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An Echo of the Fae
On the cusp of her thirteenth birthday, the discovery of a family secret sends Echo on a quest into the heart of the fae-lands to rescue the sister she didn’t know existed. Elves, dragons, and fairy courts will put Echo’s wit and resolve to the test. But with time running out for her sister, will Echo even be able to save herself?
A fairytale adventure perfect for fans of The Secret of Roan Innish and The Girl Who Drank the Moon.
Winner of the 2021 Middle Grade Realm Award! ——————————— Endorsements : “Enthralled by the terror, charm, riddles, and beauty of a richly depicted fae world, I devoured this marvelous book in two sittings! Readers of all ages will love Echo, a heroine strong in her weakness, clever and resolute amid her doubt and fear. An Echo of the Fae is sure to satisfy lovers of adventure and faery!” -- J.M. Stengl, author of The Faraway Castle Series “Jenelle Schmidt has a gift for drawing readers into the action even from the very first sentence—and An Echo of the Fae is no exception. I was instantly captivated by this timeless story of adventure, discovery, friendship and family. Not only is An Echo of the Fae a book families can enjoy together, it is also one that leaves readers with full hearts, ignited imaginations, and a longing to embark on their own adventure.” -- Jennifer Marshall Bleakley, author of How a Blind Rescue Horse Helped Others Learn to See "If you've ever felt uncomfortable in your own skin - or unsure of your place in this (or any other) world, this journey is for you. An Echo of the Fae is both timely and timeless, a mythic quest where anything is possible, nothing is as it seems, and everything is at stake." -- Allen Arnold, author of The Story of With
A fairytale adventure perfect for fans of The Secret of Roan Innish and The Girl Who Drank the Moon.
Winner of the 2021 Middle Grade Realm Award! ——————————— Endorsements : “Enthralled by the terror, charm, riddles, and beauty of a richly depicted fae world, I devoured this marvelous book in two sittings! Readers of all ages will love Echo, a heroine strong in her weakness, clever and resolute amid her doubt and fear. An Echo of the Fae is sure to satisfy lovers of adventure and faery!” -- J.M. Stengl, author of The Faraway Castle Series “Jenelle Schmidt has a gift for drawing readers into the action even from the very first sentence—and An Echo of the Fae is no exception. I was instantly captivated by this timeless story of adventure, discovery, friendship and family. Not only is An Echo of the Fae a book families can enjoy together, it is also one that leaves readers with full hearts, ignited imaginations, and a longing to embark on their own adventure.” -- Jennifer Marshall Bleakley, author of How a Blind Rescue Horse Helped Others Learn to See "If you've ever felt uncomfortable in your own skin - or unsure of your place in this (or any other) world, this journey is for you. An Echo of the Fae is both timely and timeless, a mythic quest where anything is possible, nothing is as it seems, and everything is at stake." -- Allen Arnold, author of The Story of With
264 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 21, 2020
62 people are currently reading
379 people want to read
About the author
Jenelle Leanne Schmidt
20 books261 followersCome along with me on an epic adventure. We will face dragons (we might even ride them), we will pilot airships. We will fight villains. We will join a pirate crew. We will wield magical swords. We will fight the forces of evil.
And we will be home in time for dinner.
But we will not go home unchanged.
Fantastical adventures ahead! But be warned:
Safe Return Doubtful!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
During the days, I wrangle four small hobbits and help them along on their adventures.
Basically, I'm Gandalf.
But come evenings, when the hobbits are sleeping... I become my alter-ego: PLOT WIZARD (still a wizard, just a different kind)... and adventures await in the pages I scribble upon.
I'm a dreamer, a relentless opener of doors in the hope of someday finding passage to Narnia, and story girl.
I love hanging out on Goodreads, but it's not the best for actual conversation. If you want to chat books with me, come find me on instagram: @JenelleLSchmidt or at my blog: https://jenelleschmidt.com/blog
And we will be home in time for dinner.
But we will not go home unchanged.
Fantastical adventures ahead! But be warned:
Safe Return Doubtful!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
During the days, I wrangle four small hobbits and help them along on their adventures.
Basically, I'm Gandalf.
But come evenings, when the hobbits are sleeping... I become my alter-ego: PLOT WIZARD (still a wizard, just a different kind)... and adventures await in the pages I scribble upon.
I'm a dreamer, a relentless opener of doors in the hope of someday finding passage to Narnia, and story girl.
I love hanging out on Goodreads, but it's not the best for actual conversation. If you want to chat books with me, come find me on instagram: @JenelleLSchmidt or at my blog: https://jenelleschmidt.com/blog
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 64 reviews
June 10, 2021
Selkies, fairies, smoll dragons, magical quests, loving parents...this book had ALL the good things! It took me a little bit to get into it. The style at the beginning made me wary that I wouldn't enjoy the book as much as I wanted to but once the adventure had truly begun and Echo had crossed over, the story was absolutely flawless.
I had minor, personal complaints about the beginning and the ending, but honestly, this book was EVERYTHING I wanted it to be and I loved it. One of my new favorites. I'm SO glad I purchased a hardcover when it was on sale. This is the kind of whimsical fantasy I have been looking for for years. You may keep all of your angsty and edgy YA, and your dark gritty adult fantasy, I will keep this book and hope fiercely that Jenelle writes more in this vein.
I had minor, personal complaints about the beginning and the ending, but honestly, this book was EVERYTHING I wanted it to be and I loved it. One of my new favorites. I'm SO glad I purchased a hardcover when it was on sale. This is the kind of whimsical fantasy I have been looking for for years. You may keep all of your angsty and edgy YA, and your dark gritty adult fantasy, I will keep this book and hope fiercely that Jenelle writes more in this vein.
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December 23, 2020Free on Kindle US 9/26/2020 middle grade Faerie intrigue!!
June 23, 2020
That was beautiful, and I absolutely loved it. An Echo of the Fae is a delightful, family-focused original fairy tale with some Rapunzel vibes. It was not exactly what I expected, but was very fun to read and featured many of my favorite things. There were fae, obviously (of many kinds), and selkies, and even a dragon! There were Echo's parents, who were actually really great parents by any standards, and Echo herself, who's a sweetheart and who actually acts like the age she is without being annoying. There's loads of strange and colorful characters. There's fae realms aplenty. There's just so much to love, and I am immensely glad I got to enjoy it all. I highly recommend it to y'all as well!
June 29, 2020
An Echo of the Fae is a standalone novel full of fairy tale wonder, mythical creatures, an enchanting world, and, ultimately, a moving theme of family and belonging.
From a cozy little town by the sea to an enchanting fae world to danger and impossible tasks and strange creatures, this whole book was such a beautiful fairy tale read from start to finish. Though it’s geared more toward middle-grade readers, if you love whimsical, charming fairy tale reads, YOU NEED THIS ONE.
THE CHARACTERS
Where do I even begin with these precious, precious souls? Though the story does have exciting quests, mythical creatures, mystery, and danger, the true heart is the characters and their relationships and sorrows and joys. This is a story about family, and the poignant themes shine so beautifully on every page.
The heartbeat of the story is, of course, Echo herself. Young, softhearted, melancholy Echo, who far prefers the company of trees and woodland animals than children her age. I loved how real Echo was. Her thought process, her fears, her wishes and dreams—they were so similar to my own at twelve years old.
Her arc was so beautiful and realistic and inspiring. The poor girl had to go through a lot. It’d be hard on any of us, but this girl is only twelve-years-old! Her occasional breakdowns and thoughts of giving up were so realistic. But even in the face of fear and pain, she found her bravery and kept going. And just… *wipes away tears* It was so beautiful.
And can we talk about the parents??? It’s so rare to find a middle-grade fantasy story where the parents are more or less the center of the plot, in a GOOD way. I absolutely adored Echo’s “Mamai” and “Dadai”, as she calls them. The love they pour into her, despite a deep secret they are hiding, was admirable and inspiring. It is actually because of them that Echo goes off on her adventure, and she includes them in all of it. Like…she doesn’t hold back secrets or sneaks away like you’ll find in pretty much every other middle-grade fantasy book. IT WAS SO REFRESHING.
Because, as I said, that is what this book is about: family. And, oh, does it portray it in such a beautiful way.
There were other great characters as well. Like the tiny dragons! YESSS. And a certain tiger who was epic and surprised me in multiple ways.
I don’t want to name names because #SPOILERS but there were a couple of characters who played a big role but I felt like we didn’t get to know as well as I’d like. I really wanted a bit more of a certain elf and the summer princess herself. BUT this was really the story about Echo and her parents, so I understand that there wasn’t always room to give everyone long screen time and arcs.
Other than those minor quibbles, this cast was just… *clutches heart* There are no proper words to express how deep and meaningful this cast was. It’s been a long, long time since I’ve read such a poignant tale on family and being brave and the true meaning of love. Especially from a middle-grade fantasy! These are the types of characters that take hold of your heart and stick with you forever.
OTHER THOUGHTS
I feel like I could just go on and on and on about the characters, but there’s also so much more!
Like the slight Rapunzel themes, which were so fun! Although I emphasize on slight. All-in-all I’d say this was more an original fairy tale than retelling, which I loved. I mean, CLEARLY retellings are my favorite, but it’s also delightful getting new fairy tales now and again.
I love how there’s a whole big mystery unfolding at the beginning. Although I had kiiinda already guessed what the Big Secret was, but it was still exciting watching it unfold, and a couple of bits still surprised me! Then Echo’s adventure into the fae world was SO GREAT. The world and the creatures she met and challenges she faced were fascinating. It’s one of those stories that awakens the imagination, and you truly feel like you’re there with Echo, experiencing it all alongside her.
I do feel like some of the beginning dragged a smidge. I was anxious for Echo to get on with her adventure BUT since her family life is such a core part of the plot, I understand why we needed a long setup. I also would have loved more of the fae world and the different kingdoms and messy politics and certain fae characters’ relationships with each other. A bunch of that was going on in the background, but we didn’t get to really see it. But I’m picky and always want books and worlds to be as big and complex and entangled as possible, especially when it comes to fae kingdoms! So that may have been more a me thing, and nothing wrong with the book.
ALSO. Again I say, this story was really about Echo and her family. It wasn’t a fae court intrigue novel. The point is ECHO and her growth. As much as I love big, complicated stories, it’s nice to also have quieter tales. Tales that really get to the heart. And this one did. There just wasn’t room for a bunch of messy politics and crazy fae absolutely everywhere (though we definitely get some!), and that’s okay.
What I really loved about it is how it instantly transported me to my childhood. Echo’s love for the woods and days playing under the trees and watching the wildlife and finding such peace and contentment surrounded by the greenery was ME. I could happily spend hours underneath the trees as a child. And you better believe I always hoped the little hollows in the trees led to a fairy land. This book was my childhood imagination come to life. Reading it made me feel like I was ten years old again, and it brought such a happy nostalgia. If it had existed when I was that age, it probably would have been one of my favorite books in existence!
It’s just one of those stories that truly awakens that childlike wonder in all of us, and I loved it for that.
CONTENT CAUTIONS
Very, very clean! This was written geared toward younger readers, and even has some lovely Christian themes woven within.
There’s definitely a little bit of light fantasy violence. Such as Echo having to walk barefoot on sharp rocks that tear up her feet and facing off with a rather unnerving tiger creature. Plus there’s some talk of general fae mischief and nastiness, though nothing is ever outright shown. Everything stays age appropriate.
I’d say ages 10 – 14 would enjoy this the most, or anyone who loves light fairy tale adventures.
CONCLUSION
Despite my many, many rambles, I feel like I still haven’t even properly encompassed the beauty of this story. Echo’s relatability and growth, the gorgeous writing, the wondrous world of fae, the clever obstacles Echo had to work through, a story with actually loving and EPIC parents, and the true heart and soul of the story: the poignant theme of family.
Also, on a more shallow note, that cover and title, guys! I mean just AWK. SO BEAUTIFUL. I love when the story is just as beautiful as the cover and title of a book, and this one definitely is that!
If you love enchanting middle-grade fantasy reads full of heart and beauty and what it means to be family, you need this story!
Review originally posted on my blog: https://christinesmithauthor.com/2020/06/book-review-an-echo-of-the-fae-by-jenelle-schmidt/
From a cozy little town by the sea to an enchanting fae world to danger and impossible tasks and strange creatures, this whole book was such a beautiful fairy tale read from start to finish. Though it’s geared more toward middle-grade readers, if you love whimsical, charming fairy tale reads, YOU NEED THIS ONE.
THE CHARACTERS
Where do I even begin with these precious, precious souls? Though the story does have exciting quests, mythical creatures, mystery, and danger, the true heart is the characters and their relationships and sorrows and joys. This is a story about family, and the poignant themes shine so beautifully on every page.
The heartbeat of the story is, of course, Echo herself. Young, softhearted, melancholy Echo, who far prefers the company of trees and woodland animals than children her age. I loved how real Echo was. Her thought process, her fears, her wishes and dreams—they were so similar to my own at twelve years old.
Her arc was so beautiful and realistic and inspiring. The poor girl had to go through a lot. It’d be hard on any of us, but this girl is only twelve-years-old! Her occasional breakdowns and thoughts of giving up were so realistic. But even in the face of fear and pain, she found her bravery and kept going. And just… *wipes away tears* It was so beautiful.
And can we talk about the parents??? It’s so rare to find a middle-grade fantasy story where the parents are more or less the center of the plot, in a GOOD way. I absolutely adored Echo’s “Mamai” and “Dadai”, as she calls them. The love they pour into her, despite a deep secret they are hiding, was admirable and inspiring. It is actually because of them that Echo goes off on her adventure, and she includes them in all of it. Like…she doesn’t hold back secrets or sneaks away like you’ll find in pretty much every other middle-grade fantasy book. IT WAS SO REFRESHING.
Because, as I said, that is what this book is about: family. And, oh, does it portray it in such a beautiful way.
There were other great characters as well. Like the tiny dragons! YESSS. And a certain tiger who was epic and surprised me in multiple ways.
I don’t want to name names because #SPOILERS but there were a couple of characters who played a big role but I felt like we didn’t get to know as well as I’d like. I really wanted a bit more of a certain elf and the summer princess herself. BUT this was really the story about Echo and her parents, so I understand that there wasn’t always room to give everyone long screen time and arcs.
Other than those minor quibbles, this cast was just… *clutches heart* There are no proper words to express how deep and meaningful this cast was. It’s been a long, long time since I’ve read such a poignant tale on family and being brave and the true meaning of love. Especially from a middle-grade fantasy! These are the types of characters that take hold of your heart and stick with you forever.
OTHER THOUGHTS
I feel like I could just go on and on and on about the characters, but there’s also so much more!
Like the slight Rapunzel themes, which were so fun! Although I emphasize on slight. All-in-all I’d say this was more an original fairy tale than retelling, which I loved. I mean, CLEARLY retellings are my favorite, but it’s also delightful getting new fairy tales now and again.
I love how there’s a whole big mystery unfolding at the beginning. Although I had kiiinda already guessed what the Big Secret was, but it was still exciting watching it unfold, and a couple of bits still surprised me! Then Echo’s adventure into the fae world was SO GREAT. The world and the creatures she met and challenges she faced were fascinating. It’s one of those stories that awakens the imagination, and you truly feel like you’re there with Echo, experiencing it all alongside her.
I do feel like some of the beginning dragged a smidge. I was anxious for Echo to get on with her adventure BUT since her family life is such a core part of the plot, I understand why we needed a long setup. I also would have loved more of the fae world and the different kingdoms and messy politics and certain fae characters’ relationships with each other. A bunch of that was going on in the background, but we didn’t get to really see it. But I’m picky and always want books and worlds to be as big and complex and entangled as possible, especially when it comes to fae kingdoms! So that may have been more a me thing, and nothing wrong with the book.
ALSO. Again I say, this story was really about Echo and her family. It wasn’t a fae court intrigue novel. The point is ECHO and her growth. As much as I love big, complicated stories, it’s nice to also have quieter tales. Tales that really get to the heart. And this one did. There just wasn’t room for a bunch of messy politics and crazy fae absolutely everywhere (though we definitely get some!), and that’s okay.
What I really loved about it is how it instantly transported me to my childhood. Echo’s love for the woods and days playing under the trees and watching the wildlife and finding such peace and contentment surrounded by the greenery was ME. I could happily spend hours underneath the trees as a child. And you better believe I always hoped the little hollows in the trees led to a fairy land. This book was my childhood imagination come to life. Reading it made me feel like I was ten years old again, and it brought such a happy nostalgia. If it had existed when I was that age, it probably would have been one of my favorite books in existence!
It’s just one of those stories that truly awakens that childlike wonder in all of us, and I loved it for that.
CONTENT CAUTIONS
Very, very clean! This was written geared toward younger readers, and even has some lovely Christian themes woven within.
There’s definitely a little bit of light fantasy violence. Such as Echo having to walk barefoot on sharp rocks that tear up her feet and facing off with a rather unnerving tiger creature. Plus there’s some talk of general fae mischief and nastiness, though nothing is ever outright shown. Everything stays age appropriate.
I’d say ages 10 – 14 would enjoy this the most, or anyone who loves light fairy tale adventures.
CONCLUSION
Despite my many, many rambles, I feel like I still haven’t even properly encompassed the beauty of this story. Echo’s relatability and growth, the gorgeous writing, the wondrous world of fae, the clever obstacles Echo had to work through, a story with actually loving and EPIC parents, and the true heart and soul of the story: the poignant theme of family.
Also, on a more shallow note, that cover and title, guys! I mean just AWK. SO BEAUTIFUL. I love when the story is just as beautiful as the cover and title of a book, and this one definitely is that!
If you love enchanting middle-grade fantasy reads full of heart and beauty and what it means to be family, you need this story!
Review originally posted on my blog: https://christinesmithauthor.com/2020/06/book-review-an-echo-of-the-fae-by-jenelle-schmidt/
August 7, 2022
I've read and enjoyed the parts of Jenelle's "Minstrel Song" series that I've read so far, so when I saw that she had a Middle Grade story coming out, I was excited to see her write a new world.
The synopsis says that this book is ideal for fans of "The Secret of Roan Innish" and "The Girl Who Drank the Moon". Having watched the movie version of the former and read the latter, I strongly agree! Secrets, selkies, fairies, and quests! So many elements that I enjoy reading about, all in one place! From page one, Echo's world is fascinating and the secrets about her heritage and family soon pulled me in. When Echo started on her quest, I couldn't help rooting for her in her determination to save her sister, while also sympathizing with the many emotions one would naturally feel when one's world is turned upside down. Just when I thought I knew what would happen next, Jenelle threw in another plot twist, making Echo's journey truly gripping and exciting throughout. I was pretty worried there near the end, but ultimately very satisfied. The final chapter (no spoilers😉 ) especially made me smile.
I highly recommend this book to lovers of fairytales and adventure.
Content Advisory:
Language:
None
Violence:
Echo gets pretty beat up during her quest, including her feet getting injured by sharp rocks and getting her back clawed by a fae tiger. Pain is mentioned, as are mild amounts of blood, and she continues dealing with the discomfort of these injuries throughout the story.
Romance/Sexual:
A young man kisses Echo's hand, which makes her uncomfortable. This is brief, and nothing comes of it.
Echo's parents debunk the rumor that selkies run around naked when they take their human form. (They actually have some form of clothes on.) Mamai labels this as wishful thinking on the part of sailors and the like.
Spiritual/Worldview:
There are references to the Bible and God. Echo's family looks to the Bible and God as their moral guides. As opposed to legends where all fae folk are evil tricksters, it's made clear that the ones in this world are able to choose between right and wrong, and also choose to believe in God or not.
Magic:
The only form of magic present is magic that is natural to the different kinds of fae folk. The details of exactly how or why the magic works are never delved into. It just works that way because it does. For example, fae rulers and guards can sense when someone enters their realm, dragons can turn invisible, wood elves can make things grow, etc, etc.
Other:
One character is under threat of death if she doesn't get where she needs to go before a certain deadline. We see her become weaker and weaker to the point of almost dying.
Mention of babies getting sick and dying from a "wasting sickness" (no graphic detail given, but there is some mention of mothers going mad with grief. ) Also mention of fae folk stealing babies.
Echo experiences some bullying in school. This is limited to kids calling her "Echo of the fae" because she has fae-like looks.
The synopsis says that this book is ideal for fans of "The Secret of Roan Innish" and "The Girl Who Drank the Moon". Having watched the movie version of the former and read the latter, I strongly agree! Secrets, selkies, fairies, and quests! So many elements that I enjoy reading about, all in one place! From page one, Echo's world is fascinating and the secrets about her heritage and family soon pulled me in. When Echo started on her quest, I couldn't help rooting for her in her determination to save her sister, while also sympathizing with the many emotions one would naturally feel when one's world is turned upside down. Just when I thought I knew what would happen next, Jenelle threw in another plot twist, making Echo's journey truly gripping and exciting throughout. I was pretty worried there near the end, but ultimately very satisfied. The final chapter (no spoilers😉 ) especially made me smile.
I highly recommend this book to lovers of fairytales and adventure.
Content Advisory:
Language:
None
Violence:
Echo gets pretty beat up during her quest, including her feet getting injured by sharp rocks and getting her back clawed by a fae tiger. Pain is mentioned, as are mild amounts of blood, and she continues dealing with the discomfort of these injuries throughout the story.
Romance/Sexual:
A young man kisses Echo's hand, which makes her uncomfortable. This is brief, and nothing comes of it.
Echo's parents debunk the rumor that selkies run around naked when they take their human form. (They actually have some form of clothes on.) Mamai labels this as wishful thinking on the part of sailors and the like.
Spiritual/Worldview:
There are references to the Bible and God. Echo's family looks to the Bible and God as their moral guides. As opposed to legends where all fae folk are evil tricksters, it's made clear that the ones in this world are able to choose between right and wrong, and also choose to believe in God or not.
Magic:
The only form of magic present is magic that is natural to the different kinds of fae folk. The details of exactly how or why the magic works are never delved into. It just works that way because it does. For example, fae rulers and guards can sense when someone enters their realm, dragons can turn invisible, wood elves can make things grow, etc, etc.
Other:
One character is under threat of death if she doesn't get where she needs to go before a certain deadline. We see her become weaker and weaker to the point of almost dying.
Mention of babies getting sick and dying from a "wasting sickness" (no graphic detail given, but there is some mention of mothers going mad with grief. ) Also mention of fae folk stealing babies.
Echo experiences some bullying in school. This is limited to kids calling her "Echo of the fae" because she has fae-like looks.
March 29, 2024
Oh my goodness! I loved this book! Why did I take so long to read it?
February 12, 2021
"The people of Ennis Rosliath went out of their way to avoid the Faeorn,"
I fell in love with this book from page one.
The writing is beautiful.
The characters are delightful.
This whole story is the definition of fantasy. More people need to read this book because it's an amazing story, full of family, adventure, and the occasional Bible story.
This book has so many fantasy creatures in it. There are different fae, dragons, and a pretty awesome tiger.
Jenelle Leanne Schmidt weaves together such an amazing adventure for young Echo and it's one I'm so glad I got to go on too.
Sometimes it's nice to read a standalone, but I wish we had more books set in this world! I will definitely be reading more of her books!!
"Echo of the Fae.
Echo raised her chin. The hated words no longer stung as they once had."
July 3, 2020
A whimsical adventure perfect for fairy tale lovers...
This story is intriguing. Even though it has a slow start, it draws you in with its mystery and keeps you going with its non-stop adventure. If you know anything about legends, this takes what you know and adds a layer to it. I like how Echo was constantly tested and her battle to save a sister she didn't even know continued throughout the story. Her emotion is felt on every page, making her a very relatable protagonist. Even though this story is a standalone, as far as I can tell, I would like to read more about Echo, especially since there were a few threads that would be fun to read about. Overall, an enjoyable story for those who don't mind a slow start into the action.
This story is intriguing. Even though it has a slow start, it draws you in with its mystery and keeps you going with its non-stop adventure. If you know anything about legends, this takes what you know and adds a layer to it. I like how Echo was constantly tested and her battle to save a sister she didn't even know continued throughout the story. Her emotion is felt on every page, making her a very relatable protagonist. Even though this story is a standalone, as far as I can tell, I would like to read more about Echo, especially since there were a few threads that would be fun to read about. Overall, an enjoyable story for those who don't mind a slow start into the action.
May 14, 2023
5 stars // read May 2023
Delightful.
Delightful.
June 16, 2020
I volunteered to review an ARC purely because I was told there were selkies involved.
And though they are not the main focus, they are present and very properly treated as far as my mildly obsessed self can say that without being a member of the cultures to whose mythos they belong. HUZZAH (also i liked that Schmidt made sure to clarify that her selkies have clothes on under their cloaks, very nice xD)
Okay, that out of the way, the story itself was quite solid and the plot interesting. To give a brief summary so this has some semblance of a decent review, young Echo is (slightly stereotypically) shy and introverted (and I say this as a shy and introverted person) but loves her parents--her Dadai's stories, her Mamai's baking--and the nearby forest. Then she discovers secrets that her parents have been keeping from her, and suddenly she must embark on a quest into the forest to save the life of a girl she's never met.
You'll have to read it for yourself to see where the selkies come in =)
I would definitely be down for a sequel exploring the different fae kingdoms more because I found that aspect of the worldbuilding intriguing and could have taken even a little more explanation of how human characters who believe in God are existing/being balanced with a world with fae and faery magic. If it is a standalone, though, it does work and ties up the plot threads nicely.
I personally found Schmidt's style easier to read in this book than in King's Warrior, less sweet and a little more straightforward and showing, which was nice progress, and I'm more interested in reading books from her in the future if this trend keeps up.
Especially if there are more selkies.
(hey, I told you I was obsessed)
I was given an electronic ARC by the author for the purposes of review. All thoughts and comments are my own.
And though they are not the main focus, they are present and very properly treated as far as my mildly obsessed self can say that without being a member of the cultures to whose mythos they belong. HUZZAH (also i liked that Schmidt made sure to clarify that her selkies have clothes on under their cloaks, very nice xD)
Okay, that out of the way, the story itself was quite solid and the plot interesting. To give a brief summary so this has some semblance of a decent review, young Echo is (slightly stereotypically) shy and introverted (and I say this as a shy and introverted person) but loves her parents--her Dadai's stories, her Mamai's baking--and the nearby forest. Then she discovers secrets that her parents have been keeping from her, and suddenly she must embark on a quest into the forest to save the life of a girl she's never met.
You'll have to read it for yourself to see where the selkies come in =)
I would definitely be down for a sequel exploring the different fae kingdoms more because I found that aspect of the worldbuilding intriguing and could have taken even a little more explanation of how human characters who believe in God are existing/being balanced with a world with fae and faery magic. If it is a standalone, though, it does work and ties up the plot threads nicely.
I personally found Schmidt's style easier to read in this book than in King's Warrior, less sweet and a little more straightforward and showing, which was nice progress, and I'm more interested in reading books from her in the future if this trend keeps up.
Especially if there are more selkies.
(hey, I told you I was obsessed)
I was given an electronic ARC by the author for the purposes of review. All thoughts and comments are my own.
July 8, 2020
Guys, I'm so pumped for this post. Having to wait almost two months to rave about something this good is killer. The first thing that caught my eye in An Echo of the Fae was the descriptive language. The craft of the writing (Which I normally try not to analyze) was perfect. Jenelle painted this splendid picture in my head. I can't even describe how much I loved the style. And then the story... I'll admit, the prologue had me a tiny bit nervous because the narration switched with chapter one and I was afraid it would switch back. Normally, I enjoy a good multi-POV, but with this one I was going to scream if I was forced to leave Echo's POV. (Thankfully, I wasn't!) There was so much that went into worldbuilding this. And connections were made in ways that blew my mind. I literally couldn't put this book down. I was completely submerged in the world there. Every character had my attention, and small things became significant things like bread crumbs you didn't know were there. And with just a slight twist of Rapunzel, how much cooler can you get? Gorgeous cover, amazing characters (although the selkies part took some getting used to... it was a little weird but totally worked), great plot, and beautiful wording, this book deserves five bright shining stars. The only thing that still gets me is (Without spoilers) how in this world did the parents explain the ending to the villagers?
I received an ARC of this book from the author, but the gushing is 100% honest from me.
I received an ARC of this book from the author, but the gushing is 100% honest from me.
Read
May 27, 2020I read this as a beta and it was so good! Because I beta'd, I'll refrain from a starred rating right now, but I will tell you this is a delightful, heartfelt story with some really cool premises. I love the way the fae impacted Echo and her parents, Echo's determination and grit, and that there's selkie lore in here. Absolutely a fun read!
November 11, 2024
This is a nice story. As a MG book, I give it 3.5⭐. It has positive messages regarding faith, family, adoption-type issues, sacrifice, and perseverence. While it is not complex, and one major situation was not fleshed out very well, it is nicely told. It did not hold my attention very well, so I rounded down to 3⭐.
September 23, 2025
Thoroughly enjoyed this.
September 1, 2021
This is one of those books that makes you want to tell EVERYONE to read it. Lush imagery, an inspiring main character, and a gripping plot. Everything you want in a middle grade fantasy and then some!
June 2, 2020
At first glance, I thought this would be a pretty typical fairy tale world/retelling, but it turned out to weave darkness and light, a variety of fairy tale settings and creatures, as well as adventure and a journey of self-discovery into a beautiful plot. Would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a grand fairy tale adventure. Suitable for kids too!
Read
June 20, 2020I beta read this, so not the finished version, so no review yet because I might be wrong about something that changed and I haven't had a chance to read the finished version, but I liked the beta version and ... my Goodreads challenge page is looking pretty sad.
June 1, 2020
Review to come!
(Disclaimer: I was a copyeditor for this, but since this is by one of my favorite authors, I would have read and loved it regardless. ;))
(Disclaimer: I was a copyeditor for this, but since this is by one of my favorite authors, I would have read and loved it regardless. ;))
Want to read
June 20, 2020To say I’m excited for this book is an UNDERSTATEMENT
June 27, 2020
Earlier this week, An Echo of the Fae released. It is a children’s/middle grade Christian fantasy story with selkies, fairies, dragons, and other fun mystical creatures.
A girl named Echo lives with her parents in a little village that borders a forest with entries into the Fae world. People whisper that Echo is a changeling. And as Echo approaches her 13th birthday, she notices her mom acting strangely—disappearing into ocean storms in the middle of the night. She investigates, and soon discovers family secrets and chooses to set off on a quest into the Fae realm to find a sister she didn’t know she had.
This book is so cute! I loved it very much. Echo has a lot of adventures and hardship, but she keeps pressing forward. The story reminded me of much folklore, which was fun to read about. It makes me want to read a bunch of the old folklore of the fae.
The love between parents and children is a major theme in this book. Can Echo believe that her parents truly love her as they say, when they kept secrets from her? Is there enough room in their hearts to love two daughters? Does a mother really love her child when she gives the baby up for adoption? And does Echo love her parents enough to risk herself for them in return?
I really enjoyed this sweet story and would recommend it to preteen girls.
A girl named Echo lives with her parents in a little village that borders a forest with entries into the Fae world. People whisper that Echo is a changeling. And as Echo approaches her 13th birthday, she notices her mom acting strangely—disappearing into ocean storms in the middle of the night. She investigates, and soon discovers family secrets and chooses to set off on a quest into the Fae realm to find a sister she didn’t know she had.
This book is so cute! I loved it very much. Echo has a lot of adventures and hardship, but she keeps pressing forward. The story reminded me of much folklore, which was fun to read about. It makes me want to read a bunch of the old folklore of the fae.
The love between parents and children is a major theme in this book. Can Echo believe that her parents truly love her as they say, when they kept secrets from her? Is there enough room in their hearts to love two daughters? Does a mother really love her child when she gives the baby up for adoption? And does Echo love her parents enough to risk herself for them in return?
I really enjoyed this sweet story and would recommend it to preteen girls.
December 2, 2020
Some stories take their time revealing the beauty that hides in their pages. When the reader finds the first glimpse of that beauty, it's always a special moment.
An Echo of the Fae was one of those stories for me. For the first few chapters, I didn't see much beyond a simple, fanciful fairytale. Then I discovered the hidden gem. It wasn't the storyline, although the plot DID grow more complex. No, the beauty in this story was the love between Echo and her parents.
Their relationship was a recurring theme throughout the story, even at the times when Echo was separated from her parents. The strength and goodness of that bond showed in every decision she made.
This story warmed me and left me feeling soft inside. I'm hoping that someday a sequel arrives, but even if it doesn't, I'm sure I'll revisit Echo's world again.
An Echo of the Fae was one of those stories for me. For the first few chapters, I didn't see much beyond a simple, fanciful fairytale. Then I discovered the hidden gem. It wasn't the storyline, although the plot DID grow more complex. No, the beauty in this story was the love between Echo and her parents.
Their relationship was a recurring theme throughout the story, even at the times when Echo was separated from her parents. The strength and goodness of that bond showed in every decision she made.
This story warmed me and left me feeling soft inside. I'm hoping that someday a sequel arrives, but even if it doesn't, I'm sure I'll revisit Echo's world again.
January 9, 2023
I don't know what I was thinking the last time I reviewed this book. Maybe it was too slow for the last read, but this time, I loved the pace, characters, and setting!
Echo is a great middle-grade protagonist. Her struggles with her parents, her fears in her quest, and her intelligence were all relatable traits for a young teenager. The plot develops slowly, drawing you in as the tension builds. And, once Echo begins her quest, the action doesn't stop, with multiple trails by the fae. Finally, the setting is built beautifully with concrete imagery that had me picturing the story easily in my head as I read. I also loved how the author incorporated the fae elements in the story, whether it was the legends of the selkies, Oberon and Titania, the Winter Court, and other mythical beasts. There wasn't magic in this story per say, but it was mystical, and the feeling that I had stepped into a world where elves, selkies, and other legends of old exist. Add into this novel the themes of found family and having perseverance, and you end up with a compelling book.
I highly recommend picking up this novel.
Echo is a great middle-grade protagonist. Her struggles with her parents, her fears in her quest, and her intelligence were all relatable traits for a young teenager. The plot develops slowly, drawing you in as the tension builds. And, once Echo begins her quest, the action doesn't stop, with multiple trails by the fae. Finally, the setting is built beautifully with concrete imagery that had me picturing the story easily in my head as I read. I also loved how the author incorporated the fae elements in the story, whether it was the legends of the selkies, Oberon and Titania, the Winter Court, and other mythical beasts. There wasn't magic in this story per say, but it was mystical, and the feeling that I had stepped into a world where elves, selkies, and other legends of old exist. Add into this novel the themes of found family and having perseverance, and you end up with a compelling book.
I highly recommend picking up this novel.
June 19, 2020
My best friend and I spent a lot of recent time bemoaning the fact we could not find any new book coming out which caught our interest or sounded original. The generic plot lines, even the covers, did nothing for us. Therefore, when Jenelle asked if I would be interested in reading an advanced copy of her newest book I sprang at it. Not only is she my dear kindred spirit, but I have read nearly all of her books and loved all of them and knew I would not be disappointed.
An Echo of the Fae had such a different feel to her other books. Her first series are what I would consider more high fantasy while this gave more the feel of traditional faery tale written for a middle grade age. (I feel I should clear something up with this. Middle grade now seems to leave them impression that only younger children would enjoy the story. But there is the quote by C.S. Lewis which says "A children's story that can only be enjoyed by children is not a good children's story in the slightest." This is very true. I get passionate about this. Working in childcare as I have, I got so fed up by the stories which were "child appropriate" to read to certain age groups. When I became a nanny I was allowed to read Winnie the Pooh to a five-year-old and we spent weeks giggling together over the stories so he clearly was able to retain the stories and I enjoyed the stories as well. So when I say middle grade I am not in any way saying only younger children would enjoy this story. What I mean is, it is a story a younger child would be able to enjoy and read but also an adult would be able to enjoy and read. Maybe since the world is currently in lock down all of the above could sit down and read it aloud together and enjoy it together.)
The story is about Echo, a very awkward girl who trips over her words, has no friends, is teased by the other children in her village, fears the ocean, and loves the forest which everyone else fears. Several things I like about this. Authors usually make the "awkward" character far from awkward. The awkward one tends to be far more graceful than anyone else in the book. As an awkward person myself, in both social situations and physical activities I understood how Echo felt and winced in sympathy along with her.
The family element of the story was endearing. Who doesn't want a sweet little family who lives in a cottage and laughs together, works side-by-side doing farm work, and possibly sings sea shanties into the wind because why not? (Is that just me? Please tell me that's not just me. I wouldn't mind the cow either.)
I could spend hours on this review, but you should just read the book for yourself. It is just a refreshing story, floating alone in the world of 2020 books - I am certain many of you will understand what I mean.
I was sent a free copy of this to do a review of so I did struggle reading it since it was on my computer, but I plan to get it in paperback soon so I can enjoy it even more. It is endearing and delightful.
An Echo of the Fae had such a different feel to her other books. Her first series are what I would consider more high fantasy while this gave more the feel of traditional faery tale written for a middle grade age. (I feel I should clear something up with this. Middle grade now seems to leave them impression that only younger children would enjoy the story. But there is the quote by C.S. Lewis which says "A children's story that can only be enjoyed by children is not a good children's story in the slightest." This is very true. I get passionate about this. Working in childcare as I have, I got so fed up by the stories which were "child appropriate" to read to certain age groups. When I became a nanny I was allowed to read Winnie the Pooh to a five-year-old and we spent weeks giggling together over the stories so he clearly was able to retain the stories and I enjoyed the stories as well. So when I say middle grade I am not in any way saying only younger children would enjoy this story. What I mean is, it is a story a younger child would be able to enjoy and read but also an adult would be able to enjoy and read. Maybe since the world is currently in lock down all of the above could sit down and read it aloud together and enjoy it together.)
The story is about Echo, a very awkward girl who trips over her words, has no friends, is teased by the other children in her village, fears the ocean, and loves the forest which everyone else fears. Several things I like about this. Authors usually make the "awkward" character far from awkward. The awkward one tends to be far more graceful than anyone else in the book. As an awkward person myself, in both social situations and physical activities I understood how Echo felt and winced in sympathy along with her.
The family element of the story was endearing. Who doesn't want a sweet little family who lives in a cottage and laughs together, works side-by-side doing farm work, and possibly sings sea shanties into the wind because why not? (Is that just me? Please tell me that's not just me. I wouldn't mind the cow either.)
I could spend hours on this review, but you should just read the book for yourself. It is just a refreshing story, floating alone in the world of 2020 books - I am certain many of you will understand what I mean.
I was sent a free copy of this to do a review of so I did struggle reading it since it was on my computer, but I plan to get it in paperback soon so I can enjoy it even more. It is endearing and delightful.
June 2, 2020
An Echo of the Fae, is a sweet book about the true meaning of family.
Echo has lived her whole life being teased for her elfin appearance. The kids at school call her an echo of the Fae and say that she is a changeling.
One night Echo learns a terrible secret about her parents and where she came from.
The first few chapters to this book where a little slow as I pretty much guessed from page one what the terrible secret was. And it is pretty much impossible to review this without telling you the secret too. So will try to be vague and if you guess, you guess.
Echo is a very brave and loving young girl. The story picks up about of a quarter of the way in once Echo learns the truth, and accepts it. Her sacrifice in volunteering to enter the Fae realms and find her missing sister touched me. But not as much as her parents assurance that Echo was their true daughter. The love they shared was unconditional and a great example of everything parents should be.
The Journey through Faerie was exciting and everything you expect, magical, whimsical and a little trippy. The best part was watching this young girl out logic beings who stacked the decks so high in their own favor. But then that's what we all love about fairy stories anyway.
I also really appreciated that this was an original story and not a retelling of a specific fairytale. It has a lot of existing lore and fairy tropes but the plot is inventive and unpredictable after Echo enters the fae realms.
*I was given a copy of this ebook by a person unknown. They cautioned me to protect it, and to not leak that which it contained. I however, decided of my own accord to read the manuscript, and am now divulging here my honest opinion of it's contents.*
Echo has lived her whole life being teased for her elfin appearance. The kids at school call her an echo of the Fae and say that she is a changeling.
One night Echo learns a terrible secret about her parents and where she came from.
The first few chapters to this book where a little slow as I pretty much guessed from page one what the terrible secret was. And it is pretty much impossible to review this without telling you the secret too. So will try to be vague and if you guess, you guess.
Echo is a very brave and loving young girl. The story picks up about of a quarter of the way in once Echo learns the truth, and accepts it. Her sacrifice in volunteering to enter the Fae realms and find her missing sister touched me. But not as much as her parents assurance that Echo was their true daughter. The love they shared was unconditional and a great example of everything parents should be.
The Journey through Faerie was exciting and everything you expect, magical, whimsical and a little trippy. The best part was watching this young girl out logic beings who stacked the decks so high in their own favor. But then that's what we all love about fairy stories anyway.
I also really appreciated that this was an original story and not a retelling of a specific fairytale. It has a lot of existing lore and fairy tropes but the plot is inventive and unpredictable after Echo enters the fae realms.
*I was given a copy of this ebook by a person unknown. They cautioned me to protect it, and to not leak that which it contained. I however, decided of my own accord to read the manuscript, and am now divulging here my honest opinion of it's contents.*
July 10, 2020
What a lovely fairy tale! I enjoyed it immensely and think this would be a wonderful read for anyone who has been adopted, to see that you don't have to be blood to be loved, just my humble opinion! Jenelle Schmidt is one of my favorite authors and I loved this stand alone novel, bravo!
June 22, 2020
This delightful middle grade novel is perfect for readers of all ages! I chose to read this book based solely on the cover, (Yes, it drew me right in!) but once I began reading I couldn't put it down. I read the thing in one day! (Which is rare for me.) You will fall in love with Echo, Jana and the rest of the AEotF cast. The writing is eloquent and flows naturally. I was impressed with how all the loose ends were tied up in a way that wasn't forced. There were many threads that wrapped around from the beginning to be addressed in the end, which I love! It makes the whole experience feel deeper. I had never read anything by this author before but now that I have, I plan to purchase her other works and read them asap!
June 22, 2020
This delightful story was every bit as enchanting as its gorgeous cover! The ongoing mysteries and perils kept me turning pages, and I loved the creativity and lush descriptions of the faery world. Echo was a brave, resourceful heroine, and I could really relate to her struggles to find her place in a world where she didn't quite fit in. The cast of characters we got to meet along her journey were distinctive, engaging, and sometimes surprising in their complexity. An Echo of the Fae was a lovely, enjoyable read as an adult, and I know I would've LOVED it as a grade schooler or middle schooler!
*I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.*
*I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.*
May 19, 2022
A lovely tale! Echo is a relatable main character and I enjoyed following her journey of self discovery and helping others. I didn’t mind that the pacing of this story was a little slower; it felt very much like other fairy tale stories I’ve read.
Note to Parents: There are a couple scenes that may be scary for a younger child or more sensitive reader. I would recommend this as a possible family read-aloud book or for readers ages 10+ or so.
My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 (4.5/5)
Note to Parents: There are a couple scenes that may be scary for a younger child or more sensitive reader. I would recommend this as a possible family read-aloud book or for readers ages 10+ or so.
My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 (4.5/5)
April 12, 2021
I signed up for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. I've not read a lot (okay, hardly any) of fairy tale retellings, but I wanted to give this a try.
I'll be honest, I wasn't so sure how I was going to like it, and the first few chapters were a little rough for me to get into. However, once the first twist wound up and popped like a jack-in-the-box, I was IN. The story has a classic feel to it, and yet was all new to me, full of daring, courage, and sacrifice. I had a lot of fun reading it, and each twist in Echo's quest excited me to find out what happens next.
It focuses a lot on family bonds and the doubt of an adopted child when faced with the question of if and where they truly belong. Echo's determination and faith is inspiring, her weaknesses real, and her journey both full and fantastic. It's a heartwarming story of redemption, newfound friendships, and overcoming fears, not shying away from the dangers and deceptions of the faerie courts and the mortal heart. I highly recommend it as family friendly and worth every moment spent with it.
I'll be honest, I wasn't so sure how I was going to like it, and the first few chapters were a little rough for me to get into. However, once the first twist wound up and popped like a jack-in-the-box, I was IN. The story has a classic feel to it, and yet was all new to me, full of daring, courage, and sacrifice. I had a lot of fun reading it, and each twist in Echo's quest excited me to find out what happens next.
It focuses a lot on family bonds and the doubt of an adopted child when faced with the question of if and where they truly belong. Echo's determination and faith is inspiring, her weaknesses real, and her journey both full and fantastic. It's a heartwarming story of redemption, newfound friendships, and overcoming fears, not shying away from the dangers and deceptions of the faerie courts and the mortal heart. I highly recommend it as family friendly and worth every moment spent with it.
March 24, 2021
This was my first read from Jenelle.
I generally don't read books intended for young audiences. Just because I was never a reader at a young age, I guess.
But this one looked so interesting. And while it is juvenile fiction, it isn't juvenile.
Echo is a wood fae. However, she's never come to grips with her heritage. Her father, a human and her mother a selkie (unbeknownst to Echo), has made her life one filled with love and acceptance. However, she has no friends being teased about being Echo of the fae.
However, one evening she finds her mother's pelt and another smaller pelt. Turns out the Fae were in the habit of stealing children when Echo was young and Echo's "sister" was now a "prisoner" of the Fae.
Well, 13-year old Echo sets out on the adventure of a lifetime! She traverses the Fae lands to find this lost daughter of her parents. She uncovers hidden strengths, a moral compass that keeps her straight, and her own parents in the process. This was quite the adventure. You can definitely tell the author is a fan of C.S. Lewis.
I thoroughly enjoyed this quick read. It is very deep for juvenile fiction. The author did a great job writing this to catch my attention!
I hope to read more from Jenelle in the future! And possibly pass it along to my one young reader.
I generally don't read books intended for young audiences. Just because I was never a reader at a young age, I guess.
But this one looked so interesting. And while it is juvenile fiction, it isn't juvenile.
Echo is a wood fae. However, she's never come to grips with her heritage. Her father, a human and her mother a selkie (unbeknownst to Echo), has made her life one filled with love and acceptance. However, she has no friends being teased about being Echo of the fae.
However, one evening she finds her mother's pelt and another smaller pelt. Turns out the Fae were in the habit of stealing children when Echo was young and Echo's "sister" was now a "prisoner" of the Fae.
Well, 13-year old Echo sets out on the adventure of a lifetime! She traverses the Fae lands to find this lost daughter of her parents. She uncovers hidden strengths, a moral compass that keeps her straight, and her own parents in the process. This was quite the adventure. You can definitely tell the author is a fan of C.S. Lewis.
I thoroughly enjoyed this quick read. It is very deep for juvenile fiction. The author did a great job writing this to catch my attention!
I hope to read more from Jenelle in the future! And possibly pass it along to my one young reader.
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