The Faerie Girl and Other Tales

Feyland World

by Anthea Sharp

From USA Today bestselling author Anthea Sharp, a new collection of enchanting, mystical tales! Delight in the award-winning story The Sea King’s daughter (inspired by The Little Mermaid), follow the ill-fated adventures of a goblin who falls in love, and take heart in the hope that unlikely heroes can - with a bit of faerie magic - change their own destinies.


The Faerie Girl, The Sea King’s Daughter, Brea’s Tale, The Faerie Invasion, Goblin in Love, and The Tree of Fate and Wishes

Genres: Fantasy, Short Stories, Young Adult, Fiction, Fairy Tales, Amazon, Romance

168 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 8, 2018

About the author

Growing up, Anthea Sharp spent her summers raiding the library shelves and reading, especially fantasy. She now makes her home in the Pacific Northwest, where she writes, plays the fiddle, hangs out in virtual worlds, and spends time with her small-but-good family. Contact her at antheasharp@hotmail.com, follow her on twitter, find her on facebook (http://www.facebook.com/AntheaSharp), and visit her website.

Reviews

[Hank Hoeft · Rating 3 out of 5]

After reading “The Faerie Girl” and “The Sea King’s Daughter” (a retelling of Andersen’s “The Little Mermaid”), the first two stories in the anthology The Faerie Girl and Other Tales by Anthea Sharp, I thought I was well on the way to giving it a four-star rating. Then I read the three chapters that make up “Brea’s Tale.” One of the drawbacks of free e-books is that many times they are just the first in an entire series. Other times, the stories in free anthologies are teasers—they are beginnings or fragments of longer stories or novels meant to whet the reader’s appetite. That’s what “Brea’s Tale” is. The three chapters are interesting and well-written, but ultimately are just the beginning to a longer story. The next after “Brea’s Tale,” "The Faerie Invasion," is a sort-of appendix, or as author Anthea Sharp describes it, an “alternate ending” to the cycle of stories set in her Feyland universe, and as such, also feels incomplete. But the last two stories, “Goblin in Love” and “The Tree of Fate and Wishes” get the anthology back to the same level as the first two stories. All in all, The Faerie Girl and Other Tales is a good anthology which I would have liked to have been longer.

[Marla · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not for me

I tried to read all of the book. I just couldn't. I agree with some of the other reviews, the story gets going and then it abruptly ends with no explanation of anything.

[Annie Lima · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting stories! I enjoyed these. Recommended for anyone who enjoys fantasy short stories.

[The Mysterious Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m in the hospital and pretty much bored out of existence between endless bouts of PT. Luckily I’m a book-aholic. Even more luckily I can use my iPad to read and have a handy hubby (very useful, that) to dictate reviews to (as I cannot type currently). I’ve used this time to totally binge on what I think are all of the Feyland books by Anthea Sharp that I haven’t read yet. And by binge I mean a two-day nonstop read-fest (other than eating and the afore-mentioned massively time consuming PT) of the remaining five of these books I hadn’t already actually read.

Tales of Feyland and Faerie & The Faerie Girl and Other Tales were the last two ebooks in my binge. Unlike the others in my binge-read, with two exceptions you really don’t need to have read the other Feyland tales before reading the stories in these two book collections. The two exceptions are How To Babysit A Changeling (effectively series book 3.5) and Brea’s Tale: Arrival (effectively series book 4.5) which are included in Tales of Feyland and Faerie. These can be read as stand-alone but they contain spoilers for the prior series books so I strongly recommend reading those books first (though really, this series is so good that trust me this is no hardship). As for the others stories in these books, they’re a mix of Feyland and non-Feyland fantasy tales. What they have in common is how wonderfully written they all are. As is, frankly, typical of this author, they all also benefit from great world-building, and superbly crafted lead and supporting characters. You don’t need to read these all at once like I did, as each story does well as a stand-alone (with the caveat noted above), but be warned that these tales are addictive enough you too might find yourself binge-reading.

I’m going to review the other books (Royal and Marny) separately but here’s a clue: all easily five stars. (I reviewed How To Babysit A Changeling separately as read it before Tales of Feyland and Faerie.)

[Hilma · Rating 3 out of 5]

For a book of short stories, it took me a long time to get to the end. I loved the first two stories. They were magical, ethereal, and everything I love about fantasy. However, the third story called Brea’s Tale was a continuation of The Sea King’s Daughter (a little mermaid retelling) that almost made me DNF the rest. I don’t fell that Brea’s Tale needed three parts especially because it moved so slowly. But I trooped through and I’m so glad I did. The rest of the stories were fantastic. They were woven with magic and charm. I had a hard time picking a favorite short, but Goblin In Love was the winner. Each story is wonderfully written and reminded me of old school fantasy. Anthea Sharp brings her magical creatures and worlds to life in a way that everyone can appreciate.

[A Corvi · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was a bit of a mixed bag of short stories. The writing was at points a bit too melodramatic, the stories a bit cliché, but overall it was a fun read. I enjoyed the last two stories the most.

A few of the stories are a tie-in to a series of novels. In my opinion, those didn't really work. Especially the story about Brea suffered from tone shifts, unexplained context, etc. that made it a confusing read. I also felt this story just didn't work as a sequel to the previous story (reimagined Little Mermaid). The connection felt forced and it would have been better without it.

[Tamara Hull · Rating 5 out of 5]

I skipped a couple of the stories in this (such as Brea's Tale and The Sea King's Daughter) as I had read them previously in other formats, however I enjoyed them immensely when I originally read them.

As to the others; they are wonderful. The dystopian take in Faerie Invasion and the bittersweet tale of Goblin in Love were particularly delightful; as they take place within Anthea's Feyland realm they are a brilliant treat for readers of the series.

[Rob · Rating 4 out of 5]

great teaser stories

the title story reads like a tale from history and seams to be bound in a factual tale of the middle 1800ds very good!!! the little mermaid tale is a different version of the fairy tale and continues with a daughters adventure, there is more to this story that is not included in this volume,which is a little disappointing! but can be found elsewhere ! as are the rest of the stories included here,which of course, makes you want them! very good reading!!

[Just Jese · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was short and cute

Short and interesting tales. I fully understand that there wasn’t meant to be any sort of continuity, but I really felt that some stories were wayyyyy more fleshed out than others.
While they were all wonderful to decent stories in their own right, I believe there was only one that I read that I genuinely wanted to dive deeper into the story and read more.

[Kelsey · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’ve had this book for a while and figured it was finally time to read it so I did.

I’ve read it before. I’d already read it and completely forgotten about it.

That’s automatically 3 stars for me. Not bad enough to be hated or good enough to be remembered.

The stories are cute but somewhat disjointed, despite all taking place in the same universe. Maybe having them in the order they occurred chronologically would have helped, but it was all rather forgettable either way.

[Charlene Pratt · Rating 5 out of 5]

The last story brought tears to my eyes

As usual Anthea Sharp takes us to a world full of magic, danger, horror and triumph. It's a pleasure to have her books in my library and to recommend them to others. The stories are clean so I have no problem recommending them to youngster.

[Esther Jones · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good, but a bit too straight

Well written and mostly good. I just wish the love stories weren't all so very heterosexual. The last story had potential with the two girls, daughters of the chieftains, but backed off from the love story. I am a bit tired of so much straightness in fiction and fantasy, and I think these tales would have been even better with a bit of queerness.

[Jacquie Bosma · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some of the stories (like the retelling of The Little Mermaid, for example) were engaging and very enjoyable to read. Others, like Brea's Tale, were so bogged down in purple prose that I couldn't keep track of the story at all.

Overall, it was Just Okay. It was a freebie on an e-book special deal, but I wouldn't have purchased this one.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great compilation of short stories, most of which were in the Feyland verse. I probably would have enjoyed certain stories more had I realized that and read Feyland before reading this, but it was a very enjoyable read nonetheless.

[Rachelle Steward · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fabulous Collection

Many heart warming stories and some heartbreak within. Well written stories to make you smile and think. Perfect for times you only have a few spare moments to read. Very satisfying read.

[Olivera Kovacevic · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wanted to read the whole book, but I just couldn't make myself do it. In the beginning, it was a pretty decent alternate Little mermaid story; some parts I loved. And then, we come to Bria's Story. It was like a different book.

[Dana Wood · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fast short stories. Fun read

[Marsha · Rating 5 out of 5]

A nice set of fairy stories.

The characters were nice and the story had me emotional at the end of it. I am greatful to all the authors for their stories.

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

First story: an interesting take on the old feudal system with lords and peasants and the irish Fae who might or might not be real (or just traveller?).

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Magical

A handful of magical tales well written and full of mystery and magic. Interesting characters makes for an entertaining read.

[Bobbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review coming shortly.

[Angel · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cute version of Little Mermaid with a next generation story.

[Josie · Rating 3 out of 5]

New take on old tales

It was interesting to read about some of the old Irish traditions. I liked the last story the best - May we all have pe ace

[Angel Graham · Rating 3 out of 5]

An enjoyable read.

[Whalefreak · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very Well Written..

These srories are Very well written, I wish they were longer.. Also a wee bit Sad as well.. Talented Author..

[karen anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful

The stories are inspiring and uplifting. The last story brought tears to my eyes. If you like fairytales you will love this book.

[Homer Caldera · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay

It was interesting. Only because I'm in to folklore.

Do you really need more praise? I believe I'm done. Thanks

[Nancy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I did not really enjoy this book. I guess I was hoping for happier tales. I did not like stories that are left hanging.

[Catherine Sullivan · Rating 3 out of 5]

She writes beautiful, almost poetical descriptions, but these characters all went through too much pain for not enough reward. I guess these short stories set up events for her novels.

[Barbara Senteney · Rating 4 out of 5]

A twisted fairytale, enjoyed