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Creepy Hollow #8
Shadow Faerie
Enter the dazzling and deadly world of Unseelie royalty in the penultimate Creepy Hollow book!
Emerson Clarke thought magic might solve all her problems. Turns out, magic only made her life more complicated. Her sick mother is in a worse position than before, and Em just made a risky deal with an Unseelie prince: he will heal her mother if Em agrees to the ultimate alliance—marriage.
With the possibility of finally getting the one thing she’s always wanted, Em enters the dangerous world of the Unseelie Court. She’ll learn whatever she has to about magic and etiquette in order to fake her way through palace life until Prince Roarke fulfills his side of the bargain.
But when someone unexpected shows up, bringing to light the secrets Roarke and his family are keeping from her, Em’s plans begin to unravel. She’ll soon have to decide once and for all: how far is she willing to go to save her mother?
Be prepared for breathtaking magic, twisted plots, a hint of romance, and more shocking revelations!
Emerson Clarke thought magic might solve all her problems. Turns out, magic only made her life more complicated. Her sick mother is in a worse position than before, and Em just made a risky deal with an Unseelie prince: he will heal her mother if Em agrees to the ultimate alliance—marriage.
With the possibility of finally getting the one thing she’s always wanted, Em enters the dangerous world of the Unseelie Court. She’ll learn whatever she has to about magic and etiquette in order to fake her way through palace life until Prince Roarke fulfills his side of the bargain.
But when someone unexpected shows up, bringing to light the secrets Roarke and his family are keeping from her, Em’s plans begin to unravel. She’ll soon have to decide once and for all: how far is she willing to go to save her mother?
Be prepared for breathtaking magic, twisted plots, a hint of romance, and more shocking revelations!
430 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 12, 2017
103 people are currently reading
1182 people want to read
About the author
Rachel Morgan
51 books1,855 followersOnce upon a time, in a land not so far away, a young science graduate named Rachel found that the real world wasn't a place she wanted to inhabit all the time. So she decided to escape into the magical realms that had occupied her mind since childhood.
Armed with a vivid imagination, Rachel spends her days conjuring up fantastical worlds filled with adventure, romance, and plot twists, where readers can escape the real world along with her.
Rachel lives in Cape Town, South Africa, with her husband, two little wildlings, and three fur-babies.
Receive bookish updates directly from Rachel:
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Armed with a vivid imagination, Rachel spends her days conjuring up fantastical worlds filled with adventure, romance, and plot twists, where readers can escape the real world along with her.
Rachel lives in Cape Town, South Africa, with her husband, two little wildlings, and three fur-babies.
Receive bookish updates directly from Rachel:
Rachel's email newsletter
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 105 reviews
October 2, 2017
4 Stars
Review:
*I received an ecopy of this book from the author. This has not influenced my review.*
I have to say, I don’t think it’s ever taken me more than a day or two to read any of the books in this series, and this one was no exception. They’re just so gripping and easy to get lost in.
I didn’t really love Emerson in the last book, but, just as I suspected, I liked her more this time as I got to know her more. I really liked that she wasn’t too much of a savior. As in, for the most part, she just wanted to save herself and her mother, not the whole world. She’ll risk her life for people she cares about, but not necessarily for random strangers, especially when there are other people out there whose job it is to deal with the bigger world-saving things and help those strangers. It might sound weird to say I like that, but it’s realistic. And I don’t mean to say that she was selfish—she did try to do what was right and didn’t just sit back and do nothing if there was in fact something she could do—I’m just saying I found her motivations and actions to be believable.
I also thought the author did a great job of portraying the conflicting situation Emerson was in. If it weren’t for the way the she was going to be forced to use her power to do terrible things, life at the Unseelie palace did seem like it would actually be pretty great. Roarke treated her well, she found a new friend in Aurora, the Queen was nice, the palace was beautiful, the parties were epic, and she even got to ride dragons! I’d have been tempted to take that deal myself.
I also once again liked how everything in the series continues to build on each other and interconnect and work together as it all goes on.
And of course this wouldn’t be a Creepy Hollow book if it didn’t have some twists. There was one thing about halfway through that wasn’t exactly a twist, but it did surprise me because I had not seen it coming. Then there was a real twist later in the book, a signature Rachel Morgan kinda twist ;-)
I think this book was a little slower-paced and less action-packed than the others though, at least for the first half or so, since the plot for much of this book revolved around Emerson living at the Unseelie Palace and just kind of learning, playing a part, and figuring out a plan. But there were still interesting things happening during that time since, you know, it was the Unseelie Palace and there was magic and everything, and there was more action later in the book.
I also thought there were a few things that happened that were a little too coincidental, but that was a rather small issue in the grand scheme of things.
So overall, although this book was a little less action-packed than the others, it was no less gripping, magical, twisty, or enjoyable to read!
Recommended For:
Fans of Books 1-7 in Rachel Morgan's Creepy Hollow series. Anyone who likes action-packed YA urban fantasy with faeries, lovable, kickass characters, and just enough emotion to make you feel invested!
Original Review @ Metaphors and Moonlight
Review:
*I received an ecopy of this book from the author. This has not influenced my review.*
I have to say, I don’t think it’s ever taken me more than a day or two to read any of the books in this series, and this one was no exception. They’re just so gripping and easy to get lost in.
I didn’t really love Emerson in the last book, but, just as I suspected, I liked her more this time as I got to know her more. I really liked that she wasn’t too much of a savior. As in, for the most part, she just wanted to save herself and her mother, not the whole world. She’ll risk her life for people she cares about, but not necessarily for random strangers, especially when there are other people out there whose job it is to deal with the bigger world-saving things and help those strangers. It might sound weird to say I like that, but it’s realistic. And I don’t mean to say that she was selfish—she did try to do what was right and didn’t just sit back and do nothing if there was in fact something she could do—I’m just saying I found her motivations and actions to be believable.
I also thought the author did a great job of portraying the conflicting situation Emerson was in. If it weren’t for the way the she was going to be forced to use her power to do terrible things, life at the Unseelie palace did seem like it would actually be pretty great. Roarke treated her well, she found a new friend in Aurora, the Queen was nice, the palace was beautiful, the parties were epic, and she even got to ride dragons! I’d have been tempted to take that deal myself.
I also once again liked how everything in the series continues to build on each other and interconnect and work together as it all goes on.
And of course this wouldn’t be a Creepy Hollow book if it didn’t have some twists. There was one thing about halfway through that wasn’t exactly a twist, but it did surprise me because I had not seen it coming. Then there was a real twist later in the book, a signature Rachel Morgan kinda twist ;-)
I think this book was a little slower-paced and less action-packed than the others though, at least for the first half or so, since the plot for much of this book revolved around Emerson living at the Unseelie Palace and just kind of learning, playing a part, and figuring out a plan. But there were still interesting things happening during that time since, you know, it was the Unseelie Palace and there was magic and everything, and there was more action later in the book.
I also thought there were a few things that happened that were a little too coincidental, but that was a rather small issue in the grand scheme of things.
So overall, although this book was a little less action-packed than the others, it was no less gripping, magical, twisty, or enjoyable to read!
Recommended For:
Fans of Books 1-7 in Rachel Morgan's Creepy Hollow series. Anyone who likes action-packed YA urban fantasy with faeries, lovable, kickass characters, and just enough emotion to make you feel invested!
Original Review @ Metaphors and Moonlight
October 8, 2017
This is the second book in the third trilogy in the Faerie world of Creepy Hollow. I'm still awed at how fun and imaginative this world is - filled with stuff like magical dresses with champagne bubbles gloves, flying unicorn cakes and compulsion potions. It's a really enjoyable place to transport to for a few hours.
However, I find this third trilogy in this world less interesting than the first two. Mainly because I don't really like Emerson, the main character. She has questionable morals, she's selfish and not particularly skilled at anything but parkour. I don't understand why she is so stubbornly set on her unrealistic goal. She is in denial for the bigger part of the book, which makes her appear downright stupid on multiple occasions. So much so that it really got on my nerves and I couldn't quite get why Dash, the romantic interest, likes her.
Despite that, this is a well written, enjoyable book and I am still looking forward to the next one in the series.
However, I find this third trilogy in this world less interesting than the first two. Mainly because I don't really like Emerson, the main character. She has questionable morals, she's selfish and not particularly skilled at anything but parkour. I don't understand why she is so stubbornly set on her unrealistic goal. She is in denial for the bigger part of the book, which makes her appear downright stupid on multiple occasions. So much so that it really got on my nerves and I couldn't quite get why Dash, the romantic interest, likes her.
Despite that, this is a well written, enjoyable book and I am still looking forward to the next one in the series.
April 20, 2018
While I enjoyed this book, I did prefer the first in the trilogy a bit more, mainly because I kind of hate the Unseelie Court and couldn't wait for Em to get out of there. Things become intense in the second half of the book and I had loads of fun reading it! And the reveal I have been waiting for has happened and I couldn't stop grinning like a wildcat. But that cliffhanger! Heavens, help us! Fortunately I already started reading the next.
October 6, 2017
Well this was one big disappointment! It was sooooo long and boring. Even the exciting bits were dry. It should have been edited down to a book half its size really. I waited desperately for this book and it wasn't that good. Not sure if I'll read the others.
Also some parts were emersons endless mind chatter. For pages and pages. She seems really naive and stupid too.
Also some parts were emersons endless mind chatter. For pages and pages. She seems really naive and stupid too.
September 24, 2017
Dear Rachel !!!
Thank you so much for allowing me to be a part of your arc team! This book was breath taking highly addictive. I couldn't wait to get to the end of the book at the same time I didn't want to reach the end! One of the best books I've read this year. Thank you for sharing your adventures with the world #TeamDash ;0)
Thank you so much for allowing me to be a part of your arc team! This book was breath taking highly addictive. I couldn't wait to get to the end of the book at the same time I didn't want to reach the end! One of the best books I've read this year. Thank you for sharing your adventures with the world #TeamDash ;0)
October 17, 2017
See Ana's full review at The Book Hookup!!t
Even after eight books in this series, Ms. Morgan can still surprise me and manage to keep me glued to every page. This is no small feat…keeping readers enchanted for this long takes great writing, creative plots, and characters who capture your heart. Rachel Morgan manages all of this and then some. I, for one, am already mourning this series…there’s only one book left and I’m not sure I want to leave Creepy Hollow just yet!
Even after eight books in this series, Ms. Morgan can still surprise me and manage to keep me glued to every page. This is no small feat…keeping readers enchanted for this long takes great writing, creative plots, and characters who capture your heart. Rachel Morgan manages all of this and then some. I, for one, am already mourning this series…there’s only one book left and I’m not sure I want to leave Creepy Hollow just yet!
September 26, 2017
Another winner! I am so amazed that this series is now 8 books in and I love every book just as much as the last. The Creepy Hollow world is so fun, yet at times so dark, but always fascinating. Shadow Faerie mostly takes place in the Unseelie Realm and we get to learn more about the Unseelie royals and their practices. There's even a new world discovered in this one but I won't spoil it by mentioning details. Now that I've gushed about how cool all the world building etc is, I want to mention that the characters are amazing, diverse, and captivating as well. I loved getting to meet new characters along Emerson's journey and catch up with some old ones too. Shadow Faerie has lots of action which I really liked but I was glad to have some romance in there too. It was the perfect blend as always and I cannot wait to read the next book (especially after that ending). I am a bit sad that the series will be coming to an end but considering that I have rated all of these books five stars, I know I will be rereading them and visiting all of my Creepy Hollow friends again.
May 24, 2020
This is probably the longest book in the series and it’s also the most boring. The author somehow both rushed and took her time with this pointless story. She rushed it because Em is not a good main character. She’s willfully ignorant and unbelievably naive — literally, I couldn’t believe she was that naive. And she made stupid choices so repeatedly that the only conclusion we’re left with is that she is actually stupid. She has basically zero redeemable qualities as she literally forces herself to do the right thing. There is no reason for Dash to like her, like at all. She’s a selfish jerk who has been nothing but rude to him for years, and she makes the wrong choice 9 times out of 10. I guess were just supposed to overlook all of that now that we know who she is, but just because she repeatedly says she’s not a damsel in distress doesn’t mean it’s true. She always needs someone to save her, and she can’t even use her amazing ability correctly or meaningfully. *rant over, I guess*
October 1, 2017
Shadow Faerie is the eighth book in the Creepy Hollow series and we follow Emerson as she tries to find a way to help her mother.
This is the biggest Creepy Hollow book to date and it deserves to has so many pages as I wouldn't want to miss a single chapter!
While the first half had world building to it since we got to see the Unseelie court, the second half was more action-packed and the book overall had some plot twists to it of which I saw only one coming. I personally loved the second half more because so many amazing things happened and I'm also happy that one up to now unsolved mystery was finally solved!
Rachel Morgan is a genius when it comes to sending you on an emotional roller coaster ride in my opinion.
To conclude, I absolutely loved this book to the point that it might be my favorite book out of the whole series and needless to say I can't wait for the final book!
This is the biggest Creepy Hollow book to date and it deserves to has so many pages as I wouldn't want to miss a single chapter!
While the first half had world building to it since we got to see the Unseelie court, the second half was more action-packed and the book overall had some plot twists to it of which I saw only one coming. I personally loved the second half more because so many amazing things happened and I'm also happy that one up to now unsolved mystery was finally solved!
Rachel Morgan is a genius when it comes to sending you on an emotional roller coaster ride in my opinion.
To conclude, I absolutely loved this book to the point that it might be my favorite book out of the whole series and needless to say I can't wait for the final book!
September 25, 2017
what was that???? That was sooo bad! very disappoiting! I like this serie so much. I was happy when I got the book! But I had a hard time finishing it. It looked like a completelly different serie. Of course I will read the last one, but I hope the last one is going to be a lot better than that.
September 25, 2017
Dying for the next one.
November 14, 2017
THIS BOOK! Sometimes I just want a sappy romance to read, and other times I want a read that is going to take me on an adventure and make the world disappear. This novel does exactly that.
When I am in the mood for tortured teenagers with far more power than they know what to do with I turn to Rachel Morgan. She writes YA fantasy/paranormal like no other. The world she has crafted in the last eight books is one I won't want to say goodbye to.
This is the second book in this arc and with only one book left I am not sure how to survive saying goodbye! This one takes some dark turns and by the end of it, I was giddy with where that final book was going to take us. Some major butt kicking and a whole lot of dragons left me ready to take on the world with these characters. Bring it on bad guys, because all the secrets are coming out to play.
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Synopsis:
Enter the dazzling and deadly world of Unseelie royalty in the penultimate Creepy Hollow book!
Emerson Clarke thought magic might solve all her problems. Turns out, magic only made her life more complicated. Her sick mother is in a worse position than before, and Em just made a risky deal with an Unseelie prince: he will heal her mother if Em agrees to the ultimate alliance—marriage.
With the possibility of finally getting the one thing she’s always wanted, Em enters the dangerous world of the Unseelie Court. She’ll learn whatever she has to about magic and etiquette in order to fake her way through palace life until Prince Roarke fulfills his side of the bargain.
But when someone unexpected shows up, bringing to light the secrets Roarke and his family are keeping from her, Em’s plans begin to unravel. She’ll soon have to decide once and for all: how far is she willing to go to save her mother?
Be prepared for breathtaking magic, twisted plots, a hint of romance, and more shocking revelations!
June 16, 2023
Why did I wait this long to read this last trilogy in the series? Why has the book ended up forgotten on the shelves? Why did I let the collection edition I got myself intimidate me? Reading the first book in Emerson's story reminded of me how awesome, interesting and fun this world was and after finishing her first book I really couldn't wait to dive into her second book. Luckily I could finish my previous book sooner than planned, which means I could dive into this one sooner than planned too!
Normally I'm not a big fan of closed quarters stories. So, when our heroine was lured into the Unseelie realm, spending almost all her time at the palace, I was afraid I would get bored with the storyline quite quickly. However, I never got bored and that's mostly because the characters are insanely interesting and I love how we slowly notice that there's something going on even though we don't really know what by then.
This book is also filled with loads of reveals. We discover our heroine's backstory, we discover what links her to the previous heroines in this story, we learn more about her mother and the mysterious illness she has and her past and most of all we explore our heroine's powers. We learn what limits her powers, what she can do with it, what the price of those powers is and how her powers work exactly. I can't wait for her to get some more control over it!
I also really loved the romance in this book. I understand that for some the romance might be a little bit slow, but I like how these characters are forced to get to know each other. And once they get to know each other it's clear that they're caring a little bit too much about the other to be just friends. Of course, it's only the second book in the trilogy. So we'll have to wait a little bit longer for them to get their happily ever after. I'm already looking forward to it!
Normally I'm not a big fan of closed quarters stories. So, when our heroine was lured into the Unseelie realm, spending almost all her time at the palace, I was afraid I would get bored with the storyline quite quickly. However, I never got bored and that's mostly because the characters are insanely interesting and I love how we slowly notice that there's something going on even though we don't really know what by then.
This book is also filled with loads of reveals. We discover our heroine's backstory, we discover what links her to the previous heroines in this story, we learn more about her mother and the mysterious illness she has and her past and most of all we explore our heroine's powers. We learn what limits her powers, what she can do with it, what the price of those powers is and how her powers work exactly. I can't wait for her to get some more control over it!
I also really loved the romance in this book. I understand that for some the romance might be a little bit slow, but I like how these characters are forced to get to know each other. And once they get to know each other it's clear that they're caring a little bit too much about the other to be just friends. Of course, it's only the second book in the trilogy. So we'll have to wait a little bit longer for them to get their happily ever after. I'm already looking forward to it!
September 14, 2017
If you've enjoyed the Creepy Hollow story so far, you'll love this book. Rachel Morgan continues to build on the world she's created. We get more insight into the world of the Unseelie's, particularly the royal family. I think Emerson is my favorite character yet, she is so relatable. The Faerie world is still so new to her and she really just wants her life to go back to the way it was when it was just her and her mother. She is still learning about her magic, how it works, and who to trust. This book is full of all of my past favorite characters, and by the end of this book I found myself loving them even more...especially a certain golden eyed Faerie. We also get to learn more about some secondary characters and some fascinating Griffen abilities. Like Rachel's other books this one ends with a bang that leaves you wanting more. I'm not sure how I'll endure the wait till book 9!!!
December 11, 2017
*I received an ecopy of this book from the author. This has not influenced my review.*
How is that cliffhanger?! It drove me crazy and I kept pushing next page in hopes there was something else!
I shall always be such a huge fan of Rachel's Creepy Hollow and I've become such a HUGE fan of Emerson! She is definitely my favourite of the three kick-butt women!
This book was definitely longer than the others but it didn't feel that way and it's so fast-paced that you barely notice it at all.
I can't wait for the final book in this series AND in Emerson's story because everything will come together (hopefully because it looks a bit the opposite at the moment but I'm excited anyway!)
How is that cliffhanger?! It drove me crazy and I kept pushing next page in hopes there was something else!
I shall always be such a huge fan of Rachel's Creepy Hollow and I've become such a HUGE fan of Emerson! She is definitely my favourite of the three kick-butt women!
This book was definitely longer than the others but it didn't feel that way and it's so fast-paced that you barely notice it at all.
I can't wait for the final book in this series AND in Emerson's story because everything will come together (hopefully because it looks a bit the opposite at the moment but I'm excited anyway!)
February 3, 2018
I have many thoughts but it's almost midnight so I will post them tomorrow!
September 16, 2017
review to come
March 9, 2018
I like to read YA novels from time to time to take a break from the more serious and much longer epic fantasy novels I prefer to read. I have read all of the books in this series except for Rebel Faerie which just came out. This is my least favorite of all the Creepy Hollow Books. I just really don’t like Emerson. She is so stupid and naïve. I just really feel like Vi, Ryn and Nate/Draven were really strong and interesting characters to follow. They had faults, they screwed things up, but they never annoyed me like Emerson. Calla was annoying at first but man, on a re-read she is nothing compared to Emerson. I hope Rebel Faerie is better because right now I feel like I should have stopped after Calla’s story ended.
I think it might be time to go back to my epic fantasy novels.
I think it might be time to go back to my epic fantasy novels.
August 19, 2019
the previous 2 trilogy's were great but this one is sadly lacking a good story. Emerson is the dumbest character in the entire series to date! hopefully the last book can salvage this waste of a story.
October 7, 2019
3.5
I liked this book, but it got a little boring.
I liked this book, but it got a little boring.
October 17, 2017
This is the 8th book in the Creepy Hollow series, yet Ms. Morgan still makes this world and it’s characters feel fresh. She can still surprise me and she manages to keep me glued to every page. This is no small feat…keeping readers enchanted for this long takes great writing, creative plots, and characters who capture your heart. Rachel Morgan manages all of this and then some. I, for one, am already mourning this series…there’s only one book left and I’m not sure I want to leave Creepy Hollow just yet! But, let’s not get ahead of ourselves, let’s focus on this book.
Emerson Clarke is a fierce character. She willingly puts herself in danger, trading her safety and happiness to save her mother. She’s a smart girl who finds herself in an unknown world, yet she stands up for herself and fights the good fight. The Unseelie Court and Royal Family can be ruthless and sneaky…and yet Em agrees to marry the Unseelie Prince in order to get the information she needs help her mother. As she learns how to use her special power, her Griffin Ability, she very clear on the fact that she has so much to learn and she battles some very real feelings – protecting herself and her mother or those around her. Of course, I must tell you how much I love Dash. He’s brave, smart, strong, fun, funny, and sweet. I can’t wait to see what happens between these two!!
It was great to see all my old favorites, Vi and Ryn, Calla and Chase, and I loved how they all still play a part in this story. I can’t wait to see how this series ends…can’t wait to be back in Creepy Hollow…can’t wait for more of Rachel Morgan’s words. If you love fantasy and magic and you haven’t started this series, do it quickly! Trust me, I think you’ll love this world and these characters as much as I do. Perhaps there’s a way to get Ms. Morgan to consider a tenth book…hmmm…worth a try! 🙂
Emerson Clarke is a fierce character. She willingly puts herself in danger, trading her safety and happiness to save her mother. She’s a smart girl who finds herself in an unknown world, yet she stands up for herself and fights the good fight. The Unseelie Court and Royal Family can be ruthless and sneaky…and yet Em agrees to marry the Unseelie Prince in order to get the information she needs help her mother. As she learns how to use her special power, her Griffin Ability, she very clear on the fact that she has so much to learn and she battles some very real feelings – protecting herself and her mother or those around her. Of course, I must tell you how much I love Dash. He’s brave, smart, strong, fun, funny, and sweet. I can’t wait to see what happens between these two!!
It was great to see all my old favorites, Vi and Ryn, Calla and Chase, and I loved how they all still play a part in this story. I can’t wait to see how this series ends…can’t wait to be back in Creepy Hollow…can’t wait for more of Rachel Morgan’s words. If you love fantasy and magic and you haven’t started this series, do it quickly! Trust me, I think you’ll love this world and these characters as much as I do. Perhaps there’s a way to get Ms. Morgan to consider a tenth book…hmmm…worth a try! 🙂
September 18, 2017
Irritated, frustrated and disappointed
I was a bit irritated and frustrated for the first half of the book. Irritated because I started to loose suspicion of the Unseelie. Frustrated because I wanted Emerson to become a hero instead of the ever self-doubting, selfish girl who doesn't care much about anybody than herself and her mum. Also, everybody else seems to be cleverer in how to word her griffin ability commands.
On the other hand, all this makes her more human. She is quite confused about who she is and the only thing she wants is a family where she belongs to.
While the first half is quite slow, the last half picks up pace and the secrets revealed are once again shocking. So I was disappointed in the end when it started to get interesting that I have to wait for the story to continue (well, I knew that anyway...).
My wish for the last Creepy Hollow book #9: the Guild must learn a heavy lesson!!
Oh, and more about shapeshifter pets – definitely a market there including soft toys etc.
And my wish for next books: please name the characters a bit more differently. I have over time read all Creepy Hollow books but sometimes they get mixed up in my memory when they are so similar: Val – Violet, Zed- Zill, Ana-Ada.... (especially as there are quite a few typos and you can never be sure that the names are spelled correctly).
I was a bit irritated and frustrated for the first half of the book. Irritated because I started to loose suspicion of the Unseelie. Frustrated because I wanted Emerson to become a hero instead of the ever self-doubting, selfish girl who doesn't care much about anybody than herself and her mum. Also, everybody else seems to be cleverer in how to word her griffin ability commands.
On the other hand, all this makes her more human. She is quite confused about who she is and the only thing she wants is a family where she belongs to.
While the first half is quite slow, the last half picks up pace and the secrets revealed are once again shocking. So I was disappointed in the end when it started to get interesting that I have to wait for the story to continue (well, I knew that anyway...).
My wish for the last Creepy Hollow book #9: the Guild must learn a heavy lesson!!
Oh, and more about shapeshifter pets – definitely a market there including soft toys etc.
And my wish for next books: please name the characters a bit more differently. I have over time read all Creepy Hollow books but sometimes they get mixed up in my memory when they are so similar: Val – Violet, Zed- Zill, Ana-Ada.... (especially as there are quite a few typos and you can never be sure that the names are spelled correctly).
September 20, 2017
As Em would say, "Holy Crap!" This instalment of the Faerie Guardian series, the 2nd in Emmerson's story, is fantastic. It is a wild journey. We follow her to the Unseelie Court, take a side trip to a Shadow Realm and stop by the human world. We even come back to the place where the veil had been ripped open 18 years earlier. The place where all the Griffin gifted had been exposed to the warped leaders of the Guild. A lot happens to Em throughout this journey. She agreed to wed the Unseelie Prince... Anything to save her Mother. Em learned quickly that she had much to learn.
I love this series! Even in the first book, Faerie Guardian, I was impressed how Morgan created an entire magical realm. The Fae operate the Guild where they train and administer Guardians to protect the human realm. They travel by Fearie paths and live in trees - well that's what they look like from the outside. Each book and novella adds on to the reader's knowledge of the realm to which we were initially introduced to, known as Creepy Hollow. I heartily recommend this book if you have already read the series. If not, do yourself a favour and start at the beginng. The First trilogy is Violet's story and the first book is Faerie Guardian and may be free on many retailers. Go! Grab your copy. Start or continue, Either way, you will not be disappointed!
I love this series! Even in the first book, Faerie Guardian, I was impressed how Morgan created an entire magical realm. The Fae operate the Guild where they train and administer Guardians to protect the human realm. They travel by Fearie paths and live in trees - well that's what they look like from the outside. Each book and novella adds on to the reader's knowledge of the realm to which we were initially introduced to, known as Creepy Hollow. I heartily recommend this book if you have already read the series. If not, do yourself a favour and start at the beginng. The First trilogy is Violet's story and the first book is Faerie Guardian and may be free on many retailers. Go! Grab your copy. Start or continue, Either way, you will not be disappointed!
September 25, 2017
Shadow Faerie deals with the aftermath of Emerson's decision in "Glass Faerie". Em is now about to be engaged to a possibly evil prince. But no matter how much Em wants Roarke to help her mother, she is convinced that there is no way that the Unseelies can keep her forever. Or is there? The Unseelies seem to be several steps ahead of Em and there may be no way for her to escape their clutches unscathed. The Unseelies are a wonderfully dark lot and I loved and hated them in equal measure. They were dark but incredibly intelligent which made hating them difficult. I loved the character of Aurora and look forward to seeing more of her. I enjoyed how this novel showed a completely different part of the Creepy Hollow world. We finally get to see the Unseelie court that is mentioned so often in the other books. I also enjoyed the many plot twists in this book. I had no idea what was going to happen which made trusting any and all of the characters difficult.
My favourite part of this novel was the ending- Rachel Morgan always has the best and worst cliffhangers in her books but this book has an ending that I can live with until the sequel releases.
This book was impossible to put down and has incredible world-building. I can't wait to read the sequel (or more books set in the Unseelie Court). This is a must-read for all fans of fantasy.
My favourite part of this novel was the ending- Rachel Morgan always has the best and worst cliffhangers in her books but this book has an ending that I can live with until the sequel releases.
This book was impossible to put down and has incredible world-building. I can't wait to read the sequel (or more books set in the Unseelie Court). This is a must-read for all fans of fantasy.
October 12, 2017
WOW!!!! Rachel has done it again. Yet another book in the Creepy Hollow series that completely sucks you in. This book like all the others is magical and entrancing. It makes you feel as if you are right there with the characters experiencing things with them.
Em would do anything to save her mother. She is the only family that she has and will do whatever it takes to see her well again. She is still so new to the world of faeries. Thinking that magic would fix all her problems and that there is only one person who can save her mother, she decided to go to the Unseelie Court. Unfortunately she may have bitten off more than she can chew. In a world she is completely unfamiliar with, surrounded by people she isn't sure if she can trust or not, she will have to make the best of the situation she can and make judgement calls as she goes.
Will she be able to save her mother? Will she continue to go along with the plans of the Unseelie Court? Will she find a way to make things better?
If you have not read any of the Creepy Hollow books yet I highly suggest you do so. They do need to be read in order to get the whole story. Books 1-3 are Violet's story, books 4-6 are Calla's story, and books 7-8 (and book 9 to come) are Em's story.
If you like faeries, mythical and magical creatures, I highly suggest you give this series and book a try.
Em would do anything to save her mother. She is the only family that she has and will do whatever it takes to see her well again. She is still so new to the world of faeries. Thinking that magic would fix all her problems and that there is only one person who can save her mother, she decided to go to the Unseelie Court. Unfortunately she may have bitten off more than she can chew. In a world she is completely unfamiliar with, surrounded by people she isn't sure if she can trust or not, she will have to make the best of the situation she can and make judgement calls as she goes.
Will she be able to save her mother? Will she continue to go along with the plans of the Unseelie Court? Will she find a way to make things better?
If you have not read any of the Creepy Hollow books yet I highly suggest you do so. They do need to be read in order to get the whole story. Books 1-3 are Violet's story, books 4-6 are Calla's story, and books 7-8 (and book 9 to come) are Em's story.
If you like faeries, mythical and magical creatures, I highly suggest you give this series and book a try.
September 26, 2017
I recieved an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Cliffy again??? Gosh, Rachel – you can’t keep putting us through this every time!
I was struck by the amount of dialogue throughout the first half of the book – most of it was conversation between Em and other people. It kinda slowed down the pace and made everything monotonous. Nothing was really happening, and there were some of those cliché tropes like a beautiful dress/being unprincesslike.
The second half, though, was incredible – I’m still reeling from all the information that was packed into that novel. I left Glass Faerie with a ton of mysteries waiting to be unravelled, and I found answers to almost all of them in Shadow Faerie – but uncovered a ton more. The last 50% was everything I would expect from a Creepy Hollow book, with kick-A girls, action, magic, and suspense. So much suspense. Parts III and IV were complete rollercoasters.
I have to give Rachel credit for building up this world. Every book has throwbacks or some sort of easter egg or minor character from the previous books that make the series so continuous. It’s a testament to the amount of planning effort that’s gone into this right from the beginning. And it’s also exciting for us readers to discover that an original secondary character actually has so much more significance. Although you can clearly make out that there is a grand scheme of things, I felt that some parts were sort of forced in order to make the main plot happen.
Overall, I would say it’s definitely better than Glass Faerie, and I’d give it a 3/5 for the first half and a 4/5 for the second.
Cliffy again??? Gosh, Rachel – you can’t keep putting us through this every time!
I was struck by the amount of dialogue throughout the first half of the book – most of it was conversation between Em and other people. It kinda slowed down the pace and made everything monotonous. Nothing was really happening, and there were some of those cliché tropes like a beautiful dress/being unprincesslike.
The second half, though, was incredible – I’m still reeling from all the information that was packed into that novel. I left Glass Faerie with a ton of mysteries waiting to be unravelled, and I found answers to almost all of them in Shadow Faerie – but uncovered a ton more. The last 50% was everything I would expect from a Creepy Hollow book, with kick-A girls, action, magic, and suspense. So much suspense. Parts III and IV were complete rollercoasters.
I have to give Rachel credit for building up this world. Every book has throwbacks or some sort of easter egg or minor character from the previous books that make the series so continuous. It’s a testament to the amount of planning effort that’s gone into this right from the beginning. And it’s also exciting for us readers to discover that an original secondary character actually has so much more significance. Although you can clearly make out that there is a grand scheme of things, I felt that some parts were sort of forced in order to make the main plot happen.
Overall, I would say it’s definitely better than Glass Faerie, and I’d give it a 3/5 for the first half and a 4/5 for the second.
November 1, 2018
Going into this book, I knew exactly what would be revealed towards the end of the story (stupid me needs to stops flicking to the back of books!). But getting to that part was still a huge shock even after knowing about it. I loved the lead up to the reveal, with other characters involved, and I absolutely loved that huge surprise and how it impacts a lot of the others too. Even if I didn’t know about it, I would’ve loved the little clues Rachel left throughout the story (I won’t give anything else away, so I guess you’ll have to find out what that heart stopping moment was!).
Again this book was action packed, full of magic mixed with a little humour and nail-biting scenes. I loved the relationship Em and Dash form, I even enjoyed what Roarke, Aurora and Em had together. Even though Roarke was one of the ‘bad’ guys, I still loved his character and how he went about the things he did. I loved getting introduced to even more new characters and getting to know them.
Rachel’s stories just keep getting better and more than what I imagine, I can’t wait to see what’s next for Em and the rest
Again this book was action packed, full of magic mixed with a little humour and nail-biting scenes. I loved the relationship Em and Dash form, I even enjoyed what Roarke, Aurora and Em had together. Even though Roarke was one of the ‘bad’ guys, I still loved his character and how he went about the things he did. I loved getting introduced to even more new characters and getting to know them.
Rachel’s stories just keep getting better and more than what I imagine, I can’t wait to see what’s next for Em and the rest
February 3, 2023
Emerson’s story is, hands down, the best in the whole series, and it makes me sad that I’ve now only got one more book to read, and I’m done with the series. I was quite surprised how much I ended up enjoying it. You wouldn’t think it’d be my cup of tea, but Rachel Morgan is just masterful in her ability to tell stories and include a little something for everyone.
It’s understandable, but one thing I will say is that as we get closer to the end, the books are becoming more “cliffhangery”. It used to be that you could pick up any book and jump right in from that point, without having any prior knowledge. Not so much anymore, but as I say, that’s understandable.
If you’re a fan of magic, or faeries, or romance, or swashbuckling, or stories that meld the real world and the magical world, I think this series will hit the nail on the head for you.
Click here to find out where you can get your hands on a copy: https://books2read.com/u/mvyWzz
* Note: That's an affiliate link, so if you click through to a store and end up buying anything, I might earn a commission from your purchase.
It’s understandable, but one thing I will say is that as we get closer to the end, the books are becoming more “cliffhangery”. It used to be that you could pick up any book and jump right in from that point, without having any prior knowledge. Not so much anymore, but as I say, that’s understandable.
If you’re a fan of magic, or faeries, or romance, or swashbuckling, or stories that meld the real world and the magical world, I think this series will hit the nail on the head for you.
Click here to find out where you can get your hands on a copy: https://books2read.com/u/mvyWzz
* Note: That's an affiliate link, so if you click through to a store and end up buying anything, I might earn a commission from your purchase.
September 14, 2017
I was sent an advance copy for review by the author.
Rachel Morgan has brought us back into the Faerie world in this 8th instalment of the Creepy Hollows story. In this story we continue to follow Emerson from the 7th book.
This story is the largest so far in the series and with how much action and twists and turns the characters face along the way it seems to be the darkest, in terms of setting, story, characters, etc... If the reader has been paying attention they may have foreseen some twists coming from early on, but the author does a great job of providing even more so even the observant are taken by surprise at least once.
It was disappointing to have less comedy thrown into the story throughout, with most existing only at certain spots when the story lightens enough for it. The rest of the time, however, all relationships and interactions are tinged by the dark content that can't be ignored.
Overall I have been left ready for more, which will come when the 9th instalment releases, which I assume will be early 2018.
Rachel Morgan has brought us back into the Faerie world in this 8th instalment of the Creepy Hollows story. In this story we continue to follow Emerson from the 7th book.
This story is the largest so far in the series and with how much action and twists and turns the characters face along the way it seems to be the darkest, in terms of setting, story, characters, etc... If the reader has been paying attention they may have foreseen some twists coming from early on, but the author does a great job of providing even more so even the observant are taken by surprise at least once.
It was disappointing to have less comedy thrown into the story throughout, with most existing only at certain spots when the story lightens enough for it. The rest of the time, however, all relationships and interactions are tinged by the dark content that can't be ignored.
Overall I have been left ready for more, which will come when the 9th instalment releases, which I assume will be early 2018.
May 14, 2020
A lot of great things happened in this book.. I was so obsessed with this series especially my expectations were quite high from this book because of Vi and Cala's stories. And also because I loved how perfectly Em's character was introduced in the last book.. but.. but.. Em's character in this book was not up to my expectations.. Honestly she is that girl from a horror movie who knows going down that creepy dark basement is not a good idea.. but still does.. and end up dead!!
She thought unseelie Prince who ditched her 5 mins ago will heal her mother.. She thought the best place to heal her mom (and her split personality) is that shadow world.. where unseelie Prince and his guards could wake up at any moment.. and she decided to live in that shadow world with her mom and her mom's split personality.. + I also felt it was a bit dragged.. However, I really liked this series.. so I am looking forward to the next book.
She thought unseelie Prince who ditched her 5 mins ago will heal her mother.. She thought the best place to heal her mom (and her split personality) is that shadow world.. where unseelie Prince and his guards could wake up at any moment.. and she decided to live in that shadow world with her mom and her mom's split personality.. + I also felt it was a bit dragged.. However, I really liked this series.. so I am looking forward to the next book.
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