What do you think?
Rate this book
The Fair Isle Trilogy #0.5
To Rule A Fae Throne
There are Fae far worse than me lurking in the woods...
I am Aspen, King of the Autumn Court. With me lies the great and terrible burden of hosting this century's Hundred Year Reaping. Two human girls will be sent to my palace. I'll hold not only their lives but also the fate of the Fair Isle in my hands.
I get to decide whether peace is maintained...or left to crumble beneath the tides of war.
Wouldn't you know, it's a bloody, rotting chore.
To Rule a Fae Throne is a short story prequel leading up to Book One in the Fair Isle Trilogy, To Carve a Fae Heart . Read the events brought King Aspen and Evelyn Fairfield together for the first time. Their meeting didn't just change Evelyn's life. It changed Aspen's too. See what it looked like through Aspen's eyes! This short story is available as a free download through Tessonja Odette's website.
I am Aspen, King of the Autumn Court. With me lies the great and terrible burden of hosting this century's Hundred Year Reaping. Two human girls will be sent to my palace. I'll hold not only their lives but also the fate of the Fair Isle in my hands.
I get to decide whether peace is maintained...or left to crumble beneath the tides of war.
Wouldn't you know, it's a bloody, rotting chore.
To Rule a Fae Throne is a short story prequel leading up to Book One in the Fair Isle Trilogy, To Carve a Fae Heart . Read the events brought King Aspen and Evelyn Fairfield together for the first time. Their meeting didn't just change Evelyn's life. It changed Aspen's too. See what it looked like through Aspen's eyes! This short story is available as a free download through Tessonja Odette's website.
33 pages
12 people are currently reading
4149 people want to read
About the author
Tessonja Odette
32 books3,613 followersTessonja Odette is a Seattle-based author of fantasy romance, epic romantasy, and fairytale retellings. Her different series range from cozy fae romcoms to dark and twisty fantasy. In her books you’ll find witty banter, sizzling romance, and breathtaking magic. When she isn’t writing, she’s watching anime, squeezing her pets, or dancing to the music only she can hear.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 97 reviews
March 8, 2024
Rating: 4/5 - This is a prequel short story to the Fair Isle Trilogy by Tessonja Odette. In this short story King Aspen prepares to retrieve the names of the two human women who will be The Chosen for "The 100 Year Reaping". He has a chance encounter with a woman named Evelyn setting the events of the first book in motion. It’s told from Aspen's POV.
Book Details:
Genres: Fantasy, Romance, Young Adult
Narration Type: 1st Person POV (Aspen)
Tropes: Arranged Marriage
Reading Age: 12+
Reading this prior to To Carve a Fae Heart did color my view of how some events in the first book played out. Also, I went into the first book already liking Aspen vs growing to like him as I might have had I not had his POV to start off this series.
Book Details:
Genres: Fantasy, Romance, Young Adult
Narration Type: 1st Person POV (Aspen)
Tropes: Arranged Marriage
Reading Age: 12+
Reading this prior to To Carve a Fae Heart did color my view of how some events in the first book played out. Also, I went into the first book already liking Aspen vs growing to like him as I might have had I not had his POV to start off this series.
August 16, 2023
This is a very short story that can be downloaded here.
It shows us how To Carve a Fae Heart began in Aspen's POV. We follow him as he sets out to get the names of the Chosen girls and ends up meeting Evie in the wood on his way back.
Honestly, it does not give us any more information on the characters, or the story, but it was nice to see what was happening in Aspen's head at that time.
I liked the (few) interactions between Foxglove and Aspen. We don't see them interact much in the trilogy outside of official affairs so their banter made me smile.
Follow me on Instagram 🙂
It shows us how To Carve a Fae Heart began in Aspen's POV. We follow him as he sets out to get the names of the Chosen girls and ends up meeting Evie in the wood on his way back.
Honestly, it does not give us any more information on the characters, or the story, but it was nice to see what was happening in Aspen's head at that time.
“Oh, come now, Your Majesty,” Foxglove says, hands fluttering dismissively. “I can’t imagine a human girl in Eisleigh not sighing at the thought of bedding you.”
My lips pull into a smirk. “Your flattery won’t get you between my sheets, Foxglove.”
He feigns a scoff. “Wouldn’t it be rude if I didn’t at least try?”
I liked the (few) interactions between Foxglove and Aspen. We don't see them interact much in the trilogy outside of official affairs so their banter made me smile.
Follow me on Instagram 🙂
August 28, 2021
"For I am Aspen, King of the Autumn Court, despised by humans, hated by seelie and unseelie fae alike. I have the great honor and burden of hosting the Chosen of this century’s Reaping. I get to decide whether we maintain peace or let it crumble beneath the tides of war.
And it’s a bloody, rotting chore."
A delightful short story from Aspen’s point of view set right before the events from To Carve a Fae Heart. In four chapters, we get to see through Aspen’s eyes the preparations for the Reaping and his first meeting with Evelyn.
"Foxglove takes a step toward my desk, seeming less flustered now that I’m seated. “At least you’ll be getting a new mate out of all this, Your Majesty. A wife, as the humans call it. Perhaps she’ll be a vixen between the sheets.” He raises his brows suggestively.
“If I wanted a mate, I’d have one already,” I mutter. “Besides, I have enough vixens trying to climb between my sheets as it is. Getting them out is the problem.”
I can't help but admire the fact that, even with only four chapters, the story manages to be funny and utterly representative for the trilogy. And I loved to see the dynamic between Foxglove and Aspen.
“Your flattery won’t get you between my sheets, Foxglove.”
He feigns a scoff. “Wouldn’t it be rude if I didn’t at least try?”
I mean, how could I have missed that???
The Fair Isle Trilogy
0.5 To Rule A Fae Throne - 3.75 ⭐
1 To Carve a Fae Heart - 4.75 ⭐
2 To Wear a Fae Crown - 4.75 ⭐
2.5 To Kill a Fae King - 3.5 ⭐
3 To Spark a Fae War - 4.5 ⭐
And it’s a bloody, rotting chore."
A delightful short story from Aspen’s point of view set right before the events from To Carve a Fae Heart. In four chapters, we get to see through Aspen’s eyes the preparations for the Reaping and his first meeting with Evelyn.
"Foxglove takes a step toward my desk, seeming less flustered now that I’m seated. “At least you’ll be getting a new mate out of all this, Your Majesty. A wife, as the humans call it. Perhaps she’ll be a vixen between the sheets.” He raises his brows suggestively.
“If I wanted a mate, I’d have one already,” I mutter. “Besides, I have enough vixens trying to climb between my sheets as it is. Getting them out is the problem.”
I can't help but admire the fact that, even with only four chapters, the story manages to be funny and utterly representative for the trilogy. And I loved to see the dynamic between Foxglove and Aspen.
“Your flattery won’t get you between my sheets, Foxglove.”
He feigns a scoff. “Wouldn’t it be rude if I didn’t at least try?”
I mean, how could I have missed that???
The Fair Isle Trilogy
0.5 To Rule A Fae Throne - 3.75 ⭐
1 To Carve a Fae Heart - 4.75 ⭐
2 To Wear a Fae Crown - 4.75 ⭐
2.5 To Kill a Fae King - 3.5 ⭐
3 To Spark a Fae War - 4.5 ⭐
June 15, 2024
To Rule a Fae Throne is a short, 30 page prequel story set in the lead up to the first book in the Fair Isle Trilogy. It is told from Aspen's perspective, the Fae King of the Autumn Court, just before he takes a human bride.
I just finished reading a standalone book set in the Fair Isle Trilogy world which really whet my appetite to read the main series. So I'm coming into this pretty much blind and decided to go in chronological order, which meant starting with this short prequel. I feel like the 30 pages did a really good job at introducing Aspen's character, his relationship with his brother and his motivations. So it was short but very effective, because I'm now very ready to read the main trilogy!
I just finished reading a standalone book set in the Fair Isle Trilogy world which really whet my appetite to read the main series. So I'm coming into this pretty much blind and decided to go in chronological order, which meant starting with this short prequel. I feel like the 30 pages did a really good job at introducing Aspen's character, his relationship with his brother and his motivations. So it was short but very effective, because I'm now very ready to read the main trilogy!
April 15, 2025
Un pequeño prólogo. Nada del otro mundo. Ha estado bien.
September 8, 2020
This short story from King Aspen's point of view, is set right before and during the beginning of To Carve a Fae Heart.
It works well as a complement to the first book in the trilogy, as it allows a look into Aspen's headspace and his thoughts and feelings about people around him, Autumn's court, fae politics and even the treaty.
It works well as a complement to the first book in the trilogy, as it allows a look into Aspen's headspace and his thoughts and feelings about people around him, Autumn's court, fae politics and even the treaty.
April 24, 2023
Nice little short story from Aspens perspective.
Helps understand his feelings before the reaping and his difficult relationship with Cobalt, from having to raise him/ be his brother/ becoming a king.
Cute to see his banter with Foxglove and Lorelai, as well as retelling his first encounter with Evelyn.
Helps understand his feelings before the reaping and his difficult relationship with Cobalt, from having to raise him/ be his brother/ becoming a king.
Cute to see his banter with Foxglove and Lorelai, as well as retelling his first encounter with Evelyn.
August 27, 2022
This short novella was done really well. The brief world-building, introduction of different species and characters, and plot set-up really drummed up my interest for The Fair Isle Trilogy. An intriguing and well-written prequel to the series.
July 8, 2024
Only 3⭐ just because I already knew some of this because of To Carve A Fae Heart that I read before this one (I didn't know that there was a short story/prequel to TCAFH) if I had read this one first I would probably be rushing to keep reading this trilogy 🥹
January 16, 2024
I’ve read this in school bc I was bored in class and guess what? This book was also boring but more interesting than class so🤷🏽♀️
June 27, 2021
I loved seeing things from Aspen's pov, how he really feels about humans and the Reaping. Seeing his first meeting with Evelyn from his pov was eye opening and makes me think I'm right about a theory I have about the two.
To Rule A Fae Throne was a delightful look into Aspen's mind and I loved it every second of it.
To Rule A Fae Throne was a delightful look into Aspen's mind and I loved it every second of it.
June 25, 2022
Stopped after three pages at the confirmation of two homosexual characters.
May 27, 2024
• a short story to kick this series off •
| fantasy romance | romantasy | singular POV | arranged marriage | fated encounter | fae | magic |
I found the beginning of this story very intriguing. I am very much looking forward to reading this story.
I anticipate the characters to be really interesting and their motives even more so. Really looking forward to this series as I know a later series by this author takes place in the same realm/world. I know this particular series is more YA/closed door. Thats not usually my cup of tea, but as long as the plot and story is really strong I think I can get over it knowing the next series will be more romance/adult/fantasy.
Wish me luck & prosperous reading
Happy Reading, Friends x
| fantasy romance | romantasy | singular POV | arranged marriage | fated encounter | fae | magic |
I found the beginning of this story very intriguing. I am very much looking forward to reading this story.
I anticipate the characters to be really interesting and their motives even more so. Really looking forward to this series as I know a later series by this author takes place in the same realm/world. I know this particular series is more YA/closed door. Thats not usually my cup of tea, but as long as the plot and story is really strong I think I can get over it knowing the next series will be more romance/adult/fantasy.
Wish me luck & prosperous reading
Happy Reading, Friends x
December 27, 2024
amo o aspen.
pontos interessantes, tendo em mente que eu li fae flings and corset strings e entangled with fae antes:
- importância da divisão da coroa em seelie e unseelie
- como que ele é rei da autumn se ele não é um feerico de fogo? se a mãe dele é a rainha da sea court, para ele ser rei da autumn, o pai dele teria que ter sido o rei da autumn, mas ele disse que o pai dele era um feerico da terra. nao entendi.
- tendo isso em mente, como que o irmão dele, que é só por parte de mãe, seria elegível a coroa da autumun court?
- como o aspen nasceu antes do tratado, ele com 200 anos ainda era adolescente. fiquei surpresa.
- foxglove!!!! amelie!!!!! amo esses divos
pontos interessantes, tendo em mente que eu li fae flings and corset strings e entangled with fae antes:
- importância da divisão da coroa em seelie e unseelie
- como que ele é rei da autumn se ele não é um feerico de fogo? se a mãe dele é a rainha da sea court, para ele ser rei da autumn, o pai dele teria que ter sido o rei da autumn, mas ele disse que o pai dele era um feerico da terra. nao entendi.
- tendo isso em mente, como que o irmão dele, que é só por parte de mãe, seria elegível a coroa da autumun court?
- como o aspen nasceu antes do tratado, ele com 200 anos ainda era adolescente. fiquei surpresa.
- foxglove!!!! amelie!!!!! amo esses divos
December 29, 2024
An intriguing prelude to the main trilogy. I’m generally not interested in fae, but this short story was well structured and fairly descriptive, providing decent imagery and explanation of the setting. I appreciate that the world (at least the fae half) appears to be queer-normative, even if the MC is straight as hell. I can see myself giving the rest of the series a fair shot.
December 1, 2023
Great intro, must find book 1!
January 4, 2026
Short introduction to the Fair Isle series. Love Tessonja's writing 😁
July 18, 2023
My only disappointment was that it wasn’t longer. I SO would have loved to read a full length book from Aspens POV.
March 16, 2025
✧*̥˚ 4 Stars *̥˚✧
A short, quick novella read that gives an Aspen perspective before the Fair Isle Trilogy 🙃 I loved it!
A short, quick novella read that gives an Aspen perspective before the Fair Isle Trilogy 🙃 I loved it!
June 30, 2023
A nice addition to the story/world building. Love getting to know the love interest even more since he’s so stoic in book 1 and we hardly get to see his real feelings about the arrangement.
September 9, 2020
King Aspen has made his share of mistakes, but he doesn't seem to he a villain. Still, between his mother, his brother, and his impending marriage to a human stranger, who knows what it would take to turn him. In a surprising turn of events, Aspens meets a human who disdains him and who fascinates him. Too bad she's not his betrothed. But...why is he even thinking that?
This prequel to Tessonja's fae series lays out an intriguing story, setting the stage for what promises to be great fun in the rest of the series. I received a free ARC of the novella by the author and have reviewed it willingly.
This prequel to Tessonja's fae series lays out an intriguing story, setting the stage for what promises to be great fun in the rest of the series. I received a free ARC of the novella by the author and have reviewed it willingly.
September 13, 2020
I received a free copy of this novella in the anthology Realms of Fae and Shadows in exchange for an honest review.
This was my first taste of a book from this author, and though it was brief, it was enjoyable. The banter between the king and his court had me audibly giggling at times, and I'd be curious to see if that feel continues onto book one. We were given a glimpse at the strife between courts, even between family, but very little to go on there except to explain some of the discomfort seen in their customs. Either, this appeared to be a good entry into yet anothrt appealing fae series.
This was my first taste of a book from this author, and though it was brief, it was enjoyable. The banter between the king and his court had me audibly giggling at times, and I'd be curious to see if that feel continues onto book one. We were given a glimpse at the strife between courts, even between family, but very little to go on there except to explain some of the discomfort seen in their customs. Either, this appeared to be a good entry into yet anothrt appealing fae series.
September 25, 2020
What a fantastic introduction to this new Fae world! 1st person pov is not often my preferred choice, but Aspen, the Autumn King is an excellent character and to be honest I could have stayed in his head for longer. His voice seamlessly pulls you through each page. He's intriguing, regal, intense and angsty but also shows a hint of a playful side when he meets his potential bride. The world-building and back story adds to the narrative in a natural way without slowing the pace. This is a great lead in to the next book which I will definitely be reading.
June 27, 2020
This is a wonderful and enticing prequel to the Fair Isle Trilogy by Tessonja Odette. It gives a brief introduction to the land of Faerwyvae and to some of the main characters that appear in the first book of the main trilogy. I read To Carve a Fae Heart before I read the prequel and I have to say that after reading this, I want to reread book 1! I loved getting to see the first meeting of King Aspen and Evelyn from his eyes this time! This is a quick and fun read and I definitely recommend it as well as the main series!
June 15, 2023
3.75/5 ⭐️
Antes no me gustaba leer varios povs en una historia, pero cuando son personajes que me caen bien y que quiero mucho se vuelve una joya.
Gracias mi Tessonja por darme más contenido de mis chiquitos Rey Aspen y Evelyn. Los quiero mucho, gracias por hacer de mi primera experiencia leyendo “fae” súper fácil de leer y a mi gusto, entretenida.
Cuando me llegó el correo de que estaba disponible la historia corta, tampoco me imaginé que iban a ser 33 paginillas xd, pero lo aprecio, fue un buen escape jeje.
Antes no me gustaba leer varios povs en una historia, pero cuando son personajes que me caen bien y que quiero mucho se vuelve una joya.
Gracias mi Tessonja por darme más contenido de mis chiquitos Rey Aspen y Evelyn. Los quiero mucho, gracias por hacer de mi primera experiencia leyendo “fae” súper fácil de leer y a mi gusto, entretenida.
Cuando me llegó el correo de que estaba disponible la historia corta, tampoco me imaginé que iban a ser 33 paginillas xd, pero lo aprecio, fue un buen escape jeje.
June 2, 2024
A curious little Missing Scene type of prequel rather than a full story. Nice writing if you like your fae to have a touch of modern snark without being full of Americanisms. While I can't say it grabbed me as a teaser prequel without having knowledge of the series itself, it can be read as a stand-alone and the writing is good/well edited enough to convince me that this is an indie series worth taking a look at.
-Read as part of the Realms of Fae and Shadow anthology-
-Read as part of the Realms of Fae and Shadow anthology-
August 7, 2021
A wonderful and fascinating story from the Fair Isle Trilogy, The peace between the Fae and Humanity has been intact for a thousand years after the ancient wars, but what keeps the peace is an arrangement, every hundred years there is a reaping, when two girls marry fae royalty, but when the Fae King Aspen meets a human girl Evelyn at the wall between worlds, everything will change, I absolutely love Fae stories, especially dark ones, highly recommend....😁
May 27, 2020
Absolutely enjoyable and sheer fun!! I loved seeing these moments that set the stage for To Carve a Fae Heart! Aspen really is so intense and there is just something so alluring about him. I only wish that this was longer, but other than that, it was perfect!!! I love this author!! This series will sweep you away!! It's just the fae series with court intrigue that you've been dreaming of!!!
June 3, 2022
Okay this was just a lil prequel short story but IM EXCITED TO READ THE TRILOGY NOW.
Arranged marriage trope, human girl forced into fae world, seelie and unseelie fae across different courts .. EVERYTHING I LOVE IN A FANTASY ROMANCE. I can taste the enemies to lovers coming in the main series and i am SO READY.
Arranged marriage trope, human girl forced into fae world, seelie and unseelie fae across different courts .. EVERYTHING I LOVE IN A FANTASY ROMANCE. I can taste the enemies to lovers coming in the main series and i am SO READY.
June 25, 2020
Why did I not know about this? Read the first book and about to jump into her other trilogy and I find a book from Aspen’s POV?!? How did I even miss this?
Cute story that gives insight into Aspen’s life before the Reaping, and how they met for the first time. Now I want to reread book 1
Cute story that gives insight into Aspen’s life before the Reaping, and how they met for the first time. Now I want to reread book 1
Displaying 1 - 30 of 97 reviews