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The Way By, A Faire Tale
Fairies are real. Or they ought to be, at least, according to Madame Bel Carmen's best hypotheses. Her problem, however, is that after searching the world over for the lore to prove it, she hasn't uncovered anything that someone didn't already know. Out of options, she knows her only chance to prove the existence of the Fae is to find someone who's met them, and she's just heard tell of a reclusive scholar who has reportedly done just that. This folklorist is more than just withdrawn; she's nowhere, an academic ghost known only by a few obscure writings.
410 pages, Paperback
Published January 19, 2024
16 people want to read
About the author
Holly Walters
4 books5 followersHolly Walters originally hails from a small, rural, town in Minnesota. A life-long storyteller, Holly is also a cultural anthropologist with a PhD from Brandeis University working in the high Himalayas of Nepal. While her ethnographic work focuses on fossil folklores and sacred ammonites in South Asia, her creative work pays homage to the dragons, unicorns, and fairy tales of her youth.
When not writing, she can be found perfecting her Medieval archery skills, theorizing about movie plots, and forgetting where she left her tea cup. Today, she makes her home in Boston, Massachusetts, with a very unruly garden, a few equally cantankerous pets, a clever spouse, and a resident house ghost. And since her creepy sculpture hobby hasn’t panned out thus far, she is looking forward to the publication of her first novel and the writing of many more.
When not writing, she can be found perfecting her Medieval archery skills, theorizing about movie plots, and forgetting where she left her tea cup. Today, she makes her home in Boston, Massachusetts, with a very unruly garden, a few equally cantankerous pets, a clever spouse, and a resident house ghost. And since her creepy sculpture hobby hasn’t panned out thus far, she is looking forward to the publication of her first novel and the writing of many more.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
December 8, 2024
Blurb
Fairies are real. Or they ought to be, at least, according to Madame Bel Carmen's best hypotheses. Her problem, however, is that after searching the world over for the lore to prove it, she hasn't uncovered anything that someone didn't already know. Out of options, she knows her only chance to prove the existence of the Fae is to find someone who's met them, and she's just heard tell of a reclusive scholar who has reportedly done just that. This folklorist is more than just withdrawn; she's nowhere, an academic ghost known only by a few obscure writings.
About the Author
Holly Walters originally hails from a small, rural, town in Minnesota. A life-long storyteller, Holly is also a cultural anthropologist with a PhD from Brandeis University working in the high Himalayas of Nepal. While her ethnographic work focuses on fossil folklores and sacred ammonites in South Asia, her creative work pays homage to the dragons, unicorns, and fairy tales of her youth.
When not writing, she can be found perfecting her Medieval archery skills, theorizing about movie plots, and forgetting where she left her tea cup. Today, she makes her home in Boston, Massachusetts, with a very unruly garden, a few equally cantankerous pets, a clever spouse, and a resident house ghost. And since her creepy sculpture hobby hasn’t panned out thus far, she is looking forward to the publication of her first novel and the writing of many more.
Who doesn't love a book that is filled with magic, danger, fantasy and fairies.
I was truly honoured to get a physical copy of the book thanks to the write reads book tour. It is a beautiful book with such a striking cover of a unicorn. It catches the eye straight away. It may not seem relevant but the book is also floppy which I absolutely love.
The chapters are a lot longer that most books I have been recently reading so it does take longer to get through and for me personally took me more time as I'm not the fastest reader around.
The start of the book does take a bit to get into but the story picks up pace the more you read. I did find from time to time that I got lost and mixed up characters but this is a much more advance fantasy read.
But the lasting impression of the book for me is how it's written. She has a amazing way of writing with so much detail and attention put into every page. I won't give spoilers but if you do like fantasy I would definitely have this on your list!
Thank you for letting me and be apart of this amazing book tour.
Fairies are real. Or they ought to be, at least, according to Madame Bel Carmen's best hypotheses. Her problem, however, is that after searching the world over for the lore to prove it, she hasn't uncovered anything that someone didn't already know. Out of options, she knows her only chance to prove the existence of the Fae is to find someone who's met them, and she's just heard tell of a reclusive scholar who has reportedly done just that. This folklorist is more than just withdrawn; she's nowhere, an academic ghost known only by a few obscure writings.
About the Author
Holly Walters originally hails from a small, rural, town in Minnesota. A life-long storyteller, Holly is also a cultural anthropologist with a PhD from Brandeis University working in the high Himalayas of Nepal. While her ethnographic work focuses on fossil folklores and sacred ammonites in South Asia, her creative work pays homage to the dragons, unicorns, and fairy tales of her youth.
When not writing, she can be found perfecting her Medieval archery skills, theorizing about movie plots, and forgetting where she left her tea cup. Today, she makes her home in Boston, Massachusetts, with a very unruly garden, a few equally cantankerous pets, a clever spouse, and a resident house ghost. And since her creepy sculpture hobby hasn’t panned out thus far, she is looking forward to the publication of her first novel and the writing of many more.
Who doesn't love a book that is filled with magic, danger, fantasy and fairies.
I was truly honoured to get a physical copy of the book thanks to the write reads book tour. It is a beautiful book with such a striking cover of a unicorn. It catches the eye straight away. It may not seem relevant but the book is also floppy which I absolutely love.
The chapters are a lot longer that most books I have been recently reading so it does take longer to get through and for me personally took me more time as I'm not the fastest reader around.
The start of the book does take a bit to get into but the story picks up pace the more you read. I did find from time to time that I got lost and mixed up characters but this is a much more advance fantasy read.
But the lasting impression of the book for me is how it's written. She has a amazing way of writing with so much detail and attention put into every page. I won't give spoilers but if you do like fantasy I would definitely have this on your list!
Thank you for letting me and be apart of this amazing book tour.
February 16, 2024
Look, this book got me through four of the absolutely worst years of my life. I'll be happy if it gets you through a particularly challenging day. So, cheers. It's in your hands now. -- HW
December 6, 2024
Give me a fantasy book with fairies and unicorns, and I'm yours! The Way By is such a book. Written by Holly Walters, an author who is new to me. I read the blurb, and I was captured already. I was so eager to read what sounded such a good book.
All I can say is, I flew through The Way By. Once I started, I couldn't stop until I finished it. Then I wished I hadn't finished it. You know, one of those books you just want to keep reading? Yes, that was The Way By for me.
As soon as I started the book, it took me back to being a child with the classical fairytale type stories. It gave me such a warm feeling to read and reminisce, too. I did enjoy how I got to know the characters and took them to my heart as well. I am such a big kid! Even at the ripe old age of 53, I revelled in this story so much.
I was so enthralled with The Way By. It was over so much quicker than I wished. The vivid details of the setting gave me a strong sense of place while I read. This meant that when I closed the book, I felt that I didn't want to leave!
A delightful and charming fairie tale that took over my life for the time it took me to read it. Perfect for anyone who enjoys fantasy/fairytale stories.
Thanks to The Write Reads and author for the gifted ebook to write my honest review.
All I can say is, I flew through The Way By. Once I started, I couldn't stop until I finished it. Then I wished I hadn't finished it. You know, one of those books you just want to keep reading? Yes, that was The Way By for me.
As soon as I started the book, it took me back to being a child with the classical fairytale type stories. It gave me such a warm feeling to read and reminisce, too. I did enjoy how I got to know the characters and took them to my heart as well. I am such a big kid! Even at the ripe old age of 53, I revelled in this story so much.
I was so enthralled with The Way By. It was over so much quicker than I wished. The vivid details of the setting gave me a strong sense of place while I read. This meant that when I closed the book, I felt that I didn't want to leave!
A delightful and charming fairie tale that took over my life for the time it took me to read it. Perfect for anyone who enjoys fantasy/fairytale stories.
Thanks to The Write Reads and author for the gifted ebook to write my honest review.
December 3, 2024
I'm reviewing this as part of a tour with The Write Reads.
I found even at the beginning that this book had a lovely old-fashioned fairytale quality about it that I enjoyed. For me, it felt reminiscent of the classic stories enjoyed in childhood. Initially, I got some Alice-in-Wonderland vibes while reading, though I think that was partly because one of the characters was named Alice.
I felt there was some pretty imagery, and some unique and interesting characters. As I carried on reading, I began to feel that something about the story was eerie and otherworldly. I think that as adults, fairy tales speak to us in a different way, and we connect with them differently.
This was lovely to read, and in particular, I think it may appeal to those who enjoy stories about unicorns.
Thank you to The Write Reads, and to the author and publisher, for the opportunity to read and review this.
I found even at the beginning that this book had a lovely old-fashioned fairytale quality about it that I enjoyed. For me, it felt reminiscent of the classic stories enjoyed in childhood. Initially, I got some Alice-in-Wonderland vibes while reading, though I think that was partly because one of the characters was named Alice.
I felt there was some pretty imagery, and some unique and interesting characters. As I carried on reading, I began to feel that something about the story was eerie and otherworldly. I think that as adults, fairy tales speak to us in a different way, and we connect with them differently.
This was lovely to read, and in particular, I think it may appeal to those who enjoy stories about unicorns.
Thank you to The Write Reads, and to the author and publisher, for the opportunity to read and review this.
December 2, 2024
Thank you to TheWriteReads and Holly Walters for including me on this fantastic tour!
This book grabbed my attention from the start and shifted to a comfortable pace, allowing me to truly connect with the characters. I absolutely loved how they were introduced, making it exciting to get to know them better. The addition of the fairies brought an enchanting twist that added to the story! While I had a minor issue with the character naming that slightly hindered my enjoyment, it didn’t overshadow the overall delightful experience. I wholeheartedly recommend giving this charming read a try!
#BookTour #MustRead #EnchantingTale #FairyMagic #BookRecommendations #LiteraryJourney #ReadingCommunity #BookLovers #FantasyWorld
This book grabbed my attention from the start and shifted to a comfortable pace, allowing me to truly connect with the characters. I absolutely loved how they were introduced, making it exciting to get to know them better. The addition of the fairies brought an enchanting twist that added to the story! While I had a minor issue with the character naming that slightly hindered my enjoyment, it didn’t overshadow the overall delightful experience. I wholeheartedly recommend giving this charming read a try!
#BookTour #MustRead #EnchantingTale #FairyMagic #BookRecommendations #LiteraryJourney #ReadingCommunity #BookLovers #FantasyWorld
December 5, 2024
If you love Unicorns, Faire's, myths, mythology and good old fashioned fairy tales, then The Way By: A Faire Tale by Holly Walters is the read for you.
All in all, I enjoyed this read, eventhough it's not exactly my usual type of read.
It's a descriptive read, that feels atmospheric and in the style of folklore of old.
The imaginary generated as you turn the pages is vivid and clear, and the characters quite unique, well fleshed out and believable.
The world building is decent, but for me, I think could use a little more depth.
In the main, an intriguing, well written story, with decent pace and I read this in four sittings.
4 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 's from me.
All in all, I enjoyed this read, eventhough it's not exactly my usual type of read.
It's a descriptive read, that feels atmospheric and in the style of folklore of old.
The imaginary generated as you turn the pages is vivid and clear, and the characters quite unique, well fleshed out and believable.
The world building is decent, but for me, I think could use a little more depth.
In the main, an intriguing, well written story, with decent pace and I read this in four sittings.
4 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 's from me.
December 7, 2024
The Way By is Walters debut into authordom and is an absolutely captivating tale of fantasy and fae.
It has that bygone days fairytale feel about it and as someone who grew up on those books, I found it immediately appealed and however hard I tried, I couldn't put down.
The world building is incredible, and the author's imagery helped the story emerge from the pages in vibrance and vividity. Characters are charming and unique, and before I forget, there are unicorns too!
It has that bygone days fairytale feel about it and as someone who grew up on those books, I found it immediately appealed and however hard I tried, I couldn't put down.
The world building is incredible, and the author's imagery helped the story emerge from the pages in vibrance and vividity. Characters are charming and unique, and before I forget, there are unicorns too!
December 16, 2024
Read the complete non-spoiler review of the book in my book blog. Link : https://bookbugworld.com/review-the-w...
February 26, 2025
“The Way By” is an enchanting fantasy novel filled with fairies and unicorns, whisking readers away to a realm where fairytales come to life.
The narrative is skillfully crafted; although the pacing is somewhat slow at the beginning, the second half gains captivating momentum, making it increasingly hard to put down. The detailed descriptions of the setting are particularly impressive, allowing for vivid visualisation of the unfolding story.
The characters are well-developed, though some occasional confusion may arise, especially in the early chapters. Nonetheless, they are intriguing and possess a unique charm.
This novel is highly recommended for those who enjoy fantasy and fairytale stories featuring unicorns.
I would like to thank Dave @The_WriteReads and Holly Walters for providing a review copy of “The Way By.” These are my genuine and unbiased opinions, shared voluntarily.
The narrative is skillfully crafted; although the pacing is somewhat slow at the beginning, the second half gains captivating momentum, making it increasingly hard to put down. The detailed descriptions of the setting are particularly impressive, allowing for vivid visualisation of the unfolding story.
The characters are well-developed, though some occasional confusion may arise, especially in the early chapters. Nonetheless, they are intriguing and possess a unique charm.
This novel is highly recommended for those who enjoy fantasy and fairytale stories featuring unicorns.
I would like to thank Dave @The_WriteReads and Holly Walters for providing a review copy of “The Way By.” These are my genuine and unbiased opinions, shared voluntarily.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews