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The Pathways Tree #5

The First and Final Story: The Pathways Tree, Book 5

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All Bea’s done is make mistakes. Now her friends are paying the price…Once upon a time, a lowly cabbage fairy ran away to Ӕnathlin, the last surviving city of the fae, centre of the stories, and home of the General Administration. She was going to be the first fairy to become a godmother and run the best Plots anyone had ever seen.

Only things didn’t work out like that. Not even close.

Banished and alone, Bea’s only solace is that she can’t cause any more harm to the people she loves. Until her path crosses two old a genie on a journey of redemption and an elf with delusional optimism. Now she has to get all three of them safely through the treacherous Sheltering Forest if she’s ever to find the mythical Pathways Tree.

Bea knows she’s not the fairy for the job. Every decision she’s made has led to disaster. But with the fate of the world on her shoulders, what choice does she have?

Packed full of wit and imagination, The First and Final Story is the thrilling fifth instalment of the bestselling fantasy series The Pathways Tree by award-winning author F. D. Lee and read by Eilidh Beaton.

Audible Audio

Published December 14, 2023

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30 people want to read

About the author

F.D. Lee

7 books93 followers
F D. Lee is the author of the internationally bestselling fantasy series, The Pathways Tree, and the award-winning SF novel, In the Slip.

A lifelong fantasy and science fiction fan, Faith is an advocate of self- and indie-publishing and has a PhD in English Literature and Creative Writing. She has been featured in The Independent, appeared on Radio 4 to talk about her research into genre fiction, and has given a mini-TED talk on why stories matter.

Faith is online and always happy to chat! Facebook, Instagram, Threads: @fdleeauthor (Facebook is the best place to catch her!). Visit Faith's website (www.fdlee.co.uk) to read her work, including free short stories and sample chapters.

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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
Profile Image for Theo.
252 reviews3 followers
July 28, 2023
The end is almost here!

Obviously I'd hoped this one would wrap the story up but if it had it would have been a monster.

Instead here we have a some time to explore the world's we've not yet seen and to learn something about some of our antagonists from the previous volumes as well as get some time with Bea and Seven, which is very welcome.

The cliffhanger of The Cascade leaves our heroes in a dark place but also a somewhat familiar one within the genre, scattered and at-odds. However with this new book things don't unfold along the expectations, we are surprised and even confounded.

If you're into the Pathways Tree series then you won't be disappointed (except if you thought this was the last book, I suppose, ha!)...and if you don't know the series then what are you doing looking at book 5?! Go back and read The Fairy's Tale!
1 review
July 19, 2025
This is genuinely one of the most interesting series I have read. I love the world building and the characters are very compelling. I listened to this through the audiobook, the voice acting only enhanced the story.
I would love to know what happens. I can not explain how much I have enjoyed this story and how refreshing it has been
Profile Image for Terry Polston.
775 reviews2 followers
June 2, 2024
The saga continues. Fae in 4 different realms know part of the Plot but none can contact the others. I am most fearful for Joan and Mistasinon.
Profile Image for Caity Wheeler.
55 reviews
October 23, 2023
Good, but abrupt ending

I had thought this was the last book in the series, so I was confused how quickly it was coming to an end without an ending. Turns out there’s another book coming to wrap up the series. The ending just felt abrupt. Cliffhanger, yes but it just ended. The overall plot only moved forward a little in this book.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews

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