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The Pathways Tree #1-3
The Pathways Tree Series: Books 1-2:
The first three novels in the bestselling Pathways Tree series
Once Upon a Time and Happily Ever After... Rags to Riches and Pauper to King... Everyone knows how these stories go. But what most people don't know is that such stories are organised by a totalitarian government that harvests belief in order to maintain its supremacy.
When Bea, a lowly cabbage fairy, decides she wants more for herself than a bit-part in these stories, all hell breaks loose. Suddenly Bea finds herself at the centre of a whole heap of trouble, and any mistake could have her facing the fearsome, three-headed Beast.
Can Bea overthrow a government, save her friends and - maybe - come out on top?
After all, does anyone ever really get a happy ending?
This box set brings together the first three books in the bestselling Pathways Tree series, The Fairy's Tale, The Academy, and The Princess And The Orrery. If you like your fantasy with a dash of dystopia and characters you can fall in love with, then The Pathways Tree series is for you!
The Pathways Tree series has been compared by readers to Terry Pratchett, Neil Gaiman, Jasper Fforde and George Orwell. The first two novels have been rated 'Outstanding' by Writers' Digest for 'Plot and Story Appealing', 'Character Development' and 'Spelling Punctuation and Grammar'. The Fairy's Tale has been featured in The Independent and as an Underground Book.
Once Upon a Time and Happily Ever After... Rags to Riches and Pauper to King... Everyone knows how these stories go. But what most people don't know is that such stories are organised by a totalitarian government that harvests belief in order to maintain its supremacy.
When Bea, a lowly cabbage fairy, decides she wants more for herself than a bit-part in these stories, all hell breaks loose. Suddenly Bea finds herself at the centre of a whole heap of trouble, and any mistake could have her facing the fearsome, three-headed Beast.
Can Bea overthrow a government, save her friends and - maybe - come out on top?
After all, does anyone ever really get a happy ending?
This box set brings together the first three books in the bestselling Pathways Tree series, The Fairy's Tale, The Academy, and The Princess And The Orrery. If you like your fantasy with a dash of dystopia and characters you can fall in love with, then The Pathways Tree series is for you!
The Pathways Tree series has been compared by readers to Terry Pratchett, Neil Gaiman, Jasper Fforde and George Orwell. The first two novels have been rated 'Outstanding' by Writers' Digest for 'Plot and Story Appealing', 'Character Development' and 'Spelling Punctuation and Grammar'. The Fairy's Tale has been featured in The Independent and as an Underground Book.
839 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 6, 2018
3 people are currently reading
29 people want to read
About the author
F.D. Lee
7 books93 followersF D. Lee is the author of the internationally bestselling fantasy series, The Pathways Tree, and the award-winning SF novel, In the Slip.
A lifelong fantasy and science fiction fan, Faith is an advocate of self- and indie-publishing and has a PhD in English Literature and Creative Writing. She has been featured in The Independent, appeared on Radio 4 to talk about her research into genre fiction, and has given a mini-TED talk on why stories matter.
Faith is online and always happy to chat! Facebook, Instagram, Threads: @fdleeauthor (Facebook is the best place to catch her!). Visit Faith's website (www.fdlee.co.uk) to read her work, including free short stories and sample chapters.
A lifelong fantasy and science fiction fan, Faith is an advocate of self- and indie-publishing and has a PhD in English Literature and Creative Writing. She has been featured in The Independent, appeared on Radio 4 to talk about her research into genre fiction, and has given a mini-TED talk on why stories matter.
Faith is online and always happy to chat! Facebook, Instagram, Threads: @fdleeauthor (Facebook is the best place to catch her!). Visit Faith's website (www.fdlee.co.uk) to read her work, including free short stories and sample chapters.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
February 20, 2026
I picked up The Pathways Tree box set expecting whimsical fantasy. What I got was something far richer, sharp satire wrapped in fairy dust, a dystopian punch hiding behind talking cabbages and kingdoms.
From the opening of The Fairy’s Tale, it’s clear this isn’t your standard “once upon a time.” The idea that happily ever afters are state-controlled narratives designed to harvest belief is both hilarious and unsettling. It’s imaginative in the way that makes you grin and then pause because beneath the charm is something biting and brilliantly observant.
Bea is an absolute triumph of a protagonist. A cabbage fairy who refuses to stay small? I loved her immediately. She’s not the chosen one in the traditional sense; she’s stubborn, underestimated, and wonderfully human. Watching her push against a system that literally scripts destinies felt empowering in a way that sneaks up on you. Her growth across The Academy and The Princess and the Orrery is layered and satisfying, never rushed.
The world-building deserves special mention. It has that clever, sideways humor that readers often associate with writers like Terry Pratchett or Neil Gaiman, yet it never feels derivative. The tone balances wit with genuine stakes. The government isn’t just a backdrop; it’s a chilling presence, and the concept of belief as a controlled resource is handled with both playfulness and depth.
What impressed me most was how the series managed to be entertaining and thoughtful at the same time. You can read it for the adventure, the friendships, the looming Beast, and the sheer inventiveness of it all. But you can also read it as a commentary on power, narrative control, and who gets to decide what a “happy ending” looks like.
The pacing across all three novels is strong, the character development feels earned, and the emotional beats land. By the end, I wasn’t just invested in whether Bea would win; I was reflecting on the stories we’re told and the ones we choose to believe.
If you love fantasy that’s imaginative but intelligent, whimsical but pointed, this box set absolutely delivers. It’s funny, sharp, heartfelt, and surprisingly profound. Five stars without hesitation. I can’t wait to see where the Pathways Tree grows next.
From the opening of The Fairy’s Tale, it’s clear this isn’t your standard “once upon a time.” The idea that happily ever afters are state-controlled narratives designed to harvest belief is both hilarious and unsettling. It’s imaginative in the way that makes you grin and then pause because beneath the charm is something biting and brilliantly observant.
Bea is an absolute triumph of a protagonist. A cabbage fairy who refuses to stay small? I loved her immediately. She’s not the chosen one in the traditional sense; she’s stubborn, underestimated, and wonderfully human. Watching her push against a system that literally scripts destinies felt empowering in a way that sneaks up on you. Her growth across The Academy and The Princess and the Orrery is layered and satisfying, never rushed.
The world-building deserves special mention. It has that clever, sideways humor that readers often associate with writers like Terry Pratchett or Neil Gaiman, yet it never feels derivative. The tone balances wit with genuine stakes. The government isn’t just a backdrop; it’s a chilling presence, and the concept of belief as a controlled resource is handled with both playfulness and depth.
What impressed me most was how the series managed to be entertaining and thoughtful at the same time. You can read it for the adventure, the friendships, the looming Beast, and the sheer inventiveness of it all. But you can also read it as a commentary on power, narrative control, and who gets to decide what a “happy ending” looks like.
The pacing across all three novels is strong, the character development feels earned, and the emotional beats land. By the end, I wasn’t just invested in whether Bea would win; I was reflecting on the stories we’re told and the ones we choose to believe.
If you love fantasy that’s imaginative but intelligent, whimsical but pointed, this box set absolutely delivers. It’s funny, sharp, heartfelt, and surprisingly profound. Five stars without hesitation. I can’t wait to see where the Pathways Tree grows next.
November 1, 2019
I went with FDLee’s take on fairy tales to enjoy the metaphorical narrative of an Orwellian regime, but what struck me the most was the writer’s crafting of the characters and a fascinating insight into their complexity.
This series of three magically crafted books breathes life into the classical story telling and is a must for everyone who loves fantasy.
This series of three magically crafted books breathes life into the classical story telling and is a must for everyone who loves fantasy.
March 24, 2019
Lovely characters that are diverse and unique and surprising, caught up in a tale as old as time that has twisted and deformed through the years! Great read!
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews