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Fae of Alastríona #5
The Exalted and the Forgotten
The greatest war isn't always the one you can see.
Cover Reveal TBA
Final release date TBA
The final book in the Fae of Alastríona series.
Cover Reveal TBA
Final release date TBA
The final book in the Fae of Alastríona series.
482 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 16, 2026
About the author
J.E. Reed
10 books487 followersJ.E. Reed lives in Cincinnati, Ohio with her husband and two cats. She’s always had an interest in writing, but didn’t explore that talent fully until 2015. Reed works as a Licensed Massage Therapist in the quiet town of Anderson. She graduated massage school in 2009 and has spent the last three years building her small business. She enjoys swimming, yoga and the occasional mud run with friends.
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
July 25, 2026
One of my most anticipated books of 2026. Sadly, I was a little disappointed. I wish more time was spent on Rion and Arianna after she got her memories back. We only got like one chapter of them back together after hundreds of pages of pain. Other than that, I’m pretty satisfied by the ending!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 9, 2026
*actual rating, 3.5 stars
As someone who dabbles with writing their own stories, I feel very strongly that Rion is Reed’s favorite character based solely on how she seems to love making this man suffer in every single book 😆 The last was no exception, as he goes all but the last 40 or so pages living out the cliffhanger from book 4. Writers make their characters miserable so that they can grow, and for that Rion continues to far exceed Arianna in his quality as a character, even though she does finally go through her own changes in this book.
Personally, I didn’t love the ending. The Guardians that we just got some revelations about in the prior book, that I thought were going to come around and help save the day … turned out to be more of an afterthought in favor of what felt like some pretty random additions to the world right at the end of the story. Harpies swooping in out of no where, and then Arianna and Rion shifting into a phoenix and a dragon of all things, reaching their full potential and winning the final battle … I know Vairik altered their understandings of their world and history, but I don’t know, those creatures still felt very left field. Rion was distinguished by his unique ability to manipulate earth/rock, so that feels quite disconnected with his equally unique fire-breathing dragon form. That form would be better suited to a Fae from Fiadh with their fire magic. I will say, I spent a year and half reading this series with the timing of releases for books 4 and 5, so it’s possible I’ve forgotten things that would have helped make those final evolutions make more sense.
But then there was Ellie too, left off as a broken shell of her former self, refusing to even see her sister or Gavin at the end, but she’ll visit with Rion and a couple others? … I have to admit that it’s also somewhat understandable, given what she went through. And I don’t hate unhappy endings, but this was just unsatisfying after her condition put her in such a hard backseat for basically the whole book. She showed up for the final kill and was immediately absent again. I would have liked to have an inkling of what the future might hold for her and Gavin, at least.
Even with the overall happily-ever-after, I’m left craving more closure, especially when the chunk of the book before they arrived in Nadair felt so drawn out in comparison. It’s well-written enough and I still had a decent time, just a bit disappointed it wasn’t more. Definitely not my favorite of the series the way that the final book usually is.
As someone who dabbles with writing their own stories, I feel very strongly that Rion is Reed’s favorite character based solely on how she seems to love making this man suffer in every single book 😆 The last was no exception, as he goes all but the last 40 or so pages living out the cliffhanger from book 4. Writers make their characters miserable so that they can grow, and for that Rion continues to far exceed Arianna in his quality as a character, even though she does finally go through her own changes in this book.
Personally, I didn’t love the ending. The Guardians that we just got some revelations about in the prior book, that I thought were going to come around and help save the day … turned out to be more of an afterthought in favor of what felt like some pretty random additions to the world right at the end of the story. Harpies swooping in out of no where, and then Arianna and Rion shifting into a phoenix and a dragon of all things, reaching their full potential and winning the final battle … I know Vairik altered their understandings of their world and history, but I don’t know, those creatures still felt very left field. Rion was distinguished by his unique ability to manipulate earth/rock, so that feels quite disconnected with his equally unique fire-breathing dragon form. That form would be better suited to a Fae from Fiadh with their fire magic. I will say, I spent a year and half reading this series with the timing of releases for books 4 and 5, so it’s possible I’ve forgotten things that would have helped make those final evolutions make more sense.
But then there was Ellie too, left off as a broken shell of her former self, refusing to even see her sister or Gavin at the end, but she’ll visit with Rion and a couple others? … I have to admit that it’s also somewhat understandable, given what she went through. And I don’t hate unhappy endings, but this was just unsatisfying after her condition put her in such a hard backseat for basically the whole book. She showed up for the final kill and was immediately absent again. I would have liked to have an inkling of what the future might hold for her and Gavin, at least.
Even with the overall happily-ever-after, I’m left craving more closure, especially when the chunk of the book before they arrived in Nadair felt so drawn out in comparison. It’s well-written enough and I still had a decent time, just a bit disappointed it wasn’t more. Definitely not my favorite of the series the way that the final book usually is.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 17, 2026
Hypnotic, immersive and a book that touches your soul
If you're craving the immersion of popular series like ACOTAR but without the 'vigorous' spice, this one is perfect for you. Heck even if you're an ACOTAR lover and you need something to tide you over till her next books come out, this is it. This is one of those books where you literally have no words after. You're just dumb struck.
Anyways, perfect end to the series. Some of the scenes were so intense, I almost turned on the author for making the characters go through these things! This book constantly keeps you on the edge till you're almost begging for reprieve....time to catch your breathe and recoup.
The love story between our MCs rides deeper than ever even the wake of her amnesia. The tension, the desire, the struggle...oof...
At one point in the book, I had Hans Zimmer "Interstellar suite part 2; No time for caution " playing in my head.... and as the music crescendos in the final battle, I was absolutely lost to the real world and lost in the pages. Hypnotized. If you know that scene, you know and if you don't, go read it to experience it for yourself.
This is a series truly worth experiencing hands on. Get lost in the characters, the love, the trials, everything.....you won't regret it.
If you're craving the immersion of popular series like ACOTAR but without the 'vigorous' spice, this one is perfect for you. Heck even if you're an ACOTAR lover and you need something to tide you over till her next books come out, this is it. This is one of those books where you literally have no words after. You're just dumb struck.
Anyways, perfect end to the series. Some of the scenes were so intense, I almost turned on the author for making the characters go through these things! This book constantly keeps you on the edge till you're almost begging for reprieve....time to catch your breathe and recoup.
The love story between our MCs rides deeper than ever even the wake of her amnesia. The tension, the desire, the struggle...oof...
At one point in the book, I had Hans Zimmer "Interstellar suite part 2; No time for caution " playing in my head.... and as the music crescendos in the final battle, I was absolutely lost to the real world and lost in the pages. Hypnotized. If you know that scene, you know and if you don't, go read it to experience it for yourself.
This is a series truly worth experiencing hands on. Get lost in the characters, the love, the trials, everything.....you won't regret it.
April 24, 2026
The fina book of the Fea of Alastriona! Soo bloody emotional!! How much can Rion suffer!!!
The final battle of good VS evil and the ending didn't disappoint 👏
I hope we get a snippit of Ellie's story.. ?? ♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️
The final battle of good VS evil and the ending didn't disappoint 👏
I hope we get a snippit of Ellie's story.. ?? ♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 17, 2026
these titles are actually breaking my heart for rion every time, like i swear every one is how he’d describe them, and now he’s the forgotten 😭😭😭😭
This was EPIC, such a rollercoaster, and the final battle was so vivid, and i loved the ending.
This was EPIC, such a rollercoaster, and the final battle was so vivid, and i loved the ending.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 14, 2026
At least this was a nice, everything tied up sort of ending. It was 3/4 worth of despair with a smidgen of hope - albeit the conclusion was somewhat bizarre and swift.
June 23, 2026
Now THAT'S how you end a series! When I tell you I bawled my eyes out while reading this book, especially towards the end, I👏🏼BAWLED👏🏼MY👏🏼EYES👏🏼OUT👏🏼 And honestly, every book in this series has made me ugly cry at least three times (Reed is a master at hitting you right where it hurts) at least for me, she is.
I love how some of the characters got their happily ever after, while some are still lost in their grief. Just thinking about it brings tears to my eyes again. There were some things left .... unfinished? Open ended? Some loose ends that weren't tied up? And I don't know if that means there will be another book in the future, or if that was intentional to show that a monarch's work is never done. Either way, I didn't mind being left wondering what will happen in regard to those loose ends.
The Fae of Alastríona is one of my favorite series and will forever recommend it to anyone and everyone. I will just ask that you be patient with the FMC, Arianna, as she is 18 years old and do be acting like it at times. All the stars for this one!
I love how some of the characters got their happily ever after, while some are still lost in their grief. Just thinking about it brings tears to my eyes again. There were some things left .... unfinished? Open ended? Some loose ends that weren't tied up? And I don't know if that means there will be another book in the future, or if that was intentional to show that a monarch's work is never done. Either way, I didn't mind being left wondering what will happen in regard to those loose ends.
The Fae of Alastríona is one of my favorite series and will forever recommend it to anyone and everyone. I will just ask that you be patient with the FMC, Arianna, as she is 18 years old and do be acting like it at times. All the stars for this one!
June 19, 2026
This was one of my most anticipated books for the year and I was very dissapointed. This book followed what felt like the same plot of the last books. There were LOTS of long drawn out battles that feel like they don't do anything except add excitement, Rion and Arianna spend the whole book in this weird limbo because of Arianna's memory manipulation, and a few characters do not get the development they needed. There were a lot of moments that felt confusing, like the world and story had become too big and complicated for the author and was having a hard time connecting everything. This does not feel like a final book, it left a lot of questions and issues, and the finale felt contrived with what I thought was a MacGuffin. Dissapointing and ultimatly left me feeling like the series was still unfinished. Basically the whole book was just Arianna going, "I don't know if I can trust him," with some fights inbetween.
July 26, 2026
I’ve loved Arianna and Rion since book one, so this final book just wasn’t what I had imagined for them. I mean… they were practically strangers for like 95% of the book. 😭
My biggest complaint is that I just wanted more. More from the final battle. More Arianna and Rion moments. More found family. More twists.
The final battle didn’t really feel like this huge, epic moment it had been building up to. The enemy basically came to them, fought a few people and then… bam. Dragons and phoenixes. The end. 😐 I just expected something bigger.
That being said, I’ll always love Arianna and Rion. Their love story is still one of my favorites, and I don’t think I’ve ever suffered alongside a character as much as I did with Rion. 🥺 So even though the ending wasn’t everything I hoped for, I’m really happy they got their happily ever after.
My biggest complaint is that I just wanted more. More from the final battle. More Arianna and Rion moments. More found family. More twists.
The final battle didn’t really feel like this huge, epic moment it had been building up to. The enemy basically came to them, fought a few people and then… bam. Dragons and phoenixes. The end. 😐 I just expected something bigger.
That being said, I’ll always love Arianna and Rion. Their love story is still one of my favorites, and I don’t think I’ve ever suffered alongside a character as much as I did with Rion. 🥺 So even though the ending wasn’t everything I hoped for, I’m really happy they got their happily ever after.
April 24, 2026
To be honest I was a bit upset at Ariana. She was so dumb for not even bothering to question herself. Not a single time. She made it up by sacrificing herself.
I like the story of Rion though. Would be better to get a closure of his own when he heals from the perception of the monster he thought he was. He knew he was a king, but never mentioned that his shame died with Vairik.
Overall the story had almost spiritual meaning. The enemy trying to skew our world. All that anger and hate and perverted views of our own actions and past just so we can continue the cycle of hurting others. Until we wake up to realize they were never ours and never true to begin with. God looking at us from somewhere, trying to remind us of our true nature so that we can fight back the darkness in his name
I like the story of Rion though. Would be better to get a closure of his own when he heals from the perception of the monster he thought he was. He knew he was a king, but never mentioned that his shame died with Vairik.
Overall the story had almost spiritual meaning. The enemy trying to skew our world. All that anger and hate and perverted views of our own actions and past just so we can continue the cycle of hurting others. Until we wake up to realize they were never ours and never true to begin with. God looking at us from somewhere, trying to remind us of our true nature so that we can fight back the darkness in his name
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 17, 2026
Wow, what a way to end the series!
Wow. This series is amazing and I've loved reading every word.
Book 5 was the epic conclusion which had me up until 2 am reading as I couldn't put it down. There were moments that I wasn't sure where the story was going, which had me on a emotional roller-coaster including sobbing at certain points.
The author has woven a wonderfully emotional story from start to finish with the characters, political intrigue and world building being well thought out and enough tension to have you falling for not only the main characters (looking at you Rion) but the side characters are well.
Loved it, I will be rereading it again.
Wow. This series is amazing and I've loved reading every word.
Book 5 was the epic conclusion which had me up until 2 am reading as I couldn't put it down. There were moments that I wasn't sure where the story was going, which had me on a emotional roller-coaster including sobbing at certain points.
The author has woven a wonderfully emotional story from start to finish with the characters, political intrigue and world building being well thought out and enough tension to have you falling for not only the main characters (looking at you Rion) but the side characters are well.
Loved it, I will be rereading it again.
April 19, 2026
This was the final book in the series.
It did not disappoint!
This entire series is firmly solidified as one of my all time favorites.
The ending is exactly what I would have wanted for these characters.
I feel like there are some spin offs that may come in the future. Certain characters stories have not been completed entirely, such as Ellie and Ravaena.
Even Saoirche’s.
But it was just what I wanted from these books.
⭐️ Plot: 4/5
🌶️ Spice: 0/5
📖 Genre: Romantasy
🏞️ Setting: Alastriona/ Nadair
🗣️ POV: Multiple POV
🛏️ Tropes:
- Epic Love
- Fated Mates
- War on the horizon/ Epic Battles
- high stakes
- lovers to enemies to lovers
- Memory Wiped
- Found Family
- Fae
-HEA
It did not disappoint!
This entire series is firmly solidified as one of my all time favorites.
The ending is exactly what I would have wanted for these characters.
I feel like there are some spin offs that may come in the future. Certain characters stories have not been completed entirely, such as Ellie and Ravaena.
Even Saoirche’s.
But it was just what I wanted from these books.
⭐️ Plot: 4/5
🌶️ Spice: 0/5
📖 Genre: Romantasy
🏞️ Setting: Alastriona/ Nadair
🗣️ POV: Multiple POV
🛏️ Tropes:
- Epic Love
- Fated Mates
- War on the horizon/ Epic Battles
- high stakes
- lovers to enemies to lovers
- Memory Wiped
- Found Family
- Fae
-HEA
July 25, 2026
Loved the ending to this under appreciated series.
The plot twist towards the end had me reeling!
***Minor Spoilers Ahead***
I got goosebumps when I saw that Rion's chapter was named ✨The King✨. I do however wish we had some more scenes b/w Rion and Arianna. I would have liked more of a pay-off after all of the hardships they endured.
***
Overall, such a good romantasy series if you want something different than your typical booktok recommendation (not that there's anything wrong with those, but you know what I mean).
The plot twist towards the end had me reeling!
***Minor Spoilers Ahead***
I got goosebumps when I saw that Rion's chapter was named ✨The King✨. I do however wish we had some more scenes b/w Rion and Arianna. I would have liked more of a pay-off after all of the hardships they endured.
***
Overall, such a good romantasy series if you want something different than your typical booktok recommendation (not that there's anything wrong with those, but you know what I mean).
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 19, 2026
this was the perfect ending to such a heart wrenching, adventure filled, fantastic series.
im a little salty I had to wait until 83% of the book for Arianna to get her memories back, and that I didnt get as much yearning or tension from this book as the past ones, but with the story and the plot, it was exactly what was needed.
well done J.E. Reed! everyone needs to read this series. better than 99% of the series I've read and I look forward to more of your writing!
im a little salty I had to wait until 83% of the book for Arianna to get her memories back, and that I didnt get as much yearning or tension from this book as the past ones, but with the story and the plot, it was exactly what was needed.
well done J.E. Reed! everyone needs to read this series. better than 99% of the series I've read and I look forward to more of your writing!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 14, 2026
If you are looking for forbidden love, fated mates, fae, magic, shifters, look no further than this amazing series. I devoured the series as I just could not put it down. It's fast paced, action packed and such a page turner. I would really enjoy more from this world as I wasn't ready to let it go and I am really hoping there will be some spin off books for other characters in the future.
April 21, 2026
What a way to end this series, I devoured this in a day and loved these characters from start to finish.
I don't know what to say about Rion and Ellie, their stories make me want to die with sadness. Why does the author hate Rion, my poor sweet angel?!
I don't know what to say about Rion and Ellie, their stories make me want to die with sadness. Why does the author hate Rion, my poor sweet angel?!
April 26, 2026
😁
That was beautiful completion of a book series, I really wish they would have been able to bring Ellie back to the real world instead of drowning in her grief maybe give her something to work on, give her a purpose beyond thinking about what she had done
That was beautiful completion of a book series, I really wish they would have been able to bring Ellie back to the real world instead of drowning in her grief maybe give her something to work on, give her a purpose beyond thinking about what she had done
May 3, 2026
What a bloody sad ending…
The first book was soooo good, the second good enough … and then the third happens … why she has to lost her memories??
And the last??? No words
Nothing happens until the 70%
She recovers her memories until the end 😒🤬😡
Agrrrrr
The first book was soooo good, the second good enough … and then the third happens … why she has to lost her memories??
And the last??? No words
Nothing happens until the 70%
She recovers her memories until the end 😒🤬😡
Agrrrrr
June 28, 2026
Absolutely Stunning
I truly loved this series. The Exalted and the Forgotten was a perfect ending to a much loved series. I’m sad to see it over! There isn’t a series that I am reminded of when I read this which is a feat in the fantasy genre. I will return to this series OFTEN!!
I truly loved this series. The Exalted and the Forgotten was a perfect ending to a much loved series. I’m sad to see it over! There isn’t a series that I am reminded of when I read this which is a feat in the fantasy genre. I will return to this series OFTEN!!
June 30, 2026
I really love this series. This book made me want to return to the early books though to recapture the fire and determination in the main characters before they went through all their collective trials and tribulations. I miss their spark and banter, but all is not lost.
July 31, 2026
This whole series was amazing. Loved every book and the last one didn't disappoint either. I could feel the happiness, heartbreak and every emotion for each of the characters.
This is one of my favorite series
This is one of my favorite series
August 6, 2026
It was a good read. Nice fitting as an end to the story. A few things didn’t make sense and I was kind of hoping for more. But maybe I should just re-read the series and get back into the feeling of the beginning and then more of it will make sense! Definitely still recommend reading it!
April 20, 2026
Unforgettable read
Absolutely loved this series. What a fabulous author. I was captured from the first chapter and devoured the entire series. So sad it ended.
Absolutely loved this series. What a fabulous author. I was captured from the first chapter and devoured the entire series. So sad it ended.
April 27, 2026
This series has ruined me. I loved every painful, joyful minute of it. Beautiful, heart wrenching writing throughout.
April 28, 2026
Book 5
The action is back in book 5, true to plot, the ending took more than one chapter. A wrap up that worked.
The action is back in book 5, true to plot, the ending took more than one chapter. A wrap up that worked.
June 16, 2026
11 out of 10
This series made me hear, see and feel everything the characters went through. I haven't had that feeling since I was a little girl, so thank you for that.
This series made me hear, see and feel everything the characters went through. I haven't had that feeling since I was a little girl, so thank you for that.
April 19, 2026
an epic conclusion!!!! I ate this series up and will miss these characters :(
July 4, 2026
finito! It was alright but just so much war. Oh well. I mean the character's are nice, but this just felt like a long ending after the rest of the series. Everyone was processing their traumas, which is totally fair. But I felt like there was a lot of running away and not a lot of other things that were going on. It kinda let me down a bit, because I was quite excited. Maybe like a few more run ins with some characters.
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews