Bright Dead Things

Bitter Legacies #1

by Hailey Turner

If the forest stares back at you, you’re already prey.

Bran Gallagher grew up with three rules passed down through his coven: beware forest paths that lead to dangerous mounds, always keep iron close, and never speak of magic.

Cillian Dunne grew up with his mother’s love, his father’s absence, and secret warnings to never trust a witch.

In Pelham’s forest, where bright lights haunt the trees and hunt the lost, there are traditions kept for survival and others out of habit, none of which should be broken.

Bran and Cillian unknowingly broke tradition and ruined each other in the aftermath of a kiss years ago. Reunited in the wake of a family tragedy, they cross paths with something old, something terrifying—something that wants them dead. When Bran’s younger sister is stolen away by a nightmare into the Otherworld, they can only follow and try to keep each other alive in a strange and haunting land.

Trapped in a dangerous Fae Court, Bran learns being a witch comes with a death sentence. To save him, Cillian must fight against those who seek power from a past he has no memory of, and the only person he can trust is the witch who broke his heart.

But it might be too late.

For the Fae have never been kind, and they have always hungered, and this time, what they hunger for is revenge.


A searing M/M fantasy romance full of magic, Fae lore, high-stakes, courtly intrigue, and a forbidden love readers will be sure to devour. Please see the beginning for TWs.

Genres: Fantasy, M M Romance, Fae, Urban Fantasy, Romance, Magic, LGBT

384 pages, Paperback

Published June 3, 2026

About the author

Hailey Turner is a big city girl who likes to spoil her cats rotten. She writes science fiction and fantasy with lots of action, epic plots, and romantic relationships that satisfy the heart. Hailey lives in sunny California when she isn’t adding stamps to her passport.

To keep up-to-date with Hailey's future projects, join her mailing list, where you can download free Metahuman Files and Soulbound short stories: https://www.subscribepage.com/haileyt...

Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/haile...

Facebook Author page: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorHailey...

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/haileyturne...

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/haileyturne...

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/haile...

Facebook Profile: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?...

Reviews

[Evie · Rating 4 out of 5]

There is a flavour to Hailey Turner’s fantasy writing that is just so reliably entertaining to me; solid world building, high action and sexy queer romance. Just a fantastic escape from the real world.

Bran, the last witch of his Coven returns to his childhood home of Pelham following a violent attack which took the life of his mother and left his little sister mute. Bran is aware that the perpetrator of this attack is the lights in the forest controlled by the fae and despite his best efforts to protect his sister the lights return and abduct her to the fae realm. Determined to rescue his sister Bran sets out for the fae realm, however for better or worse, he is not on his own. Bran, joined by his childhood best friend, now wildlife ranger, Cillian, trek into the forest in search of the lights. However, tension builds between Bran and Cillian, given the radio silence that has existed for the last seven years between them following a kiss gone wrong and the fact that Cillian is unaware of the threat the stalks the forest that threatens both of their lives, however neither one can deny the attraction that still exists between them.

I enjoyed that this has the sort of treacherous fae that you cant trust, because I feel like too often with modern fantasy they’re portrayed as something softer and kinder than they are in more traditional folklore. There were some scenes earlier on in the story that had me feeling deeply uncomfortable with the threat of implied sexual violence and sexual slavery, and like, it takes a bit to make me uncomfy, so kudos to Turner lol.

As an FYI for readers, there is a content warning for implied rape mentioned at the start of the book. I feel like it’s important to note that this does not occur on page or to any of the MCs and is instead discussed as a feature of the fae society. I will admit that this had me STRESSED out because I kept expecting a scene featuring the trigger to occur in the story to one of the MCs, but it thankfully never did.

This is part one of a duology, and while the two parts are unquestionably one whole story, this didn’t end on a cliff hanger and I feel perfectly content to wait out part two with where things wrap up with the story here.

As soon as I saw that this was narrated by Gary Furlong I pounced on the audiobook. Furlong is such a strong performer in the niche of queer fantasy stories and every single performance of his that I have listened to has added so much life and vibrancy to the story and characters. I am always so appreciative that he is Turners go-to narrator (unlike other certain authors who insist on using a certain narrator who I cannot STAND- I am sure we all know who I am thinking of).

There are some elements of the plot and world building which could use a little more fleshing out, like the power scaling of the witches compared to the fae and the catalyst to Bran and Cillian’s separation felt a little flimsy given the stakes, but none of this stopped it being an entirely enjoyable, action packed, fantasy escape to listen to on a long commute. I will be keen to pick up book two as soon as possible!



Consider following my instagram

[Iz · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was incredible. Truly incredible.

There's something about Hailey Turner's writing that speaks to me on a molecular level, and this first book, in what I suspect is going to turn out one of my favourite fantasy series ever, did just that. Heart-stopping action, twists and turns and political machinations, credible, bone-chilling villains, a magical, haunting world-building, side characters that I'm already obsessed with, two main characters who stole my heart PLUS a kinda second chance slash bffs to lovers romance that gripped me from the very start.

I adored the story so freaking much. The way it's one reveal after the other, the clues that are scattered throughout that speak of a bigger, more haunting picture; the fae and their political machinations!!! My god. I loooooooved the world Hailey has created. The fae here aren't for the faint of heart, and I loved that; I also loved that it isn't a clear-cut evil vs good war, but two sides, the witches and the fae, that have both committed horrible acts. And smack middle in this war we have Bean and Cillian, our star-crossed, ex bffs lovers.
I adored their slow-burn romance, the second chance, the history they share and all the hurt and affection between them that still lingers. I LOVED their dynamic too. Without spoiling anything, let's just say that the possessiveness
and the claiming kink were strong with these two.
Brain in particular was my favourite: a prickly, beautiful hedgehog with a heart of gold and walls a mile high? Who is also a badass witch? Yes PLEASE. No wonder half the fae were obsessed with him.

I cannot wait for book two. I'll literally go crazy in the meantime waiting for it to drop, but I guess I can re-read this, can't I? Many, many times.

I wholly WHOLLY recommend.

TWs/CWs: implied sexual slavery and rape; harassment; death; torture; violence and gore.

Thank you GRR for the ARC! This is my honest review.

[Julia (bookish.jka) · Rating 5 out of 5]

"He didn’t speak of the terrifying cracks at the back of his mind. He chose instead to focus on Bran, who sucked in a harsh breath, lips parting. Cillian did what he should have done seven years ago, what he’d dreamed about doing ever since he’d lost the man now standing in front of him. He kissed Bran, and this time, it didn’t burn."

I absolutely LOVED this one! Bright Dead Things is book 1 in Hailey Turner's Bitter Legacies 4 book series, which is a dark themed, MM urban fantasy romance, with fae and witches and all things Otherworld.

The characters are fabulous and the world building is magical. These fae aren't nice!

This is Bran and Cillian's story and be prepared for the slow burn - but rest assured, when it burns it burns!

What To Expect:

🖤MM urban fantasy
🖤Best friends to "you left me" to lovers
🖤Dark themes
🖤Second chance
🖤Forbidden
🖤Forced proximity
🖤Small town
🖤Fae v witches
🖤Slow burn
🖤Steamy first times
🖤Fated mates
🖤HFN

You need to read this one!

4.5 stars r/up 🌟

[Carol (bookish_notes) · Rating 2 out of 5]

***Thanks to Valentine PR for the e-ARC and to Libro.fm for the audiobook for me to read and review!***

I’m afraid I really struggled with this. I love, love, love the author’s Soulbound series and thought it would kind of the same vibes here with fae and witches in the story. But I don’t know if it’s the pacing or the story structure, or what exactly…I just never really had a good grasp of the characters and couldn’t really sink into the story and enjoy it. The author has been teasing this book for awhile now as the “dumb fae boys” book and I was really looking forward to it! It just felt like the story never found its footing for me and I’m sad about it.

Content notes from the author (and included in the book and audiobook): implied sexual slavery and implied rape.

So, first off. I didn’t realize this was going to be set in our world. I completely missed that from the blurb or forgot about it from the initial promo because I went into this story thinking it was 100% going to be set in the fantasy world. It is not.

Instead, we’re in a tiny town of Pelham, Massachusetts with barely 1000 residents. Cillian is a park ranger. He’s called to a scene when a mutilated, dead body appears in to forest. And while these aren’t exactly a normal occurrence in the town, the general excuse is that this is done by bears. Hence, why a park ranger is involved with all this.

It makes things more complicated when one of the dead is the stepfather of his childhood best friend named Bran. Then it turns out Bran’s mother is also dead, and that Bran’s sister is missing. The woods that surround Pelham are a mysterious place that residents know to fear and they have their own stories about the “lights” that come from the forest. They also always keep iron on them.

And that sets up the start of this book all within the first chapter.

Bran, who is rather more the ex-best friend now has to rush back into town. He’s been living in Boston. After one moment where Cillian and Bran were teenagers and they misinterpreted each other, Bran ran off for 7 years and the two haven’t seen each other since. Miscommunication trope for the ages. They were seniors in high school and I know a lot of feelings were especially heightened at that age, but never talking again in all that time is wild to me. The town is small! Bran comes back home to visit his mother and sister! If this was a town of tens of thousands of residents…sure. But 1000? Cillian should’ve found out immediately as soon as Bran drove back into town.

I wouldn’t say this book is a second chance romance, because there was no romance in their past to begin with? And I can go either way on the typical second chance romance story structure, but I think we could’ve benefitted from at least some flashbacks to when Cillian and Bran were kids and friends. We never see or experience that. We’re only TOLD they liked each other and they were besties. The entirely of them falling for each other in this book as adults takes the span of what’s really just one week. They haven’t seen or spoken to each other in seven YEARS. Yes, there’s a life and death element involved in this one week span, but it just feels SO QUICK. And as the reader, I never once felt like I ever wanted them together. I’m so used to reading a slower burn in romance books, that this felt abnormally quick.

Then a whole fated mates situation is thrown in and I don’t think that was necessary at all. You wouldn’t even know they were fated mates because none of the usual hallmarks of a fated mates romance were in the story for me? It’s just very suddenly announced. And then we really don’t address it again. It’s just decided and so it was.

A good chunk of this book takes place in the modern world and the pacing is very slow to me. The opening chapter was interesting to some degree, because it felt very murder mystery and I love a mystery book. But then it kind of meanders, making me wonder when we’d ever get to all the things mentioned in the blurb. And it takes a good third of the book to get to it.

But I will say, once we actually GET to the part of the book where we meet other fae, it was slightly more interesting to me. I obviously read a lot more dark romance books than anything else, so my lizard brain is in the trenches, and I was much more interested in whatever story Damarus and Ainmire had going on than what was happening to Cillian and Bran. They’re evil and they stole the show for me.

I feel like I should have FELT something for Cillian and Bran being held hostage but the third-person POV never really ever felt like a close limited POV and so I found myself feeling detached from everything that was going on. I never felt Cillian’s lonlieness during this time, or Bran’s fear. Instead, we just see Bran agreeing to everything Damarus was holding over his head, and hearing Damarus using the same threat over and over and over again just got tiring to me. He’s not very creative.

Then there’s the whole collar situation. It is slavery. The backstory is that the fae use a collar to control witches and make them their slaves. Fae hate witches, and witches hate fae. But tell me why we’re using this terrifying moment for Bran, but with barely any time to process the trauma he’s just been through, suddenly gets all hot and heavy for Cillian to be the one to (pretend) hold his collar and have sex with him. Everything just progresses in this story way too fast. If you told me this developed over, oh I don’t know, a five book series? Sure. But within chapters of each other was never going to work for me.

There are sex scenes but it feels out of the blue. I don’t think they’re needed. Cillian and Bran have come back to liking each other but I never felt an intense yearning between them or anything sexually charged between them at all up to this point. The sex scenes feel very perfunctory and as much as I like reading explicit books, this didn’t need any of it. Honestly, after what broke them apart all those years ago, I think a really hot kissing and make out scene would’ve made way more sense and then build up to a sex scene in the next book if we must have one.

So, there is a plot mentioned in the blurb. Bran’s teenage sister, Aisling is kidnapped and they go search for her. But it just felt way too easy? There’s really not much too it. They bumbled their way into fae territory, wind up on a detour, suddenly find a way to pinpoint her exact location, and then bam! They’re reunited. We also never see them travel between locations either, so how they got from the scene with the map and the scene where they find Aisling…I have no idea.

There’s somefight scenes but they never FEEL as action-packed or like I was used to with the Soulbound books and it’s just so odd. I saw the author had been writing these books while she was writing the end of the Soulbound series, so it’s not like there was a gap between when she wrote these books so the writing style might’ve changed or something. I just don’t know. This was such a weird book for me.

However, a positive - the audiobook is narrated by Gary Furlong and I love his narration. He was great in the Soulbound audiobooks and he’s great here again. I can see why he was chosen as the narrator for these books because it’s very steeped in Irish lore and he’s Irish but he manages to do a very convincing American accent.

But I will point out that the pronunciations for a few words took me by surprise at first until the Irish connection was given in the story. He says the name “Aisling” and the surname “Gallagher” the Irish way. I didn’t even know there was a different way to say these names than what I knew it as an American so that did throw me off. I was expecting EYES-ling but it’s ASH-ling. And I would have expected Gal-a-ger but the audiobook has Gal-a-HER. Another word that surprised me was the word “geas”, which I have come to find out nobody can agree on the pronunciation so it’s whatever. Anyways, I’m learning new ways to say words every time I pick up an audiobook.

The ending doesn’t really leave us on a cliffhanger. There’s a few unanswered questions, but nothing drastic where a character’s life hangs in the balance or something like that. The next book is out soon enough in October this year, so the wait isn’t long.

I can see a lot of people who have already read this book and really loved it. But I just personally never really connected with the story or the characters. Will I read the next book? Probably not. It was already a struggle for me to read this one. I’m really, really sad about it. I was really expecting to like this book, but the story just never got there for me.

[Luce · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.75 ⭐️

a really atmospheric and dark fantasy with a gorgeous mm romance that really carried the story.

i loved so many things about this, the urban side of the story reminded me of the tv series yosemite (which is so good) and then combine that with a very dark twist in the fae realm. i did think the first half was stronger than the second, but really enjoyed this overall!

[Julia · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐️
I’m honestly a little sad about this one.

I loved the urban fantasy atmosphere and the fae world with all its schemes, bargains, and secrets. The fantasy side of the story was strong enough to keep me invested the whole way through.

But the romance never clicked for me. After seven years of no contact and no attempts to find each other, the sudden "we're mates" reveal just didn't have the emotional impact I was hoping for. I wanted their bond to feel rare and life-changing, but it felt surprisingly ordinary.

Had the relationship been given more room to breathe after their reunion, this easily could have been a 5-star read for me. But I still plan to read the sequel and check out the author's other books because I really liked her writing style.

[Smutty Little Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a pleasant little surprise!

I had never heard of this book before and picked it up on a whim. The second I started it, I was immediately on edge because it’s written in third person, and I usually struggle hard with that writing style. Surprisingly, though, I found myself invested in the storyline and finished it in one day.

This is an MM fantasy romance with fae, witches, humans, and so much more. The storyline is fairly straightforward but still kept me invested. I’d classify it as a soft fantasy as it has fantasy elements, but the world building isn’t heavy like a typical fantasy.

One thing to note is that while there are a couple of spicy scenes, this book is much more story focused. That said, I can definitely see the romance and spice ramping up in book two but for book one, it was low spice.

Overall, I’m really glad I gave this one a chance. I completed an immersive read, and Gary Furlong’s narration was fantastic, bringing the characters and story to life. I’m looking forward to jumping into book two to see where the story goes next.

[julia ☆ [owls reads] · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hell yeah! Very glad to have another Turner series to dive into. The premise was very interesting and, with the engaging writing and lovely characters, the execution made this a great read!

Cillian and Bran were wonderful main characters. I really enjoyed how they were introduced in the first chapters, especially with the hint of angst regarding their past friendship. Their voices were distinct and so were their backstories, with Bran’s having so much witchy detail right from the get go. With Cillian… there was a lot of mystery, but it was a predictable reveal. I wish I had been more in the dark in regard to his situation.

The overall plot was super fun and filled with tension. Turner knew just how to escalate as the story progressed; it went from one serious but small conflict to something that had so many players and worlds involved. The scope reminded me of what I loved best in the Soulbound series, and I’m so excited about seeing some of that here as well.

The romance! Loved every bit of it, as well as the steamy scenes and the consequences that having Cillian and Bran together will bring to this world. There were so many complications already in this book, so I’m sure things will get worse as the series goes on before it all gets better. I can’t wait to have my feelings hurt!

[Joyfully Jay · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Joyfully Jay review.

4.75 stars

Bright Dead Things is the first book in Hailey Turner’s new Bitter Legacies series and wow, did I love this one. Turner has such a way with these epic urban fantasy stories and I was drawn in here from the very start. The early part of the book takes place in the human world and we meet both Bran and Cillian and learn about their falling out. Things are tense when Bran comes back into town after his mother’s death and there are still a lot of hard feelings between them, yet neither man has ever really gotten over the other. We know that Cillian has always been told not to trust the fae, and that he follows the superstitions, but doesn’t fully believe in them.

This story ends with a nice resolution to some of the key threats, but there are a lot of open problems that are just beginning for Bran and Cillian and I am so excited to see where this all goes.

Read Jay’s review in its entirety here.

[Sam Reads Books *Just the Highlights* · Rating 5 out of 5]

2026: 4.5

This surprised me in a good way
It's like 4.25-4.5 but I'm rounding up since I'm in a generous mood today

[Ovium_Reads · Rating 3 out of 5]

The beginning of this book completely hooked me. The dark, creepy tone immediately set the stage for what to expect from a world filled with fae and witches, and I really enjoyed the murder mystery elements introduced early on. Unfortunately, that’s where the book took off and left me behind.

Despite the strong start, the world-building and characters ultimately failed to draw me in. Because I couldn't connect with them, I found it incredibly difficult to stay focused or care about the plot. I felt entirely disconnected from the story, which made it hard to enjoy.

[NikNak · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book lacked the depth I was hoping for. I never felt fully drawn into the world or invested in the characters, which made it difficult to connect with the story. Much of the writing focused on mundane actions and characters moving from one place to another, causing the pacing to feel slow and repetitive.

The repeated use of phrases such as “never trust a witch” seemed intended to reinforce tension or theme, but instead felt overused and ineffective. As a reader, I never truly felt the sense of danger, mystery, or tension that the story appeared to be aiming for. Overall, the book failed to immerse me in its world or make me care about what happened next.

[Liya · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love everything Hailey Turner writes and believe her to be one of the best fantasy writers in the MM genre. I was so looking forward to a new series from Hailey and was not disappointed. What stands out the most is the outstanding worldbuilding and riveting storytelling. As with Hailey’s other books, the worldbuilding is built gradually, with every page adding additional details that make this fantasy world feel more real and vivid. The storytelling is also outstanding, with the plot progressing through twists and turns, secrets revealed, danger, and unexpected saves. I ended up completely immersed in the story and finished the book in one go at 2 a.m. The secondary characters, enemies and allies alike, are prominent and fascinating, with their own stories that I can’t wait to learn more about. The fae are portrayed as ruthless and arrogant creatures, and I’m totally into it.

The romance part was what didn’t fully work for me and the reason for knocking off a star. I loved both MCs, fleshed out, strong, and vulnerable at the same time, each with a distinct voice, backstory, and secrets to uncover. The bond between the two is palpable, with loyalty and devotion there in spades. But the being-in-love part felt rushed. Bran’s reason for running away felt lame and didn’t justify seven years of silence and ghosting, while Cillian never tried to find him and reconnect. Both of them seemed to have relatively good lives and regular hookups before they were forced to reconnect. Falling back into friendship felt natural and inevitable, but I needed more on-page falling in love. We are told how close they were before, but we were not shown that, and I wasn’t entirely sold on them being each other’s true love, especially with no prior romantic relationship between the two and no contact for over seven years. I hope there will be more relationship development in future books for the romance to match the brilliant worldbuilding and storytelling.

Overall, this is a great start to a new series, and I can’t wait for the next book, for the adventure to continue and for love, family and friendship bonds to grow even stronger.

[antonia🫧 · Rating 5 out of 5]

i received an ARC (MY FIRST real one, I WAS SO EXCITED & GRATEFUL) from the author via GRR & this review only contains my honest thoughts and feelings about this book.🖤


first of all, the first sentence was so teen wolf that it got me hooked instantly, nicely played ms hailey, nicely played.
on that note, hailey turner has done it again, she's not a new author to me since i've read her soulbound series (and obviously loved the hell out of it and was the reason i chose to read this book in advance), this book did not disappoint AT ALL.

at first i thought it was a simple fae fantasy book like all the others i've consumed, what it was was original (to my eyes and ears at least), i should have never doubted you queen, IM SORRY.
i loved the world building and the characters and the tropes and the plot twists left and right, and each and every detail hailey added to this book.

the only real complaints i have are that i read this book so so early even though its part of an unfinished series and the imprisonment scenes. patience is not a virtue of mine so waiting for the next book might just drive me out of my mind.:) i can't wait to find out more about cillian's past and see how he reacts to his memories returning in the next book!!
lastly, it's hard for me to read about enslaved and imprisoned people so you imagine my struggle during bran's capture by ainmire, thankfully we were spared from the details...


"I'm not. But what's out there is real, just like you, and I've always believed in you, even when you left me behind. Believing in the Fae isn't that far-fetched."
cillian, the man that. you. are.

'Mostly because— because it was Cillian asking, and Bran had never been good at telling the other man no when they were kids. It seemed that habit was still alive.'
these boys will LITERALLY KILL ME

i strongly believe their destiny is to bring the two worlds together again, the prince and the witch bringing harmony for their people to live together as friends and not enemies, PRETTY PLEASE HAILEY?? I WANT TO SEE THEM HAPPY.


p.s.: what do you mean niamh is PRESENTLY ALIGNED with the winter court? i swear if she betrays them i might actually lose my mind.

[K. · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sigh. There were things I liked, such as the witchlights and the witchmark, but there were also plenty of things I either didn't like or was completely uninterested in. It felt like the book was trying to be something that never quite hit the mark.

It pains me to admit it, but it's nowhere near as good as the Soulbound books. Maybe it's unfair to compare it to that series, but I can't help myself. I can, however, wholeheartedly agree with the author that this is a book about dumb fae boys. It absolutely is.

I also hated the whole "seven years apart, filled with hatred and resentment, and then suddenly they're mates" storyline. Seriously, it felt weird. The emotional transition was far too abrupt for me.

And I cannot stop comparing the two main characters to Patrick and Jono. Unfortunately, they fall short. I think what this book really did was make me want to pick up a Soulbound book and remind myself just how much I enjoy this author's writing when everything clicks.

[Ashley (Red-Haired Ash Reads) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Series: Bitter Legacies #1
Rating: 4 stars - It was really good

Childhood best friends Bran Gallagher and Cillian Dunne both grew up keeping secrets from each other. Bran is a witch whose coven has been tasked with protecting this town from the fae and Cillian has been raised to never trust a witch, though he doesn’t know why. Now seven years after they last saw each other they have to work together to figure out what is killing people in the forest and rescue Bran’s sister.

It’s always a good day when a new Turner book comes out so I was so excited to jump into this new world of monsters and fae. From the beginning I was hooked on Cillian and Bran’s story. These two were childhood friends but after their first kiss didn’t go as expected, Bran left town and cut Cillian out of his life. I always enjoy a second chance relationship story, especially when it involves childhood friends who were crushing hard on each other.

Bran and Cillian’s relationship was strong from the very beginning. While there are hurt feelings between them at first for being cut out of each other's lives, we still see that they both really care for each other and their feelings haven’t changed. I really enjoyed the progression of their relationship as they reconnected and learned to rely on each other to survive the Fae realm. Their relationship was intense and filled with danger, but I really enjoyed it.

Like all Turner books, this has fantastic worldbuilding and characters. This was a rich world filled with fae, dangerous creatures, witches, royalty, and of course, a deeper conspiracy. While fae are not a new idea, I think Turner does a great job at making them unique and interesting enough for this new world to captivate readers and keep them coming back for more.

Overall, this was a great start to a new series. I can’t wait to read the next book to find out what will happen next for Bran and Cillian, and for the fae realm.

TW: death of mother and stepfather; kidnapping; slavery; threat of rape; violence;

[Aysha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bright Dead Things is the first book in the Bitter Legacies series and ends in a HFN.

I was glued to the pages and my heart was beating out of chest throughout, this book definitely had mystery and horror vibes. The story was very plot driven rather than mainly focusing on the characters or romance.

I loved Bran and Cillian.
I immediately felt for Bran. The tragic event that brings him back to his home town places so much responsibility solely onto his shoulders, not allowing him any time to grieve.
Cillian, his childhood former best friend, has stayed in town as a park ranger and this role really suited Cillian. I feel like Cillian comes across as a bit of mystery to begin with (which is perfect with how things turn out), especially since he’s so much more in the dark about things compared to Bran. I really liked how Cillian wanted to help and support Bran during this difficult time. Despite their years apart, their loyalty and protectiveness to each other was admirable.

I also really liked Mac and Bran’s sister, Aisling.

To be honest, I didn’t like the fae at all, how they treated Bran was so awful to read and just made them irredeemable in my eyes.

Overall, a dark, heart-pounding, intense first book in this fantasy romance series. I will probably read the next book.

This book contains triggering content such as (I have gone into more detail than the book’s content warnings so this might contain spoilers): loss of parents (including identification of the body); kidnapping and imprisonment (including MCs and Bran’s sister who is a minor); implied rape (not MCs); implied sexual slavery (not MCs, however, Bran is constantly discriminated against in the fae world, he is referred to as a “pet” and kept on a collar and leash while being imprisoned).

🐦‍⬛ MM Fantasy Romance
👀 Former childhood best friends
💕 Second chance romance
🚫 Forbidden love
🌲 Dangerous magical forest
🏘️ Small town
🧝‍♂️ Fae and witches
✨ Fated mates
🫣 Fantasy horror vibes
☘️ Celtic mythology

Plot: 📚📚📚📚
Character rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
World building: 🌎🌎🌎🌎 (possibly five, if you read the glossary)
Sexiness: 🔥🔥
Feels: 🖤🖤🖤🖤
Writing style: 🖊🖊🖊🖊🖊

[Sindu · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great start to an action packed fantasy world!

Bright Dead Things is a great start to this series! Cillian and Bran were best friends before they were torn apart for seven years. When a tragedy brings them back into each other's lives, it's like they can finally breathe again. But when Bran's sister is taken, they go on a treacherous journey into the land of the fae where their lives are turned upside down and changed forever.

“I couldn’t forget you for seven years. If I left again, I’d still think about you.”

When Hailey described these characters as her dumb fae boys, she was absolutely right. Bran and Cillian are so gone for each other but they do everything possible to not acknowledge it. These two are masters at pining for each other. They're so protective and are constantly putting each other first, but it takes them forever to put those feelings into words even if it's so obvious to everyone.

"Cillian knew owning people was wrong, but something in him said Bran was his and always had been. Bran would never belong to anyone else."

One of my favorite things about Hailey's books is the world's she creates. The world building in this book is so well done. It does a great job of introducing us to this magical world of witches and fae. It reeled me in and left me with so many questions. There's so much more to explore and now that Bran and Cillian are finally together, I'm ready to see them be ultra protective and be a united force against all the danger that's yet to come for them.

"If anything, it settled something in him to have Bran like this— collared, leashed, and under him with no other option but to stay."

I can't wait to return to this series & these characters so I can get my answers and see what's next for Bran and Cillian. With a world full of scheming fae on their doorstep, the threat is far from over. Their journey is going to be rough and dangerous and I'll be here to read every word of it!

[Alex (HEABookNerd) · Rating 4 out of 5]

BRIGHT DEAD THINGS starts a brand new series from one of my favorite authors and I really enjoyed immersing myself in this book. Hailey Turner is a master at world-building and I loved the creepy atmosphere she set for this small town in Massachusetts. I'm not a huge fan of fae romances overall, but Turner's writing and storytelling always pulls me in and keeps me reading.

Our main couple, Bran and Cillian, were childhood friends who haven't seen each other in 7 years after a disastrous kiss and a misunderstanding. But both men have never forgotten the other and while there was a lot of fated vibes around their second chance romance I liked that it was a slower burn. They had a lot going on and more important worries, like rescuing Bran's sister from the fae, so it made sense that it would take some time for anything to happen. They both also needed to learn to trust again but one thing that was never in doubt was how much they each secretly cared for the other.

The romance was swoony and full of devotion and tender care and a nice touch of possessive spice; and while it wasn't front and center it was still undeniably there. While the book didn't have a major cliffhanger, Bran and Cillian's story is definitely not over and I can't wait to see where things go from here.

[Kez Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an immersive blend of Fae folklore, horror and mystery.
It had great themes of hidden identities, past regrets, mate bonds, forbidden love, and second changes.
This kept me hooked throughout as it explores secrets and shocking twists.
I loved all the folklore references, the danger of the Fae, and the rivalry between Fae and witches.
I loved the dark worldbuilding, the eerie vibes of the forest, and the slow burn MM romance.
Bran and Cillian were deep and complex characters, and I loved seeing their bond develop, all their tension and chemistry, and the protectiveness they have for each other.
This really was a fantastic opening to the series, and I can't wait for more.

[BevS · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not yet fully invested in the characters or the storyline sadly. Will carry on with the series, but at the moment it isn't reaching anywhere near the dizzying heights of my absolute faves of Hailey's - the Infernal War Saga The Prince's Poisoned Vow, followed by the Soulbound series A Ferry of Bones & Gold. 3.5 stars rounded up.

[Clair · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.75

[Christina Sturgill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating: 4/5 🌟
Spice: 2/5 🌶️
Heroes: Cillian and Bran

[Jenn "Awww Yeaaahhh" · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 stars.

[ReadingWithCec · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another banger. Hailey Turner writes what I wanna read

[Dee · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐

I was cursing and holding my breath during the second half of the book. This such an amazing story and I couldn't wait to read the second book in the series. October couldn't come faster.

[isthisakink · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars, and all the love in my heart. I fucking LOVE how this author depicts the legends and myths they build their books around. They make long-established lore their own while still respecting its origins and that’s never going to be something to scoff at. I’m invested in the story and the world already, and I love the characters even when they’re making me want to bang my head into the goddamn wall. I’m trying to keep my pining for the next installment from being rude, so I’ll keep slapping my gremlin grabby-hands down when they appear, but the whining in my head might not always stay there. Fantastic all-around, and now I’m gonna go pout for a bit.


—I received an ARC from Gay Romance Reviews (GRR). All ratings reviews, and unwanted opinions are my own.—

[Sandy Kay · Rating 3 out of 5]

Three stars for fantastic worldbuilding and riveting (and rage-inspiring!) plotting, on par with my favorite author of fey stories, Julie Kagawa. This world is marvelous, fleshed out, terrifying, beautiful, and no quarter is given with just how ruthless and cold the fae of the Otherworld are in this first book of a new Hailey Turner series.

The story centers around Bran and Cillian, childhood best friends who grew up together until they were in their late teens and one (really frustrating, weakly motivated) moment set them apart completely for seven years, with Bran running off that very night to Boston (how, as a teen, I don’t know, I missed where he went for safety, how he could afford it, and, was he in college? I guess?). Seven years of no contact, Bran making sure Cillian never knew any time he was in town, Cillian staying home in Pelham and becoming a forest ranger. Cillian’s mother is now traveling but calls now and again to remind him…never trust a witch.

Bran’s mother is the local wiccan, but Cillian could never have imagined his mother meant her, or Bran…

Bran’s secret heritage as a witch means he must never trust the fae; they are mortal enemies. He’s in line to protect the town of Pelham from the encroaching lights, part of the wyrding, the protection of this/our world from the fae world, and these lights every once in a long while bring gruesome monsters who murder indiscriminately and viciously, the humans of the town putting the brutal deaths down as rabid bear attacks. And they’re happening again.

Cillian is the ranger on the murder scenes. But when Bran’s mother becomes the latest victim and his little sister, Aisling, winds up missing, Bran comes back to town, and he and Cillian face each other for the first time in seven years.

Bran’s magic isn’t enough to stop whatever is coming. In his grief for his mother and his fear for his missing sister, he can no longer avoid the man he loved years ago but planned never to see again (because that makes so much sense based on one seemingly rejected kiss 🙄. He never even let Cillian explain, just ran off. Imagine my face.🤨😤 I’m not salty, YOU’RE salty! 😂).

When circumstances give them no choice but for Bran to reveal his truth to Cillian and for both of them to enter the Otherworld to try to find Aisling, they also must finally confront the past (like yeah, it was so hard to have one conversation to clear up that ridiculous misunderstanding… 🧂)

That’s when the plot really takes off! Ooooh, really, REALLY evil villains but who aren’t caricatures, just arrogant, incredibly powerful fae, an unbearable enslavement situation in which Cillian is used to control Bran and vice versa, and…the truth of it all starts to come out. Bit by finally unglamoured bit. Because Cillian had no idea of who he really was, and Bran is now the most useful pawn to use against him, and…wow. I was riveted, angry, infuriated, rooting hard for them, to find Aisling, and…whoosh. Great storytelling!

Their rescue was phenomenal. Their new circumstances…well, it didn’t surprise me that Cillian is Somebody, but, it’s still both poignant and infuriating to see how he is treated verses how Bran is treated, and the way they have to appear to enslave Bran to save Bran…oooh. Gut wrenchingly great!

So, basically, the plot and world and story are all amazing! Loved that so much. Especially Bran’s familiar, the raven Jupiter, who really saves the day.

What I didn’t love, at all, was the way the intimate side of romance was handled. And that’s saying something because I have LOVED all this author’s other romances. But alas, this was a childhood friends to nothings to lovers that did not work for me. As soon as I learned that Bran just ran off, not giving Cillian a chance to explain or even ask what happened, and cut him off entirely, and they’d both been miserable, thinking they were in love but not ever talking, and then hooking up with other people all along, I lost interest in their reunion. And it just didn’t hit, the original separation being based on something so flimsy. Cillian didn’t bother finding Bran. Bran fucked off and deserted his “best friend and first love.” There was not much to root for, for me.

I was disappointed to learn they’re mates, because for me (and yes, yes, I’m aware it won’t bother many other people), a mates story that works is one in which neither wants to be with anyone else once they’ve met their mate, and this…was not that. In fact I couldn’t even read much of their first sex scene because it included Cillian thinking about how he enjoyed having “a man’s” cock in his mouth (as in he’s had lots of fun with that all those years! With many men! Bran’s cock is just one more he’s enjoying! Ugh.) and Bran waking up from the night thinking that his ass hasn’t ached like that since his last hookup a few months before. 🤮 Just no. Not for mates. Not for me. Nothing about it felt particularly special for them, just another night of great sex, this time finally with someone they know and care about. But not elevated, intimacy wise. They’d already done it all, and it was anti-climactic (ha ha take it as a pun if you like!). Admittedly, I skimmed. But once my skin started crawling, I knew it just wasn’t working for me. 🕷️

And the mates element is the one place the world-building failed, because...what are mates? What does that mean? Was the thing that happened in the ill-fated first kiss a sign? Why doesn't that happen now? Is a mate a Fate thing, a gods/goddesses thing, is it biological, is it magical? What happens when you find your mate, how does that impact people physically? Emotionally? Does it impact both mates' powers? Etc etc. Clearly these two loved each other as kids/teens, but they had no issues going off and dating and hooking up with other people, so, what does mates mean, and why does having one matter? They were fine apart, just missed each other bc they were best friends who loved each other, but, that didn't seem to create a problem for either, and when they reunited, nothing about it seemed More/brighter or...whatever...than their connection/interactions with anyone else they cared about (I mean different, yes, but not stronger?). A lot of questions and nothing made it seem necessary to be with/interact with ones mate, so...why? What's the point?

What I did love was the loyalty between them as friends. Their friendship reformed and shone as strong and true, and they had each other’s backs all the way through, no matter what was thrown at them. Learning Cillian’s true heritage and how each was raised to be racist against the other’s people, finding out about Aisling, facing potential allies who questioned them and tried to set them at odds at every turn…these two were solid, moral codes strong, and I loved that. This would have worked better for me as an adventure bromance rather than a romance. 😂🫣

There was an underlying inconsistency/frustration though, with people, even Bran and Cillian, assuming that since their people were enemies, they should be. Like they kept surprising even each other by being loyal, and then to Aisling, too. It didn’t make sense bc they grew up together and knew each other better than anything else, so the doubts that kept being sowed felt silly and inconsistent. I’m not explaining it well, but, it was conflict that the reader already knew wasn’t conflict so wasn’t a true threat and didn’t raise the stakes, and was annoying that it was included.

Secondary characters were fascinating, and oh, how I wanted to MURDER so many of them. But the fae were authentically fae, self-absorbed, politically Machiavellian, and narcissistic. Of course those loyal to Cillian were more layered than the antagonists, but, they would have killed or enslaved Bran just the same as the enemies. I was holding my breath a lot.

So, everything but the romance worked for me. But that’s what I read for, and it disappointed me so much. Oh well. Me! Everyone roll your eyes, you know, you know. ❤️😂❤️

HFN, with promise book 2 will start with focus on danger and shenaingans from the Coucil of Witches. Childhood friends to flimsy misunderstanding/separation to lovers, but, the romance was weak. Fantastic worldbuilding and strong, twist filled plot. Recommended, but not for the romance, more for the fun of the overall story. I did really enjoy it!

My thanks to Gay Romance Reviews for the ARC; this is my free and impartial opinion.

[Kier · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh boy, I hope you're ready for me to ramble a lot because that's what I do when I love a book this much.

Bright Dead Things is the start of Hailey Turner's new series, Bitter Legacies, and I genuinely don't know how this author keeps doing it.

Soulbound is one of my favourite series of all time and has been for years now, so going into a brand new series from Hailey always comes with a strange mix of excitement and nerves because those are impossibly high expectations to live up to. Somehow though, Bright Dead Things not only lived up to them, but I think this might genuinely be up there with On the Wings of War as my favourite thing she's written. Potentially even my favourite, full stop (which feels slightly ridiculous to say after one book, but here we are).

Before I talk about anything else, I have to talk about the worldbuilding because I truly think Hailey Turner remains one of the best authors writing MM fantasy and supernatural romance right now.

Starting a new fantasy series is hard. You have to convince readers that your world exists while also not overwhelming them with lore dumps, new terminology, politics, magic systems and twenty names you'll forget five pages later. It's such an easy balance to get wrong and I think Bright Dead Things is probably one of the cleanest examples I've seen in a long time of how to do it right.

You're given exactly enough information to ground yourself and then everything else unfolds naturally through discovery. The characters learn things, so we learn things. Information appears when it matters instead of being frontloaded and because of that, the world feels massive without ever becoming exhausting.

This book takes familiar mythology that readers of Hailey's previous work will probably recognise and turns it into something darker, stranger and honestly at times, horror. There is this constant lingering tension throughout the entire book that never really lets go of you. Every time I thought things were calming down or we'd get a second to breathe, there was always this underlying feeling that something wasn't right. Even in the quieter moments, there is this sense that danger is waiting just out of sight.

And I absolutely loved that.

Something else I absolutely loved was the way the setting evolves throughout the book. It starts in this small-town atmosphere that almost feels like a mystery at times. Strange attacks, local folklore, things hiding in the woods, people knowing just enough to make you suspicious but not enough to understand what's really happening. If you know me at all, you'll know that small-town supernatural mystery settings are basically made for me, so I was immediately invested.

And then slowly, without ever feeling jarring, the world opens up into something so much bigger. Suddenly you're dealing with ancient magic, larger politics, mythology and places that feel impossibly vast in comparison to where we started, but somehow it never loses that grounded feeling. The transition between those two scales was handled so expertly that it never felt like stepping into a different book. Instead, it felt like the world naturally unfolding and showing just how much existed beyond what we could initially see.

The atmosphere in this book is phenomenal. The forests, the old magic, the things lurking where they shouldn't be, the way folklore and supernatural politics weave together. All of it felt so believable that I completely lost track of time reading. I ended up reading this in one sitting because every chapter ended with me needing to know just one more thing.

Now onto Bran and Cillian.

I adored these two.

Their relationship at the beginning of this story is... damaged, to say the least. Childhood best friends separated for years after one kiss changed everything and then thrown back together through grief, responsibility and circumstances that absolutely do not care that their feelings are complicated.

What I loved most is that this never becomes exhausting.

That first kiss hangs over the entire narrative despite happening years before the story starts and I was fully prepared for this to become one of those really dramatic back-and-forth situations where nobody talks and everyone suffers in silence for 400 pages.

It isn't that.

You absolutely feel the weight of what happened and how much the separation affected both of them, but the story doesn't linger unnecessarily in the past and I'm so grateful for that. We understand what happened. We understand why it hurt. And then we move forward.

If you've read Hailey's work before, especially Soulbound, you'll probably already know one of her greatest strengths: she writes adults like adults.

There is hurt here. There is history. There are regrets and moments where both Bran and Cillian could easily retreat into old habits. But they communicate. They talk. They choose each other again and again despite everything happening around them.

There isn't endless miscommunication or artificial drama keeping them apart. Instead, there's this really beautiful feeling of two people trying to find each other again after years apart while also surviving things far bigger than themselves.

Even early on, there was already so much in their quieter moments together that had me completely invested in where this relationship is going.

I also really loved that despite all the huge fantasy elements and the stakes constantly escalating, the emotional core never gets lost. At the centre of all of this horror, magic, politics and violence is still family, grief, duty, and people trying to protect each other.

Bright Dead Things is honestly one of the strongest starts to a fantasy series I've read in years. It's darker than anything Hailey has written before, but never loses the heart that makes her books work so well.

If you're already a fan of Hailey Turner, I think you're going to have an incredible time with this.

And if you've never picked up her work before and love MM fantasy with phenomenal worldbuilding, mature relationships, mythology, horror elements and a romance that feels earned rather than rushed, I cannot think of a better place to start.

Book 2 cannot come soon enough.

As this is a darker offering from Hailey, be sure to check the content warnings before you read.

Content Safety Warnings:
↓↓↓↓↓↓↓↓↓↓↓↓↓↓↓↓↓↓↓↓↓↓↓↓↓

Cheating: No
Other Person Drama: No
Breakup: No
HEA: Yes

I received a copy of this book from Gay Romance Reviews, and this is my honest review.

[Stephanie Oldeck · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was blessed to read an Advanced Reader Copy of Bright Dead Things. All opinions are my own and freely given.

When Bran returns to Pelham after his mother's murder, he is relieved to find his sister, Aisling, safe, if not a little worse for wear. Forced to take up the mantle as the last remaining witch in his coven, Bran must protect Pelham from the lights, and he must protect his own heart as he is thrown right back into the orbit of Cillian, the ex-best friend Bran left behind seven years ago. Despite the fact Cillian doesn't know that witches and the fae are real, Cillian is bound and determined to tag along when Aisling is abducted in the middle of the night. Bran wishes he would stay behind, but Cillian had never been good at listening. In the Otherworld, a land where those in power speak in riddles, it becomes a treacherous game of not-quite-truths and bargains. Bran and Cillian can only trust each other as they attempt to find Aisling and bring her home. But the Fae have a way of keeping and revealing secrets, and as the days pass, the revelations stun both Cillian and Bran. What should tear them farther apart actually brings them closer together. And surrounded by a troupe of Fae who claim to know a version of Cillian from the past, both Bran and Cillian are reluctant to stray far from each other. Cillian seems to have no interest in the affairs of the Fae, but when they discover Aisling’s own true nature and what she represents, remaining in the human realm may be beyond their control. Cillian doesn’t want the fate the Fae say belongs to him. All he wants - all he’s ever wanted - is Bran. But as they face enemies coming from every direction, they may not have a choice. The only light in the darkness is that Bran has finally stopped running and is exactly where he’s supposed to be: At Cillian’s side. For better or for worse, they will face whatever comes next together. And may the Gods have mercy on the soul of anyone who tries to come between them.

Ohhhh my gosh, this book was so freaking good. I knew it would be, but I could not put it down. I really loved Cillian. He was such a great character. I loved that he was a park ranger. I loved that he just kind of went with the flow and inserted himself at Bran’s side even when Bran didn’t want him to be there. I loved that he took care of everyone and that Aisling loved him. I loved that he stayed true to himself and didn’t want to return to the Otherworld. I am glad he wasn’t swayed by the Fae and that he stayed true to Bran at all times. I loved that he never let anyone disrespect Bran. And I loooooved his possessiveness and how it grew over time. The Fae in him was definitely showing by the end. I absolutely loved Bran and his attitude. He was highly competent, stubborn, and, honestly, self-sacrificing. He gave up so much to protect Cillian, always making sure Cillian was all right before taking anything for himself. He stopped at nothing to save his sister, even willing to take on the Fae who hated him. Bran’s intelligence and wits were fantastic. And I loved how he and Cillian always respected each other and took comfort in each other. They were just a really great couple, and I loved the slow burn of their relationship.

I love, love, loved how Bran and Cillian navigated the collar. I mean, let’s be honest. That collar was its own main character. And as much as it symbolized how the Fae thought so lowly of witches, it also became a symbol of the trust that Bran had in Cillian. It represented ownership, submission, love, commitment, and forgiveness. And I loved how they both came to rely on it for safety and, to an extent, comfort. And I loved that, despite what it meant to the Fae, Cillian’s respect for Bran never wavered.

I really loved the tone of the book. It’s hard to explain, but it has made me question literally every character and shadow except Bran and Cillian. The Otherworld is full of incredible beauty, and yet it is very, very cruel. I don’t trust a single one of the Fae, not even those who have sworn fealty to Cillian. I mean, maybe I trust Niamh a little bit. And I got trustworthy vibes from Seamus. But everyone else is a no go for me. I am scared for our boys having to navigate with these Fae whose mouths say one thing and eyes say another. I definitely don’t trust Verlin, but I am intrigued by his mateship with Seamus. I am hoping I might be proved wrong, but right now, Bran, Cillian, and Aisling are all on an island of their own.

I really loved the plot. There are so many intricate things going on and strings of fate being tangled. I loved that the Fae and witches are not so different. Aisling’s role in everything is so intriguing. Plus we had some major players making moves already. I loved the magic system and the intricacies of the different Fae courts and their customs. Plus there’s the whole forgotten memories to deal with and what that might mean if they come back. I really loved how Cillian’s magic slowly made an appearance. It added even more mystery to the plot.

The one thing I would criticize is that, despite how much I loved Bran and Cillian together, the timeline for their romance was a bit short. They had been apart for seven years. I guess I was wanting a little more time of groveling and regaining trust and romancing before they said “I love you.” The attraction and tension was amazing and very believable. I was convinced that the romance was beginning to sprout. But there wasn’t so much romance that the confession made true sense at the time. I don’t know. I guess I just wanted them to wait a bit to get to that point. Also, and this is a small thing, but they kept putting flowers in their pockets??? Like, they will be crushed! No right minded person would stuff a flower they wanted to keep in their pocket. That’s all I’m saying.

All those things being said, I absolutely loved this book. Hailey has a way of storytelling that immerses you in the world and makes you root for the main characters. I am so excited to be diving into this new series, and I can’t wait to see what happens with Bran, Cillian, and the obligations and challenges they both must face. This is an easy 5/5 🌟read!