Fire Struck

The Fae Universe #10.5

by Alessa Thorn

Magic has returned to the world, but it's brought more than just wonder in its wake.

As Layla Ironwood-Steelsinger prepares to host a massive Midsummer celebration, she can't shake the feeling that something dark looms on the horizon. And she's not wrong.

Ancient spells and plots are unraveling, gods walk among the party, and deep beneath the earth, a force that could destroy everything stirs in its centuries-long slumber.

For the Tuatha Dé Danann family and their allies, this Midsummer celebration could be their last moment of peace before chaos erupts. Dragons are awakening inside the Greatdrakes family, The Wild Hunt is restless, and magic is unleashing creatures that should never be set free on the world.

While couples find love and families reconnect under the solstice moon, secrets emerge that will shake the foundations of both the human world and Faerie.

Please note, this 'Fae Universe' novella is a fun, slice-of-life check in with all our faves and acts as a bridge between 'The Lost Fae Kings' and the upcoming 'Greatdrakes' series. It contains adult content, swearing, and sex scenes.

Genres: Fantasy, Magic, Fae, Romance, Shapeshifters, Paranormal, Dragons

73 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 14, 2025

About the author

Alessa Thorn believes that all monsters and villains deserve their happy endings. She prefers her clothes black, eyeliner winged and books full of hot romance. She thinks heroes are boring, so her first series 'The Court of the Underworld' centers around dark gods, monsters and villains from her favorite Greek Myths.

Reviews

[Kerry · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little check in with our favorite Ironwoods and bridge the time until the start of the Greatdrakes series. I love any time spent with these characters.

[Daniela · Rating 5 out of 5]

<3

[Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute filler return to the universe and setup the next arc novella. Love to see and revisit some favorite couples, interested for the new ones (give me Apollo and Lachie NOW).

[Martina P · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short little novella that shows everyone together but doing their own stuff to keep us prepared for the next part of the story. Such a tease. Now I want more!

[Danielle · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was a fun catch up of a cast of characters that got me back into reading and it was fun and nostalgic. I wish there was a bit more substance to work with, but I understand that this is more setting the stage for the next part in this series.

[Marielli (lellireads) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This novella is definitely not meant to be read as a standalone! If you try, you won’t understand a thing. It picks up where other books in The Fae Universe left off, and since this universe is made of multiple series with a large cast of characters, you really need to be familiar with it to fully enjoy the story.

Personally, I love bridging novellas, and this one was more than welcome—especially after a two-year break since I last read anything from this universe. I was genuinely worried I wouldn’t remember much, but the novella helped me get back into it. The character list at the end of the book was also a huge plus!

Granted, the novella doesn’t cover all the characters, but it was still great to revisit some of them. And clearly, the main goal here was to set up the next books about the Greatdrakes and honestly, I can’t wait!

[Erica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Immaculate

I’m a member of Alessa’s Ream community, so I have devoured everything she’s released over there since Bellona, when I joined. Also I’m a goober and forgot to come over to this here platform and gush about all the beautiful wonderful amazing stories she blesses us with. This novella was a sheer and utter delight from start to finish, and getting to read it again brought me immeasurable joy.

[Stasi Apple (The Reads of an Apple) · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun holiday novella for Midsummer! Loved that we were mainly back with Layla and Arne (one of my favorite couples). Always so much fun to see everyone from the entire overarching world together (Ironwoods, Fae Kings, Greatdrakes, Lost Fae Kings, and the upcoming Greatdrakes!) A great little lead off into the next series (Greatdrakes)!

[Megan | The Mood Read Queen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a fun reintroduction to the fae universe. It made me miss my favorite characters, but also reminded me of how little I remember of others. It also reminded me just how excited I was for the Greatdrakes series, and how disappointing it was to have to wait this long. I haven't started the new series yet, but I am grateful that we're getting more books!

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing as always

It was fun to catch up with all the old characters before getting into the next round of the series. This book very much felt like a tease though, now I can't wait for the next book!

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fire Struck was exactly what I needed—a perfect return to the Fae Universe! It was great catching up with everyone and seeing where their stories are heading. Alessa Thorn did a fantastic job setting up the next few books, and now I’m even more excited (and impatient) for Dream Lost!

[Kylee · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a perfect novella to slip back into the fae universe and remind me why I love it so much.
Each chapter touched base with different couples and also set up the future books surrounding the Greatdrakes.

[Sarah J · Rating 5 out of 5]

No notes.

So nice to see my faves again, and there were so many threads to follow - can’t wait for the next instalment

[Tia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fire Struck

I cannot wait to dive back into this series, it is my favorite comfort reread. This little catch up was perfect!

[Pam Middleton · Rating 4 out of 5]

it was fun to catch up!

I enjoyed reading a preview of what everyone is up to and getting a teaser for upcoming books! Nicely done!

[Sofie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I need to scream about Apollo and Lachlan to someone, the way I need them like oxygen.

[Starry · Rating 5 out of 5]

short and sweet!

This was such a sweet and spicy little novella. It also opened up some storylines for the Greatdrakes and excited to dive back into this world .

[new_girl_in_york · Rating 3 out of 5]

3⭐️ at a push

[Jane Rush · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nice story filler

I liked the way the author reintroduced all the characters and put a mythological spin to the story. I hadn't realised how much I had missed these books.

[Alex · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed revisiting the Fae Universe characters, even though it felt like a filler novella, before introducing the next series.

[lisa jung · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fire struck

Now that magic is free things are starting to change for everyone. But will peace last until darkness comes back.

[Kseniya V. · Rating 4 out of 5]

So, really short and sweet.

The return to the Fae universe shenanigans is set up.

The next steps for the adventures of world saving and falling in love are in place.

[Victoria · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
🌶/4

A fun series of one shot chapters for some of our favorite Fae Universe characters during the solstice. And a look ahead to some of the Greatdrakes brothers who are getting books in 2025 :D

Read originally on Ream

[Pet]

I’ve been waiting for the Greatdrakes stories and it’s finally starting. I’ve been buffing up a bit on Norse mythology to keep up with all the lore and it’s been fun seeing the twists and turns and appearances if the gods. Great read