The Banished

Fae of the Crystal Palace #3

by Kylie Fennell

How not to fall in love with a rake of a fae while solving a murder in a corset.

A spellbinding tale of dangerous desire, dark magic and love that defies the rules.

In the glittering heart of Victorian London, the Great Exhibition promises progress and wonder. But beneath the glass and steel of the Crystal Palace, something sinister stirs.

Rowan, a fae with the power to bend hearts and desires to her will, is drawn into a deadly mystery. When a string of high-profile murders rocks the city, she’s forced into an uneasy alliance with her most formidable enemy, the notorious rake and turned fae, Shadowthorn.

To catch a killer, Rowan must pretend to betray everything she believes in and fake a love affair with Shadowthorn. But as they plunge deeper into a world where the lines between good and evil blur, Rowan must question whether her heart is as much a pawn as those she manipulates.


What you'll get

✓ Happy Ever After Ending

✓ Fantasy Romance

✓ Fae with a science meets magic twist

✓ His & Her POV

✓ Fake relationship

✓ Enemies to lovers

✓ Mystery

✓ Gaslamp and steampunk vibes

✓ Historical setting and references

✓ Victorian England

✓ Intriguing side characters

✓ Standalone in series


The Banished is a standalone book in the Fae of the Crystal Palace series and brings together the historical romance of Bridgerton with fae and a sprinkle of mystery.

* this book is for adults or upper YA readers, featuring mature situations and slow burn romance that leads to mild to moderate steam.

Genres: Romance, Fantasy

372 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 23, 2025

About the author

I’m an author of speculative fiction, fantasy and fabulism for adults and young adults. Writing about strong female leads who metaphorically and literally kick butt particularly appeals to me, as does magic…always magic!

My kind of speculative fiction features everything from magical misfits with moxie to fierce and fabulist females.

My writing is influenced by my time living in Japan and Europe and their rich histories. As an Australian writer of European and Aboriginal (Gumbaynggirr and Bundjalung) descent, I’m also fascinated by culture and identity.

I’ve been writing for as long as I can remember.

My love of reading and writing started with an early addiction to Grimms’ fairy tales, Arthurian legends and a love of superheroes.

If I hadn’t become a writer, I would be a superhero librarian – conquering the Dewey Decimal System by day and saving the world one book at a time by night. Failing that, I'd work in a doughnut shop...mmm...doughnuts. Instead, I put my superpowers to work as a Queensland Writers Centre Tutor and speaker (I have presented at industry workshops events including GenreCon 2019).

My creative writing has been recognised via several awards including Queensland Writers Centre Flash Fiction (winner), and Australian Writers Centre Furious Fiction (shortlisted out of 1300 entries), as well as second in GenreCon's short story competition 2019.

I have been shortlisted in The Long Way Home's short story competition in 2019 and 2020 with my stories published in their anthologies. I also have stories published in Lighthouse – An Anthology and Stories of Survival.

My guilty pleasures are watching the Princess Bride, the Labyrinth, Star Wars, Friends or Grease for the zillionth time.

I live in Brisbane (Yuggera and Turrbal Country) with my husband, son and too many pets.

Reviews

[Tash · Rating 5 out of 5]

A big thank you to net gallery for the opportunity to read this book.

The Banished is a standalone book in a collect of books from the fae of the Crystal Palace series. Our story follows fae Rowan, a ranger sworn to protect and turned fae Shadowthorn who are forced together when a string of high profile murders happen in the heart of London in Victorian Britain.

Fennell’s world building is rich and delicious and it is very clear that she has done her research on Victorian Britain. When reading, it feels as if you are in that world, the sights, sounds, smells are so vivid it is as if you are watching a film. Our world is secure and strongly built; there are no loop holes, missing information or gaps. The history of our world and characters is clear. Fennell gives us the information of how the fae came to the human world and she perfectly places this within real historical places and people. It makes us feel as though we are reading a true historical event that actually happened.

The murder mystery of this books was compelling. Just when you thought you had put the final puzzle piece in and had work out who the murderer was; another curve ball thrown your way and had you guessing all over again. You are kept on your toes until the very end and it had me shouting at my kindle when all was revealed. You are taken on a true adventure.

And finally our romance - the pushing, the pulling, the yearning and the wanting were everything I wanted from two characters who are so far apart in their morals and who they are as people. It was wonderful to have dual POVs so we could see the inner workings of the minds of our two characters and how they fight to not be together. Both our main characters are strong-willed, charming and witty and it is so wonderful to see their character development and their views change on their world and each other as things begin to shift. Their love story is a truly magical one and it made my heart ache.

This was truly such a fun and magical read and I now cannot wait to read the other books in this series!

[Raven Fisher · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️.5 rounded up

“She was still there, beneath his skin, carved into his soul. ”

This was my first Kylie Fennell book and I must say her writing style and prose is so beautiful. This victorian fae romance was right up my alley. While I think the story had some pacing issues, the second half of the book really picked up for me and the romance made the entire story redeeming for me. I just wish we got more time on the page with our main characters yearning and actually getting close to each other little by little but I enjoyed the connection. I was a bit confused with the magic system and time a bit like the human world vs fae world especially one specific reference to the berlin wall when the main story obviously takes place in victorian england…While this is marketed as an interconnected standalone I think reading the rest of the books would definitely add to the experience! Overall I had so much fun. Shadowthorn you will always be famous to me.

Thank you to Kylie Fennell and BookSirens for this ARC!

[Kat M · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed getting to read this book, it was a strong third entry in the Fae of the Crystal Palace series, it uses the slow burn romance concept perfectly and enjoyed how everything was used in this concept. The characters were so well written and enjoyed how this went from a enemy to lover concept and was hooked from the first page. I enjoyed the historical setting and enjoyed the mystery of this book. Kylie Fennell has a strong writing style and was glad I was able to read this and look forward to more.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Kate Lang · Rating 5 out of 5]

Badass FMC - check
Shadow Daddy - check
Fae and magic - check

Now make it Victorian England! This book was a fun read and entertaining to puzzle out. Politics and intrigue in so many levels. A unique take on magic and the world that has been created is so detailed. Shadowthorne is a rake through and through, but also touch her and die. Rowan is trying so hard to be a good Ranger, but how do you resist THE Shadowthorne?

I thought I had it all worked out, I honestly did. And there were warning signs and red flags and then I still followed the clues and missed it. Well done!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Deanna Metropulos Wells · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved this book. It grabbed me from the first chapter with the characters and the mystery. The world building was done well, I was able to picture the scenes in my mind and understand the systems and mannerisms of the characters in the book. Definitely recommend.

[Shriya · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a classic romantasy novel filled with everyone's favorite tropes - but with an original plot. There's enemies-to-lovers, lots of annoying miscommunication, and even a sort of love triangle.

But all of these cliches would have been mind-numbing if not for the healthy dose of mystery. I love that I didn't know who was the murderer until the very end. While the romance was good, the thick plot allows it to really shine.

I have not read the first two books, but I wasn't confused at all. It had the same feel as a standalone. I'm guessing that the other books are from different perspectives which is why this book made so much sense.

The Banished was a really great book, and I'd recommend this series to anyone who loves romantasy. It was well-written, original, and captivating, and I'm even considering reading the rest of the series.

(I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.)

[Viola Hartung · Rating 4 out of 5]

A captivating blend of fantasy, mystery, and slow-burn romance unfolds in a richly imagined Victorian setting. When a fae ranger is forced into a fake relationship with her infuriating rival to solve a row of magical murders, sparks fly amid dark secrets and steamy tension. The story balances intrigue, emotional depth, and atmospheric charm, delivering a satisfying mix of enemies-to-lovers drama and high-stakes adventure.

[Emma Oyston · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was brilliant 👏
Set in Victorian England, Fae live among humans. Rowan (fae ranger) unwillingly teams up with Shadowthorne (shadow weilder) to solve a string of murders against the fae.
The plot is fast-paced, and I was hooked in. There is great chemistry between R and L, and the side characters are fab.
There's clearly a back story to this and another set of books in this series - which I'll be keen to read.

Themes: Magic, murder, fae, politics, mystery, tragedy, revenge.

[Hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this! I felt like it jumped right into the plot, which hooked me immediately. I feel like for the first half of the book I couldn't put it down. The story did slow down a bit around the 2/3s mark, but it picked back up and finished with tests I didn't expect. I feel like everything tied up nicely and made sense, and I particularly enjoyed reading Rowan and Shadowthorns love story.


I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily

[Frajer Alexandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75-4⭐️

Overall I truly enjoyed this book.
When I imagine the main MMC Shadowthorn I immediately see Tom Ellis in Lucifer. His quick wit and charm and how he holds himself ♥️

I didn’t feel much love towards the main FMC but it was Shadowthorn that kept me engaged.
Loved the mystery and the neatly wrapped up conclusion.

This was my first Kylie Fennell book and I think I’ll be reading more of their titles ♥️

Thankyou NetGalley for the ARC of ‘The Banished’ truly enjoyed this Victorian Fae mystery.

[Kathleen Stamos · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very cute romantic mystery! A bit predictable, but I wasn’t exactly reading it for plot twists. I enjoyed myself.

[TaniaRina Valdespino · Rating 4 out of 5]

Is high-tech the newest Tower of Babel?
First our attempts to reach the heavens as if we were deities ourselves, then the pollution & replacement of humans by machines of the Industrial Revolution, now the ethical dilemmas surrounding AI & bio-tech. Will we ever learn that not all progress is positive?
On the flip side, technology that increases safety (mechanical), spreads knowledge (newspapers), and saves lives (medical) have most certainly improved our lot. I always wonder what the folks who lived during the time of The Great Exposition would think of us now…


A wee bit of philosophy:
‘Tragic endings are an acquired taste.’
‘There is nothing entertaining about doomed love.’

I luv me a silver tongue and a wee bit of snark between main characters.


Will it be check or checkmate for our heroine? Perhaps the next-in-series’ title (‘The Devoted’) might be a clue? Or is it merely to through us off track? Hmmm…

[Bok Choy Nomad (Cat-Dan) · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was immediately drawn in by this book’s cover and its promises of all my fave tropes (and more!) including slow-burn romance, historical mystery set in Victorian England plus fae, magic and steampunk mayhem. It was also touted to be a standalone yet also Book 3 of a series.

The book begins with a very brief prologue and then opens from the point-of-view of Lord Shadowthorn, the male main character, who is in the middle of a gambling match with some fellow fae Lords, when one of them is suddenly and mysteriously killed. We are then introduced to the female main character, named Rowan, who is a member of a type of fae police team known as the ‘Rangers’ and currently tasked with guarding the historic Great Exhibition at the Crystal Palace. Shadowthorn shows up at the exhibit and it becomes apparent that they two are acquainted as they bicker whilst Shadowthorn asks Rowan to help him investigate the death of the fae lord. Events then lead them into a begrudging sleuthing partnership (on Rowan’s part) and fake relationship cover story (Rowan’s idea) when another fae lord is murdered.

Ms Fennell also captures the hilariously sarcastic quips well between Rowan and Shadowthorn that had me laughing out loud throughout the story (including his ludicrous pet names for her that constantly teases her with):

“I’m perfectly capable of navigating my own way home, thank you very much. All I need to do is head in the opposite direction of the vile stench of your conceit and self-importance.”

I also appreciated the author’s way with words, which could be beautifully lyrical like this:

“A chorus of laughter snapped her back to the present, scattering the memory like leaves dislodged from their branches in the wind.”

Even with the clever set-up, historical references, and the banter, I felt very dissatisfied with certain aspects and like it was only a half-baked cake by the ending even though all the parts of the recipe were there. For example, there was way too much back story throughout that still made me feel like I was missing out on many facts and history of the characters involved even though the author tries to summarize them. I’m now wondering whether this book should accurately be listed as a standalone as a result or if I would still feel the same way if I had been able to read them in chronological order from the start.

I also really liked Shadowthorn and Rowan, but felt their relationship was sometimes too shallow and even juvenile as they bounced from juvenile misunderstandings to undying love too unbelievably quickly (e.g., more like a teenaged relationship). Historically and culturally, I also felt their faked relationship cover story didn’t adhere to the strict Victorian customs of the time where appearance and compromise were tantamount. Perhaps, if the author had done more work to portray this accurately to the times, even for the fae, it would have felt less like a plot contrivance and could have included more elements to give their relationship more depth.

Even the mystery felt a bit contrived and rushed to me in the end as I had to go back and re-read parts to remind myself of names and motives. I also became confused by the various magical powers of the fae characters involved, which seemed too convenient. It was a good attempt, but the case wasn't as tight as I would expect in a historical mystery.

Overall, if you’re a reader who likes an easy read with some splashes of history, mystery and light spice romance, then you may enjoy this. For those who have been reading this series from the start, maybe it will make more sense to you.

P.S. I am grateful to BookSirens for giving me an advanced reader’s copy of this story for which I am voluntarily writing this honest review.

[Kayla - TheCrochetedLibrary · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 Stars

The Banished by Kylie Fennell is the third book in the Fae of the Crystal Palace series, set in an alternate Victorian London where fae and humans live uneasily side by side. Each book is marketed as a standalone, but I definitely felt like I was missing context without reading the earlier installments. The repeated references to past events were vague, leaving me confused at times, particularly with the magic system. Still, once the story found its rhythm, the second half became much stronger, and the romance was the highlight.

Rowan, a fae ranger, reluctantly teams up with Shadowthorn, a notorious rake, to solve a string of grisly murders. To do so, they must fake a love affair, which naturally creates sparks. Their banter was sharp, and their chemistry undeniable, though the miscommunication trope was frustrating—especially Shadowthorn constantly dismissing Rowan until he heard the same thing from others. Despite this, their slow-burn connection kept me invested.

What I really enjoyed was the murder mystery thread woven into the romance. The twists, turns, and cleverly placed red herrings had me second-guessing my theories the entire time. Just when I thought I had it figured out, Fennell surprised me with the reveal. The Victorian setting, layered with fae intrigue and gothic atmosphere, added a lush and immersive backdrop that really brought the story to life.

Overall, The Banished was an engaging blend of romantasy, historical fantasy, and mystery. While the pacing and worldbuilding could have been stronger, the clever premise, crackling chemistry, and suspenseful mystery made it a worthwhile read. I’d recommend it to fans of dark fae, enemies-to-lovers romance, and twisty fantasy mysteries—and I’m definitely curious enough to check out the first two books in the series.

Thank you Kylie Fennell and BookSirens for the ARC of this book for an honest review.

[Shakella "The Singing Bibliophile" Gordon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kylie Fennell is an auto-buy author for me—she can’t miss! I love this world she created and how much care she’s taken to dive deeper into the characters we got to know during the Fae of the Crystal Palace series. The novel is such an easy, fluid read, taking its time with both the love story and the murder investigation while steadily building the suspense.

Fennell’s world-building is so decadent, with a vivid and unique take on magic that pulls you right in. I still stand by my original comparison: it’s Bridgerton with a splash of magic and mystery. This time, we’re following the fae Rowan—a ranger sworn to protect—and Shadowthorn, a well-known rake. The two are forced together when a string of high-profile murders shakes Victorian London, and they must fake a love affair to solve the case. Naturally, sparks fly.

The slow-burn romance gave me everything I needed, complete with Rowan’s signature snark and the snappy banter between them. The miscommunication trope is to be expected, given that the relationship starts as fake—but I was completely invested in their connection from beginning to end. I love me a fake dating trope; they can be so messy, uncomfortable, and entertaining.

What really hooked me, though, was the murder mystery thread woven through the romance. The twists and turns had me second-guessing my theories the entire time. There was one point when I thought I had it sewn up... Nope, wrong. Just when I thought I had it figured out, Kylie threw another stone in the pond. The beautiful Victorian setting, enhanced by fae intrigue and a Gothic atmosphere, brought the story to life in the best way.

Thank you, Booksirens and Kylie Fennel, for the ARC of this installment of this fantastic world of the Fae of the Crystal Palace. And allowing me to leave my honest opinion. I can not wait for the next release!

[Jo Skinner · Rating 5 out of 5]

A gorgeous book that combines histoical fiction, magic, crime and romance. We meet some of our favourite characters from Fennell's first book in her Fae of the Crystal Palace series but it can just as easily be read as a standalone. Set in Victorian London during The Great Exhibition, we learn that darkness lurks beneath the pomp and glitter. A string of murders forces an uneasy alliance between powerful fae Rowan and the sinister turned fae, Shadowthorn.
Rowan finds that her values are challenged and tested as she is torn between good and evil, forced to choose between desire and what she believes is right.
The story accelerates to a breathtaking ending with a delightful twist. It made me wonder whether the fae really are in charge of things not only in Victorian London but now. Fennell has created a magical realm which will linger in the imagination long after you have finished the story.

[Cindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this magical story set in Victorian England.

It tells the story of Rowan and Shadowthorn, two fae who join forces to track down the perpetrator of a series of murders.

It has creepy gothic vibes and lots of political intrigue. The relationship between Rowan and Shadowthorn is developed well. The side characters are intriguing and the writing is polished and easy to read.

Kylie Fennell has skillfully drawn together themes of grief and loss, colonisation and corruption, and connection to nature in this great story.

This is book three of a series, but can definitely be read as a standalone as I did.

Thank you Lorikeet Ink and NetGalley for supplying this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

This is book three of a series, but can definitely be read as a standalone as I did.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was hooked - Victorian England (with a few slight twists), magic, a fake relationship, a mystery to solve.

Rowan and Shadowthorn (what a rake!) must pair up to investigate the deaths of fae lords.

I really enjoyed their banter and found I was wanting to skip to the scenes when they were together.

This is the third book in the Fae of the Crystal Palace. A series that is interconnected, but can be read as stand alone.

It looks like the other books follow different couples, and I'm excited to go back and read them to see how Rowan and Shadowthorn pop up in them. Are the past events that they refer to in those books, or do they occur outside of them?

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Marisa Parrella · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received this book as a giveaway. I was very interested in the investigation of the murders and the MCs having to team up together.
They obviously had a thing for each other from the beginning. Extremely slow burn.
But this is another the MMC doesn’t believe the FMC, turns his back on her and when he comes back seeking forgiveness from her she just willingly gives it. No making him earn it for breaking her heart….more than once.
I don’t think the MMC was good for her to be honest, he’ll just leave her again in the future when things get tough.

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book quite a lot. A historical fantasy murder mystery that had me guessing right up until the end.

My favourite character from the previous instalment was Shadowthorn, so I was excited to read a book where he played a major role. I found Rowan a little frustrating at times, but that was probably more due to the miscommunication between her and Shadowthorn in parts of the story.

I look forward to the next book in the series.

--I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.--

[Kanan Jain · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kylie Fennell's romantic fantasy novel The Banished features Rowan, a fae capable of influencing hearts, who must solve murders in Victorian London alongside her nemesis, Shadowthorn. Their alliance becomes tense as they uncover secrets and dark magic, leading to a forbidden attraction. Fennell's novel is described as a fast-paced, emotionally rich story led by a witty heroine, where the mystery and central romance create a spellbinding adventure

[Ulrike · Rating 4 out of 5]

Plot
After the fall of their kingdom, the fae live hidden among humans – sometimes as allies, sometimes as enemies. Rowan is part of the Rangers, a secret protection force of the fae that safeguards the fragile balance between the two peoples. But when several murders occur, she has no choice but to join forces with the notorious Shadowthorn. She despises him for his reckless, selfish lifestyle, yet she cannot deny the thrill of this reluctant partnership. And perhaps there is more to him than his rakish façade suggests.

Impression
Fennell blends mystery, fantasy, and romance into an atmospheric tale set in London at the time of the Crystal Palace. The novel is an easy, fluid read, taking its time with both the love story and the murder investigation, while building the suspense step by step. I found the happy ending a little drawn out, but overall I greatly enjoyed the book.

Summary
An entertaining mix of fantasy, mystery, and romance, full of atmosphere and with a captivating dynamic between the main characters.