The First and Final Story

The Pathways Tree #5

by F.D. Lee

All Bea’s done is make mistakes. Now her friends are paying the price…Once upon a time, a lowly cabbage fairy ran away to Ӕnathlin, the last surviving city of the fae, centre of the stories, and home of the General Administration. She was going to be the first fairy to become a godmother and run the best Plots anyone had ever seen.Only things didn’t work out like that. Not even close.Banished and alone, Bea’s only solace is that she can’t cause any more harm to the people she loves. Until her path crosses two old a genie on a journey of redemption and an elf with delusional optimism. Now she has to get all three of them safely through the treacherous Sheltering Forest if she’s ever to find the mythical Pathways Tree.Bea knows she’s not the fairy for the job. Every decision she’s made has led to disaster. But with the fate of the world on her shoulders, what choice does she have?Packed full of wit and imagination, The First and Final Story is the thrilling fifth instalment of the bestselling fantasy series, The Pathways Tree by award-winning author F. D. Lee.Please note this book is written in British English. Kindle Unlimited version will be released in October 2023.

350 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 25, 2023

About the author

F D. Lee is the author of the internationally bestselling fantasy series, The Pathways Tree, and the award-winning SF novel, In the Slip.

A lifelong fantasy and science fiction fan, Faith is an advocate of self- and indie-publishing and has a PhD in English Literature and Creative Writing. She has been featured in The Independent, appeared on Radio 4 to talk about her research into genre fiction, and has given a mini-TED talk on why stories matter.

Faith is online and always happy to chat! Facebook, Instagram, Threads: @fdleeauthor (Facebook is the best place to catch her!). Visit Faith's website (www.fdlee.co.uk) to read her work, including free short stories and sample chapters.

Reviews

[Theo]

The end is almost here!

Obviously I'd hoped this one would wrap the story up but if it had it would have been a monster.

Instead here we have a some time to explore the world's we've not yet seen and to learn something about some of our antagonists from the previous volumes as well as get some time with Bea and Seven, which is very welcome.

The cliffhanger of The Cascade leaves our heroes in a dark place but also a somewhat familiar one within the genre, scattered and at-odds. However with this new book things don't unfold along the expectations, we are surprised and even confounded.

If you're into the Pathways Tree series then you won't be disappointed (except if you thought this was the last book, I suppose, ha!)...and if you don't know the series then what are you doing looking at book 5?! Go back and read The Fairy's Tale!

[Evan Douglas]

Another dive into our beloved Bea and her allies as they try to figure out the future of their homes and a solution to their problems. With some interesting returns, a subversion of expectation, and a glimpse of what could become a devastating disaster, we journey forward on a ramp up to the finally. This book really turned it around for some of the “bad” characters in an interesting way, I actually quite enjoyed them getting center stage for their parts. I have the same complaints as with the prior book, Bea and Mistasinon fell flatter than ever. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed this series, but it begs the question why the main character hasn’t really been involved in most of the story for a few books. Yes, she has her parts, but I’d hoped we’d be getting to see Bea grow as a character, not stay stagnant and a bit unlikable. I dare say Carol is becoming a much more interesting character than Bea now. There’s really great story going on, I think I’m just taken aback at Bea’s lack of growth and the distance she places between herself and everyone else. Hopefully Bea will finally have her growth and genuine connections in the finale.

[Hazel Titterton]

This is genuinely one of the most interesting series I have read. I love the world building and the characters are very compelling. I listened to this through the audiobook, the voice acting only enhanced the story.
I would love to know what happens. I can not explain how much I have enjoyed this story and how refreshing it has been

[Terry Polston]

The saga continues. Fae in 4 different realms know part of the Plot but none can contact the others. I am most fearful for Joan and Mistasinon.

[Caity Wheeler]

Good, but abrupt ending

I had thought this was the last book in the series, so I was confused how quickly it was coming to an end without an ending. Turns out there’s another book coming to wrap up the series. The ending just felt abrupt. Cliffhanger, yes but it just ended. The overall plot only moved forward a little in this book.