The Skeleton Faerie

by A.P. Mobley

Faerie folklore meets a nuclear postapocalypse in this dark mythological fantasy woven with secrets, treachery, and star-crossed love.

Ninety-nine years after the Nuclear War of 1989, twenty-one-year-old Gus Brandon should only be interested in the survival of humanity and the expansion of his compound. But he’s obsessed with legends from the distant past, superstitions of an expired people.

While searching forbidden ruins for the scraps of stories lost to time, he stumbles upon a mysterious young woman covered in scars. Her name is Saoirse, and their meeting sets off a bloody chain of events—one in which Gus discovers that the folklore he loves just might be real, and that it’s tied to mankind in ways he could have never imagined.

Soon the lines between myth and reality blur, as do the lines between realms.

Gus will have to rely on his knowledge—and Saoirse—to survive the horrors awaiting him… in this world and the next.

“The Skeleton Faerie feels like stepping into a frostbitten fairytale where every shimmer hides a bone-deep threat. Mobley blends beauty with decay, crafting a world that’s haunting, brittle, and strangely enchanting.” - Hazel G. of NetGalley on The Skeleton Faerie, ★★★★★

“A darkly magical descent into Celtic myth that is lush, eerie, and beautifully haunting... A. P. Mobley’s knowledge of Celtic folklore shines from the very first page, woven seamlessly into a world that feels both ancient and alive.” - The Bat Reads of NetGalley on The Skeleton Faerie, ★★★★★

“... dark, fast paced, and full of action... one of the most engrossing post apocalyptic books I’ve read in a while.” - Jenn of Goodreads on The Skeleton Faerie, ★★★★★

“... a masterful blend of dark fantasy and heartfelt storytelling... a book that captivates, haunts, and inspires, earning every one of its five stars.” - Dayna Smith of Goodreads on The Skeleton Faerie, ★★★★★

“Nail biting from the first page to the last, prepare for an unputdownable journey.” - Lisa Hunt of Goodreads on The Skeleton Faerie, ★★★★★

368 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 8, 2025

About the author

A. P. Mobley is the Halloween-loving, rock-music-obsessed author of dark fantasy inspired by mythology. She doesn’t only write about her favorite myths, folktales, and fairy tales in her books, though; she discusses them on her podcast, Myths (& Folktales & Fairy tales), as well as on her blog and newsletter. She grew up in Wyoming and Nebraska and currently lives in South Dakota, and when she’s not up to her elbows in research for her next project, she can be found consuming dangerous amounts of coffee, reading speculative fiction, or rewatching The Good Place.

Never miss an an update by signing up for A. P.'s newsletter: https://subscribepage.io/aTKktx

Full list of books and Content Warnings on www.apmobley.com/books

Reviews

[Linda Roach · Rating 5 out of 5]

Atmospheric, addictive, ominous. If you have ever wanted to learn more about faerie lore, this book is a must read!

The main characters in this book are Saoirse and Gus and the story is written in third person POV. These characters are so well written they are still under my skin! Saorise is a faerie from the Otherworld and has beautiful moth wings and power over the wind. Gus is a human living a hard life in a compound in the post apocalyptic human world. They meet seemingly by chance when they happen upon each other in an off limits human library that Gus shouldn't be visiting.

Gus's world is turned upside down when the faeries he has been reading about in his contraband books from the library are revealed to be true. Saoirse saves Gus from shard raised human eating magical skeletons and takes him back to the Otherworld through a portal as she and her faerie companions believe Gus will be able to save their world from the destruction the humans are wreaking in their own world.

The third person POV lends itself to excellent world building as we see everything from the narrator's eyes. The human world is dark and bleak, filled with mismatched materials and a forest filled with mutated animals and dilapidated buildings. This is juxtaposed with parts of the Otherworld that a full of lush forest, bright red strawberry bushes and teaming with life and magic.

Mobley expertly fills the pages with Celtic faerie lore that I was thoroughly addicted to. The Celtic myths and legends are brought to life as Saorise and Gus navigate portals between the human world and the Otherworld and encounter different creatures such as a Cŵn Annwn ghost dog from Welsh mythology and Scottish Kelpies.

This story is addictive because of the hidden identities and the plot twists that had me floored. One in particular I had absolutely no idea was coming and it felt like I'd had a rug pulled from under me. I also enjoyed the very slow kindling romance between Gus and Saorise, with one closed door scene. This book is heavy on the brilliant mythology and dark fantasy elements, with the romance being part of the subplot.

I loved how fresh and unique this take was on the standard dark fantasy that I read. The plot is delivered expertly and you will fall in love with the characters, for me especially Saorise.

I will definitely be reading the next instalment.

Tropes you will enjoy:
💫 Star crossed lovers
🤕 Emotional scars
🌏 Human and Otherworld
😶‍🌫️ Hidden identity
💣 Post apocalyptic world
🪄 Magical powers
🧚🏼 Mythology and folklore
😈 Faeries and monsters
🍄‍🟫 Portals

[lizface · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Faeries are real, and I’m one of them,”

Nuclear war has made our world barren. Those who’ve survived live in compounds, hiding behind walls to stay “safe”. No one believe in fairytales anymore. But Gus Brandon cannot get enough of the folklore of faeries and all that lives in their world.
When he meets a certain sylph his life changes drastically.

Amazing twists and turns! I did see a few things coming but I was NOT expecting some. Definitely worth a read if you like Celtic folklore and all things faerie.

The story is set at a good pace. I definitely enjoyed the last half more. And I can’t wait for book 2!

Thank you R&R Booktours and AP Mobley for my eARC 🫶🏼

[Kirsten · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received The Skeleton Faerie as an arc from BookSirens

"Long ago there was a cauldron that revived the dead."

Skeleton Faerie by A. P. Mobley is the first book in the Children of the Death Gods series. A dark mythological fantasy mixed with post apocalypse survival and romance, Skeleton Faerie promises excitement and mystery.

Gus Brandon is a young man trying to survive in a broken world. After the Nuclear War of 1989, humanity in America is barely evident. Plant enveloped wreckage as the only proof of what used to be with animals deformed from fallout. Gus’s obsession with fables and myths from the before times leads him to a destroyed library. While collecting new books to read, he meets Saoirse. From their mysterious meeting, everything becomes more hectic and fantastical.

I chose to get Skeleton Faerie, at first, based on the cover. After reading the synopsis, I felt a bit more validated in my decision. I’m not too familiar with Celtic mythology but that didn’t feel like a necessity since Mobley did a good job explaining the myths through the plot. The pronunciation guide at the beginning of the book was appreciated as well.

The Skeleton Faerie is a rollercoaster of a book. Saoirse withholds a lot of information from Gus. This leads to an amazing twist and shocking revelations. While it makes the book confusing at points, it all comes together nicely. Gus and Saoirse are mutual leads of The Skeleton Fairie. Something that’s hinted at in the beginning with the inclusion of a separate playlist for both of them. Being the protagonists, their fall into love is expected. I’m not a fan of instalove though and this is unfortunately what it came across as. I wasn’t a fan of how Saoirse lied to him throughout the story and Gus was okay with that since she was hurting and he felt that he had to save her.

The Skeleton Faerie is set 90 years after the Nuclear War of 1989. We see the human world in a broken America or the Mortalworld. The Otherworld or Tír na nÓg is a world of fairies and other mythological beings. Having the point of view switch between Saoirse and Gus was one thing. Switching the setting between the two worlds was an immersive aspect that I haven’t seen too often. The characters taken from Celtic mythology are described in wonderful detail. The fairies especially. The entire world A. P. Mobley builds in The Skeleton Faerie is captivating and had me wanting to know more about the stories and beings represented.

The Skeleton Faerie is a good book. A. P. Mobley obviously did the research necessary to tell this fantastical story. If you're interested in a bit of an intro to Celtic mythology, The Skeleton Fairie works as an intro. It is available for purchase as hardcover, paperback and ebook.

[Eli · Rating 2 out of 5]

Gus Brandon is your typical twenty-one year old survivalist. He leaves the compound to scavenge in the wastes of a post-nuclear war. He bemoans his recent break up, and he gets heckled by his squad mates. He even has a secret. While searching in an strangely intact forbidden ruin for the scraps of stories that should be lost to time, Gus comes across a woman covered in scars. Meeting Saoirse sets of a series of events that leave the lines of myth and reality a bloody and blurry line. Gus will have to survive somehow, relying on his forbidden knowledge, and Saoirse.

Tropes you can look forward to:
Human vs Otherworld
Star-crossed lovers
Post apocalyptic world
Magic and Myth come to life
Portal journey

I was hoping for more. The opening with the reference from the Black Cauldron drew me in. The destroyed but somhow still surviving human world helped to set the tone. Then we start meeting Celtic faeries in what used to be America. It took me right out of the story, disappointingly so. For one thing, there's no glossary of pronunciation for these names or faerie types. Seeing as the story "borrows" from another culture, it'd be wise to include something to prevent butchering the language used.

The third person POV would have really sold the story for me, but the change from one narrator to the other was difficult to determine. In places I'd have to go back to confirm who was telling the story. Though the third person POV does allows for the horror to be vividly detailed. It shows the contrast between the bleak and dystopian human realm and the vivid and thriving Otherworld. Another downside is that the romance is trite. Okay, so they're star crossed lovers destined to be together to lead the Skeleton Faerie. Overall, I felt like there was potential. It just fell short.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Content Warnings
Major - Abuse, Violence, Death
Moderate - Body horror, Cursing, Cultural Appropriation
Minor - War

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great post-apocalyptic fantasy set around a century after a human-caused nuclear war/disaster (not fully clear which, but it is made very clear that is happened because humans are awful).

Gus lives on on of the compounds in the United States where people are trying to rebuild and repopulate. Every time he gets sent out with his scavenging team, he sneaks off to a long abandoned library to collect and smuggle books on fairy folklore back to the compound. They're contraband, but he's obsessed with the stories. On one of the days he goes out, he encounters Saoirse, a woman covered in scars; that same day, his scavenging team encounters what they believe are science experiments. This leads to a long investigation which, eventually results in Gus being accused of a triple homicide. He's rescued by Saoirse, and they set off on a quest to save the realms. Because Saoirse believes that (1) Gus is a changeling and (2) he is vital to saving the otherworld.

The story is dual POV, following mostly Gus but occasionally Saoirse. Where it got a little bit weird was that it would switch back and forth between first and third person POV, and it wasn't done in places where I felt like it made sense to do so. Or at least, the places weren't indicated when it would happen. Nevertheless, the story was so fantastic that it balanced this out to a 4 star read to me.

Once I hit the point of realizing this was set in the US, I was a little bit surprised that it would have been the place selected for a story on predominantly Celtic folklore, but the reasoning for that is explained seamlessly as part of the plot for the story and the impacts of the mortalworld on the otherworld. The story was fantastic and did not go the direction I was expecting it to. I look forward to the next book.

Thank you to NetGalley, Sea of Ink Press, and A.P. Mobley for the arc in exchange for an honest review.

[The Bat Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

“A darkly magical descent into Celtic myth that is lush, eerie, and beautifully haunting.”

I have received an ARC of this book and I absolutely adored it.

A.P. Mobley’s knowledge of Celtic folklore shines from the very first page, woven seamlessly into a world that feels both ancient and alive. The character introductions are effortless, pulling you into the story without hesitation, and the world-building is rich, immersive, and enchantingly dark.

The mythical creatures are vivid and wonderfully diverse, each described with such clarity that they linger in the mind long after a scene ends. The pacing is exceptional. It is fast enough to keep you hooked, but steady enough to deliver every detail needed to live fully alongside the characters.

What struck me most is the balance between wonder and dread. The fantasy is spellbinding, but the horror is threaded through it like a shadow, giving the story a deliciously eerie edge. The romance is subtle, slow-building, and beautifully handled; the quiet tension between Gus and Saoirse blossoms with perfect timing and tenderness.

The twists are sharp, shocking, and breath-stealing. Every jaw dropping moment only elevates the story further. Every reveal feels earned, each moment carefully placed to deepen the lore and raise the stakes.

My only critique?

That I cannot immediately dive into the next installment. The ending left me hungry for more—more darkness, more magic, more of everything this world has to offer.

It is only a stunning blend of fantasy and horror with atmospheric lore, unforgettable characters, and a romance that blooms in the shadows.

A standout story that is an absolute gem for lovers of dark mythology.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5/5 Stars

The Skeleton Faerie is a dark dystopian fantasy that completely took my breath away. It delivered everything I look for in dark fantasy and then went a step further.

Gus lives in a post-apocalyptic settlement but yearns for something more. While out scavenging, he sneaks away to his favorite place, an ancient, forgotten library. There, he immerses himself in mythology and legends of the fae and other legendary beings. During one of these visits, he encounters a mysterious woman covered in scars who vanishes just as suddenly as she appears. Shortly after, Gus and his scavenging party come across four strange “moth” people, setting off a chain of events that will forever change everything Gus thought he knew about the world and his own life.

This book was almost perfect for me.
It checked all my boxes. The story was dark when it needed to be without becoming overwhelming. It balanced romance and friendship beautifully, and the twists kept me on my toes. Some surprised me completely, while others I anticipated, though never in the way they ultimately unfolded.

My only drawback was the pacing. At times, it felt like a rollercoaster with sudden flat stretches. There were moments where the story dragged, followed by bursts where everything happened at once. A more even pacing would have elevated the experience even further.

That said, I am desperately looking forward to the next book in the series. I needed it yesterday. This has easily been one of my favorite reads of the year.

Thank you to NetGalley and Xpresso Book Tours for the ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Lilith's_Library_ · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Skeleton Faerie is a spellbinding journey into a world that is as darkly enchanting as it is emotionally resonant. A.P. Mobley has crafted a story that lingers in the mind long after the final page, weaving together elements of magic, mystery, and the quiet ache of longing with breathtaking skill.

From the first chapter, the narrative pulls you in with its vivid imagery and hauntingly beautiful prose. The world Mobley creates feels alive—full of shadowed forests, whispered secrets, and faerie creatures who are as mesmerizing as they are dangerous. Every corner of this universe is carefully imagined, yet it never overwhelms the story; instead, it enhances the sense of wonder and curiosity.

The characters are unforgettable. Each one carries layers of vulnerability, courage, and complexity, making their triumphs and losses deeply affecting. Mobley’s ability to explore their inner struggles alongside the fantastical elements of the story adds an emotional depth that is rare and compelling.

The pacing is perfectly measured—moments of tension and action are balanced with quieter, reflective passages that allow the story’s emotional core to shine. Every twist feels earned, every revelation satisfying, and the themes of loss, hope, and resilience resonate powerfully throughout.

The Skeleton Faerie is a masterful blend of dark fantasy and heartfelt storytelling. It’s a book that captivates, haunts, and inspires, earning every one of its five stars. A.P. Mobley has created something truly m

[Rachael Hamilton · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such an interesting book and I am glad I had the opportunity to receive both a physical book from the author and the e-book in exchange for my honest review.

In a post apocalyptic world, Gus is tasked with scavenging the waste land for his settlement. However, he loves to wander to an old library where he can learn about legends and lore or the past. While on an excursion with one of his groups, he encounters a mysterious woman he seems drawn to. Things start to fall apart as people in the settlement don't come back from the wasteland and Gus and his group are sent out again to find those who are missing.

We quickly learn Gus is integral to the faeries who are in the mortal world since the veil is so thin. Saoirse is also drawn to Gus and their stories may be more intertwined than we initially believe. This story has action and heart. There are characters to hate and characters to love. I am highly interested to see what happens in the future. It looks as though this is the first in a potential series so I can't wait to see where it goes.

Overall, I was highly intrigued and enjoyed the mix of sci-fi with fantasy in a fae and dark magic based world. I recommend this book for anyone who is looking for something that is a bit unique and fresh when it comes to stories of the fae.

[Kat · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an advance review copy for free through BookSirens, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Skeleton Faerie mixes two of my favorite genres - fantasy and post-apocalyptic. I loved the descriptions of the magical creatures, and the skeletons overall were a terrifying concept. It digs deep into lore and mythology with a mix of romance.

It takes place nearly a hundred years after the nuclear war of 1989, and people are eeking out an existence in the last remnants of civilization in a walled-in city. Gus and his fellow scavengers go out searching for usable wreckage for the city, and on his most recent excursion, he runs into what he thinks might have just been a daydream, Saorise - a faerie with moth wings, while he was looking for books on mythology and lore.

In this future world, lore, myths, and religion are pretty much banned as heresy, so Gus hiding books on lore in his apartment is a huge risk, and he has to smuggle in the books when he finds them.

After a magical attack, Gus is accused of murder and heresy and is saved by Saoirse and her cohorts. That's when he learns that the barrier between realms is breaking down, and he's the one who can help save at least one of the worlds.

Overall, the plot and concept is really interesting and worth the read.

[Ceara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall I did enjoy the plot of the book. However I think at some points in the book the story seemed to be dragging on a bit. At times it also became hard to follow because there wasn't a clear indicator that the POV had changed, so I would have to reread the passage to understand when the switch occurred. The info dumping of the folklore was a little overwhelming at the beginning. In order to prepare the reader better at the beginning of the book, I think it could be beneficial to provide a glossary that covers the pronunciation of the character names and the folklore so that the reading experience is even better. I really liked the overall plot and I think the twists were done really well. With some editing, I could absolutely see this being a 5 star read. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Emily · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really wanted to enjoy this one! The marketing made me think of some of my favorite books (The Ruby Key, Little Mushroom), and I love folklore/faerie/changeling stories. Sadly, The Skeleton Faerie did not live up to those expectations.

The Skeleton Faerie promises a post-apocalyptic romp following folklore-obsessed Gus Brandon as he learns that the stories he loves are far more than just words and pictures on pages of stolen library books. He meets sweet-but-sad Saoirse, watches his entire life fall apart before his eyes, and then treks across the Faerie Realm to learn more of his past and the future prophesied for him.

For what it’s worth, the author has done a really good job at crafting a lush world that you could just sink your teeth into. Environmental descriptions are wonderful, and they were my favorite part of reading this book. Unfortunately, the plot, pacing, and dialogue felt stilted, heavy-handed, and full of so many twists, turns, exposition dumps, and run-on sentences that it became a slog to finish about ⅓ of the way through.

I think that’s the most frustrating part. I see the skeleton (ha!) of a really good and interesting story. I think it needed to slow down and let the plot marinate more. The same goes for the featured romance. Gus experiences immense horrors and immediately turns around and immediately gets distracted by wondering about Saoirse’s lips or daydreaming about drowning in the depths of her eyes. He had the potential to be really interesting! It just doesn’t… slow down… enough to let him be more than a folklore encyclopedia with a pair of glasses.

The bones are there. The rest, sadly, is not.

[Jenn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading The Skeleton Faerie. The characters were intriguing. The world of the story was fascinating and well developed. The story itself is dark, fast paced, and full of action. The combined effect is one of the most engrossing post apocalyptic books I've read in a while. It pulled me in from the beginning and I never wanted to set it down. I stayed up far too late reading this one, and I can't wait to see what happens with future books in the series. I highly recommend this book for readers who enjoy post apocalyptic dark fantasy.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Melanie Deal · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Skeleton Faerie was such a fun read for me. Mobley did a great job in creating characters I cared about, and she also did a great job in world-building… I could totally picture the characters, the creatures and the landscape.

This is an action-packed story from the start, and full of darkness. It drew me in immediately and it was hard to put it down! I'm very much looking forward to more in this series. If you enjoy mythology/folklore, mingled with apocalyptic vibes, I think you'll enjoy this one.However, be forewarned that there is a lot of gore… it wasn't too much for me, but may be for some.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Rebelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is gritty and dark and REAL fairytale vibes - not the watered down kids version. It almost was reminiscent of X Files and Supernatural in the way it feels and I loved that about it! The twists were twisty and the story line was really engaging; I loved learning more about the plot and characters right alongside the main character. This author has mastered keeping important clues from the reader until the exact right moment for the utmost shock value - but in a way that’s vital to the story line and doesn’t feel cheap. I would definitely recommend this book but also highly recommend checking the content warnings beforehand.

[Lisa Hunt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Received as an ARC, I am leaving my honest review. This is a truly awesome story. Captivating, suspenseful, emotions torn by circumstances not known til the end. Danger lurks while the answers await as the gripping storyline unfolds. Magical powers are uncovered and nothing seems real, until the head spinning truth is told. The plot is fast paced and action packed, with even a bit of blooming romance and fairy magic. Nail biting from the first page to the last, prepare for an unputdownable journey.

[Kat M · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was hooked from the start and really enjoyed getting into this world and characters, it had that feel that I was looking for and enjoyed from the description. It was a strong start to the Children of the Death Gods series and thought worked with the dark fantasy concept. I enjoyed going on this journey with the characters and was hooked from the moment I started reading. A. P. Mobley wrote this well and enjoyed getting into this world and really enjoyed the cover of this.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Penelope Cardinale · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book honestly. I thought The author did a wonderful job at world building, it sucked me in immediately. The entire atmosphere of the book was beautiful and dark. It combined dark and eerie with the whimsical of faerie folklore. It was a complex world and at plenty of times dangerous but yet beautiful. It was high stakes and add in a romance? What more do you want? This book was emotional, fun, dark and beautifully written. This is a fast paced read and I enjoyed it very much. If you’re into dark fantasy or mythology retellings this would be for you.

[Marie Reed · Rating 5 out of 5]

I stayed up way too late to finish this and then I couldn't get my brain to shut off. Work was fun this morning.

I love the use of Celtic mythology for this. The consequences of the post-apocalyptic world humans created are affecting both planes of existence, and I loved the explanation given for the gates being the way they are.

There were a couple twists near the end that were pretty mind blowing, and that cliffhanger ending had me looking for the next book already.

If you love dark fantasy horror, Night of the Living Dead, and The Black Cauldron, you should pick up this book.

[Christinaraven · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this story and its creepy, crazy vibe it had going. Just enough darkness to make things interesting with this twist on post apocalyptic world mixed with faerie. It had drama, action, surprises, and a bit of a quest feel to it that made it a blast to read. Loved Gus and Saoirse together as they try to save the world. Well written and easy to get sucked into, I thought it was hard to put down as I had to see what these two would find and have to survive next.

[Eryn Stout · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has made me an A.P. Mobley fan and follower!

From characters to world/map creations, one is easily immersed into them all.

Go along on this adventure and journey into worlds beyond our own. Envision as it unfolds and truly leave you wanting more.

Love the pictures painted through words and certain you will too.

[Giniro · Rating 5 out of 5]

This cover is really cool, green veins and cyan eyes. This isn't the normal elves and faeries. The synopsis introduces this crazy cool concept of nuclear waste being mixed with myth and legend which I have not seen before. It's short for me at 366 pages, but there is so much going on and I ended up devouring it.

[Em]

DNF at 43% It wasn’t for me. I liked the world so much but I didn’t realize the characters were young. It made the reading feel juvenile. The character development was taking such a long time and there was a lot of info dumping of the folklores

[Janice Armstrong · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have to admit I’m not a fan of urban fantasy novels but this was an interesting twist. A bit of walking dead meets a faerie world. Easy read, good plot, a bit of a love interest no smut.

[Bess Trout · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book! The mythology was spot on and the setting against the back drop of a dystopian future was brilliant!