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Céilí
The Los Angeles music scene has not been kind to Devon Caelin. He struggles to fit in and has a streak of bad luck the length of the Sunset Strip. One rare rainy night, he drowns his sorrows from bar-to-bar, until he stumbles into an alley club called Céilí. He discovers that it’s home to a small community of mystical people making their way in the human world, and that he found it only because he is Fae himself. With mentoring from the pub’s proprietor, Eldan—a powerful Fae Lord protecting his kind in the city—Devon unearths his past and discovers his magical abilities. His life appears to be back on track—until a member of the Faerie Court is murdered and the secret of their world is threatened to be revealed.
200 pages, Paperback
First published March 17, 2016
1 person is currently reading
279 people want to read
About the author
Moriah Gemel
17 books56 followersMoriah Gemel started writing at the tender age of seven, after her grandfather gifted her with her first novel. Ever since, she has been a fan of fantasy novels, and decided it was high time to write one herself. Passionate about diversity in fiction, Moriah is dedicated to writing realistic and charged romances for many audiences. Her first novel, Load the Dice, was published in ten parts and is available from Interlude Press. Ceili is her second novel. Moriah lives in Central NY with her husband, young son, and two cats.
Learn more at moriahgemel.com
Learn more at moriahgemel.com
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
June 12, 2016
This book is a fantastic story about Devon, a down on his luck musician living in LA who wanders into a bar (Ceili) one night. There he discovers a world inside his world he never imagined – where Fae exists, hiding in plain sight – and a truth about himself he couldn’t have foreseen – that he too is Fae.
Deliciously, running this enclave of Fae in the human world, is Eldan, who I would basically climb like a tree (hence why it's delicious that he runs this bar). Honestly, I loved Eldan so much it's hard to contain it. He’s quirky and silly and poised and deep and complicated all at once, which is hard to pull off: Gemel doesn't just tell us her characters are complex, she shows us. He longs for a mate and has such a lovely longing heart.
There are so many great things the author does here, and one of my favorites are things she puts in that run under the current of the driving plot. I like that her novel is diverse. I really love the way she writes Devon's mental illness -- it's not huge or shocking or sensational, but something that't there, that he lives with. Devon's decisions and trajectory throughout the novel unfold so naturally, in a way that feels real; we feel his indecision, his distrust that anything so perfect could be real, because these are the things -- community and love and being liked and wanted -- he's been searching for for so long. When he does start to trust it, and the people of Ceili (particularly Eldan) it's beautiful to watch.
The world Gemel builds is excellent, walking the line between fantastic (as in magical) and real. The plot thickens beautifully, and with it, the tension and eventual romance between Eldan and Devon, who are *very* different men on many levels, and yet perfectly suited. She guides you through phases of novel -- Devon discovering this place and his nature, trying to make the right choice and find his place, then halfway through, a twist that changes the direction of the story. She builds that along with Devon and Eldan connecting slowly, Devon more rightfully finding his place: both in Ceili and it's community. This novel is built perfectly to come to a beautiful ending that satisfies on one level but also leaves some mystery, and the reader ready for more.
Deliciously, running this enclave of Fae in the human world, is Eldan, who I would basically climb like a tree (hence why it's delicious that he runs this bar). Honestly, I loved Eldan so much it's hard to contain it. He’s quirky and silly and poised and deep and complicated all at once, which is hard to pull off: Gemel doesn't just tell us her characters are complex, she shows us. He longs for a mate and has such a lovely longing heart.
There are so many great things the author does here, and one of my favorites are things she puts in that run under the current of the driving plot. I like that her novel is diverse. I really love the way she writes Devon's mental illness -- it's not huge or shocking or sensational, but something that't there, that he lives with. Devon's decisions and trajectory throughout the novel unfold so naturally, in a way that feels real; we feel his indecision, his distrust that anything so perfect could be real, because these are the things -- community and love and being liked and wanted -- he's been searching for for so long. When he does start to trust it, and the people of Ceili (particularly Eldan) it's beautiful to watch.
The world Gemel builds is excellent, walking the line between fantastic (as in magical) and real. The plot thickens beautifully, and with it, the tension and eventual romance between Eldan and Devon, who are *very* different men on many levels, and yet perfectly suited. She guides you through phases of novel -- Devon discovering this place and his nature, trying to make the right choice and find his place, then halfway through, a twist that changes the direction of the story. She builds that along with Devon and Eldan connecting slowly, Devon more rightfully finding his place: both in Ceili and it's community. This novel is built perfectly to come to a beautiful ending that satisfies on one level but also leaves some mystery, and the reader ready for more.
March 26, 2016
This is story about a down-in-his luck musician named Devon and his discovery of an entire world he never knew existed...a secret world behind the doors of Ceili. Devon has never really felt comfortable with himself or his world. His childhood was lonely as his parents were often away and Devon has never felt particularly close to them and questions whether they even wanted a child. As an adult, he struggles to find himself as he barely makes enough to pay his bills working two jobs he hates as he waits for his big break in music. He has no close friends, no serious relationships, nothing to really ground him.
One weird night he gets too philosophical with a bartender who mistakes his speculation for too much alcohol and cuts him off. Devon wanders out of the bar and walks around, so lost in his own thoughts about everything and nothing that he gets himself lost. As he tries to get his bearings, he find himself in front of a bar called, Ceili. Ceili is Devon's entrance into a world he never knew existed let alone that he has a place in that world. Only those from the Fae world-the world of fairies and magic-can see Ceili; the rest of the world simply sees a never-completed construction site.
The story follows Devon as he learns the truth about his birth and his heritage. But Devon doesn't just find a place called Ceili, he also meets a mishmash of magic folk who keep the story interesting- and maybe a little weird! Most importantly, he meets the gang leader, the eccentric-yet-delicious Eldon. Eldon set out to make Ceili as a bar, but also as a community and a safe haven for the Fae who are hiding-in-plain-sight in LA, living among the humans. Eldon is a Fae Lord, several hundred years old and lonely. He is looking for his "mate"...but in the mean time, he sees no reason not to indulge in no-strings-attached sex. Devon is weary and looking for romance and true love, he doesn't do one-night stands..EVER. The two men discover each other as Eldon tries to prove his worth to Devon and Devon struggles to finally find his place in the world.
I loved every word of this story. It is a beautiful story full of characters like you have never met before in an adult book. Ceili is romantic and suspenseful and quirky and delightful and weird....that good kind of weird that you just can't stop thinking about. There is a sequel coming and I cannot wait for it.
One weird night he gets too philosophical with a bartender who mistakes his speculation for too much alcohol and cuts him off. Devon wanders out of the bar and walks around, so lost in his own thoughts about everything and nothing that he gets himself lost. As he tries to get his bearings, he find himself in front of a bar called, Ceili. Ceili is Devon's entrance into a world he never knew existed let alone that he has a place in that world. Only those from the Fae world-the world of fairies and magic-can see Ceili; the rest of the world simply sees a never-completed construction site.
The story follows Devon as he learns the truth about his birth and his heritage. But Devon doesn't just find a place called Ceili, he also meets a mishmash of magic folk who keep the story interesting- and maybe a little weird! Most importantly, he meets the gang leader, the eccentric-yet-delicious Eldon. Eldon set out to make Ceili as a bar, but also as a community and a safe haven for the Fae who are hiding-in-plain-sight in LA, living among the humans. Eldon is a Fae Lord, several hundred years old and lonely. He is looking for his "mate"...but in the mean time, he sees no reason not to indulge in no-strings-attached sex. Devon is weary and looking for romance and true love, he doesn't do one-night stands..EVER. The two men discover each other as Eldon tries to prove his worth to Devon and Devon struggles to finally find his place in the world.
I loved every word of this story. It is a beautiful story full of characters like you have never met before in an adult book. Ceili is romantic and suspenseful and quirky and delightful and weird....that good kind of weird that you just can't stop thinking about. There is a sequel coming and I cannot wait for it.
March 18, 2016
Advanced Reader Review
What struck me the most about this novel was how realistic it felt. Don’t read me wrong, it is a fantasy novel, through and through–and Moriah’s world-building is particularly on point, but I’ll come back to that later in this review–, but it felt like, yes, I can believe that this is happening, that magical beings of all kinds are living within the human world, hidden in plain sight until you really look for it.
What struck me the most about this novel was how realistic it felt. Don’t read me wrong, it is a fantasy novel, through and through–and Moriah’s world-building is particularly on point, but I’ll come back to that later in this review–, but it felt like, yes, I can believe that this is happening, that magical beings of all kinds are living within the human world, hidden in plain sight until you really look for it.
Now, back to my second point : the world building. Gosh, the magical sensations, the way Devon slowly taps into his potential under the careful eye of his chosen family … “Awesome” is the first word that comes to mind, so I’ll stick with it! The characters evolve through a world that is at the border of the human world and the magical one, and there was not a moment where I paused and wondered how it worked, because it all made sense.
March 17, 2016
In short, Céilí is a work of urban fantasy with a dash of slow-burning romance, but above all, to me, it feels rooted in the theme of personal growth. The novel follows Devon, one of countless young people trying to find his place in the shuffle of Los Angeles. Also front and center is Eldan, a well-respected member of the Fae community and proprietor of the club, Céilí, who has spent countless years searching for the perfect source of companionship.
You can probably guess that they find themselves and find one another along the way (with all the moments of beautiful prose readers of Moriah’s work have come to expect!), but the story doesn’t end there. Céilí has elements of magic, political and cultural tension, and promising world-building that I truly hope is a hint that there may be future, expanded works to come! Do yourself a favor and step through the doors.
You can probably guess that they find themselves and find one another along the way (with all the moments of beautiful prose readers of Moriah’s work have come to expect!), but the story doesn’t end there. Céilí has elements of magic, political and cultural tension, and promising world-building that I truly hope is a hint that there may be future, expanded works to come! Do yourself a favor and step through the doors.
March 18, 2016
Have you ever felt like you didn’t belong somewhere? Or anywhere?
Then you’ll relate to Devon, one of the central characters in Moriah Gemel’s second novel, Ceili. He feels a little lost in his life in LA, until one night he stumbles upon a bar where, suddenly, he fits right in, though he doesn’t quite understand – or believe – why at first. Turns out the bar is much more than a bar; it’s a safe haven for Fae, of which he, too, is one, and it’s invisible to humans.
The owner of the bar, Eldan, takes Devon under his wing, and their chemistry is immediate and undeniable, though Devon is insistent on staying just friends, for reasons you’ll have to read to find out. The good thing is, they make awesome friends, even though Eldan’s pretty sure there’s a reason they connect so well.
The connection between Eldan and Devon develops as Devon learns more about what exactly it means for him to be Fae, and when tragedy strikes, Devon steps right up to help Eldan and the rest of his found family get through it.
Moriah is excellent at developing her little modern fantasy world that sits within the “regular” world, and there are many characters I would love to know more about – which is good, because Ceili is going to have a sequel, which I can’t wait to read.
Also, there’s a phenomenally subtle but hilarious pun early in the book, which is always a bonus in my eyes.
(Moriah asked me a while back if I would be interested in reading an advance copy of the book, and, knowing how much I love pretty much every word she’s ever written, I jumped at the chance. I sped through the entire book in about two and a half hours.)
Then you’ll relate to Devon, one of the central characters in Moriah Gemel’s second novel, Ceili. He feels a little lost in his life in LA, until one night he stumbles upon a bar where, suddenly, he fits right in, though he doesn’t quite understand – or believe – why at first. Turns out the bar is much more than a bar; it’s a safe haven for Fae, of which he, too, is one, and it’s invisible to humans.
The owner of the bar, Eldan, takes Devon under his wing, and their chemistry is immediate and undeniable, though Devon is insistent on staying just friends, for reasons you’ll have to read to find out. The good thing is, they make awesome friends, even though Eldan’s pretty sure there’s a reason they connect so well.
The connection between Eldan and Devon develops as Devon learns more about what exactly it means for him to be Fae, and when tragedy strikes, Devon steps right up to help Eldan and the rest of his found family get through it.
Moriah is excellent at developing her little modern fantasy world that sits within the “regular” world, and there are many characters I would love to know more about – which is good, because Ceili is going to have a sequel, which I can’t wait to read.
Also, there’s a phenomenally subtle but hilarious pun early in the book, which is always a bonus in my eyes.
(Moriah asked me a while back if I would be interested in reading an advance copy of the book, and, knowing how much I love pretty much every word she’s ever written, I jumped at the chance. I sped through the entire book in about two and a half hours.)
March 15, 2016
Devon Caelin is trying to make it in LA as a musician, but his life has never been right. Something's been off. When he wanders into a Celtic bar one night, he finds out why. He's a fae. He's drawn into a world of magic and friendship.
Everyone's lonely fantasy, right? This is book is so good. I know I'm going to fail at describing it's greatness, which lies in its characters--fully formed, deep, and good-hearted--and its writing--whimsical and indulgent, in its seedy, sad LA and its too-bright Summerland.
But it is so good.
It's just the right length. I devoured it in two nights, staying up way past my bedtime. It's sexy, but not sexual. It's a fantasy book, not a zipper ripper, so readers should know what they're in for. Faeries everywhere!
I want to watch a movie of this. And I want Moriah Gemel to write more books.
Five stars
~ C. E. Case
Everyone's lonely fantasy, right? This is book is so good. I know I'm going to fail at describing it's greatness, which lies in its characters--fully formed, deep, and good-hearted--and its writing--whimsical and indulgent, in its seedy, sad LA and its too-bright Summerland.
But it is so good.
It's just the right length. I devoured it in two nights, staying up way past my bedtime. It's sexy, but not sexual. It's a fantasy book, not a zipper ripper, so readers should know what they're in for. Faeries everywhere!
I want to watch a movie of this. And I want Moriah Gemel to write more books.
Five stars
~ C. E. Case
March 26, 2016
Ceili by Moriah Gemel (MM/Romance/Fantasy)
A copy of this book was provided to me by Inked Rainbow Reads in exchange for an honest review.
***3 STARS***
I didn't love this book...but I didn't hate it either.
Devon Caelin lives in L.A. He's alone, confused, and so damn sad. One night he wanders around and finds himself in a bar called Ceili. Nothing is normal about the bar. He finds out that it's owned by a fae named Eldan, and finds out that he's also a fae himself. He can project his thoughts to others and with training, he can be so much more.
Eldan, the fae lord, had the patience of a saint when it came to Devon. He's always wanted a mate and he saw the potential in Devon. I'm glad they came together in the end, promising themselves to each other, but I saw this as a HFN instead of a HEA.
I just wish there was more magic in a story about magic. It was interesting learning about manna, the fae queens and how there's only 2 safe havens for fae creatures, but there wasn't much...magic. Devon has powers, but he really didn't do much with it. He learned to put thoughts in ppls heads and block others from reading his, but in the end, there was no showdown. I was expecting him to use his powers to defend himself and protect his friends, a battle with the far queens and the ppl who destroyed the other safe haven, but that didn't happen. I was disappointed actually.
Eldan and Devon were sweet together, but the romance was low in this. Maybe there's gonna be a book 2. It didn't seem finished. If there was a book 2, I'll be reading it in hopes of more adventure and romance between these two characters.
A copy of this book was provided to me by Inked Rainbow Reads in exchange for an honest review.
***3 STARS***
I didn't love this book...but I didn't hate it either.
Devon Caelin lives in L.A. He's alone, confused, and so damn sad. One night he wanders around and finds himself in a bar called Ceili. Nothing is normal about the bar. He finds out that it's owned by a fae named Eldan, and finds out that he's also a fae himself. He can project his thoughts to others and with training, he can be so much more.
Eldan, the fae lord, had the patience of a saint when it came to Devon. He's always wanted a mate and he saw the potential in Devon. I'm glad they came together in the end, promising themselves to each other, but I saw this as a HFN instead of a HEA.
I just wish there was more magic in a story about magic. It was interesting learning about manna, the fae queens and how there's only 2 safe havens for fae creatures, but there wasn't much...magic. Devon has powers, but he really didn't do much with it. He learned to put thoughts in ppls heads and block others from reading his, but in the end, there was no showdown. I was expecting him to use his powers to defend himself and protect his friends, a battle with the far queens and the ppl who destroyed the other safe haven, but that didn't happen. I was disappointed actually.
Eldan and Devon were sweet together, but the romance was low in this. Maybe there's gonna be a book 2. It didn't seem finished. If there was a book 2, I'll be reading it in hopes of more adventure and romance between these two characters.
May 6, 2016
3.5 stars
Hmmm... this book was interesting, but it was not what I expected. I ended up giving it 3,5 stars, but honestly, it was a tie between 3,5 and 3.
Mostly because not much happened and sometimes, it left me hanging. For example, where is the talk Devon has with his parents? It's that I know that I'm adopted (it's pretty hard to miss since my parents are white as rice and I'm not), but otherwise I would've flown back home so goddamn fast just to yell at them.
But really, it felt like one big introduction to a story that never happened (unless Gemel turns this into a series). Gemel introduced you to this amazing new world with amazing characters, but not much happens with them.
I expected more adventure. The text on the back cover makes it look like they're about to start a revolution, since one of them got killed. But they didn't. They didn't even move.
Another thing that bugged me was the ending. I just.... ?????? That's the best way to describe what I'm feeling. I just didn't get it. Maybe I need to read it again, like Carry On. I didn't get that one either, but after reading it for a second and a third time, I did.
But still... The Queens do absolutely nothing. And Brandon is still here? I do think Eldan is making the right decision by opening Céilí to the public, but just like the other plots: you get a beginning, but not an end.
Now, why the 3,5 stars?
1) Devon. I love Devon, but most importantly: I love the way his mental illness is being handled in this book. Just like his sexuality: it doesn't revolve about stigmas and labels.
2) Diversity. Really, A+ for diversity in Céilí.
3) The world Gemel created is simply beautiful to me. I always love new worlds created for (fantasy/sci-fi) books, and the one in Céilí is one of the better ones. I also love the way magic works in this book. It's no pretty colours and wands and funny spells (not that there's anything wrong with that, because I also love Harry Potter and Carry On), but magic feels like an exercise- sometimes even a mental one.
4) Eldan is very respectful. He wants Devon, that's clear, but this book doesn't follow the quite horrible "I WILL FIGHT FOR YOU AND YOU MUST LOVE ME BACK" trope. Instead, Gemel uses the "I'm willing to wait for it" way, which is more romantic anyway. Eldan embraced his inner Aaron Burr.
But really, he respects Devon's wishes and boundaries, despite the fact that he knows that he will never understand it, since relationships are different for faes. And when he finds out why Devon is so closed off, he doesn't push it. Which leads me to the fifth point.
5) The big reveal about Devon, and no- not the fae one. The scene where Eldan enters Devon's mind gave me chills, because a) it was consensual, which doesn't always happen when it comes to mind-reading or whatever Eldan did and b) it explains everything. Devon isn't a tease, Devon doesn't make Eldan and the entire of Céilí wait because he wants to. No, Devon has lost too much in his life to get attached to the idea of being with Eldan and living at Céilí.
In short: I did like it, and I even enjoyed reading it, but I'm not satisfied (oh wow, another Hamilton title).
Hmmm... this book was interesting, but it was not what I expected. I ended up giving it 3,5 stars, but honestly, it was a tie between 3,5 and 3.
Mostly because not much happened and sometimes, it left me hanging. For example, where is the talk Devon has with his parents? It's that I know that I'm adopted (it's pretty hard to miss since my parents are white as rice and I'm not), but otherwise I would've flown back home so goddamn fast just to yell at them.
But really, it felt like one big introduction to a story that never happened (unless Gemel turns this into a series). Gemel introduced you to this amazing new world with amazing characters, but not much happens with them.
I expected more adventure. The text on the back cover makes it look like they're about to start a revolution, since one of them got killed. But they didn't. They didn't even move.
Another thing that bugged me was the ending. I just.... ?????? That's the best way to describe what I'm feeling. I just didn't get it. Maybe I need to read it again, like Carry On. I didn't get that one either, but after reading it for a second and a third time, I did.
But still... The Queens do absolutely nothing. And Brandon is still here? I do think Eldan is making the right decision by opening Céilí to the public, but just like the other plots: you get a beginning, but not an end.
Now, why the 3,5 stars?
1) Devon. I love Devon, but most importantly: I love the way his mental illness is being handled in this book. Just like his sexuality: it doesn't revolve about stigmas and labels.
2) Diversity. Really, A+ for diversity in Céilí.
3) The world Gemel created is simply beautiful to me. I always love new worlds created for (fantasy/sci-fi) books, and the one in Céilí is one of the better ones. I also love the way magic works in this book. It's no pretty colours and wands and funny spells (not that there's anything wrong with that, because I also love Harry Potter and Carry On), but magic feels like an exercise- sometimes even a mental one.
4) Eldan is very respectful. He wants Devon, that's clear, but this book doesn't follow the quite horrible "I WILL FIGHT FOR YOU AND YOU MUST LOVE ME BACK" trope. Instead, Gemel uses the "I'm willing to wait for it" way, which is more romantic anyway. Eldan embraced his inner Aaron Burr.
But really, he respects Devon's wishes and boundaries, despite the fact that he knows that he will never understand it, since relationships are different for faes. And when he finds out why Devon is so closed off, he doesn't push it. Which leads me to the fifth point.
5) The big reveal about Devon, and no- not the fae one. The scene where Eldan enters Devon's mind gave me chills, because a) it was consensual, which doesn't always happen when it comes to mind-reading or whatever Eldan did and b) it explains everything. Devon isn't a tease, Devon doesn't make Eldan and the entire of Céilí wait because he wants to. No, Devon has lost too much in his life to get attached to the idea of being with Eldan and living at Céilí.
In short: I did like it, and I even enjoyed reading it, but I'm not satisfied (oh wow, another Hamilton title).
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 15, 2018
I hope there's a sequel
I didn't want this to end at all! Admitedly I didn't like the characters as much as I liked the ones on Load the Dice but they still were interesting and I loved the atmosphere at Céilì.
I didn't want this to end at all! Admitedly I didn't like the characters as much as I liked the ones on Load the Dice but they still were interesting and I loved the atmosphere at Céilì.
August 24, 2016
I liked this book a lot. I had a few quibbles, but generally I thought it was an interesting take on fantasy and mythology.
At the beginning of the book, Devon is bar-hopping and then walking around until he feels the call of nature. He goes into another bar, and that's forgotten about, while he drinks four more drinks. Meanwhile, I worried that his bladder would explode. As I said, a quibble.
Devon is mixed race, brown-skinned. He came from Ireland at a young age, but he doesn't seem to have the awareness of the reactions he could get as a black man in the U.S. I suppose it's a mindset I've heard a lot about, the vigilance that is sadly necessary.
There's more representation, of sprites who are of a non-binary gender. You don't get to know a lot about the sprites, but it's rare you see characters of a non-binary gender in a book. Aside from the various kinds of Fae and the humans, there's a lot of color, orientation and gender diversity in the book.
It's a pretty slow burn relationship, as Devon is insistent on being friends first before taking the relationship potential further. So there's a growing development of different types of relationship between the protagonists. There was also a lot of other fantasy and mythology plot, as Devon makes some Fae friends and gets to know about their world, and how the Fae interact with humans.
It's a good fantasy read. There are enough loose ends for a sequel, deliberately so, but the book doesn't end on a cliffhanger. The various arcs of plots have some resolution. As for a sequel, I'd be quite happy spending more time with the protagonists and their friends.
At the beginning of the book, Devon is bar-hopping and then walking around until he feels the call of nature. He goes into another bar, and that's forgotten about, while he drinks four more drinks. Meanwhile, I worried that his bladder would explode. As I said, a quibble.
Devon is mixed race, brown-skinned. He came from Ireland at a young age, but he doesn't seem to have the awareness of the reactions he could get as a black man in the U.S. I suppose it's a mindset I've heard a lot about, the vigilance that is sadly necessary.
There's more representation, of sprites who are of a non-binary gender. You don't get to know a lot about the sprites, but it's rare you see characters of a non-binary gender in a book. Aside from the various kinds of Fae and the humans, there's a lot of color, orientation and gender diversity in the book.
It's a pretty slow burn relationship, as Devon is insistent on being friends first before taking the relationship potential further. So there's a growing development of different types of relationship between the protagonists. There was also a lot of other fantasy and mythology plot, as Devon makes some Fae friends and gets to know about their world, and how the Fae interact with humans.
It's a good fantasy read. There are enough loose ends for a sequel, deliberately so, but the book doesn't end on a cliffhanger. The various arcs of plots have some resolution. As for a sequel, I'd be quite happy spending more time with the protagonists and their friends.
December 5, 2016
Original review on Molly Lolly
Four and a half stars!
Oh my goodness this story is wonderful. The world building is so effortless. With the lore and rules for magic and the society hierarchy. The language used is perfect to get me to believe all of it could be real and a place as wonderful as Céilí exists. The storyline with the traitor was so well done. I didn’t guess who it was until right at the end. I had some guesses and kept going back and forth between who I thought it was. I desperately want to know how the traitor redeems themselves and if they are found out by the Queens.
Eldan and Devon are beautiful together. They dance around each other as their feelings grow. The tension between them is so thick you can feel it as you read. I loved reading the give and take, the way they’re both unsure of how the other feels and fear their emotions are one sided or they feel far more than the other ever could. Oh my word I got chills during those parts.
There’s a lovely happily ever after for Eldan and Devon. The scene with their commitment was so sensual. I love how connected they are and how deep their feelings are. I would love for there to be more books in this world in the future. I want to see some of the other characters get their happy ending. Plus I want to know how the event right at the end of the story goes, if Eldan is successful in his new endeavor.
Four and a half stars!
Oh my goodness this story is wonderful. The world building is so effortless. With the lore and rules for magic and the society hierarchy. The language used is perfect to get me to believe all of it could be real and a place as wonderful as Céilí exists. The storyline with the traitor was so well done. I didn’t guess who it was until right at the end. I had some guesses and kept going back and forth between who I thought it was. I desperately want to know how the traitor redeems themselves and if they are found out by the Queens.
Eldan and Devon are beautiful together. They dance around each other as their feelings grow. The tension between them is so thick you can feel it as you read. I loved reading the give and take, the way they’re both unsure of how the other feels and fear their emotions are one sided or they feel far more than the other ever could. Oh my word I got chills during those parts.
There’s a lovely happily ever after for Eldan and Devon. The scene with their commitment was so sensual. I love how connected they are and how deep their feelings are. I would love for there to be more books in this world in the future. I want to see some of the other characters get their happy ending. Plus I want to know how the event right at the end of the story goes, if Eldan is successful in his new endeavor.
June 20, 2016
I wish I could rate this book 3,5 stars, but the last 0,5 will have to be imaginary.
I love the premise of this book. Urban fantasy is something I usually enjoy immensely and there are so many promising factors in this story: fae, possible mass extinction due to discovery, romance with a fae Lord.
I loved all the diversity and how the author treated Devon's mental illness. I like the ideas of mana in the drinks and how certain types of fae were able to extract it from Earth.
I love the idea of someone so very lonely, who's felt out of place all his life, can suddenly feel like they belong.
I do, however, wish that there had been more about the possible danger plot from the start. That it had been underlying and a worry from the get-go. This time, it felt like it was more of a last minute thing, and I don't think it was meant that way. I just think that that's how it felt like to me.
I also wish that there had been more development between Devon and Eldan, but I'm also a sucker for relationship build. Perhaps I just wasn't in the right mood to long for the other the way they seemed to, but it didn't quite translate for me fully.
I hope there is a part two. I think that I would have enjoyed this book even more if I had known that there was more to come. It feels like a beginning.
As I said, I really like the premise and the ideas the author has put into this world she has created. It was a nice read, and I enjoyed it. I just wish there was MORE.
I love the premise of this book. Urban fantasy is something I usually enjoy immensely and there are so many promising factors in this story: fae, possible mass extinction due to discovery, romance with a fae Lord.
I loved all the diversity and how the author treated Devon's mental illness. I like the ideas of mana in the drinks and how certain types of fae were able to extract it from Earth.
I love the idea of someone so very lonely, who's felt out of place all his life, can suddenly feel like they belong.
I do, however, wish that there had been more about the possible danger plot from the start. That it had been underlying and a worry from the get-go. This time, it felt like it was more of a last minute thing, and I don't think it was meant that way. I just think that that's how it felt like to me.
I also wish that there had been more development between Devon and Eldan, but I'm also a sucker for relationship build. Perhaps I just wasn't in the right mood to long for the other the way they seemed to, but it didn't quite translate for me fully.
I hope there is a part two. I think that I would have enjoyed this book even more if I had known that there was more to come. It feels like a beginning.
As I said, I really like the premise and the ideas the author has put into this world she has created. It was a nice read, and I enjoyed it. I just wish there was MORE.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 1, 2017
-Originally reviewed for Prism Book Alliance-
Actual rating: 3.25
I really wanted to like this book – so much that I let it simmer in my brain for two days before writing my review. Ultimately, Ceili’s uneven pacing and perplexing conflict resolution put a damper on my enjoyment of the story. I mean, I like a good “slow burn” romance as well as the next person, but Devon’s reserved nature in combination with Eldan’s mysteriousness only ended up reading as platonic (to me) when they finally did get together. Which was too bad, because they made for nice friends!
On the bright side, I appreciated the wide array of supporting characters, which included an amputee, someone using the pronouns zie/zir, a trans man, a lesbian succubus, and what I think was an asexual sprite? The personalities of the group were just distinct enough to remember them from scene to scene, and in the end I was glad that Devon had found such a strong and loving bunch to join. Unfortunately, the plot wraps up so quickly after a long stretch of tension-building that all I really felt was surprise about it being over. Another 10-20k to tie the loose ends and let the emotions play out properly would have been perfect.
Actual rating: 3.25
I really wanted to like this book – so much that I let it simmer in my brain for two days before writing my review. Ultimately, Ceili’s uneven pacing and perplexing conflict resolution put a damper on my enjoyment of the story. I mean, I like a good “slow burn” romance as well as the next person, but Devon’s reserved nature in combination with Eldan’s mysteriousness only ended up reading as platonic (to me) when they finally did get together. Which was too bad, because they made for nice friends!
On the bright side, I appreciated the wide array of supporting characters, which included an amputee, someone using the pronouns zie/zir, a trans man, a lesbian succubus, and what I think was an asexual sprite? The personalities of the group were just distinct enough to remember them from scene to scene, and in the end I was glad that Devon had found such a strong and loving bunch to join. Unfortunately, the plot wraps up so quickly after a long stretch of tension-building that all I really felt was surprise about it being over. Another 10-20k to tie the loose ends and let the emotions play out properly would have been perfect.
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