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The Faerie Hounds of York
England, 1810. The north is governed by a single rule. Faerie will take as it pleases.
William Loxley is cursed. A pale and monstrous creature haunts his dreams, luring him from London to the desolate, grey landscape of his forgotten childhood. There, it will use him to open a door to Faerie—a fate that will trap Loxley in that glittering, heathen otherworld forever.
His only hope of escaping the creature's grasp lies with John Thorncress, a dark and windswept stranger met on the moors. The longer Loxley stays in Thorncress' company, the harder it becomes to fight his attraction to the man. Such attraction can only end in heartbreak—or the noose.
But Thorncress has his own bleak ties to Faerie. They come creeping in with the frost, their howls carrying on the winter wind. If Thorncress' past catches up with him before they can break the curse, then Loxley will not only lose his soul.
He'll lose Thorncress, too.
"Beautifully creepy and eerily magical, with a bittersweet romance that I loved." - Stephanie Burgis, author of Snowspelled and Masks and Shadows
William Loxley is cursed. A pale and monstrous creature haunts his dreams, luring him from London to the desolate, grey landscape of his forgotten childhood. There, it will use him to open a door to Faerie—a fate that will trap Loxley in that glittering, heathen otherworld forever.
His only hope of escaping the creature's grasp lies with John Thorncress, a dark and windswept stranger met on the moors. The longer Loxley stays in Thorncress' company, the harder it becomes to fight his attraction to the man. Such attraction can only end in heartbreak—or the noose.
But Thorncress has his own bleak ties to Faerie. They come creeping in with the frost, their howls carrying on the winter wind. If Thorncress' past catches up with him before they can break the curse, then Loxley will not only lose his soul.
He'll lose Thorncress, too.
"Beautifully creepy and eerily magical, with a bittersweet romance that I loved." - Stephanie Burgis, author of Snowspelled and Masks and Shadows
205 pages, Paperback
First published August 20, 2020
114 people are currently reading
5010 people want to read
About the author
Arden Powell
26 books419 followersArden Powell (they/them) is a Canadian author and illustrator with stories in Lightspeed Magazine, Baffling Magazine, and Haunt Publishing, and whose books include The Faerie Hounds of York, The Bayou, the Flos Magicae series, and their short story collection, The Carnelian King and Other Stories. A nebulous entity, they live with a senior rescue hound and an exorbitant number of houseplants, and enjoy the company of both.
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Read their exclusive Flos Magicae epilogues for free on Patreon:
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 330 reviews
January 7, 2021
this book feels like the literary embodiment of hozier song
July 12, 2024
"Do you not consider it a sin?"
"I don't see how one can both preach love and condemn it in the same breath. I fear a public hanging far more than I fear Hell."
Probably the most spooky, unique and atmospheric thing I've read this year. Or ever, let's be honest. It totally blew my mind. But sadly I have a built-in hatred for historical settings, and it definitely took away from my enjoyment.
Perfect for Halloween.
August 19, 2020
This Regency fantasy novella is gorgeously creepy and eerily magical, with some genuinely frightening moments and a bittersweet but amazing romance whose final twists and turns I did not manage to predict at all. Perfect for fans of Susanna Clarke or Zen Cho!
December 30, 2024
This is such a beautifully gloomy story. I guess it has some horror elements, but mainly, it's simply atmospheric. And with Fae creatures. And gay. Honestly, it's best to go into it blind, and let yourself be swept away by freezing moors and Faerie hounds.
Oh, and regarding those gorgeous fluffy hounds - CAN I PET THAT DAWG?? 😳😳
Oh, and regarding those gorgeous fluffy hounds - CAN I PET THAT DAWG?? 😳😳
December 16, 2023
This is the second of Powell novellas that I have read (the first being The Bayou) and their style of atmospheric and darkly whimsical, bittersweet writing really works for me.
I enjoyed the creeping, sinister atmosphere of this story and could feel the winters chill clinging to me despite the fact I’m sitting in summer.
Loxely and Thorncress had a beautiful moment in this little snippet of a story, and while I might wish this was a full length novel, it achieved what it set out to do.
This book has cemented for me that Powell will be an author whose backlog I’ll work my way through.
I enjoyed the creeping, sinister atmosphere of this story and could feel the winters chill clinging to me despite the fact I’m sitting in summer.
Loxely and Thorncress had a beautiful moment in this little snippet of a story, and while I might wish this was a full length novel, it achieved what it set out to do.
This book has cemented for me that Powell will be an author whose backlog I’ll work my way through.
March 26, 2022
2.5, maybe? Liked the atmosphere and the dark, evil fae pictured here but the story itself never really won me over, and it felt very long for such a short book. Also wish they wouldn't have used g*ps* twice (even in a bad light, including a slur is always unnecessary imo)
December 31, 2020
(3.5)
ngl the ending was just a bit unsatisfying, but overall this was very good
Rep: gay mc, Romani gay li
ngl the ending was just a bit unsatisfying, but overall this was very good
Rep: gay mc, Romani gay li
July 13, 2021
i didnt anticipate that ending in the least!! also loved the depiction of the fae in this one - always delightful when they lean more eldritch than boyband
June 7, 2025
"If the devil wants us, he must fight Faerie for the privilege."
rating: 3.5★
though a beautifully tragic story, i didn't feel like the romance was quite developed enough to really have me invested (and thus devastated).
slight spoiler
overall ok read, not usually my typical mood so others may like it more.
rating: 3.5★
though a beautifully tragic story, i didn't feel like the romance was quite developed enough to really have me invested (and thus devastated).
slight spoiler
overall ok read, not usually my typical mood so others may like it more.
January 15, 2024
I quite enjoyed this one! Lower steam, which is what I've sadly come to expect from this author, but the story was lovely and had just the right amount of creepiness for a fae story. The ending genuinely went somewhere I hadn't expected, and though I did feel like the climax on felt a bit rushed and less developed than I'd have preferred, I thought this was a compelling read overall!
September 15, 2023
“and if we forget the world, we’ll forget it together”
i don’t think i’ll ever get over this one. i wish it was paced slower so that i could savour it for longer - the only downside i feel. but the atmosphere powell builds with their words is genuinely otherworldly. a hozier song in writing. a fairytale in the flesh. i’ll save my thoughts for a full review, but yes!!!!!! this was so gay and beautiful and whimsical and AAAAAAAA
i don’t think i’ll ever get over this one. i wish it was paced slower so that i could savour it for longer - the only downside i feel. but the atmosphere powell builds with their words is genuinely otherworldly. a hozier song in writing. a fairytale in the flesh. i’ll save my thoughts for a full review, but yes!!!!!! this was so gay and beautiful and whimsical and AAAAAAAA
December 16, 2022
A beautifully written and haunting tale. It took an unexpected turn near the end, and I can’t say I’m 100% satisfied with the ending, but it was a very enjoyable, atmospheric read. My only complaint is this: I wanted more romance! I think it would’ve been better if the MCs had more time to fall in love.
September 27, 2023
"Perhaps no one would ever find him, and the foxes and ravens would speak his only eulogy from between sharp teeth and wicked beaks"
April 15, 2024
this hit me like a brick holy shit
January 7, 2021
The Faerie Hounds of York did not quite go the places I expected it to. It started off with Loxley finding himself in a fairy ring, rescued by a gruff but kind stranger, Thorncress. Warned to leave the area and get himself to London, away from Faerie influence, Loxley quickly finds himself under Thorncress's care again. A bond is forming between them, as Thorncress tells Loxley he will help him solve his mystery and get free of the Faerie... if it's possible.
There's one hell of a moment with this book which I didn't expect, given the genre; I shouldn't say too much unless I spoil the impact, because it turned a story I was mildly enjoying into something more intriguing for me. Some aspects of the romance genre are still here, but there's a subversion of certain expectations which put me on the back foot. I shouldn't say too much about that!
I enjoyed the characters and the bond they form, but that moment of subverted expectation might've been the best bit -- I could otherwise have wished for more build-up, more familiarity with the inner lives of the characters (particularly Thorncress). On the other hand, then there'd be less mystery... In any case, definitely enjoyable.
There's one hell of a moment with this book which I didn't expect, given the genre; I shouldn't say too much unless I spoil the impact, because it turned a story I was mildly enjoying into something more intriguing for me. Some aspects of the romance genre are still here, but there's a subversion of certain expectations which put me on the back foot. I shouldn't say too much about that!
I enjoyed the characters and the bond they form, but that moment of subverted expectation might've been the best bit -- I could otherwise have wished for more build-up, more familiarity with the inner lives of the characters (particularly Thorncress). On the other hand, then there'd be less mystery... In any case, definitely enjoyable.
May 5, 2022
“Necessity,” he said at length, “will drive a man to learn any manner of things. Necessity, and love.”
3.5 stars. A really unique, melancholy little tale of historical fantasy. Loxley travels back to his childhood town in a bid to rid himself of a strange curse that he doesn't comprehend and has only just realised the existence of. He's aided by a windswept stranger he meets on the moors: Thorncress, who knows more than Loxley about Faerie phenomena, and devotes himself to helping Loxley. It's a fairly short novel, and while it does have plot and structure, something about it just felt very... conceptual, the whole time? Not that that's a flaw. I do love when a book runs almost purely on vibes, and this was that. Lots of descriptions of the bleak landscape, the lonely moor, and punishing weather. The setting felt like a character in and of itself, and I love that. I liked the folklore/fae aspect, and the author's take on popular myths. There's a lovely little romance at the centre of this; one that I wish had more set-up and build-up, but a lovely one nonetheless. The book went places that I really did not see coming, and I don't know if I loved it. But I definitely respected it, and my heart felt so full at the end.
Parts of it made me think of this Hozier song, and if I'm making Hozier comparisons, then you know I had a good time. Kudos.
Content warnings: .
“If the devil wants us, he must fight Faerie for the privilege.”
March 3, 2021
My feelings on this story are complicated.
On the one hand: There's a lot in it I truly and genuinely like. The slow unravelling of the mysteries at the heart of both characters was masterfully done, and the imagery and uncanniness of faerie was beautiful and well-executed. The narrative was consistent, and every time I had a slow fear something was happening, it was, which is excellent payoff. There were some convoluted and interesting tangling of christian imagery and faery imagery I liked too -- the apple, the haw, sin and unchristian thoughts, faerie vs the devil, and these two gay men marked by it: literally hounded. I'd definitely recommend people give it a read!
On the other hand, I found the narrative written in this even-handed, matter-of-fact way that, rather than feeling dreamy, felt withdrawn. A lot of emotional scenes happened without the interiority at the times where I wanted to see how the characters felt about things. I kept finding myself asking "why is this happening now" -- why is this question asked a week after being raised, why are the characters expressing feelings at this time and not another, why is he telling his sister's tale here, etc. We're told one character withdraws abruptly, but because the narrative is unemotive, we're told it rather than shown it -- he acts about the same way regardless. I had a hard time buying into the character's feelings because the narration often kept us out of them at key moments.
There were two other things that kind of ate at me. And the first I'll admit is a pet peeve -- I'm not letting it impact my rating, because there's no way for an author to avoid other people's pet peeves. But: I don't like the trope that 'fairies can't lie' because invariably the authors treat it as a part of historical folklore. It's not -- it was made up in modern fairy fiction in the 1990s, and because it was popular in these books, it spread. Plenty of other authors were like well, this person must have done their research, and put it in their own books as well, and now it's super popular as a known 'fairy fact' despite not showing up in fairy folklore. I've seen authors who choose not to include it being told they got some fairy folklore wrong by letting their fairies lie. And like, it's fine if you want to include it in your own work, of course, that's always a personal call. I won't ever be a fan of that choice specifically BECAUSE of how it's spread and that people don't realize it's anachronistic and then even more people will do it. But seeing it in historical fiction is especially a big bugbear for me -- even if you assume fairies absorb the beliefs and treat it as a modern folklore that binds them, it wouldn't have existed back then as a belief! Basically, this is a non-issue, it was just a one-off line at a key point rather than a major plot point, but I saw the mention in this story and was just like ahhh I need to talk about this. Anyway, this article is a fantastic folkloric analysis of this trope, if you want to read about someone going through and trying to source where it came from.
The other thing that ate at me is a bit more serious. Listen, I understand the author is queer and I am very much willing to give them a pass on this in a way I wouldn't in yet another TV show made by committee and marketed to a straight demographic. We're allowed to tell our own stories, and that includes telling our own horror stories and tragedies. As always, YMMV. But
On the one hand: There's a lot in it I truly and genuinely like. The slow unravelling of the mysteries at the heart of both characters was masterfully done, and the imagery and uncanniness of faerie was beautiful and well-executed. The narrative was consistent, and every time I had a slow fear something was happening, it was, which is excellent payoff. There were some convoluted and interesting tangling of christian imagery and faery imagery I liked too -- the apple, the haw, sin and unchristian thoughts, faerie vs the devil, and these two gay men marked by it: literally hounded. I'd definitely recommend people give it a read!
On the other hand, I found the narrative written in this even-handed, matter-of-fact way that, rather than feeling dreamy, felt withdrawn. A lot of emotional scenes happened without the interiority at the times where I wanted to see how the characters felt about things. I kept finding myself asking "why is this happening now" -- why is this question asked a week after being raised, why are the characters expressing feelings at this time and not another, why is he telling his sister's tale here, etc. We're told one character withdraws abruptly, but because the narrative is unemotive, we're told it rather than shown it -- he acts about the same way regardless. I had a hard time buying into the character's feelings because the narration often kept us out of them at key moments.
There were two other things that kind of ate at me. And the first I'll admit is a pet peeve -- I'm not letting it impact my rating, because there's no way for an author to avoid other people's pet peeves. But: I don't like the trope that 'fairies can't lie' because invariably the authors treat it as a part of historical folklore. It's not -- it was made up in modern fairy fiction in the 1990s, and because it was popular in these books, it spread. Plenty of other authors were like well, this person must have done their research, and put it in their own books as well, and now it's super popular as a known 'fairy fact' despite not showing up in fairy folklore. I've seen authors who choose not to include it being told they got some fairy folklore wrong by letting their fairies lie. And like, it's fine if you want to include it in your own work, of course, that's always a personal call. I won't ever be a fan of that choice specifically BECAUSE of how it's spread and that people don't realize it's anachronistic and then even more people will do it. But seeing it in historical fiction is especially a big bugbear for me -- even if you assume fairies absorb the beliefs and treat it as a modern folklore that binds them, it wouldn't have existed back then as a belief! Basically, this is a non-issue, it was just a one-off line at a key point rather than a major plot point, but I saw the mention in this story and was just like ahhh I need to talk about this. Anyway, this article is a fantastic folkloric analysis of this trope, if you want to read about someone going through and trying to source where it came from.
The other thing that ate at me is a bit more serious. Listen, I understand the author is queer and I am very much willing to give them a pass on this in a way I wouldn't in yet another TV show made by committee and marketed to a straight demographic. We're allowed to tell our own stories, and that includes telling our own horror stories and tragedies. As always, YMMV. But
December 27, 2021
This was delightful! Excellent atmosphere (I always love a misty moor), proper creepy fae, and I really liked both characters, particularly seeing Loxley come out of his shell and find an ability to express his desires and a sense of being tethered to something meaningful. The pacing was just about spot on for a novella, though it does feel a little insta-lovey because we're told the weeks pass with Loxley and Thorncress spending time together but it doesn't really feel that way due to the shorter length.
October 25, 2021
The Bayou was one of the best novellas I read this year so this was a little disappointing, but it's good to see just how quickly the author had improved. This book had an unsteady start. It was a little dull at the beginning, with an MC I found annoying. Plus, you can tell that the author isn't British because the faux historical prose felt unnatural, which is a shame because Powell writes so beautifully otherwise.
However, once I reached the halfway point I warmed to it. This book has creepy fae and a soft but instalove gay romance, and such a beautiful last quarter that it made me tear up. My poor heart.
However, once I reached the halfway point I warmed to it. This book has creepy fae and a soft but instalove gay romance, and such a beautiful last quarter that it made me tear up. My poor heart.
July 7, 2022
Really atmospheric and I instantly liked the characters.
But... it should have been a full-length novel. You're thrown into the middle of a scene with no idea what's happening, who's who, or how the characters met and why they're interacting.
Still, I was interested in the plot and how Loxley and Thorncress would solve their dilemma.
Unfortunately, the conclusion was really unsatisfactory for me, so while I enjoyed reading The Faerie Hounds of York, I can't rate it more than 3 stars.
But... it should have been a full-length novel. You're thrown into the middle of a scene with no idea what's happening, who's who, or how the characters met and why they're interacting.
Still, I was interested in the plot and how Loxley and Thorncress would solve their dilemma.
Unfortunately, the conclusion was really unsatisfactory for me, so while I enjoyed reading The Faerie Hounds of York, I can't rate it more than 3 stars.
February 17, 2022
I am fucking broken...
This book made me crave death.
This book made me crave death.
May 3, 2021
https://www.bookwormblues.net/2021/05...
First of all, that cover art knocks my socks off. I don’t know what it is about it, but it just works for me.
You know how sometimes you’re just in the mood to read a really good book about fantasy set in our real world? But not like… urban fantasy? Maybe something a bit more historical? Regency, perhaps. And add in some fae.
Yeah, it’s like that.
The Faerie Hounds of York is a novella I came across when I was wandering my way through Kindle Unlimited trying to find a book to read that would scratch that particular itch. It looked short and sweet with a punchy synopsis so I thought, “why not.”
Well, suffice it to say, I stayed up until about three in the morning one night reading this book. I honestly couldn’t put it down. Everything about it delighted me, and when it was over, I had this book hangover that really surprised me. I mean, this was exactly what I was in the mood to read. I was so enamored with the book, I had to think about it for over a week before I thought, “I finally have the words to review that.”
In the early 1800s, Northern England is basically ruled by the fae. They take what they want, and you get to basically just deal with that. The Faerie Hounds of York opens up with one William Loxley waking up in a faerie circle. A mysterious man named John Thorncress sees him there, and tells him to get on out of here. Go back to London where it’s safe.
What would be the fun in that?
So with Thorncress and Loxley’s paths crossing and twisting together, it’s soon discovered that Loxley is cursed, and being haunted by dreams of terrifying creatures. Thorncress and Loxley work together to figure out how Loxley ended up in the woods, and come to a terrifying conclusion. And, while all of this is going on, we’ve got a bit of a romance simmering as well.
I will say, the first thing that impressed me was the atmosphere. From the first page, I had a sense of time and place, but more than that, I had an eerie atmosphere that just burrowed under my skin and lived there. This book works on a few levels, but Powell was a master manipulator of emotion and tension. It really sucked me into the story from the first word, and left me gasping for breath once it was through.
Furthermore, I typically read stories about fae being beautiful and otherworldly, but Powell’s weren’t like that at all. I’ve never really see fae presented like this before, and I truly enjoyed it. Otherworldly, yes, but also there are elements of horror here that lead to some shocking, heart wrenching, brutal scenes that really stuck to my bones.
This novella is about 140 pages long, so there’s not a whole lot of room for the author to lay down a foundation and then expand upon it. Powell thrusts his readers into the center of the action on the first page, and from there, as you follow Loxley, you’ll feel his confusion, determination, the shocks and desires he feels as well. In such a short amount of time, I truly felt that Powell did a fantastic job of not just telling a story, but creating a world and characters that shine both on and off the page.
Loxley and Thorncress are both interesting characters with plenty of layers. Thorncress was the mysterious, enigmatic one. I never quite managed to pin him down as I read, and I wasn’t sure I was supposed to. I understood, completely, how enchanting Loxley found him, and the reasons why. I also loved how the mystery that is Thorncress was used in the novel, not just as the character developed, but the plot as well.
Being a novella, there is never a dull moment or wasted word here. The story unfolds at a good clip, and its relentless forward motion never lets up. There’s plenty going on in the background as well, so while the story moves toward its ending, readers get a good glimpse of the world, the times, and the place (historical details) that add a layer of realism and nuance to the entire body of work.
The Faerie Hounds of York was a superb novella, constructed with a shocking amount of thought, depth, and passion. It’s dark, with elements of horror, and a nice dollop of emotion as well. If you’re ever thinking, “I’m really in the mood to read a book that will destroy me” then check this one out. It pulls no punches, and will leave you feeling, powerfully, its passing.
First of all, that cover art knocks my socks off. I don’t know what it is about it, but it just works for me.
You know how sometimes you’re just in the mood to read a really good book about fantasy set in our real world? But not like… urban fantasy? Maybe something a bit more historical? Regency, perhaps. And add in some fae.
Yeah, it’s like that.
The Faerie Hounds of York is a novella I came across when I was wandering my way through Kindle Unlimited trying to find a book to read that would scratch that particular itch. It looked short and sweet with a punchy synopsis so I thought, “why not.”
Well, suffice it to say, I stayed up until about three in the morning one night reading this book. I honestly couldn’t put it down. Everything about it delighted me, and when it was over, I had this book hangover that really surprised me. I mean, this was exactly what I was in the mood to read. I was so enamored with the book, I had to think about it for over a week before I thought, “I finally have the words to review that.”
In the early 1800s, Northern England is basically ruled by the fae. They take what they want, and you get to basically just deal with that. The Faerie Hounds of York opens up with one William Loxley waking up in a faerie circle. A mysterious man named John Thorncress sees him there, and tells him to get on out of here. Go back to London where it’s safe.
What would be the fun in that?
So with Thorncress and Loxley’s paths crossing and twisting together, it’s soon discovered that Loxley is cursed, and being haunted by dreams of terrifying creatures. Thorncress and Loxley work together to figure out how Loxley ended up in the woods, and come to a terrifying conclusion. And, while all of this is going on, we’ve got a bit of a romance simmering as well.
I will say, the first thing that impressed me was the atmosphere. From the first page, I had a sense of time and place, but more than that, I had an eerie atmosphere that just burrowed under my skin and lived there. This book works on a few levels, but Powell was a master manipulator of emotion and tension. It really sucked me into the story from the first word, and left me gasping for breath once it was through.
Furthermore, I typically read stories about fae being beautiful and otherworldly, but Powell’s weren’t like that at all. I’ve never really see fae presented like this before, and I truly enjoyed it. Otherworldly, yes, but also there are elements of horror here that lead to some shocking, heart wrenching, brutal scenes that really stuck to my bones.
This novella is about 140 pages long, so there’s not a whole lot of room for the author to lay down a foundation and then expand upon it. Powell thrusts his readers into the center of the action on the first page, and from there, as you follow Loxley, you’ll feel his confusion, determination, the shocks and desires he feels as well. In such a short amount of time, I truly felt that Powell did a fantastic job of not just telling a story, but creating a world and characters that shine both on and off the page.
Loxley and Thorncress are both interesting characters with plenty of layers. Thorncress was the mysterious, enigmatic one. I never quite managed to pin him down as I read, and I wasn’t sure I was supposed to. I understood, completely, how enchanting Loxley found him, and the reasons why. I also loved how the mystery that is Thorncress was used in the novel, not just as the character developed, but the plot as well.
Being a novella, there is never a dull moment or wasted word here. The story unfolds at a good clip, and its relentless forward motion never lets up. There’s plenty going on in the background as well, so while the story moves toward its ending, readers get a good glimpse of the world, the times, and the place (historical details) that add a layer of realism and nuance to the entire body of work.
The Faerie Hounds of York was a superb novella, constructed with a shocking amount of thought, depth, and passion. It’s dark, with elements of horror, and a nice dollop of emotion as well. If you’re ever thinking, “I’m really in the mood to read a book that will destroy me” then check this one out. It pulls no punches, and will leave you feeling, powerfully, its passing.
August 10, 2024
This was such an interesting and unique romance! The romance wasn't quite as hard hitting as it would have needed to be in order for the book to get 5 stars but I loved the characters, the beautiful prose, the historical authenticity and the author's worldbuilding and usage of fae mythology, which were all incredible!
Historical Authenticity
To my delight, the author does an amazing job portraying the early 1800s time period that the book takes place in. Much of the story has the MCs wandering around in rural parts of York and other parts of Northern England so we don't get to see much of society but all the historical details (clothing, houses, meals etc) felt on point. Best of all - the MCs behaved and spoke exactly the way you'd expect two men living in 1810 would. One of my favorite details was that they rarely use each other's first names throughout the story, even after they become a couple. During arguments, they even automatically refer to each other as 'sir' and all of that fit perfectly with the mannerisms that they would have spent their entire lives being exposed to. Some readers would find this off putting but I loved it because it showed that the author prioritized historical authenticity over modern romance tropes and by doing so, readers get to see how two men in this time period would become and remain a happy couple without randomly adopting modern behaviors.
Beautiful Prose
Another thing I adored was the gorgeous writing. The story has a dark tone, tackling themes of death, dark magic and fear and the whole thing takes place during cold winter with the MCs spending a lot of time in the bitter cold or in abandoned places where they huddle for warmth. This dreary, creepy atmosphere was beautifully brought across by the gorgeous prose, which also helped create the historical atmosphere that the author was going for. Here are some examples (in no particular order and no connection between):
Worldbuilding / Fantasy Elements
I don't know much about Fairy/Fae mythology so I don't know how much of the worldbuilding came directly from mythology, what was inspired by it and what the author created but this was incredible. The Fae in this story aren't the elven-like ethereal beings that you usually find in romances where they feature as MCs. In this story, they're a cross between Gollum from LOTR and the Night King from GoT. These Fae are incredibly dangerous, powerful and creepy. I won't spoil anything because the pacing of the many reveals throughout the story are part of this story's powerful impact but basically, Loxley discovers that he'd been cursed by the Fae when he was a child (the details are revealed throughout the story) and he has no clue how to break the curse or how to survive the Faes' multiple attempts to get him to come to Faerie. Thorncress has spent his life dealing with the Fae for reasons that are very personal and which I also won't spoil. He's Loxley's only hope but the reason this story is as intense as it is is because the characters realize very quickly that they have very, very little chance of defeating the Fae. People wear charms and they can attempt to burn Fae markings off themselves, but nobody has ever managed to kill a Fae, break a Fae curse or best the Fae at their evil plans. So the thing is - stories don't usually go this way. Normally, the heroes discover a way to defeat the big evil villains and then they do. But in this story, the author takes a very, very unusual approach, one which I loved but it was also very shocking. Don't click the following spoiler if you don't want to know the resolution of the story!
No detailed spoilers but believe me - I was NOT expecting the story to go in that direction and to have such an ending!
Throughout the story, the combination of the beautiful prose, the rich historical details, the atmospheric descriptions and the worldbuilding all combined to make a creepy, intense plot that gripped me from start to finish. Having the story take place during winter was a huge help in terms of creating the right atmosphere so I'm glad the author took every opportunity to make these powerful, scary creatures come across the way they needed to.
The Romance
The only aspect of the story that I wish was done differently was the romance. I adored both MCs and due to the premise (Loxley being hunted by the Fae and not having a clue how to stay alive), the MCs were constantly in hurt-comfort and rescue situations with each other. They saved each others lives multiple times, they took care of each other's injuries, they huddled together for warmth and there was plenty of platonic bed sharing (and some non-platonic bed sharing too!). I loved all of that and I fully believed that Loxley slowly fell in love with Thorncress along the way.
The only part of the romance that fell a bit flat for me was that we don't get Thorncress' POV and he's a very stoic, closed off individual so I never felt a strong connection with him. In addition, while Loxley's main priorities in the story start out being his own safety, he quickly grows to care for Thorncress and prioritizes the latter's well being too. The problem is that throughout the entire story, Thorncress' motivations and priorities lean more heavily towards people/situations who aren't Loxley, which isn't what I want in a romance.
The best example of this was near the end. DO NOT click on the spoiler if you don't want the biggest plot twist in the story spoiled.
Conclusion
Overall, I really, really enjoyed this. It had so many strong elements and it was incredibly well done and it was also a very unusual romance. If the author had done a few things differently with the romance then this would have definitely been a 5 star read but I still loved it.
Historical Authenticity
To my delight, the author does an amazing job portraying the early 1800s time period that the book takes place in. Much of the story has the MCs wandering around in rural parts of York and other parts of Northern England so we don't get to see much of society but all the historical details (clothing, houses, meals etc) felt on point. Best of all - the MCs behaved and spoke exactly the way you'd expect two men living in 1810 would. One of my favorite details was that they rarely use each other's first names throughout the story, even after they become a couple. During arguments, they even automatically refer to each other as 'sir' and all of that fit perfectly with the mannerisms that they would have spent their entire lives being exposed to. Some readers would find this off putting but I loved it because it showed that the author prioritized historical authenticity over modern romance tropes and by doing so, readers get to see how two men in this time period would become and remain a happy couple without randomly adopting modern behaviors.
Beautiful Prose
Another thing I adored was the gorgeous writing. The story has a dark tone, tackling themes of death, dark magic and fear and the whole thing takes place during cold winter with the MCs spending a lot of time in the bitter cold or in abandoned places where they huddle for warmth. This dreary, creepy atmosphere was beautifully brought across by the gorgeous prose, which also helped create the historical atmosphere that the author was going for. Here are some examples (in no particular order and no connection between):
Worldbuilding / Fantasy Elements
I don't know much about Fairy/Fae mythology so I don't know how much of the worldbuilding came directly from mythology, what was inspired by it and what the author created but this was incredible. The Fae in this story aren't the elven-like ethereal beings that you usually find in romances where they feature as MCs. In this story, they're a cross between Gollum from LOTR and the Night King from GoT. These Fae are incredibly dangerous, powerful and creepy. I won't spoil anything because the pacing of the many reveals throughout the story are part of this story's powerful impact but basically, Loxley discovers that he'd been cursed by the Fae when he was a child (the details are revealed throughout the story) and he has no clue how to break the curse or how to survive the Faes' multiple attempts to get him to come to Faerie. Thorncress has spent his life dealing with the Fae for reasons that are very personal and which I also won't spoil. He's Loxley's only hope but the reason this story is as intense as it is is because the characters realize very quickly that they have very, very little chance of defeating the Fae. People wear charms and they can attempt to burn Fae markings off themselves, but nobody has ever managed to kill a Fae, break a Fae curse or best the Fae at their evil plans. So the thing is - stories don't usually go this way. Normally, the heroes discover a way to defeat the big evil villains and then they do. But in this story, the author takes a very, very unusual approach, one which I loved but it was also very shocking. Don't click the following spoiler if you don't want to know the resolution of the story!
No detailed spoilers but believe me - I was NOT expecting the story to go in that direction and to have such an ending!
Throughout the story, the combination of the beautiful prose, the rich historical details, the atmospheric descriptions and the worldbuilding all combined to make a creepy, intense plot that gripped me from start to finish. Having the story take place during winter was a huge help in terms of creating the right atmosphere so I'm glad the author took every opportunity to make these powerful, scary creatures come across the way they needed to.
The Romance
The only aspect of the story that I wish was done differently was the romance. I adored both MCs and due to the premise (Loxley being hunted by the Fae and not having a clue how to stay alive), the MCs were constantly in hurt-comfort and rescue situations with each other. They saved each others lives multiple times, they took care of each other's injuries, they huddled together for warmth and there was plenty of platonic bed sharing (and some non-platonic bed sharing too!). I loved all of that and I fully believed that Loxley slowly fell in love with Thorncress along the way.
The only part of the romance that fell a bit flat for me was that we don't get Thorncress' POV and he's a very stoic, closed off individual so I never felt a strong connection with him. In addition, while Loxley's main priorities in the story start out being his own safety, he quickly grows to care for Thorncress and prioritizes the latter's well being too. The problem is that throughout the entire story, Thorncress' motivations and priorities lean more heavily towards people/situations who aren't Loxley, which isn't what I want in a romance.
The best example of this was near the end. DO NOT click on the spoiler if you don't want the biggest plot twist in the story spoiled.
Conclusion
Overall, I really, really enjoyed this. It had so many strong elements and it was incredibly well done and it was also a very unusual romance. If the author had done a few things differently with the romance then this would have definitely been a 5 star read but I still loved it.
January 6, 2025
This book was very different than I expected it would be when I picked it up and sadly not in a good way. I'm not the biggest plot-reader so the plot being different than I expected wasn't really that big of a deal with me (I think I conflated this book with Silver in the Wood in my head, which... fair, they are not that different actually). But the characters lacking serious depth was a dealbreaker and the prose and clumsy writing didn't help. (Those are obviously subjective to a degree). That said I was really hooked by the story and finished the book pretty rapidly. But without a doubt the strongest suit of the book were the vibes. The vibes were vibing! As a result of reading this book I made a hawthorn jelly... which is pretty impressive achievement. (On the book's part, I mean.)
One thing that also should be said is that this book is very much set in society where homosexuality is a capital offense and it's very present in the narrative. Not in a way that the characters would actually end up on trial, but the internalized homophobia was pretty brutal and overall, I do prefer books that don't draw too much attention to this, or just erase it (the way Alexis Hall does in most of his historicals).
There was also one plot-twist that I absolutely didn't see coming and it wasn't in a good way really. The ending of this book is fucking weird and... not satisfactory to me, but again your mileage may vary.
I did think that the vibes were pretty immaculate so I'm planning to read The Bayou by Powell, preferably in 2025.
Overall, this was kind of disappointing, but very readable and I did enjoy the hawthorn descriptions a lot. Probably could be improved a lot by great editor, though. Best read in October/November.
2,5 to 3⭐
BRed at WBtM: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
One thing that also should be said is that this book is very much set in society where homosexuality is a capital offense and it's very present in the narrative. Not in a way that the characters would actually end up on trial, but the internalized homophobia was pretty brutal and overall, I do prefer books that don't draw too much attention to this, or just erase it (the way Alexis Hall does in most of his historicals).
There was also one plot-twist that I absolutely didn't see coming and it wasn't in a good way really. The ending of this book is fucking weird and... not satisfactory to me, but again your mileage may vary.
I did think that the vibes were pretty immaculate so I'm planning to read The Bayou by Powell, preferably in 2025.
Overall, this was kind of disappointing, but very readable and I did enjoy the hawthorn descriptions a lot. Probably could be improved a lot by great editor, though. Best read in October/November.
2,5 to 3⭐
BRed at WBtM: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Read
May 31, 2021Very interesting. However, this novella is quite a bit outside of my reading preferences, as it’s at least as much a romance as a Fae/folklore fantasy. So I’m not going to star rate it (I don’t like to give low ratings to an author’s efforts just because I’ve chosen a read that doesn’t match my tastes, especially if the prose is good as it is here).
It’s set on the moors of northern England in the Regency period - around 1810, when Jane Austen was writing but it’s not based in her high society arena at all, more stormy, wild countryside. A Bronte feel, more than Austen, though I’ve only seen films based on Bronte sister novels.
The folklore part was interesting. The Fae/Fairie folk are more threatening, even alien, compared to recent folklore novels I’ve read recently. And the story ends in an interesting Fae related way too. Some interesting discussion on ‘changelings’, the genuinely held superstitious belief in past times that Fairie folk could take human babies and replace, in cuckoo style, with a weaker one of their own - made me speculate whether that was a good excuse in those times should a baby be found to not follow family resemblances!
But the novella is probably more committed to the romantic side of the story. Romance is not my thing (well, the fictional version anyway!), and I did find the two main lead characters (M-M in this case, though I’d say the same about M-F romance) to be stereotypical of the genre with one being rugged, tall, dark and reliable, the other being dependant and often in need of assistance.
So for the Romance readers amongst my friends I think you may enjoy this easy to read Fairie tale/gay romance combo, but not my cup of tea I’m afraid.
It’s set on the moors of northern England in the Regency period - around 1810, when Jane Austen was writing but it’s not based in her high society arena at all, more stormy, wild countryside. A Bronte feel, more than Austen, though I’ve only seen films based on Bronte sister novels.
The folklore part was interesting. The Fae/Fairie folk are more threatening, even alien, compared to recent folklore novels I’ve read recently. And the story ends in an interesting Fae related way too. Some interesting discussion on ‘changelings’, the genuinely held superstitious belief in past times that Fairie folk could take human babies and replace, in cuckoo style, with a weaker one of their own - made me speculate whether that was a good excuse in those times should a baby be found to not follow family resemblances!
But the novella is probably more committed to the romantic side of the story. Romance is not my thing (well, the fictional version anyway!), and I did find the two main lead characters (M-M in this case, though I’d say the same about M-F romance) to be stereotypical of the genre with one being rugged, tall, dark and reliable, the other being dependant and often in need of assistance.
So for the Romance readers amongst my friends I think you may enjoy this easy to read Fairie tale/gay romance combo, but not my cup of tea I’m afraid.
dnf
February 6, 2024dnf @ page 120
the atmosphere of the story was really immersive. it felt damp, gloomy, cold, ominous—an apt summation of the tone of the plot thus far.
this takes place in the 1800s, and the dialogue reflects that time period pretty well, however the writing outside the dialogue does not maintain the same verisimilitude most of the time imo. the quasi-historical and british writing does not read cohesively to me and kept taking me out of the story.
what made me dnf this was the romance being insta-love. the characters were nice and interesting enough; nothing special but nothing about them was off-putting either. however, loxley and thorncress jumping the gun with barely any prior relationship development to stand on did not seem very believable or well executed.
so all things considered, this was interesting enough to continue reading, but I have too many books on my tbr and don't care enough to spend my time reading the next 80 ish pages to finish this.
the atmosphere of the story was really immersive. it felt damp, gloomy, cold, ominous—an apt summation of the tone of the plot thus far.
this takes place in the 1800s, and the dialogue reflects that time period pretty well, however the writing outside the dialogue does not maintain the same verisimilitude most of the time imo. the quasi-historical and british writing does not read cohesively to me and kept taking me out of the story.
what made me dnf this was the romance being insta-love. the characters were nice and interesting enough; nothing special but nothing about them was off-putting either. however, loxley and thorncress jumping the gun with barely any prior relationship development to stand on did not seem very believable or well executed.
so all things considered, this was interesting enough to continue reading, but I have too many books on my tbr and don't care enough to spend my time reading the next 80 ish pages to finish this.
Read
November 17, 2025Make sure you have a blanket and a hot beverage ready before you pick up this book: the cold and desolation seep right out of its pages and into your bones. If you take the necessary precautions, though, this is the perfect comfort read for anybody with a fondness for fantasy, folk horror and romanticism.
October 19, 2021
3,5 stars. A sad and creepy tale for winter days.
Really liked it. Feels good to meet with the fair folk again - the real one, not the New Adult Sexy Faes that are, actually, barely faes at all - even if it was brief.
Felt like listening to a tale told by a mysterious being who's trading his story for something you don't remember, but agreed on giving away.
Really liked it. Feels good to meet with the fair folk again - the real one, not the New Adult Sexy Faes that are, actually, barely faes at all - even if it was brief.
Felt like listening to a tale told by a mysterious being who's trading his story for something you don't remember, but agreed on giving away.
April 4, 2024
Hmm. I loved this but not the whole ending segment and it really messed w my final opinion
3.75 stars
3.75 stars
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