A Court of Honey and Ash [Dramatized Adaptation]

Honey and Ice [Dramatized Adaptation] #1

by Shannon Mayer, Kelly St. Clare

Orphaned. Trained to fight. Raised to fear the power of Underhill. Secretly in love with a man who doesn’t want me.

I’m still just Alli, aka the half-human orphan fae, but my life is looking up for the first time. It only took me my whole 24 years.

But when Underhill—the ancestral home of the fae—shatters, making it impossible for any fae to enter, I’m the only one who knows who did it.

A secret that will be the death of me if I do nothing.

A brutal madness spreads through the fae as they lose their connection to Underhill, and to save my people, my only choice is to leave all I have fought for and go on the run.

Unless I figure out how the hell magic that has existed since the dawn of time was destroyed with a single touch, well, an entire life spent fighting to prove myself isn’t going to mean anything at all. I must find the answer to the riddle of Underhill’s shattering.

Hunted by the very man I loved once upon a time.

Genres: Audiobook, Fantasy, Magic, Romantasy, Fiction, Paranormal, Fae

7 pages, Audiobook

Published December 18, 2023

About the author

A long time ago, in a galaxy far away, I was born into a family of Star Wars nuts. I have a lot of siblings (somewhere I lost count but I think there was more than could be numbered on one hand) and being one of the young padawans I was subjected to Star Wars marathons, on a regular basis. If you've read any of my books you'll see there is often a reference to said movies as a small homage to my upbringing. May the force be with you and all that jazz.

I started writing when I realized I didn't want to grow up not believing in magic, or not believing in creatures everyone else said didn't exist. That being said, I have never seen a fairy, unicorn or dragon. I had a neighbour who swore they fed the leprechauns in their garden, but I never caught the little buggers no matter how long I lay in wait. (And consequently had to help the neighbours plant new flowers to replace those I killed waiting for the leprechauns to show their faces.)

Along the way, I found my husband who is the rock that keeps me from floating away into my dreams, and we have a little boy who is the centre of our world. Living on a farm keeps us busy (as if the writing wasn't enough) and I have more than my share of stories about wrestling with cows, helping birth calves and ending up in the creek during the process, falling in the mud (we'll call it mud but we all know that on a farm, mud is rarely mud) and chasing escaped livestock in the hopes the four legged convicts don't make it to the highway.

I've taken up archery, and the goal is to move into horseback archery in time (you know, when I can hit the target on a consistent basis) and when no one is looking, I love to bake (this doesn't happen often as it's hard to keep the sweet treats in stock with two boys in the house.)

As to what's coming next for me? More stories (since those never stop inside my head, I might as well share them with all of you!) and more adventures. Pretty much, when the fancy strikes, I'll jump on it. Leap before you look I'm sure that motto was created for me.

Or was that . . . think big and dream bigger, ready, set, pull the trigger . . . yeah. That one is a good one too. But only if you have a gun. And are hunting elephants. Which is not cool because of so many reasons. Let's stick with the first one with an addendum.

Leap before you look and let your dreams carry you on their wings. And that, my friends, is me in a nutshell.

Reviews

[Suzanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story is pretty derivative, but the graphic audio made it more fun. Something like 3.5 stars for me.

[A_Bookish_Breeze · Rating 1 out of 5]

I gave this 45 mins of my life before I had to end the torture. I normally like GraphicAudio but the story was terrible and the sound effects were random AF for this one. It starts off with the FMC immediately in some trial that I think is supposed to grant her access to the fae world with a higher status and so I spent about 45 minutes just listening to random training sequences and monsters while she collects coins and then suddenly some oracle pops up and chaos happens, but half the people seem to know what happened and half don’t?? They say the land is gone, but they’re literally standing on it…? It made no sense. It was just constant panic and chaos from the start. I couldn’t tell if it’s a modern world or not because everything was in an old fantasy world, but she kept referencing things like technology and Alaska and repeating “downward facing dog” and “quiet as a mouse” so many times you could make a drinking game out of it… and the flashbacks were random and dumb. I still don’t know anything about the main character except that she’s half human/ half fae. I have no idea who her friends are or what the name of any place is, the worldbuilding was completely lost on me, the plot was completely lost on me, I was completely bored and uninterested. Probably one of the worst books I’ve picked up in a long time. Don’t waste your money.

[Sharon den Otter · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.75/5

[Gabrielle Rocheleau · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would put this down as a perfect "work" book. I listened to this graphic audio production of this book. As always Graphic Audio nailed it and I thoroughly enjoyed listening to it. The plot was simple so I didn't have to pay full attention to follow along. It was good entertainment but one that I don;t think ill go back to again. I don't know if I could have read the book with how straightforward the plot is. I normally like a bit more complexity.

[Melody Lorbach · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s a different fantasy world from a lot of other fantasy books I’ve read since it’s set in a modern world with humans, airplanes, cars, gps. It was well implemented, but I tend to prefer a completely new realm since it helps me escape more. The dialogue at times was a bit cringe, but I also loved the relationship between our main Protagonist and her best friend. The ending was CRAZY! And I’m pumped to read the next book to see how the politics will play out!

[Alva · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had some trouble getting into it because there were so many things happening all at once in the beginning, so it was difficult following along with. Then I thought it picked up and I had a good time listening to it! It’s fun. Sure, does the book go all over the place? Yes! But like all in all it’s a solid read if you just want to listen to something while doing chores, walking or crocheting ;)

[Stine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Virkelig god graphic audio med gode stemmer.
Handlingen var i højt tempo og spændende og karaktererne interessante. Og jeg var vild med trekantsdramaet.
Det var lidt svært at huske navnene, fordi de på skift blev omtalt med enten for-eller efternavn. Så jeg fik blandet nogle sammen i begyndelsen.

[DianaRose]

dnf’d @ 42% — i typically enjoy graphic audio, but the plot was too disorganized for me

[Layla · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was interested enough to finish the book but not enough to continue the series

Nothing new tbh.

[Roberta · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story delivers exactly what I hoped for in a short fantasy read: a vivid world, solid character growth, and enough emotional depth to make me care about what happens next. The fae lore and the mystery around Underhill give the book a strong sense of place, and Alli is a compelling lead—tough, wounded, and stubbornly determined in a way that's easy to root for.

The pacing and action are especially strong, keeping the story moving while still leaving room for quieter moments. There were a few places where the plot details felt a little mundane, which slightly dulled the momentum for me, but that may have come down more to writing style than to the story itself. Even so, the blend of tension, magic, and danger kept pulling me forward.

What really made the book shine were the emotional beats and the banter between characters. Alli's complicated past and her tangled feelings for the man hunting her added a lot of heart to the plot, making the stakes feel personal as well as epic. Overall, this was an engaging and enjoyable read that earns a solid four stars for its mix of action, romance, and fae-touched drama.

[Lacee Phillips · Rating 4 out of 5]

This graphic audio was way better than the last I listened to in terms of sound effects, not perfect but easier to listen to. I gave it another star because I liked the story pretty well too. Wondering if I’d enjoy it more as a regular audiobook though. Not sure how much I like graphic audios just because I feel like I miss pieces of the story. More of a 3.5 ⭐️

[Jessie Lewis · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Joccoaa Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable read - glad a got the graphic audio version. Nice to see a somewhat different take on the Fae. Haven’t finished the series yet but definitely will be.

[Kelli · Rating 3 out of 5]

This plot was ALL over the place but graphic audio is always fun.

[Audiobookhorder ᕕ(⌐■_■)ᕗ ♪♬ · Rating 3 out of 5]

3,5

Alternative Title Proposal: Shattering Underhill

Story: Half human, half Fea Kallik/Alli, trains to be part of the fea court. Trials go in her favour, but not how she likes it. She is blamed for shattering the port to the fearie world (Underhill) and she flees her new earned station. Her best friend (Cinth) follows her to the human world. A part of Alaska known as the Triangle. A 'Bermuda Triangle' type of weird area where people disapear.
She discovers a lot of outcasts and fearie type folk live here. An old (supposadly) protector of her keeps close (Faolan/Lan). He is and stays mean for no apparant reason. She meets somebody who used to partake in the same training she did, but he (Drake) was baneshed early on. She finds a new mentor (Ruby) who knows and learns her a lot of lies told by the current ruling court. He feels like a true good spirit/protector/honest leader.
This group of people help Alli/she joins them, to go against lies told by the fearie court.

Pacing: the story doesn't linger and keeps evolving. In the beginning the storyline is "interupted" by memories that don't really give me a deep understanding of the caracters. It's more a 'showing of events' rather that character development I felt like. It feels a bit rushed, as if you start in the middle of a book instead of the biginning.
The rest of the book keeps going. Somthimes thing happen without a true introduction or intended reasoning. That felt off at times. It also made the book engaging enough that I didn't stop listening.

Characters:
- Main character: Alli, aka the half-human orphan fae. I like her.
- Main cast characters:
(Hya)Cinth, best friend. Has potential; is only discribed as a pair of big boobs. Shame, it feels like she could be more than just a standin for over the top best-friend jokes.
Faolan/Lan, love interest. I don't like him. He is mean. The memories don't build toward his character enough to justify Alli's attraction towards him. From what I've heard, it looks like a mate-type-destended-to-be coupeling. It is told to the reader that there is an attraction. But I don't feel/see it. It mirrors the "show not tell" me, but that it lacking in the showing.
Drake, used to know, new friend. I like him! The interaction between Alli and him feel like the most genuine and natural. I have (false) hope that he will be the main love interest, purely because they have honest intent within there interactions. Way more believeble than in comparison with Lan. Again, he's just mean.
Ruby, mentor/guide; I really want to know more about him. How did he come to know al the things he knows? His backstory would be a nice spinoff maybe.

Fun enough te listen too and I look forward to the next books.
The title is very misleading and gives the book a false start though.

[Abigail Buchanan · Rating 4 out of 5]

🎧 A Court of Honey and Ash Dramatized Adaptation by Shannon Mayer
⭐ Rating: 4/5 🐝🖤✨

📖 Summary:
Alliances? Shaky. Powers? Unstable. Fae courts? Toxic.
Welcome to a world where our half-human, half-fae heroine Alli is not quite accepted by either world — but when the veil between realms starts cracking, she becomes the only one who can hold it together… or blow it all to hell.

She’s scrappy. She’s powerful. She’s cursed. And she’s trying not to fall for the broody fae who keeps trying to “protect” her (while also looking like sin in leathers).
There are betrayals, magical brawls, forbidden truths, and a whole lot of What the fuck is happening and why is it hot??

The dramatized production? Sharp. The emotions? Delivered. The tension? Steaming.

💖 Character / Theme Reactions:

Alli is chaotic good with a side of feral. She’s figuring it out, and we love that for her.

Prince Rhordyn (yes, that’s his name) gives off “I hate you but I’ll die for you” energy.

The side characters are ✨interesting✨ but maybe not as fleshed out as you'd like (book one problems).

Themes you vibed with:
✨ Half-blood rage & identity
✨ Found power through struggle
✨ Secrets wrapped in prophecy
✨ “Am I the chosen one or the curse?”

🔥 Smut Level:
Not super spicy in this one, but the tension is tangible. The voice work adds that “say it slower next time” heat.
#SmutTags: #SlowBurnMagicTension #HurtMeWithProphecy #EnemiesToMaybeLovers #BroodyProtectivePrince #AudioFlirtationMasterclass

⚠️ Trigger Warnings:
Violence, magical torture, betrayal, classism, prejudice (fae vs half-fae), light trauma/abandonment themes

🏷️ Tags:
#CourtOfHoneyAndAsh #DramatizedAndFeral #HalfFaeHalfDone #SlowBurnTension #ProphecyProblems #HotFaePrinceWithIssues #AlliIsMyChaosQueen #FaeCourtPolitics #FoundPowerFoundFamily #AudioFantasyFun

[Núria Azanza · Rating 4 out of 5]

4⭐
¿Por qué la mayoría de libros de romantasy se llaman una corte de tal, una corona de cual, un trono de....? Just saying.
En cualquier caso yo siempre dentrísimo porque me encantan. Y aún más cuando me los dramatiza Graphic Audio... Ya podrían hacerme VIP o promotora de sus dramatizaciones😊

En este caso nuestra protagonista es medio humana medio fae, hija de una humana y un fae, y no precisamente cualquier fae.. Cuando su madre muere, la encuentran vagando sola en Alaska donde vive y la llevan a un orfanato con otros niños medio fae.
A los 16 años, dos años antes de lo habitual la mandan a entrenarse en Underhill, un entrenamiento que durará 8 años, pero cuando por fin lo termina y además como una de las mejores, y hace su juramento delante de la oráculo para defender Underhill, Underhill se vaa pique. Por suerte nadie sabe qué ha pasado.

ASí empieza este libro, primero de al menos una trilogía donde Alli, la protagonista, tendrá que averiguar que ha pasado con Underhill y como reestablecerlo si es que se puede. Y mientras lo intenta, su crush de infancia y adolescencia, un fae de la corte unseelie, no la perderá de vista.

Un libro de fantasía con fae y ambientado en Alaska? Sí gracias, yo compro! está ambientado en un mundo actual donde incluso parece que se sabe de la existencia de los fae, aunque no acabo de ver claro si se mezclan mucho con los humanos o no... NO está muy desarrollado.
Me encanta Alli, y tanto o más su amiga fae de la que ahora no recuerdo el nombre, pero es maravillosa! y además cuando Alli emprende su aventura, ella se le une sin dudar, ni preguntar.
El interés amoroso es bastnate borde en casi todo el libro, y nos tendrán en ascuas... desde luego es un slow burn romance.
Y el final? Pues cliffhanger total. Ganazas que saquen la segunda parte dramatizada en marzo!

[Addicted 2 📖 · Rating 3 out of 5]

first, I will say this particular GraphicAudio was pretty good. Less porn music and I really like the FMC and actress that does her voice. I swear she sounds like Zoey Deutch and has the same personality of the character Rose in the movie Vampire Academy adapted from the book series.
Anyway, I had a hard time following along, which is why it took me a couple weeks to finish. To be quite honest I almost DNF because I just felt there was so much information thrown at you and was having a hard time following along. Perhaps this is just my own opinion, but there are times I feel authors throw you into their world they have imagined and their audience needs a little bit more detail because they’re not in the author’s mind with them to understand all the nuances.
I started finally becoming more invested towards the second half of the book. Had it not been for GraphicAudio? I don’t know if I would’ve finished reading in book form.

[Natasha Skinner · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

graphic audio

We are following along the story of Alli a half human half fae from no house. Having no house name to blame is hard for her. She goes into training to in underhill and as she comes out and gives her oath underhill disappears.

The story is both human both fae, in modern times but also in fae worlds. It’s pretty interesting from that stand point. The story line is a bit fast moving, there is a lot of action scenes as with most fae stories everyone is out to get each other and you can trust no one.

Her love interest is Lan who has saved her as a young child, always seems to know where she is and be able to find her, and they have this weird attraction that neither wants to own up too.

i’m liking her friend and the allies she is making. Oh did I mention she is also the bastard child of the king? We are left on a pretty good cliff hanger and I will continue this series!

[Stacy Holguin · Rating 3 out of 5]

There are some interesting characters and plot developments, but it's not the best writing; it could use more connective tissue.

[Miriam Kahn · Rating 5 out of 5]

a FULL CAST narrate and act out this action packed fantasy starring a strong-hearted and bold half-fae, half-human orphan called Calic of No House aka Alli who is trained to fight deadly battles against fae and other beasties that live in Underhill (home of the immortals). When Underhill “disappears,” Alli must gather allies to find out what happened to the land of the fae.

I loved the Alaska setting that is peopled by fae, magical beasties, giants, and other creatures. The cast of actors accompanied by music and sound effects bring this story to life and hold listeners’ attention.

For more about this exciting audio performance, see AudioFile Magazine http://www.audiofilemagazine.com

[Samantha · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5/5 stars, rounded up to 4.

I enjoyed this book. The political undertones of the book are intriguing; an entire fae Court goes missing, a ploy to set up the heir, the courts on the brink of war.

The premise of the first book sets up a potentially very good series. In this current book, there is a lot happening to Alli rather than being character driven, so I am going into book 2 with hopes to see more character development.

Overall, it was a fun read, a light-hearted read despite the high stakes in the book.

[Jason Kwekel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mediocre. Such little detail and description for events that happen. Makes it feel both to fast of pace and 'jumpy/glitchy'. The voice actor who plays the 'bad boy' is the same as Rune in 'crescent city - sjm' and you can tell it's not his fault and is the writing that makes his and many others feel like cardboard. Just flat and boring. The graphic audio was the enjoyable part. I probably will listen to the rest of it while I'm working on stuff just for something to pass the time. But I cannot imagine reading this book and ever finishing it.

[Linda Elliott · Rating 5 out of 5]

These dramatized adaptations have me in a chokehold and this one was just stellar. I just finished listening to it and my heart is STILL pounding from the end. The highs and lows this book takes you on chews you up and spits you out, but in a good way. The graphic audio obviously adds to the story, but I did really like the storyline too. Lots of twists and turns I did not expect. Very much looking forward to the next book.

[Marie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I kept passing this series as I hate the title, but I'm pretty much caught up on everything I want to listen to via Graphic Audio so I gave it a chance. There's action, forbidden romance, a nice boy and a "bad" boy for the FL to choose, and magic. Nothing original but I still enjoyed it*. I'm invested in the FL (funny and can kick ass) and curious on where the story is going so I'm continuing the series.

*Likely due more to the production of the story (full cast and sound effects).

[Heather Johnston · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not the best but also definitely not the worst thing I’ve read this month. I’m learning I don’t like when the FMC always leaps to worst case scenario based on a single thing she hears/observes vs getting more details then making a decision. Allie does this a few times and it’s never right so you’d think she’d learn at some point. I did like the world building and the scenarios. It was weird hearing “Alaska” being referenced though lol Overall it was okay for YA and I’ll at least read Book 2.

[Ashley · Rating 3 out of 5]

So… yeah. 3 stars because Graphic Audio typically makes things more entertaining. Otherwise this story seemed very rushed. It was like there was zero downtime and hardly any world building. Though the “world” was our current Earth and situated in Alaska, I still had a hard time “envisioning” the scene scape. I may continue the series.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This will have to be a re-read bc I kept getting distracted with the dramatized version 🥴 It was good but I need to FOCUS and all of the background noise was a bit much for me. For my first dramatized audiobook it wasn’t bad but I don’t know if I can do that again…

Audiobook Speed: 1.60%

[Lori · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really wanted to like this more. The Grqphic Audio production was very well done. However the story was somehow lacking. The characters were both complete people and the story seemed choppy. Not my favorite by this author. 😕

[Rachel G · Rating 5 out of 5]

Five stars just because I love these types of adaptations but the series was a bit meh. To much focus on a boring female character and the interesting MMC was glossed over in the series. Also the villain creeped me out in a creepy uncle way lol