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Make-Believe
Two realms, One broken history built on lies.
And a cracked soul made of myth and ruin.
The magical realm of Enchanten is dying, fractured by ancient betrayal and plagued by the monsters of Requirden. In the heart of the collapse stands Danamai, a simple healing apprentice, until fragments of a forgotten soul being to rise within her.
As memories bleed through revealing the truth buried in ruin, shadows stalk the light. and Danamai must decide who she is willing to become to save the world built on lies and deception.
But in Make-Believe not all fairytales have a happy ending. And she will have to become the story they tried to erase.
Make-Believe is a new adult, epic dark fantasy, with deep, intricate world building and lore. Readers of Leigh Bardugo, Holly Black and Sarah J Maas will feel right at home in this world.
And a cracked soul made of myth and ruin.
The magical realm of Enchanten is dying, fractured by ancient betrayal and plagued by the monsters of Requirden. In the heart of the collapse stands Danamai, a simple healing apprentice, until fragments of a forgotten soul being to rise within her.
As memories bleed through revealing the truth buried in ruin, shadows stalk the light. and Danamai must decide who she is willing to become to save the world built on lies and deception.
But in Make-Believe not all fairytales have a happy ending. And she will have to become the story they tried to erase.
Make-Believe is a new adult, epic dark fantasy, with deep, intricate world building and lore. Readers of Leigh Bardugo, Holly Black and Sarah J Maas will feel right at home in this world.
791 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 24, 2025
4 people are currently reading
1125 people want to read
About the author
Kestrel Blue
1 book8 followersI write books in the fantasy genre, some of them more dark than others but all of them revolving around the same world. They can be read as stand alone, or as companion novels.
On days when it is too cold and wet for adventures outside with my dog, I will happily curl up with a good book.
On days when it is too cold and wet for adventures outside with my dog, I will happily curl up with a good book.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
January 7, 2026
Got this as an ARC back in November from the author on TIKTOK giveaway in exchange for honest review. I was surprised to have won. So thank you to Kestrel for the opportunity. I had to put it off because of life events but when I was finally able to read it I devoured it in three days.
This story keeps getting darker, starting with Pt1 being light whimsical energy and showing the realm of Enchanten and then progressing to suffering, betrayal and loss. I loved pt2 most, I connected more with Shyra's playful personality than I did Danamai, who seemed a bit more serious, but I think it is also because there was more happening too. Part 1 felt like a warm up of things to come. pt3 is a combination of both and shows Danamai as a sturdy female lead not overly powerful and not overly damsel.
I really love the friendship between Shyra and her guardian Phantacious, especially when they meet in the masquerade ball and he protects her from the arrogant beurocratic shygurns making a mockery of her ***my heart melted*** their connection felt very natural and it was refreshing to have a story not focused on romance but more on the friendship. Just to add to that, the main suitor in the story Faze isn't actually with her much. we see her more with her guardian.
Faze's and the Phantacious friendship in pt3 was well written I feel like the brotherly vibes were solid and seeing them work together and reminisce scenes that we didn't see but learn about was a cozy moment despite their situation in the dark realm with the selkies.
There is a character in this story the author did not mention at all in her promo content. Javade. And he is probably the strongest character in the story, he is well written antagonist who treats each character like a chess piece to his own game. I was never sure of his motives and who/what he really was as he played both sides. Until it is revealed in part 3. His exposure of who he is left me YEARNING for his success because UGH this thing.... he gives possessive shadow daddy vibes but at the same time...WTF is he doing?
I really loved the story and the way it ends is open to a sequel.
I don't know if I can say it has a HEA as it will depend on which characters you like most on the journey. Not everyone survives to the end. This story does have a political push with Misogynistic males being the main villains, and the females being used as their servants and baby makers ** think the term seen and not heard ** For this reason I don't think younger teens would really appreciate it as much.
Would recommend this as your next read if you enjoy dark epic fantasy, without smut and with a yearning, obsessed antagonist.
pt1 Present time: Danamai and Faze
pt2 past: Shyra, Midno ** her mother **
pt3 present time: Danamai, Faze, Javade
The only issues I had with Make Believe are down to personal preference and ARC recommendations to the author that I realize I am late in delivering ** apologies once more for the late feedback ** :
-It is multi perspective in 3rd person and I generally prefer 1st person.
-The use of ' instead of " was my first experience and took a minute to adjust.
- And the dialog is in line with the rest of the paragraphs, where there is usually a space. (A formatting oversight on the authors part I think.) but it didn't hinder the experience.
I would also like to suggest the author changes the font of the blurb. While the book is beautiful. It is quite hard to see the white writing on the background of flames.
And the quote at the front I had to google because I didn't know what it meant lol!
#romantasy #fantasy #shadowdaddy #darkfantasy #yearning
This story keeps getting darker, starting with Pt1 being light whimsical energy and showing the realm of Enchanten and then progressing to suffering, betrayal and loss. I loved pt2 most, I connected more with Shyra's playful personality than I did Danamai, who seemed a bit more serious, but I think it is also because there was more happening too. Part 1 felt like a warm up of things to come. pt3 is a combination of both and shows Danamai as a sturdy female lead not overly powerful and not overly damsel.
I really love the friendship between Shyra and her guardian Phantacious, especially when they meet in the masquerade ball and he protects her from the arrogant beurocratic shygurns making a mockery of her ***my heart melted*** their connection felt very natural and it was refreshing to have a story not focused on romance but more on the friendship. Just to add to that, the main suitor in the story Faze isn't actually with her much. we see her more with her guardian.
Faze's and the Phantacious friendship in pt3 was well written I feel like the brotherly vibes were solid and seeing them work together and reminisce scenes that we didn't see but learn about was a cozy moment despite their situation in the dark realm with the selkies.
There is a character in this story the author did not mention at all in her promo content. Javade. And he is probably the strongest character in the story, he is well written antagonist who treats each character like a chess piece to his own game. I was never sure of his motives and who/what he really was as he played both sides. Until it is revealed in part 3. His exposure of who he is left me YEARNING for his success because UGH this thing.... he gives possessive shadow daddy vibes but at the same time...WTF is he doing?
I really loved the story and the way it ends is open to a sequel.
I don't know if I can say it has a HEA as it will depend on which characters you like most on the journey. Not everyone survives to the end. This story does have a political push with Misogynistic males being the main villains, and the females being used as their servants and baby makers ** think the term seen and not heard ** For this reason I don't think younger teens would really appreciate it as much.
Would recommend this as your next read if you enjoy dark epic fantasy, without smut and with a yearning, obsessed antagonist.
pt1 Present time: Danamai and Faze
pt2 past: Shyra, Midno ** her mother **
pt3 present time: Danamai, Faze, Javade
The only issues I had with Make Believe are down to personal preference and ARC recommendations to the author that I realize I am late in delivering ** apologies once more for the late feedback ** :
-It is multi perspective in 3rd person and I generally prefer 1st person.
-The use of ' instead of " was my first experience and took a minute to adjust.
- And the dialog is in line with the rest of the paragraphs, where there is usually a space. (A formatting oversight on the authors part I think.) but it didn't hinder the experience.
I would also like to suggest the author changes the font of the blurb. While the book is beautiful. It is quite hard to see the white writing on the background of flames.
And the quote at the front I had to google because I didn't know what it meant lol!
#romantasy #fantasy #shadowdaddy #darkfantasy #yearning
December 2, 2025
PART 0: THE SPARK:
It took me a lonnng time to get this story to where it's at now. Too long.
It's had many problems, multiple titles, many rewrites and even different pen names.
I started this off written by hand at 11 years old, approximately 100 back to back pages of story... That when I went to type up (when I finally had a computer) I couldn't read my own spidery handwriting.
I had to start again.
From scratch.
Fuck.
The first version was heavily inspired by anime. From the likes of Inuyasha, DNAngel, Black Cat and a couple of others.
I used writing as a way to escape. (It works!!)
The first version had no plot. No depth just characters that eventually tied together for a finale I thought was incredible...
Until I looked back on it....
Embarrassed.
A little nauseous.
To any aspiring writers out there: DO NOT PUBLISH YOUR FIRST DRAFT...(Or your second or third) Lolz!
Rewriting this was always gonna be in my to do list to finally give it the revival and plot it could breathe with, I'm happy to say I am NOT redoing it again.
This is an opening to the world I've got in progress. I don't plan to make them a huge a series but more companion novels with possible duology/ trilogy potential in some areas.
I rate this 5 stars
I wrote it
So I'm biased. :)
And I hope that anyone who decides it sounds good enough to read, that they enjoy the journey and the adventure of reading it as much as I did writing it
🍂🦡
It took me a lonnng time to get this story to where it's at now. Too long.
It's had many problems, multiple titles, many rewrites and even different pen names.
I started this off written by hand at 11 years old, approximately 100 back to back pages of story... That when I went to type up (when I finally had a computer) I couldn't read my own spidery handwriting.
I had to start again.
From scratch.
Fuck.
The first version was heavily inspired by anime. From the likes of Inuyasha, DNAngel, Black Cat and a couple of others.
I used writing as a way to escape. (It works!!)
The first version had no plot. No depth just characters that eventually tied together for a finale I thought was incredible...
Until I looked back on it....
Embarrassed.
A little nauseous.
To any aspiring writers out there: DO NOT PUBLISH YOUR FIRST DRAFT...(Or your second or third) Lolz!
Rewriting this was always gonna be in my to do list to finally give it the revival and plot it could breathe with, I'm happy to say I am NOT redoing it again.
This is an opening to the world I've got in progress. I don't plan to make them a huge a series but more companion novels with possible duology/ trilogy potential in some areas.
I rate this 5 stars
I wrote it
So I'm biased. :)
And I hope that anyone who decides it sounds good enough to read, that they enjoy the journey and the adventure of reading it as much as I did writing it
🍂🦡
January 3, 2026
🎯🎯🎯🎯🎯
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews