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Tales of the Fae: Enchanting Stories of Fairies, Elves, and Sprites
160 pages, Hardcover
Published April 7, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I wanted it like this book; I really did, but it was so dreadfully boring that I only finished this book out of sheer stubbornness. My time would've been better spent watching snow melt off my roof than to read this, but here we are.
Tales of the Fae: Enchanting Stories of Fairies, Elves, and Sprites is as deceiving of a title as the beings these stories are supposed to be about. There was nothing enchanting about the stories in this book. It is a hodgepodge of older tales, retold in away that feels like I just wasted time in my life that I am never going to get back. There was a lot of familiarity to these stories, which actually hurt this book more because the other stories I remember were better than this.
Honestly, the only saving grace of the stories was the illustrations. It was the only part of this book that was worth the time of reading this book. There are some morals and themes you could pull from and use in a classroom if you really wanted, but I would encourage you to look to other alternatives.
Thank you NetGalley and Chronicle Books for giving me an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Tales of the Fae: Enchanting Stories of Fairies, Elves, and Sprites is as deceiving of a title as the beings these stories are supposed to be about. There was nothing enchanting about the stories in this book. It is a hodgepodge of older tales, retold in away that feels like I just wasted time in my life that I am never going to get back. There was a lot of familiarity to these stories, which actually hurt this book more because the other stories I remember were better than this.
Honestly, the only saving grace of the stories was the illustrations. It was the only part of this book that was worth the time of reading this book. There are some morals and themes you could pull from and use in a classroom if you really wanted, but I would encourage you to look to other alternatives.
Thank you NetGalley and Chronicle Books for giving me an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
April 8, 2026
Explore the entrancing world of the fairies in this gorgeously illustrated collection of traditional folk tales.Eighteen timeless tales, brought to life with dreamy watercolor illustrations, will transport you to the beguiling land of the fae, where boundaries blur, love is tested, and all is not what it seems.
A mortal steps into a magical dance circle and spends seven years in fairyland.
A selkie searches for her stolen seal skin, longing to return to the sea.
A herd-boy’s life changes when he finds a tiny pair of glass shoes.
This compilation, filled with enchanted animals and mysterious forests, encompasses the beloved folk traditions of Ireland and the British Isles, as well as fairy stories from Sweden, Japan, and beyond.
These are some of the original fairytales that have become the basis of modern fantasy. Some of which I know and many more where I only know fragments so it is interesting to read the whole story. There are stories I know nothing of. They are also beautifully illustrated that adds charm to the collection.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
A mortal steps into a magical dance circle and spends seven years in fairyland.
A selkie searches for her stolen seal skin, longing to return to the sea.
A herd-boy’s life changes when he finds a tiny pair of glass shoes.
This compilation, filled with enchanted animals and mysterious forests, encompasses the beloved folk traditions of Ireland and the British Isles, as well as fairy stories from Sweden, Japan, and beyond.
These are some of the original fairytales that have become the basis of modern fantasy. Some of which I know and many more where I only know fragments so it is interesting to read the whole story. There are stories I know nothing of. They are also beautifully illustrated that adds charm to the collection.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
3.5 stars. Tales of the Fae is a perfect gift and collectible edition for anyone that loves fairytales, fae and folklore. The majority of the stories are short and pulled from Scotland, Ireland, Wales and England; but in the last part of the book the editors brought in some more intriguing fae stories from around the world. The stories that were from the United Kingdom got a bit repetitive (probably because I’ve heard versions of these stories), but I really enjoyed the longer stories at the end that came from other parts of the world that I wasn’t as familiar with. I read through this entire book in a couple of hours, but I think it’s one of those books that you should sample a few stories at a time, rather than binge them. With the artwork , this is definitely a book that a collector of small books and fairytales is going to want in their library. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC!
April 17, 2026
I read a few of the stories before DNFing the eARC.
I loved the artwork inside the book. since it's colorful and bold, but the cover doesn't fit. The cover is very childish although it was marked as an adult general fiction in the publisher's NetGalley posting. While I do think that the stories I read would be fine for younger readers since there was not any graphic violence or mature subjects, the language will be a challenge for them.
I did not like the writing style at all which is why I ultimately decided to DNF it. It flipped between modern English and an old timey version that made it difficult to read.
The stories were not that interesting either. The first story feels like church propaganda which nearly turned me off the book right away, but I kept going because I wanted to give it an honest go before leaving my review.
I don't know how accurate the stories are either since I'm not that familiar with many original tales.
I loved the artwork inside the book. since it's colorful and bold, but the cover doesn't fit. The cover is very childish although it was marked as an adult general fiction in the publisher's NetGalley posting. While I do think that the stories I read would be fine for younger readers since there was not any graphic violence or mature subjects, the language will be a challenge for them.
I did not like the writing style at all which is why I ultimately decided to DNF it. It flipped between modern English and an old timey version that made it difficult to read.
The stories were not that interesting either. The first story feels like church propaganda which nearly turned me off the book right away, but I kept going because I wanted to give it an honest go before leaving my review.
I don't know how accurate the stories are either since I'm not that familiar with many original tales.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC.
This was interesting, as I hadn't read a lot of British fairy and fae tales before, so this was a very nice introduction. However, the writing style was inconsistent, which bothered me a bit, and many of the tales were very short, so I don't always feel like I fully understood what happened in a specific tale, if it was only two pages long, for example. Also, some of the "pronunciation guides" were... fairly useless. I understand wanting to bring Welsh phonetics closer to an Anglophone reader, but when you barely change anything except maybe a C to a K or the preposition y to e, I don't feel like that helps. Keeping the Welsh Ll in your English "romanisation", while changing y to e, just feels a little silly.
I personally did like the art. Not my favourite, but it was nice.
3.5 stars total
This was interesting, as I hadn't read a lot of British fairy and fae tales before, so this was a very nice introduction. However, the writing style was inconsistent, which bothered me a bit, and many of the tales were very short, so I don't always feel like I fully understood what happened in a specific tale, if it was only two pages long, for example. Also, some of the "pronunciation guides" were... fairly useless. I understand wanting to bring Welsh phonetics closer to an Anglophone reader, but when you barely change anything except maybe a C to a K or the preposition y to e, I don't feel like that helps. Keeping the Welsh Ll in your English "romanisation", while changing y to e, just feels a little silly.
I personally did like the art. Not my favourite, but it was nice.
3.5 stars total
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to NetGalley and Chronicle, Chronicle Books for providing a copy of Tales of the Fae: Enchanting Stories of Fairies, Elves, and Sprites. This book has beautiful illustrations! I wish more illustrations adorned the pages of this fairytale compilation because the stories are very much directly transcribed or translated and can be somewhat lacking and dry. However, I love a fairytale, for fairytales are the heart, the very foundation of narrative fiction. Some of these stories are a bit dark and thought provoking others silly. My personal favourite is the tale of the Scottish selkie wife.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This was an interesting book of tales of the Fae and magic. The stories are taken from older sources, and so the writing and language feels of that time.
The artwork is beautiful, and I wish there was more of it. There is a full page illustration before each story, but it would have been nice to have a couple of additional illustrations for the stories.
I think this could be an enjoyable read if you're curious about the Fae, and I would recommend taking your time and only reading one or two tales at a time.
Personally, this felt a bit slow, and it wasn't my favorite read.
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read an ARC.
The artwork is beautiful, and I wish there was more of it. There is a full page illustration before each story, but it would have been nice to have a couple of additional illustrations for the stories.
I think this could be an enjoyable read if you're curious about the Fae, and I would recommend taking your time and only reading one or two tales at a time.
Personally, this felt a bit slow, and it wasn't my favorite read.
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read an ARC.
April 20, 2026
Tales of the Fae is the latest edition of Chronicle's mythology and folklore collection. These lovely hardback books re-print classic stories from public domain sources as high quality illustrated editions, complete with sewn in ribbon bookmarks.
The problem is the quality of the text. Not all sources are the same and, in this book, the narrative quality varies WILDLY from story to story.
One in particular is borderline unreadable. I guess I should praise the editor for not modifying the original, but in researching what it was and what it meant, I found multiple other versions that weren't as hard to follow.
The problem is the quality of the text. Not all sources are the same and, in this book, the narrative quality varies WILDLY from story to story.
One in particular is borderline unreadable. I guess I should praise the editor for not modifying the original, but in researching what it was and what it meant, I found multiple other versions that weren't as hard to follow.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Illustrations by Lou Benesch, the end.
This is a short book full of illustrations and myths. Each story getting an illustration page that is beautiful and I love looking at.
I've been a long time fontasy reader but I haven't actively searched for the origins of myths. The stories are organized into categories of theme and then before each is a mention of country of origin. There are small footnotes in the stories to give as much detail and modern context which is very helpful.
My favorite is 'The Fairies of Merlin's Crag' or 'Fairy Cows'
This is a short book full of illustrations and myths. Each story getting an illustration page that is beautiful and I love looking at.
I've been a long time fontasy reader but I haven't actively searched for the origins of myths. The stories are organized into categories of theme and then before each is a mention of country of origin. There are small footnotes in the stories to give as much detail and modern context which is very helpful.
My favorite is 'The Fairies of Merlin's Crag' or 'Fairy Cows'
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you Netgalley for an advanced copy!
A collection of old tales about the Fae. They are presented very much as is from the older sources, but I would have liked some re-writing to slightly modernize some of the language and bring some of the subtext to the text. Also, I thought there would be more illustrations, but instead its just a simple portrait of the characters, no actions, before each story. Its good if you are looking for older versions of some Fae stories, such as Tam-Lin, but not an exciting re-telling of any of the old tales.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
A collection of fantasy stories selected from late nineteenth and early twentieth century fairy tale collections.
There's nothing wrong with this collection, but since most of the stories are from two regions—Britain and Ireland—a lot of the stories have a similar feel to them.
I do like the illustrations—and wish there were more—and appreciate that the stories were lightly edited to modernize spelling and to remove archaisms. I was also happy to see the list of sources provided links to digitized editions of the collections from which the stories were taken.
Received via NetGalley.
There's nothing wrong with this collection, but since most of the stories are from two regions—Britain and Ireland—a lot of the stories have a similar feel to them.
I do like the illustrations—and wish there were more—and appreciate that the stories were lightly edited to modernize spelling and to remove archaisms. I was also happy to see the list of sources provided links to digitized editions of the collections from which the stories were taken.
Received via NetGalley.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
For fans of Holly Black and all things Fae, this book is beautifully illustrated. Being able to trace our modern favorites to the original lore is a treat, though it might appeal to a wider audience if the language were modernized a little, as some might struggle with it as written.
This collection includes 18 different tales from Scotland, Wales, England, Ireland, Brittany, Cornwall, New Zealand, Turkey, France, Japan, and Sweden, each accompanied by a watercolor illustration.
I received a copy of this book through Netgalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.
This collection includes 18 different tales from Scotland, Wales, England, Ireland, Brittany, Cornwall, New Zealand, Turkey, France, Japan, and Sweden, each accompanied by a watercolor illustration.
I received a copy of this book through Netgalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Tales of the Fae sorts short stories about faeries, elves, and sprites from all over the world into chapters focused on tone. The illustrations were beautiful and I wish there were even more! There was one in between each story, but often nothing accompanying the short story itself. How cool would that have been! Though the stories were interesting, a few of them feel flat, with not much information telling me about when or where the story originated. I always love compendiums like this, just could have used some more background and decoration. Absolutely lovely.
April 15, 2026
I reviewed this book in exchange for a ARC through Netgalley
I enjoyed this book. The stories were well told to give a variety off fairy stories, but one also sees similarities, even between stories from different cultures. Not only are the stories interesting for those with an interest in folk tales, but also are enjoyable in themselves. Although, they are older stories and the style may not appeal to all. Despite being edited to increase readability, the stories still have some archaic or foreign words, which I found good.
I enjoyed this book. The stories were well told to give a variety off fairy stories, but one also sees similarities, even between stories from different cultures. Not only are the stories interesting for those with an interest in folk tales, but also are enjoyable in themselves. Although, they are older stories and the style may not appeal to all. Despite being edited to increase readability, the stories still have some archaic or foreign words, which I found good.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The illustrations were gorgeous. The stories were the usual assortment, which, for me, meant some were a delight and some left me with some ick (I'm looking at you, selkie assaulter).
Thanks to Netgalley for providing a free e-copy to review!
Thanks to Netgalley for providing a free e-copy to review!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Tales of the fae is a collection of 18 fairy tales about fae. I really liked the illustrations and I wish there were more of them. I found that some of the tales were lacking but I enjoyed most of them. If you are interested in fairy tales or the origins of the fae I would recommend this book.
April 13, 2026
I recieved a copy of this ARC thanks to NetGalley and Chronicle Books. All opinions are my own.
The stories weren't bad but I had a hard time with them. I really like old fairy tales and fables, but these seemed to be missing something. They fell flat and only one of two held any interest for me.
The stories weren't bad but I had a hard time with them. I really like old fairy tales and fables, but these seemed to be missing something. They fell flat and only one of two held any interest for me.
April 7, 2026
The art is gorgeous for each fae tale!
It has a lot of great fae stories, but almost seemed a bit short. I would have loved to see a lot more!
It has a lot of great fae stories, but almost seemed a bit short. I would have loved to see a lot more!
December 27, 2025
⭐ Fantasy
Thank you to Chronicle Books for this ARC in exchange for my honest review!
Tales of Fae is an illustrated collection of short fantasy stories featuring magical creatures and whimsical settings. The artwork has a painted quality. The illustrations placed between stories are especiall help set the tone for the world.
The text is on the smaller side, though there is some typographic variety that helps with readability. While the visuals are captivating, none of the individual stories fully resonated with me on a personal level.
Thank you to Chronicle Books for this ARC in exchange for my honest review!
Tales of Fae is an illustrated collection of short fantasy stories featuring magical creatures and whimsical settings. The artwork has a painted quality. The illustrations placed between stories are especiall help set the tone for the world.
The text is on the smaller side, though there is some typographic variety that helps with readability. While the visuals are captivating, none of the individual stories fully resonated with me on a personal level.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to NetGalley and Chronicle, Chronicle Books for providing an advanced reader copy of Tales of the Fae: Enchanting Stories of Fairies, Elves, and Sprites in exchange for an honest review.
This book is comprised of short stories of folklore and fae mostly from Scotland, Wales, England and Ireland, with a few selections from other parts of the world. The illustrations in this book were absolutely beautiful. The stories themselves read as old tales, slow and reflective, and quant with history.
If you enjoy classic fairy lore and historical storytelling, this would make a lovely addition to have on your bookshelf or coffee table.
This book is comprised of short stories of folklore and fae mostly from Scotland, Wales, England and Ireland, with a few selections from other parts of the world. The illustrations in this book were absolutely beautiful. The stories themselves read as old tales, slow and reflective, and quant with history.
If you enjoy classic fairy lore and historical storytelling, this would make a lovely addition to have on your bookshelf or coffee table.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews