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Élan: Son of Song
Élan Avery knew he was different.
Born in the peaceful faerie-fields in sunshine and farmland, his parents were strangely protective of him. Comforted by the songs and story of his kin, Élan’s magick and music continues to unfold, casting dark shadow of fate over his childhood.
Everything changes when he is visited by his famous grandfather, borne of legend in magick and mystery.
Lured by his faeling curiosity, he is tricked into fae slavery, thrust far south into the dark world of the vampire court. Faced by new creatures of different magick and sensations, Élan is surrounded by predators.
To survive, he is to uncover the lies of his past, in order to save his future.
Born in the peaceful faerie-fields in sunshine and farmland, his parents were strangely protective of him. Comforted by the songs and story of his kin, Élan’s magick and music continues to unfold, casting dark shadow of fate over his childhood.
Everything changes when he is visited by his famous grandfather, borne of legend in magick and mystery.
Lured by his faeling curiosity, he is tricked into fae slavery, thrust far south into the dark world of the vampire court. Faced by new creatures of different magick and sensations, Élan is surrounded by predators.
To survive, he is to uncover the lies of his past, in order to save his future.
- GenresFantasy
459 pages, Hardcover
Published August 20, 2021
44 people want to read
About the author
Alex Wolf
7 books55 followersAlex is a creator based in the centre of England who enjoys writing fantasy novels. She also illustrates fantasy-style portraits and draws commissioned pet portraits. Writing and drawing have always been her passion since she was five years old.
When she is not creating, she is either working her day job or reading various genres such as romance, true crime and dark fantasy.
When she is not creating, she is either working her day job or reading various genres such as romance, true crime and dark fantasy.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
September 6, 2021
Alex Wolf pens a beautiful, eerie world, blending fairies and vampires in the same magical world, and adding rock music to the mix (I love the band to whom this novel is dedicated, and adored imagining the music throughout). I've never read anything like this before in my fantasy ventures, and I welcomed the unique opportunity to dive into an uncharted world.
I should preface by stating that Dark Fantasy isn't my usual cup of tea, so some of the elements within Elan were a tad jarring for me. Not to say that's a bad thing. Fans of this particular sub-genre are in for a treat, especially those who adore vampires. Elan is an innocent youth caught in a complex and horrible situation through his family ties, and his circumstances are heartbreaking. No spoilers here, so I won't say more on that.
The writing style is compelling. Though a few scenes felt a bit vague, I kept up with the action well enough. The pacing slows now and then, but that's not an issue for me. I love character-driven narratives. In all, a satisfying and imaginative debut novel!
I should preface by stating that Dark Fantasy isn't my usual cup of tea, so some of the elements within Elan were a tad jarring for me. Not to say that's a bad thing. Fans of this particular sub-genre are in for a treat, especially those who adore vampires. Elan is an innocent youth caught in a complex and horrible situation through his family ties, and his circumstances are heartbreaking. No spoilers here, so I won't say more on that.
The writing style is compelling. Though a few scenes felt a bit vague, I kept up with the action well enough. The pacing slows now and then, but that's not an issue for me. I love character-driven narratives. In all, a satisfying and imaginative debut novel!
July 24, 2021
Elan: Son of Song by Alex Wolf
5/5
When a world is created with both vampires, faeries, and an abundance of fantasy creatures, you have a recipe for an epic high fantasy book. Elan is the first book in the series and Wolf’s writing promises more excellent stories in the future.
Elan is a faerie with magick linked to nature and the faerie lands around him. He is young, innocent, musical, and full of wonder. He is easily tricked by his grandfather into fae slavery to a vampire named Merlough. Elan’s life changes drastically as he lives with Merlough and is constantly under duress and surrounded by predators.
This dark fantasy is intensely intriguing, the world-building is phenomenal, and the creativity that went into this novel is beyond magical. I found the mix of cultures from each supernatural creature and district blend together in a way that is progressive in some areas and oppressive in others.
I recommend Elan to anyone who loves supernatural fantasy, dark story elements, and the ever-present blood lust of vampires. I believe Alex wolf is an author on the rise and one to watch. She puts everything into her writing and it is going to take her amazing places.
5/5
When a world is created with both vampires, faeries, and an abundance of fantasy creatures, you have a recipe for an epic high fantasy book. Elan is the first book in the series and Wolf’s writing promises more excellent stories in the future.
Elan is a faerie with magick linked to nature and the faerie lands around him. He is young, innocent, musical, and full of wonder. He is easily tricked by his grandfather into fae slavery to a vampire named Merlough. Elan’s life changes drastically as he lives with Merlough and is constantly under duress and surrounded by predators.
This dark fantasy is intensely intriguing, the world-building is phenomenal, and the creativity that went into this novel is beyond magical. I found the mix of cultures from each supernatural creature and district blend together in a way that is progressive in some areas and oppressive in others.
I recommend Elan to anyone who loves supernatural fantasy, dark story elements, and the ever-present blood lust of vampires. I believe Alex wolf is an author on the rise and one to watch. She puts everything into her writing and it is going to take her amazing places.
August 16, 2021
I was lucky enough to be given this ARC by the author in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you Alex, for allowing me to ARC read this gem for you, it was truly a pleasure. This is Alex's debut fantasy, and Elan: Son of Song did not disappoint. I went in not knowing what to expect, but by about 30% I was hooked, and compelled to keep reading. Alex has created a new, magical world, mixing vampire and fae, and this tale of a boy, called Elan, a boy gifted with magic who is sold into blood slavery by his grandfather. At times it was hard to read, tear-jerking and tragic, but I absolutely had to know what happened to him. The characters Alex has created are memorable, realistic and I could see them in my mind.
I'm not going to spoil this, buy it and read it! I cannot wait for the next book!
Thank you Alex, for allowing me to ARC read this gem for you, it was truly a pleasure. This is Alex's debut fantasy, and Elan: Son of Song did not disappoint. I went in not knowing what to expect, but by about 30% I was hooked, and compelled to keep reading. Alex has created a new, magical world, mixing vampire and fae, and this tale of a boy, called Elan, a boy gifted with magic who is sold into blood slavery by his grandfather. At times it was hard to read, tear-jerking and tragic, but I absolutely had to know what happened to him. The characters Alex has created are memorable, realistic and I could see them in my mind.
I'm not going to spoil this, buy it and read it! I cannot wait for the next book!
September 1, 2021
A fairytale about a young faeling who became the magick, singer in a band of vampires... his journey from being an innocent country boy taken to the capital of faeland by his grandfather to learn the magick of music... to his disillusionment... and his resilience...
...𝗺𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗴𝗶𝗰𝗸 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗮 𝗺𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘆, 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗺𝘆 𝗺𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗹𝘆 𝗮𝘃𝗼𝗶𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝘂𝗯𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁, 𝗜 𝘀𝗼𝗼𝗻 𝗳𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱 𝗺𝘆 𝗻𝗲𝘄 𝗽𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻—𝗺𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗰.
The author created a beautiful world, filled with magical beings... lovely fae, and dark vampires... and more...
This was a fast enchanting read for me... And I would love to get my hands on Book 2 of the series.
...𝗺𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗴𝗶𝗰𝗸 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗮 𝗺𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘆, 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗺𝘆 𝗺𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗹𝘆 𝗮𝘃𝗼𝗶𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝘂𝗯𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁, 𝗜 𝘀𝗼𝗼𝗻 𝗳𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱 𝗺𝘆 𝗻𝗲𝘄 𝗽𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻—𝗺𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗰.
The author created a beautiful world, filled with magical beings... lovely fae, and dark vampires... and more...
This was a fast enchanting read for me... And I would love to get my hands on Book 2 of the series.
August 6, 2021
Alex weaves an intriguing tale of magick, abuse, betrayal, and survival in Élan.
The settings are breathtaking, and I could see myself living in Brimhaven.
The characters are realistic, flawed, and believable.
Élan is innocent, a light in the darkness, always striving to do what's right.
Diafol is an intriguing villain, and I'm looking forward to learning more about him. His heritage, his history, and what makes him so heartless.
Rolo was my least favorite because he reminds me of too many people I've met. He has no room for forgiveness or understanding and seems to blame the wrong people for the problems in his life.
I'm looking forward to seeing what happens next for these characters.
The settings are breathtaking, and I could see myself living in Brimhaven.
The characters are realistic, flawed, and believable.
Élan is innocent, a light in the darkness, always striving to do what's right.
Diafol is an intriguing villain, and I'm looking forward to learning more about him. His heritage, his history, and what makes him so heartless.
Rolo was my least favorite because he reminds me of too many people I've met. He has no room for forgiveness or understanding and seems to blame the wrong people for the problems in his life.
I'm looking forward to seeing what happens next for these characters.
December 2, 2021
Told in first person, the wonder of a rural childhood quickly transitions into the fever-dreams and misery of a life of servitude and unfulfilled dreams.
In the name of honesty, I should say that I struggled a tiny bit with the perspective. However, I was able to overcome my issues and appreciate the value of first-person perspective to the character and plot development.
This is the story of a fae boy trapped with an abusive vampire. Élan yearns to sing for the masses, but first he must survive long enough to get the opportunity.
The end of this tale is actually a beginning, and I truly enjoyed the name dropping and intrigue. I look forward to any future adventures of Élan and his new acquaintance.
In the name of honesty, I should say that I struggled a tiny bit with the perspective. However, I was able to overcome my issues and appreciate the value of first-person perspective to the character and plot development.
This is the story of a fae boy trapped with an abusive vampire. Élan yearns to sing for the masses, but first he must survive long enough to get the opportunity.
The end of this tale is actually a beginning, and I truly enjoyed the name dropping and intrigue. I look forward to any future adventures of Élan and his new acquaintance.
February 11, 2022
Élan is a story different from other fantasy novels. It is written in a way that makes you feel like you are reading an old fairy tale. Right from the first page I was intrigued. What started as a cute moment between mother and son quickly turned into a dark story. Élan’s journey from childhood to adulthood is one full of magick, exploration, struggle and finding oneself. Élan quickly learns that the world isn’t the cheery place he has always thought, and that people are now always how them seem. This story has great world building with a variety of mystical folk. There is romance, heartbreak and hope.
I strongly recommend this book and I can’t wait to see where this series goes!
I strongly recommend this book and I can’t wait to see where this series goes!
October 3, 2021
I read this book after meeting the lovely author in Nottingham at a convention. I truly enjoyed the book and got super attached. I kept messaging the author in awe and excitement of the book.
I love that it's very LGBTQ friendly and the LGBT couple in it are so adorable I even came up with my own ship names. Aelan (Ay-len) or Alaian (A-lie-an).
The book kept me guessing and it was hard to put down because I really wanted to find out what the one of the characters did to make the main character have a such a life. It was exciting and extraordinary and I reccomend it to anyone that loves fantasy novels and vampires. Such an incredible read!!
I love that it's very LGBTQ friendly and the LGBT couple in it are so adorable I even came up with my own ship names. Aelan (Ay-len) or Alaian (A-lie-an).
The book kept me guessing and it was hard to put down because I really wanted to find out what the one of the characters did to make the main character have a such a life. It was exciting and extraordinary and I reccomend it to anyone that loves fantasy novels and vampires. Such an incredible read!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 2, 2024
I'm not shy to admit that I had a difficult time really getting into this story. I kept wondering where it was going. But, I'm very glad that I didn't give up on it. Elan is a very different type of character than we are used to seeing and that's a good thing. His naivety and innocence are what helped him to survive and are part of the reason that this book has an extremely slow build. But, he's a sweet and lovable character too. I'm looking forward to learning more about this world and it's characters.
It's the first book in a series, so it does leave one with questions needing to be answered. All in all, of you enjoy epic fantasy, this read is for you.
It's the first book in a series, so it does leave one with questions needing to be answered. All in all, of you enjoy epic fantasy, this read is for you.
dnf
January 12, 2024One of the prettiest covers I’ve ever seen.
dnf 20%
I received this as an ARC and sadly I didn’t get to the point of finishing it.(I loved the prologue but the I couldn’t get into the story. Maybe it was boring, maybe I wasn’t feeling it.)
dnf 20%
I received this as an ARC and sadly I didn’t get to the point of finishing it.(I loved the prologue but the I couldn’t get into the story. Maybe it was boring, maybe I wasn’t feeling it.)
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews