What do you think?
Rate this book
The Magic Thief and The Whisper Heath
Olivia Vail’s life takes an unexpected turn after a tragic accident that changes everything and rips her from the person she once was. Suddenly, when she finds herself on trial in the enchanting fae realm for a crime she didn’t commit, Olivia’s resilience will be tested. Meanwhile, her determined older brother, Leo Vail, is ready to leave behind his hearing and the human realm, fueled by his unwavering love to protect and rescue his sister. Their loyal friend Devonie carries a burden—but she’s ready to rise to the occasion to right wrongs and save the people she loves.
The Vail siblings are caught in a vibrant tapestry of seasonal territories, where they must confront the challenges posed by the deceptive Ivy King. This is their moment to fight valiantly to survive the chaos as they team up with a diverse group of magical companions.
The fae realm faces an ominous challenge with the ancient, mysterious magic of the Whisper Heath looming before them. Answers await them, but they must tread carefully, for the whispers of darkness hide untold power.
This captivating dark fantasy delves into themes of fae, adversaries, passion, and conflict. For those interested in exploring this world, a complete list of content warnings is available on my website, EffieLaRoe.com. Embrace the journey ahead—your bravery is looked upon fondly.
The Vail siblings are caught in a vibrant tapestry of seasonal territories, where they must confront the challenges posed by the deceptive Ivy King. This is their moment to fight valiantly to survive the chaos as they team up with a diverse group of magical companions.
The fae realm faces an ominous challenge with the ancient, mysterious magic of the Whisper Heath looming before them. Answers await them, but they must tread carefully, for the whispers of darkness hide untold power.
This captivating dark fantasy delves into themes of fae, adversaries, passion, and conflict. For those interested in exploring this world, a complete list of content warnings is available on my website, EffieLaRoe.com. Embrace the journey ahead—your bravery is looked upon fondly.
394 pages, Paperback
Published November 9, 2024
3 people are currently reading
27 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
November 26, 2024
Details, details, details she never missed a beat! I laughed, I cried, I wanted to throw my kindle a few times. I was literally taken on a journey that changed something inside me. I don't want to leave any spoilers so I'll say this. Read this book, just go on the whimsical journey of Effies mind! I'm so ready for book two!!!
November 28, 2024
⭐⭐⭐⭐
🌶️ Out of five
There's so much more to this book than the ages of the characters, but nothing brings my 30-something-year-old self more joy than reading a fantasy romance about characters with their frontal lobes fully developed.
This is frankly an incredible debut novel from this author and I can't wait to keep reading along as the books come out.
Some things to note:
While I wouldn't necessarily call this book a classic "dark fantasy romance", it definitely is very dark and steeped in misery. I enjoyed this aspect to the book a lot. Made it a lot more realistic to me about how things would actually go down if you were transported into a fae realm. No rainbows and butterflies.
One of the major supporting characters to this particular novel is hard of hearing/on his way to being fully deaf. The authors attention to detail and dignity with this character is incredible. It's extremely rare to have a main character have a disability and not have it either written poorly, or have that disability make up their entire personality or purpose in the book. I'm used to a disability either being a burden in writing or putting a magnifying glass on it to the point of nearly parody, so this portrayal of a very real and normal person with hearing loss is PERFECTION and that alone deserves to be celebrated. It's beautiful to see this sort of representation in an organic way and not just forced in to fill some sort of disingenuous inclusivity quota. Bravo!
This book doesn't have a ton of spice (yet? 😏) but the spice it does have is TOP QUALITY. The love interest(s) in this book are so good and definitely are being set up for more romance in subsequent installementa of this series. I can't wait 😈
This book is fantastic and should be read by any fae fantasy romance lover.
This book doesn't get 5 stars from me because my only issues with the book hinge entirely on writing execution and style, but have nothing to do with the story and characters. It's a very worth while read if you can forgive a few technical issues.
I adore indie writing and find these authors stories match or surpass that of larger franchises. I'm more excited for another book in this series than I am for another installment of A Court of Thorns and Roses.
(I received a free ARC copy of this debut novel in exchange for an honest review. My first arc read, and boy was I relieved when it turned out to be such a fantastic book!!)
🌶️ Out of five
There's so much more to this book than the ages of the characters, but nothing brings my 30-something-year-old self more joy than reading a fantasy romance about characters with their frontal lobes fully developed.
This is frankly an incredible debut novel from this author and I can't wait to keep reading along as the books come out.
Some things to note:
While I wouldn't necessarily call this book a classic "dark fantasy romance", it definitely is very dark and steeped in misery. I enjoyed this aspect to the book a lot. Made it a lot more realistic to me about how things would actually go down if you were transported into a fae realm. No rainbows and butterflies.
One of the major supporting characters to this particular novel is hard of hearing/on his way to being fully deaf. The authors attention to detail and dignity with this character is incredible. It's extremely rare to have a main character have a disability and not have it either written poorly, or have that disability make up their entire personality or purpose in the book. I'm used to a disability either being a burden in writing or putting a magnifying glass on it to the point of nearly parody, so this portrayal of a very real and normal person with hearing loss is PERFECTION and that alone deserves to be celebrated. It's beautiful to see this sort of representation in an organic way and not just forced in to fill some sort of disingenuous inclusivity quota. Bravo!
This book doesn't have a ton of spice (yet? 😏) but the spice it does have is TOP QUALITY. The love interest(s) in this book are so good and definitely are being set up for more romance in subsequent installementa of this series. I can't wait 😈
This book is fantastic and should be read by any fae fantasy romance lover.
This book doesn't get 5 stars from me because my only issues with the book hinge entirely on writing execution and style, but have nothing to do with the story and characters. It's a very worth while read if you can forgive a few technical issues.
I adore indie writing and find these authors stories match or surpass that of larger franchises. I'm more excited for another book in this series than I am for another installment of A Court of Thorns and Roses.
(I received a free ARC copy of this debut novel in exchange for an honest review. My first arc read, and boy was I relieved when it turned out to be such a fantastic book!!)
November 14, 2024
Feelings about this book: Better than ACOTAR!
And I will die on that hill!
My favorite things about this book (not necessarily in this order):
• Compelling world-building
• Diverse characters that feel real
• Grotesque details/horror elements
• Cark 🤍🤍🤍
• The Whisper Heath
• Animal kin & bird people
• Soft magic system
• Sibling unity
I had the pleasure of reading this book as an ARC, and I absolutely adored it. The world LaRoe created was effortlessly engaging and gave me big Studio Ghibli vibes. It’s horrifying in parts, beautiful and whimsical in others. It felt real, it felt believable, it felt alive.
The fae in this book actually acted like fae with an emphasis on bargaining as part of their culture! There were beautiful fae and extremely nasty fae, which we love to see! I loved the way the hierarchy of the courts was set up, and all the elements introduced with the Ivy King have me so curious about this world’s history as well as how things will develop in fae society for future books (unrest is a-brewing! And rightly so. Viva la revolución, baby).
Something I really appreciated about LaRoe’s writing were the grotesque details, not only in character/creature descriptions (we love some nasty looking fae and monsters), but also in some of the magic performed, as well as the unfortunate things our girl Olivia was put through. The villains were villaining hard, you hear me?!
There is one spicy scene that had me BLUSHING! I appreciated everything about it. Spicy scene notwithstanding, there are minimal romance elements in this book, but I feel things were very nicely set up for future books!
My favorite character was Cark the stoat (he’s FUNNY, bro), and my favorite world-building element was the Whisper Heath itself - wow, what an intriguing bit of magic and lore, but SHHHH no spoilers! 😜
Thank you to Effie LaRoe for the privilege of an ARC copy! These are my honest thoughts.
And I will die on that hill!
My favorite things about this book (not necessarily in this order):
• Compelling world-building
• Diverse characters that feel real
• Grotesque details/horror elements
• Cark 🤍🤍🤍
• The Whisper Heath
• Animal kin & bird people
• Soft magic system
• Sibling unity
I had the pleasure of reading this book as an ARC, and I absolutely adored it. The world LaRoe created was effortlessly engaging and gave me big Studio Ghibli vibes. It’s horrifying in parts, beautiful and whimsical in others. It felt real, it felt believable, it felt alive.
The fae in this book actually acted like fae with an emphasis on bargaining as part of their culture! There were beautiful fae and extremely nasty fae, which we love to see! I loved the way the hierarchy of the courts was set up, and all the elements introduced with the Ivy King have me so curious about this world’s history as well as how things will develop in fae society for future books (unrest is a-brewing! And rightly so. Viva la revolución, baby).
Something I really appreciated about LaRoe’s writing were the grotesque details, not only in character/creature descriptions (we love some nasty looking fae and monsters), but also in some of the magic performed, as well as the unfortunate things our girl Olivia was put through. The villains were villaining hard, you hear me?!
There is one spicy scene that had me BLUSHING! I appreciated everything about it. Spicy scene notwithstanding, there are minimal romance elements in this book, but I feel things were very nicely set up for future books!
My favorite character was Cark the stoat (he’s FUNNY, bro), and my favorite world-building element was the Whisper Heath itself - wow, what an intriguing bit of magic and lore, but SHHHH no spoilers! 😜
Thank you to Effie LaRoe for the privilege of an ARC copy! These are my honest thoughts.
June 1, 2025
This book was so wonderful in the way it made me laugh, cry, and uncomfortable at the thought of my inner thoughts being played aloud at any hint of spiciness placed in this book! One that made me crave for more, excited to see more from Effie Laroe
November 14, 2024
This book is quite the wild ride! I loved the descriptive imagery, representation, and unique characters and world. I've never read anything quite like it, and I'm excited to read the rest of the series. I would recommend this book to lovers of fae and magic, especially those who prefer the spooky side of fantasy.
December 5, 2024
(I received a free arc copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review)
LaRoe’s beautiful descriptive language and unique world building sold me early on in this novel, however, I struggled with the character development. For example, in the first half of the book, Olivia’s sections felt too reactionary to me. I understood her in relation to other characters but didn’t get enough of her internal monologue/personality outside of them to emotionally connect with her. Therefore through the book, I had a hard time understanding her evolving emotional state and motivations while she traversed this fae rollercoaster. (Like girlfriend, you know fae are super dangerous now - why would you tell some dude you just met that he can “do anything to you”?? BUT if there had been some internal monologue of her thinking how she just needed an mental/emo escape etc, then I would’ve been like, okay I get it, go pop off). I think LaRoe created a great world full of danger and intrigue, I just needed more internal/reflective moments to emotional connect and understand the characters throughout the story.
LaRoe’s beautiful descriptive language and unique world building sold me early on in this novel, however, I struggled with the character development. For example, in the first half of the book, Olivia’s sections felt too reactionary to me. I understood her in relation to other characters but didn’t get enough of her internal monologue/personality outside of them to emotionally connect with her. Therefore through the book, I had a hard time understanding her evolving emotional state and motivations while she traversed this fae rollercoaster. (Like girlfriend, you know fae are super dangerous now - why would you tell some dude you just met that he can “do anything to you”?? BUT if there had been some internal monologue of her thinking how she just needed an mental/emo escape etc, then I would’ve been like, okay I get it, go pop off). I think LaRoe created a great world full of danger and intrigue, I just needed more internal/reflective moments to emotional connect and understand the characters throughout the story.
December 13, 2024
I rarely give 5 stars and usually for nonfiction. Weirdly! But I had to up this from a four, for one reason. My experience of the fantasy genre is from the days of David Eddings etc, where prince has quest, add love interest, a map with too many consonants and off we go for as many books as it takes to find stone, sword or amulet. And I loved those books and their ilk. This book is something else. The extra star is for pulling me into a completely new style of the fantasy genre (to me) and hooking me so bad, I couldn't die happy until I know the answers. So many questions left to discover the answer to! Incredibly complex characters, a world that intrigued and entices plus a talking stoat with the funniest lines. What's not to like? Bring on the next book...there will be one won't there??? Oh, ask the stoat . Cark where are you? I have a favour to ask.....
November 14, 2024
I've never read a book quite like this one.
LaRoe has such a unique story that comes to life in 'The Magic Thief & Whisper Heath'. The world she builds is a sweeping, cozy, and simultaneously spooky place to exist. The representation of characters and even the uniqueness of the kinds of creatures that exist in this world are a joy to read. The lengths the characters will go to for each other are touching/ endearing and the lore woven into the story seamlessly fits LaRoe's world leaving you with a magical feeling.
I'm excited to see how this story evolves and to once again get lost in the world LaRoe has so beautifully crafted.
(I received a free ARC copy in exchange for my honest thoughts-- Thank you, Effie! You should be proud of your work.)
LaRoe has such a unique story that comes to life in 'The Magic Thief & Whisper Heath'. The world she builds is a sweeping, cozy, and simultaneously spooky place to exist. The representation of characters and even the uniqueness of the kinds of creatures that exist in this world are a joy to read. The lengths the characters will go to for each other are touching/ endearing and the lore woven into the story seamlessly fits LaRoe's world leaving you with a magical feeling.
I'm excited to see how this story evolves and to once again get lost in the world LaRoe has so beautifully crafted.
(I received a free ARC copy in exchange for my honest thoughts-- Thank you, Effie! You should be proud of your work.)
November 17, 2024
I was given the wonderful opportunity to read this as an ARC and I'm forever grateful. Effie did such an incredible job creating a world that I could picture in my mind effortlessly. Many parts of this book scream Pan's Labyrinth and I couldn't be happier! Pan's is one of my all-time favorite movies and a lot of the creatures in TMTATWH reminds me of some from the movie.
🌟 Some hardcore villains & mean, mischievous Fae
🌟Courts and politics
🌟Diverse characters
🌟Element of horror
🌟Unique creatures: Fae, bird people, monsters
🌟Compelling world building & magic system
🌟Very little romance and spice (which I'm a-okay with! Sometimes it's overdone or too much).
Thank you so much again to Effie for sending me the ARC copy of this wonderful book! 💗💗
🌟 Some hardcore villains & mean, mischievous Fae
🌟Courts and politics
🌟Diverse characters
🌟Element of horror
🌟Unique creatures: Fae, bird people, monsters
🌟Compelling world building & magic system
🌟Very little romance and spice (which I'm a-okay with! Sometimes it's overdone or too much).
Thank you so much again to Effie for sending me the ARC copy of this wonderful book! 💗💗
January 3, 2025
This was a new type of fantasy read for me, and I loved it. With fae and amazing worlds along with relatable characters and omg a loveable rogue white stoat!!! What's not to like. This is a complex world with so much to learn and love as you go along. This author has set us up to be with her for the long haul and I know you will love this as much as I did and be hanging out for the next installment. Congratulations Effie LaRoe, you have me hooked!
March 14, 2025
This whimsical adventure will have you on the edge until the very end! Unlike some fae fantasy books this one is not delicate with the story or the main character. She is put through the ringer which keeps it interesting as well as making you wonder: what does her future look like? The story building is beautiful and unique along with the whimsical characters, fae and animal alike. Highly recommend!
July 13, 2025
A grim and unusual fantasy ... a captivating read.
Laroe has created something entirely unique in the fantasy genre. It's grim and dark at times, with some incredibly potent imagery...I was lost in a world that felt like an ancient fairy tale. The author has a gift for creating some truly stark - and sometimes disturbing - scenes. An auto-buy author for me for sure.
If you're looking for something that isn't just another romantasy, you've found it.
Laroe has created something entirely unique in the fantasy genre. It's grim and dark at times, with some incredibly potent imagery...I was lost in a world that felt like an ancient fairy tale. The author has a gift for creating some truly stark - and sometimes disturbing - scenes. An auto-buy author for me for sure.
If you're looking for something that isn't just another romantasy, you've found it.
November 22, 2024
Laroe's debut novel, "The Magic Thief and the Whisper Heath," is a promising read. It features a richly imagined world (map included), strong character development, and an intriguing blend of mystery and magic. Although some parts could be paced a bit faster, the overall journey is well worth it, making it an engaging choice for fantasy fans.
March 10, 2025
No words can actually do this book justice. The detail is immaculate. The characters. The dialogue. The insanely gross but enrapturing descriptions of some of the otherworldly beings?! This is the perfect read for lovers of dark fairytales ready for something never done before. I'm going to stare at my wall until book two comes out.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews