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Blood and Pixies
Interested in a whimsical adult fantasy that blends magic and wonder with high stakes intensity?
Jackie never expected to be trapped in the land of Faerie. Of course, having her twin nine-year-old daughters be kidnapped by the Fae King threw her life off track. Now here she was—barefoot in athleisure—standing in a magical world that an hour ago she didn’t believe existed. Will she be able to rescue her children and get everyone home, or will they be lost in a world of magic and monsters?
Jackie, a typical thirty-something mom, is horror-stricken and panicked when she discovers her twin daughters have been kidnapped. Kira and Piper were tricked through a Faerie Circle by the Fae King. Doubting that any of this could be true, Jackie follows them, only to find herself completely unprepared in a world she knows nothing about.
Jackie never expected to be trapped in the land of Faerie. Of course, having her twin nine-year-old daughters be kidnapped by the Fae King threw her life off track. Now here she was—barefoot in athleisure—standing in a magical world that an hour ago she didn’t believe existed. Will she be able to rescue her children and get everyone home, or will they be lost in a world of magic and monsters?
Jackie, a typical thirty-something mom, is horror-stricken and panicked when she discovers her twin daughters have been kidnapped. Kira and Piper were tricked through a Faerie Circle by the Fae King. Doubting that any of this could be true, Jackie follows them, only to find herself completely unprepared in a world she knows nothing about.
- GenresFantasy
402 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 3, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
February 15, 2026
Soooo I need book 2 NOW.
In all seriousness, what a debut! Blood and Pixies is so fresh and entertaining and creative. It manages to be both dark and whimsical, which I didn’t even know could be a thing! The action is almost non-stop and the found family is EVERYTHING. Jackie, the FMC, is so relatable as a 32yo mom trying to get her daughters back and keep her family together. I laughed, I cried, I gasped, I finished the book with my jaw on the floor. I can’t wait to read what happens next!
In all seriousness, what a debut! Blood and Pixies is so fresh and entertaining and creative. It manages to be both dark and whimsical, which I didn’t even know could be a thing! The action is almost non-stop and the found family is EVERYTHING. Jackie, the FMC, is so relatable as a 32yo mom trying to get her daughters back and keep her family together. I laughed, I cried, I gasped, I finished the book with my jaw on the floor. I can’t wait to read what happens next!
April 3, 2026
Blood and Pixies is the first book in The Lost Pathways duology by Cassie Evans.
This book was amazing and I absolutely loved it. Cassie managed to have my jaw on the floor by the end of this book and I cannot wait for the second book.
I loved the cross over between worlds, the fact that Jackie, our main character, is just a normal mom doing her best every day dealing with the same things we all do and then gets thrown into this world that is so different and scary and overwhelming and she still has to keep trying her best…
The characters that Cassie created are so original and different and somehow so relatable. I loved everything about this book, the characters, the story, the magic and the world.
I was also really proud of myself for figuring a thing or two out, this passenger princess reads for vibes only, however, the joke was on me and there were twists I never saw coming and I am still not over.
I highly recommend this book and I am also really excited to listen to the audiobook soon.
This book was amazing and I absolutely loved it. Cassie managed to have my jaw on the floor by the end of this book and I cannot wait for the second book.
I loved the cross over between worlds, the fact that Jackie, our main character, is just a normal mom doing her best every day dealing with the same things we all do and then gets thrown into this world that is so different and scary and overwhelming and she still has to keep trying her best…
The characters that Cassie created are so original and different and somehow so relatable. I loved everything about this book, the characters, the story, the magic and the world.
I was also really proud of myself for figuring a thing or two out, this passenger princess reads for vibes only, however, the joke was on me and there were twists I never saw coming and I am still not over.
I highly recommend this book and I am also really excited to listen to the audiobook soon.
December 8, 2025
Blood and Pixies is a fairytale for those who crave the playful color of pixie hollow, the out-of-this world feeling of being dropped into Oz, and the chance to come into your own warrior spirit with a fiery sidekick like an animated princess!
It’s hard to even describe this exciting romp through a world that’s as beautiful as it is sinister. This book had the emotional depth I expect from an adult novel, with high stakes, complex magic, and danger in all directions. Yet it reimagines these themes with all the whimsy my inner child misses from most modern faerie stories. It kept me on the edge of my seat and I LOVED it! It’s not YA, but would be entirely appropriate for most young readers.
Jackie grabbed my attention the moment she decided to homeschool her girls, as I’m a homeschool mom myself. I could feel the love and joy in her household and the panic that set in when her girls didn’t come to eat their lunch one day. From there I was caught up in the whirlwind right alongside her, with newfound friends and allies, as her entire world flipped inside out.
This book is chock full of vibrant depictions - characters, settings, mysteries to unravel, and a villain worth despising. While it’s not a romance, the love between Jackie and Alec is deep and their connection is a constant throughout her journey. I appreciated that aspect as well.
Overall, while including an inexplicably wide array of pixies, fairies, mermaids, gryphons (and the list goes on!), the story is really one of familial love. Not only the love of a mother and wife, but the love of the friends who become our found family. Morality and ethics are another important foundation for the plot, as over and over Jackie and others are faced with difficult choices.
I had so much fun reading this clean, colorful story that has joy infused into even the worst events through the shining light of personalities like Chantia! I don’t want to give away any spoilers but there are many “people” met among the pages that just brought a smile to my face. I will definitely be watching for book two!
It’s hard to even describe this exciting romp through a world that’s as beautiful as it is sinister. This book had the emotional depth I expect from an adult novel, with high stakes, complex magic, and danger in all directions. Yet it reimagines these themes with all the whimsy my inner child misses from most modern faerie stories. It kept me on the edge of my seat and I LOVED it! It’s not YA, but would be entirely appropriate for most young readers.
Jackie grabbed my attention the moment she decided to homeschool her girls, as I’m a homeschool mom myself. I could feel the love and joy in her household and the panic that set in when her girls didn’t come to eat their lunch one day. From there I was caught up in the whirlwind right alongside her, with newfound friends and allies, as her entire world flipped inside out.
This book is chock full of vibrant depictions - characters, settings, mysteries to unravel, and a villain worth despising. While it’s not a romance, the love between Jackie and Alec is deep and their connection is a constant throughout her journey. I appreciated that aspect as well.
Overall, while including an inexplicably wide array of pixies, fairies, mermaids, gryphons (and the list goes on!), the story is really one of familial love. Not only the love of a mother and wife, but the love of the friends who become our found family. Morality and ethics are another important foundation for the plot, as over and over Jackie and others are faced with difficult choices.
I had so much fun reading this clean, colorful story that has joy infused into even the worst events through the shining light of personalities like Chantia! I don’t want to give away any spoilers but there are many “people” met among the pages that just brought a smile to my face. I will definitely be watching for book two!
Review of advance copy received from Author
WOW. Simply just wow. First I'd like to thank Cassie Evans for trusting me to be a part of her street team & read this eArc of her debut novel. It's truly been a great honour to be a small part of your journey.
Now, I'm saying this in the most unbiased way but I LOVED THIS BOOK. When I started reading this I was immediately sucked into this world. I found this book so refreshing and relatable. I am a 32 yr old mother just like Jackie, and the way this woman fiercely fights for her children majorly resonates with me. It nice to read a fantasy novel that represents this demographic that we hardly see in Fantasy!!
The world building is completely effortless, I was able to play this book like a movie in my head when I was reading. The way Cassie Evans describes this world and the characters in it is flawless and easy to understand. The story felt very cohesive and fast paced which I loved. And the ending left me in the edge of me seat!!
Something I really appreciatd about the anxiety rep in this book is that it is a show and not tell. That's extremely important for me as I feel like this trope can easily turn me off quickly. The emotions and actions felt realistic and not exaggerated to prove a point.
TLDR: Would I recommend this book? YES!! If you're a mother like me in your 30s and looking for a badass Mom FMC who fiercely loves and protects her children, A fantasy novel that is face paced, full of many magical and mythical characters, found family & PLOT TWISTS? This should be your next read!!!
I'll be dying silently until book 2 now, thank you 😭
Now, I'm saying this in the most unbiased way but I LOVED THIS BOOK. When I started reading this I was immediately sucked into this world. I found this book so refreshing and relatable. I am a 32 yr old mother just like Jackie, and the way this woman fiercely fights for her children majorly resonates with me. It nice to read a fantasy novel that represents this demographic that we hardly see in Fantasy!!
The world building is completely effortless, I was able to play this book like a movie in my head when I was reading. The way Cassie Evans describes this world and the characters in it is flawless and easy to understand. The story felt very cohesive and fast paced which I loved. And the ending left me in the edge of me seat!!
Something I really appreciatd about the anxiety rep in this book is that it is a show and not tell. That's extremely important for me as I feel like this trope can easily turn me off quickly. The emotions and actions felt realistic and not exaggerated to prove a point.
TLDR: Would I recommend this book? YES!! If you're a mother like me in your 30s and looking for a badass Mom FMC who fiercely loves and protects her children, A fantasy novel that is face paced, full of many magical and mythical characters, found family & PLOT TWISTS? This should be your next read!!!
I'll be dying silently until book 2 now, thank you 😭
July 23, 2026
I can’t stop raving to my friends about Blood and Pixies. Minor spoilers ahead.
This book is a clever blend of whimsical magical realism and 70s film dark fantasy. The exploration of the land of Faerie was epic and enchanting balanced with the horrifying nature of its residents mere existences. The found family dynamic was so enriching and I found it very hard to choose a favorite character (River. Cassie please don’t let anything bad happen to River.)
As a mom, one quote hit me especially hard. The main character, Jackie, is desperately trying to save her daughters from the Faerie King while also grappling with the reality that her entire family is undergoing an irreversible change that’s happening quicker than she’d like. That fear of changing—and wondering if you’ll still be you—felt so deeply relatable in a completely different way. Motherhood changes you so fundamentally that this line absolutely broke me: “It does not matter what changes happen to your body. You will always be you.”
Genuinely teared up. It felt like Lilypad was speaking to my soul.
The whole book gave me The Labyrinth meets The Cruel Prince vibes, but with no romance subplot, which I honestly loved. The relationships that mattered were friendship, loyalty, family, and the lengths a mother will go to for her children.
If you love whimsical fae stories that aren’t afraid to become unsettling, rich world-building, found family, and dark fantasy that punches you in the heart when you least expect it, I highly recommend Blood and Pixies.
This book is a clever blend of whimsical magical realism and 70s film dark fantasy. The exploration of the land of Faerie was epic and enchanting balanced with the horrifying nature of its residents mere existences. The found family dynamic was so enriching and I found it very hard to choose a favorite character (River. Cassie please don’t let anything bad happen to River.)
As a mom, one quote hit me especially hard. The main character, Jackie, is desperately trying to save her daughters from the Faerie King while also grappling with the reality that her entire family is undergoing an irreversible change that’s happening quicker than she’d like. That fear of changing—and wondering if you’ll still be you—felt so deeply relatable in a completely different way. Motherhood changes you so fundamentally that this line absolutely broke me: “It does not matter what changes happen to your body. You will always be you.”
Genuinely teared up. It felt like Lilypad was speaking to my soul.
The whole book gave me The Labyrinth meets The Cruel Prince vibes, but with no romance subplot, which I honestly loved. The relationships that mattered were friendship, loyalty, family, and the lengths a mother will go to for her children.
If you love whimsical fae stories that aren’t afraid to become unsettling, rich world-building, found family, and dark fantasy that punches you in the heart when you least expect it, I highly recommend Blood and Pixies.
December 2, 2025
🩸🧚♀️ARC Review: Blood and Pixies 🩸🧚♀️
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
What a fun debut from Cassie Evans! Blood and Pixies was an absolute blast from start to finish!
Cassie created a world that feels like she shook a fantasy snow globe and let all the magic, chaos, and creatures spill out in the best possible way. I had so much fun reading this. It’s easy to look up and realize you’ve inhaled half the book without blinking.
The characters were one of my favorite parts. They’re charming, chaotic, bantery, and the kind you instantly root for. The found family bond kept a smile on my face, laughing, and turning pages when I should’ve been sleeping.
And the creatures! Pixies, snakes, spiders… it was like a magical safari where every chapter had something new (and occasionally concerning) creeping across the page. The whimsical, slightly unhinged worldbuilding made the whole story feel alive.
The magic, the banter, the vibes were all top-tier. I can’t wait to dive into book 2 with how book 1 left me. This series is going to be something special.
If you love fun fantasy with personality, creatures with attitude, and characters who feel like instant friends, definitely keep an eye out for Blood and Pixies and Cassie will captivate you too!🩸🧚♀️
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
What a fun debut from Cassie Evans! Blood and Pixies was an absolute blast from start to finish!
Cassie created a world that feels like she shook a fantasy snow globe and let all the magic, chaos, and creatures spill out in the best possible way. I had so much fun reading this. It’s easy to look up and realize you’ve inhaled half the book without blinking.
The characters were one of my favorite parts. They’re charming, chaotic, bantery, and the kind you instantly root for. The found family bond kept a smile on my face, laughing, and turning pages when I should’ve been sleeping.
And the creatures! Pixies, snakes, spiders… it was like a magical safari where every chapter had something new (and occasionally concerning) creeping across the page. The whimsical, slightly unhinged worldbuilding made the whole story feel alive.
The magic, the banter, the vibes were all top-tier. I can’t wait to dive into book 2 with how book 1 left me. This series is going to be something special.
If you love fun fantasy with personality, creatures with attitude, and characters who feel like instant friends, definitely keep an eye out for Blood and Pixies and Cassie will captivate you too!🩸🧚♀️
Review of advance copy received from Author
This book stole my heart! At its core, it’s an emotional and complex story of found family and the strength and resilience a mother has to save her children.
So many parts of this story resonated in my soul. Cassie writes characters that are DEEP and all too relatable. She delivers sucker punch after sucker punch that will leave your jaw on the floor. Don’t let the cartoon cover fool you. The characters in this book endure quite a bit of trauma, and I cried no less than 3 times. By the end I felt like I was a part of their team — rooting for their successes and mourning their losses.
I love so much a book that cuts deep into my being and burrows in with meaning and truth. While this may be a story of a magical land and magical and mythical creatures it is so much more than that.
Bucle up buttercup you’re gonna love it!!
Oh and P. S. There’s a final twist that had me FLABBERGASTED!! I love a good twist I don’t see coming!!
If you love:
💚Found Family
💚Unique Magic System
💚Fascinating World Building
💚Complex Characters
💚Intense Story Telling
💚Shocking Twists
💚A BadA** Mom
💚Wondrous Lands & Creatures
💚Fantasy
💚Short Chapters
Then this one is for you!
So many parts of this story resonated in my soul. Cassie writes characters that are DEEP and all too relatable. She delivers sucker punch after sucker punch that will leave your jaw on the floor. Don’t let the cartoon cover fool you. The characters in this book endure quite a bit of trauma, and I cried no less than 3 times. By the end I felt like I was a part of their team — rooting for their successes and mourning their losses.
I love so much a book that cuts deep into my being and burrows in with meaning and truth. While this may be a story of a magical land and magical and mythical creatures it is so much more than that.
Bucle up buttercup you’re gonna love it!!
Oh and P. S. There’s a final twist that had me FLABBERGASTED!! I love a good twist I don’t see coming!!
If you love:
💚Found Family
💚Unique Magic System
💚Fascinating World Building
💚Complex Characters
💚Intense Story Telling
💚Shocking Twists
💚A BadA** Mom
💚Wondrous Lands & Creatures
💚Fantasy
💚Short Chapters
Then this one is for you!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Set in a wildly imaginative and richly detailed world, Cassie Evans’s debut “Blood and Pixies” hooked me from the start! The dynamic between Jackie and her twin girls felt familiar as I, too, was homeschooled along with my sister who is close to me in age. It was a treat to see a family like mine represented in fiction :)
What shocked me the most (in the best way possible) was the depth of creativity found in the world-building of Faerie — every time I thought I knew where the story/the land/the inhabitants of it were going, Cassie would surprise (and delight!) me. She brought in real-world elements which lended Faerie (and the book as a whole) a much more real feel … as if it truly COULD exist within our world as we know it today.
This was my very first ARC read, and I have to say I was not disappointed!! A truly wonderful, adventurous, and heart-felt debut which definitely has me anxiously awaiting Cassie’s next book!!
What shocked me the most (in the best way possible) was the depth of creativity found in the world-building of Faerie — every time I thought I knew where the story/the land/the inhabitants of it were going, Cassie would surprise (and delight!) me. She brought in real-world elements which lended Faerie (and the book as a whole) a much more real feel … as if it truly COULD exist within our world as we know it today.
This was my very first ARC read, and I have to say I was not disappointed!! A truly wonderful, adventurous, and heart-felt debut which definitely has me anxiously awaiting Cassie’s next book!!
March 16, 2026
⭐️ 4.5 (rounded up for GR)
Wow. What a fantastic and fun debut from Cassie Evans! It is so refreshing to read an older FMC who is a mother and reps anxiety in such a relatable way.
This story is like gender-swapped Taken meets a unique fantasy world.
Cassie is so creative because the origin of the world and the mystical creatures that inhabit it was so fresh. After the initial crisis, the story picks up quickly and I was frequently staying up past my bedtime just to make sure everyone was going to be ok!
I love the direction the story took and the found family aspect. You will grow to love these characters the longer you read them.
And don’t even get me started on that ending! Warning: cliffhanger ahead!
It was just such a fun ride. If you enjoy adventure AND whimsy in your fantasy, you’ll love this one!
*Thank you Cassie Evans for trusting me to be on your street team and gifting me an ARC! I feel like I was the LAST one to finish, but it was SO worth it!
Wow. What a fantastic and fun debut from Cassie Evans! It is so refreshing to read an older FMC who is a mother and reps anxiety in such a relatable way.
This story is like gender-swapped Taken meets a unique fantasy world.
Cassie is so creative because the origin of the world and the mystical creatures that inhabit it was so fresh. After the initial crisis, the story picks up quickly and I was frequently staying up past my bedtime just to make sure everyone was going to be ok!
I love the direction the story took and the found family aspect. You will grow to love these characters the longer you read them.
And don’t even get me started on that ending! Warning: cliffhanger ahead!
It was just such a fun ride. If you enjoy adventure AND whimsy in your fantasy, you’ll love this one!
*Thank you Cassie Evans for trusting me to be on your street team and gifting me an ARC! I feel like I was the LAST one to finish, but it was SO worth it!
Review of advance copy received from Author
I absolutely loved this dark portal fantasy! It reminded me of Labyrinth and Alice in Wonderland: a bit dark at times, but fun and whimsical too.
The protagonist, Jackie, had the perfect balance of strength and vulnerability. The anxiety representation was well done. I loved that her whole family was involved in the story and that she and her husband were 30+ years old with 9-year-old twins, not the typical age groups of this genre (although this book can be enjoyed by all ages).
As for the secondary characters... Chantia the Pixie was an amazing best friend. The reptilian brothers' banter was entertaining and the Dryad, Lilypad, was fascinating. Delilah the Spider-centaur was my favourite character.
Such a unique and immersive world the author has created. I need book 2 right now!
The protagonist, Jackie, had the perfect balance of strength and vulnerability. The anxiety representation was well done. I loved that her whole family was involved in the story and that she and her husband were 30+ years old with 9-year-old twins, not the typical age groups of this genre (although this book can be enjoyed by all ages).
As for the secondary characters... Chantia the Pixie was an amazing best friend. The reptilian brothers' banter was entertaining and the Dryad, Lilypad, was fascinating. Delilah the Spider-centaur was my favourite character.
Such a unique and immersive world the author has created. I need book 2 right now!
December 4, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
✨Blood and Pixies ✨
I couldn’t put it down! I found myself reading it everywhere I went. That’s basically my measure of a really good book these days.
Cassie, I’m so proud of you 👏 I adored this story and actually think it is one of my favourites I’ve read this year.
I’d say it’s like Peter Pan meets Zena Warrior Princess 🤣 (If you are old like me you will get that reference!)
Basically a mum falls through a Faerie ring to find her missing daughter’s and her whole world is flipped on its head.
✨There’s pixies, fae, a corrupt king, K*dnapping, magic blood, adventure (so much adventure!), heart ache, a castle made of coral, a bad ass FMC, snake men, relatable characters- I could go on and on.
It’s just so much fun to read! You will not regret giving this a go.
December 22, 2025
What an outstanding debut fantasy book from Cassie Evans. I almost binge-read Blood and Pixies within one day and would have if I didn't have other responsibilities. I was hooked from the beginning and invested in this adventure that we are taken on with Jackie in search of her kidnapped children. I was rooting for her the whole time and definitely enjoyed the twists in the plot. I mean, can we talk about that ending???? My jaw was on the floor. I'm ready for book two! I am so excited to see where this story and these characters are taken next. You will love this if you enjoy the found family trope, unique magic systems, allll the mythical creatures (these were so cool!), and an ultimate plot twist!
Review of advance copy received from Author
If you would like to read a story where the FMC is NOT a teenager, then this book might be the book for you!
This story follows Jackie, a 30ish year old mother, who will do ANYTHING to protect her children(relatable), and this causes her to venture into the dangerous world of Faerie. She meets all sorts of Fae-the good, the bad, and definitely the ugly! Cassie Evans did a phenomenal job at creating a diverse cast of characters in all shapes and sizes. Jackie is an incredibly relatable FMC as a mother doing the best she can with what she has in seemingly impossible situations. The friends she makes along her journey are a fun bunch with various talents and senses of humor!
I am excited for this debut author and to continue Jackie's story!
This story follows Jackie, a 30ish year old mother, who will do ANYTHING to protect her children(relatable), and this causes her to venture into the dangerous world of Faerie. She meets all sorts of Fae-the good, the bad, and definitely the ugly! Cassie Evans did a phenomenal job at creating a diverse cast of characters in all shapes and sizes. Jackie is an incredibly relatable FMC as a mother doing the best she can with what she has in seemingly impossible situations. The friends she makes along her journey are a fun bunch with various talents and senses of humor!
I am excited for this debut author and to continue Jackie's story!
November 30, 2025
A whimsical jaunt through a richly crafted fae realm with pixies, snake-men, dryads, sprites, and other creatures that will have your imagination BUZZING.
With the right mix of mystery, adventure, and heart, Blood and Pixies is sure to appeal, especially if you crave a breath of fresh air from shadow daddies and FMCs who seem to always be in the right place at the right time.
That being said, I adore how REAL Jackie is: as a parent, as a friend, as a human thrown into what any human would see as a very unreal world. Evans had me rooting for her when she was in her living room and when she was covered in bark and leaves (and hummingbird blood).
A magical debut from Cassie Evans!
With the right mix of mystery, adventure, and heart, Blood and Pixies is sure to appeal, especially if you crave a breath of fresh air from shadow daddies and FMCs who seem to always be in the right place at the right time.
That being said, I adore how REAL Jackie is: as a parent, as a friend, as a human thrown into what any human would see as a very unreal world. Evans had me rooting for her when she was in her living room and when she was covered in bark and leaves (and hummingbird blood).
A magical debut from Cassie Evans!
January 5, 2026
This fantasy is an amazing, fast-paced read, full of whimsy as much as it is full of danger. I laughed, I cried, and the ending had me bolt upright in bed with my jaw dropped! The world-building is incredibly creative, and the characters are all so incredibly unique. Blood and Pixies is certainly something special that all fantasy lovers need to add to their TBR lists!
January 12, 2026
What a great debut novel! Cassie Evans gives us a truly unique glimpse into a fae world with a fairytale feel, a loyal found family and several plot twists along the way. I was engaged through the whole book and wanted to keep going! Well done Cassie and congratulations!
Launch date April 3, 2026.
Launch date April 3, 2026.
January 7, 2026
I loved how unique this book world was!! There were several twists I didn’t see coming, and I loved the cliffhanger! I also related to the intro and feel like many women will. It’s so much more then just “Blood & Pixies”!
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews