The highly-anticipated, second installment of The Elflaine Chronicles.
There is hope, still, in Elflaine–
An ancient prophecy threatens to seal everyone’s fate, while the Darkness gathers strength.
Elideh Danu spent most of her life studying the lost faerie realm of Elflaine, hoping to one day find it. Now, she’s trapped. Her only way back to her sister, Ailia, lies with a vexing faerie prince. When shattering news arrives from across the realms, Elideh must act, no matter the consequences.
After the Faerie King’s actions unwittingly rekindle an alliance long forgotten, Reed, an earth-wielding witch, and Callum, commander of the faerie army, must now face Elflaine’s perils and prevent a looming war.
As ancient magic stirs and hearts are tested, will they overcome the dangers awaiting them?
Haley Hamilton is an Indie Author living in Georgia with her husband, four children, and dog. Her "day job" is teaching composition to college freshmen, but her passion is storytelling.
To find out more about future projects, follow Haley on Instagram @haley.h.writes.
I really enjoyed book 2 having multiple POVs and I enjoyed the expanded world that we got to see. The plot definitely becomes more complex and intricate, which I always like to see in a sequel! This book also has short chapters, which seems like a minor thing, but I love that!
Read this series if you like fae, witches, magic, quests (to find objects and people), prophecies, and cute animal companions.
I will definitely be trying to get an arc of the final book when it’s ready 🤞. Thank you Haley for allowing me to arc read this book!
Childhood Flashbacks, world building, new characters, and creatures. Aydan is my new favorite. He has a library with a rolling ladder. He knows what the girlies want.
" and in one graceful, powerful movement, Elideh watched in horror, relief, and disgust as the hand that had been holding her arm fell to the ground."
“You are reckless and strong and brave, but in no world, my star, would I describe you as weak or useless.”
He offered his arm, and she slid her hand into it. “Then we’ll be patient. Not everything must be known today.”
His smirk turned into a grin. “So vicious, darling.”
Falling back into the world of Elflaine was just like returning home!
The book follows multiple characters throughout, some we've seen before, and others we haven't. The world building was beautiful and in-depth, it made it feel like I was truly there.
There were twists and turns that shocked me and revelations that made me gasp, while still leaving enough mystery to keep me hooked.
I don't want to say too much for fear I'll spoil it, but it kept the feel of the first book while simultaneously creating more depth and hinting at things to come
Thank you, Haley, for allowing me to be on the ARC team for this book (my 1st!). I loved the 1st book, and this was more incredible than that one! I am always leery of new POV characters in sequels but fell in love with Elideh and Aydan the same way I did for Alia, Callum, and Reed. I read this in 24 hours, 25% in one sitting and 75% in the next. I could not put it down and was completely immersed in the world of Elflaine. The chapters are short, which I love. It kept the story going without getting boring. I get bored when books are too plot-heavy, but this was the perfect balance of plot and relationship aspects. I can’t say enough good things about this sequel!
“I love you. In this life, and in all other lives. Nothing can keep you from me. Not even death. Pick up that dagger and put it through my heart.” - Callum
“I’ve loved you since the moment I met you, like I’d been asleep my whole life and suddenly the sun rose. Even without the stars’ decree, I would have found you. I would have chosen you.” - Aydan
•REVIEW• Haley you have done it again with another one. Let me tell you what this series has had me in a chokehold since I did the ARC read for Ballad of Dawn. Now I have to impatiently wait for book 3.
This book picks up pretty much where book one left us on the cliffhanger and takes us on a journey between all our favorite characters. The multi POV was perfection and not once did it get confusing it all flows perfectly together. This whole book is perfectly plotted and is easy to get lost in one sitting. For me personally the first day I read it I got to about 50% and decided to slow down because I wasn’t ready to leave the world of Elflaine.
If you haven’t started this series you should and you will not be disappointed one bit as you are taking on a wild ride through book one and again in book two. Now I have to impatiently wait for book 3 and figure out what happens after the Cliffhanger Haley left us on in this one.
I can’t wait to be able to eventually ARC read for Haley again with the next book and any other future books she writes.
Well I guess I’ll give it a little while and I’ll jump back into the world of Elflaine by rereading Ballad of Dawn for a 3rd time
Going back to the world of Elflaine was like wrapping up in a warm, cozy blanket by the fire. Song of Starlight took it to a whole new level that I wasn’t expecting after Ballad of Dawn with the addition of Elideh and Aydan’s POV! I fell in love with each new character introduced in book 2. I think Elideh might just be my spirit animal.
The world building was enchanting and beautiful! The imagery she uses was stunning. Not only that but the plot itself was action packed! I was on the edge of my seat throughout the majority of the book, and I got mad when life showed up and made me put this book down. And the ENDING!!! I can’t wait to see what comes next!
Such a cosy read! Really enjoyed the different threads of the story from different perspectives and how they come together. Watching Elideh and Aydan's relationship develop was really fun to watch, and the beautiful world building develops further from the first book, as you have more Elflaine, more dragons, more fae, and more witches. Great little 'cameos' of real places in Edinburgh as well as The Eagle and Child in Oxford, too!
Be ready to run on a crazy adrenaline rush from the beginning until the end! Couldn't stop reading, so I finished it in one weekend! a rollercoaster of emotions, giggles, cries, anxiety. SoS has everything, don't need to mention the romance part of it! I need book 3 like right now!
I was utterly enchanted by Haley's Ballad of Dawn, Book 1 of her Elflaine Chronicles series. Her writing style captivated me. It's whimsical and poetic without ever feeling overbearing, setting the perfect stage to introduce the story of two sisters, Elideh and Ailia, and their path to destiny. I was mesmerized by their lives and the separate journeys they took. It made me feel as though the world of magic and faeries was just a breath away… or perhaps only a portal or two.
After that cliffhanger, I knew I had to get my hands on the sequel as soon as possible. And now that moment has arrived, as I’ve once again had the privilege of being Haley’s ARC reader. The Elflaine Chronicles: Song of Starlight has found its way to me, and I couldn't be any more excited.
Was it everything I hoped for? Oh, it was everything and so much more! Not only do we get to witness Ailia's journey, but we're also gifted Elideh's POV, discovering what the fates have in store for her. And with Elideh comes another gift in the form of the most intriguing, witty, book-loving Fae prince, Aydan. Aydan, who's quickly become my heart's favorite. Aydan, with his quips and retorts. Aydan, with his tenderness and protectiveness, both heightened to the extreme for Elideh. Aydan, keeper of my soul.
But don't let my love for Aydan fool you. The Song of Starlight is a perfect sequel, full of mysteries and secrets, unexpected twists and turns, and a deepening plot that pulls you in even further, making you want to stay in the Faerie realm forever, dangers and all.
Both sisters face numerous obstacles at every turn. Their destiny may be shared, but the journey to fulfill it constantly keeps tearing them apart. Thankfully, they're not alone. Elideh has Aydan, and Ailia has Callum and Reed. Callum's words still make my heart sing, and Reed's growth in this book is beautiful to witness. I'm eager to see how his path unfolds in future installments. He may be Ailia's knight, but I have a feeling Haley has more in store for him.
Now all that’s left is for me to take a deep breath, try to be patient, and wait for the next installment of the Elflaine Chronicles. Haley never fails to surprise me, in the very best ways.
CW: violence, some gore, implied prior DV, panic attacks, some others
Thank you to the author for the ARC! “Song of Starlight” is available now!
Well this was entirely impossible to put down.
Ailia’s been taken, leaving Callum and Reed stranded and Ailia cut off from her magic. Elideh is still in Elflaine, no longer in a dungeon but imprisoned nonetheless. Time is running out as the Darkness grows, and the girls are no closer to finding each other again.
Listen, when I say ‘impossible to put down,’ I mean it. There’s 105 chapters (they’re short; don’t panic) and every time I blinked it was 3 am and I’d read at least 20 of them. Seriously, I *devoured* this book and I regret nothing other than the fact that I reached the end.
This book feels a lot broader than book one (Ballad of Dawn), probably because we’re following 5+ other characters instead of just the original three. There isn’t just the one storyline anymore; now there’s at least 2 (I’d even argue 3) different plot lines all occurring at the same time and we’re watching all of it play out. It’s handled well in that it’s easy to follow what’s happening and for whom; the author never loses us even as we play storyline shuffle for 500 pages.
The flip side to this, though, is that the individual characters and plots feel a little less developed than in book 1. It’s just so busy and there are so many moving pieces that there isn’t really time to focus on any one piece or person. This plays out in how the plots develop, too— twists and turns that previously might have felt logical or reasonable (while still being twisty) now feel almost like they’ve come from nowhere (but, importantly, this doesn’t derail the story). There’s still progress, it’s still highly engaging, it just left me feeling a little less involved than before (particularly with Elideh, as we didn’t have her POV before this).
Aside from the depth thing, I had 0 issues with this book. It’s entirely enjoyable, I love the characters, and I’m so excited to see what happens next. This is one of those stories that is insanely easy to pick up, and it’s a fun, magical rollercoaster through beautiful landscapes with the most delicious undertones of darkness and danger.
First of all, thank you, Haley, for trusting me with this ARC. Thank you for reaching out last year—you’re the whole reason I’m a Fantasy reader now. (The real ones know that if you’d told me exactly a year ago I would LOVE reading fantasy books, I honestly would’ve laughed in your face.) So, I have so much to thank you for, Haley 🫂 That being said…
I’m blown away. I’m speechless. I’m stunned.
Tell me about cliffhangers!!
That was so good—everything about this book was SO. GOOD.
The storyline: we pick up right where we left off, in the middle of chaos. And oh, I am so happy to be back in this world. This honestly felt like coming back home 🫶🏻
The characters: we have our lovely Ailia, Callum, and Reed again, of course, and they’re even more interesting than before—if that’s even possible! We’re also introduced to new ones, and let me say it: they don’t disappoint one bit. Aydan (my new personal favorite), more of Elideh, and some others that you’ll die when you get to them 🤭
The plot: if you thought the first book was addictive, this one is waaaaay more intriguing! You’ll uncover so many revelations, more unanswered questions, more of everything!
And the writing: you can clearly see the evolution in Haley’s style here—so much smoother. She’s becoming a pro (and she’s probably one of the very few authors who can make me read multiple POVs in 3rd person and actually have me excited about it). Plus, if you like short chapters, you’re gonna LOVE this book 🙂↕️🤭
So, congratulations, Haley—you did it again. You amazed me with your storytelling once more. This book was exactly what I was hoping for, exactly what I thought it would be: a fascinating read. I’m so happy to be part of this journey with you, and I’m really proud of how far this has come. I’m already eager to see what you have next for us!
Thank you so much to Haley for letting me be part of her arc team! This is the second book in The Elflaine Chronicles and omg I loved it so much!
Where the first book focuses on Ailia and her journey across Scotland in search of the fairy realm of Elflaine, this one is where we finally meet Elideh, her sister whom we’ve already heard so much about. I absolutely loved these characters especially Elideh and Aydan but I also felt that I enjoyed Ailia, Callum and Reed as characters so much more in this book now that we get to know them a bit better. We also get to read from each of their povs and I didn’t think I would ever love such a variety of povs but it had me so hooked. Short chapters covering everyone’s thoughts is the way to go and I have so much awe for the author because this surely can’t be easy to pull off.
As someone who loves hurt/comfort vibes and a protective mmc who’s also in touch with his emotions, this ticked all the boxes. Callum and Aydan are both protective in their own ways but both are amazing and I just loved how they reacted to what was happening in the plot.
I got so immersed in this world and this story that when I’d finished it I genuinely forgot and was ready to pick up my kindle again to continue only to realise that I couldn’t. I can’t wait for the continuation of this series and I can definitely say that this is one of the best fantasy series for female characters who are both strong and reckless and know their own minds but also have moments of weakness and a man who’s ready to reluctantly let them fight but is also there for them when they need someone. These characters would do anything for each other and I think it’s them that really pushed this to a five star!
Haley Hamilton is an indie author to watch! She ensnared me with book 1, Ballad of Dawn, and has done the same with book 2, Song of Starlight! This series needs to be read in order and each book so far has ended in the midst of some jaw dropping action! I am already eagerly anticipating book 3! 👏🙌 - I don’t wish to give any spoilers in case you haven’t read book 1, so therefore… Read this series if you love: supporting indie authors, well written fantasy, action and adventure, dragons, gryphons, good vs evil, wicked fae and redeemable fae, witches, magic, a variety of creatures, dark forces, other mythical creatures, quests, battles, sisterly bonds, family secrets, divided royal households and of course, slow burn romance!
- Witches - Dark Forces - Beastly Creatures - Faerie - Mortal Realm & Faerie Realm - Prophecy - Rescue Mission - Magic - Quests - Dragons - MMC’s that give touch her and ☠️ vibes - FMC’s that are reckless, headstrong and fierce for those they love - Awesome furry or scaled sidekicks!
Some fave quotes 👇
“You can’t just subsist on whiskey and wrath.”
“It’s just interesting, though, how I told you not to leave, and you apparently instead heard, ‘gallivant around Inverlaine as you please.’ I’m truly not sure how those very clear, specific instructions were misinterpreted, Elideh.”
“Nothing will separate us again. Not the Darkness. Not death. I will find you, Ailia, always.”
“You’re one of the fiercest, most capable, most courageous creatures I’ve ever met. Don’t dim yourself for someone else.”
Im going to start off saying absolutely thought this series was a duology and got to the last chapter and realized it wasn’t 😂😂 so please don’t fall into the same trap.
I’ve been waiting since last year for book two to come out! I’m not one to re-read a book prior to the next one’s release and then sometimes I regret it. This was not one of those times - there was enough background info given to allow me to remember all the goings-on from last book.
The strong Scottish influence in this book is amazing. I love Scottish mythology and culture and this book definitely delivers!
I absolutely adored this book. We get quite a few POVs, some surprises thrown in unexpectedly, plot twists I never saw coming, slow burn romance, adventure, and DRAGONS!
“You are brave. You are strong. You are unbreakable. You are not alone.” The MMCs in this story are so supportive of the FMCs, never trying to hold them back, never acting like they’re fragile, and not trying to change who they are at their core, which makes me love them both more than I could’ve guessed.
I also loved the threads woven throughout about the gods/goddesses and well as the history and lore of the faerie realm. What happened to Finn? Was he good or a tyrant? How did the Darkness corrupt the king? What do the dragons truly want? Can the realms be unsealed without absolute chaos? I cannot wait for the next book!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
I loved the first book so much but I think I love this one even more. The world-building is vivid throughout the whole book. We see a lot of new places.
I’m so invested in these characters. I love the multi POV. We get insight into characters that I wondered about in the first book 🙌. Storm is my fav character, but Skatos is a close second. His role in this story really adds to the adventure 🤌. The Celtic folklore and mythology are truly fascinating and the creatures are absolutely awesome 🌳. Actually there are several things I’m excited to research after reading. Just like Elideh 🤓📚
I’m really grateful for getting to arc read both books. Fingers crossed for the third book too🤞. And I can’t wait to get the special edition hardcover! It’s going to look so good next to the first one.
But let me dive deeper. The stunning imagery, the lore, the character arcs, the tension....I could go on.
I love that if in the first book of a series, we find our couple....so then in book two we get a new pairing while continuing the adventure. I always think it adds a new depth to the story, especially one with such a complex plot as this one.
I love that we got more of Elideh, and Ayden, and Reed, and Morgan, and Storm. Basically, everyone is great and Haley Hamilton did an amazing job at making each and every character their own distinct person.
We see old characters, past deals coming back to be cashed in, new lore, and deeper insights to Elfaine.
This book has lots of POVs, and short chapters. I FLEW through this book and I didn't even realize it because the chapters changed POVs, and before I even noticed I'd read half the book!
I am on the edge of my seat with that ending. I am honestly, a bit scared for what it means, but I'll be ready to return to Elfaine whenever it is time.
overall: highly recommend spice: romance, no spice
The Elflaine Chronicles: Song of Starlight is a thrilling continuation of the series. While we still feel the shadow of Alia’s capture, this book shifts focus to her sister, Elideh, whose chaotic energy and sharp banter with Aydan, prince of Elfaine, will keep you swooning. The contrast between Elideh’s chaos and Alia’s peaceful, methodical nature adds so much depth to the story.
One of my favorite aspects was meeting the many creatures of Elfaine, especially the dragons, who play such a meaningful role in the greater battle against the Darkness. The world-building expands beautifully, the action is non-stop, and each character’s voice and journey feels distinct and purposeful.
An action-packed, emotional, and magical read that builds perfectly on book one—I can’t wait for what comes next!
And yes, I intentionally added an "em dash" in this review after Hamilton's shock and horror of the accusations of them belonging to AI authored writing. Be sure to follow Haley on social media for this sort of debate and other fun bits!
It’s been a year and three months since I read book one, and I’m here solely for Elideh now. I still remember the giddiness of reading the first five chapters months ago (street team perks!) and being absolutely hooked... so finally having the ARC in hand felt amazing.
I’m so curious to see where Haley takes everyone in this installment, and I’m praying my girl Elideh gets herself a man... please, fingers crossed.
It was commendable how Ailia held out against the King of Elflaine’s torture, and I’ve always found Logan so sus. Meanwhile, Elideh and Aydan’s endless flirting had me swooning. I’m glad the quests didn’t fizzle out in book two, though like Ailia, I was honestly worried she’d never meet her sister at this rate. Guess we’ll have to wait and see in the next book!
Loved this quote, “You are reckless and strong and brave, but in no world, my star, would I describe you as weak or useless.”
Multiple POV, adventure, romance, ups and downs, and well you know an ending that leaves you wanting more.
This one picks up where book one finishes (wish I had been dying to know who it continues until now). The multiple pov from our favorite characters gave it a beautiful touch, not once do you get confused and everything goes the way it's suppose to. Put characters go through everything they need to go through and more, to get the story we all want to read. So happy to see all of our characters, together, helping each other to make sure Ailia was found, sisters were united and the love stories get written the way they need to be. But again the ending, I'm still thinking about and probably will be until the next book.
So if you have not read book one? Please go do that before this one comes out, you won't regret it♡
First thing first, thank you Haley for giving me another chance to arc read for you 🖤
SECONDLYYY 💅🏻 - I do remember in my review of Ballad of Dawn saying something along the lines of wondering how to procure my own bargain to enter into this world to live... that still stands. Each perspective we get builds the plot up beautifully. I was panicking near the end and after the conclusion I cannot wait to see book three go innnn. 👏🏻
Truly a story of love between sisters featuring dynamic characters, immersive world building, lovable side characters & creatures galore. Haley's care into research & lore truly shows in this second installment of the Elflaine Chronicles. The incredible imagery she creates make you feel like you're seeing it all. I can't wait to keep yapping about the new installment to my friends.
Song of Starlight is the second installment in The Elflaine Chronicles, weaving high-stakes adventure rooted in Scottish folklore with swoon-worthy romance. When I finished Ballad of Dawn, I could not wait to see what happened next, and this book DELIVERED. The Elflaine Chronicles: Song of Starlight is riveting from the very first line; I couldn't put it down! Hamilton is as adept at writing pulse-pounding action sequences as she is romance, and her descriptions of Elflaine--especially the horrifying corrupted creatures--are vivid enough to feel. The characters and their relationships, whether romantic, platonic, or familial, are so endearing; I loved each POV, new and old. I knew it before, and I know it even more now: The Elflaine Chronicles is one of my favorite romantasy series.
*I received this as a free ARC from the author. This is my honest opinion.*
-I do enjoy this series. The magical world sort of connected to the real world is so wonderfully built and having the plot line of the sisters transport to said magical world and things kind of going wrong is amazing. I had a lot of fun in this book and it was nice seeing the point of view of different character all the while still being a continuation of the story we started.
-I really like the characters of this story. Seeing the evolve and getting to know them more was so much better. It was nice to finally get to know Elideh and kind of discovering her past but also her experience in the magical realm. I really liked her relationship with Aydan. Then we have Callum and Ailia, they are so sweet together as well.
-I would love to continue this series. This book, once again, left on a very promising note which I would love to explore further. I completely devoured this book and I cannot wait to finish this story.
First of all, a BIG thank you to Haley Hamilton for giving me the chance to be among the first to read her new novel on her ARC team!
I loved this book just as much as Ballad of Dawn, if not more. It picks up pretty much right where Ballad of Dawn left off, with the addition of a few new POVS. I found myself just as excited to read these chapters as the ones for the original characters. Some of these characters are definitely flawed, but it makes them feel more real. And can I just say how much I love Elideh and Aydan? 🤩
The plot is fast paced and action packed from start to finish, making it nearly impossible to put the book down. There’s a big reveal and quite a cliffhanger at the end (you’ve been warned). I’m already counting down the days until book three!
I enjoyed returning to the world of Elflaine, and Elideh, Ailia, Callum and Reed. I enjoyed getting to know Aydan and Morgan as well...
A LOT happened in this book, and there are a LOT of questions still by the end of book 2, making me look forward to the final book the series...
A good amount of action, although there were times that ending of the grand quests feel anti-climactic. But some brilliant character development. I did feel that some of the chapters didn't make sense, but I'm counting on them making more sense as we move to finishing out the story in the last book in the series.
Overall, a fun read...
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Falling back into Haley’s writing was wonderful, this second book gave us more characters, more POVs, more history and lore, and a little more romantic ARC. Many questions were answered and even more were raised as the movement towards book three commenced. I really enjoyed the many short chapters, allowing the reader to drift from perspective to perspective. Especially since the characters weren’t often all together. I did feel like the beginning was a bit to hesitant in diving into the plot, and the ending got quite rushed, however because the pacing continued to pick up as you went along it didn’t feel so much that the pace was the issue as just the ending kind of sprung up on you. I’m very thankful to the author for the ARC copy and I cannot wait to find out what happens next!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
This story takes off just a couple of weeks after we left our trio in the previous book. New POVs are added to the narrative, but it is never confusing whose POV we are reading from. All the POVs are different from each other and raw emotion is felt. There is always something going on as the characters drive the story forward. Surprises abound and the world is in more peril than originally anticipated. Beware of the cliffhanger, you won't see it coming.
Waoo! Thank you so much for my first ARC book! I just couldn’t wait to read book #2 after I devoured the first one. Really good world building as the book progresses but most definitely the parts I enjoyed the most are the interactions between the characters. In the first one we were mostly seeing just three characters pov but now that the book enters into Elflaine we see so much more. It keeps you in your toes reading all their different perspectives and how they interact and grow.
I thought that the first book was good, but this was even better. Finally, we're going to Elflaine, the fae realm. I don't know if I like Callum or Aydan more. These brothers are so… Oh my God! They're able to do anything to save the women they love. Skatos, I adored him. This dragon is just perfect and so helpful. Reed and Morgan. I liked their relationship. He's a witch, and she's a fae princess. I can't wait to see what will happen with them.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Haley Hamilton's second installment of The Elflaine Chronicles, Song of Starlight, brings the reader on a fast-paced adventure through the misty hills and glens of Elfaine. As the novel begins, Elideh Danu undertakes a harrowing journey to rescue her now captive sister, Ailia, from the powerful King of Elfaine. If that wasn't enough for one woman to handle, she must also battle the echos of her past as she races towards a future unknown. Along the way you'll meet characters you'll love both new and old. If you enjoyed reading Ballad of Dawn, you'll definitely enjoy Song of Starlight.
While "Ballad of Dawn" felt very light fantasy vibes for the most part (apart from a few more serious scenes sprinkled throughout), "Song of Starlight" basically puts book 1 as the lift hill for a roller coaster while book 2 is the rest of the coaster ride. From the moment the story crosses into Elflaine properly, everything is expanded. More characters, more POVs, more lore, more action, more romance, more creatures, more danger.
I'm very intrigued to see where Alia and Elideh's story goes next!