Fae of the West

Court of Crown and Compass #2

by E. Hall

Four crowns to take. One curse to break.

By night, Val hunts demons. By day, she conceals her fae wings and magic, spying on the king disguised as one of his guards in training. When she finds herself on the wrong side of the prison bars in the castle. To make matters worse, she’s forced into an arena fight to the death. But she won’t back down if only to spite the prince who she almost hates more than the king.

Callen has had enough of the king’s glamoured world and the lie he’s been living. The crown doesn’t truly belong to the monarch, but he doesn’t want it either. When he’s forced into a battle with the fiercest and most beautiful fae that he pretends doesn’t exist, he can’t back out. However, he can’t let her win either. The only solution is to reveal his secret.

When a boatful of strangers shows up in the Westland’s harbor, they’re heralded with a royal welcome. But when one of them claims to be the rightful ruler and another says that she’s Val’s sister, it’s not clear who is deceiving who, but it’s up to Callen to reveal the truth... and if he doesn’t, Val will.

With a grim mage on their tail and an army that’s soon to march on the realm, Val has to get answers from her grandmother and Callen from his aunt. But in order to succeed, they have to put aside their mutual hatred and work together. Can these enemies call a truce for peace...and maybe something more?

This is book 2 of 4 in the Court of Crown and Compass series. It’s romantic fantasy perfect for fans of The Cruel Prince, from the Folk of the Air series, by Holly Black as well as K.F. Breene’s Demon Days, Vampire Nights world and is chock full of mystery, danger, and sizzling kisses.

288 pages, Paperback

Published April 22, 2020

Reviews

[Debbie Eyre]

This is a great second book! If you like a good paranormal fantasy romance then this is the series for you! With a great storyline and some fab characters and a whole host of supernatural beings, I am eager to read the next book!

[Kierstin]

Reviewers Note: I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

I admit I was a bit sadden by the fact that the second book (and the rest of the series, I presume) would not be narrated by Kiki and Soren, especially as I grew attached to them during the first book. However, these two beloved characters do continue to be a major part of the plot. So, don't get discouraged from continuing!

Our new narrators, Val and Callen, will be sure to capture your heart just as easily as Kiki and Soren. As expected based off the world created in Fae of the North, the book follows their journey to defeat the second false king. The prophecy outlined in book one, therefore, is a major drive, and it appears it will continue to be throughout the rest of the saga; author E. Hall keeps the overall story arc on track without creating loose ends or potential plot holes.

I still really enjoy the author's writing style and appreciate that the story is fast-paced. Indeed, just like the first book, there were a couple of points that felt hard to follow because of this aspect. Nonetheless, this writing characteristic can be chalked up to the rules and workings of the fae, and it consequently feels authentic.

I am looking forward to reading books three and four in this series, and seeing how the characters we have come to love--and the new ones that will be introduced--fight to save their realm. A reminder to readers before jumping into the next book: There are short stories available online that bridge one book into the next.

[Shannon]

At first I thought it would be a bit confusing, given that each book in this series follows a different sister in a different kingdom, but it really wasn't! If you loved Kiki and Soren in the first adventure, you will get to see them again, AND fall in love with Val and Callen (the wickedly handsome prince) too! Follow along as they encounter all kinds of familiar (vampires and werewolves) and new (nidhoggs, eel eaters ) fae in the Borea realm, and fight to save the western kingdom from another false king. You don't have to have read the first book in the series to follow along, but I recommend it because they are both fun and entertaining reads, with enough romance to make you swoon. Note: I received an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

[Shayay]

Loving this series so far! Unique elements make for a really entertaining story! The premise and characters are interesting and fun! A cool magical adventure! Excited to see where the story goes. Val is a kick butt heroine! She’s an outcast because she can see the magical glamour used to create a facade of decadence for the kingdom she lives in. The false king is fooling the majority of the people, and has some majorly nefarious things in mind. Val is captured and sent to the blood sport ring, but she finds some help with some surprising allies. Loved when Kiki and Soren from the first book come into the story. They are awesome!! Callen’s story is wonderful too! He’s great! The romance is so sweet! It’s a thin line between love and hate. Enjoyed this whole thing!!

[Franki]

The adventure continues, sweeping you in within the first paragraph! In book 2 in the Court of Crown and Compass series, everything appears bright and golden in Hesperia. The problem is that you can’t trust your eyes.
Val is desperate for freedom once she recognizes the unseen, the people struggling in poverty and cruel neglect.
The wickedly handsome prince, Callen has a few unseen secrets of his own.
In a world of trickery, deceit, and unseelie magic, can hope still prevail?
A beautiful, edge of your seat adventure that might just be better than the first story!
I received an ARC copy of this book and am leaving a voluntary review.

[Ruby]

I was given this book for free as an ARC to give my honest opinion. I enjoyed this second book of the series and am looking forward to the next two. This books main character Val was raised by her unloving grandmother, therefore leaving Val to keep her guard up. Callen, the prince/love interest was my favorite main character in this book. He was sweet, funny, strong and smart. The battle they took on together with my favorites Kiki and Soren from the first book were exciting. This is an engaging series and I am definitely a fan, so keep them coming E. Hall :)

[Veronica Prowant]

Val is a tough gal and Callen is everything you want to hate and more. Together, whether they want to admit it or not, they'll make a fantastic team. Val has found her sister. They are out to fix the problems of the West. Turns out it's all connected to those from the North. The team gets bigger, the crazy gets crazier, the secrets are out, and the plot has thickened. Two more sister and a crazed Vamp to go.

Fantastic build to an already amazing story. I love the continued twists and turns, and we'll as the character and world development. Just amazing!

[Jennifer Mullins]

I really enjoyed this book! It’s the second installment of this series and introduces us to myriad of other characters. Characters from the first book appear as well as we continue the story and solve the riddle. I can’t wait to meet the third sister in the next book!

Thank you to the author for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Jennifer Lil'n Dunski]

Was not I was expecting, and I loved it! The adventure continues on, as we hit the westlands. Val and Callen are marvelous characters, then drop in Kiki and Soren....and you have a spectacular group of characters, thrilling world building and a unique storyline and plot!
Action, magic and a bit of romance. Can't wait for the next book!

[Michaela (Reading in the Heartland)]

This was a good second installment in this fantasy sisters saga. Fae and shifters, demons and more. This book tours a fantastical realm where much evil and deception abounds. I will continue this series.

[Christina]

Super short review but I can't decide if I like Fae of the West better than the previous book. All I do know is that I'm looking forward to seeing where the story goes next.

[Mario]

Great read. I enjoyed this.