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The Fox King and the Heart of Frost
Not yet published
Expected 18 Jun 26A wild witch, hunted for her magic.
A king's last hope of saving his people.
A curse to entangle their fates...
... or tear them forever apart.
In a land where faeries enslave witches for their wild powers, Evana has escaped her captor - but no matter how far she runs, she can never escape the darkness of her own magic.
When disaster traps her in the snow-swept town of Wildemire, Evana is thrust into new perils: Adrik, the half-faerie who saved her, wields the one power that could free her from her dark magic.
To lure Adrik into a bargain, Evana must find a crack in his charming facade before he discovers she is a witch - and before her cursed powers plunge the town into ruin.
As the cold worsens and secrets threaten to surface, Evana finds herself at the heart of something sinister: Among the trees lurk strange beasts, people return from the forest half-dead - and in the darkest hours, Evana sees things she should not.
A storm is brewing and with it comes a choice:
To leave means to doom the town that sheltered her, and to abandon the half-faerie whose infuriating charm threatens to thaw her walls of ice.
But to save Wildemire, Evana must face the horrors
that twisted her magic into something dark - and risk her life, and her heart, in the process.
THE FOX KING AND THE HEART OF FROST is a standalone romantasy perfect for fans of character-driven stories, magical creatures, loveable side characters, cursed forests, folklore-inspired worlds, and plentiful romance.
It will appeal to readers of Rachel Gillig's One Dark Window, Heather Fawcett's Encyclopaedia of Faeries, and A. B. Poranek's Where the Dark Stands Still.
A king's last hope of saving his people.
A curse to entangle their fates...
... or tear them forever apart.
In a land where faeries enslave witches for their wild powers, Evana has escaped her captor - but no matter how far she runs, she can never escape the darkness of her own magic.
When disaster traps her in the snow-swept town of Wildemire, Evana is thrust into new perils: Adrik, the half-faerie who saved her, wields the one power that could free her from her dark magic.
To lure Adrik into a bargain, Evana must find a crack in his charming facade before he discovers she is a witch - and before her cursed powers plunge the town into ruin.
As the cold worsens and secrets threaten to surface, Evana finds herself at the heart of something sinister: Among the trees lurk strange beasts, people return from the forest half-dead - and in the darkest hours, Evana sees things she should not.
A storm is brewing and with it comes a choice:
To leave means to doom the town that sheltered her, and to abandon the half-faerie whose infuriating charm threatens to thaw her walls of ice.
But to save Wildemire, Evana must face the horrors
that twisted her magic into something dark - and risk her life, and her heart, in the process.
THE FOX KING AND THE HEART OF FROST is a standalone romantasy perfect for fans of character-driven stories, magical creatures, loveable side characters, cursed forests, folklore-inspired worlds, and plentiful romance.
It will appeal to readers of Rachel Gillig's One Dark Window, Heather Fawcett's Encyclopaedia of Faeries, and A. B. Poranek's Where the Dark Stands Still.
- GenresFantasy
Kindle Edition
Expected publication June 18, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
I received a free ARC in exchange for an honest review. Thank you so much Claire, this is one of my favorite reads of this year!
The Fox King and the Heart of Frost absolutely exceeded my expectations. I genuinely cannot believe this is a debut novel because it was incredibly well executed from start to finish.
This is a cozy but dark romantasy set in a brutal world where magical powers are abused and their wielders enslaved. The story unfolds in a mystical world filled with faeries, spirits, witches, and ancient magic coexisting alongside humans, though forgotten by most of them.
Our FMC, a witch who was not born with her powers but cursed as a child, escapes her captor and finds herself trapped in a mysterious village hidden deep within dangerous forests. Haunted by trauma and memories of her past, she slowly begins to build connections with the people around her while uncovering the secrets of the world and her own magic.
The author pulled me effortlessly into the story. The world felt natural, immersive, and alive from the very first pages. While fae are common in fantasy, the creatures and magic here still felt unique and original. We encounter malicious little faeries hiding in the woods that bargain with travelers, spirits inhabiting homes that need to be appeased, cursed forests that constantly shift and move until people lose themselves beneath the trees forever. The magic is woven into the story naturally and revealed bit by bit throughout the book instead of being overexplained all at once.
Some readers may prefer a more detailed explanation of how the FMC’s powers work exactly, but personally I thought the execution fit the story perfectly. The magic retained a sense of mystery that strengthened the fairytale atmosphere rather than weakening it.
The only thing I personally felt was missing, and this is genuinely minor, was a clearer sense of the larger political world. Is this a kingdom ruled by kings and queens? Are there soldiers, noble houses, wars being fought beyond the forests? We get small glimpses through mentions of lords and conflict, but I would have loved just a little more context about the country itself to fully visualize the bigger picture surrounding the story.
I loved every single character in this book. A small warning for readers who prefer very confident, physically dominant heroines: the FMC is deeply shaped by childhood trauma and years of abuse. She is fearful, scarred, anxious, and constantly trying to survive. She does not read like the typical untouchable fantasy heroine who effortlessly defeats everyone around her. Instead, she feels painfully human.
That humanity extends to the entire cast. The characters are flawed, grieving, traumatized, and burdened by their pasts, yet they still deeply care for one another. This is truly one of the best examples of found family I have read in a long time.
The romance is subtle and woven carefully into the story rather than dominating it. Personally, I would not necessarily classify this as a heavy romantasy because the romance subplot takes up relatively little page time, but it fits the story beautifully. The yearning was palpable, and the chemistry, tension, banter, and emotional depth of the characters were executed incredibly well. What especially stood out to me was how every character carried the weight of their own past and trauma, and how that shaped the way they interacted with and cared for one another throughout the story.
As expected for a cozy fantasy, the pacing is slower, especially during the first third of the book. The early sections focus heavily on atmosphere, character relationships, and immersion rather than fast-moving plot progression. I will admit there were moments where I worried the story might not fully deliver on its larger plot threads, but once the story reached roughly the 30% mark, everything began falling into place and the narrative gained much more momentum.
The ending tied everything together in a satisfying way without feeling rushed, and honestly, I wish this were not a standalone because I would happily spend more time in this world.
For me personally, this was already a four-star read based solely on the dreamy atmosphere and beautifully written prose. The characters, emotional depth, engaging plot, and brutal fairytale-like world elevated it to a full five stars. The writing style especially reminded me of one of my favorite fantasy authors, which made this feel even more special to read.
The Fox King and the Heart of Frost absolutely exceeded my expectations. I genuinely cannot believe this is a debut novel because it was incredibly well executed from start to finish.
This is a cozy but dark romantasy set in a brutal world where magical powers are abused and their wielders enslaved. The story unfolds in a mystical world filled with faeries, spirits, witches, and ancient magic coexisting alongside humans, though forgotten by most of them.
Our FMC, a witch who was not born with her powers but cursed as a child, escapes her captor and finds herself trapped in a mysterious village hidden deep within dangerous forests. Haunted by trauma and memories of her past, she slowly begins to build connections with the people around her while uncovering the secrets of the world and her own magic.
The author pulled me effortlessly into the story. The world felt natural, immersive, and alive from the very first pages. While fae are common in fantasy, the creatures and magic here still felt unique and original. We encounter malicious little faeries hiding in the woods that bargain with travelers, spirits inhabiting homes that need to be appeased, cursed forests that constantly shift and move until people lose themselves beneath the trees forever. The magic is woven into the story naturally and revealed bit by bit throughout the book instead of being overexplained all at once.
Some readers may prefer a more detailed explanation of how the FMC’s powers work exactly, but personally I thought the execution fit the story perfectly. The magic retained a sense of mystery that strengthened the fairytale atmosphere rather than weakening it.
The only thing I personally felt was missing, and this is genuinely minor, was a clearer sense of the larger political world. Is this a kingdom ruled by kings and queens? Are there soldiers, noble houses, wars being fought beyond the forests? We get small glimpses through mentions of lords and conflict, but I would have loved just a little more context about the country itself to fully visualize the bigger picture surrounding the story.
I loved every single character in this book. A small warning for readers who prefer very confident, physically dominant heroines: the FMC is deeply shaped by childhood trauma and years of abuse. She is fearful, scarred, anxious, and constantly trying to survive. She does not read like the typical untouchable fantasy heroine who effortlessly defeats everyone around her. Instead, she feels painfully human.
That humanity extends to the entire cast. The characters are flawed, grieving, traumatized, and burdened by their pasts, yet they still deeply care for one another. This is truly one of the best examples of found family I have read in a long time.
The romance is subtle and woven carefully into the story rather than dominating it. Personally, I would not necessarily classify this as a heavy romantasy because the romance subplot takes up relatively little page time, but it fits the story beautifully. The yearning was palpable, and the chemistry, tension, banter, and emotional depth of the characters were executed incredibly well. What especially stood out to me was how every character carried the weight of their own past and trauma, and how that shaped the way they interacted with and cared for one another throughout the story.
As expected for a cozy fantasy, the pacing is slower, especially during the first third of the book. The early sections focus heavily on atmosphere, character relationships, and immersion rather than fast-moving plot progression. I will admit there were moments where I worried the story might not fully deliver on its larger plot threads, but once the story reached roughly the 30% mark, everything began falling into place and the narrative gained much more momentum.
The ending tied everything together in a satisfying way without feeling rushed, and honestly, I wish this were not a standalone because I would happily spend more time in this world.
For me personally, this was already a four-star read based solely on the dreamy atmosphere and beautifully written prose. The characters, emotional depth, engaging plot, and brutal fairytale-like world elevated it to a full five stars. The writing style especially reminded me of one of my favorite fantasy authors, which made this feel even more special to read.
Review of advance copy received from Author
If you love wild women, then this book is for you. I very much loved the descriptions of the women in this book being free to dance, go mad, sing, and be wild. It had a very freeing feeling to it that I adored.
The prose in this book is very poetic, which I hadn't expected, but I did like. There were many analogies and metaphors peppered throughout the story, and most of them were very nature themed, which I thought was very cool. There was a lot of repetition of some words and phrases (wild, wicked, moss-green), but I thought this was really effective and I enjoyed the imagery that came with it. I haven't really read a fantasy quite like this one; the narration style is so unique!
The romance between main characters Evana and Adrik was also quite well done. I felt like Meadows pretty expertly wove the budding relationship between Evana and Adrik into the main story line and didn't make it feel rushed or too slow at all. I loved how the relationship naturally evolved over time. It didn't feel like infatuation to me, it felt like real love.
Another major component to this story that I really appreciated was the trauma elements. Evana and Adrik both have past traumas, but they really work together to help each other address the trauma. I liked how gentle the scenes were that dealt with these issues and how kind Evana and Adrik were to each other. The supporting characters are likewise supportive and also going through their own issues.
I did struggle to understand what was going on for some of the story. I think this is the most confusing in the first quarter of the story, where Evana's inner dialogue is very chaotic ("mad"). It is hard at times to tell what is really going on and what is happening in her visions (at times it took me a while to realize it was a vision and not something happening in real life). Though I did love the prose, as I stated, I do think sometimes it may have added to this issue because sometimes I thought a metaphor was being made when really Evana was actually doing something? This may just be a me issue, but I did have to re-read some sections to make sure I knew what was going on. The center of the book didn't really have this issue in my opinion, but I think parts of the ending did.
I think readers who love a wild, dominant woman will really like Evana and those who appreciate a story with a bit heavier of fantasy before romance will really enjoy the story. I think this story ended up being less my vibe than I thought it would, but that's more on me than on the actual book itself.
The prose in this book is very poetic, which I hadn't expected, but I did like. There were many analogies and metaphors peppered throughout the story, and most of them were very nature themed, which I thought was very cool. There was a lot of repetition of some words and phrases (wild, wicked, moss-green), but I thought this was really effective and I enjoyed the imagery that came with it. I haven't really read a fantasy quite like this one; the narration style is so unique!
The romance between main characters Evana and Adrik was also quite well done. I felt like Meadows pretty expertly wove the budding relationship between Evana and Adrik into the main story line and didn't make it feel rushed or too slow at all. I loved how the relationship naturally evolved over time. It didn't feel like infatuation to me, it felt like real love.
Another major component to this story that I really appreciated was the trauma elements. Evana and Adrik both have past traumas, but they really work together to help each other address the trauma. I liked how gentle the scenes were that dealt with these issues and how kind Evana and Adrik were to each other. The supporting characters are likewise supportive and also going through their own issues.
I did struggle to understand what was going on for some of the story. I think this is the most confusing in the first quarter of the story, where Evana's inner dialogue is very chaotic ("mad"). It is hard at times to tell what is really going on and what is happening in her visions (at times it took me a while to realize it was a vision and not something happening in real life). Though I did love the prose, as I stated, I do think sometimes it may have added to this issue because sometimes I thought a metaphor was being made when really Evana was actually doing something? This may just be a me issue, but I did have to re-read some sections to make sure I knew what was going on. The center of the book didn't really have this issue in my opinion, but I think parts of the ending did.
I think readers who love a wild, dominant woman will really like Evana and those who appreciate a story with a bit heavier of fantasy before romance will really enjoy the story. I think this story ended up being less my vibe than I thought it would, but that's more on me than on the actual book itself.
May 29, 2026
Today I finished The Fox King and the Heart of Frost by Claire Meadows.
Evana is a reluctant witch carrying the baggage of grief, family issues, and years of being manipulated.. as well as battle scars on her heart and mind. She is on the run for her life from one who covets her magic. Magic, which Evana has lived believing can only be used for darkness and destruction. She finds herself is a very special town called Wildemire. A place, a people…that bring a warmth to Evana that is so unfamiliar to her, she is both cautiously comforted and very suspicious. Adrik, a half-human, half-faerie town champion, who hides his own heavy stories, must find a way to work with Evana…or chance losing Wildemire and all he has come to love…forever.
I am very unfamiliar to fantasy books. And this is my 1st romantasy. The write ups about the book included some tropes I get in my cozy witchy mysteries so I wanted to give it a try. I’m so glad that I did!
There were some cozy passages in this story, making me wish I could join the characters at the fireplace listening to tales, go the bakery or tea shop.
By and large through this is a book teeming with adventures, suspense, layers of twists and building dread, questioning what is real…what can, or should be saved. The author’s weaving of eloquent atmospheric descriptions painted both beautiful…and frightening canvas’ in my thoughts as I read.
There is a variety of stand out minor characters who add such value and richness to the story. I was easily invested in them. And of course, is a romantasy. All I’ll say is that the hesitant, complicated, genuine and so well paced chemistry between the main characters was addicting!
There were alot of feels reading this book. Times where I was honestly scared of what might happen…or angry with a characters behavior, then relieved …but…not so quick…don’t exhale yet.
Maybe this is what it’s like reading fantasy? What a fine first journey I got to go on.
Highly recommend!
I received an advanced read copy. This is my voluntary and honest review.
Evana is a reluctant witch carrying the baggage of grief, family issues, and years of being manipulated.. as well as battle scars on her heart and mind. She is on the run for her life from one who covets her magic. Magic, which Evana has lived believing can only be used for darkness and destruction. She finds herself is a very special town called Wildemire. A place, a people…that bring a warmth to Evana that is so unfamiliar to her, she is both cautiously comforted and very suspicious. Adrik, a half-human, half-faerie town champion, who hides his own heavy stories, must find a way to work with Evana…or chance losing Wildemire and all he has come to love…forever.
I am very unfamiliar to fantasy books. And this is my 1st romantasy. The write ups about the book included some tropes I get in my cozy witchy mysteries so I wanted to give it a try. I’m so glad that I did!
There were some cozy passages in this story, making me wish I could join the characters at the fireplace listening to tales, go the bakery or tea shop.
By and large through this is a book teeming with adventures, suspense, layers of twists and building dread, questioning what is real…what can, or should be saved. The author’s weaving of eloquent atmospheric descriptions painted both beautiful…and frightening canvas’ in my thoughts as I read.
There is a variety of stand out minor characters who add such value and richness to the story. I was easily invested in them. And of course, is a romantasy. All I’ll say is that the hesitant, complicated, genuine and so well paced chemistry between the main characters was addicting!
There were alot of feels reading this book. Times where I was honestly scared of what might happen…or angry with a characters behavior, then relieved …but…not so quick…don’t exhale yet.
Maybe this is what it’s like reading fantasy? What a fine first journey I got to go on.
Highly recommend!
I received an advanced read copy. This is my voluntary and honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Author
✨ARC Review✨
If you enjoy super poetic prose with a more whimsical type of atmosphere (hello talking cat with a penchant for dramatics 😂), then I think you’ll enjoy this one! It was giving Alice in Wonderland vibes for me.
The FMCs perspective is intentionally chaotic and disorienting to reflect the “madness” she supposedly had, which admittedly I struggled with a bit personally. The confusing elements did serve a purpose though, and it makes sense later.
I loved how the MMC became an anchor for the FMC when she was struggling with her darkness and magic. The romantic element here felt rooted in mutual understanding and healing deeply rooted trauma. It was more gentle and tame compared to a lot of the romantasy books I read.
The book has a lot of beautiful passages that explores themes of trauma, shame, self-perception, healing, and facing your inner demons. I loved those so much because it reminded me of real human experiences and emotional struggles. As a trauma-informed coach, I found these emotional and psychological components of the book to be super thought provoking and meaningful, which was a different type of reading experience than I expected.
I’m giving this 4⭐️ because it is truly a beautiful story that has incredibly powerful underlying messages. I’ve realized that this poetic, dreamlike style of book just isn’t as immersive for me personally, though I still deeply appreciated the themes, creativity, and emotional depth of this story!
If you enjoy super poetic prose with a more whimsical type of atmosphere (hello talking cat with a penchant for dramatics 😂), then I think you’ll enjoy this one! It was giving Alice in Wonderland vibes for me.
The FMCs perspective is intentionally chaotic and disorienting to reflect the “madness” she supposedly had, which admittedly I struggled with a bit personally. The confusing elements did serve a purpose though, and it makes sense later.
I loved how the MMC became an anchor for the FMC when she was struggling with her darkness and magic. The romantic element here felt rooted in mutual understanding and healing deeply rooted trauma. It was more gentle and tame compared to a lot of the romantasy books I read.
The book has a lot of beautiful passages that explores themes of trauma, shame, self-perception, healing, and facing your inner demons. I loved those so much because it reminded me of real human experiences and emotional struggles. As a trauma-informed coach, I found these emotional and psychological components of the book to be super thought provoking and meaningful, which was a different type of reading experience than I expected.
I’m giving this 4⭐️ because it is truly a beautiful story that has incredibly powerful underlying messages. I’ve realized that this poetic, dreamlike style of book just isn’t as immersive for me personally, though I still deeply appreciated the themes, creativity, and emotional depth of this story!
Review of advance copy received from Author
What a refreshing and enchanting read. The Fox King and the Heart of Frost felt like stepping into a beautifully crafted fairytale filled with whimsy, magic, and unforgettable characters. In a genre where many stories can feel familiar, this one stood out as something truly original and one of a kind.
I loved the folklore-inspired world, the unique magic system, and the way the story blended darkness with hope. The characters felt vibrant and alive, and there was a charm woven throughout the pages that made it impossible not to get swept away. Every new discovery added another layer of wonder, and the story never lost its sense of enchantment.
The relationship development was beautifully done, and I found myself completely invested in Evana’s journey as she battled both external dangers and the darkness within herself. The whimsical elements, magical creatures, and emotional depth gave this book so much heart.
If you love fairytale-inspired romantasy, cursed forests, folklore, magical creatures, and stories that feel fresh and different from everything else on the shelf, this is one you won’t want to miss. A beautifully imaginative tale that left me feeling both enchanted and inspired.
✨ A magical, whimsical, and unforgettable adventure that reminded me why I love fantasy so much. ✨
I loved the folklore-inspired world, the unique magic system, and the way the story blended darkness with hope. The characters felt vibrant and alive, and there was a charm woven throughout the pages that made it impossible not to get swept away. Every new discovery added another layer of wonder, and the story never lost its sense of enchantment.
The relationship development was beautifully done, and I found myself completely invested in Evana’s journey as she battled both external dangers and the darkness within herself. The whimsical elements, magical creatures, and emotional depth gave this book so much heart.
If you love fairytale-inspired romantasy, cursed forests, folklore, magical creatures, and stories that feel fresh and different from everything else on the shelf, this is one you won’t want to miss. A beautifully imaginative tale that left me feeling both enchanted and inspired.
✨ A magical, whimsical, and unforgettable adventure that reminded me why I love fantasy so much. ✨
Review of advance copy received from Author
I received an Advanced Copy from the author to leave an honest review.
I really enjoyed this book so much more than I expected. I initially thought I wouldn’t be so swept away simply because I have been reading a lot of romance heavy books recently. This book was different in that I felt the romance was very natural and developed without detracting from the other emotions of the characters or the storyline. The story didn’t have to pause for the romance to happen.
I really fell in love myself with the FMC. I felt like she was a very genuine woman with a believable character. Her choices seemed earned. It was the same for the MMC. I genuinely felt like his decision were understandable for the situations. They didn’t seem to be “for the plot.”
I hope this author gets moved into the traditional publishing spotlight soon so that her characters can have an opportunity to be introduced to a more widespread audience.
I enjoyed the setting, I could envision their surroundings. I liked the magic system and felt like it followed its own rules. I would really love to revisit this world with other characters and stories.
I really enjoyed this book so much more than I expected. I initially thought I wouldn’t be so swept away simply because I have been reading a lot of romance heavy books recently. This book was different in that I felt the romance was very natural and developed without detracting from the other emotions of the characters or the storyline. The story didn’t have to pause for the romance to happen.
I really fell in love myself with the FMC. I felt like she was a very genuine woman with a believable character. Her choices seemed earned. It was the same for the MMC. I genuinely felt like his decision were understandable for the situations. They didn’t seem to be “for the plot.”
I hope this author gets moved into the traditional publishing spotlight soon so that her characters can have an opportunity to be introduced to a more widespread audience.
I enjoyed the setting, I could envision their surroundings. I liked the magic system and felt like it followed its own rules. I would really love to revisit this world with other characters and stories.
June 2, 2026
Review of Advance Copy received from Author
This book swept me away. It was the kind of story that wraps itself around your heart and stays with you after you've turned the final page. What stood out to me most was how beautifully the author balanced emotion, growth, and hope. The journey felt so raw and authentic, and watching the characters have to work through their struggles, fears, and desires made me so invested in every step of the story. Their growth felt earned, and also made each heartbreak hit even harder.
The world-building and atmosphere was so incredibly immersive, creating a setting that felt so alive. Every scene carried wonder, and there was so much depth throughout the story that made it impossible to put down. Whether through the relationships, the themes, or the emotional moments, everything felt meaningful and intentional. One of my favourite aspects was the way the story explored healing, self-discovery, and learning to move forward. It was heartwarming and heartbreaking, reminding me that growth isn't always easy, but it's always worth it.
This book swept me away. It was the kind of story that wraps itself around your heart and stays with you after you've turned the final page. What stood out to me most was how beautifully the author balanced emotion, growth, and hope. The journey felt so raw and authentic, and watching the characters have to work through their struggles, fears, and desires made me so invested in every step of the story. Their growth felt earned, and also made each heartbreak hit even harder.
The world-building and atmosphere was so incredibly immersive, creating a setting that felt so alive. Every scene carried wonder, and there was so much depth throughout the story that made it impossible to put down. Whether through the relationships, the themes, or the emotional moments, everything felt meaningful and intentional. One of my favourite aspects was the way the story explored healing, self-discovery, and learning to move forward. It was heartwarming and heartbreaking, reminding me that growth isn't always easy, but it's always worth it.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This book is by far one of the best I’ve read in a while. The writing style is both amazing and unique, and I especially loved the use of metaphors and vivid language throughout the story.
The main character, Evana, overcomes the hardships of her past while struggling with the uncertainty of her future and the potential of her powers. Having been abandoned and used, she finds it difficult to see the good in herself and in others. As the story unfolds, lies and hidden truths slowly come to light, adding depth and intrigue to the plot.
The characters are incredibly well-developed, each bringing something special that makes them easy to love. The relationships and bonds within the town feel wholesome and heartwarming, adding an emotional layer that really draws you in.
The pacing is a bit slow at times, but it’s ultimately worth it. There were moments where I felt confused about what was happening, but that actually fits well with the overall theme and reflects what’s going on in the main character’s mind. Overall, it’s a beautifully written and unique story.
June 3, 2026
Our FMC, Evana, is navigating darkness, trauma, and magic, and you really feel that through the slightly disorienting, dreamlike writing style. It can take a minute to settle into, but it all comes together as the story unfolds.
The prose in this book is very poetic, which I hadn't expected and I know it will resonate with many readers, but for me, I don’t often lean into that style of writing, the use of metaphors and vivid language throughout the story it allowed room for magical, whimsical world building which felt immersive, creating a setting that felt so alive.
Our MMC, Adrik, becomes such a soft, steady anchor for Evana, and I loved that their relationship was more about healing, understanding, and emotional support rather than high drama.
If you're looking for a lush standalone with unique magic system, with lush character development and great friendships, then this one is for you.
Thank you so much Claire R. Meadows, for the opportunity to read and review a wonderful book.
The prose in this book is very poetic, which I hadn't expected and I know it will resonate with many readers, but for me, I don’t often lean into that style of writing, the use of metaphors and vivid language throughout the story it allowed room for magical, whimsical world building which felt immersive, creating a setting that felt so alive.
Our MMC, Adrik, becomes such a soft, steady anchor for Evana, and I loved that their relationship was more about healing, understanding, and emotional support rather than high drama.
If you're looking for a lush standalone with unique magic system, with lush character development and great friendships, then this one is for you.
Thank you so much Claire R. Meadows, for the opportunity to read and review a wonderful book.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Thank you Claire Meadows for this ARC.
This book was much needed in the world we live in and blew my expectations out of the water.
It perfectly shows what a journey of accepting and healing your trauma can look like. The trauma she has gone through is so intense and you wonder how someone can heal from how far gone she seemed.
Part of that journey, for some, was learning to appreciate the earth, what it gives us, and what we can do for it. And this book incorporated that beautifully too. Seeing the earth come to life the more she heals and continues to thrive was a beautiful way to show that.
I wept as Claire wrote about learning to not only feel the darkness within but embrace it and keep going anyway. Accept and let it go. That's such an important thing that is necessary for healing from trauma. This book was incredible, especially for a debut novel.
Absolutely beautifully written and a book that I will treasure and reread again.
This book was much needed in the world we live in and blew my expectations out of the water.
It perfectly shows what a journey of accepting and healing your trauma can look like. The trauma she has gone through is so intense and you wonder how someone can heal from how far gone she seemed.
Part of that journey, for some, was learning to appreciate the earth, what it gives us, and what we can do for it. And this book incorporated that beautifully too. Seeing the earth come to life the more she heals and continues to thrive was a beautiful way to show that.
I wept as Claire wrote about learning to not only feel the darkness within but embrace it and keep going anyway. Accept and let it go. That's such an important thing that is necessary for healing from trauma. This book was incredible, especially for a debut novel.
Absolutely beautifully written and a book that I will treasure and reread again.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy
I ended up reading the whole book in one sitting. It's written *so* beautifully, the atmosphere is incredible, you really get sucked into the story. I would absolutely recommend reading it in one go if possible, the time just flies and it of course really helps with staying immersed.
The characters feel very real, I loved how the FMC's inner conflict and self sabotage were shown.
A huge plus is that the faeries are folklore accurate, always love to see that.
The MMC is extremely likeable and supports both women's rights *and* wrongs ("That look of murder suits you" Sir??).
While the writing is gorgeous and all the characters are well thought out, there is one thing far more important, that should immediately convince everyone to read this book: There is an incredibly sassy, talking cat. Easily the star of the show, she's what guaranteed 5 Stars the second she showed up. The real main character.
The characters feel very real, I loved how the FMC's inner conflict and self sabotage were shown.
A huge plus is that the faeries are folklore accurate, always love to see that.
The MMC is extremely likeable and supports both women's rights *and* wrongs ("That look of murder suits you" Sir??).
While the writing is gorgeous and all the characters are well thought out, there is one thing far more important, that should immediately convince everyone to read this book: There is an incredibly sassy, talking cat. Easily the star of the show, she's what guaranteed 5 Stars the second she showed up. The real main character.
May 27, 2026
What a beautiful and refreshing tale this was 😭🥹🥹🥹 The folklore, the enchanting characters(a talking sassy cat?! Like come on lol!!), and the WHIMSY! Ughhh I am such a sucker for it! The world building was fantastic. The plot was immensely entertaining. The magic was so unique and I loved the different spirits and their descriptions. The empowerment of feeling your trauma and darkness and then pushing through to the other side! This was a definite 5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ book and to be swept up in this world was truly inspiring and so great for the soul. Tears were shed towards the end from some of the purest and moving quotes too 🥹 thank you Claire for the opportunity to arc read and for sharing this incredible journey with us!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Writing ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
World building ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
Plot ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
Characters ⭐⭐⭐.5/5
This book feels like a warm hug after a long day in the freezing snow. The perfect standalone!!
Thank you Claire R. Meadow for giving me a chance to beta-read this book!
The writing in this book is poetic. The world building is quite fascinating!
The plot builds like waves. Sometimes it's still, sometimes the stake is high, and sometimes, it's very gentle and lovely. The relationship between the MCs progressed quite nicely.
If you're looking for a cozy standalone with unique magic system, nicely done character development and great friendships, just pick this fairytale of a book!
World building ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
Plot ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
Characters ⭐⭐⭐.5/5
This book feels like a warm hug after a long day in the freezing snow. The perfect standalone!!
Thank you Claire R. Meadow for giving me a chance to beta-read this book!
The writing in this book is poetic. The world building is quite fascinating!
The plot builds like waves. Sometimes it's still, sometimes the stake is high, and sometimes, it's very gentle and lovely. The relationship between the MCs progressed quite nicely.
If you're looking for a cozy standalone with unique magic system, nicely done character development and great friendships, just pick this fairytale of a book!
May 27, 2026
Thank you Claire R. Meadows for this eARC!
A beautifully written whimsical standalone for a debut author. The writing alone was so captivating, I didn’t want to put it down. It’s like if the writing styles from When the Moon Hatched, The Everlasting, and parts of Don’t Let the Forest In had a love child it would be this.
I didn’t think I would become attached to these characters in less than 400 pages but the FMC and MMCs relationship had me screaming for their frustrations and yearning the entire book.
A fox, embroidered socks, a book of spring poems, and alllll of the tea. If you like witches, fairy tales, and dark and whimsical stories, then please please please jump into this!
A beautifully written whimsical standalone for a debut author. The writing alone was so captivating, I didn’t want to put it down. It’s like if the writing styles from When the Moon Hatched, The Everlasting, and parts of Don’t Let the Forest In had a love child it would be this.
I didn’t think I would become attached to these characters in less than 400 pages but the FMC and MMCs relationship had me screaming for their frustrations and yearning the entire book.
A fox, embroidered socks, a book of spring poems, and alllll of the tea. If you like witches, fairy tales, and dark and whimsical stories, then please please please jump into this!
Review of advance copy received from Author
A slow burn, Gothic-lyrical fantasy with cozy moments. I loved the rhythm to the writing in this story. It unfolds slowly, moving back and forth between consciousness with the character to the point we feel like we aren't sure what is real. Claire has created a dark, but beautiful world, with a fun twist towards the end. I think this book will resonate with many readers, but for me- in this moment- the story unfolded very slowly and for some reason I struggled to personally connect with the FMC. I encourage you to pick this up upon its release and see if this adventure into the dark forest is for you.
Thank you to the author for the opportunity to read this ARC before release.
Thank you to the author for the opportunity to read this ARC before release.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Can a book be both eerie and cozy at the same time? Well, this one makes it work!
I think this book will appear to readers fond of One Dark Window as the FMC deals with her own set of personal demons. The MMC was very endearing, there’s a sassy cat (which I’m always in favor of), and I agree with the author’s marketing material in that this book is very character driven. If you break it down, it is less about action and more about internal struggles, so as long as readers go into it with this mindset, I think they will be in good hands!
I’d like to thank the author for the opportunity to read this book prior to its publication.
I think this book will appear to readers fond of One Dark Window as the FMC deals with her own set of personal demons. The MMC was very endearing, there’s a sassy cat (which I’m always in favor of), and I agree with the author’s marketing material in that this book is very character driven. If you break it down, it is less about action and more about internal struggles, so as long as readers go into it with this mindset, I think they will be in good hands!
I’d like to thank the author for the opportunity to read this book prior to its publication.
Review of advance copy received from Author
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4,5
Thank you so much Claire R. Meadows, for the ARC, what an enchanting read this was ! Between the beautiful scenery, the echoes of the wind, I wanted to stay a while longer in Wildemire 🥹
It took me a little time to really dive into the world but once I was in it, it felt amazing. Between the mystery, the warm and cosy atmosphere, and the spirits who can do matchmaking, the entire book felt like a warm hug.
The writing was so poetic and inspiring. I was captivated, loved the relationships dynamic and would gladly go back to enjoy a tea with a sassy cat anytime !
Thank you so much Claire R. Meadows, for the ARC, what an enchanting read this was ! Between the beautiful scenery, the echoes of the wind, I wanted to stay a while longer in Wildemire 🥹
It took me a little time to really dive into the world but once I was in it, it felt amazing. Between the mystery, the warm and cosy atmosphere, and the spirits who can do matchmaking, the entire book felt like a warm hug.
The writing was so poetic and inspiring. I was captivated, loved the relationships dynamic and would gladly go back to enjoy a tea with a sassy cat anytime !
Review of advance copy received from Author
I received an ARC of this book from the author.
This is a dark, cozy, slow romance. You journey through the main character's point of view which may be a little bit mad, on purpose, as she questions her place in life. Ana finds deals with creatures of the forest, adires a fox, befriends a talking cat, finds a magic forest village, and remembers her true self.
The narrative is poetic and scholarly, with great adjectives and insight into Ana's mind.
This is a dark, cozy, slow romance. You journey through the main character's point of view which may be a little bit mad, on purpose, as she questions her place in life. Ana finds deals with creatures of the forest, adires a fox, befriends a talking cat, finds a magic forest village, and remembers her true self.
The narrative is poetic and scholarly, with great adjectives and insight into Ana's mind.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I liked the story, the romance, the magic. I loved the fairytale athmosphere.
Only the poetic language was sometimes too much for me. I wanted the story to unfold, their romance to proceed but i got lost in her visions and dreams. Sometimes it seemed so repetitive i found myself skipping few parahraphs.
I really liked Evana. She was free and wild and mature FMC.
Only the poetic language was sometimes too much for me. I wanted the story to unfold, their romance to proceed but i got lost in her visions and dreams. Sometimes it seemed so repetitive i found myself skipping few parahraphs.
I really liked Evana. She was free and wild and mature FMC.
Review of advance copy received from Author
An incredible debut novel. A beautiful tale of guilt & sorrow written in a magically cozy way. The world building was slowly woven into the story & the characters are so enchanting! (The talking cat being my fav)
Would recommend for fans of One Dark Window, Alice in wonderland or the Bright & the Pale.
Would recommend for fans of One Dark Window, Alice in wonderland or the Bright & the Pale.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This book was very enjoyable, with internal battles between dark and light. The pacing was good, the characters were individual, and the plot was almost always interesting (save some time for world-building, which is always needed!).
Thank you for the ARC; this was a fun read!
Thank you for the ARC; this was a fun read!
Review of advance copy received from Author
This is a wonderful story, an interesting take on fae and fantasy that mixes in moving moments and thrilling twists. The author created strong characters and their storylines flowed well.
It is an entertaining read that’s easy to recommend.
It is an entertaining read that’s easy to recommend.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I loved this book so much, it's so full of magic, I love the found family aspect, it sends a message of your emotions put forth what you put out so be cautious vibes, it's a very cozy magical land I fell in love with from the start
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