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Otherworld #2
The Boy with the Hidden Name
This is not your average trip to Fairyland...
Selkie Stewart has just saved her quasi-boyfriend, Ben, from a fairy prison run by the Seelie Court. If they weren't the two most-wanted individuals in the Otherworld before, they definitely are now. Along with Ben and the rest of their ragtag group of allies-Selkie's ogre aunts; a wizard named Will; Ben's cousin Safford; and Kelsey, Selkie's best friend-Selkie is ready to embrace her destiny and bring the Court down. Until she hears the rest of her prophecy: Benedict le Fay will betray you, and then he will die.
Selkie Stewart has just saved her quasi-boyfriend, Ben, from a fairy prison run by the Seelie Court. If they weren't the two most-wanted individuals in the Otherworld before, they definitely are now. Along with Ben and the rest of their ragtag group of allies-Selkie's ogre aunts; a wizard named Will; Ben's cousin Safford; and Kelsey, Selkie's best friend-Selkie is ready to embrace her destiny and bring the Court down. Until she hears the rest of her prophecy: Benedict le Fay will betray you, and then he will die.
320 pages, Paperback
First published December 2, 2014
44 people are currently reading
1787 people want to read
About the author
Skylar Dorset
7 books203 followersSkylar’s first story was a tale of romantic intrigue involving two feuding factions of squirrels. Think “Romeo & Juliet” but with bushy tails and added espionage. She was seven.
Since that time, Skylar’s head has been filled with lots of characters and lots of drama. She is delighted to be able to share some of it with all of you now, because, honestly, it was getting pretty loud and crowded in there.
Skylar is a born-and-bred New Englander, which is why Boston was a natural setting for her debut novel, THE GIRL WHO NEVER WAS. Skylar shares her home with a cardboard cutout of the Tenth Doctor, lots of Mardi Gras beads from the time she spent living in New Orleans, and a harp she’s supposed to be teaching herself to play. She’d like to get a dog.
Since that time, Skylar’s head has been filled with lots of characters and lots of drama. She is delighted to be able to share some of it with all of you now, because, honestly, it was getting pretty loud and crowded in there.
Skylar is a born-and-bred New Englander, which is why Boston was a natural setting for her debut novel, THE GIRL WHO NEVER WAS. Skylar shares her home with a cardboard cutout of the Tenth Doctor, lots of Mardi Gras beads from the time she spent living in New Orleans, and a harp she’s supposed to be teaching herself to play. She’d like to get a dog.
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November 1, 2014
**Check out the original review over on 21st Century Once Upon A Times**
You can't hide from your destiny forever.
Selkie Stewart has been through the adventure of a lifetime. Now, all she wants to do is be a normal girl who does normal things - such as eating ice-cream and complaining about unreliable faerie quasi-boyfriends.
The only thing standing in her way? The Seelies who are planning to take over the world when the clock strikes twelve.
With the end of Thisworld drawing closer with every tick of the clock, Selkie has not choice but to leave all thoughts of a normal life behind as she sets out on a journey to find the key to saving the world.
Because if anyone can find something, it's Selkie. Whether she knows it or not.
Plans, prophecies and painful predicaments lie ahead.
Selkie needs to find the other three fays - and fast - if they want to fulfil the prophecy and keeping the invading Seelie at bay. But the only person who might know where those three fay are is Benedict Le Fay's mother.
The same woman that Ben left Selkie to search for. A woman not exactly known for her trustworthiness, and who has been missing for many years.
With mixed feelings where Ben is concerned, Selkie joins her friends on a trip to the Unseelie Court to search for Ben's mother and Ben.
But the line between friend and foe isn't clear cut, and there's more than one Otherworld creature who would gladly manipulate or even kill Selkie to stop the prophecy from being fulfilled.
Never trust a faerie...especially with your heart.
With the fate of the world on her shoulders, Selkie's only hope is the prophecy. She needs to be the girl everyone seems to believe she is, no matter what it takes. This fight is no longer about her, or about the Seelie Court. It's about the people she loves and the people she can't leave behind.
But one little secret will change everything.
Because those around her have kept a part of the prophecy secret - a part that not only predicts the loss of someone she loves, but that also fractures Selkie's faith in her own destiny.
Is Selkie the one who'll save the world? Or is she the one who'll brings it to its knees?
With spot-on humour, Wonderland-esque logic, and magical twists and turns, Skylar Dorset's The Boy with the Hidden Name is an example of YA fiction at its best.
My thoughts on the book :
Where do I even begin?!
This series is pure dynamite. An explosion of creatively constructed characters and wacky comedy, it's a delightful shock to the 'reading senses', so to speak.
As I'm crazy-obsessed with this book, I'm going to take this chance to share my top 3 favourite quotes (there are heaps more, but this post can't go on forever!)
#3: Will's Clock Logic:
#2: Will Proves That Wizards Don't Know Everything:
#1: Where Ben Expects A Different Kind Of Welcome
**A big thank you to Netgalley for the chance to read and review an ARC of this amazing book, as well as to Skylar Dorset - because without her The Boy with the Hidden Name would never have been born :) **
'I look at my aunts, hesitate, and then say, "What-"
My aunts have gone back to knitting, even more furiously than before.
"You're going to be late for school," Aunt True says, and that is the end of that attempt at conversation.
My aunts hate it when I ask questions. It tends to destroy the world.'
You can't hide from your destiny forever.
Selkie Stewart has been through the adventure of a lifetime. Now, all she wants to do is be a normal girl who does normal things - such as eating ice-cream and complaining about unreliable faerie quasi-boyfriends.
The only thing standing in her way? The Seelies who are planning to take over the world when the clock strikes twelve.
With the end of Thisworld drawing closer with every tick of the clock, Selkie has not choice but to leave all thoughts of a normal life behind as she sets out on a journey to find the key to saving the world.
Because if anyone can find something, it's Selkie. Whether she knows it or not.
Plans, prophecies and painful predicaments lie ahead.
Selkie needs to find the other three fays - and fast - if they want to fulfil the prophecy and keeping the invading Seelie at bay. But the only person who might know where those three fay are is Benedict Le Fay's mother.
The same woman that Ben left Selkie to search for. A woman not exactly known for her trustworthiness, and who has been missing for many years.
With mixed feelings where Ben is concerned, Selkie joins her friends on a trip to the Unseelie Court to search for Ben's mother and Ben.
But the line between friend and foe isn't clear cut, and there's more than one Otherworld creature who would gladly manipulate or even kill Selkie to stop the prophecy from being fulfilled.
Never trust a faerie...especially with your heart.
With the fate of the world on her shoulders, Selkie's only hope is the prophecy. She needs to be the girl everyone seems to believe she is, no matter what it takes. This fight is no longer about her, or about the Seelie Court. It's about the people she loves and the people she can't leave behind.
But one little secret will change everything.
Because those around her have kept a part of the prophecy secret - a part that not only predicts the loss of someone she loves, but that also fractures Selkie's faith in her own destiny.
Is Selkie the one who'll save the world? Or is she the one who'll brings it to its knees?
With spot-on humour, Wonderland-esque logic, and magical twists and turns, Skylar Dorset's The Boy with the Hidden Name is an example of YA fiction at its best.
My thoughts on the book :
Where do I even begin?!
This series is pure dynamite. An explosion of creatively constructed characters and wacky comedy, it's a delightful shock to the 'reading senses', so to speak.
As I'm crazy-obsessed with this book, I'm going to take this chance to share my top 3 favourite quotes (there are heaps more, but this post can't go on forever!)
#3: Will's Clock Logic:
"Selkie?" Will says from the foyer. "Ready?"
"The clock stopped," I call down to him.
"What does that mean?" he asks.
I look down at him in surprise. "I thought you would know."
"Why would I know what that means? It isn't my clock. But I'm going to assume, based on recent events, that it is probably another portent of ill to come and we should get moving and not spend time winding it."
I am already on my way down the stairs. "Fine," I say to him. "I didn't need a speech."
#2: Will Proves That Wizards Don't Know Everything:
"Aren't you a wizard?" I ask. "Just magic it open."
"Sorry, I was busy learning important spells like disguising silver boughs to smuggle into prison for you and casting a protective enchantment over an entire city. I didn't bother to memorise the spell for opening subway train doors."
"You don't know the spell to open things?" I say in disbelief.
And then the doors slide open.
I look at Will, who looks back at me, and then we both turn our heads.
Safford is replacing the emergency door release handle. "What?" he says at our looks. "Didn't you want to open the door?"
#1: Where Ben Expects A Different Kind Of Welcome
"Are you okay?" he demands again, and his face swims back into my vision, his unclassifiable eyes and that beautiful mouth he has and all that artfully tousled hair.
I am furious with him. I lift my hand and give the side of his head a solid whack.
"Selkie," he exclaims, as if he is surprised that this is my reaction to him. Surprised!
I sit up as he rubs at the side of his head and looks hurt. "You look fine," I complain to him, because he ran off and left me and he looks as if he went on vacation.
"What?" He looks bewildered.
"You're fine. You idiotic..." I struggle for a word to call him. "You idiotic faerie."
"You're angry with me for being fine? I just saved your life."
"My life was only in danger because you left me."
**A big thank you to Netgalley for the chance to read and review an ARC of this amazing book, as well as to Skylar Dorset - because without her The Boy with the Hidden Name would never have been born :) **
January 15, 2015
I am pissed.
This duology had so much potential, that it would have been awesome in the hands of another author. But no. It didn't live up to it.
Basically, no one knew anything about what was going on, including myself and pretty much all characters and their mommas, and stuff happened randomly. Nothing made any sense at all and then shit got real and suddenly, 'YAY, THE ENTIRE WORLD IS SAVED.'
For pity's sake, don't even get me started on that anti-climatic ending.
So much angst and drama because the faeries were coming and they were gonna kill everybody and Selkie and the gang were stressing over the fact they didn't know what to do to fulfil the prophecy and then everything worked out just fine all of a sudden and they beat the big bad wolf by writing the story of their lives in a book.
I mean, what? I always believed the pen was mightier than the sword, but this little stunt the author pulled on us almost makes it ridiculous.
There it goes. Another series to the gutter.
June 12, 2018
This book was very fun and fast paced and I just genuinely really enjoyed myself reading this.
February 19, 2022
This was another one from my stash. Apparently I missed the first book in this duology. It seemed like I was playing catch up because I had not read the first one. It was a fairy tale (which I like) and had a character I liked - the Erlking but that was about it. I am not going to hunt down the first book.
December 3, 2014
From start to finish, Skylar Dorset’s The Boy with the Hidden Name is jammed packed with humor, attitude, prickly romance, political intrigue and the magic of the world of the fay. Kind of like watching all of the clowns get out of the little car at the circus, each page uncovers another twist, more action and more mystery as Selkie still can’t seem to get her wish to live a normal human life without being reminded that she is part fay and part ogre. I mean, really, what girl wants to be an ogre?? Everyone wants ‘the Book,” and Selkie doesn’t have it, still everywhere she turns someone from the otherworld is popping up asking for it.
Now public enemy number one to the Seelie Court, Selkie, Ben and their “gang’ are caught in the middle of a battle to end all battles as the power struggle continues as Selkie is still considered the girl in an ancient prophecy who will change the world. Not too much pressure or anything, right? Lives are at stake and she is now completely committed to the cause, if only to save those she loves and the world she has learned to care about. Will she be betrayed by those closest to her? Will Ben break her heart, or worse, turn against her? What is the power in a name? How does one used that power to their advantage? Get ready to ride with Kings on magical creatures, traverse the blackest of black paths, on a magical journey that will keep you spellbound to the very end!
Skylar Dorset has created a potion filled with all the elements of a wonderful reading escape, from the beautiful world she has created to the loveable characters she has populated it with. The pages will fly by as you devour each page.
I received an ARC edition from SOURCEBOOKS Fire in exchange for my honest review.
Series: Otherworld - Book 2
Publication Date: December 2, 2014
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
ISBN: 9781402292569
Genre: YA Fantasy
Age Level: 12 - 17 | Grade Level: 7 - 12
Print Length: 320 pages
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
Reviewed for: http://tometender.blogspot.com
Now public enemy number one to the Seelie Court, Selkie, Ben and their “gang’ are caught in the middle of a battle to end all battles as the power struggle continues as Selkie is still considered the girl in an ancient prophecy who will change the world. Not too much pressure or anything, right? Lives are at stake and she is now completely committed to the cause, if only to save those she loves and the world she has learned to care about. Will she be betrayed by those closest to her? Will Ben break her heart, or worse, turn against her? What is the power in a name? How does one used that power to their advantage? Get ready to ride with Kings on magical creatures, traverse the blackest of black paths, on a magical journey that will keep you spellbound to the very end!
Skylar Dorset has created a potion filled with all the elements of a wonderful reading escape, from the beautiful world she has created to the loveable characters she has populated it with. The pages will fly by as you devour each page.
I received an ARC edition from SOURCEBOOKS Fire in exchange for my honest review.
Series: Otherworld - Book 2
Publication Date: December 2, 2014
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
ISBN: 9781402292569
Genre: YA Fantasy
Age Level: 12 - 17 | Grade Level: 7 - 12
Print Length: 320 pages
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
Reviewed for: http://tometender.blogspot.com
December 8, 2014
**I received this book for free from Sourcebooks Fire via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.**
*Genre* Young Adult, Paranormal
*Rating* 3.0
*My Thoughts*
The Boy with the Hidden Name closes out the Otherworld duology which started with The Girl Who Never Was. The story is once again told in the first person narrative by Seventeen-year-old Selkie Stewart a faerie princess and half ogre. Returning to Dorset's world, we find that Selkie isn't a happy camper, and the world she knows is about to fundamentally change once again if she doesn't quickly find the remaining fay in order to stop the Seelie from invading Boston.
*Full Review posted @ Gizmos Reviews* Link to follow
*Recvd 09/05/2014 via NetGalley* Expected publication: December 2nd 2014 by Sourcebooks Fire
*Genre* Young Adult, Paranormal
*Rating* 3.0
*My Thoughts*
The Boy with the Hidden Name closes out the Otherworld duology which started with The Girl Who Never Was. The story is once again told in the first person narrative by Seventeen-year-old Selkie Stewart a faerie princess and half ogre. Returning to Dorset's world, we find that Selkie isn't a happy camper, and the world she knows is about to fundamentally change once again if she doesn't quickly find the remaining fay in order to stop the Seelie from invading Boston.
*Full Review posted @ Gizmos Reviews* Link to follow
*Recvd 09/05/2014 via NetGalley* Expected publication: December 2nd 2014 by Sourcebooks Fire
May 31, 2021
Cute/fast read! Few surprising turns of events while others were more predictable! I’m glad I read this sequel! Clean sweet romance adventure story for all ages!! Loved the fist novel best, but the characters in both were great loved the easy fun banter & some low angst moments!!!! Highly recommend this novel! Will be reading more from this author!!
March 8, 2016
This book was very interesting and took unexpected paths throughout the story.
December 1, 2014
The Girl Who Never Was was both surprisingly enjoyable, yet also disappointing in areas. It was hard to see past the glaring comparisons to The Iron Fey series, in doing so, it meant that what was impressive was lost in between it all. So, when it came to the sequel, I decided to focus on this series alone and admire the positives without negatively comparing them, and low and behold, either my lack of comparison worked, or this sequel was much better than it's other half. But even with it's positives, The Boy With The Hidden Name wasn't without it's issues..
I think my biggest worry for this sequel was that Dorset wouldn't be able to fit everything she needed to into one 300+ story and wrap it up in a style I liked - there were three other fae to find, Ben on walkabout, and really, absolutely no idea where to go from there, that's a lot to find, save and think about, but, with a little bit of cliché moments here and 'coincidental moments' there, I think Dorset actually did this really well. As content in this novel goes, there was an awful lot, there were three separate visits to, well, three separate 'worlds', which, when you take into account that the world building in this novel didn't improve upon the second, make the whole travelling just a tad difficult, there were quite a few twists and turns which I appreciated because it kept the slow pacing a little more entertaining, and there was also some absolutely hilarious moments which in fact, probably weren't that hilarious, but made me hysterically howl because they were that crazy. It definitely sounds as though I had more issues than positives with this novel, but that is simply not the case this time.
Until this sequel, I hadn't really appreciated Selkie and her skills as much as I really should have. She's the daughter of a fae and an ogre, which really, in itself is an interesting part of the story, as she has the weaknesses of an ogre, the human feelings, her emotions and her need and want to protect others, but she also has the weaknesses of a fae, the bills that ring and deafen her, to the trapped, binding feeling she gets when visiting other worlds, but this also means she has those strengths, and really, that's a really great thing about Selkie. Her skill for picking up things she'll need later on is also really interesting and I'm ashamed I never noticed it more previously, there's a clever nack to it, and while I did figure out the 'reveal' in the end that involved Selkie 'finding what she needs before she needs it', I still found the whole thing quite entertaining. I also appreciated her naming skills and her as a person SO much more in this novel. With Ben out of the picture, or back in later on, she stood her ground, let her friends and become a strong character, and even when Ben returned, she showed her strength and her courage by not allowing him redemption too soon. She became a figure to trust, a figure of power and bravery and a great leader. her relationships in this novel, with Kelsey, with Will, with her Aunts, it was all equally wonderful to watch, and I connected so much more to Selkie in this installment than I had the previous.
Yes. There was the romance element involved, and I admit, I was highly angered at the end of Girl Who Never Was; I found Ben's attitude to absolutely terrible, but as I mentioned earlier, Selkie's inner strength and power to make him work for forgiveness and to really test and, essentially, make or break their romance built it in a way the first installment never did. There was more development between themselves and with each other, there's a level of trust to be created once again, and I actually found myself aboard to romance train by the end, it had grown and become something I didn't mind. Would I put it in my handful of top romances, definitely not, but as romance goes, it really wasn't at all bad. What was still a little bad was the pacing.. An awful lot happened, but what exciting things did happen were cut extremely short and were wrapped up almost too easily, which was highly frustrating. Good scenes would come along and I'd think 'yes, this is where the good stuff is' and BAM, over already. Where's the fun and excitement in that? Where's the drama and the tension and build up and the general feel of fear and energy? It's a shame, because more could have been developed.
I confess, as a whole, the world building and pacing let this novel down. I was expecting a much better reveal at the end, considering I'd guessed it half way through the first book, and I would have liked more concerning the other fae, and the other worlds. We never got to experience anything in the world of the goblins and the Erlking, who really was swoony, damn goblins, we never got to appreciate these colourful worlds that they visited and we most definitely didn't get to see enough Safford and Kelsey romance, damn they were too cute. To me, surprisingly, this duology just didn't feel like enough. For once, I would have liked a trilogy, I would have liked more exploration of the worlds, more time taken to create and describe them and make me feel as though I'm there, I would have liked the romance to be developed better and slower, and overall, I find myself just wanting more. Dorset is a talented writer, and I do hope she takes her experience with this series and writes more, and takes more time to develop her worlds, but if she put as much development in there as she does her characters, she'll find herself a loyal fan.
I think my biggest worry for this sequel was that Dorset wouldn't be able to fit everything she needed to into one 300+ story and wrap it up in a style I liked - there were three other fae to find, Ben on walkabout, and really, absolutely no idea where to go from there, that's a lot to find, save and think about, but, with a little bit of cliché moments here and 'coincidental moments' there, I think Dorset actually did this really well. As content in this novel goes, there was an awful lot, there were three separate visits to, well, three separate 'worlds', which, when you take into account that the world building in this novel didn't improve upon the second, make the whole travelling just a tad difficult, there were quite a few twists and turns which I appreciated because it kept the slow pacing a little more entertaining, and there was also some absolutely hilarious moments which in fact, probably weren't that hilarious, but made me hysterically howl because they were that crazy. It definitely sounds as though I had more issues than positives with this novel, but that is simply not the case this time.
Until this sequel, I hadn't really appreciated Selkie and her skills as much as I really should have. She's the daughter of a fae and an ogre, which really, in itself is an interesting part of the story, as she has the weaknesses of an ogre, the human feelings, her emotions and her need and want to protect others, but she also has the weaknesses of a fae, the bills that ring and deafen her, to the trapped, binding feeling she gets when visiting other worlds, but this also means she has those strengths, and really, that's a really great thing about Selkie. Her skill for picking up things she'll need later on is also really interesting and I'm ashamed I never noticed it more previously, there's a clever nack to it, and while I did figure out the 'reveal' in the end that involved Selkie 'finding what she needs before she needs it', I still found the whole thing quite entertaining. I also appreciated her naming skills and her as a person SO much more in this novel. With Ben out of the picture, or back in later on, she stood her ground, let her friends and become a strong character, and even when Ben returned, she showed her strength and her courage by not allowing him redemption too soon. She became a figure to trust, a figure of power and bravery and a great leader. her relationships in this novel, with Kelsey, with Will, with her Aunts, it was all equally wonderful to watch, and I connected so much more to Selkie in this installment than I had the previous.
Yes. There was the romance element involved, and I admit, I was highly angered at the end of Girl Who Never Was; I found Ben's attitude to absolutely terrible, but as I mentioned earlier, Selkie's inner strength and power to make him work for forgiveness and to really test and, essentially, make or break their romance built it in a way the first installment never did. There was more development between themselves and with each other, there's a level of trust to be created once again, and I actually found myself aboard to romance train by the end, it had grown and become something I didn't mind. Would I put it in my handful of top romances, definitely not, but as romance goes, it really wasn't at all bad. What was still a little bad was the pacing.. An awful lot happened, but what exciting things did happen were cut extremely short and were wrapped up almost too easily, which was highly frustrating. Good scenes would come along and I'd think 'yes, this is where the good stuff is' and BAM, over already. Where's the fun and excitement in that? Where's the drama and the tension and build up and the general feel of fear and energy? It's a shame, because more could have been developed.
I confess, as a whole, the world building and pacing let this novel down. I was expecting a much better reveal at the end, considering I'd guessed it half way through the first book, and I would have liked more concerning the other fae, and the other worlds. We never got to experience anything in the world of the goblins and the Erlking, who really was swoony, damn goblins, we never got to appreciate these colourful worlds that they visited and we most definitely didn't get to see enough Safford and Kelsey romance, damn they were too cute. To me, surprisingly, this duology just didn't feel like enough. For once, I would have liked a trilogy, I would have liked more exploration of the worlds, more time taken to create and describe them and make me feel as though I'm there, I would have liked the romance to be developed better and slower, and overall, I find myself just wanting more. Dorset is a talented writer, and I do hope she takes her experience with this series and writes more, and takes more time to develop her worlds, but if she put as much development in there as she does her characters, she'll find herself a loyal fan.
January 11, 2015
When I read author Skylar Dorset’s The Girl Who Never Was a handful of months ago I remember being compelled to fall in love with her take on faeries. The genre has always been one that I rarely find myself reading in and her story and world were impeccable. I absolutely adored reading about the main character Selkie, discovering the truth about her family, and learning about this secret world of faerie. Not to mention that the way the last novel ended with the prophecy of ‘Benedict Le Fay will betray you and then he will die’ had me reeling. Would he seriously betray Selkie? Would he really, really die? All of these questions and I figured that I would get all of the answers in this sequel.
The Boy With the Hidden Name takes place where The Girl Who Never Was left off. Selkie alongside a cast of characters who include her aunts, best friend Kelsey, the wizard Will and Safford. As the plot thickens Selkie finds herself public enemy of the Seelie Court and seeks out a Goblin monarch. With Ben absent, Selkie stands in the middle of a battle where she is the most wanted person in the faerie world, considered to be the prophesized girl who will change the world. But as Selkie and her friends travel to find the three fays who will save Parsymeon and the Otherworld, she begins to wonder if her mother’s prophecy for Ben is true and if she will ever see him again.
I liked that The Boy With the Hidden Name gave us a further glimpse into Dorset’s world of the faerie. Not only does the story take place where it left off but we are also plunged headfirst into new, darker branches of the faerie world that Dorset has created. A world where not only is the Seelie Court still wicked and warped beyond all belief but a world where Selkie might have to glimpse into the Unseelie Court which is ten times worse. We get a better look at all the branches of the world that Dorset has created in The Boy With the Hidden Name and even discover that faeries ride on… giant corgis? Welp, it is fantasy.
I will admit that since reading The Girl Who Never Was I have gone through plenty of books. I have forgotten the names of certain characters, how things worked, etcetera. The sequel did have its positive sides in terms of giving readers a reminder of what’s going on. I knew that the novel took place after the first, I knew that there were prophecies and naming, and I knew that Selkie was on a mission. But there were important details from the last novel that I did have to do a bit of re-reading and hard-thinking in order to piece the current novel together entirely.
What caught my attention in The Boy With the Hidden Name was how different the pacing was compared to The Girl Who Never Was. I remember that most of The Girl Who Never Was had its ups and its downs but The Boy With the Hidden Name was non-stop. The adventure never ended as Selkie alongside her friends fought to see their journey through to the end. The stakes were raised and again, that prophecy about Ben was stuck in my mind. I couldn’t wait to see how that would play out. All in all, I was surprised with the novel’s ending. It wasn’t at all what I expected it to be or imagined it to be.
I would recommend this series to readers who are fans of the faerie genre, readers who are looking for a fantasy-adventure read and to readers who are devoted to the will they/won’t they relationship trope. They’ll definitely love the romance between Selkie and Ben. An interesting new take on faerie that was an experience to read.
The Boy With the Hidden Name takes place where The Girl Who Never Was left off. Selkie alongside a cast of characters who include her aunts, best friend Kelsey, the wizard Will and Safford. As the plot thickens Selkie finds herself public enemy of the Seelie Court and seeks out a Goblin monarch. With Ben absent, Selkie stands in the middle of a battle where she is the most wanted person in the faerie world, considered to be the prophesized girl who will change the world. But as Selkie and her friends travel to find the three fays who will save Parsymeon and the Otherworld, she begins to wonder if her mother’s prophecy for Ben is true and if she will ever see him again.
I liked that The Boy With the Hidden Name gave us a further glimpse into Dorset’s world of the faerie. Not only does the story take place where it left off but we are also plunged headfirst into new, darker branches of the faerie world that Dorset has created. A world where not only is the Seelie Court still wicked and warped beyond all belief but a world where Selkie might have to glimpse into the Unseelie Court which is ten times worse. We get a better look at all the branches of the world that Dorset has created in The Boy With the Hidden Name and even discover that faeries ride on… giant corgis? Welp, it is fantasy.
I will admit that since reading The Girl Who Never Was I have gone through plenty of books. I have forgotten the names of certain characters, how things worked, etcetera. The sequel did have its positive sides in terms of giving readers a reminder of what’s going on. I knew that the novel took place after the first, I knew that there were prophecies and naming, and I knew that Selkie was on a mission. But there were important details from the last novel that I did have to do a bit of re-reading and hard-thinking in order to piece the current novel together entirely.
What caught my attention in The Boy With the Hidden Name was how different the pacing was compared to The Girl Who Never Was. I remember that most of The Girl Who Never Was had its ups and its downs but The Boy With the Hidden Name was non-stop. The adventure never ended as Selkie alongside her friends fought to see their journey through to the end. The stakes were raised and again, that prophecy about Ben was stuck in my mind. I couldn’t wait to see how that would play out. All in all, I was surprised with the novel’s ending. It wasn’t at all what I expected it to be or imagined it to be.
I would recommend this series to readers who are fans of the faerie genre, readers who are looking for a fantasy-adventure read and to readers who are devoted to the will they/won’t they relationship trope. They’ll definitely love the romance between Selkie and Ben. An interesting new take on faerie that was an experience to read.
September 30, 2015
{My Thoughts} – Selkie and Ben take their adventure to the next level. Kelsey, Will and Safford are all along for the ride. They are in the midst of trying to prevent an all out battle from taking place, a battle that seems to be in the favor of the Seelie. We learn so much more about the other Feys involved in the prophecy as well as more about Selkie’s aunts and her dad, and Ben’s mom and Selkie’s mom. There is so much that takes place in this book, I can’t believe how much was written into this book.
This is a fast paced story that just goes and goes, there isn’t much time for a break because something always seems to be happening. It’s unbelievable how much happens and how fast. It is one of those types of adventures you should probably buckle up for because it’s going to be a fast and incredible ride.
I really enjoyed reading this book, it helped to add to the storyline as well as to conclude it in such a thought provoking mind boggling way. I love the twist that was thrown in, in the end of the book, it was just perfect for the storyline, absolutely perfect. If you enjoyed the first book, I am sure you will enjoy this book. It is written so wonderfully!
This is a fast paced story that just goes and goes, there isn’t much time for a break because something always seems to be happening. It’s unbelievable how much happens and how fast. It is one of those types of adventures you should probably buckle up for because it’s going to be a fast and incredible ride.
I really enjoyed reading this book, it helped to add to the storyline as well as to conclude it in such a thought provoking mind boggling way. I love the twist that was thrown in, in the end of the book, it was just perfect for the storyline, absolutely perfect. If you enjoyed the first book, I am sure you will enjoy this book. It is written so wonderfully!
March 31, 2015
I loved it!!! A duology with a fast development of the story, but in a funny and intriguing way to keep your eyes on the reading! Again, Selkie is struggling with the help of her friends and Ben, to find a way to fulfill the prophesy and bring back the "normalcy" at the world. It's crazy, funny, dense and with a unexpected surprising revelation! The writter was very clever! I think the whole mix with the Seelie, Unseelie, goblins, wizards, orcs.. and giants corgis, was amazing! A sweet love story seals the end of their quest!
November 1, 2014
First off, I LOVED that this one picked up pretty much right after the first one ended.
There were some new characters that I really enjoyed and the plot was fast paced. There were some really good twists {and one pretty epic heartfail} near the end that I definitely didn't see coming. And the actual ending was near perfection.
Even though I still struggled with being in Selkie's head, this book was stronger than the first one and I was instantly captivated by the storyline.
**Huge thanks to Sourcebooks and NetGalley for providing the arc in exchange for an honest review**
There were some new characters that I really enjoyed and the plot was fast paced. There were some really good twists {and one pretty epic heartfail} near the end that I definitely didn't see coming. And the actual ending was near perfection.
Even though I still struggled with being in Selkie's head, this book was stronger than the first one and I was instantly captivated by the storyline.
**Huge thanks to Sourcebooks and NetGalley for providing the arc in exchange for an honest review**
March 13, 2015
Short Review:
Had the same issues with this as i had with book 1. Nothing major happened at all. The story moves very well but everything is down played.
The MC is a wet noodle. She "hates" the boy she "loves", which is crazy insta-love that almost gets them both killed, gag!
She spends half the book "mad" at him, and the other half kissing him.
I thought i was going to witness an epic battle towards the end, but instead i was thrown into a boring side conversation which lasted the whole battle.
Maybe the author was afraid to do epic scenes.
Had the same issues with this as i had with book 1. Nothing major happened at all. The story moves very well but everything is down played.
The MC is a wet noodle. She "hates" the boy she "loves", which is crazy insta-love that almost gets them both killed, gag!
She spends half the book "mad" at him, and the other half kissing him.
I thought i was going to witness an epic battle towards the end, but instead i was thrown into a boring side conversation which lasted the whole battle.
Maybe the author was afraid to do epic scenes.
May 20, 2015
I really enjoyed this, while I enjoyed the first one more this was still a nice conclusion to the series. It still kept it fairytale and whimsical tone to it which I really enjoy. I did find parts of it pretty predictable, I figured out who was the 4th fay pretty quickly. That being said I really enjoyed all the characters but wish that some of the minor characters had a bigger part. There was once again a few confusing parts but it wasn't as bad as the first and got cleared up quickly.
All in all I really enjoyed this book and series, and I am sad that it is over.
All in all I really enjoyed this book and series, and I am sad that it is over.
January 12, 2015
I really enjoyed book 2. I wonder if there will be a book 3, because I'd be content on leaving it off right there.
It wrapped everything up nicely and into a HEA ending.
It wrapped everything up nicely and into a HEA ending.
December 12, 2014
Love this series, and this does not disappoint! The story sucks you right in, and doesn't let go until the very end.
February 28, 2015
I really liked this series.
May 23, 2015
3.5 stars
April 4, 2021
This was good, but not amazing. Certainly better than the first book, but not as good as the in-between short story "The Girl Who Read the Stars." It felt like a fairly normal fantasy novel, nothing too shocking or particularly original, though the meld of modern world with the fantasy fairy-goblin world was creative.
A few issues:
- The cover! Seriously, what? The boy (one of the main characters) doesn't look AT ALL like the boy on the cover. I rant more about the cover in the review of the first book, so I'll leave that here.
- The main character's attitude. She's a fairly good main character, but the thing that annoys me most is her CONTINUAL state of confusion and panic. Like, I get that the books take place in a span of, oh, idk, a few weeks give or take (possibly a few centuries according to fairy time, but it doesn't feel like that). So I understand that her heritage and the whole magical world is new for her, but she feels constantly puzzled and frustrated and in the dark, and the majority of other characters are always like, "HOW DO YOU NOT KNOW THIS?!?" and it is just frustrating. It's a fun aspect at the beginning of these you-are-a-magical-being-reveal scenes, but it gets tiring when it remains the same 2 novels into the story.
- My other main pet-peeve (and this will contain mild spoilers) is that the conclusion of the story undermines all the sacrifices and losses during the rest of the plot. I mean, I'm not going to complain that due to the vague magical ending everyone who died was brought back and people who were sick were magically healed, because lovely amazing characters dying is super sad. I'm happy that they are alive again and everyone is ok, but it kind of removes all emotional weight and angst from the story. One of the things that makes stories powerful is the feeling of loss, and the acknowledgement that life is unfair and sometimes sad horrible things happen, and that we go on living anyway and forge meaning and beauty out of life despite (or because of) those losses. So to have that opportunity for growth and development artificially taken away from the characters is sad. Also, I feel like it enforces the wrong message, because in real life you can't just re-write or erase death and sacrifice. I get that this is fantasy, but it felt WAY too unrealistic that not a SINGLE consequence of decisions or actions in the, you know, previous 16 YEARS of the character's lives exist? Pretty disappointing, despite the "ultimate" happy ending.
- Also, not to give too many details, but there was a slight sub-plot line of a romance between two side-characters throughout these two books, which suddenly doesn't exist in the last 50 pages of the novel? So confused! Maybe the author forgot about it? Like, what?!?! But the guy DIES and the girl doesn't react, and then I guess the guy is brought back (see previous comment) and the girl doesn't acknowledge it and instead is sighing about being the 5th wheel to all the other couples, and I'm like, "you were part of a couple before either of them... what?!?" Anyway, just a minor thing, but confusing. :P
A few issues:
- The cover! Seriously, what? The boy (one of the main characters) doesn't look AT ALL like the boy on the cover. I rant more about the cover in the review of the first book, so I'll leave that here.
- The main character's attitude. She's a fairly good main character, but the thing that annoys me most is her CONTINUAL state of confusion and panic. Like, I get that the books take place in a span of, oh, idk, a few weeks give or take (possibly a few centuries according to fairy time, but it doesn't feel like that). So I understand that her heritage and the whole magical world is new for her, but she feels constantly puzzled and frustrated and in the dark, and the majority of other characters are always like, "HOW DO YOU NOT KNOW THIS?!?" and it is just frustrating. It's a fun aspect at the beginning of these you-are-a-magical-being-reveal scenes, but it gets tiring when it remains the same 2 novels into the story.
- My other main pet-peeve (and this will contain mild spoilers) is that the conclusion of the story undermines all the sacrifices and losses during the rest of the plot. I mean, I'm not going to complain that due to the vague magical ending everyone who died was brought back and people who were sick were magically healed, because lovely amazing characters dying is super sad. I'm happy that they are alive again and everyone is ok, but it kind of removes all emotional weight and angst from the story. One of the things that makes stories powerful is the feeling of loss, and the acknowledgement that life is unfair and sometimes sad horrible things happen, and that we go on living anyway and forge meaning and beauty out of life despite (or because of) those losses. So to have that opportunity for growth and development artificially taken away from the characters is sad. Also, I feel like it enforces the wrong message, because in real life you can't just re-write or erase death and sacrifice. I get that this is fantasy, but it felt WAY too unrealistic that not a SINGLE consequence of decisions or actions in the, you know, previous 16 YEARS of the character's lives exist? Pretty disappointing, despite the "ultimate" happy ending.
- Also, not to give too many details, but there was a slight sub-plot line of a romance between two side-characters throughout these two books, which suddenly doesn't exist in the last 50 pages of the novel? So confused! Maybe the author forgot about it? Like, what?!?! But the guy DIES and the girl doesn't react, and then I guess the guy is brought back (see previous comment) and the girl doesn't acknowledge it and instead is sighing about being the 5th wheel to all the other couples, and I'm like, "you were part of a couple before either of them... what?!?" Anyway, just a minor thing, but confusing. :P
August 9, 2021
1.5 stars
My feelings upon finishing this are pretty well illustrated with this:
The first book was better than I thought... maybe because my expectations were low. There were some elements I didn't love, but overall, it was entertaining and I was curious about the resolution. This one just irritated me. It's actually making me want to go back and knock a star off my rating for book 1.
Since it's late and I have no desire to try to come up with a coherent review, I'll just list the things that bothered me in no particular order.
*Selkie was whiny and annoying. We get it. You're mad at Ben. We don't need to be told thirty times when literally everything else is more important. She also wasn't particularly bright. Basically any time there's a choice to be made, you can count on her to make the wrong one.
*The time thing was stupid. They keep talking about how time is basically irrelevant (I swear if one more person said 'depends on the time you're keeping' I was gonna throw the book across the room), but the entire story follows a linear timeline. They'd literally talk about how time doesn't matter and then mention how long they were waiting on someone or how long ago something was.
*The rules of this entire thing were haphazard. I can follow weird plotlines and rules, but there should be some coherency to it. Why is Ben the only one who has a weakness for water? And how is it that he can't stand to even get near a waterfall, but he can miraculously swim to an island? Why couldn't he just pop in the usual way? Why couldn't he travel to Iceland? What does being "off the map" entail, and why couldn't Ben do it? Why do all the fays seemingly have different powers and weaknesses? Why church bells but not other bells?
There were also a lot of things that just conveniently happened. Like when Merrow and Trow just turn up, or how they save the day by sitting and writing about the world they wanted, magically conquering the Seelies and their certain death, making Selkie's father sane, and having everyone (they knew) who died, alive again.
The 'plot twist' of Kelsie actually being Kelpie made no sense. Why wasn't she susceptible to the bells the way all the other fays were? Why was she not exhibiting some exaggerated power? I'm sorry, but "being there" doesn't count. And then there was the random effectiveness of Selkie's naming power. Ben (or someone) tells Selkie that she wouldn't be able to name Kelsie/Kelpie if she wasn't a fay (even though she apparently has immunity from the bells), but 2 chapters earlier, she names the little (human) girl who got hurt and it was quite effective.
And I'm sorry, but Glockenspiel? 🤦♀️
My feelings upon finishing this are pretty well illustrated with this:
The first book was better than I thought... maybe because my expectations were low. There were some elements I didn't love, but overall, it was entertaining and I was curious about the resolution. This one just irritated me. It's actually making me want to go back and knock a star off my rating for book 1.
Since it's late and I have no desire to try to come up with a coherent review, I'll just list the things that bothered me in no particular order.
*Selkie was whiny and annoying. We get it. You're mad at Ben. We don't need to be told thirty times when literally everything else is more important. She also wasn't particularly bright. Basically any time there's a choice to be made, you can count on her to make the wrong one.
*The time thing was stupid. They keep talking about how time is basically irrelevant (I swear if one more person said 'depends on the time you're keeping' I was gonna throw the book across the room), but the entire story follows a linear timeline. They'd literally talk about how time doesn't matter and then mention how long they were waiting on someone or how long ago something was.
*The rules of this entire thing were haphazard. I can follow weird plotlines and rules, but there should be some coherency to it. Why is Ben the only one who has a weakness for water? And how is it that he can't stand to even get near a waterfall, but he can miraculously swim to an island? Why couldn't he just pop in the usual way? Why couldn't he travel to Iceland? What does being "off the map" entail, and why couldn't Ben do it? Why do all the fays seemingly have different powers and weaknesses? Why church bells but not other bells?
There were also a lot of things that just conveniently happened. Like when Merrow and Trow just turn up, or how they save the day by sitting and writing about the world they wanted, magically conquering the Seelies and their certain death, making Selkie's father sane, and having everyone (they knew) who died, alive again.
The 'plot twist' of Kelsie actually being Kelpie made no sense. Why wasn't she susceptible to the bells the way all the other fays were? Why was she not exhibiting some exaggerated power? I'm sorry, but "being there" doesn't count. And then there was the random effectiveness of Selkie's naming power. Ben (or someone) tells Selkie that she wouldn't be able to name Kelsie/Kelpie if she wasn't a fay (even though she apparently has immunity from the bells), but 2 chapters earlier, she names the little (human) girl who got hurt and it was quite effective.
And I'm sorry, but Glockenspiel? 🤦♀️
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 21, 2025
I read the first book way back in middle school when I could still order books from the Scholastic book catalog. I fell in love with it (despite it taking me over 3 months to read it) and was devastated by the cliff hanger. Back then, I was not old enough to have money to order books, nor did I have the guts to ask my mom to do it for me. So, the book sat on my bookshelf, unsatisfied, collecting dust, until college, when I finally found a copy of the second book online (many thanks to the library that ditched the book and sold it to Thrift Books 🙏).
Much like the first book, it took me until chapter 12 (of 29) before I really got into it. I blame this on the fact that I haven't read or really enjoyed fantasy since middle school when I read the Land of Stories series. But once I got into it, I couldn't put it down.
Here's why this confuses me: I couldn't put it down...yet every other page I came across a sentence that convinced me this book came straight out of the depths of wattpad (not that I ever read wattpad, but that was my generation). It all felt so rushed and the dialogue often didn't sound realistic. There were times it genuinely felt like the author had an idea of something she wanted to happen and just slapped it in there. Kind of felt like when we learned how to write 5-paragraph essays in middle school and every kid got a note back on their paper about their sloppy transitions.
So, the book felt like it needed some maturing and I ended up scoffing and questioning half the material...but I could not put it down. And let me tell you why. The characters were soo loveable I couldn't help but keep rooting for them. Kelsey is the best friend that everyone wants, and Ben and Selkie have what is quite possibly the cutest, sweetest crushes on each other that I have ever read (and that's saying something if you look at the books I usually read.)
Yes, it was dramatic and cringy and confusing, but it was also enthralling and sweet and adventurous and satisfied the craving I felt 8 years ago when I finished the first book.
Much like the first book, it took me until chapter 12 (of 29) before I really got into it. I blame this on the fact that I haven't read or really enjoyed fantasy since middle school when I read the Land of Stories series. But once I got into it, I couldn't put it down.
Here's why this confuses me: I couldn't put it down...yet every other page I came across a sentence that convinced me this book came straight out of the depths of wattpad (not that I ever read wattpad, but that was my generation). It all felt so rushed and the dialogue often didn't sound realistic. There were times it genuinely felt like the author had an idea of something she wanted to happen and just slapped it in there. Kind of felt like when we learned how to write 5-paragraph essays in middle school and every kid got a note back on their paper about their sloppy transitions.
So, the book felt like it needed some maturing and I ended up scoffing and questioning half the material...but I could not put it down. And let me tell you why. The characters were soo loveable I couldn't help but keep rooting for them. Kelsey is the best friend that everyone wants, and Ben and Selkie have what is quite possibly the cutest, sweetest crushes on each other that I have ever read (and that's saying something if you look at the books I usually read.)
Yes, it was dramatic and cringy and confusing, but it was also enthralling and sweet and adventurous and satisfied the craving I felt 8 years ago when I finished the first book.
November 10, 2017
The Boy with the Hidden Name is the second book in the Otherworld duology by Skylar Dorset. This book was everything I thought it would with crazy characters, a complicated plot, surprises here and there, magic, mystery, action and all of it with that wonderful Alice in Wonderland feel to it.
This book pretty much starts where we left off in The Girl That Never Was, Selkie is mad at Ben because he left, the Aunts are trying to keep Selkie safe, Will is planning things, the Seelies want to torture everyone (and are doing a good job of it) and the group is trying to stop one prophecy from happening while making sure another works out in their favor.
Ben gets himself into a bit of trouble and he needs recusing again this time from the Unseelie court. So Selkie and the gang go get help from an unexpected source then go and rescue Ben and that is when things take a turn for the worst. However a prophecy is a prophecy and thing must be done and a prophecy is going to happen we just want it to be the good one. The four fay of the seasons must be found and time is running out.
I would suggest that you read the novella, The Girl Who Read the Stars, which is place after The Girl that Never Was and before The Boy with the Hidden Name. It will help introduce you to two characters that are going to be in this book and it gives readers a little insight into their personalities. I mean this world is a little confusing at times and it would only help, you can download it free from most ebook retailers.
The Boy with the Hidden Name was a quick read that I really enjoyed and it wrapped up the story perfectly in a way that can only happen in this book. I enjoyed the unique story and the funny characters and I would love to give anything else Skylar writes a try.
This book pretty much starts where we left off in The Girl That Never Was, Selkie is mad at Ben because he left, the Aunts are trying to keep Selkie safe, Will is planning things, the Seelies want to torture everyone (and are doing a good job of it) and the group is trying to stop one prophecy from happening while making sure another works out in their favor.
Ben gets himself into a bit of trouble and he needs recusing again this time from the Unseelie court. So Selkie and the gang go get help from an unexpected source then go and rescue Ben and that is when things take a turn for the worst. However a prophecy is a prophecy and thing must be done and a prophecy is going to happen we just want it to be the good one. The four fay of the seasons must be found and time is running out.
I would suggest that you read the novella, The Girl Who Read the Stars, which is place after The Girl that Never Was and before The Boy with the Hidden Name. It will help introduce you to two characters that are going to be in this book and it gives readers a little insight into their personalities. I mean this world is a little confusing at times and it would only help, you can download it free from most ebook retailers.
The Boy with the Hidden Name was a quick read that I really enjoyed and it wrapped up the story perfectly in a way that can only happen in this book. I enjoyed the unique story and the funny characters and I would love to give anything else Skylar writes a try.
July 20, 2021
I LITERALLY CAN NOT GET OVER THIS SERIES, LIKE AHSHJAHSHS
Please read it, it's SOOOOO worth it. If I told you how many time I (a) did a giddy little fan girl dance (b) slapped my hand over my mouth or (c) did both of these at the same time, you'd ask if I was okay.
Selkie, is fabulous, I love her and I find her so relatable. The way she's written is fantastic. She's human (sorta). She makes mistakes, she feel inadequate sometimes, she can be confused, she need help, she feels her powers aren't good enough, these are all things that I feel everyone can relate to, I know I did.
Ben is adorable and I want a Ben in my life. In this book I feel we see more of his compassion and his tender side, especially twords Selkie and that really made him endearing for me. I mean, his wit and whole personality from the first book gave me a crush, but this made me fall absolutely in love with him.
Romance?: kisses, embraces, one character does have to strip off another characters clothes to save their life (underwear still on).
"Are you taking advantage of me?"
" I am not having sex with you here"
Mentions of subduction
Language?:
Dam*able x
He**5x
Dam* 2x
" Telling a story using hand gestures, not all of them respectable."
Mentions of swearing.
Violence?: Very little blood. Nothing more than the first.
Age?: 13+
Please read it, it's SOOOOO worth it. If I told you how many time I (a) did a giddy little fan girl dance (b) slapped my hand over my mouth or (c) did both of these at the same time, you'd ask if I was okay.
Selkie, is fabulous, I love her and I find her so relatable. The way she's written is fantastic. She's human (sorta). She makes mistakes, she feel inadequate sometimes, she can be confused, she need help, she feels her powers aren't good enough, these are all things that I feel everyone can relate to, I know I did.
Ben is adorable and I want a Ben in my life. In this book I feel we see more of his compassion and his tender side, especially twords Selkie and that really made him endearing for me. I mean, his wit and whole personality from the first book gave me a crush, but this made me fall absolutely in love with him.
Romance?: kisses, embraces, one character does have to strip off another characters clothes to save their life (underwear still on).
"Are you taking advantage of me?"
" I am not having sex with you here"
Mentions of subduction
Language?:
Dam*able x
He**5x
Dam* 2x
" Telling a story using hand gestures, not all of them respectable."
Mentions of swearing.
Violence?: Very little blood. Nothing more than the first.
Age?: 13+
December 3, 2018
4 stars!
"Benedict Le Fay will betray you. And then he will die."
After having Ben abandon her, can Selkie ever trust a Farie again?
And, if the betrayal part is true... Is the death one going to happen, too?
Will Selkie ever see Ben again?!
How will she fulfill the Prophecy without him?
And where, exactly, are the other Fays?!
With the Seelies coming for Selkie, and set on destroying Boston and her family; Selkie will have to figure it all out...and fast!
*********************************
I Really enjoyed this series!
This is book#2 of the Otherworld Series and Can NOT be read as a Stand-alone! (it should only be read after finishing book #1)
I think these books definitely should be turned into a movie or 2. It would be Great! 🙂
There are some mysteries; twists, and ups and downs here... And more than 1 Prophecy that can come true!
I really enjoyed seeing how the story and plot went...
But I didn't love the ending... I guess I never expected it to finish/be resolved in that way...
It was original and different in the very least, I'll give it that.
Still, this is Definitely a book Fantasy Lovers should look into! If you like Fantasy you'll most likely Love this book!
"Benedict Le Fay will betray you. And then he will die."
After having Ben abandon her, can Selkie ever trust a Farie again?
And, if the betrayal part is true... Is the death one going to happen, too?
Will Selkie ever see Ben again?!
How will she fulfill the Prophecy without him?
And where, exactly, are the other Fays?!
With the Seelies coming for Selkie, and set on destroying Boston and her family; Selkie will have to figure it all out...and fast!
*********************************
I Really enjoyed this series!
This is book#2 of the Otherworld Series and Can NOT be read as a Stand-alone! (it should only be read after finishing book #1)
I think these books definitely should be turned into a movie or 2. It would be Great! 🙂
There are some mysteries; twists, and ups and downs here... And more than 1 Prophecy that can come true!
I really enjoyed seeing how the story and plot went...
But I didn't love the ending... I guess I never expected it to finish/be resolved in that way...
It was original and different in the very least, I'll give it that.
Still, this is Definitely a book Fantasy Lovers should look into! If you like Fantasy you'll most likely Love this book!
July 11, 2018
This book was the first one I have ever read about faeries, and I think they are my favourite creatures! After reading this I want to read more of faerie series like ACOTAR.
As I said, the faerie world is my favourite part of the book. The protagonist, Selkie, was also really interesting. The main characters were great. But I felt like the side characters were not well developed. For example, Trow hardly did anything in the story.
Honestly, I liked the fist book and the #1.5 one more than this one. Merrow's story was my favourite. But in this book Merrow and Trow hardly contribute anything to the story.
Also, this book was a bit confusing, but in a good way. However, at times it got bad sort of confusing, like some important things were not well explained. Writing could have been better.
Full review would be up on my blog soon.
As I said, the faerie world is my favourite part of the book. The protagonist, Selkie, was also really interesting. The main characters were great. But I felt like the side characters were not well developed. For example, Trow hardly did anything in the story.
Honestly, I liked the fist book and the #1.5 one more than this one. Merrow's story was my favourite. But in this book Merrow and Trow hardly contribute anything to the story.
Also, this book was a bit confusing, but in a good way. However, at times it got bad sort of confusing, like some important things were not well explained. Writing could have been better.
Full review would be up on my blog soon.
June 26, 2023
This is not your average trip to Fairyland...
Selkie Stewart has just saved her quasi-boyfriend, Ben, from a fairy prison run by the Seelie Court. If they weren't the two most-wanted individuals in the Otherworld before, they definitely are now. Along with Ben and the rest of their ragtag group of allies-Selkie's ogre aunts; a wizard named Will; Ben's cousin Safford; and Kelsey, Selkie's best friend-Selkie is ready to embrace her destiny and bring the Court down. Until she hears the rest of her prophecy: Benedict le Fay will betray you, and then he will die.
Heather's Notes
So I read book 1.5 before this one, because in order, but I think it was a mistake. I spent over half the book waiting for them to show up. It really messed with my enjoyment of the book. After they showed up, I liked the story. I even figured out how they would fix it at the end. It was a good series.
Selkie Stewart has just saved her quasi-boyfriend, Ben, from a fairy prison run by the Seelie Court. If they weren't the two most-wanted individuals in the Otherworld before, they definitely are now. Along with Ben and the rest of their ragtag group of allies-Selkie's ogre aunts; a wizard named Will; Ben's cousin Safford; and Kelsey, Selkie's best friend-Selkie is ready to embrace her destiny and bring the Court down. Until she hears the rest of her prophecy: Benedict le Fay will betray you, and then he will die.
Heather's Notes
So I read book 1.5 before this one, because in order, but I think it was a mistake. I spent over half the book waiting for them to show up. It really messed with my enjoyment of the book. After they showed up, I liked the story. I even figured out how they would fix it at the end. It was a good series.
January 28, 2018
Waahhhhh... Its over!! Why does it have to be only two books??? (Sighs) anyway i soo love this book and bc of this seriea i was reminded why Fairies are on the Top 2 of my fave supernatural creatures. I'll miss every single one of them but especially Ben and Selkie. You guys just proved that a book doesnt need to have complicated world building for it to be one of the best. Sometimes simple is just perfect!!
June 10, 2018
This book was amazing! I am at loss for words! I couldn't stop reading, and it's hard to believe that this one was better than the first. Read in a short two days, I wish it was longer. There were so many memories created when reading this book. I loved it!!!!!!!!!!! Must read!!!!!!!
My favourite pages are: 71, 85, 112, 145, 152, 236, 278, 293
My favourite pages are: 71, 85, 112, 145, 152, 236, 278, 293
December 20, 2024
This was another one from my stash. Apparently I missed the first book in this duology. It seemed like I was playing catch up because I had not read the first one. It was a fairy tale (which I like) and had a character I liked - the Erlking but that was about it. I am not going to hunt down the first book.
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