at times, feels too convenient, lacking the natural flow that would make them seamlessly integrated into the narrative. This aspect slightly detracts from the authenticity of the story, making some developments appear forced.
The strength of "Fortress of Blood and Power" lies in its ability to weave a tale of romance amidst the complexities of a fae world. The chemistry between Ren and Garrick is palpable, adding a layer of romantic tension that keeps readers invested in their journey. This is altogether a fun fantasy romance that blends elements of Jane Austen's classic with the allure of fae magic.
Thanks to the author for the eARC. This is an honest review.
December 11, 2023
It’s the first book I read from Rachel and DAMM I fell in love straight away. Now I keep thinking about why I keep putting her books in my TBR, I am going to read them as soon as possible. Still in TBR but moved up a lot. It was a lovely experience reading her work.
You can learn a lot just by reading the blurb, the base of the story gets pretty clear but I was very excited to know how everything happens and what becomes of it all. SUSPENSE WAS THE HIGHLIGHT FOR ME. Not knowing what will happen next, made it more FASCINATING.
At the start, the FMC is very shy and follows traditions by heart. She is very sophisticated as she was taught from childhood, this makes the story sweet at the start irrespective of the cruel circumstances she was thrown into.
The journey takes place when humans find out that “Florentia” (I love this name and I don’t think that I have heard it before) has Fae magic and doesn’t belong to the human world. The rough road of her life leads her to Garrick (who I adore).
Florentia evolves herself at every challenge thrown her way and the character grows a lot as the story progresses. At the same time, Garrick is a morally great character who has his battles to fight and win. I feel sad for him as I appreciate his devotion towards Ren and the willingness to do anything for her just melts my heart.
The angle of demons, the underworld, lost parentage, and mystery with all the individual struggles of her magic makes a good CONCOCTION of a brilliant story and keeps me hooked from start to finish. There is so much to tell about it but it’s best if you go through it first hand by reading it. I loved it a lot and that COVER is just fireworks. I HOPE THIS BOOK GETS LOTS OF LOVE.
You can learn a lot just by reading the blurb, the base of the story gets pretty clear but I was very excited to know how everything happens and what becomes of it all. SUSPENSE WAS THE HIGHLIGHT FOR ME. Not knowing what will happen next, made it more FASCINATING.
At the start, the FMC is very shy and follows traditions by heart. She is very sophisticated as she was taught from childhood, this makes the story sweet at the start irrespective of the cruel circumstances she was thrown into.
The journey takes place when humans find out that “Florentia” (I love this name and I don’t think that I have heard it before) has Fae magic and doesn’t belong to the human world. The rough road of her life leads her to Garrick (who I adore).
Florentia evolves herself at every challenge thrown her way and the character grows a lot as the story progresses. At the same time, Garrick is a morally great character who has his battles to fight and win. I feel sad for him as I appreciate his devotion towards Ren and the willingness to do anything for her just melts my heart.
The angle of demons, the underworld, lost parentage, and mystery with all the individual struggles of her magic makes a good CONCOCTION of a brilliant story and keeps me hooked from start to finish. There is so much to tell about it but it’s best if you go through it first hand by reading it. I loved it a lot and that COVER is just fireworks. I HOPE THIS BOOK GETS LOTS OF LOVE.
May 12, 2024
Really a 2.5 stars.
Okay, so when it says "loose adaptation of Mansfield Park" it means the exact same thing as a movie saying "inspired by true events." Which is to say if you don't know that this book has any relation to Mansfield Park you will miss nothing of importance. So even though the next one is supposed to be based off of Persuasion, I will not fall for it!
I had some issues with the morality of the main character, Ren, later in the book. At one point, the love interest, Garrick, insists Ren is "good" but his list of what makes her good mentions nothing that a bad person could not have (he says she's pure, courageous, and powerful). Pure is not necessarily an attribute of goodness. There is such a thing as pure evil in this book, such as demons and our villains. The villains of the book are pure and powerful. The courageous bit is up for debate but I'm willing to give it to them in their previous lives. But even if they specifically are not courageous, there are plenty of examples in real life and fiction of courageous villains. Villainous valor is a thing! Villains who have what are considered positive attributes are a thing. This does not make them good. Many times these "good" qualities throw their evil in higher relief. So while I can believe that Garrick, being a fae and living in a very dog-eat-dog world, may have an idea of goodness that doesn't align with mine, I find it odd Ren doesn't pick up on it. And I don't think Ren is as good as we're supposed to believe. She stops feeling bad about killing an innocent victim rather quickly and spares no thought for the other three glamoured humans who were killed by Garrick (he did it to save her, to be fair, but considering he's a wolf shifter and they were humans, I bet he could have just carried Ren out of the arena instead of killing them). Later Ren kills a guy when she probably could have simply incapacitated him with her powers. She kills the guy for trying to stab Garrick for killing his brother in the past. And this is what gets her the support of the rebels. I know that the fae in this book are all about power and dominance, but since they're wanting to start a coup because the current monarchs are cruel despots who care not for their subjects, this doesn't feel like the kind of leader they would immediately jump to follow when she's killing one of their fellow rebels for attacking someone who is known as the monarchs' favorite lapdog. How do they know she's not an idiot and he really IS spying for the villains? I'm deeply skeptical of this bit of the plot. I think you could headcanon Ren's callousness as her fae heritage coming out, but her bio father came across as a decent guy and there's nothing in the text to suggest it. And neither she, nor anyone else in the story, really notices her increasing indifference about killing people.
I was also bugged that throughout the book "quiet" and "kind" seemed to be viewed as synonymous, weak, and possibly even wrong. I think it was a bad attempt to show Ren's growth and agency, by embracing her anger and becoming willing to hurt and kill if necessary (it smacked of the "feminine rage" thing you see a lot of reviews of feminist books talking about, but not quite so eye-rolling). However, I've seen this arc done better without diminishing the value of kindness or implying that to be quiet is to be weak. ALSO, this book is about fae that love using words against you and twisting things, but Ren starts blurting things out in anger when she should be keeping her mouth shut so she doesn't get herself or the people she cares about hurt! Quietness would be an advantage in this setting! You can still be angry and quiet!
Also, also, DO NOT put your coup and ESPECIALLY the man you love more than life itself, without whom life loses all meaning (she literally almost dooms the world because she just. can't. after he "dies" in the final confrontation), at risk because you're overconfident and refuse to wait until after the VERY REAL danger of the incredibly evil and vindictive villains has passed to share how much you love each other and have that Big Damn Kiss. Seriously! You know that the villains enjoy torture and making you both suffer. You know Garrick is incapable of resisting the power they have over him. They already made him torture you once as punishment for both of you. They'll make him torture you again and worse and that'll probably do more to break him than all the torture they've put him through since he was seven! Why on earth would you risk snogging him in the shadows at your wedding party to the villain! This is really where I turned against Ren. It's so selfish and arrogant and stupid. Wow. I just. Wow.
So why a 2.5? Well... I liked the setting. The fae were alien and nasty and terrifying. I don't really understand how Garrick and Aspen exist in such an awful world but hey, good people can come out of truly terrible cultures. It happens. And it's implied it wasn't always as toxic as it is now.
The villains' reveal of their true nature and motives was quite nice. It took me by surprise but made so much sense of what was going on and was definitely the sort of thing a good hero or heroine would stay to fight even (or maybe especially) after all horror that had happened up to this point. Their powers were horrific and gruesome and definitely the sort of thing that would believably keep demons at bay and keep rebels from rebelling outright.
It's not in the text per say, but I got the distinct impression (though it could be wishful thinking on my part for character depth) that Charlie was not captured and stolen from the human village, but that he was found on the mountain looking for Ren. I thought it was sweet.
I got a giggle out of Ren constantly getting wrecked during her fights and waking up later to be told what's happened since. It didn't bother me, since I felt it was somewhat realistic considering her circumstances, being an martially untrained half-human and unable to properly use her newly discovered powers.
I liked Garrick. His enslavement to monarchs was truly gross and I'm glad it was clarified rape was not on the table for him or Ren via the siblings. Very wise of the author not to go there if you're not going to take the time to deal with it or if you don't think you have the ability to handle it in the way it deserves. I could have used a little bit more on how this whole messed up situation affected Garrick, but since we're never in his head and Ren isn't the most observant or unself-centered of narrators it's fine. And it's not like there's nothing about it. Just that I would have liked a little more of Garrick's circumstances and viewpoint.
The cameos by characters of the previous book was well done. I have not read it. I only read this one because it's supposedly based off of Mansfield Park which I like. Yes, I like Fanny. Anyway, they didn't feel shoehorned in or too *wink, wink, nudge, nudge* like some character crossovers tend to do. They did what was needed for the book and didn't take over. Good job!
This review is a mess but it says all I want to about this book. I hope it of some help to you, fair reader.
Okay, so when it says "loose adaptation of Mansfield Park" it means the exact same thing as a movie saying "inspired by true events." Which is to say if you don't know that this book has any relation to Mansfield Park you will miss nothing of importance. So even though the next one is supposed to be based off of Persuasion, I will not fall for it!
I had some issues with the morality of the main character, Ren, later in the book. At one point, the love interest, Garrick, insists Ren is "good" but his list of what makes her good mentions nothing that a bad person could not have (he says she's pure, courageous, and powerful). Pure is not necessarily an attribute of goodness. There is such a thing as pure evil in this book, such as demons and our villains. The villains of the book are pure and powerful. The courageous bit is up for debate but I'm willing to give it to them in their previous lives. But even if they specifically are not courageous, there are plenty of examples in real life and fiction of courageous villains. Villainous valor is a thing! Villains who have what are considered positive attributes are a thing. This does not make them good. Many times these "good" qualities throw their evil in higher relief. So while I can believe that Garrick, being a fae and living in a very dog-eat-dog world, may have an idea of goodness that doesn't align with mine, I find it odd Ren doesn't pick up on it. And I don't think Ren is as good as we're supposed to believe. She stops feeling bad about killing an innocent victim rather quickly and spares no thought for the other three glamoured humans who were killed by Garrick (he did it to save her, to be fair, but considering he's a wolf shifter and they were humans, I bet he could have just carried Ren out of the arena instead of killing them). Later Ren kills a guy when she probably could have simply incapacitated him with her powers. She kills the guy for trying to stab Garrick for killing his brother in the past. And this is what gets her the support of the rebels. I know that the fae in this book are all about power and dominance, but since they're wanting to start a coup because the current monarchs are cruel despots who care not for their subjects, this doesn't feel like the kind of leader they would immediately jump to follow when she's killing one of their fellow rebels for attacking someone who is known as the monarchs' favorite lapdog. How do they know she's not an idiot and he really IS spying for the villains? I'm deeply skeptical of this bit of the plot. I think you could headcanon Ren's callousness as her fae heritage coming out, but her bio father came across as a decent guy and there's nothing in the text to suggest it. And neither she, nor anyone else in the story, really notices her increasing indifference about killing people.
I was also bugged that throughout the book "quiet" and "kind" seemed to be viewed as synonymous, weak, and possibly even wrong. I think it was a bad attempt to show Ren's growth and agency, by embracing her anger and becoming willing to hurt and kill if necessary (it smacked of the "feminine rage" thing you see a lot of reviews of feminist books talking about, but not quite so eye-rolling). However, I've seen this arc done better without diminishing the value of kindness or implying that to be quiet is to be weak. ALSO, this book is about fae that love using words against you and twisting things, but Ren starts blurting things out in anger when she should be keeping her mouth shut so she doesn't get herself or the people she cares about hurt! Quietness would be an advantage in this setting! You can still be angry and quiet!
Also, also, DO NOT put your coup and ESPECIALLY the man you love more than life itself, without whom life loses all meaning (she literally almost dooms the world because she just. can't. after he "dies" in the final confrontation), at risk because you're overconfident and refuse to wait until after the VERY REAL danger of the incredibly evil and vindictive villains has passed to share how much you love each other and have that Big Damn Kiss. Seriously! You know that the villains enjoy torture and making you both suffer. You know Garrick is incapable of resisting the power they have over him. They already made him torture you once as punishment for both of you. They'll make him torture you again and worse and that'll probably do more to break him than all the torture they've put him through since he was seven! Why on earth would you risk snogging him in the shadows at your wedding party to the villain! This is really where I turned against Ren. It's so selfish and arrogant and stupid. Wow. I just. Wow.
So why a 2.5? Well... I liked the setting. The fae were alien and nasty and terrifying. I don't really understand how Garrick and Aspen exist in such an awful world but hey, good people can come out of truly terrible cultures. It happens. And it's implied it wasn't always as toxic as it is now.
The villains' reveal of their true nature and motives was quite nice. It took me by surprise but made so much sense of what was going on and was definitely the sort of thing a good hero or heroine would stay to fight even (or maybe especially) after all horror that had happened up to this point. Their powers were horrific and gruesome and definitely the sort of thing that would believably keep demons at bay and keep rebels from rebelling outright.
It's not in the text per say, but I got the distinct impression (though it could be wishful thinking on my part for character depth) that Charlie was not captured and stolen from the human village, but that he was found on the mountain looking for Ren. I thought it was sweet.
I got a giggle out of Ren constantly getting wrecked during her fights and waking up later to be told what's happened since. It didn't bother me, since I felt it was somewhat realistic considering her circumstances, being an martially untrained half-human and unable to properly use her newly discovered powers.
I liked Garrick. His enslavement to monarchs was truly gross and I'm glad it was clarified rape was not on the table for him or Ren via the siblings. Very wise of the author not to go there if you're not going to take the time to deal with it or if you don't think you have the ability to handle it in the way it deserves. I could have used a little bit more on how this whole messed up situation affected Garrick, but since we're never in his head and Ren isn't the most observant or unself-centered of narrators it's fine. And it's not like there's nothing about it. Just that I would have liked a little more of Garrick's circumstances and viewpoint.
The cameos by characters of the previous book was well done. I have not read it. I only read this one because it's supposedly based off of Mansfield Park which I like. Yes, I like Fanny. Anyway, they didn't feel shoehorned in or too *wink, wink, nudge, nudge* like some character crossovers tend to do. They did what was needed for the book and didn't take over. Good job!
This review is a mess but it says all I want to about this book. I hope it of some help to you, fair reader.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 14, 2024
“If I was his starlight, he was my sunshine.”
I LOVED this book!! It was gritty and dark but also romantic and hopeful. I love that Rachel doesn’t shy away from making the fae cruel and dark, I feel like fae in books are often made to seem elegant and calm and I like to see something different!! Ren is a force to be reckoned with and I love her spirit! And her cinnamon roll wolf shifter is good too 😆
The action at the end is also very good and I got a littler teary eyed during the epilogue 🥹 so sweet!
Tropes/themes:
-winter magic
-Seamstress
-One bed
-Dancing scenes
-Nickname!
-Touch her and die
-Touch him and die
-Cruel fae
-Shifter fae
-Sweet sad cinnamon roll MMC
-wound tending
-One horse
-Who did this to you??
-fae royalty
This is a great winter-y, dark & gothic fae story with lots of action, tender moments, inner strength, and resilience. And SPOILER FOR BOOK ONE & THIS BOOK INCOMING: I got so giddy when Elle and Fitz appeared!!! It was so great to see them 😆
I LOVED this book!! It was gritty and dark but also romantic and hopeful. I love that Rachel doesn’t shy away from making the fae cruel and dark, I feel like fae in books are often made to seem elegant and calm and I like to see something different!! Ren is a force to be reckoned with and I love her spirit! And her cinnamon roll wolf shifter is good too 😆
The action at the end is also very good and I got a littler teary eyed during the epilogue 🥹 so sweet!
Tropes/themes:
-winter magic
-Seamstress
-One bed
-Dancing scenes
-Nickname!
-Touch her and die
-Touch him and die
-Cruel fae
-Shifter fae
-Sweet sad cinnamon roll MMC
-wound tending
-One horse
-Who did this to you??
-fae royalty
This is a great winter-y, dark & gothic fae story with lots of action, tender moments, inner strength, and resilience. And SPOILER FOR BOOK ONE & THIS BOOK INCOMING: I got so giddy when Elle and Fitz appeared!!! It was so great to see them 😆
December 12, 2023
I really loved this story!! The characters were fantastic!! I loved the world building and how much growth the FMC made through the book. I loved the story of this kingdom and how everything worked was just great.
June 27, 2024
4.5*
-Single POV
-Gothic, fantasy Mansfield Park retelling
-Single POV
-Gothic, fantasy Mansfield Park retelling
December 16, 2023
I was so excited to get this ARC in my email. Mansfield Park is my favorite Jane Austen novel and this book is loosely inspired by it, set in a gothic fae setting with shifters, magic and the best tension between the leads.
Garrick is just 😍😍😍 the way he treats Ren, is just *chefs kiss!
The confidence that Ren gains throughout this book and how she grows into her magic is so well written, you can’t help but stay up all night to read this in one sitting.
If you like Jane Austen vibes, gothic fae settings with a bit of a creepy twinge then you definitely need this on your shelf!
Garrick is just 😍😍😍 the way he treats Ren, is just *chefs kiss!
The confidence that Ren gains throughout this book and how she grows into her magic is so well written, you can’t help but stay up all night to read this in one sitting.
If you like Jane Austen vibes, gothic fae settings with a bit of a creepy twinge then you definitely need this on your shelf!
June 1, 2024
A fantasy story inspired by Jane Austen's Mansfield Park? I'm so there. This book far exceeded my expectations with how interesting the plot was and how fleshed out the characters were. It's amazing how good a book can be when characters act like real people. It's truly a novel idea. Anyway, although this book had romance, I enjoyed how little it relied upon it to make the story engaging. The middle part of the book was a little slow, but it had a mid-book plot twist that really makes the second half of the book fly by. This is my second book by this author, and I've loved both.
January 2, 2024
I loved exploring more of Brytwilde in this book with Ren!
A high fae, high drama adventure filled with magic, & slow burn forbidden love… loved it!
A high fae, high drama adventure filled with magic, & slow burn forbidden love… loved it!
December 9, 2023
I am in awe of Rachel Schade's ability to make a standalone pack a mean punch! This story had so much and never once felt like it was an overwhelming amount of info/world building!
I had previously stated that I knew one thing with absolute certainty was going to happen while reading FoBaP; I knew I was going to fall madly in love with the MMC, Garrick Darkgrove, because our girl is a master at writing those swoon worthy book bfs. One thing I completely forgot to consider was how terrifying and awful she makes her villains. Holy majoly, these two were cruel.
Honestly, this story is one of my favorite reads of the year and of life, it was that good (to me). Highly, highly recommend you pick up a copy of Fortress of Blood and Power
I had previously stated that I knew one thing with absolute certainty was going to happen while reading FoBaP; I knew I was going to fall madly in love with the MMC, Garrick Darkgrove, because our girl is a master at writing those swoon worthy book bfs. One thing I completely forgot to consider was how terrifying and awful she makes her villains. Holy majoly, these two were cruel.
Honestly, this story is one of my favorite reads of the year and of life, it was that good (to me). Highly, highly recommend you pick up a copy of Fortress of Blood and Power
December 15, 2023
This is a fun Jane Austen romance Fae cross over with a side of wolf shifter.
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This book has a great start and I was hooked at the beginning. Unfortunately, it didn’t keep me hooked. Part of it I think was because I am only a passive Jane Austen fan, not a hardcore fan so a lot of the references and similarities were lost on me. I wanted the characters to be a little more developed and deep within the book, and not just reliant on knowing the references. Relatedly, the main character made some decisions that I didn’t really understand how she got there. The consequences didn’t feel natural in the book universe created. The story is well written, I think I could have used more context within the story.
Overall, I think this book would be a great option for someone who knows Jane Austen stories better than I do and loves a good fae fantasy.
Disclaimer: I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts are my own!
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This book has a great start and I was hooked at the beginning. Unfortunately, it didn’t keep me hooked. Part of it I think was because I am only a passive Jane Austen fan, not a hardcore fan so a lot of the references and similarities were lost on me. I wanted the characters to be a little more developed and deep within the book, and not just reliant on knowing the references. Relatedly, the main character made some decisions that I didn’t really understand how she got there. The consequences didn’t feel natural in the book universe created. The story is well written, I think I could have used more context within the story.
Overall, I think this book would be a great option for someone who knows Jane Austen stories better than I do and loves a good fae fantasy.
Disclaimer: I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts are my own!
February 7, 2024
The change from dreading even hurting anyone to being willing to kill them was a bit too quick for me, but 🤷🏿♀️
December 16, 2023
After reading book 1 in Rachel L. Schade's Fae of Brytwilde series, I knew that I was hooked! What is not to like about a series of standalone gothic romantasy novels set in an interconnected universe that are based on Jane Austen's works and filled with mystery, fae politics, and plenty of slow burn tension! Needless to say, I have been eagerly awaiting book 2, Fortress of Blood and Power, and was so excited to receive a copy. It has been the perfect way to enter the last reading month of 2023.
All I can say is that Schade TOTALLY delivered with this second book, inspired loosely by Mansfield Park, and I may have even liked the couple in this story even more than the first, which is quite a feat because book one was based on my favorite Austen work, Pride and Prejudice. I devoured Fortress of Blood and Power in a matter of days and found myself being drawn into all of the incredible twists and turns of the kingdom of Silverfrost, where the fae who draw their power from the Winter season, rule a land that's fierce and haunted by a violent and dark past.
As the story opens, we meet Florentia (Ren) Cantwell, a young mortal woman with unique silver hair and a mysterious parentage that has made her the target of prejudice and hate at the hands of not only of her fellow villagers but even her closest living family. After living a life of quite isolation, unforeseen circumstances force Ren to take on the harsh and unforgiving world of the Silverfrost and to face the the fear of the wild winter magic that lives within her blood.
As Ren works to escape the notice of the Silverfrost royals, she meets Garrick Darkgrove, a wolf-shifter hunter whose warm, open and at time flirty demeanor, is a bright spot for Ren in an otherwise dark world. Garrick offers his help to Ren in navigating her way out of Silverfrost. I absolutely loved all of the moments that Schade gave us as Garrick and Ren break down the walls between fae and human and get to know each other. Garrick is the fierce cinnamon roll that we all love and his unwavering confidence that Ren can own who she is and master the magic inside is completely endearing. And did I mention that from their first meeting he gives her a sweet and meaningful nickname...I still get all the feels thinking about it.
However, not everything is always as it seems and betrayals and unspoken truths, bring Ren face to face with the deadly King and Queen of Silverfrost. They have little love for humans and are determined to make Ren prove the origins of her winter magic or die trying...and they are totally fine with the latter. Without giving anything away, I will say that the villains in this book are truly dark and act as a perfect counterpoint to Ren's desire to help all in Silverfrost to escape the evil that has been haunting it for decades.
One of the things that I love about Schade's writing is how she brings to life Ren's growing confidence in who she is and recognizing the power that she has inside of herself. After years of being OK to be left in the background, Ren realizes it is her destiny to stand apart and Schade does a wonderful job of making this development feel natural and exciting. And I could not write a review about Schade's novel without talking about the delicious tension that she creates between Ren and Garrick. There is an instant spark and I loved how each sees the worth and value of the other more than they can see it themselves, at least initially. That said, there are plenty of obstacles placed in this couple's way and Schade is a master of really ratcheting up the stakes as she brings the action to a nail-biting climax.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and there may even be some cameos from characters I loved from book 1 (again keeping this spoiler free). Schade creates an atmospheric world that comes to life off the page and draws you in with its rich, gothic mood, its complex fae world full of intrigue and dark mystery and a romance that is devoted, fierce and sweet all at once. I wholeheartedly recommend this read and cannot wait for book 3 and to see what part of Brytwilde Schade brings us to next!
All I can say is that Schade TOTALLY delivered with this second book, inspired loosely by Mansfield Park, and I may have even liked the couple in this story even more than the first, which is quite a feat because book one was based on my favorite Austen work, Pride and Prejudice. I devoured Fortress of Blood and Power in a matter of days and found myself being drawn into all of the incredible twists and turns of the kingdom of Silverfrost, where the fae who draw their power from the Winter season, rule a land that's fierce and haunted by a violent and dark past.
As the story opens, we meet Florentia (Ren) Cantwell, a young mortal woman with unique silver hair and a mysterious parentage that has made her the target of prejudice and hate at the hands of not only of her fellow villagers but even her closest living family. After living a life of quite isolation, unforeseen circumstances force Ren to take on the harsh and unforgiving world of the Silverfrost and to face the the fear of the wild winter magic that lives within her blood.
As Ren works to escape the notice of the Silverfrost royals, she meets Garrick Darkgrove, a wolf-shifter hunter whose warm, open and at time flirty demeanor, is a bright spot for Ren in an otherwise dark world. Garrick offers his help to Ren in navigating her way out of Silverfrost. I absolutely loved all of the moments that Schade gave us as Garrick and Ren break down the walls between fae and human and get to know each other. Garrick is the fierce cinnamon roll that we all love and his unwavering confidence that Ren can own who she is and master the magic inside is completely endearing. And did I mention that from their first meeting he gives her a sweet and meaningful nickname...I still get all the feels thinking about it.
However, not everything is always as it seems and betrayals and unspoken truths, bring Ren face to face with the deadly King and Queen of Silverfrost. They have little love for humans and are determined to make Ren prove the origins of her winter magic or die trying...and they are totally fine with the latter. Without giving anything away, I will say that the villains in this book are truly dark and act as a perfect counterpoint to Ren's desire to help all in Silverfrost to escape the evil that has been haunting it for decades.
One of the things that I love about Schade's writing is how she brings to life Ren's growing confidence in who she is and recognizing the power that she has inside of herself. After years of being OK to be left in the background, Ren realizes it is her destiny to stand apart and Schade does a wonderful job of making this development feel natural and exciting. And I could not write a review about Schade's novel without talking about the delicious tension that she creates between Ren and Garrick. There is an instant spark and I loved how each sees the worth and value of the other more than they can see it themselves, at least initially. That said, there are plenty of obstacles placed in this couple's way and Schade is a master of really ratcheting up the stakes as she brings the action to a nail-biting climax.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and there may even be some cameos from characters I loved from book 1 (again keeping this spoiler free). Schade creates an atmospheric world that comes to life off the page and draws you in with its rich, gothic mood, its complex fae world full of intrigue and dark mystery and a romance that is devoted, fierce and sweet all at once. I wholeheartedly recommend this read and cannot wait for book 3 and to see what part of Brytwilde Schade brings us to next!
December 15, 2023
4.5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐ - 🐺 🏰 ❄️✨
🖤 ARC REVIEW 🖤
Overall: Absolutely YES! I recommend this book. If you love swoony fantasy romance.
My Review
Content : 5 Stars
Writing Style: 5 stars
Readability: 4.5 stars
Plot Development: 4.5 stars
Characters: 5 stars
Vibes: 5 stars
This is my new favorite winter read! Inspired by Jane Austen’s Mansfield Park, I knew I had to read it. And I ended up really loving this book. A very enjoyable swoony forbidden love romance with winter magic, fighting kingdom, evil king and queen, and a dreamy wolf shifter. Ren’s growth in this book was so inspiring. From being abandoned to being cared for to being captured! An emotional rollercoaster. She ends up being such a badass realizing her worth and recognizing her strength. The forbidden love element, the no touching trope, was wonderfully torturous. The romantic tension! *Screams* so good. Garrick and Ren are just so sweet. I loved them so much. I will definitely be including this book in my traditional winter season reads.
No spice – Swoony Romantic Tension 💖 HEA 💖
Character Feedback
— Might be SPOILERS —
Forentia/Ren: Like I mentioned before, her growth in this book was so inspiring and so well done. Loved that the book was in her POV, I really felt her thoughts and emotions. I am a sucker for big books so I wish we had more time with her and Garrick in the woods. Maybe just gave them more than 2 days to really watch her slowly let her guard down and trust him. But I think they should've had more time to really get to know each other before all hell broke loose.
Garrick: All I could picture was a gentle giant. He was so dreamy, so kind, so sweet. A TRUE GENTLEMEN! I don't usually fall for blondes but this guy, I’d marry him. The way he respected Ren and treated her with such tenderness. SWOON. Well written, very likable.
Aspen: Favorite character!!! She was smart and sassy. Loved her friendship with Ren.
Charlie: The only character I didn’t like. Without too many spoilers, he didn't need to come back into the story. I just think Ren had enough love and strength in her to succeed in her fight without him being there. The way he treated her in the beginning of the book was almost unforgivable. She could’ve died the moment he abandoned her, and at the time didn't care. He is one of the major reasons I didn’t give this book a full 5 stars. Even though he was barely in the book, he was there for the most important moment of Ren's arc and I wasn't a fan.
Preston/Nerissa: Great villains! Perfectly awful.
Overall: 4.5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐ -- YES! I recommend this book if you like swoony fantasy romance with no spice .
🖤 ARC REVIEW 🖤
Overall: Absolutely YES! I recommend this book. If you love swoony fantasy romance.
Favorite Quotes:
“Gods have mercy on me, but you’ve captivated me from the first moment I saw you, and you’ve enchanted me every moment since”
😍🫠
My Review
Content : 5 Stars
Writing Style: 5 stars
Readability: 4.5 stars
Plot Development: 4.5 stars
Characters: 5 stars
Vibes: 5 stars
This is my new favorite winter read! Inspired by Jane Austen’s Mansfield Park, I knew I had to read it. And I ended up really loving this book. A very enjoyable swoony forbidden love romance with winter magic, fighting kingdom, evil king and queen, and a dreamy wolf shifter. Ren’s growth in this book was so inspiring. From being abandoned to being cared for to being captured! An emotional rollercoaster. She ends up being such a badass realizing her worth and recognizing her strength. The forbidden love element, the no touching trope, was wonderfully torturous. The romantic tension! *Screams* so good. Garrick and Ren are just so sweet. I loved them so much. I will definitely be including this book in my traditional winter season reads.
No spice – Swoony Romantic Tension 💖 HEA 💖
Character Feedback
— Might be SPOILERS —
Forentia/Ren: Like I mentioned before, her growth in this book was so inspiring and so well done. Loved that the book was in her POV, I really felt her thoughts and emotions. I am a sucker for big books so I wish we had more time with her and Garrick in the woods. Maybe just gave them more than 2 days to really watch her slowly let her guard down and trust him. But I think they should've had more time to really get to know each other before all hell broke loose.
Garrick: All I could picture was a gentle giant. He was so dreamy, so kind, so sweet. A TRUE GENTLEMEN! I don't usually fall for blondes but this guy, I’d marry him. The way he respected Ren and treated her with such tenderness. SWOON. Well written, very likable.
Aspen: Favorite character!!! She was smart and sassy. Loved her friendship with Ren.
Charlie: The only character I didn’t like. Without too many spoilers, he didn't need to come back into the story. I just think Ren had enough love and strength in her to succeed in her fight without him being there. The way he treated her in the beginning of the book was almost unforgivable. She could’ve died the moment he abandoned her, and at the time didn't care. He is one of the major reasons I didn’t give this book a full 5 stars. Even though he was barely in the book, he was there for the most important moment of Ren's arc and I wasn't a fan.
Preston/Nerissa: Great villains! Perfectly awful.
Overall: 4.5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐ -- YES! I recommend this book if you like swoony fantasy romance with no spice .
December 9, 2023
Reasons to Love
📚 swoony but no spice romance
📚 shapeshifter cinnamon roll fae MMC
📚 beautiful worldbuilding
📚 powerful but tenderhearted FMC
📚 monsters of darkness
📚 guardians of underworld door
📚 Frozen vibes (aka great winter read!)
📚 Mansfield Park vibes
🌶️: a couple of passionate kisses, but not too intense or super descriptive
❗️: Language (None | Mild | Medium | Harsh)
Format: eARC
Genre: YA Fantasy
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Favorite quote: “I think there’s magic in sharing the contents of your heart.”
Snapshot: With Castle of Dusk and Shadows Rachel Schade invited me into the dark and stunning world of Brytwilde, a land ruled by four kingdoms of Fae, each tied to the shifting seasons. Castle focused on the Ashwoods in the Autumn kingdom while Rachel’s newest book, Fortress of Blood and Power, dives into the power plays and court dynamics of the Winter kingdom—Silverfrost.
Just like with Castle, I was enchanted with the characters, the worldbuilding, the rules of the fae lands and magic, and the connections to well-known Jane Austen novels. Y’all—there are so many creative aspects and beloved tropes in this book that it’s almost impossible for me to outline here all the things I love about Fortress without giving everything away.
These characters will reach off the pages and steal your heart. Seriously, what’s not to love about Ren and Garrick? Ren is our sweet but broken and lonely human FMC who has no idea who she is or what she’s worth. I mean, come on, haven’t we all felt that way from time to time? And Garrick—oh, Garrick. You have my heart. He’s our loyal (as much as he can be), protective, and cinnamon-roll-y fae shifter hero. For sure, cinnamon roll and fae shifter are not words I thought I’d ever use together to describe a fictional hero I adore. And yet, it’s such a vibe. Garrick is the hero we never knew we needed, but we’re so here for it.
This book left me sleep-deprived and made me want to conjure my own furious winter storm in places. The plot keeps you guessing; the writing is clean, clear, and fun; and I can’t wait to read the third book in this series.
Thank you, Rachel, for inviting me to read this book early and share with the bookish world just how much I love it.
Fortress of Blood and Power releases next Friday, December 15.
**As a note, I received an eARC from the author, but I wrote the review because I wanted to, not because it was required. All opinions stated here are my own.
📚 swoony but no spice romance
📚 shapeshifter cinnamon roll fae MMC
📚 beautiful worldbuilding
📚 powerful but tenderhearted FMC
📚 monsters of darkness
📚 guardians of underworld door
📚 Frozen vibes (aka great winter read!)
📚 Mansfield Park vibes
🌶️: a couple of passionate kisses, but not too intense or super descriptive
❗️: Language (None | Mild | Medium | Harsh)
Format: eARC
Genre: YA Fantasy
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Favorite quote: “I think there’s magic in sharing the contents of your heart.”
Snapshot: With Castle of Dusk and Shadows Rachel Schade invited me into the dark and stunning world of Brytwilde, a land ruled by four kingdoms of Fae, each tied to the shifting seasons. Castle focused on the Ashwoods in the Autumn kingdom while Rachel’s newest book, Fortress of Blood and Power, dives into the power plays and court dynamics of the Winter kingdom—Silverfrost.
Just like with Castle, I was enchanted with the characters, the worldbuilding, the rules of the fae lands and magic, and the connections to well-known Jane Austen novels. Y’all—there are so many creative aspects and beloved tropes in this book that it’s almost impossible for me to outline here all the things I love about Fortress without giving everything away.
These characters will reach off the pages and steal your heart. Seriously, what’s not to love about Ren and Garrick? Ren is our sweet but broken and lonely human FMC who has no idea who she is or what she’s worth. I mean, come on, haven’t we all felt that way from time to time? And Garrick—oh, Garrick. You have my heart. He’s our loyal (as much as he can be), protective, and cinnamon-roll-y fae shifter hero. For sure, cinnamon roll and fae shifter are not words I thought I’d ever use together to describe a fictional hero I adore. And yet, it’s such a vibe. Garrick is the hero we never knew we needed, but we’re so here for it.
This book left me sleep-deprived and made me want to conjure my own furious winter storm in places. The plot keeps you guessing; the writing is clean, clear, and fun; and I can’t wait to read the third book in this series.
Thank you, Rachel, for inviting me to read this book early and share with the bookish world just how much I love it.
Fortress of Blood and Power releases next Friday, December 15.
**As a note, I received an eARC from the author, but I wrote the review because I wanted to, not because it was required. All opinions stated here are my own.
December 15, 2023
Another win for the Fae of Brytwilde series
This second installment of the Fae of Brytwilde series is just as good as the first. Though this book is listed as the second in the series, this series is comprised of interconnected standalone novels so you do not have to read them in publication order to enjoy them. I also have never read any classic literature such as Mansfield Park, Pride and Prejudice, etc so I don’t know how loosely based these books are but they are enjoyable nonetheless.
Let me tell you that Garrick is one of my new favorite MMCs. Flirtatious but courteous, protective without being overbearing, a cinnamon roll character that loves to bring humor to situations and tells stories, but will hurt/kill to protect those he loves. I just absolutely love him and appreciated the reprieve from brooding, grumpy, fae MMCs.
Florentia (Ren) is our lovely FMC that goes through some character growth in this story. I don’t want to give too much away but this is Ren’s story so she is the main protagonist and the story is told through her POV so it’s only natural that growth is centered around her. Her personality definitely comes out more as the story progresses and she becomes less restricted from her conservative, human upbringing/societal standards and learns to fully embrace who she is.
The villains in this story are true villains and as much as I love some morally grey or misunderstood villains, it’s nice to see some protagonists be just straight up evil.
You may enjoy this story if you like:
❄️ cinnamon roll MMC with a dash of touch her and 💀 vibes
❄️ Chosen heroine/destiny
❄️ rebellion
❄️ variety of magical abilities
❄️ shifter fae
❄️ truly evil villains
❄️ a dash of fae politics
❄️ rooting for the underdog/outcasts
❄️ Swoony and tension filled romance
❄️ no spice fantasy
I thoroughly enjoy this series and I look forward to the next in then series as there’s a tiny sneak peak at the end of the book as to what the next one will be.
I’m appreciative for the ARC that was given to me by the author. These thoughts and opinions are my own and are left voluntarily.
This second installment of the Fae of Brytwilde series is just as good as the first. Though this book is listed as the second in the series, this series is comprised of interconnected standalone novels so you do not have to read them in publication order to enjoy them. I also have never read any classic literature such as Mansfield Park, Pride and Prejudice, etc so I don’t know how loosely based these books are but they are enjoyable nonetheless.
Let me tell you that Garrick is one of my new favorite MMCs. Flirtatious but courteous, protective without being overbearing, a cinnamon roll character that loves to bring humor to situations and tells stories, but will hurt/kill to protect those he loves. I just absolutely love him and appreciated the reprieve from brooding, grumpy, fae MMCs.
Florentia (Ren) is our lovely FMC that goes through some character growth in this story. I don’t want to give too much away but this is Ren’s story so she is the main protagonist and the story is told through her POV so it’s only natural that growth is centered around her. Her personality definitely comes out more as the story progresses and she becomes less restricted from her conservative, human upbringing/societal standards and learns to fully embrace who she is.
The villains in this story are true villains and as much as I love some morally grey or misunderstood villains, it’s nice to see some protagonists be just straight up evil.
You may enjoy this story if you like:
❄️ cinnamon roll MMC with a dash of touch her and 💀 vibes
❄️ Chosen heroine/destiny
❄️ rebellion
❄️ variety of magical abilities
❄️ shifter fae
❄️ truly evil villains
❄️ a dash of fae politics
❄️ rooting for the underdog/outcasts
❄️ Swoony and tension filled romance
❄️ no spice fantasy
I thoroughly enjoy this series and I look forward to the next in then series as there’s a tiny sneak peak at the end of the book as to what the next one will be.
I’m appreciative for the ARC that was given to me by the author. These thoughts and opinions are my own and are left voluntarily.
December 15, 2023
5/5 Stars - Infuriatingly exquisite
Oh. My. Gosh. I think I liked this book more than book one, Castle of Dusk and Shadows, which is saying something, because I really liked that one. But there's something about a tortured wolf shifter who is loyal (and more than capable of killing anyone who crosses him) that steals my heart and refuses to give it back. Ren is a lucky, lucky girl. Well... by the end of it, anyway. The middle's pretty rough for her.
Speaking of, I loved the darkness in Fortress. It's all very gothic, and it's a beautiful combination of Regency and Fae lore. And the courtly politics were well done. Several times, I realized what was going to happen next and had a nasty feeling in my stomach because I so didn't want it to happen. This book kept me so invested that a little over halfway through, I knew I had to finish it that night, or else I wouldn't be able to sleep. (I hadn't felt that way since I read Winter by Marissa Meyer.)
As we already established, I loved Garrick, and Ren was a great POV character. And the two of them together? Painful and absolutely beautiful. Garrick's love confession had my face two inches away from the computer screen, and trying not to squeal because it was 5 a.m. It's just *chef's kiss*.
As for the villains, they were absolutely awful (well written, but if I could murder them both, I'd do it with a smile). Their web of power and use of psychological warfare and torture were brutal. As I read, I felt just as trapped as Ren.
In summary, this book is fantastic. If you like gothic fantasy with clean (but ridiculously swoony) romance and a nice drizzle of torture, then do yourself a favor and check out Fortress of Blood and Power.
Thank you SO MUCH, Rachel L. Schade, for providing me with an ARC in exchange for a review
Oh. My. Gosh. I think I liked this book more than book one, Castle of Dusk and Shadows, which is saying something, because I really liked that one. But there's something about a tortured wolf shifter who is loyal (and more than capable of killing anyone who crosses him) that steals my heart and refuses to give it back. Ren is a lucky, lucky girl. Well... by the end of it, anyway. The middle's pretty rough for her.
Speaking of, I loved the darkness in Fortress. It's all very gothic, and it's a beautiful combination of Regency and Fae lore. And the courtly politics were well done. Several times, I realized what was going to happen next and had a nasty feeling in my stomach because I so didn't want it to happen. This book kept me so invested that a little over halfway through, I knew I had to finish it that night, or else I wouldn't be able to sleep. (I hadn't felt that way since I read Winter by Marissa Meyer.)
As we already established, I loved Garrick, and Ren was a great POV character. And the two of them together? Painful and absolutely beautiful. Garrick's love confession had my face two inches away from the computer screen, and trying not to squeal because it was 5 a.m. It's just *chef's kiss*.
As for the villains, they were absolutely awful (well written, but if I could murder them both, I'd do it with a smile). Their web of power and use of psychological warfare and torture were brutal. As I read, I felt just as trapped as Ren.
In summary, this book is fantastic. If you like gothic fantasy with clean (but ridiculously swoony) romance and a nice drizzle of torture, then do yourself a favor and check out Fortress of Blood and Power.
Thank you SO MUCH, Rachel L. Schade, for providing me with an ARC in exchange for a review
January 11, 2024
"You can trust me when I say I won't bite...unless you ask me to."
Hello Garrick, hot wolf shifter hunter and resident of Brytwilde, and the latest of Rachel L. Schade's irresistible male main characters. I had so much fun reading this slow-burning romantasy retelling of Mansfield Park, and I think some of that was because I'm actually not familiar with that Jane Austen work. I wasn't trying to connect characters in this book to ones in the original, and every plot point was a surprise. So anyone who wonders if you can appreciate a retelling if you aren't familiar with the original story, have no fear! Especially when it's Schade weaving together amazing characters that you really get to know, with so much romantic tension and longing, plus world-building and steady pacing.
I loved
...the expansion of the fae world that we were introduced to in Castle of Dusk and Shadows.
...the swoony dialogue between Ren, our FMC, and the aforementioned Garrick
...the shifting politics and loyalties
...villains you absolutely want to see lose spectacularly
...Ren and Garrick dancing around each other when they clearly should be end game from the beginning
...Garrick's nickname for Ren :)
If you're looking for a really well-written standalone romantasy story, do not sleep on this indie. Available on Kindle Unlimited. Thank you to Rachel L. Schade for the ARC.
SPOILERS BELOW:
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When Elle Blackford and Prince Fitz from Book 1 showed up to help Ren, I nearly screamed out loud! Such a fun call back and Easter Egg if you've read the first book in the collection! And brother Holden! Combining the two different "worlds" (they aren't separate worlds, but different kingdoms of the fae world) was something I considered briefly, but didn't want to hope for... and I loved it.
Hello Garrick, hot wolf shifter hunter and resident of Brytwilde, and the latest of Rachel L. Schade's irresistible male main characters. I had so much fun reading this slow-burning romantasy retelling of Mansfield Park, and I think some of that was because I'm actually not familiar with that Jane Austen work. I wasn't trying to connect characters in this book to ones in the original, and every plot point was a surprise. So anyone who wonders if you can appreciate a retelling if you aren't familiar with the original story, have no fear! Especially when it's Schade weaving together amazing characters that you really get to know, with so much romantic tension and longing, plus world-building and steady pacing.
I loved
...the expansion of the fae world that we were introduced to in Castle of Dusk and Shadows.
...the swoony dialogue between Ren, our FMC, and the aforementioned Garrick
...the shifting politics and loyalties
...villains you absolutely want to see lose spectacularly
...Ren and Garrick dancing around each other when they clearly should be end game from the beginning
...Garrick's nickname for Ren :)
If you're looking for a really well-written standalone romantasy story, do not sleep on this indie. Available on Kindle Unlimited. Thank you to Rachel L. Schade for the ARC.
SPOILERS BELOW:
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.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
When Elle Blackford and Prince Fitz from Book 1 showed up to help Ren, I nearly screamed out loud! Such a fun call back and Easter Egg if you've read the first book in the collection! And brother Holden! Combining the two different "worlds" (they aren't separate worlds, but different kingdoms of the fae world) was something I considered briefly, but didn't want to hope for... and I loved it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 22, 2023
[3.5]
i enjoyed this a TON in the first half. my only issue with the first half was that the romance felt a little insta-lovey but i was willing to overlook it bc i loved garrick.
it wasn’t until the second half that i started feeling like i wasn’t sure i liked it. the story itself was captivating and fun, and the romance was sweet. it just felt… forced. their first kiss, which was hyped up so much on rachel’s socials, fell so flat for me bc it just felt like it came out of nowhere. it went from garrick keeping his distance to him not being able to contain himself in .5 seconds which just didn’t fit based on how he acted for the whole first part of the book.
plus there were a few plotholes that didn’t quite make sense to me and left me asking questions. why could they smell garricks touch on ren’s skin but not the fact that there was deer’s blood on kinsey when they faked his death? why even did they fake his death? it made no difference in the end. why did she open the doors to the underworld? i get that it was the climax but also it didn’t logically make sense given the situation. i read back 4 times and still never figured out why she logically came to the conclusion that her only choice was to open the dang door.
i think i also was expecting a friends to lovers romance, since that’s what mansfield park was. which that is not what we got. so that was disappointing.
for the most part it was good, i would recommend it as an escapism read. if you’re just looking for something lighthearted and magical this is good. just not groundbreaking.
i loved the nod to elle and fitz at the end. i will ALWAYS love them :,).
that being said, i love rachel schade and i will continue to support her books.
can’t wait for the emma retelling coming next year!!!
i enjoyed this a TON in the first half. my only issue with the first half was that the romance felt a little insta-lovey but i was willing to overlook it bc i loved garrick.
it wasn’t until the second half that i started feeling like i wasn’t sure i liked it. the story itself was captivating and fun, and the romance was sweet. it just felt… forced. their first kiss, which was hyped up so much on rachel’s socials, fell so flat for me bc it just felt like it came out of nowhere. it went from garrick keeping his distance to him not being able to contain himself in .5 seconds which just didn’t fit based on how he acted for the whole first part of the book.
plus there were a few plotholes that didn’t quite make sense to me and left me asking questions. why could they smell garricks touch on ren’s skin but not the fact that there was deer’s blood on kinsey when they faked his death? why even did they fake his death? it made no difference in the end. why did she open the doors to the underworld? i get that it was the climax but also it didn’t logically make sense given the situation. i read back 4 times and still never figured out why she logically came to the conclusion that her only choice was to open the dang door.
i think i also was expecting a friends to lovers romance, since that’s what mansfield park was. which that is not what we got. so that was disappointing.
for the most part it was good, i would recommend it as an escapism read. if you’re just looking for something lighthearted and magical this is good. just not groundbreaking.
i loved the nod to elle and fitz at the end. i will ALWAYS love them :,).
that being said, i love rachel schade and i will continue to support her books.
can’t wait for the emma retelling coming next year!!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 3, 2024
When I saw that Rachel was writing a fantasy series inspired by Jane Austen I knew I had to read it. I love Jane Austen, and I love fantasy so what’s not to like? These books, particularly number two, are very loosely based on the corresponding Jane Austen books so just don’t go into them expecting a full on retelling. I saw a lot of correlations between the first book and Pride and Prejudice, but much fewer between this one and Mansfield Park (though I picked up on a couple). That’s not a bad thing; the story is really good. I didn’t find it predictable, and the characters really make the book shine.
The main character, Ren, is generally pretty soft spoken, much like Fanny Price. But she’s still a strong character and stands up for things when they matter. I thought it was a great combination that she learns to not be a pushover but is also still kind and forgiving.
Of course, her interactions with our wonderful love interest Garrick are the best parts…the pining in this book is real. It’s got a strong star crossed lovers theme, and you want so much for these two to be together. They’re both so protective of each other in the midst of being used against each other.
Which brings us to our bad guys. They are a brother and sister duo, also like Mansfield Park. They really are an evil couple, and as you find out more about them they just get worse. Their motivations make sense; I wouldn’t say they’re evil just because. But the motivations don’t make them any less evil. You’ll definitely be rooting for them to be destroyed.
I loved this book. It’s a fast read with a good pace, and the story is satisfying. Rachel is a very talented writer, and I’ll be waiting to read number three!
The main character, Ren, is generally pretty soft spoken, much like Fanny Price. But she’s still a strong character and stands up for things when they matter. I thought it was a great combination that she learns to not be a pushover but is also still kind and forgiving.
Of course, her interactions with our wonderful love interest Garrick are the best parts…the pining in this book is real. It’s got a strong star crossed lovers theme, and you want so much for these two to be together. They’re both so protective of each other in the midst of being used against each other.
Which brings us to our bad guys. They are a brother and sister duo, also like Mansfield Park. They really are an evil couple, and as you find out more about them they just get worse. Their motivations make sense; I wouldn’t say they’re evil just because. But the motivations don’t make them any less evil. You’ll definitely be rooting for them to be destroyed.
I loved this book. It’s a fast read with a good pace, and the story is satisfying. Rachel is a very talented writer, and I’ll be waiting to read number three!
December 16, 2023
Obviously, if there is a combination of Jane Austen and fae, I have to be there. I adored the first book, and was really excited to see what the author would do with this installment (it's going to be hard to beat Pride & Prejudice, after all), and I was not disappointed! Now, I actually haven't read Mansfield Park (yet- it and Northanger Abbey are the only Jane Austen novels I haven't read at least once), but I knew enough about it that the villains are siblings. And the siblings in this book are absolutely villainous! They are among the most horrifying villains I have ever read- probably two of the top three, actually. Because of them, this book seems darker than the first installment, but that darkness makes the forbidden romance shine so much brighter, as well as the heroine's selflessness.
I have to say it again: the romance was so beautiful. If you, like me, love a couple that seems doomed to tragedy and fight it tooth and claw, this is the book for you! I cannot stop thinking about the bittersweet longing these two shared and all the obstacles in their way. This was absolutely everything I look for in my romantasy books and I cannot recommend it enough.
Note to more sensitive readers: this book contains extreme violence and gore with on-screen killings and torture, darker themes, demons, and zombies.
I received a copy of this novel from the author. I was not required to post a positive review and all views and opinions are my own.
If you're looking for dark fantasy combined with swoony romance, this is the book for you!
I have to say it again: the romance was so beautiful. If you, like me, love a couple that seems doomed to tragedy and fight it tooth and claw, this is the book for you! I cannot stop thinking about the bittersweet longing these two shared and all the obstacles in their way. This was absolutely everything I look for in my romantasy books and I cannot recommend it enough.
Note to more sensitive readers: this book contains extreme violence and gore with on-screen killings and torture, darker themes, demons, and zombies.
I received a copy of this novel from the author. I was not required to post a positive review and all views and opinions are my own.
If you're looking for dark fantasy combined with swoony romance, this is the book for you!
December 21, 2023
Book Review: Fortress of Blood and Power by Rachel L. Schade
I really enjoyed this book! I had seen this one as well as her first book which is on my TBR and now I definitely want to read it when I get through my December and January TBR. This story is about a half human half fae named Ren and she never fits in with her mortal surroundings. One day a stranger comes to a town ball and all hell breaks loose and she finds herself thrown over the town line into the kingdom of Silverfrost. When Garrick the mysterious man from the ball comes to her aid in this new world. I loved their slow burn romance. Both the main MC stole my heart he is a real cinnamon roll and she is a beautiful firecracker. I loved the world building and all the details, the plot was spectacular, and the characters ah all the feels for them! I loved her friends and I lathed the evil ones!!! Such a well written story and I can’t wait to read more from Rachel!
Reasons to read this gem:
❄️ powerful but tenderhearted FMC
❄️ swoony romance
❄️ shapeshifter (wolf) cinnamon roll fae MMC
❄️ spectacular world building
❄️ evil siblings you can’t help but hate
❄️ monsters of darkness
❄️ guardians of underworld door
❄️ great winter weather read
❄️ Mansfield Park vibes
❄️ betrayal and secrets
❄️ magical powers
I really enjoyed this book! I had seen this one as well as her first book which is on my TBR and now I definitely want to read it when I get through my December and January TBR. This story is about a half human half fae named Ren and she never fits in with her mortal surroundings. One day a stranger comes to a town ball and all hell breaks loose and she finds herself thrown over the town line into the kingdom of Silverfrost. When Garrick the mysterious man from the ball comes to her aid in this new world. I loved their slow burn romance. Both the main MC stole my heart he is a real cinnamon roll and she is a beautiful firecracker. I loved the world building and all the details, the plot was spectacular, and the characters ah all the feels for them! I loved her friends and I lathed the evil ones!!! Such a well written story and I can’t wait to read more from Rachel!
Reasons to read this gem:
❄️ powerful but tenderhearted FMC
❄️ swoony romance
❄️ shapeshifter (wolf) cinnamon roll fae MMC
❄️ spectacular world building
❄️ evil siblings you can’t help but hate
❄️ monsters of darkness
❄️ guardians of underworld door
❄️ great winter weather read
❄️ Mansfield Park vibes
❄️ betrayal and secrets
❄️ magical powers
December 21, 2023
This is like between 3 to 3.5/5 stars.
I'm currently in a reading slump and was hoping that some magic fae swoony romance could get me out of it. And turns out that I'm in a deeper slump than I thought. It is good and decent. It has a good plot, but the characters feel bland for me? Maybe it was the slump. Maybe if I read outside of the slump I'll like it better?
Idk but one thing is for sure, is that it didn't get me out of the slump. I even skipped some parts and just skimming through the pages most of the time. It has a good plot, good swoony romance, some conflicts and villains, just that some things are too lengthily explained, so it got me bored.
And I also did feel annoted how Ren is so useless most of the time. I mean I get it that she'd live most of her life as a lady but come on..she was written to be of 'mote bark than bite'. And by the amount of times she'd been knocked off at the back of her head, she must've had bad bruises all over her neck. Power. Faint. Power. Faint. Power. Faint.
GURL. STOP. FAINTING
Again, must be the slump. It is a good read to past the time though. It's not perfect and my rate is in the between but I'd definitely recommend it if you like simple, swoony, magic, spice free romance. Ngl the romanxe is kinda cute and wholesome.
I'm currently in a reading slump and was hoping that some magic fae swoony romance could get me out of it. And turns out that I'm in a deeper slump than I thought. It is good and decent. It has a good plot, but the characters feel bland for me? Maybe it was the slump. Maybe if I read outside of the slump I'll like it better?
Idk but one thing is for sure, is that it didn't get me out of the slump. I even skipped some parts and just skimming through the pages most of the time. It has a good plot, good swoony romance, some conflicts and villains, just that some things are too lengthily explained, so it got me bored.
And I also did feel annoted how Ren is so useless most of the time. I mean I get it that she'd live most of her life as a lady but come on..she was written to be of 'mote bark than bite'. And by the amount of times she'd been knocked off at the back of her head, she must've had bad bruises all over her neck. Power. Faint. Power. Faint. Power. Faint.
GURL. STOP. FAINTING
Again, must be the slump. It is a good read to past the time though. It's not perfect and my rate is in the between but I'd definitely recommend it if you like simple, swoony, magic, spice free romance. Ngl the romanxe is kinda cute and wholesome.
December 28, 2023
3.75 stars rounded up.
Mansfield Park meets Snow White and the Huntsman, but make it ✨Fae✨
This was a really enjoyable, fairly fast-paced read, perfect for the winter season.
Florentia is sacrificed to the Fae by her younger brother, left to fend for herself in unfamiliar territory that's crawling with unsavoury creatures.
Enter wolf-shifter Garrick: a swoon-worthy hunter willing to aid our lady Ren in avoiding said creatures, which have been sent to hunt her down on behalf of the cruel royal family that rule the land.
But all is not as it seems, and we soon find ourselves on a rollercoaster of twists and turns as the story unfolds.
The royal siblings really are despicable, and you cannot help hate them. Ren's character development is a delight to behold, and the growing feelings between her and Garrick leave you hoping all will work out in the end.
There was enjoyable banter, and I particularly enjoyed side-character Aspen as the friend Ren really needed while navigating her current circumstances.
This was the first time I've read this author's work, but it definitely won't be my last!
Thank you to Rachel L. Schade for sending me an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review 🤍
Mansfield Park meets Snow White and the Huntsman, but make it ✨Fae✨
This was a really enjoyable, fairly fast-paced read, perfect for the winter season.
Florentia is sacrificed to the Fae by her younger brother, left to fend for herself in unfamiliar territory that's crawling with unsavoury creatures.
Enter wolf-shifter Garrick: a swoon-worthy hunter willing to aid our lady Ren in avoiding said creatures, which have been sent to hunt her down on behalf of the cruel royal family that rule the land.
But all is not as it seems, and we soon find ourselves on a rollercoaster of twists and turns as the story unfolds.
The royal siblings really are despicable, and you cannot help hate them. Ren's character development is a delight to behold, and the growing feelings between her and Garrick leave you hoping all will work out in the end.
There was enjoyable banter, and I particularly enjoyed side-character Aspen as the friend Ren really needed while navigating her current circumstances.
This was the first time I've read this author's work, but it definitely won't be my last!
Thank you to Rachel L. Schade for sending me an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review 🤍
March 17, 2025
Rating:⭐️⭐️⭐️.75
This was an adorable and manageable romantacy with some world building and magic mechanics but not an overwhelming amount. We get shameless flirting, "touch him and die", and forbidden romance. We also get a strong female lead (which I very much appreciated).
Ren starts off with no confidence in herself and making herself smaller to please others. We get to watch her fortify herself and fight for herself and the people she loves. Her development is absolutely lovely to watch.
As far as Garrick goes, we love a shameless flirt and a man who will lift up and support his lady no matter what.
My only thing that kept this from being a four star is that I wish there was a little more action as far as her having more trials or more detail/lengthier time periods for her trials (something like that). I just would have love to see her show her strength a little more.
This is a standalone but to get the full effect and appreciation I would recommend reading the first book in this universe (A Castle of Dusk and Shadow). There is some overlap.
All in all a great book though! If you like the ACOTAR series this is definitely a Y/A with those types of vibes. Would recommend to anyone looking for a quick, simpler romantacy.
This was an adorable and manageable romantacy with some world building and magic mechanics but not an overwhelming amount. We get shameless flirting, "touch him and die", and forbidden romance. We also get a strong female lead (which I very much appreciated).
Ren starts off with no confidence in herself and making herself smaller to please others. We get to watch her fortify herself and fight for herself and the people she loves. Her development is absolutely lovely to watch.
As far as Garrick goes, we love a shameless flirt and a man who will lift up and support his lady no matter what.
My only thing that kept this from being a four star is that I wish there was a little more action as far as her having more trials or more detail/lengthier time periods for her trials (something like that). I just would have love to see her show her strength a little more.
This is a standalone but to get the full effect and appreciation I would recommend reading the first book in this universe (A Castle of Dusk and Shadow). There is some overlap.
All in all a great book though! If you like the ACOTAR series this is definitely a Y/A with those types of vibes. Would recommend to anyone looking for a quick, simpler romantacy.
January 21, 2024
Whew, this book. This book!!!
Okay, Garrick must be protected at all costs. He’s a wonderfully thoughtful cinnamon roll, and we need more like him in fantasy (if you know of other books with MMC like him, please tell me!). Okay, got that out of the way…
I read the first book in this series last summer and was completely enthralled. I would HIGHLY suggest reading the first one before this because, while they’re interconnected standalones, this story brings some of the other characters from the first book in a fairly prominent way. If you don’t want book 1 spoiled a little, read it first! You won’t regret it. The author’s way of writing is amazing, her stories coming to life in my head while I read them (I was literally bundling up while reading this one because I felt so much colder).
Florentia is a fairly typical regency-esque woman, who is brought up to know all the proper things to do in society, but not much more outside of that. When she is abruptly thrust into the forest with nothing but her brain and the dress on her back, Garrick comes to her rescue. If you aren’t swooning for him at this point, I think you might be broken. He is strong, funny and caring, but also hard in the ways that matter (get your head out of the gutter, you trollop). He knows Ren will need to learn how to survive in the fae world of Silverfrost, and so begins to teach her skills while a friendship starts to bud between the two.
Y’all, I really don’t want to give anything else away, but this was an amazing journey. Ren’s story was perfectly imperfect, and I will definitely be rereading this at some point in the near future. This might be an annual winter read for me! If you like swoony characters with tension, minus spice, this book is for you. Even if you do like spice, I would say this book could still be for you! I love it so, so much!
Okay, Garrick must be protected at all costs. He’s a wonderfully thoughtful cinnamon roll, and we need more like him in fantasy (if you know of other books with MMC like him, please tell me!). Okay, got that out of the way…
I read the first book in this series last summer and was completely enthralled. I would HIGHLY suggest reading the first one before this because, while they’re interconnected standalones, this story brings some of the other characters from the first book in a fairly prominent way. If you don’t want book 1 spoiled a little, read it first! You won’t regret it. The author’s way of writing is amazing, her stories coming to life in my head while I read them (I was literally bundling up while reading this one because I felt so much colder).
Florentia is a fairly typical regency-esque woman, who is brought up to know all the proper things to do in society, but not much more outside of that. When she is abruptly thrust into the forest with nothing but her brain and the dress on her back, Garrick comes to her rescue. If you aren’t swooning for him at this point, I think you might be broken. He is strong, funny and caring, but also hard in the ways that matter (get your head out of the gutter, you trollop). He knows Ren will need to learn how to survive in the fae world of Silverfrost, and so begins to teach her skills while a friendship starts to bud between the two.
Y’all, I really don’t want to give anything else away, but this was an amazing journey. Ren’s story was perfectly imperfect, and I will definitely be rereading this at some point in the near future. This might be an annual winter read for me! If you like swoony characters with tension, minus spice, this book is for you. Even if you do like spice, I would say this book could still be for you! I love it so, so much!
November 21, 2023
Honored to beta read for the amazing Rachel Schade! We share a mutual love for all things Jane Austen, so when she first told me her idea of loose Austen retellings set in a fae-filled fantasy world, I was ALL IN!!!
And, they’re standalones set in the same world!
While Mansfield Park is my least favorite Austen story, Schade made it AMAZING. This is my favorite book of hers yet!
When Ren has to perform trials, it gave me ACOTAR under the mountain vibes. Iykyk. And Snow White and the Huntsman.
Garrick? OMG. Loved him from when we first met him as a mysterious and captivating stranger with his platinum hair and his golden eyes. 💛
While this is a NA romance, there’s NO SPICE.
But there are PLENTY of swoony moments and TENSION. If y’all can read through ACOMAF and wait for chap 55, y’all can wait for this. Trust me, it’s good.
Fortress of Blood and Power releases December 15, 2023, but is available for preorder now!
And, they’re standalones set in the same world!
While Mansfield Park is my least favorite Austen story, Schade made it AMAZING. This is my favorite book of hers yet!
When Ren has to perform trials, it gave me ACOTAR under the mountain vibes. Iykyk. And Snow White and the Huntsman.
Garrick? OMG. Loved him from when we first met him as a mysterious and captivating stranger with his platinum hair and his golden eyes. 💛
While this is a NA romance, there’s NO SPICE.
But there are PLENTY of swoony moments and TENSION. If y’all can read through ACOMAF and wait for chap 55, y’all can wait for this. Trust me, it’s good.
Fortress of Blood and Power releases December 15, 2023, but is available for preorder now!
December 6, 2023
"For anyone who's ever longed to feel seen"
This was very different than Rachel Shade's first book (Castle of Dusk and Shadow). The characters are so much different than Elle and Fitz. Ren and Garrick are the two protagonists, first fighting the elements and then fighting the Silverfrost royals.
Garrick is such a different character than the moody, broody, dark haired MMCs we've been introduced in many other romantasy series. He's like a big cuddly Golden Retriever. Ren is a quiet, gentle woman just trying her best to fit in with the world. They both go through a journey finding who they are and what kind of inner magic they possess.
Honestly, I feel that Rachel's writing is better than some of the current fantasy writers. She is clear and concise with how places are portrayed. You feel yourself being drawn to the characters and their emotions. It does draw some inspiration from Mansfield Park while holding its own. I would definitely recommend this book to friends and family.
This was very different than Rachel Shade's first book (Castle of Dusk and Shadow). The characters are so much different than Elle and Fitz. Ren and Garrick are the two protagonists, first fighting the elements and then fighting the Silverfrost royals.
Garrick is such a different character than the moody, broody, dark haired MMCs we've been introduced in many other romantasy series. He's like a big cuddly Golden Retriever. Ren is a quiet, gentle woman just trying her best to fit in with the world. They both go through a journey finding who they are and what kind of inner magic they possess.
Honestly, I feel that Rachel's writing is better than some of the current fantasy writers. She is clear and concise with how places are portrayed. You feel yourself being drawn to the characters and their emotions. It does draw some inspiration from Mansfield Park while holding its own. I would definitely recommend this book to friends and family.
December 17, 2023
Florentia (our MC) has gotten used to being the town outcast ever since her stepfather died, leaving her in her half-brother’s care. But after a chance encounter with a mesmerizing and mysterious fae, when she unleashes the magic she didn't know she had everything in her life turns upside down. Abandoned and sacrificed to the fae royals, Ren must survive the cruel immortals and learn to wield her powers while trying her best to not fall for the handsome wolf shifter who always came to her rescue.
From the cover to the storyline everything about this book is perfect. Rachel made me fall in love with these characters and root for them, keeping me on the edge of my seat with the plot twists and revelations. The character arcs and her epic world building captured my attention and had me rooting for them throughout the entire book. Can't wait to read more of her work. Highly recommend you to give her books a try.
From the cover to the storyline everything about this book is perfect. Rachel made me fall in love with these characters and root for them, keeping me on the edge of my seat with the plot twists and revelations. The character arcs and her epic world building captured my attention and had me rooting for them throughout the entire book. Can't wait to read more of her work. Highly recommend you to give her books a try.
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