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The Fair Chronicles #1
The Fair Queen
The trees in Hartwood forest are hiding an ancient secret, a door into a magical realm where fairy princes and monsters are one and the same.
Seventeen-year-old Aria Colling is bored of her small town and dreams of a life filled with excitement and adventure. She's about to learn you should be careful what you wish for.
After a chilling encounter at the local summer fair, Aria is ripped from her normal life and dragged through the Veil into the Fair Realm by a strange, silver-eyed boy and his band of fairy soldiers. They believe she is the legendary Fair Queen, the subject of a prophecy that promises to unite the war-ravaged realm and bring an end to the centuries-long conflict between the Five Kingdoms.
But it can't be true. Can it?
Beset by terrifying creatures at every turn, and hunted by a tyrannical king who will stop at nothing to prevent the prophecy from coming true, Aria will have to rely on her wits if she's to escape the Fair Realm with her life.
Seventeen-year-old Aria Colling is bored of her small town and dreams of a life filled with excitement and adventure. She's about to learn you should be careful what you wish for.
After a chilling encounter at the local summer fair, Aria is ripped from her normal life and dragged through the Veil into the Fair Realm by a strange, silver-eyed boy and his band of fairy soldiers. They believe she is the legendary Fair Queen, the subject of a prophecy that promises to unite the war-ravaged realm and bring an end to the centuries-long conflict between the Five Kingdoms.
But it can't be true. Can it?
Beset by terrifying creatures at every turn, and hunted by a tyrannical king who will stop at nothing to prevent the prophecy from coming true, Aria will have to rely on her wits if she's to escape the Fair Realm with her life.
269 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 31, 2020
52 people are currently reading
858 people want to read
About the author
Lyndsey Hall
17 books158 followersLyndsey Hall lives on the edge of Sherwood Forest, one of the most magical places in England's history, and the inspiration for her debut novel, The Fair Queen. She grew up surrounded by books, and loved to write from a young age.
She loves to travel and try her hand at new things, but is most at home when curled up in a chair with a cup of tea and a good book, usually accompanied by at least one dog.
Get a FREE book when you join Lyndsey's email list: https://substack.com/@lyndseyhallwrites
Find her on social media: @lyndseyhall on Instagram and @lyndseyhall_ on TikTok
She loves to travel and try her hand at new things, but is most at home when curled up in a chair with a cup of tea and a good book, usually accompanied by at least one dog.
Get a FREE book when you join Lyndsey's email list: https://substack.com/@lyndseyhallwrites
Find her on social media: @lyndseyhall on Instagram and @lyndseyhall_ on TikTok
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 77 reviews
August 2, 2021
A wonderful and downright addictive portal fantasy.
Once I really got into it, I didn't want to set it down. And yes, I wish the sequel was out right now to dive straight into.
When seventeen-year-old Aria Colling is ripped from her normal small town life and dragged through the Veil into the Fair Realm, she's convinced she got caught up in some sort of twisted game. But the silver-eyed boy and his band of fairy soldiers who kidnapped her seem dead serious in their assumption she is a fairy princess who's needed by her fairy folk. Well, not just a princess to be exact, but the legendary Fair Queen, the subject of a prophecy that promises to unite the war-ravaged realm and bring an end to the centuries-long conflict between the Five Kingdoms.
'It wasn't possible. She was just a normal girl from Hartwood, this was all a mistake. It had to be.'
Except that it isn't. And Aria finds herself smack down in the middle of a centuries old war, beset by terrifying creatures at every turn, and hunted by a tyrannical king who will stop at nothing to prevent the prophecy from coming true.
'Not quite human, not quite Fair.'
Aria's tale is one of those that provide the perfect escape at the end of a long hard day. Beautifully written, at a great pace and with a gripping plot with quite a few completely unexpected twists, this story gives the reader a fabulous take on the Fae realm, complete with a wonderfully vivid setting and a lot of great feels.
Fun banter, sass and spunk compete with heartfelt scenes of grief and sorrow. I loved Aria and her spunk, her strength and courage despite fear and her sorrow at not being enough.
From friendship that grows slowly, alongside trust, to the desire to fight for what one believes in and the determination to keep trying despite failing, you'll get all this within this tale.
The only thing I'll grumble a bit about was the end that felt a tad abrupt and could have done with a bit of tightening up. But then, I've read the author's note where it's said this end is just a beginning, and I'm really looking forward to more of this tale.
All in all, The Fair Queen is an enchanting portal fantasy with a unique take on the fae. A perfect mix of light and dark, fun and angst, folklore and fantasy. Unique, mysterious and downright addictive.
Happy reading everyone
and remember
'The gift of time, the gift of life. Don't you waste it.'
Once I really got into it, I didn't want to set it down. And yes, I wish the sequel was out right now to dive straight into.
When seventeen-year-old Aria Colling is ripped from her normal small town life and dragged through the Veil into the Fair Realm, she's convinced she got caught up in some sort of twisted game. But the silver-eyed boy and his band of fairy soldiers who kidnapped her seem dead serious in their assumption she is a fairy princess who's needed by her fairy folk. Well, not just a princess to be exact, but the legendary Fair Queen, the subject of a prophecy that promises to unite the war-ravaged realm and bring an end to the centuries-long conflict between the Five Kingdoms.
'It wasn't possible. She was just a normal girl from Hartwood, this was all a mistake. It had to be.'
Except that it isn't. And Aria finds herself smack down in the middle of a centuries old war, beset by terrifying creatures at every turn, and hunted by a tyrannical king who will stop at nothing to prevent the prophecy from coming true.
'Not quite human, not quite Fair.'
Aria's tale is one of those that provide the perfect escape at the end of a long hard day. Beautifully written, at a great pace and with a gripping plot with quite a few completely unexpected twists, this story gives the reader a fabulous take on the Fae realm, complete with a wonderfully vivid setting and a lot of great feels.
Fun banter, sass and spunk compete with heartfelt scenes of grief and sorrow. I loved Aria and her spunk, her strength and courage despite fear and her sorrow at not being enough.
From friendship that grows slowly, alongside trust, to the desire to fight for what one believes in and the determination to keep trying despite failing, you'll get all this within this tale.
The only thing I'll grumble a bit about was the end that felt a tad abrupt and could have done with a bit of tightening up. But then, I've read the author's note where it's said this end is just a beginning, and I'm really looking forward to more of this tale.
All in all, The Fair Queen is an enchanting portal fantasy with a unique take on the fae. A perfect mix of light and dark, fun and angst, folklore and fantasy. Unique, mysterious and downright addictive.
Happy reading everyone
and remember
'The gift of time, the gift of life. Don't you waste it.'
January 5, 2022
I am always up for a good portal story that involves fae, so I jumped at the opportunity to read The Fair Queen. The story starts off a bit slow as the reader is introduced to Aria (and her best friend Jasper) who are looking for some excitement in their ordinary human lives at the summer fair. Things quickly escalate when Aria is kidnapped by these mysterious boys who claim to be fae and she is their long lost princess.
Once Aria enters the portal, the story kicks up several notches and it's nonstop action and intrigue. The world building is really well done, and I loved learning about how the different fae elemental abilities. The characters were all fascinating. This is a queernormative world, which was much appreciated. There's no shortage of secrets and betrayal, which always keeps my curiosity piqued.
Overall, its a great start to the series, and after that ending, I am definitely interested to see what happens next.
Thank you to the author for providing a review copy. This did not influence my review. All my opinions are my own.
Once Aria enters the portal, the story kicks up several notches and it's nonstop action and intrigue. The world building is really well done, and I loved learning about how the different fae elemental abilities. The characters were all fascinating. This is a queernormative world, which was much appreciated. There's no shortage of secrets and betrayal, which always keeps my curiosity piqued.
Overall, its a great start to the series, and after that ending, I am definitely interested to see what happens next.
Thank you to the author for providing a review copy. This did not influence my review. All my opinions are my own.
December 10, 2020
Beautifully written and engaging story! Fantasy books often take me a while to really get into, but this one grabbed me from the start. Many elements of this story will be familiar to other books of its genre, but it sneaks in unusual aspects (without giving anything away) especially nearer the end which I loved! So if you're a fan of fantasy and elemental magic, you won't want to miss this! I'm very much looking forward to reading the sequel, The Solitary King, next year.
September 18, 2020
This is a great story! It’s well written I found myself lost in the incredible world this author has built. It’s full of action and twists and turns and is very descriptive and dark. Theres mystery and intrigue and secrets and great characters. I look forward to reading more.
February 9, 2022
Fae fantasy with all its twists and turns at its best.
October 5, 2023
Brilliant writing and distinct characters - a great read!
The Fair Queen by Lyndsey Hall is a romp of a tale. Aria is dreading finishing school and figuring what to do with her life, enjoying a farye with her best friend Jasper. She ducks into a phony-looking fortune tellers tent and has a nerve-wracking experience where the woman goes into a trance and bellows a prophecy about the return of the peace via the fair queen.
Two young men Aria has never met vie for her attention, strangely right there at the fayre. One red-headed and friendly, and the other a broody black-haired and dark eyed, attractive one. After the strange encounter, she heads home. That night she gets knocked out and awakens in the forest, captured and surrounded by five young men on a mission to save their people.
The rest is the story is a treacherous journey filled with danger, intrigue, lies, and self doubt. Aria’s character grows in confidence and knowledge, and she slowly discovers that in the world they’ve taken her, she has magic.
While the kingdoms, premise, and races/creatures are classic, this story put unique twists and sensory details in such a way as to draw the reader in. I spent two nights up late to finish it because I wanted to know what happened next.
Without giving too much away, the ending felt a bit lack luster in both the romance and the plot, as some books in a series tend to do. Still- this was a great read.
The Fair Queen by Lyndsey Hall is a romp of a tale. Aria is dreading finishing school and figuring what to do with her life, enjoying a farye with her best friend Jasper. She ducks into a phony-looking fortune tellers tent and has a nerve-wracking experience where the woman goes into a trance and bellows a prophecy about the return of the peace via the fair queen.
Two young men Aria has never met vie for her attention, strangely right there at the fayre. One red-headed and friendly, and the other a broody black-haired and dark eyed, attractive one. After the strange encounter, she heads home. That night she gets knocked out and awakens in the forest, captured and surrounded by five young men on a mission to save their people.
The rest is the story is a treacherous journey filled with danger, intrigue, lies, and self doubt. Aria’s character grows in confidence and knowledge, and she slowly discovers that in the world they’ve taken her, she has magic.
While the kingdoms, premise, and races/creatures are classic, this story put unique twists and sensory details in such a way as to draw the reader in. I spent two nights up late to finish it because I wanted to know what happened next.
Without giving too much away, the ending felt a bit lack luster in both the romance and the plot, as some books in a series tend to do. Still- this was a great read.
June 29, 2022
Loved this book!
Such an awesome journey, full of unexpected twists and turns.
A beautifully written page turner that kept me up late at night.
Really looking forward to reading the next one!
Such an awesome journey, full of unexpected twists and turns.
A beautifully written page turner that kept me up late at night.
Really looking forward to reading the next one!
March 4, 2022
An engrossing YA read which followed the usual trope of the “chosen one who doesn’t know she’s chosen” yet was still compelling and entertaining. Aria has no idea that she is the lost princess of a magical realm lying just beyond the reach of most mortals. No idea that is until she is kidnapped and whisked away on a terrifying adventure that throws one twist after another at the reader.
Well written and nicely presented, the author keeps the plot rolling along at a fair pace and never allows the reader to become complacent about the storyline. Aria is a very relatable character, and I was thankful the author resisted the temptation to make her clumsy – one of my pet peeves about books in this genre as I do not find clumsy heroines endearing, only annoying. Headstrong and determined, Aria is no shrinking violet. Rather she is determined and courageous, but also kind and compassionate – good princess material.
The main male character, Xander, was complex and at times I wasn’t sure whether he was a good guy or a baddie – and I know Aria felt the same way. This ambiguity about his character added a nice layer of uncertainty to the dynamic between the couple which made a refreshing change.
All in all, an enjoyable and well-told tale that I thoroughly enjoyed.
Well written and nicely presented, the author keeps the plot rolling along at a fair pace and never allows the reader to become complacent about the storyline. Aria is a very relatable character, and I was thankful the author resisted the temptation to make her clumsy – one of my pet peeves about books in this genre as I do not find clumsy heroines endearing, only annoying. Headstrong and determined, Aria is no shrinking violet. Rather she is determined and courageous, but also kind and compassionate – good princess material.
The main male character, Xander, was complex and at times I wasn’t sure whether he was a good guy or a baddie – and I know Aria felt the same way. This ambiguity about his character added a nice layer of uncertainty to the dynamic between the couple which made a refreshing change.
All in all, an enjoyable and well-told tale that I thoroughly enjoyed.
October 7, 2020
The story was everything I wanted to read in a fantasy book with such a beautiful cover. It captivated me from the very first page, I finished the book in one day! I loved the ambiance, the characters, the world building, the friendships that developed during the journey through the Fair Realm, and the terrifying folklore creatures along the way. I enjoyed the concept of the Five Kingdoms and was amazed how well thought out that whole world was. I also appreciated a very unique and satisfying explanation for The Fair Realm and the history and politics behind its creation. That’s not something you see often (if at all) in books with Fae/Fairy theme. The chemistry between Aria and Xander gave this story extra flavor. I also loved the addition of gay characters presented in the most beautiful and natural way as well which is not something you see often in YA fantasy. I wish this book never ended!
There is a perfect quote in the book that sums up the story for me really well ” It looked like a fairy tale. Not the Disney kind, more like The Brothers Grimm.” I cannot wait to read the sequel!
There is a perfect quote in the book that sums up the story for me really well ” It looked like a fairy tale. Not the Disney kind, more like The Brothers Grimm.” I cannot wait to read the sequel!
March 30, 2023
The Fair Queen is a well-written and engaging portal fantasy with a unique take on the fae. A perfect mix of light and dark, fun and angst, folklore and fantasy.
The story follows Aria, a young woman who discovers that she is the lost princess of a magical realm called the Fair Realm. Aria is kidnapped and finds herself in another realm. To survive she must use her supposed powers, ones that keep popping up but she does not quite have control of.
The Fair Queen is a fast-paced, action-packed adventure with plenty of twists and turns. Solid narration kept me engaged throughout the tale.
The characters are out of this world creative -
I had an issue with Aria and her reactions a lot of the time but she kind of grew on me
As for her escorts - Just wait for it - I had all kinds of preconceived notions that were totally stomped on
The world-building is excellent. Hall crafted a truly unique and magical world that will stay with the reader long after they finish.
Fast-paced and action-packed. Pay attention to the little things because the plot twist? It is a big one
Overall, I highly recommend The Fair Queen to anyone who enjoys portal fantasy, adventure, or romance.
The story follows Aria, a young woman who discovers that she is the lost princess of a magical realm called the Fair Realm. Aria is kidnapped and finds herself in another realm. To survive she must use her supposed powers, ones that keep popping up but she does not quite have control of.
The Fair Queen is a fast-paced, action-packed adventure with plenty of twists and turns. Solid narration kept me engaged throughout the tale.
The characters are out of this world creative -
I had an issue with Aria and her reactions a lot of the time but she kind of grew on me
As for her escorts - Just wait for it - I had all kinds of preconceived notions that were totally stomped on
The world-building is excellent. Hall crafted a truly unique and magical world that will stay with the reader long after they finish.
Fast-paced and action-packed. Pay attention to the little things because the plot twist? It is a big one
Overall, I highly recommend The Fair Queen to anyone who enjoys portal fantasy, adventure, or romance.
May 3, 2022
Four solid stars for this sweet, twisty, turny portal fantasy. Note, it moves fast and there are lots of details to keep track of, but Hall does it in a fun, action-packed way. I may have to re-read to remember them all.
Aria is an easy to empathize with character, which makes following her journey fun. Lots of entertaining side characters too: Rainer, Jasper, Xander... Lots of fun and scary creatures (the solitary): a banshee, a hag,
This has a unique take on a Fae world. The Fair Kingdoms (the society structure) is reminiscent of houses in HP or factions in Divergent. Fun and original take on it by making it sections of society.
One of my fave quotes:
Fave, because it not only sums up the trajectory of the story, but isn't that where we all want to be in history? On the right side?
Aria is an easy to empathize with character, which makes following her journey fun. Lots of entertaining side characters too: Rainer, Jasper, Xander... Lots of fun and scary creatures (the solitary): a banshee, a hag,
This has a unique take on a Fae world. The Fair Kingdoms (the society structure) is reminiscent of houses in HP or factions in Divergent. Fun and original take on it by making it sections of society.
One of my fave quotes:
"I believe you are the Fair Queen, Aria... And when the histories are written, I want to be on the right side." --Rainer, p. 138.
Fave, because it not only sums up the trajectory of the story, but isn't that where we all want to be in history? On the right side?
September 1, 2020
Wonderful story this book is well written the world-building is very well done with vivid scenes that pull you right into the pages. This book also has very good character development it took me a bit to fully immerse myself into the book but after that I finished it in nearly one sitting.
I am so glad I found this book it was excellent. I received this book from Booksprout for an honest review.
I am so glad I found this book it was excellent. I received this book from Booksprout for an honest review.
March 12, 2022
This was such a fun read!! I zoomed through it and couldn’t put it down. Aria is such a fabulous main character. She’s feisty and independent, cares deeply for her friends and family, and goes on a wild adventure where not all is what it seems. I loved the twists and turns. The pacing was exceptional. The world building was rich with detail. I really enjoyed the writing and I’ve already started book two. Ah! Can’t wait to see what happens next.
August 31, 2020
** I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.**
I loved this book! It was a little slow to start but quickly became very interesting and hard to put down. The plot twist was just...wow..... i did not expect that. I was very invested in this book and I really need a book 2.
I loved this book! It was a little slow to start but quickly became very interesting and hard to put down. The plot twist was just...wow..... i did not expect that. I was very invested in this book and I really need a book 2.
November 21, 2020
Phenomenal!
This book is a must read for fantasy lovers. The prose is compelling and the characters are so realistic and engaging. The Solitary are especially interesting to me, and the different regions and their magics are super intriguing. I love the world the author has created and I seriously canNOT wait for the next installment!
This book is a must read for fantasy lovers. The prose is compelling and the characters are so realistic and engaging. The Solitary are especially interesting to me, and the different regions and their magics are super intriguing. I love the world the author has created and I seriously canNOT wait for the next installment!
September 30, 2020
I really enjoyed reading The Fair Queen. The story is well written with great character work and world building. From start to finish I was hooked. I would recommend reading.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 20, 2020
This was a great story!
I loved Aria so much. She reminded me of Jude from The Cruel Prince so much especially the defiant human teenage girl attitude. I love the Fair Realm and the concept of the five kingdoms. I can't wait for book 2.
I loved Aria so much. She reminded me of Jude from The Cruel Prince so much especially the defiant human teenage girl attitude. I love the Fair Realm and the concept of the five kingdoms. I can't wait for book 2.
November 23, 2020
This is well written and great world building! I enjoyed getting to know the characters and I look forward to more from an amazing new author! Great job!!
November 4, 2021
A MUST READ
I can't boast enough of both the literary merit and the spellbinding storytelling contained within these pages! Lyndsey Hall has crafted a stellar debut that you won't want to put down. "The Fair Queen," has earned a spot amongst my Top 5 favourite novels and I already can't wait for its sequel!
Lyndsey Hall, I commend you for taking a chance and sharing Aria's story with the world. I will be forever grateful that you did!
This novel is a definite MUST READ!!!
I can't boast enough of both the literary merit and the spellbinding storytelling contained within these pages! Lyndsey Hall has crafted a stellar debut that you won't want to put down. "The Fair Queen," has earned a spot amongst my Top 5 favourite novels and I already can't wait for its sequel!
Lyndsey Hall, I commend you for taking a chance and sharing Aria's story with the world. I will be forever grateful that you did!
This novel is a definite MUST READ!!!
June 23, 2022
A sweet engaging story that draws you in from the beginning. The amazing world building adds to your engagement, so many interesting things to learn about their abilities/history. I truly enjoyed all of the characters. They are well written and you fell for each of their situations. Every girl needs a best friend like Jasper. This book definitely takes you on an emotional ride with twists and turns along the way. Aria is easy to connect to, you root for her to figure out everything happening around her. I highly recommend you read this engaging, fantasy read. I received a copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review
November 18, 2022
Aria is 17 and lives in a small town. She desires adventure and some excitement in her boring life. After a strange experience at the fair, her life changes in the blink of an eye. She is taken & dragged through the veil into the fair realm. Her captors consist of some fairy soilders along with a strange boy with silver eyes. The stranger tells her she is the returned fair queen and her whole life was a lie. Now she went from boring to a world she knows nothing about, Deadly creatures out for blood and having no choice but relying on strangers for survival. A great read with plenty of adventure.
January 21, 2022
A journey of self discovery
A lovely debut novel about finding one's self. I enjoyed traveling through the different lands and discovering who Aria really is! A story of friendship, young love, devastation, fantasy and magical creatures and realms. Can't wait for the next book.
A lovely debut novel about finding one's self. I enjoyed traveling through the different lands and discovering who Aria really is! A story of friendship, young love, devastation, fantasy and magical creatures and realms. Can't wait for the next book.
May 7, 2022
What an adventure-packed romp. Great characters, love the description of the different realms. It very much felt like what it is - the first book of a series - and the end was a little rushed, but overall I enjoyed it.
July 27, 2021
I was swept away by this imaginative tale and certainly want to read it to its conclusion as it has taken hold of me and I therefore cannot leave it where the story isn’t finished!
Aria is a “human” girl with no talents it seems until she attends a festival with her best friend and is confronted with a fortune teller who tells her some very strange things indeed. She meets some strange
boys who play an important role in what happens next and reminds us all that what people say just may not be real at all so beware! Of course Aria has no time to consider this because she is abducted that very night by one of those strange boys and finds herself in a realm she never thought possible!
She has adventures aplenty but new friends she meets tell her about a prophecy of a girl who is really a princess who will reunite the five kingdoms and usher in peace amongst them all once again. Aria finds it hard to believe that this girl is really her but she finds she has started to change in this realm physically and has an ability to communicate with creatures who recognize her as that very Fair Queen!
Her new world comes crashing down when she finds that those who abducted her have lied to her about everything they told her but she is saved by the one who she was told wanted to kill her.
All in all this is a very engaging story that will keep your interest and I’m sure when you finally finish it you’ll be hooked like I am to see what comes next as Aria finds she really is a Fair princess but will she embrace this future she never even considered or knew about until she was taken into the Fair realm!
I recommend this book as an enjoyable read for both young and old who love the concept of fairy tales being real! Lyndsey writes a story that is captivating as well as showing that hidden agendas may lurk under every action so one must always be aware but in a world so new how is one to know who to trust?
I think once you read this book you’ll be anxiously awaiting for the story to continue like I am and see what happens next and what Aria will do as she must face the facts that she is not who she always thought she was!
Aria is a “human” girl with no talents it seems until she attends a festival with her best friend and is confronted with a fortune teller who tells her some very strange things indeed. She meets some strange
boys who play an important role in what happens next and reminds us all that what people say just may not be real at all so beware! Of course Aria has no time to consider this because she is abducted that very night by one of those strange boys and finds herself in a realm she never thought possible!
She has adventures aplenty but new friends she meets tell her about a prophecy of a girl who is really a princess who will reunite the five kingdoms and usher in peace amongst them all once again. Aria finds it hard to believe that this girl is really her but she finds she has started to change in this realm physically and has an ability to communicate with creatures who recognize her as that very Fair Queen!
Her new world comes crashing down when she finds that those who abducted her have lied to her about everything they told her but she is saved by the one who she was told wanted to kill her.
All in all this is a very engaging story that will keep your interest and I’m sure when you finally finish it you’ll be hooked like I am to see what comes next as Aria finds she really is a Fair princess but will she embrace this future she never even considered or knew about until she was taken into the Fair realm!
I recommend this book as an enjoyable read for both young and old who love the concept of fairy tales being real! Lyndsey writes a story that is captivating as well as showing that hidden agendas may lurk under every action so one must always be aware but in a world so new how is one to know who to trust?
I think once you read this book you’ll be anxiously awaiting for the story to continue like I am and see what happens next and what Aria will do as she must face the facts that she is not who she always thought she was!
May 12, 2021
The Fairest of Them All
Aria grew up in a little town by the woods. Her life seemed to be going in the direction she always planned. Peaceful, normal small town life. But then a fortune teller at the annual town fayre changed her fate. Was she really a princess? How could that be?
Suddenly Aria is being taken prisoner and dragged through an invisible barrier into another realm. A realm filed with magic and fae people called the Fair.
In this terrifying new world Aria has no clue what or who to believe. She finds herself torn between emotion and logic. The problem is, any logic she knows makes no sense in the realm of the Fair. Things she learns turn out to be lies and people she grew to trust turn on her. Will she be able to navigate the Fair realm and make it back home? Will she be bait for the Solitary creatures and conniving Celeste kingdom's ruler?
I really enjoyed how the writing style of the story puts you inside Aria's head. Her conflicted nature makes her such a realistic and likable character. I also enjoyed the mystery of not knowing what would happen. The story has a magnificent way of leading you one way, only to have that change completely. It is difficult to do that in a story without readers getting confused or making things predictable. This book is very well written and holds an amazing shock factor as things take place.
The one and only thing that I did not like was that the ending felt a bit rushed. I would have loved to see more interactions with the Gnomes and Salamanders before the book ended. I know it is the first part of a series but so much was left to ponder at the end that I felt I was missing something. That means I will be waiting for book 2.
Aria grew up in a little town by the woods. Her life seemed to be going in the direction she always planned. Peaceful, normal small town life. But then a fortune teller at the annual town fayre changed her fate. Was she really a princess? How could that be?
Suddenly Aria is being taken prisoner and dragged through an invisible barrier into another realm. A realm filed with magic and fae people called the Fair.
In this terrifying new world Aria has no clue what or who to believe. She finds herself torn between emotion and logic. The problem is, any logic she knows makes no sense in the realm of the Fair. Things she learns turn out to be lies and people she grew to trust turn on her. Will she be able to navigate the Fair realm and make it back home? Will she be bait for the Solitary creatures and conniving Celeste kingdom's ruler?
I really enjoyed how the writing style of the story puts you inside Aria's head. Her conflicted nature makes her such a realistic and likable character. I also enjoyed the mystery of not knowing what would happen. The story has a magnificent way of leading you one way, only to have that change completely. It is difficult to do that in a story without readers getting confused or making things predictable. This book is very well written and holds an amazing shock factor as things take place.
The one and only thing that I did not like was that the ending felt a bit rushed. I would have loved to see more interactions with the Gnomes and Salamanders before the book ended. I know it is the first part of a series but so much was left to ponder at the end that I felt I was missing something. That means I will be waiting for book 2.
May 31, 2022
This book tells the story of 17-year-old Aria who dreams of adventure and excitement. Unfortunately, it turns out to be a case of be careful what you wish for. She gets kidnapped by fairy soldiers who take her to the Fair Realm. There she faces death multiple times and unfortunately a couple of friends she made were killed. I found this story a bit sad and grim at times. I did enjoy getting to know the characters and hating the horrible villain. The author did a wonderful job of world building. It will be interesting to see where this story goes next in the next book.
August 19, 2020
I loved this story! The book cover is what drew me in, so gorgeous! Being honest, it took me getting past the first two or three chapters to really get into it. No disrespect to the author, because it turned out to be one of my favorite indie reads. The beginning sounded a bit childish I guess, for lack of another way to describe it and it left me thinking, "Oh no, how am I going to get through this?" HOWEVER! I kept reading, because it was an ARC and I signed up for it. I am SO GLAD I did! Once you are past the initial chapters, it gets so good! I was invested in the characters, my heart was broken at points and it was easier to get past the small things that would have bothered me had the story not been SO good! There were even whispers of Harry Potter (not actually, just things that made me think of The Boy Who Lived) in places that made my heart smile! I can't wait for the second book and hope it's in the beginning of 2021. The author did a great job spinning this fantasy tale! If you get tangled up in the beginning, keep going, it is SO worth it!
June 4, 2021
Hall did a wonderful job introducing Aria and her desire to get away from her hometown and be closer to her friend, something that I think a lot of young adults go through each year. I loved Aria's fire, her meticulous thinking to escape her captors, but also her shy nervous side revealed in the tender moments in the Realm. Then there’s the gnomes - handsome, witty, fun, but not powerless. They fight, they die, they put everything on line for her so they can return her to claim her crown. I was sad every time I had to put down the book because I wanted to see her relationships develop, learn more about the Realm, and come even one step closer to learning more of Aria’s true heritage. It broke my heart every time hers was broken; I cried when she cried because in less than 300 pages, I came to care for all the characters and rooted for their success. Hall also created perfect demented villains; Where there is light, there is darkness, and Hall did well in writing the darkness. I got chills when we met the undoubtedly true villain; he made my skin crawl.
January 25, 2022
Kidnapped Fae YA Adventure
Parents- PG13- This is definitely geared towards the high school and young adult crowd.
Language: Oddly enough the only bad language was a handful of f-bombs and not much else (they really didn't even feel all that necessary just thrown in).
Violence: Fairly typical to genre but there are a couple scenes with enough detail that the squeamish may take issues with it.
Sexual Content- Naked Silkie (not a lot of details given), no sex scenes, LGBT relationships
The story was a lot of fun. I bit like a mix of LOTR and Five Kingdoms. The author does a fantastic job of character and world building. I got sucked in pretty quickly and finished it in a day. Would definitely be interested to see where the story goes from here, it not left on a cliffhanger per say but does leave you wanting more.
The narrator did a good job, had good differentiations between characters, I liked listening at 1.2x speed.
—I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
Parents- PG13- This is definitely geared towards the high school and young adult crowd.
Language: Oddly enough the only bad language was a handful of f-bombs and not much else (they really didn't even feel all that necessary just thrown in).
Violence: Fairly typical to genre but there are a couple scenes with enough detail that the squeamish may take issues with it.
Sexual Content- Naked Silkie (not a lot of details given), no sex scenes, LGBT relationships
The story was a lot of fun. I bit like a mix of LOTR and Five Kingdoms. The author does a fantastic job of character and world building. I got sucked in pretty quickly and finished it in a day. Would definitely be interested to see where the story goes from here, it not left on a cliffhanger per say but does leave you wanting more.
The narrator did a good job, had good differentiations between characters, I liked listening at 1.2x speed.
—I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
January 13, 2023
I adore this book! It has exactly what I want in a fantasy book: great world-building, well-defined characters, and a plot that is not see-through! The book starts in a small town, at a fair, where we meet Aria while she's hanging out with her best friend. Then her world turns upside down when she is kidnapped and dragged through a portal to... become a queen with magic powers. And then she goes through all kinds of adventures. Another nice aspect is that the book can be read as a stand-alone, even if it is part of a trilogy. There was no cliff hanger (although I was holding my breath for one, during the last 10 minutes). Even so, I went ahead and bought the next book because I want to know more about this world
This was also the first time I listened to a narrator with a British accent. While at first it was a bit weird, I got used to it after 10 minutes or so. I liked that she paid attention to changed in tone, rhythm and that she gave individual voices to the characters.
This was also the first time I listened to a narrator with a British accent. While at first it was a bit weird, I got used to it after 10 minutes or so. I liked that she paid attention to changed in tone, rhythm and that she gave individual voices to the characters.
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