She Slipped Through the Cracks

by W. Payne Sillavan

Faries are real, and they are nothing like the bedtime stories.
Wren has found this out the hard way as she has been stolen away to their world with nothing but hazy memories and a fatal wound. She is trapped in a corrupted nightmare that had once been the land of the fae, and now she knows nothing but suffering and endless hunger. However, with the help of a few lost souls, she believes she may find a way to escape.
All it will take is a few deals and a few close calls with the horrors hiding in the ancient forest.
The fae claimed her...
But Wren will show them that they made a mistake by inviting her into their home.
One bite at a time.

Genres: Horror

427 pages, Paperback

First published September 2, 2024

About the author

W. Payne Sillavan is an Arkansas based independent author. Primarily a horror writer with over 20 books published. They are an active and ardent supporter of accessible literature and indie authors, and promotes fellow writers as much as possible.

Besides writing and storytelling, W. Payne Sillavan loves cats, snowy or rainy weather, and a good beer.

Reviews

[Wynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

A vivid setting ripe with autumn and a twisted, eerie tale weave together in this dark and disturbing fairy world. I looked forward to this book eagerly and it did not disappoint.

As always, Payne gives us captivating characters with such strong, real, voices the moment they’re on the page. Wren is a very headstrong protagonist and exactly who is needed to pull us through her macabre journey. Her companion, Dead, is a light in this dark forest. Their friendship is impeccable and the perfect balance to the horror.

I was gripped from the very beginning and the story unraveled into something much more intricate than I could have imagined. An incredible read and I only wish there were more.

[Lily | The Bi Library · Rating 4 out of 5]

What an insane read. I absolutely loved it.

This dark fantasy horror is about Wren, a 25 year old brown bisexual woman, who is kidnapped to a twisted fae land and finds herself trapped amidst horrifying monsters and rules she must follow.

In her pursuit of escape from the hell hole, she finds loopholes in the presented rules and exploits them. Intrigued by this, the princess of the grotesque fae land invites Wren to her castle.

Will Wren be able to find her way back home?


A captivating read with a perfect ending. But that didn’t stop me from wanting more.

Wren's insanity was delighting to read. Corruption arcs are very enjoyable.

Wren’s stupidity at times got me annoyed though.

I also loved Dead and Wren's duo.

Wren owed him for her life.

And she had repaid it with his death.

I kept hoping to see Old Man again but alas. I must have missed what happened to him.

The arts in the end were great. It gave a good visual of the characters.

Another thing I loved was near the ending where the monster from Holl blocked the door to trap Wren with them but the tables turned and those vines became the noose around their own necks.

And I do want to know, what was the deal with Calvin? What a psychopath.

To conclude, I absolutely recommend this book for anyone who wants to read about a woman trying to survive an ancient evil forest and trying to get out of there no matter what. Even if it changes her forever.

[Jake Vanguard · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fucked up fae world? Horrors beyond imagination? Biting back (literally)?
Yes please, more of that - 5/5

Would've loved to learn more about why -he- did what he did (just because he's an asshole? because he was controlled?) but ah, the end was satisfying either way!