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Ballad of the Pale Lady
She spent her whole life hiding in the shadows; now she will burn in his light.
Galatea's life has always been marked by fear. Being a changeling in a kingdom like Nodiur is a curse. But even in the darkest times, she shared the burden with her twin brother, Gileas. With him, even a life spent in the shadows was more than worth living.
Everything changes when the Queen is murdered.
Mad with grief, King Theoderich hunts for a culprit, and nobody is safe from his wrath; especially not changelings. That's why Gileas abandons his sister, to protect her and chase a future where they can be free. But his life is not a price Galatea is willing to pay.
She needs to find him and bring him home, even if that means travelling across Nodiur with strangers. Even with Corim, elven prince and changeling hunter. Their kinds are fated enemies, but his hazel eyes tell a far more dangerous story, one of pure desire.
With their lives at stake and the King closer each day, Galatea will be left with a risk everything to abandon herself in Corim's embrace, or keep living in the web of lies that always kept her safe.
Galatea's life has always been marked by fear. Being a changeling in a kingdom like Nodiur is a curse. But even in the darkest times, she shared the burden with her twin brother, Gileas. With him, even a life spent in the shadows was more than worth living.
Everything changes when the Queen is murdered.
Mad with grief, King Theoderich hunts for a culprit, and nobody is safe from his wrath; especially not changelings. That's why Gileas abandons his sister, to protect her and chase a future where they can be free. But his life is not a price Galatea is willing to pay.
She needs to find him and bring him home, even if that means travelling across Nodiur with strangers. Even with Corim, elven prince and changeling hunter. Their kinds are fated enemies, but his hazel eyes tell a far more dangerous story, one of pure desire.
With their lives at stake and the King closer each day, Galatea will be left with a risk everything to abandon herself in Corim's embrace, or keep living in the web of lies that always kept her safe.
559 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 27, 2026
About the author
Fern Thornvale
1 book5 followersFern Thornvale is an Italian-Peruvian romantasy author and psychology graduate.
She’s a geek who runs on hyper-fixations, tea, and cuddles with her three cats and husband. When she’s not writing, she spends her time playing Dungeons and Dragons, reading, watching series, and playing video-games; not exactly in this order nor one at a time.
She’s a geek who runs on hyper-fixations, tea, and cuddles with her three cats and husband. When she’s not writing, she spends her time playing Dungeons and Dragons, reading, watching series, and playing video-games; not exactly in this order nor one at a time.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
March 28, 2026
Wow. Okay. Let me put this into proper words.
REVIEW FOR AN ADVANCED READER COPY PROVIDED BY NETGALLEY. THANK YOU FOR PROVIDING ME THIS ARC.
Ballad of the Pale Lady follows the story of Galatea, a changeling- person despised for their ability of changing forms. Her brother went missing, and as she tries to look for him, she meets two companions - Zane and Corim.
Galatea is a strong character - her power makes her a little outcast, but shes confident in the way she is. She also wasnt afraid of leaning onto people, mostly her guardians. What I think is cool about her is how she just didn't feel too pushy with everything. There were a couple of moments where I think there could've been a little more strain, but otherwise, she was a very good main female character.
This story, at its core, is a story of adventure - we travel with the group through the different parts of the kingdom, learn about the magic and the world. The magic is very classic styled - and thats what I enjoyed. Sometimes, you just need the runes and spells this book offers, and it reminded me of all the stories I read about Merlin as a child.
Overall, this story is beautiful, and will keep you on the edge of your seat. Action-packed, driven and determined to leave you devastated, this story is worth reading, despite the couple of complaints I have.
REVIEW FOR AN ADVANCED READER COPY PROVIDED BY NETGALLEY. THANK YOU FOR PROVIDING ME THIS ARC.
Ballad of the Pale Lady follows the story of Galatea, a changeling- person despised for their ability of changing forms. Her brother went missing, and as she tries to look for him, she meets two companions - Zane and Corim.
Galatea is a strong character - her power makes her a little outcast, but shes confident in the way she is. She also wasnt afraid of leaning onto people, mostly her guardians. What I think is cool about her is how she just didn't feel too pushy with everything. There were a couple of moments where I think there could've been a little more strain, but otherwise, she was a very good main female character.
This story, at its core, is a story of adventure - we travel with the group through the different parts of the kingdom, learn about the magic and the world. The magic is very classic styled - and thats what I enjoyed. Sometimes, you just need the runes and spells this book offers, and it reminded me of all the stories I read about Merlin as a child.
Overall, this story is beautiful, and will keep you on the edge of your seat. Action-packed, driven and determined to leave you devastated, this story is worth reading, despite the couple of complaints I have.
May 20, 2026
I beta read this book!!! 🤭❤️
April 6, 2026
Ballad of the Pale Lady was a good read and I enjoyed the characters, especially Galatea (FMC) and all of the spunk and tenacity she had. She cared deeply for her brother and those she cared about and would do whatever it took to take care of them. I think the author did a great job digging deep into who she was. I particularly enjoyed how her love interest ended up playing out, and how it didn't follow common tropes.
The world building wasn't super rich in detail (not a negative, necessarily) as the book was more plot and character driven. I felt like the book was a bit on the long side. I feel like Galatea and her crew's first trip to see a certain ruler could have been cut out.
The biggest issue for me was the editing. There were bits of the book that were fine but other parts of it had a lot of mistakes. It made me feel a bit like I was going crazy lol. I had to slow down and back track to confirm that no it wasn't creatively written, and I didn't misread it. As this is an ARC copy, the errors might not be there in the final version, I can't be sure. But there was enough of it that it kept pulling me out of the book and I enjoyed it less than I could have.
Overall I did enjoy reading this book and if the editing issues are sorted out, I would definitely recommend reading it.
The world building wasn't super rich in detail (not a negative, necessarily) as the book was more plot and character driven. I felt like the book was a bit on the long side. I feel like Galatea and her crew's first trip to see a certain ruler could have been cut out.
The biggest issue for me was the editing. There were bits of the book that were fine but other parts of it had a lot of mistakes. It made me feel a bit like I was going crazy lol. I had to slow down and back track to confirm that no it wasn't creatively written, and I didn't misread it. As this is an ARC copy, the errors might not be there in the final version, I can't be sure. But there was enough of it that it kept pulling me out of the book and I enjoyed it less than I could have.
Overall I did enjoy reading this book and if the editing issues are sorted out, I would definitely recommend reading it.
May 9, 2026
Okay so I loved this!
I think was one of those fantasy books that was so genuinely easy to read and digest, that it made it so much better? There were all the aspects of a fantasy novel you'd want, but given to the reader in a way that didn't have me shaking my head in confusion as I read it. It was so engaging and kept me hooked from start to finish. Definitely will be picking up any other book written by this author because I absolutely loved this one!
Thank you NetGalley for the eARC!
I think was one of those fantasy books that was so genuinely easy to read and digest, that it made it so much better? There were all the aspects of a fantasy novel you'd want, but given to the reader in a way that didn't have me shaking my head in confusion as I read it. It was so engaging and kept me hooked from start to finish. Definitely will be picking up any other book written by this author because I absolutely loved this one!
Thank you NetGalley for the eARC!
April 4, 2026
I received an ARC from BookSirens
I really enjoyed this book. The characters are memorable and interesting and the world building and magic system is very well done.
I liked the folklore elements very much and there were some twists I did not see coming. That’s always fun.
My only criticism is that, at times, the pacing is a little slow. But overall I enjoyed the look very much and look forward to seeing where the story goes in book 2.
I really enjoyed this book. The characters are memorable and interesting and the world building and magic system is very well done.
I liked the folklore elements very much and there were some twists I did not see coming. That’s always fun.
My only criticism is that, at times, the pacing is a little slow. But overall I enjoyed the look very much and look forward to seeing where the story goes in book 2.
April 8, 2026
Ballad of the Pale Lady was kindly sent to me for free as an advance review copy, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Let me start with this: it’s not a difficult book to read. In fact, I flew through it. The writing is very accessible and easy to follow — but that accessibility comes with a trade-off. This reads very YA. That’s not inherently a bad thing, but it wasn’t what I was expecting going in, especially as it’s not marketed that way. Because of that, a lot of the tone, dialogue, and characterisation felt a little flat for me.
The biggest issue I had was immersion — or lack of it. The worldbuilding and lore are either underexplained or introduced far too late to feel impactful. For a book of this length, I expected to feel grounded in the world much sooner. Instead, I often felt like I was playing catch-up, piecing things together without enough context. If it hadn’t been for the blurb, I honestly would’ve been quite lost in those opening chapters.
Character depth was another sticking point. There are hints of backstory and emotional layers, but they’re never really explored in a meaningful way. Motivations felt surface level, and I struggled to connect with anyone on a deeper level because of it.
The dialogue also leaned quite childish in places, which made me pause more than once. Again — if the spice were removed, this would sit very comfortably as YA.
A personal gripe (and I know this is subjective): modern phrasing in a fantasy setting. Words like centimetres, kids, and mate pulled me straight out of the world. And I’m sorry, but “pubes” instead of just… hair? My eye twitched. It just didn’t match the tone I was expecting and made the world feel less cohesive.
That said, there were elements I did enjoy. The inclusion of animal familiars — specifically a ferret called Puck — was a highlight for me (I love ferrets, so I am biased). The concept itself has potential too: elves, half elves, changelings who can shift into other people, arcane magic, even dragon shifting. There are some genuinely interesting ideas here.
I can absolutely see the vibe the author was going for, and there’s clear talent in the writing. Unfortunately, the execution just didn’t work for me personally. I won’t be continuing the series, but I do wish the author every success with future books.
Let me start with this: it’s not a difficult book to read. In fact, I flew through it. The writing is very accessible and easy to follow — but that accessibility comes with a trade-off. This reads very YA. That’s not inherently a bad thing, but it wasn’t what I was expecting going in, especially as it’s not marketed that way. Because of that, a lot of the tone, dialogue, and characterisation felt a little flat for me.
The biggest issue I had was immersion — or lack of it. The worldbuilding and lore are either underexplained or introduced far too late to feel impactful. For a book of this length, I expected to feel grounded in the world much sooner. Instead, I often felt like I was playing catch-up, piecing things together without enough context. If it hadn’t been for the blurb, I honestly would’ve been quite lost in those opening chapters.
Character depth was another sticking point. There are hints of backstory and emotional layers, but they’re never really explored in a meaningful way. Motivations felt surface level, and I struggled to connect with anyone on a deeper level because of it.
The dialogue also leaned quite childish in places, which made me pause more than once. Again — if the spice were removed, this would sit very comfortably as YA.
A personal gripe (and I know this is subjective): modern phrasing in a fantasy setting. Words like centimetres, kids, and mate pulled me straight out of the world. And I’m sorry, but “pubes” instead of just… hair? My eye twitched. It just didn’t match the tone I was expecting and made the world feel less cohesive.
That said, there were elements I did enjoy. The inclusion of animal familiars — specifically a ferret called Puck — was a highlight for me (I love ferrets, so I am biased). The concept itself has potential too: elves, half elves, changelings who can shift into other people, arcane magic, even dragon shifting. There are some genuinely interesting ideas here.
I can absolutely see the vibe the author was going for, and there’s clear talent in the writing. Unfortunately, the execution just didn’t work for me personally. I won’t be continuing the series, but I do wish the author every success with future books.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
"She was a wonderful white rose protected by a bramble of thorns:"
After the Queen’s murder throws Nodiur into chaos, changelings like Galatea become targets of the grieving King’s wrath. When her twin brother disappears to protect her, Galatea sets out across the kingdom to find him—forced to travel with Corim, an elven prince and changeling hunter who may be far more dangerous to her heart than to her life.
The writing style itself was one of my favorite parts of the book. The author is incredibly engaging with her style of writing and how she builds the atmosphere, and I especially loved the dynamic between Galatea, Corim, and Liver. Their interactions were some of the most compelling moments in the story. She knows how to grasp the readers attention.
At times the story felt rushed, particularly in the beginning where some of the character development happens very quickly. The backstories and motivations of some characters were a little difficult to fully grasp early on. The same applied to parts of the magic system. There are so many intriguing ideas and hints at deeper mysteries, but I often felt like the narrative moved on before I had time to linger with them and fully absorb their significance.
There were a lot of moments that made me excited about the direction of the story. The author clearly has strong ideas and an engaging voice, and I can see this world and these characters growing into something really compelling.
Overall, I think this book has a lot of promise, and I’d be very interested to see where the author takes the story next.
3.5/5 (4 stars on GR as there are no halfstars!)
Content Warnings:
-Spicy! There are some very explicit scenes in this book
-Some ideas of self harm
-Violence
"She was a wonderful white rose protected by a bramble of thorns:"
After the Queen’s murder throws Nodiur into chaos, changelings like Galatea become targets of the grieving King’s wrath. When her twin brother disappears to protect her, Galatea sets out across the kingdom to find him—forced to travel with Corim, an elven prince and changeling hunter who may be far more dangerous to her heart than to her life.
The writing style itself was one of my favorite parts of the book. The author is incredibly engaging with her style of writing and how she builds the atmosphere, and I especially loved the dynamic between Galatea, Corim, and Liver. Their interactions were some of the most compelling moments in the story. She knows how to grasp the readers attention.
At times the story felt rushed, particularly in the beginning where some of the character development happens very quickly. The backstories and motivations of some characters were a little difficult to fully grasp early on. The same applied to parts of the magic system. There are so many intriguing ideas and hints at deeper mysteries, but I often felt like the narrative moved on before I had time to linger with them and fully absorb their significance.
There were a lot of moments that made me excited about the direction of the story. The author clearly has strong ideas and an engaging voice, and I can see this world and these characters growing into something really compelling.
Overall, I think this book has a lot of promise, and I’d be very interested to see where the author takes the story next.
3.5/5 (4 stars on GR as there are no halfstars!)
Content Warnings:
-Spicy! There are some very explicit scenes in this book
-Some ideas of self harm
-Violence
Review of advance copy
Ballad of the Pale Lady is a beautifully woven tale of haunting folklore and mysterious enchantments, where every verse feels like a step deeper into a shadowy world. Fern Thornvale’s writing captures the eerie atmosphere with stunning imagery and a haunting sense of inevitability. The Pale Lady herself is a figure both tragic and unsettling, and the tension surrounding her presence is palpable.
Thornvale excels at creating a rich, immersive world filled with secrets, curses, and delicate emotional moments. The characters are layered and relatable, drawing you into their struggles as they confront the unknown. There’s a slow, simmering intensity in the way the plot unfolds, and the emotional beats hit just right—when they do.
However, throughout the book, there were moments when the narrative felt weighed down by over-explanation. The author’s attention to detail is admirable, but there were times when the explanations went on too long, almost as if trying to hammer home points that were already clear. The repetition, particularly when revisiting key concepts or backstory, sometimes detracted from the flow of the story, making it feel a bit sluggish in places.
Despite this, Ballad of the Pale Lady is a captivating read. The atmosphere and the richness of the world keep you invested, even if the pacing stumbles occasionally under the weight of its own explanations. It’s a story that lingers with you, leaving you with a sense of longing and unease, like the echoes of a forgotten song.
Thornvale excels at creating a rich, immersive world filled with secrets, curses, and delicate emotional moments. The characters are layered and relatable, drawing you into their struggles as they confront the unknown. There’s a slow, simmering intensity in the way the plot unfolds, and the emotional beats hit just right—when they do.
However, throughout the book, there were moments when the narrative felt weighed down by over-explanation. The author’s attention to detail is admirable, but there were times when the explanations went on too long, almost as if trying to hammer home points that were already clear. The repetition, particularly when revisiting key concepts or backstory, sometimes detracted from the flow of the story, making it feel a bit sluggish in places.
Despite this, Ballad of the Pale Lady is a captivating read. The atmosphere and the richness of the world keep you invested, even if the pacing stumbles occasionally under the weight of its own explanations. It’s a story that lingers with you, leaving you with a sense of longing and unease, like the echoes of a forgotten song.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Ballad of the Pale Lady was a very enjoyable read, largely thanks to its memorable characters and its epic adventure atmosphere enriched with elements of folklore. The story often feels like stepping into a Dungeons & Dragons-style quest, with an immersive world that invites the reader to become part of the journey.
One of the strongest aspects of the novel is the worldbuilding and magic system. The attention to detail helps create a vivid and engaging setting that supports the adventure at the heart of the story.
The protagonist, Galatea, is a complex heroine—strong, determined, and incredibly courageous. However, the character who truly stole my heart was Lawrence. Even though I’m not usually drawn to “golden retriever” type male characters, this bard was impossible not to love. His kindness, humor, empathy, and bravery bring warmth and charm to the story and make him a standout presence. I especially appreciated that the characters didn’t necessarily follow typical archetypes, and their interactions felt incredibly natural and authentic.
At times, the pacing slowed due to lengthy explanations, which occasionally made certain sections feel a bit slower than necessary. Despite this, the plot remains engaging and unpredictable, with several twists that genuinely surprised me.
Overall, this was an immersive and entertaining fantasy adventure, and the ending left me curious to see where the story will go next in the series.
Rating: 4.25/5 stars
I would like to thank NetGalley and the publisher, for the opportunity to read this ARC!
One of the strongest aspects of the novel is the worldbuilding and magic system. The attention to detail helps create a vivid and engaging setting that supports the adventure at the heart of the story.
The protagonist, Galatea, is a complex heroine—strong, determined, and incredibly courageous. However, the character who truly stole my heart was Lawrence. Even though I’m not usually drawn to “golden retriever” type male characters, this bard was impossible not to love. His kindness, humor, empathy, and bravery bring warmth and charm to the story and make him a standout presence. I especially appreciated that the characters didn’t necessarily follow typical archetypes, and their interactions felt incredibly natural and authentic.
At times, the pacing slowed due to lengthy explanations, which occasionally made certain sections feel a bit slower than necessary. Despite this, the plot remains engaging and unpredictable, with several twists that genuinely surprised me.
Overall, this was an immersive and entertaining fantasy adventure, and the ending left me curious to see where the story will go next in the series.
Rating: 4.25/5 stars
I would like to thank NetGalley and the publisher, for the opportunity to read this ARC!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
It had such a beautifully eerie atmosphere that immediately pulled me into the story.
The plot blends gothic fantasy with a darker, emotional storyline, and I loved how the mystery slowly unfolded throughout the book. There’s a haunting tone to the narrative that fits the story perfectly, and the author does a great job building tension as secrets and past events begin to surface. The pacing worked well for me overall, keeping me curious about what was really going on.
One of the things I enjoyed most was the use of tropes in the story. It leans into some great ones like haunted pasts, tragic romance, dark secrets, and fate-driven connections. These elements give the book a very gothic, almost melancholic feel, which I thought worked really well with the plot.
The characters were engaging and added emotional depth to the story, especially as their histories and motivations became clearer. I liked that the relationships felt layered and complicated rather than straightforward.
Overall, this was a really enjoyable read with a strong gothic vibe and an intriguing plot. If you enjoy dark fantasy, haunting atmospheres, and stories filled with secrets and emotional tension, this is definitely one to check out.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.
The plot blends gothic fantasy with a darker, emotional storyline, and I loved how the mystery slowly unfolded throughout the book. There’s a haunting tone to the narrative that fits the story perfectly, and the author does a great job building tension as secrets and past events begin to surface. The pacing worked well for me overall, keeping me curious about what was really going on.
One of the things I enjoyed most was the use of tropes in the story. It leans into some great ones like haunted pasts, tragic romance, dark secrets, and fate-driven connections. These elements give the book a very gothic, almost melancholic feel, which I thought worked really well with the plot.
The characters were engaging and added emotional depth to the story, especially as their histories and motivations became clearer. I liked that the relationships felt layered and complicated rather than straightforward.
Overall, this was a really enjoyable read with a strong gothic vibe and an intriguing plot. If you enjoy dark fantasy, haunting atmospheres, and stories filled with secrets and emotional tension, this is definitely one to check out.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.
March 24, 2026
I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts are my own.
I went into The Ballad of the Pale Lady by Fern Thornvale really excited. The premise had so many elements I usually love, a strong FMC, layered political intrigue, compelling quests, and the promise of romance woven throughout. On paper, this should have been a perfect read for me.
Unfortunately, it just didn’t land the way I’d hoped. While the story itself wasn’t necessarily slow, something about the execution made it feel flat, and I found myself surprisingly bored despite everything happening on the page. The writing, at times, felt a bit clunky, which made it harder to stay fully immersed in the world and characters.
I kept waiting to feel more connected, whether to the stakes, the romance, or the protagonist but that spark never quite clicked for me. It’s especially disappointing because all the right ingredients were there, and I can absolutely see the potential in both the story and the author’s ideas.
For this being a debut novel I fully appreciate the creation of the world and characters but the execution unfortunately fell a bit flat for me.
Overall, a promising concept that just didn’t fully come together for my personal taste—but I’d still be open to seeing how the author grows in future works.
I went into The Ballad of the Pale Lady by Fern Thornvale really excited. The premise had so many elements I usually love, a strong FMC, layered political intrigue, compelling quests, and the promise of romance woven throughout. On paper, this should have been a perfect read for me.
Unfortunately, it just didn’t land the way I’d hoped. While the story itself wasn’t necessarily slow, something about the execution made it feel flat, and I found myself surprisingly bored despite everything happening on the page. The writing, at times, felt a bit clunky, which made it harder to stay fully immersed in the world and characters.
I kept waiting to feel more connected, whether to the stakes, the romance, or the protagonist but that spark never quite clicked for me. It’s especially disappointing because all the right ingredients were there, and I can absolutely see the potential in both the story and the author’s ideas.
For this being a debut novel I fully appreciate the creation of the world and characters but the execution unfortunately fell a bit flat for me.
Overall, a promising concept that just didn’t fully come together for my personal taste—but I’d still be open to seeing how the author grows in future works.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Dearest spicy readers,
4.5/5 stars
Ballad of the Pale Lady gave me an engaging plot, strong supporting characters, and detailed worldbuilding that made the story feel rich and immersive. While the worldbuilding occasionally felt a bit drawn out, I could appreciate the care put into building the setting and atmosphere.
I did struggle somewhat with the beginning of the romance. Since the FMC was not appearing as her true self when the MMC’s attraction first began, that dynamic felt a little deceptive to me at first and made it harder to fully connect with their chemistry early on. However, the later spice scenes were much stronger and helped redeem that aspect for me.
The supporting characters added a lot of charm and energy to the story, and I really enjoyed the personalities they brought to the page. I was briefly confused by some of the POV shifts, but I adjusted quickly and was able to settle into the flow of the story.
Overall, this was a strong read with an interesting plot, memorable characters, and enough intrigue to make me want to continue with the next installment.
4.5/5 stars
Ballad of the Pale Lady gave me an engaging plot, strong supporting characters, and detailed worldbuilding that made the story feel rich and immersive. While the worldbuilding occasionally felt a bit drawn out, I could appreciate the care put into building the setting and atmosphere.
I did struggle somewhat with the beginning of the romance. Since the FMC was not appearing as her true self when the MMC’s attraction first began, that dynamic felt a little deceptive to me at first and made it harder to fully connect with their chemistry early on. However, the later spice scenes were much stronger and helped redeem that aspect for me.
The supporting characters added a lot of charm and energy to the story, and I really enjoyed the personalities they brought to the page. I was briefly confused by some of the POV shifts, but I adjusted quickly and was able to settle into the flow of the story.
Overall, this was a strong read with an interesting plot, memorable characters, and enough intrigue to make me want to continue with the next installment.
April 14, 2026
There was a lot to love about this book. For one, the familiar in the story was a joy every time he was on the page. The emotional support the characters offered each other throughout was incredibly heartwarming.
The wording in some places was a little clunky. Though I wouldn’t say it was enough to pull me out too badly.
What I found to be both the biggest strength and weakness was how much it felt like an RPG. On the downside, some parts came and went a little too abruptly for my liking. However, as a lifelong fan of RPGs across all mediums, I found that it gave the story an immersive quality that kept making me feel like I was reading through a campaign. Sometimes you get a bad roll, and there’s nothing you can do but keep pushing forward. With that in mind, these moments sat better with me after letting them digest.
Overall, I think this was a fun and fresh debut novel, and I’m very much looking forward to the eventual sequel.
The wording in some places was a little clunky. Though I wouldn’t say it was enough to pull me out too badly.
What I found to be both the biggest strength and weakness was how much it felt like an RPG. On the downside, some parts came and went a little too abruptly for my liking. However, as a lifelong fan of RPGs across all mediums, I found that it gave the story an immersive quality that kept making me feel like I was reading through a campaign. Sometimes you get a bad roll, and there’s nothing you can do but keep pushing forward. With that in mind, these moments sat better with me after letting them digest.
Overall, I think this was a fun and fresh debut novel, and I’m very much looking forward to the eventual sequel.
April 6, 2026
The story pulled me in right away with its haunting, folklore-infused setting and its compelling heroine, Galatea, whose search for her brother introduces unforgettable companions and emotionally charged relationships. I really enjoyed the classic-style magic, the gothic tone, and the adventurous moments that felt like wandering through an old myth. Several scenes and character interactions stood out in the best way, adding both warmth and tension to the journey. However, the pacing didn’t always flow smoothly, some parts felt rushed while others lingered a bit too long, which occasionally broke the immersion for me. Even so, the book’s imaginative ideas, rich worldbuilding, and developing character arcs kept me invested and eager to see how the story unfolds in the next installment.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Received this as an ARC from NetGallery. I was intrigued by the synopsis and was excited to give this a read.
The overal premise of this book is great. Strong FMC, quests, political intrigue, deceit, romance, spice...things I love in a story.
However, the writing fell flat for me. The seem to be discontinuing in the storytelling and the writing lacked depth for me. To me, without this being YA, it read YA - to be clear, it is not YA. The spice is spicing.
There is a lot of potential here though. I often found myself wondering what would happen next and can see that this would be a great read for some.
The overal premise of this book is great. Strong FMC, quests, political intrigue, deceit, romance, spice...things I love in a story.
However, the writing fell flat for me. The seem to be discontinuing in the storytelling and the writing lacked depth for me. To me, without this being YA, it read YA - to be clear, it is not YA. The spice is spicing.
There is a lot of potential here though. I often found myself wondering what would happen next and can see that this would be a great read for some.
Review of advance copy received from Author
One word to describe this book: EPIC!!
Epic plot, epic worldbuilding, and epic romance. I was hooked from the very start—the writing is SOOOOO good. It completely draws you in, to the point where I genuinely forgot I was even reading a book. This does contain a lot of heavy topics, and at times my heart broke for the MCs, but the character arcs are deeply satisfying. The journey is adventurous and full of tension, banter, and spark. A truly great read! Keep in mind this is a longer, but for those die-hard fantasy readers, this will be a breeze.
Epic plot, epic worldbuilding, and epic romance. I was hooked from the very start—the writing is SOOOOO good. It completely draws you in, to the point where I genuinely forgot I was even reading a book. This does contain a lot of heavy topics, and at times my heart broke for the MCs, but the character arcs are deeply satisfying. The journey is adventurous and full of tension, banter, and spark. A truly great read! Keep in mind this is a longer, but for those die-hard fantasy readers, this will be a breeze.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This gem has earned my first 5 star rating! is has met my every expectation. It grabbed my attention right away and there was never a dull moment. There were plot twists I didn't see coming, I enjoyed the wide array of characters. The mmc was such a golden retriever boyfriend which is usually not my cup of tea but in this book, he is perfect! It has banter, got my in my feels, and kept me on my toes. I can't want to see what happens next in the sequel. I am a LIVER LOVER for life! ❤️❤️❤️
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
🌶️🌶️🌶️
⭐️⭐️⭐️.75
Dual POV
Tropes/TW:
D&D inspired dark romantasy
Feisty changeling-in-hiding thief FMC x
Changeling hunter, prince MMC x
Golden retriever musician MMC
Love triangle
Enemies to lovers
Slow burn tension
Witty banter
Found family
Rebellion
Animal companions
Suicidal thoughts / violence / abuse / SA / torture / death
Thank you Fern Thornvale and Netgalley for the opportunity to review this ARC copy.
*I received an advance review copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.*
⭐️⭐️⭐️.75
Dual POV
Tropes/TW:
D&D inspired dark romantasy
Feisty changeling-in-hiding thief FMC x
Changeling hunter, prince MMC x
Golden retriever musician MMC
Love triangle
Enemies to lovers
Slow burn tension
Witty banter
Found family
Rebellion
Animal companions
Suicidal thoughts / violence / abuse / SA / torture / death
Thank you Fern Thornvale and Netgalley for the opportunity to review this ARC copy.
*I received an advance review copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.*
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I gave this my all, I really did. I wanted to like it because the opening was intriguing and the premise sounded so good. But jumpy scenes and having too much yet not enough information was too distracting to me to enjoy the content. I think this book could definitely be for others, it simply wasn’t for me.
Thank you to NetGalley and the author for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review!
Thank you to NetGalley and the author for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review!
April 20, 2026
Book Review
Ballad of the Pale Lady
Dirge of Chaos, Book 1
by Fern Thornvale
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Thank you Fern Thornvale for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
Wow this was a really good book, and I am so sad that I read it so fast but at the same time I just couldn't put it down!!
#BotPL #NetGalley.
Ballad of the Pale Lady
Dirge of Chaos, Book 1
by Fern Thornvale
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Thank you Fern Thornvale for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
Wow this was a really good book, and I am so sad that I read it so fast but at the same time I just couldn't put it down!!
#BotPL #NetGalley.
April 15, 2026
Ballad of the Pale Lady by Fern Thornvale is a great fantasy romance. The story is entertaining, interesting, enjoyable, romantic, and more. Ballad of the Pale Lady is the first book in Dirge of Chaos series.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
March 19, 2026
I started this book with high expectations. The name of the FMC spoke to me, the blurb was promising.
And I am so sorry to say, I was cruelly disappointed.
The ideas are good, the changeling, the companions, the political stakes, all worth it.
Unfortunately, the writing style doesn’t give it justice. Everything is over explained, sometimes with different points of view. It made the book quickly boring and it is a long book !
Furthermore some details felt a bit incoherent. Traveling to hide or to search a brother ? But accepting a dangerous mission…
Maybe with a little more editing, the ideas could shine a little more.
Thank you for this ARC, I wish I could give a more positive review.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
And I am so sorry to say, I was cruelly disappointed.
The ideas are good, the changeling, the companions, the political stakes, all worth it.
Unfortunately, the writing style doesn’t give it justice. Everything is over explained, sometimes with different points of view. It made the book quickly boring and it is a long book !
Furthermore some details felt a bit incoherent. Traveling to hide or to search a brother ? But accepting a dangerous mission…
Maybe with a little more editing, the ideas could shine a little more.
Thank you for this ARC, I wish I could give a more positive review.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews