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The Gloomlands Chronicles: Secrets of the Fae
In the enchanting realm of Illumara, four young friends find their lives forever changed by adventure, magic, and secrets long buried.
When their parents, renowned wizards and legendary fighters, are summoned to battle the encroaching darkness of The Gloomlands, Karo, Elara, Orson, and Xander are left behind in their small town of Ravenwood. But they are about to discover their supposedly peaceful world isn’t as safe as they once believed.
Chaos ensues when they accidentally release a band of mischievous faeries into their town. The clock is ticking—they must return the faeries to their realm before the autumn equinox or risk unleashing eternal havoc (not to mention the wrath of their parents). But time is running out, and as the Gloomlands creep ever closer, the young friends are faced with more than just faeries. They must confront their budding powers, uncover long-hidden secrets about their famous parents’ pasts, and discover the truth behind the growing darkness threatening all of Illumara.
A spellbinding adventure that’s as heartwarming as it is thrilling, The Gloomlands is the perfect read for fans of Amari and the Night Brothers, Percy Jackson, and The Chronicles of Narnia. Featuring stunning cover art by Judit Mallol, known for her work on the Spanish deluxe editions of Fourth Wing and Iron Flame, this is a story you won’t want to miss.
When their parents, renowned wizards and legendary fighters, are summoned to battle the encroaching darkness of The Gloomlands, Karo, Elara, Orson, and Xander are left behind in their small town of Ravenwood. But they are about to discover their supposedly peaceful world isn’t as safe as they once believed.
Chaos ensues when they accidentally release a band of mischievous faeries into their town. The clock is ticking—they must return the faeries to their realm before the autumn equinox or risk unleashing eternal havoc (not to mention the wrath of their parents). But time is running out, and as the Gloomlands creep ever closer, the young friends are faced with more than just faeries. They must confront their budding powers, uncover long-hidden secrets about their famous parents’ pasts, and discover the truth behind the growing darkness threatening all of Illumara.
A spellbinding adventure that’s as heartwarming as it is thrilling, The Gloomlands is the perfect read for fans of Amari and the Night Brothers, Percy Jackson, and The Chronicles of Narnia. Featuring stunning cover art by Judit Mallol, known for her work on the Spanish deluxe editions of Fourth Wing and Iron Flame, this is a story you won’t want to miss.
- GenresFantasy
392 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 17, 2025
About the author
Sam Rininger
1 book11 followersDetermined to lead a life steeped in fantasy and folklore—from having a fantasy-themed wedding to naming her daughter after the Greek Goddess of the hunt, Artemis—Sam Rininger has always embraced adventure. Crafting stories since she was a child, her first completed tale, Quest for a Talent, was chosen for the Young Authors Conference in sixth grade. Though she didn’t write her debut novel until she was 40, Sam’s journey proves it’s never too late to follow your dreams. Influenced by Dungeons & Dragons and classics like The Hobbit and The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, her new middle-grade series invites readers into the type of vibrant, magical world she has always wanted to live in.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
June 1, 2025
Review with No Spoilers - From cover to the acknowledgements, I really enjoyed reading the first book of The Gloomlands Chronicles. The author, Sam, writes so beautifully that it’s both descriptive and simple in a way that younger ages could read and easily understand what’s happening. Somehow she captured a magic system that both teenagers and adults would connect with and in a lot of ways it felt nostalgic to read.
A few things I especially loved:
- the pace of this story felt perfect and the setup for the next book was A+
- Karo was by far my favorite character and I saw a lot of myself in her both as a child and as an adult.
- the cover art is so beautifully and helps me picture the main characters easily which is always helpful to someone like me because the “movie in my mind” element is needed for me to enjoy a book
- the magic included in this world is beautiful. I love that there are magic houses, people have specific magic, there are shapeshifters, magic dragons, and like real fairies!!! I loved it all so much.
- the beginning of this book really drew me in and I loved the call backs and importance of that scene through the end. Sometimes the first book in a series leaves you with more questions than answers or not a great representation of what to expect in the series but i thought this was well rounded where I felt good at the end but also looked forward to more
- the gentle parenting representation was A+++ and I love how even when the kids didn’t listen and went off to solve the story on their own, the parents weren’t mean, they didn’t banish them away or keep them from their village of support, they expressed why it was dangerous and how they would prefer they act in the future.
There were many times throughout this book that I thought, one day when my son is older, I know he would love to read this together.
As a mom and connecting with Sam over motherhood through our own community, I saw so much of the thoughtful parenting in this book and I am so proud of her!!
A few things I especially loved:
- the pace of this story felt perfect and the setup for the next book was A+
- Karo was by far my favorite character and I saw a lot of myself in her both as a child and as an adult.
- the cover art is so beautifully and helps me picture the main characters easily which is always helpful to someone like me because the “movie in my mind” element is needed for me to enjoy a book
- the magic included in this world is beautiful. I love that there are magic houses, people have specific magic, there are shapeshifters, magic dragons, and like real fairies!!! I loved it all so much.
- the beginning of this book really drew me in and I loved the call backs and importance of that scene through the end. Sometimes the first book in a series leaves you with more questions than answers or not a great representation of what to expect in the series but i thought this was well rounded where I felt good at the end but also looked forward to more
- the gentle parenting representation was A+++ and I love how even when the kids didn’t listen and went off to solve the story on their own, the parents weren’t mean, they didn’t banish them away or keep them from their village of support, they expressed why it was dangerous and how they would prefer they act in the future.
There were many times throughout this book that I thought, one day when my son is older, I know he would love to read this together.
As a mom and connecting with Sam over motherhood through our own community, I saw so much of the thoughtful parenting in this book and I am so proud of her!!
May 26, 2025
This is a wonderful adventure for readers of all ages! The author builds a beautiful fantasy world with characters that middle readers will easily relate to and root for. I like to preview books for my son, to make sure they’re age appropriate (it definitely is!) and I found myself so drawn into the story that I read most of the book in a day and I cannot wait for next one! As a parent, I also appreciate that the author weaves in valuable lessons about honesty, family, and friendship, but in an authentic way that doesn’t feel forced. Truly a fantastic read and I am excited to see what is next for these characters!
May 27, 2025
What a fun and magical debut novel! It's filled to the brime with action, adventures, and emotions. The characters are all very well thought out, and there were many times that I could relate to the kids and their struggles. Personally, for me, it took a little while to find myself wanting to read more, but as I kept going, I got more and more immersed! Between the beautiful descriptions and the epic twists, this is definitely a must-read for YA enjoyers. Congrats, Sam, on your first novel release, and I can't wait for what's to come next!💜
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May 22, 2025A rambunctious, diverse group of friends inhabit this beautifully vivid world as they grapple with growing pains, unexpected adventures, and a challenging new magical situation. Middle grade readers will appreciate the group of heroes' independence, their friendly banter, and the way they work together in the face of struggles. With colorful mythical creatures and exploration of underdeveloped magical skills, The Gloomlands Chronicles: Secrets of the Fae will have young readers hungry for more!
June 14, 2025
I’ll definitely be getting a copy of this book for my daughter! What a wonderful coming-of-age story about family and friendship that I highly recommend for middle grade readers. Four young friends must face mischievous faeries while simultaneously coming to terms with their budding powers and who they are in the world they live in. I thought the pacing was spot on and loved the world building. I look forward to learning more about the magic system and the secrets of the Gloomlands!
May 15, 2025
A thrilling new adventure set in a wonderfully vibrant world. It’s the first book in a while that I’ve not been able to put down as soon as I started reading it.
June 19, 2025
Thank you, for the ARC; all thoughts and opinions are my own.
🧚🏽♀️🧚🏽♀️🧚🏽♀️🧚🏽♀️/5⭐️
My Thoughts: It’s been a long time since I’ve read a story that resonated so profoundly with my young self. In middle school, I know I would search the library for this book, and I am so excited that my children will read it one day. The Gloomlands Chronicles takes you on a journey of growth, friendship, found family, and magic.
Each character is unique in the way that they interact with each other, the way that they grow, and the way that they utilize their magic. They all have their own strengths and weaknesses, but their weaknesses are seen as assets by the group.
The lore was intricate, interesting, and dynamic. As the story unfolded and you learned more about the magic world around them, you fell in love with the magical creatures and the mystery behind the magic.
The author is an incredible storyteller. She immerses you in the world and makes you feel like you’re living with the characters. You genuinely feel for them when they are sad, angry, scared. The emotions are authentic and real. I felt like this was a great story for all ages and I’m excited for the rest of the series!
🧚🏽♀️🧚🏽♀️🧚🏽♀️🧚🏽♀️/5⭐️
My Thoughts: It’s been a long time since I’ve read a story that resonated so profoundly with my young self. In middle school, I know I would search the library for this book, and I am so excited that my children will read it one day. The Gloomlands Chronicles takes you on a journey of growth, friendship, found family, and magic.
Each character is unique in the way that they interact with each other, the way that they grow, and the way that they utilize their magic. They all have their own strengths and weaknesses, but their weaknesses are seen as assets by the group.
The lore was intricate, interesting, and dynamic. As the story unfolded and you learned more about the magic world around them, you fell in love with the magical creatures and the mystery behind the magic.
The author is an incredible storyteller. She immerses you in the world and makes you feel like you’re living with the characters. You genuinely feel for them when they are sad, angry, scared. The emotions are authentic and real. I felt like this was a great story for all ages and I’m excited for the rest of the series!
June 11, 2025
This book is so wonderful. Its written as a very clean youth fantasy novel. No smut, and I would feel comfortable reading to a younger audience. I learned about this book from its Kickstarter and I'm truly glad I got to support its creation. Hoping the author continues this into a long series!
July 1, 2025
This was such a great book! A middle grade adventure about young friends who encounter fairies, overcome obstacles together, and learn and grow from each other. I absolutely loved every page of this book. It’s the kind of adventure that you wish you could experience yourself! I would definitely say that, while written for middle grade readers, it’s also wildly enjoyable for adult readers like myself. I can’t wait for my kids to read it next!
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April 20, 2026This is my favorite book I’ve ever written! 😀
October 11, 2025
This was a delightful adventure that kept my attention (even as an adult) from start to finish! I’m eager for the story to continue.
September 27, 2025
The Gloomlands Chronicles, Secrets of the Fae, is an epic adventure with intrigue, magic, mystery and friendships. I believe this book is not only for those who seek out faeries and magic; it’s a well-rounded, exciting adventure story for all ages.
Imagine a bunch of early teens with a handful of magic, a lot of unanswered questions and a bit of extra time on their hands, because their legendary parents are off to help save the world at the edge of the Gloomlands. Then imagine that those teens accidentally released mischievous faeries into their realm and are now bound to satisfy various demands from the faeries to avoid terror being unleashed in their world. From there the story takes on a kind of adventure campaign whereby our teen heroes have to figure out how to complete each task to the satisfaction of each fae—all without telling their parents!
Honestly, it’s not just a read for kids. I found this book to be captivating, colourful and exciting. I really liked these kids, their differences and their common bonds; their loyalty and sense of adventure; and their journey of discovery, individually and as a group.
Sam Rininger weaves an intricate web of intrigue, excitement, friendship and fear, that is readable and loveable. It is not just for kids or even the kid at heart; it is a great big story for every reader.
Imagine a bunch of early teens with a handful of magic, a lot of unanswered questions and a bit of extra time on their hands, because their legendary parents are off to help save the world at the edge of the Gloomlands. Then imagine that those teens accidentally released mischievous faeries into their realm and are now bound to satisfy various demands from the faeries to avoid terror being unleashed in their world. From there the story takes on a kind of adventure campaign whereby our teen heroes have to figure out how to complete each task to the satisfaction of each fae—all without telling their parents!
Honestly, it’s not just a read for kids. I found this book to be captivating, colourful and exciting. I really liked these kids, their differences and their common bonds; their loyalty and sense of adventure; and their journey of discovery, individually and as a group.
Sam Rininger weaves an intricate web of intrigue, excitement, friendship and fear, that is readable and loveable. It is not just for kids or even the kid at heart; it is a great big story for every reader.
June 2, 2025
Five stars. No notes.
A great bookstagram find that I could actually give to my niece! This is a well written middle grade fantasy and follows the story of four friends who get up to shenanigans.
There is magic, fae, exploring and getting up to mischief and plenty of LORE. I would have loved this book as a kid.
What really stood out to me was the clear, but descriptive language of the writing. The way the mushroom circle was described with whimsy fantasy mushrooms really stood out to me and many other memorable visual moments like the appearances of the fae.
Everything was really well written and easily sucked me into the story, and the content and subject matter I thought was appropriate for the intended age range. I would definitely read this out loud to a kid as a bedtime story, and it honestly feels like a story that is meant to be read aloud to the littles. Excellent work, I can't wait to read more by this author.
A great bookstagram find that I could actually give to my niece! This is a well written middle grade fantasy and follows the story of four friends who get up to shenanigans.
There is magic, fae, exploring and getting up to mischief and plenty of LORE. I would have loved this book as a kid.
What really stood out to me was the clear, but descriptive language of the writing. The way the mushroom circle was described with whimsy fantasy mushrooms really stood out to me and many other memorable visual moments like the appearances of the fae.
Everything was really well written and easily sucked me into the story, and the content and subject matter I thought was appropriate for the intended age range. I would definitely read this out loud to a kid as a bedtime story, and it honestly feels like a story that is meant to be read aloud to the littles. Excellent work, I can't wait to read more by this author.
August 26, 2025
This was such a fun read. It was packed with lessons for young readers, expertly executed through the craft of storytelling. Rininger’s descriptive narrative, well-developed characters, and unique magical systems were a breath of fresh air. Just when you think you know everything about faeries’ magic and portals that open to other worlds, Rininger’s Gloomlands Chronicles teaches you a thing or two! It was easy to escape into the world of Illumara, where the real magic is in the bonds of family and friendship and believing in yourself.
(I was fortunate to get my hands on a copy of the limited deluxe edition and was thrilled that the story within was just as beautiful as the cover!)
(I was fortunate to get my hands on a copy of the limited deluxe edition and was thrilled that the story within was just as beautiful as the cover!)
January 17, 2026
I loved this book. It was charming and enchanting. I usually dont read fantasy books so I loved being introduced to the genre by a middle grade novel, where the characters, magic, and plot were easy to follow. If I had read this at a younger age it would have definitely influenced my taste in books. My favorite parts were the perspective (narrator) switching, the diverse types of magic and magical characters, and the cliff hanger ending. I would read more by this author and im waiting patiently for the sequel.
May 22, 2025
I received this book as an ARC and just finished it. The world building in this book is wonderful and you truly get to know the background of the world they are in. I love how it is a story of four friends and how they support each other through out the story. I do wish parts of the story were not rushed but overall I highly recommend this book and it is a great read for all ages.
July 10, 2025
My 9 year old granddaughter is in the process of reading this book and said, "it's soooo gooood." She loves how the characters take care of one another. She said it's easy to read even though it has some big words in it. She recommends this for kids 9 to 12 years of age.
December 23, 2025
Fantastic book full of magic, friendship, courage and secrets. My daughter couldn’t out it down and when I read it I understood why. The world Sam has created is one where you want to jump into and hesitate to come back!!!
But, read and love it.
But, read and love it.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews