Perilous Enchantment: The True History of Faeries

by Sarah Clegg

We often think of them as tiny, glittering creatures fluttering about in pastel tulle, but fairies haven't always been so benign. Here, historian Sarah Clegg explores the true history of fairies, and the menace and ambiguity that always lurks within the shimmering fantasy.

This history takes us from elf fires in Iceland to a burial mound in Ireland; and from a stream in Cottingley where two sisters created a fairy hoax to a modern-day fairy ball in Los Angeles. Along the way, Clegg reveals fairies' connection to ancient gods and their role in the witch-trials, and examines their seductive presence in romantasy today. This is a story of how fairy myths grew and spread across Europe, of how they changed and developed, and why we have, for centuries, been so enthralled by the danger and enchantment of the fae.

Genres: Nonfiction, History, Historical, Folklore, Research

352 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 8, 2026

Reviews

[Candy Kay · Rating 5 out of 5]

✨Review of Advanced Copy received from a Goodreads giveaway ✨

One thing I appreciated about Perilous Enchantment: The True History of Faeries is the inclusion of trigger warnings, with Chapter 8 specifically called out. It’s a thoughtful detail that can be especially helpful for certain readers.

Each chapter represents a month of Sarah Clegg’s research and travels, as she visits places connected to the history she’s exploring. Her research draws from Scandinavian, German, Icelandic, Norwegian, and so many other folklore traditions.

I especially enjoyed how she uses sources such as poetry and medical texts from different countries and centuries. So much of history is preserved subtly through art, literature, and even medical writings, and Clegg brings those pieces together to show how beliefs about faeries appeared throughout history.

She also explores the origins of words and phrases. Those linguistic details add another fascinating layer.

For me, the book became even more personal after discovering my own family’s traditions involving sacred oaks, faeries, and protection through mist. It made Clegg’s exploration of folklore, history, and ancestral beliefs feel unexpectedly close to home.✨🧚🏻💕

[Alex Sarll]

The format is not dissimilar to the author's previous book, spooky Christmas custom survey Dead Of Winter, and at times I wondered if the material might have been happier if allowed to find its own form, rather than being fitted into the pre-existing shape where Clegg opens each chapter from a location, doubles back into the relevant material, then returns us to the scene with our eyes opened by the fresh information. Not least because, while Krampus runs and the Venetian Carnival shed obvious light on the traditions, sometimes here it feels like more of a stretch to, say, climb a mountain to where the Sibyl's cave was, rumoured to contain a dangerous route to a fabulous fairyland... except the entrance has collapsed now (exploring cave systems with dynamite will tend to do that), so while Clegg sees some very nice flowers up there, the benefit of the journey to the book is less immediately apparent. Still, this was only an occasional bother, and for the most part she's a great guide to the evolution from various precursor legends such as nymphs, elves and sidhe into what we recognise as faeries. Except, what do we recognise as faeries? Because part of what fascinates her is how the beliefs and fictions never stay consistent for long, keep dancing around each other, feeding back into each other, shifting and twisting. Some of this is familiar, not least the way modernity saw the eerily beautiful faerie knights and ladies shrink to twee little folk with butterfly wings, but even here it turns out the history is more complicated, the grittier early versions to which folklorists and fantasists tried to get 'back' often involving a lot of dubious inference, wishful thinking and separation of categories beyond what the evidence supported. Things I'd assumed were firmly grounded in the lore – the tithe to Hell, Seelie and Unseelie Courts – turn out barely to be mentioned in earlier sources, until someone (often Katharine Briggs) picks up on them from one or two tales, and then subsequent generations are sufficiently charmed that, just as I did, they take it as gospel, use it in their own versions, and so the dance continues. Along the way, Clegg adds wry asides, hilarious footnotes and running jokes, albeit often ones grounded in sincere sentiments, as when exhorting the reader to check out Marie de France, or taking the piss out of the church's bizarre (and, let's face it, still ongoing) obsession with semen. Though it is interesting how mediaeval clergy were actually pretty chill about faeries and even some demons, and only got really hardline in early modern times, which is surely at odds with how most people would interpret those terms. That shift does set the book's tone wobbling somewhat, as the geeky, enthusiastic persona with which the reader has been happily hanging out is now obliged to lament the cruelty of witch trials and attempts to deal with changelings, but hey, it's hardly Clegg's fault that any history involving humans is inevitably going to encompass viciousness far less glamorous than that of even the most dangerous faeries.

(Netgalley ARC)

[Bookish Emili Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Perilous Enchantment is a delightful fantasy romance that combines magic, adventure, and slow-burn chemistry into an engaging and thoroughly enjoyable read. Sarah Clegg creates a charming world filled with intrigue, danger, and just enough enchantment to keep the story feeling fresh from beginning to end.

One of the highlights of the book is the dynamic between the main characters. Their relationship develops naturally, with plenty of tension, banter, and emotional growth along the way. I enjoyed watching them challenge one another while gradually building trust and deeper feelings. The chemistry feels genuine, making it easy to root for them throughout their journey.

The fantasy elements were another strength. The magic system added wonder and excitement to the story, while the larger conflicts provided enough stakes to keep the plot moving. I appreciated how the worldbuilding enhanced the narrative without becoming overwhelming, allowing both the adventure and romance to shine.

The pacing kept me invested for most of the book, balancing action, mystery, and character development well. There were several moments that surprised me, and I found myself eager to see how the different storylines would come together.

The reason this earned 4 stars rather than 5 is that a few plot developments felt somewhat predictable, and I would have liked a bit more depth in some of the supporting characters. While these were minor issues, they occasionally kept the story from reaching its full emotional potential.

Overall, Perilous Enchantment is a fun and captivating fantasy romance with lovable characters, magical adventures, and plenty of heart. Readers who enjoy enchanting worlds, character-driven storytelling, and romances that gradually build over time will likely find a lot to love here.

[Neha Mehta · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perilous Enchantment by Sarah Clegg was a fascinating and enjoyable exploration of faerie folklore and how these stories have evolved across different cultures and periods of history. As someone who enjoys fantasy, I found it especially interesting to learn about the origins of many of the myths and beliefs that continue to influence modern fantasy literature today.

One of my favorite aspects of the book was its structure. Rather than presenting the information as a straightforward history lesson, Clegg organizes the book into chapters focused on different stories, legends, and locations. This made the book feel more like a journey through the world of faerie folklore, allowing each chapter to stand on its own while contributing to the larger picture. The variety kept the material engaging and made it easy to pick up and read a chapter at a time.

Clegg does an excellent job balancing research with storytelling. The historical details are informative without feeling overly academic, and her passion for the subject shines through on every page. I particularly enjoyed seeing how beliefs about faeries changed over time and how local traditions and landscapes shaped the stories people told.

Overall, Perilous Enchantment is an accessible and engaging read for anyone interested in folklore, mythology, or the roots of fantasy storytelling. It offers a thoughtful look at the enduring appeal of faeries while providing plenty of intriguing stories and historical insights along the way. I came away with a deeper appreciation for the rich history behind many of the legends that continue to inspire fantasy readers and writers today.

[Harriet · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved Sarah Clegg’s previous book The Dead of Winter, on the dark folklore of Christmas, so was very excited to see she’s now tackled the history of fairies. Perilous Enchantment follows the same format as before - divided into months of the year, it follows the author as she travels round important sites in fairy folklore and uses them as a jumping off point. She dives into the history of fairies in Europe, from the earliest mentions historians have found in scraps of texts through to their current appearance in romantasy books, and always puts the information into context of the culture and preoccupations of the world at the time. It manages to be accessible, relevant, and very readable, while also being deeply academically researched and referenced. And her dryly funny asides providing commentary in the footnotes have made me literally laugh out loud at times.

I didn’t know much about fairy mythology before starting this book but never felt at a loss for that, and the writing is beautiful - atmospheric and descriptive, but never flowery, and I appreciate how’s she’s just as clear about what we don’t know as what we do (and how the ways previous historians have filled in gaps in the readings often says more about the times they lived in rather than the histories themselves).

I’ve finished the book feeling both informed and entertained, and looking forward to see what she does next.

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

[Yvonne · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Perilous Enchantment, Sarah Clegg takes us on a trip around places in Europe that are associated with fairies of various types, including elves, sibyls, nymphs, house elves, and changelings. The chapters are headed by months of the year and are ordered chronologically from the early Middle Ages to the present day. This means that reading from cover to cover gives a trip through time showing how people's understanding of fairies has developed over the centuries and how folklore has adapted as a result. There are also photos of the locations that are the starting points for each chapter.

The author has a very accessible writing style and has obviously taken a great deal of trouble to make sure that readers don't get confused by all the different names for fairies in the different traditions. However, this doesn't make the book in any way a lightweight experience; it's very well researched and has a lot of interesting notes as well as the above-mentioned bibliography. The chapters on witch-hunters (witches and fairies have quite a bit in common sometimes) and changelings aren't an easy read because of the cruelty based on fear and ignorance, but that's part of the story of fairies and is treated in a way that helps increase our understanding of the times. The last couple of chapters show how the story of fairies is being adapted to the present day.

Altogether, this book was a really engaging read, and (thanks to references in the text and a comprehensive bibliography) my to-read list has grown quite a lot. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC ebook.

[Alannah Clarke · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this. Perilous Enchantment is a fascinating exploration of the history of faeries and the ways our ideas about them have changed over centuries. Sarah Clegg takes what could easily have been quite a dense subject and makes it incredibly engaging and accessible.

I particularly enjoyed learning how far removed traditional faeries were from the tiny, harmless, winged creatures we often picture today. The darker history surrounding faeries, changelings, witchcraft, religion and the supernatural was fascinating, and I loved seeing how these beliefs developed and adapted alongside society. The journey from ancient nature spirits and dangerous otherworldly beings to Victorian fairies and the fae of modern fantasy was especially interesting.

The travel element worked really well too. Visiting places connected with different legends and traditions gave the history a real sense of place and made the book feel much more immersive than a straightforward chronological account might have been.

What I appreciated most was Clegg's obvious enthusiasm for her subject. Her interest comes through throughout the book without ever making it feel overly academic or inaccessible. I came away feeling as though I had learned so much, while also thoroughly enjoying myself along the way.

A brilliant combination of folklore, mythology, social history and cultural history, and easily a five-star read for me.

[Julia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I saw this on NetGalley I really hoped to be selected to read it, which fantasy and history lover would turn their noses up at a history of the faerie myth. I loved her meticulously researched book that trackWhens faeries from The Dark Ages oral stories to modern day romantasy books. I loved visiting faerie sites with her, learning about the myths and legends and how faeries metamorphosed from feminine looking adult men, through many transitions to the modern day dicohtimy of tiny cute children's fairies and the darker raunchy romantasy incarnation.

I enjoyed seeing the spread of differing myths about these magical beings from around Europe, ancient deities, Early Christian acceptance or challenge of the stories, changling children and the accusations of witchcraft. All the stories were tied to their contemporary social history, emphasising the relevance of changes to the faeries and their tales. I loved the footnotes that accompanied her text. Some of them made me laugh at the contemporary views of the people from different eras, it was more acceptable to be the unmarried mother of a half faerie baby than a human one.

If you enjoy the real history behind the faeries and want to how we got to our current adult fairy stories then I thoroughly recommend this book. I will be looking to read her other books in the future.

Thank you to NetGalley , Granta Books , and Sarah Clegg for allowing me to read this eARC

[Janereads10 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cambridge PhD and folklorist Sarah Clegg visits a different fairy site each month, from fairy hills in Yorkshire to a nymph’s cave in Delphi, tracing the cultural history of the fairy from ancient times to now.

For the longest time, faeries have left me enchanted with their mercurial nature. They’re portrayed in so many ways, but my favorite is their darker side, so when I saw Perilous Enchantment, I knew I had to read it.

Clegg’s writing is immersive. Reading where she went before diving into the accounts of the fae was like taking a trip with her as the guide, and the photos of the locations she visited helped. My favorite was her account of the Fairy Lovers in the Eildon Hills, Scotland, and I loved that she recounted the story of Thomas of Ercildoune. Another favorite was House Faeries, set in Castle Hardenstein in Germany, with a fairy king associated with the castle’s master. It reminded me of a recent read, Thistlemarsh by Moorea Corrigan.

It’s a perfect account of faeries across Europe and of the growing popularity of these supernatural beings in fiction, which I’m a fan of. The book notes references such as Katharine Briggs, and I’m going to dive into some of them.

This was a satisfying read with lovely writing, and it was never dry for a nonfiction history book. I loved it!

This is for fans of faerie lore.

Thank you, Atria Books and NetGalley, for my gifted review copies. All opinions are my own.

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read an eARC of this book on NetGalley so thank you to the author and the publisher.

If you want to read more non-fiction but it’s not really your thing. Then this author’s books are a great place to start. I absolutely loved the books on different Christmas traditions and folklore. This one follows a similar format and writing style but instead explores the world of faerie. I really like the author’s writing style which always feels respectful to its source material whilst maintaining a level of whimsy and curiosity.

I liked the breadth that was explored in this book. The author actually includes quite a few modern books as part of this. Some that I really like, some less so, and others that I’m now going to look up. There’s no snobbery or disdain shown towards these books (which some people do exhibit). There’s just a discussion around how they’ve been influenced by faerie stories and folklore that came before them, and that’s fascinating.

I am a fan of faerie stories. Usually ones more routed in folklore more so than romantasy. So there was a lot of content I was familiar with here, but there’s still plenty that I learned for the first time and I’m delighted to have added a bunch of books and stories to my reading list from this!

The writing style is lovely and I really liked the respect shown by the author. An enjoyable non fiction read.

[Brittanae · Rating 3 out of 5]

Found this to be both an interesting and informative read - I learned quite a bit, and it’s evident the author is passionate on the (rather niche) topic, providing great insights / connections regarding the evolution of faeries and interconnectedness of mythical creatures.

And while I enjoyed her humor, I did find the overuse of footnotes distracting at times (it tapers down later in the book) - this may be a personal thing, but having to revert to footnotes several times on a single page (most of which are author anecdotal vs referential) became slightly tedious.

I also agree with another reviewer about structure and formatting; the premise of anchoring each chapter to a known faery site makes a lot of sense. It adds dimension to the story and helps connect past with present - attempting to bridge the tangible with the intangible, just as humans have been doing for centuries. That said, many of the locations fell flat for me (ie the collapsed cave, which I must admit was truly excited to read her discoveries alas)…

Overall I enjoyed the book and walked away with a lot of new information I previously did not know - for anyone especially interested in fairies / fantasy and their origins, this is a perfect book :)

[Julia · Rating 4 out of 5]

nformative, entertaining and wonderfully wide-ranging, the book explores how attitudes towards the faerie world have evolved over the centuries. What fascinated me most was discovering that the familiar image of the fairy is only one relatively recent version. Clegg traces the changing perceptions of these elusive beings, showing how they have reflected the fears, beliefs, imagination and cultural attitudes of the societies that created and reshaped them.

I particularly enjoyed the travelogue element. The book takes the reader on a journey to fairy-related places ranging from Yorkshire and Iceland to Ireland, Cornwall and Cottingley, bringing together landscape, history and folklore.

There is plenty here for readers interested in history and literature, but also in the way stories evolve and become embedded in popular culture. I found the connections between historical beliefs, literary traditions and our modern perception of faeries especially intriguing.

A fascinating and entertaining introduction to a subject I knew little about — and one that has left me looking at fairy lore in a completely different light.

[Michael C · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book exploring the origins and history of beliefs in fairies, with some emphasis on the dark side of fairies. Its discussion of official attitudes to those who believed in fairies brings out the links to witchcraft trials and, in the nineteenth century, child abuse. Each of the main chapters opens and closes with accounts of a visit to a place associated with legend. The final part of the book encompasses the appearance of fairies in romantasy.

The book conveys a vast amount of information, but does so in a chatty way which makes it easy to follow.

I have given four rather than five stars for two reasons. First, there were times when I felt that the author was stretching the concept of a fairy rather too far, to include other beings of legend and folklore. Second, much of the factual material related to Britain and Ireland, and I would ideally have liked to see rather more use of information relating to other countries.

With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for letting me have an advance copy. The opinions in this review are entirely my own.

[Sarah Oakey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Serious Enchantment by Sarah Clegg
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4/5

✨️OUT NOW✨️

Well that was rather special!!

✨️Ever fancied going on a real life 🧚‍♀️ fairy pilgrimage? Well that's this book in a magical nutshell.

💫The author takes us with her on her enchanting adventures all over Europe and beyond, discovering locations steeped in magical history! This is a book with fairies at its heart!

My personal favourite destinations were Sarah's travels to Brittany France to La fontaine de Barenton which is steeped in folklore Arthurian legend, I used to live in Brittany and we visited the area. My other favourite was her visit to Cottingley Beck, Yorkshire ...I've long since been obsessed with the Cottingly fairy story.

Sarah Clegg is like a real life Emily Wild... building her own encyclopedia of fairies and their history. But like Emily's fairies don't expect all pretty myths and tales... there are trigger warnings within the book! Brutal occurrences took place when fairy folklore is involved.

💫I have a hunch lots of you bookstagrammers will love this book.... its like Lonely Planet does folklore!!

[V · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very fun and engaging read, especially if you're into romantasy and have been curious about the history and folklore behind fae and elves. Sarah Clegg traces fairies from their roots in ancient mythology all the way through to the versions we see today, showing how the stories kept shifting with culture, religion, and storytelling styles. It's fascinating (and a little unsettling) how many different faces these creatures have had over the centuries, and how much darker and more ambiguous they often were than the tiny, glittering beings most of us picture nowadays.

One of my favorite parts was when Clegg brought up modern fantasy books with fae characters in this book. Hearing how contemporary writers draw from (and sometimes twist) the older lore was super interesting. And WOW, this book made me realize just how different Tolkien's elves are from the much older, more unpredictable elf and fairy traditions. If you love romantasy and want to learn more about the history and folklore behind fae and elves, I'd definitely recommend this book.

[Carol Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great reality check for the faery lover in me; I grew up obsessed with the idea of creepy-crawly fae. Brownies and red caps, especially. The modern romantasy fae felt SO far from my misconception of "real" faery stories--but Clegg has given me a better scope of European folklore and an appreciation for the veracity of ethereal, humanoid fae. There were several times where I would stop to give my partner a recap on what was happening--"hey, honey, do you want to hear how 'mare' in nightmare comes from an Incuba that crushes men to death in their sleep?" The moments of realism--as Clegg traverses some of the places where these bits of European folklore sprouted or flourished--helped reground the narration. It was funny how these places were described simply, honestly--like gentle B-Roll on the History Channel--while the folklore sections themselves held a lot of snappy language. You can feel how Clegg loves her work, and she knows the hidden mechanisms in her field of study.

[Elysia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sarah Clegg delves into the history and wonder of European fairies in a way that keeps the reader interested, almost like conversing with the author. The travelogue approach creates excellent points of reference for further research (and ideas for visiting), pulling out different aspects of what is a very broad topic.

It is fascinating to be introduced to the origins of what has become as huge presence in modern fantasy (especially with the rise of authors such as SJM) and to so clearly see some of the threads that these authors have pulled from the myth.

Much of it is based in Britain and Ireland, so it would be interesting to see further background and commentary on other European fairy lore, but there is only so much one can discuss in a single volume.

This is an excellent read to delve deeper into the real background of one of literatures most wide-ranging topics.

[N A · Rating 4 out of 5]

Received book via goodreads giveaway.

A very enjoyable read detailing the history and ever-changing folklore surrounding fairies. Clegg structures the book nicely, beginning every chapter with a location associated with specific fairy folklore, before further expanding on the subject.

As someone who personally isn’t the biggest nonfiction reader, I found the writing easy to follow. It’s clear that Clegg has done a lot of research on the topic as she cites a plethora of modern & historical sources. Her speaking with/discussing authors influential to the current urban fantasy/romantasy genres was particularly neat!

I also quite liked all the footnotes included, which provided more information or even some of the authors opinions (I have to agree, Yonec is pretty good).

An interesting and informative book that I would recommend for anyone who likes fairies and history!

[Clairiefaerie · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Perilous enchantments is an interesting and engaging history of faerie stories. I found the writing style accessible and almost conversational.

I enjoyed the way the chapters were set up as a tour of where parts of legends had mostly originated and really liked learning the origins of things like elf shot (which features prominently in the works of my favourite author Seanan McGuire), the fairy courts that appear in almost every Romantasy novel I’ve ever read and the house fairies that appear in Heather Fawcett and Katherine Arden’s books.

There are beautiful photographs of a lot of the locations and I finished the book inspired to read more traditional folklore and some old school urban fantasy.

Thank you to NetGalley and Granta publications for the opportunity to read this ARC.

[Kerry Henderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Many thanks to Netgalley and Granta Publications for the opportunity to read this book.
Fairies, we often see them as cute little creatures in children's stories but there's a darker side to them. Historian Sarah Clegg takes us on a journey to the true history of fairies. Its more menacing than you think.

This was such an interesting read. I've always found stories about fairies fascinating so was interesting to see some of the history and tradition behind them. There's also some lovely images throughout the book at various locations linked to fairies which helps with visualisation. This covers a wide variety of different fairies and tales about them. As a trigger warning this does touch on child abuse and rape. A must for anyone interested in fairies and their lore.

[Zoe Lipman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a cool non-fiction and I learned so much fun information from it!

This is the kind of book I'd definitely want to reread because I am sure there was cool information that I didn't retain.

This was whimsical and historical and informative. I liked the historical tie-ins and the modern references. I also liked the inclusion of photos and notes/footnotes.

I also thought the relation between medical condition names and fae tales/names was really interesting. I definitely want to look into that more.

Thanks to NetGalley for the e-ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review!

[ReadingRabbit · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a fantasy reader, this was a really interesting read about the history of faeries. I liked how Clegg grounded each chapter in her own real life travels to some of the places connected to the stories.

I loved the parts dealing with the etymology of words that we are all familiar with like 'nightmare'. it's a deep dive into the origin of the word or phrase but it's still connected seamlessly back into the overarching story and research.

The author was also very transparent about any possible biases that could have been present given the time period or types of people writing the referenced texts which I really appreciated.

Overall, I found this approachable, easy to digest, and informative. I thought the first couple chapters dragged a little bit but it picked up as the book went on.

Thank you to Netgalley and Atria Books for the e-arc!

[Gayle (OutsmartYourShelf) · Rating 4.25 out of 5]

A history of all things elven & faery within the European folklores, this is a very interesting read which takes the reader through the development of magical beings from the romances of the medieval period, through childhood whimsy in the Victorian era, & back again today (romantasy & urban fantasy). Over the centuries, faeries have run the gamut of being everything from human-sized adults to being tiny beings, from living in crystal & gold palaces to inhabiting to toadstools, & they have also gone from being mainly sex objects, to sinister dark faeries, to being helpful around the house & everything inbetween.

The author takes us on a journey through ten places in Europe that have been linked with faeries over the ages & has obviously undertaken painstaking research (including reading all those medieval romances about faeries & elves - rather them than me!) This is shown in the many footnotes which give the reader extra bits of information & many wryly funny comments. It's well written & although I enjoyed the historical elements more than the fantasy, it was interesting to see how & when the faeries of today took shape. Please note though that this is not a twee read, it deals with some triggering subjects such as child abuse (when talking about the origins of changelings). Overall though it was an interesting & informative read.

SUMMARY:
Research: 5/5 - Painstaking research including reading all those medieval romances about faeries/elves. Lots of footnotes!
Writing Style: 4/5 - Nicely written with a wry humour.
Enjoyment Level: 4/5 - I enjoyed the historical element more than the fantasy I must say. Interesting to see when & how the faeries of today took shape.

My thanks to NetGalley & publishers, Granta Publications, for the opportunity to read an ARC.

[Everafterreads · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love everything about fae so I obviously was super excited to win this book! I highly recommend it to anyone who loves Faeries. I absolutely loved all the history that was included in this book. Hearing where everything came from or started is so interesting. I honestly wish the book had been longer!

[George Wood · Rating 4 out of 5]

I never knew faeries could be so evil! A beautiful comprehensive guide to everything faerie (faery?) I loved the old old folklore, which is probably the closest to being the truth about these fascinating creatures. I'm so pleased to have this book on my shelves!
I won this book in a Goodreads Giveaway, thank you!

[Katty · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely adored this book. It is well researched and completely engrossing. The author has a great voice and razor sharp wit. I look forward to reading more from her. And I will definitely be recommending this to friends.

[Katie Garverick · Rating 3 out of 5]

When I saw this book I was really excited to read an adult book on fairies and mystical creatures. I really liked the pictures for each chapter of the places that the author visited. The book moved a little slower than I expected but otherwise was a great read.

[A.K. Adler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well-researched and engagingly presented, this made me rethink my assumptions and gave me a broader perspective. It explores shifting cultural influences and how they shaped faery lore, as well as how faeries have shaped culture in turn. At times dark, but always interesting.

[LittleRead · Rating 4.75 out of 5]

I love a good history book and this one caught my attention. I loved every single bit of it and a thrilled that the author took on a most interesting subject and brought it to life through both folklore and modern day writing. I’m keeping this one handy and will read it again and again.

[Maddy Rane]

Stunningly researched, fascinating, and spooky