A Sister to Butterflies

by Aaron Christopher Drown

There are lures irresistible regardless of peril, because some yearnings renounce all wisdom.

There are bonds that compel no matter how faraway, because some needs are dire enough to defy all cost.

But when reason, distance, and danger go unheeded, that price can be devastating despite all the magic in one’s grasp.

A Sister to Butterflies tells a different sort of once upon a time, a shimmering tale of a creature torn between worlds, whose wondrous deeds would become fable, and whose terrible mistakes would alter the destinies of everyone around her.

Genres: Fantasy

472 pages, Hardcover

Published May 27, 2025

About the author

Aaron Christopher Drown is a Maine native who’s lived all over, and whose stories have appeared in equally numerous magazines and anthologies. His debut novel, A Mage of None Magic, won the Darrell Award for Best Novel, and as he’s promised his publisher for years, the follow-up will be ready soon. His collection of short stories, titled The Gods Must Clearly Smile, received the 2022 BIBA along with the 2023 Imadjinn Award. An award-winning graphic designer as well, Aaron is a frequent guest speaker who enjoys discussing not only the writing process but the important role branding and presentation play in promoting an author’s work. Aaron resides in Washington state with his wife, Sarah, their dog and cat, and his trusty Macbook, Sancho.

Reviews

[Country Mama · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Sister to Butterflies by Aaron Christopher Drown is a fantasy book that starts with a female character in the FAE realm who is our narrator, she starts telling us the story about her life. This author describes the world he built so well. He is an excellent descriptive story teller, this author. There is so much happening in this book, our MC is a fairy and she ventures into the human world and becomes torn between two different worlds. She falls in love with a human and so much more as she struggles to find herself and where she belongs, to which world.
The writing is just so pretty with the words as you read this book, it's a fairy tale but not a fairy tale. A wonderful book! And our MC is just so wanting everything to be romantic and a little sheltered and not knowing how the world actually works. I really liked this book as it is not all about the FAE world and how it's beautiful and pretty, but how sometimes there can be problems, sadness, and strife like the real world. I would definitely read another book by this author in the future and recommend this one to fans of FAE worlds!

[Therearenobadbooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one surprised me. It's a bit long, so the pacing is slow, and it takes a moment to show its true colors. It starts with a character born in the Fae realm as a "princess." She is very romantic, naive, and innocent at the start, and the melodrama is heavy (but the author is conscious of it, making the character call out her over melodrama as she narrates this story). We soon understand her choices, to whom she is telling the story to, and all that led up to that moment. Some scenes are quite visceral and garish, especially the nightmares, even if they are nightmares, they are described in detail. The book grabbed me when in one of these dreams, she sees her beloved one being mauled by evil fairies, and his eyes rolled to her feet. Now that is how I like my fae books. We get the story of generations past that baby in hands, and the politics and social conflict of the time is a war happening in the background, but has terrible consequences on the characters.



It is a great, grim, dark fae story.

[Carla Cilvik · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Sister to Butterflies was a complete treat to read. Like biting into a rich nougat of chocolate that slowly melts, engaging your tastebuds in alluring flavors over and over again. For me, it was also a long, slow stroll through an expansive, overflowing English garden where around each corner, new brilliant flowers appeared and sent dazzling scents into the air. The narrator of this story, part fae, part human, sets out on a grand journey to return to a place she once knew so dear. This journey is filled with love, heartbreak, peril, magic, and countless surprises. Our narrator tells her story in immense detail. She has a unique, Victorian-esque tone that takes a bit to get used to. It took me a little extra focus to get into the flow of her thoughts and follow her thought processes. Other than that, I thoroughly enjoyed my stroll and stopped to smell the divine flowers many times. Drown’s deft ability to weave words together in such a beautiful array leaves me speechless and in complete awe. Aaron’s authorship is unparalleled; he’s forging a bold new path through the forest of literature and I’m more than happy to follow along no matter how long the trail or deep the forest.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

In A Sister to Butterflies, Aaron Christopher Drown reimagines the story of a fairy godmother through a chilling narrative steeped in darkness, personal transformation, and the ever-present weight of shadow. With lyrical prose and haunting imagery, Drown leads readers down a path where magic is both a gift and a burden, and growth often comes at a harrowing cost. This is a fairy tale turned inside out.

[Brya B · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Sister to Butterflies by Aaron Christopher Drown is a slow burn fantasy, steeped in rich imagery and decadent prose. Reading it is like taking a long, slow walk through an English garden. There is a good deal of world building, and readers who enjoy vivid descriptions of settings and immersive storytelling will enjoy this novel.

The story is told in the first person, as the main character recounts her life to a young child. I appreciate the nod to oral tradition, but because of this approach, the pacing sometimes suffers and the prose leans heavily into “telling” and not “showing.” Because we’re seeing the story through the eyes of an (arguably unreliable) narrator, some of the characters feel one-note and I found it difficult to emotionally invest in them. There were also points within the story that were glossed over (the first encounter with the villain, for example) that I wish had been lingered on longer, and descriptions of gardens or thought processes that, to my taste, could have been cut shorter.

I listened to the audio version of this book, and have nothing but high praise for Laura Horowitz. She did a wonderful job of bringing a diverse cast of characters of all ages, genders, and species to life. No easy feat!

Overall, there were some really fantastic moments in A Sister to Butterflies. There was always something to hook me back in, and because of that, I would recommend others give it a try. While the slow pace wasn’t always my cup of tea, I can objectively see how readers of a different disposition would really love that aspect. The ending stuck with me, and I’m not sure I’ll ever look at the fairytale that inspired it the same way. Ultimately, that’s the marker of an impactful story.

Edit: Okay… it’s been a couple of months and I still think about this book from time to time. Was it perfect? No, I still think my critiques were valid. BUT, it was clearly efficacious, so I’m adding another star. Crow doesn’t taste terrible ;)

[Angie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A truly delightful book. I loved the world building, the lore, and the detail. The story had several twists and turns, and did not follow any typical "fairy" tale plot lines. I've been on a fairy-story-books kick and this one is among my current favorites. It's hard to make comparisons because this one is so different than so many others - part of its draw and its charm. I'm still thinking about this book weeks later. Highly recommended.

I won't spoil the ending but I will say there is a final unanticipated (by me anyway) twist that made me want to reread the book again immediately through fresh eyes; I know I will in the very near future!

[amanda_coffee_books · Rating 5 out of 5]

To express my appreciation, I must admit that I was initially unaware of the book’s subject matter. However, the captivating cover and title drew me in.
The narrator’s storytelling prowess is truly remarkable, effectively engaging me and preventing me from putting the book down, whether physical or digital. This is my first encounter with this author, and I anticipate delving into their future works. The world and characters they have crafted are truly extraordinary. I have never encountered a narrative like this before.
The book commences with a woman or creature, whose identity remains uncertain at the outset, narrating a bedtime story to an infant. This serves as a prelude to her life, which unfolds in a distinct world. She recounts her origins and the numerous individuals and creatures who seek to harm her. Conversely, she encounters new companions with whom she forms bonds.
The reading experience was truly immersive. I extend my gratitude to the author for providing me with both the physical and audiobook formats of the book. In exchange for my honest thoughts and review, I am honored to receive a complimentary copy.

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, this is not your average fairytale. I was pleasantly surprised and taken aback by the intriguing story that had me hooked from the first chapter. The author does a wonderful job of describing the characters and places in such a dreamy, whimsical and alluring way that it doesn't take much to imagine being in the moment. The story also carries a scary and dark element that one may not expect. From the start I had so many questions and thoughts to what was being laid out page after page, I needed to know more about these characters and worlds they inhabited. This was definitely a gripping page-turning experience that I had a hard time putting down. I would absolutely read more from author Drown.

[Krystalynn Hunes · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Butterfly for Sisters was pretty good overall — a solid 4-star read for me. It’s a slow burn at first, with a thick layer of world-building that might take a bit to sink into, but once you’re in, the payoff is worth it. The story takes place in a lush, imaginary realm where a fae princess’s choices ripple far beyond her own life, weaving together themes of sacrifice, loyalty, and the power of decision.

It’s the kind of book that rewards patient readers with massive storytelling and detail. If you love getting lost in intricate fantasy worlds and watching a character grow through the weight of her choices, this one is worth adding to your TBR.

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

So beautifully written

This book is brilliant, and I appreciate it even more after reading it aloud. There are so many corny parts, but so many nuanced parts, and so many damn beautiful parts. A perfect story for anyone looking for some fantasy to take them out of their world for a little bit. There is an amazing amount of detail packed into it. Though most of it seems insignificant at the time, eventually the details come together giving the reader a Eureka moment. This is probably the book I wish I'd written.
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[Siblings · Rating 5 out of 5]

For anyone thinking fairy tales are only for kids, Aaron offers a charming one for adults.

I always knew I'd love this book, and now I'm kind of sad that I can never read-for-the-first-time it again. After years of chick lit and common novels and lazy-reading period, this book of fantasy really freshened my mind. I was amazed at the 1st time reading this book, my long lost capability of imagination and fantasy was returned, as story in this book took me to the furthest (so far) limit that I could. One suggestion. Read this book outside in the trees and the wind.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lovely literary exploration of the possible beginnings of a beloved character we've all encountered, but perhaps never truly known.

[Rochelle Hansen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is such a wonderful spin on a once upon a time book, including poems, like in Alice in Wonderland!! The MFC narrates the book and she is what the beautiful cover describes her like, but as she is so curious about the human world she crosses back and forth from FAE world to human world, only to fall in love with a human. She gets in trouble so many times with her curiosity that there are plot twists with every adventure she has to uncover. There is magic 🪄 and wands and best friends that you must use your own imagination to create in your mind. Aaron pulls you into another land and you don’t want to leave. It really has quite the twist on a fantasy fairy book. Such a great read!!