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The Gancanagh's Bride
It had been day once.
Long before the endless night overtook the country of Whynne. Before King and Queens declared their rule, before the Seelie and Unseelie had been driven to the woods.
When Caelan, the last Gancanagh was young, and the war of Whynne had only just begun.
Before he roamed the woods, trying to protect what little of fae society was left. Before humans and Seelie intermingled.
Legend says that the last Gancanagh had been in love with a mere human girl, one who broke his heart and turned him into the monster that those in Whynne feared.
But legends are often wrong.
Long before the endless night overtook the country of Whynne. Before King and Queens declared their rule, before the Seelie and Unseelie had been driven to the woods.
When Caelan, the last Gancanagh was young, and the war of Whynne had only just begun.
Before he roamed the woods, trying to protect what little of fae society was left. Before humans and Seelie intermingled.
Legend says that the last Gancanagh had been in love with a mere human girl, one who broke his heart and turned him into the monster that those in Whynne feared.
But legends are often wrong.
59 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 15, 2023
3 people are currently reading
8 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
November 26, 2023
Loved this. Super quick read yet incredibly immersive
August 6, 2023
This was the second Novella I have read from B. A. Lovejoy the other being Bride of the Fox King, which I liked a lot. Sadly, this one did not work for me as well as I wanted to.
Thank you to Book Sirens, for providing me with an early copy of this book.
The Story follows Hilda, a Milkmaid, when she finds a half dead Fae in her back garden. Because he looks vaguely like a Fae she has a crush on, she decides to do a good deed and nurse him back to health. And, that's it really.
I did not care for Hilda being engaged to another man, who she presumably loves, and still lusting after our MMCs brother. And five minutes later then also lusting after our MMC (I forgot his name, I think it was Celean?, but I don't care enough to fact check that right now). This grossed me out quite a bit - I'm not a prude by any means, but cheating - emotional or otherwise - is just a huge no-no for me. And there's a fair bit of both.
The writing was alright, not as solid as in her other Novella, but still very binge-able. However, this time around I got constant reminders of our girl Hilda being a Milkmaid - and by constant I mean CONSTANT, once or twice per page at minimum. Like, I wanted to read about two people falling in love, and instead I'm reading about our girlie talking about her fave cow on end. No shade to any cow enthusiasts here, but I couldn't give less of a shit.
In the end this was as insta - lovey as it get's. They have one conversation, and apparently that's enough for both of them to be so in love with each other that our MMC can't stop thinking about Hilda for the next couple hundred of years. Again, not my cup of tea. I didn't feel the chemistry between them, and that ending made it even worse.
Thank you to Book Sirens, for providing me with an early copy of this book.
The Story follows Hilda, a Milkmaid, when she finds a half dead Fae in her back garden. Because he looks vaguely like a Fae she has a crush on, she decides to do a good deed and nurse him back to health. And, that's it really.
I did not care for Hilda being engaged to another man, who she presumably loves, and still lusting after our MMCs brother. And five minutes later then also lusting after our MMC (I forgot his name, I think it was Celean?, but I don't care enough to fact check that right now). This grossed me out quite a bit - I'm not a prude by any means, but cheating - emotional or otherwise - is just a huge no-no for me. And there's a fair bit of both.
The writing was alright, not as solid as in her other Novella, but still very binge-able. However, this time around I got constant reminders of our girl Hilda being a Milkmaid - and by constant I mean CONSTANT, once or twice per page at minimum. Like, I wanted to read about two people falling in love, and instead I'm reading about our girlie talking about her fave cow on end. No shade to any cow enthusiasts here, but I couldn't give less of a shit.
In the end this was as insta - lovey as it get's. They have one conversation, and apparently that's enough for both of them to be so in love with each other that our MMC can't stop thinking about Hilda for the next couple hundred of years. Again, not my cup of tea. I didn't feel the chemistry between them, and that ending made it even worse.
June 28, 2023
3.75☆s pn, clean, fantasy. Concepts of enemies to friends, possible reincarnation, and promises kept are concepts dealt with in this story. The setting is very vague consisting of a rural and pre-industrial area. From the clues of being mostly at the edge of a once large, un-named forrest and a nearby farm supporting a tiny village which is insinuated to still be small about 250 years later, I surmise it is a wholy fictional place. I found only one possible typo. Lied is past tense for this verb. Lay or lie is used for the intransitive, ongoing case. Since by the time the story ends, Fae still continue to live and dead bodies (both Fae and human) lie under the recovered forrest, the action is neither finished nor past.
This was an interesting story which didn't end quite like this reader expected, which is fine in a Grimm Brother's or Sarina Dorie kind of way as opposed to modernized sugar-coated fairy tales. Not sure if this is begining of a series, although it is given a hopeful and open ending. It would seem, both the main characters and the world around them needed the blur of time and experiences to shape them before Caelan and his milkmaid could have their chance to be together. Life is not always fair nor just, no matter how much we would like it to be so. This story is a good example of that understanding which anchors it to reality in as much it could happen IF fairies are real.
**Honest feedback of a Book Sirens PR copy.
This was an interesting story which didn't end quite like this reader expected, which is fine in a Grimm Brother's or Sarina Dorie kind of way as opposed to modernized sugar-coated fairy tales. Not sure if this is begining of a series, although it is given a hopeful and open ending. It would seem, both the main characters and the world around them needed the blur of time and experiences to shape them before Caelan and his milkmaid could have their chance to be together. Life is not always fair nor just, no matter how much we would like it to be so. This story is a good example of that understanding which anchors it to reality in as much it could happen IF fairies are real.
**Honest feedback of a Book Sirens PR copy.
October 18, 2023
A good, quick read to spark your interest into the world of Whynne.
This novella takes us to the start of the humans coming to the fae lands, and there is conflict between them. The humans try to stop the growth of the forest, weakening the fae, as well as having an open bounty on them.
Poisoned at a gathering that was supposed to be an attempt at peaceful relations between humans and fae, Caelan drags himself to find the human his brother loved and had offered his protection too, completing his dying wish. The girl is not what he expected; she saves his life, and seems to be genuinely concerned with his brother's welfare.
There is very little romance or interaction between the two main characters. I felt this was more of an introduction to the world, getting a glimpse of the early days before "Bride of the Fox King" where there is an unsteady peace in the land. Caelan's relationship is more interest and obsession, with an ending that conveys hope for a new beginning.
While I would have liked to get to see Caelan and his milkmaid find their way together, I did enjoy the chance to get to know more about Whynne and look forward to learning more in the next books to come!
I received an advance review copy for free from BookSirens, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
3.5 stars rounded up.
This novella takes us to the start of the humans coming to the fae lands, and there is conflict between them. The humans try to stop the growth of the forest, weakening the fae, as well as having an open bounty on them.
Poisoned at a gathering that was supposed to be an attempt at peaceful relations between humans and fae, Caelan drags himself to find the human his brother loved and had offered his protection too, completing his dying wish. The girl is not what he expected; she saves his life, and seems to be genuinely concerned with his brother's welfare.
There is very little romance or interaction between the two main characters. I felt this was more of an introduction to the world, getting a glimpse of the early days before "Bride of the Fox King" where there is an unsteady peace in the land. Caelan's relationship is more interest and obsession, with an ending that conveys hope for a new beginning.
While I would have liked to get to see Caelan and his milkmaid find their way together, I did enjoy the chance to get to know more about Whynne and look forward to learning more in the next books to come!
I received an advance review copy for free from BookSirens, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
3.5 stars rounded up.
July 23, 2023
The Gancanagh's Bride is a short novella set in the fictional Kingdom of Whynne.
It is a story about a myth of love between a fae and a human. It is a fast paced short story about the connection between a human woman, Hilda and a fae, Caelan who is not very fond of humans. Hilda is a human who lives nearby to the woods that are filled with fae and other magical creatures. She had prior encounters with the fae that wander the woods. So she helps Caelan when she finds him in need of help, and so they meet and their story starts.
I thought the backgrounds, side stories, and motivations of the characters were unique. Their connection evolved quickly, but I wouldn't have predicted the ending of their story. This quick novella set in a fictitious fae kingdom was enjoyable.
I received an advance review copy for free through BookSirens, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
It is a story about a myth of love between a fae and a human. It is a fast paced short story about the connection between a human woman, Hilda and a fae, Caelan who is not very fond of humans. Hilda is a human who lives nearby to the woods that are filled with fae and other magical creatures. She had prior encounters with the fae that wander the woods. So she helps Caelan when she finds him in need of help, and so they meet and their story starts.
I thought the backgrounds, side stories, and motivations of the characters were unique. Their connection evolved quickly, but I wouldn't have predicted the ending of their story. This quick novella set in a fictitious fae kingdom was enjoyable.
I received an advance review copy for free through BookSirens, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
October 1, 2023
The Gancanagh's Bride was a quick and delightful novella. Human milkmaid Hilda yearns for more in life than what she’s been dealt. Caelan is the last of the Gancanagh fae. When Hilda finds Caelan in bad shape on her property, she brings him in and takes care of him. She realizes Caelan is the brother of the fae she has been spending time with, while her fiancé is off to war. Over the next 250 years, Caelan continues to dwell on his loss of Hilda. Sometimes the timing just isn’t right.
This is a perfect story to fit in on a lunchbreak or waiting at an appointment. Filled with interesting characters and unique plot, you’ll be drawn into this fae fantasy with the possibly of reincarnation. It’s not your typical happily-ever-after, if that’s what you’re looking for in this story.
This is a perfect story to fit in on a lunchbreak or waiting at an appointment. Filled with interesting characters and unique plot, you’ll be drawn into this fae fantasy with the possibly of reincarnation. It’s not your typical happily-ever-after, if that’s what you’re looking for in this story.
August 17, 2023
Short but sweet.
This short novella is about a myth of a love story between a fae and a human. The reader will go back to the Kingdom of Whynne before 'The Fox King'.
You have Hilda, our FMC and a fae, Caelan, the MMC. Hilda is a strong struggling women with a kind heart and Caelan, an oh so sweet but resentful fae that falls irrevocably from a human. So much so hiss love never dies.
For me, this novel was well written with a plot had so much potential but was cut short in my opinion. I wanted more.
A huge thank you to BookSirens for providing me an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This short novella is about a myth of a love story between a fae and a human. The reader will go back to the Kingdom of Whynne before 'The Fox King'.
You have Hilda, our FMC and a fae, Caelan, the MMC. Hilda is a strong struggling women with a kind heart and Caelan, an oh so sweet but resentful fae that falls irrevocably from a human. So much so hiss love never dies.
For me, this novel was well written with a plot had so much potential but was cut short in my opinion. I wanted more.
A huge thank you to BookSirens for providing me an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
June 30, 2023
I enjoyed the story a lot, a world filled with all sorts of fae, in an old world setting. I personally loved all the Celtic references with names, and mythology ☺️ we definitely don’t get to see that enough! I look forward to reading about the next lifetime (next story).
It’s a bit sad, but very sweet.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
It’s a bit sad, but very sweet.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
August 8, 2023
This was a wonderful little novella about a fae man and human woman falling for eachother it goes through a lot of the fae and celtic historical and is fairly accurate I was very impressed with the authors authenticity for the information.
You read about them going through trials individually and together and it is a great story.
You read about them going through trials individually and together and it is a great story.
August 15, 2023
This is a cute novella about a Fae and milkmaid who can’t have a relationship in this lifetime. For one Hilda is engaged and had a crush on the brother of the Fae, Caelan. Declan had been killed by humans, and although Caelan had little trust in humans he falls for Hilda…..but not in this lifetime.
I received a free copy of this book and am giving my honest review voluntarily.
I received a free copy of this book and am giving my honest review voluntarily.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 20, 2023
Quick read. A good prequel story of more to come… I absolutely have been swapped into the story and world and realized late that is a very short story.
Anyway I enjoyed it and cant wait to read another lifetime story!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Anyway I enjoyed it and cant wait to read another lifetime story!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
August 16, 2023
The Gancanagh's Bride Is a revelation - providing lore and legend with a depth of feeling and emotion. This sucks you in from the off and takes you deep into the history of Whynne. Well worth a read.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
August 29, 2023
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. A fantasy story of love, loss, and reunion. Definitely worth a read though I would have liked to hear more about their new lifetme.
November 26, 2023
Very atmospheric book for being so short! I was expecting this to be very fast paced and not much to it but I loved the world and the char terms that this book built. I'm keen to read more!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
August 19, 2023
Intriguing. I was left wanting more and I sincerely hope that another book will be written to continue this story.
I was an ARC reader.
I was an ARC reader.
August 30, 2023
It was a short sweet book about love that spans race and time. I liked that the FMC formed strong relationships and never crossed boundaries and that MMCs respected that and yet they still loved
April 20, 2024
so short, no real story to it
February 7, 2024
Great side story
A lovely quick read love story from the chronicles of whynne series, this story gives a little snippet of backstory about the gancanach
A lovely quick read love story from the chronicles of whynne series, this story gives a little snippet of backstory about the gancanach
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews