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Folk #1
Mortal Skin
I first saw the Folk when I was a little boy. When they started appearing in my garden, with their unnatural, cruel beauty and honeyed words and veiled taunts. I grew up with big green eyes watching me from the forest. Whispers from the trees. Shimmering skin darting between the bushes. Black creatures always lurking in the shadows.
While they were here, I thought nothing of them. It wasn’t until they were gone that I realise it wasn’t… normal.
But it isn’t until I’m twenty-one, when my life is in ruins, that they come back to take me away.
They say I’m not fully mortal. They say I should be among them. The Unseelie Ruler wants me on her land for reasons no one will explain to me, but it’s her aloof, painfully beautiful son who captures my attention and refuses to let go.
The cold, black-eyed assassin prince who strikes fear into the hearts of all Folk. Who I’ve been warned about, repeatedly.
Who watches me always.
I don’t trust the Folk, so I ignore their fearful advice to stay away from him. I ignore all of them except him, despite everything telling me that he can’t be trusted—that he’s just as bad as the rest of them, that he’s playing games with me, the clueless mortal held here against his will.
But I want him.
Mortal Skin is the first in a mm fae romance trilogy about a dark fae assassin prince and a mortal who is thrown into the cruel world of the Folk.
Warning: This m/m love story contains explicit sexual content and is not suitable for young readers. It also contains depictions of violence and deals with the death of a close family member. This trilogy will follow the same couple who get their HEA eventually, but book one ends on a cliffhanger.
While they were here, I thought nothing of them. It wasn’t until they were gone that I realise it wasn’t… normal.
But it isn’t until I’m twenty-one, when my life is in ruins, that they come back to take me away.
They say I’m not fully mortal. They say I should be among them. The Unseelie Ruler wants me on her land for reasons no one will explain to me, but it’s her aloof, painfully beautiful son who captures my attention and refuses to let go.
The cold, black-eyed assassin prince who strikes fear into the hearts of all Folk. Who I’ve been warned about, repeatedly.
Who watches me always.
I don’t trust the Folk, so I ignore their fearful advice to stay away from him. I ignore all of them except him, despite everything telling me that he can’t be trusted—that he’s just as bad as the rest of them, that he’s playing games with me, the clueless mortal held here against his will.
But I want him.
Mortal Skin is the first in a mm fae romance trilogy about a dark fae assassin prince and a mortal who is thrown into the cruel world of the Folk.
Warning: This m/m love story contains explicit sexual content and is not suitable for young readers. It also contains depictions of violence and deals with the death of a close family member. This trilogy will follow the same couple who get their HEA eventually, but book one ends on a cliffhanger.
311 pages, Paperback
First published January 28, 2022
791 people are currently reading
8731 people want to read
About the author
Lily Mayne
26 books5,630 followersLily Mayne writes what she loves to read: achingly sweet yet gritty romances against unusual backdrops—dark, futuristic, dystopian and more. She currently lives in the UK with her husband and several fluffballs, who like to make a lot of noise while she’s writing.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,312 reviews
January 29, 2024
UM....UMMM....MS.MAYNE! What am I supposed to do until the second book comes out?!😭🥺😰😱🤬😭
Right away, I have tagged this for a cliffhanger because YES, we have been left with a big cliffhanger at the end! Also our main couple is nowhere near even a HFN, so...that's fun!
But could I give this anything less than 5 stars? Nope! Because it was amazing and so good and I could. not. put. it. down. I just wanted to keep reading and reading it, and I didn't want Ash and Lonan's love story to end.
Um, her standalone romances might be better for my sanity because how am I supposed wait for the continuation??? Just ALL the angst happened at the end, and I KNEW it was coming and was DREADING it and was also kind HOPING she wouldn't do this to me, to us readers, bUT YEP! She did and it hurt and my heart was breaking for both of them and I hated that this was happening to these two and yet I was still riveted to the pages.
I will tell you all now: If you can't handle cliffhangers, intense ones at that, and cliffhangers that have the main couple at odds and not anywhere near a HFN or HEA, then I would wait until at least the second book is out. Because things are not good between Ash and Lonan at the end of this, my friends.
And as happy as I will be when the 5th Monstrous book comes out, I'm kinda wishing the second in this series would be the next one to come out, because I NEED more after that cliffhanger, I NEED to know what happens, and I want Ash and Lonan to make up and be all in love and sweet and hot and passionate and wonderful again, mmkay?!😭
If I could just keysmash, guys, I would....well, actually I think I will key smash: ashgwbiewfJEEFWN
Because yes, this story is amazing and wonderful and makes you fall in love with Ash and Lonan and their love, while simultaneously keeping you on your feet and on edge because you just KNOW something bad is coming and then it DOES and it all goes to shit and it suCKS ASS and then you just want to go back to when Ash and Lonan were happy and in love *sobs*
If you can handle an intense cliffhanger with the main couple at odds, then dive into this NOW, because it's SO GOOD.
I loved this, despite the heartbreaking cliffhanger, because it was just so well written. The Fae world was so well done, the plot was so well done, and the romance was off the charts good. The chemistry very much on point.
Miss Mayne's first venture out of her Monstrous series was a very big success in my eyes, even if it did manage to break my heart at the end and make me annoyed that I have to probably wait months and months now for the second installment to find out what will happen and how on earth Ash and Lonan will find their way back to each other.
But this was just too good to give it any less stars. Masterful storytelling and romance writing.
Ash, from when he was 7 until he was 14, was visited by Fae all the time in the garden in the back of his home, and when they stopped coming and he grew up, he thought that he'd been just imagining all of them.
But when he's 21 and done with University, he comes home and within a few weeks, he's taken by the Fae from that very backyard.
He's taken there and told by everyone to shed his mortal skin and give into his half fae side, but as time goes on, he doesn't do it, doesn't even know how to do it.
His shadow is Prince Lonan, the Unseelie queen's youngest son of four sons total. He keeps an eye on him for her, but we always get the sense that even if he wasn't ordered by her to do it, that he'd be doing it anyway, just to make sure Ash is safe.
As time goes on, they get closer. But the Fae are sneaky bastards and even Lonan doesn't or can't tell him the full picture, so you always have a sense of foreboding, just waiting for everything to come to a head, and just how bad the fall out will be.
At the same time, you just fall in love with Ash and Lonan. Because this is a Romance, we know the love between them is real, and that Lonan does all these little things for Ash that he wouldn't do if he was just using him or toying with him, or doing it on his mother's orders. Ash is suspicious at first, but comes to trust Lonan more than anyone.
Of course, secrets abound. Because even though Fae can't lie, they can not tell you things, they can keep secrets, and they can twist words in order to not tell the truth to you anyway.
The big bad Unseelie queen can't just want Ash to shed his mortal skin, and then just become one of the Unseelie Fae and then live with them for the rest of his life. If it was just that, someone as important as the Unseelie queen wouldn't give a damn, and wouldn't go to the all the trouble to kidnap Ash, keep him in the Unseelie lands and want him to shed his mortal skin so badly.
So of course there's more going on under the surface, and Ash is always weary and doesn't trust the queen and is expecting something to happen when he sheds his mortal skin. He just doesn't know what, and doesn't figure it out until it's too late.
You just gotta read and find out what that ultimate goal is, and how this one ends.
Again, if you can't handle the cliffhanger, with no HFN even with it, then wait to read this, even though it is an amazing read.
If you can handle it, and just can't wait to read this and are excited for it, like I was, then dive right in, you won't regret it. Just be prepared for a hell of a cliffhanger and some BIG angst near the end.
Two MASSIVE thumbs up from me, though. What a wild ride, what a rollercoaster of emotions reading this. I can't wait for the next one, whenever that may be (and hopefully by the end of *that* one we could get some form of happiness going on for the main couple? Pretty please?!🥺)
My Ratings for the Folk Series:
✨ Mortal Skin: 5 stars
✨ Forgotten Vows: 5 stars (my review)
✨ King of Death: 5 stars (my review)
Right away, I have tagged this for a cliffhanger because YES, we have been left with a big cliffhanger at the end! Also our main couple is nowhere near even a HFN, so...that's fun!
But could I give this anything less than 5 stars? Nope! Because it was amazing and so good and I could. not. put. it. down. I just wanted to keep reading and reading it, and I didn't want Ash and Lonan's love story to end.
Um, her standalone romances might be better for my sanity because how am I supposed wait for the continuation??? Just ALL the angst happened at the end, and I KNEW it was coming and was DREADING it and was also kind HOPING she wouldn't do this to me, to us readers, bUT YEP! She did and it hurt and my heart was breaking for both of them and I hated that this was happening to these two and yet I was still riveted to the pages.
I will tell you all now: If you can't handle cliffhangers, intense ones at that, and cliffhangers that have the main couple at odds and not anywhere near a HFN or HEA, then I would wait until at least the second book is out. Because things are not good between Ash and Lonan at the end of this, my friends.
And as happy as I will be when the 5th Monstrous book comes out, I'm kinda wishing the second in this series would be the next one to come out, because I NEED more after that cliffhanger, I NEED to know what happens, and I want Ash and Lonan to make up and be all in love and sweet and hot and passionate and wonderful again, mmkay?!😭
If I could just keysmash, guys, I would....well, actually I think I will key smash: ashgwbiewfJEEFWN
Because yes, this story is amazing and wonderful and makes you fall in love with Ash and Lonan and their love, while simultaneously keeping you on your feet and on edge because you just KNOW something bad is coming and then it DOES and it all goes to shit and it suCKS ASS and then you just want to go back to when Ash and Lonan were happy and in love *sobs*
If you can handle an intense cliffhanger with the main couple at odds, then dive into this NOW, because it's SO GOOD.
I loved this, despite the heartbreaking cliffhanger, because it was just so well written. The Fae world was so well done, the plot was so well done, and the romance was off the charts good. The chemistry very much on point.
Miss Mayne's first venture out of her Monstrous series was a very big success in my eyes, even if it did manage to break my heart at the end and make me annoyed that I have to probably wait months and months now for the second installment to find out what will happen and how on earth Ash and Lonan will find their way back to each other.
But this was just too good to give it any less stars. Masterful storytelling and romance writing.
Ash, from when he was 7 until he was 14, was visited by Fae all the time in the garden in the back of his home, and when they stopped coming and he grew up, he thought that he'd been just imagining all of them.
But when he's 21 and done with University, he comes home and within a few weeks, he's taken by the Fae from that very backyard.
He's taken there and told by everyone to shed his mortal skin and give into his half fae side, but as time goes on, he doesn't do it, doesn't even know how to do it.
His shadow is Prince Lonan, the Unseelie queen's youngest son of four sons total. He keeps an eye on him for her, but we always get the sense that even if he wasn't ordered by her to do it, that he'd be doing it anyway, just to make sure Ash is safe.
As time goes on, they get closer. But the Fae are sneaky bastards and even Lonan doesn't or can't tell him the full picture, so you always have a sense of foreboding, just waiting for everything to come to a head, and just how bad the fall out will be.
At the same time, you just fall in love with Ash and Lonan. Because this is a Romance, we know the love between them is real, and that Lonan does all these little things for Ash that he wouldn't do if he was just using him or toying with him, or doing it on his mother's orders. Ash is suspicious at first, but comes to trust Lonan more than anyone.
Of course, secrets abound. Because even though Fae can't lie, they can not tell you things, they can keep secrets, and they can twist words in order to not tell the truth to you anyway.
The big bad Unseelie queen can't just want Ash to shed his mortal skin, and then just become one of the Unseelie Fae and then live with them for the rest of his life. If it was just that, someone as important as the Unseelie queen wouldn't give a damn, and wouldn't go to the all the trouble to kidnap Ash, keep him in the Unseelie lands and want him to shed his mortal skin so badly.
So of course there's more going on under the surface, and Ash is always weary and doesn't trust the queen and is expecting something to happen when he sheds his mortal skin. He just doesn't know what, and doesn't figure it out until it's too late.
You just gotta read and find out what that ultimate goal is, and how this one ends.
Again, if you can't handle the cliffhanger, with no HFN even with it, then wait to read this, even though it is an amazing read.
If you can handle it, and just can't wait to read this and are excited for it, like I was, then dive right in, you won't regret it. Just be prepared for a hell of a cliffhanger and some BIG angst near the end.
Two MASSIVE thumbs up from me, though. What a wild ride, what a rollercoaster of emotions reading this. I can't wait for the next one, whenever that may be (and hopefully by the end of *that* one we could get some form of happiness going on for the main couple? Pretty please?!🥺)
My Ratings for the Folk Series:
✨ Mortal Skin: 5 stars
✨ Forgotten Vows: 5 stars (my review)
✨ King of Death: 5 stars (my review)
April 7, 2025
I'm going to echo nearly every reviewer before me: wow, fucking WOW.
This book is fantastic:
Incredible folk-world setting
Complex characters, down to random village folk (Whom can Ash trust in this cold new world?)
An evil unseelie queen and her four cruel sons
Murder
Potions and dark magic
Suspense (We know immediately whatever the queen has planned for Ash will be terrible, but my god, I didn't expect that level of horror.)
Forbidden, passionate romance (Ash & Lonan FOREVER!)
And an absolute doozy of a cliffhanger (Thank fuck I had the second book ready to go on my Kindle.)
Read this book. READ IT NOW.
And the longer we ignored it, the stronger that thing became. So we ignored it all.
This book is fantastic:
Incredible folk-world setting
Complex characters, down to random village folk (Whom can Ash trust in this cold new world?)
An evil unseelie queen and her four cruel sons
Murder
Potions and dark magic
Suspense (We know immediately whatever the queen has planned for Ash will be terrible, but my god, I didn't expect that level of horror.)
Forbidden, passionate romance (Ash & Lonan FOREVER!)
"I imagine how you feel inside ... What it would feel like to be under your skin."
And an absolute doozy of a cliffhanger (Thank fuck I had the second book ready to go on my Kindle.)
Read this book. READ IT NOW.
January 29, 2022
WHAT THE FUUUUUUUUCK 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭
RTC
RTC
June 1, 2022
It happened again, you guys. Once again I’m left wondering just what about this particular book warranted all those gushing 5- and 4-star reviews. Are we talking about the same book here?
Slow, predictable, boring — that’s how Mortal Skin was in MY experience.
On that note, if I read anything about “shedding mortal skins” ever again , I will freaking strangle someone. Repetitive — let’s add this to my list of adjectives, shall we.
The beginning was slow here, but that was okay for me — I’ve read lots of pretty great books with slower-developing plots, and I had no problem letting the author set the scene. The writing and the worldbuilding were okay, so I kept reading. But then, nothing happened.
Some minor characters were introduced, the phrase “shed your mortal skin” got thrown around about a hundred times (not much of an exaggeration, btw), Ash spent time in his cottage and his garden with his animal friends (whose identity was totally obvious from the start, yet he was surprised by the reveal 🙄), or interacted with those minor characters, had sex with Lonan (which came out of nowhere, imo, as there was zero relationship development before or after that…) — lather, rinse, repeat!
Then in the last 10% or so, the plot suddenly picked up and a shit ton of things started happening at once, and I was like “Seriously? I’ve seen that coming from a mile away, am I supposed to act surprised right now?? 🙄”
Eh. I won’t continue this series.
Slow, predictable, boring — that’s how Mortal Skin was in MY experience.
On that note, if I read anything about “shedding mortal skins” ever again , I will freaking strangle someone. Repetitive — let’s add this to my list of adjectives, shall we.
The beginning was slow here, but that was okay for me — I’ve read lots of pretty great books with slower-developing plots, and I had no problem letting the author set the scene. The writing and the worldbuilding were okay, so I kept reading. But then, nothing happened.
Some minor characters were introduced, the phrase “shed your mortal skin” got thrown around about a hundred times (not much of an exaggeration, btw), Ash spent time in his cottage and his garden with his animal friends (whose identity was totally obvious from the start, yet he was surprised by the reveal 🙄), or interacted with those minor characters, had sex with Lonan (which came out of nowhere, imo, as there was zero relationship development before or after that…) — lather, rinse, repeat!
Then in the last 10% or so, the plot suddenly picked up and a shit ton of things started happening at once, and I was like “Seriously? I’ve seen that coming from a mile away, am I supposed to act surprised right now?? 🙄”
Eh. I won’t continue this series.
February 2, 2022
WoW!!! I am literally speechless with this shockingly brilliant ending to a great beginning for this trilogy. Lily Mayne has perfected the art of creating a world of complex and interesting characters that I have completely fallen for. This ending broke my heart while leaving me so excited for the next entry in this series.
Ash and Lonan are brilliant together and I cannot wait to see the next phase in their journey together. There will absolutely need to be groveling of epic proportions!!! Cannot Wait!!!!
Ash and Lonan are brilliant together and I cannot wait to see the next phase in their journey together. There will absolutely need to be groveling of epic proportions!!! Cannot Wait!!!!
March 20, 2024
Re-read
I actually increased my original rating from 4 to 5 stars after reading this for the second time, so that I can finally read King of Death and not be confused!
The second time around everything made so much more sense to me. I still cried for Ash so much, and also for Lonan at the end... 🥹
Looking forward to re-reading Forgotten Vows now!
I actually increased my original rating from 4 to 5 stars after reading this for the second time, so that I can finally read King of Death and not be confused!
The second time around everything made so much more sense to me. I still cried for Ash so much, and also for Lonan at the end... 🥹
Looking forward to re-reading Forgotten Vows now!
October 25, 2022
How DARE Lily Mayne write a book this good. I could not stop reading, and I was on edge the whole time. But be warned: Cliffhanger, alert.
Mortal Skin was my first book from Lily Mayne, and with all stellar reviews from my friends, I knew it would be something special. And it really, really was.
Readers, be prepared for a gripping, dark fae story. I knew, KNEW, the other shoe would drop eventually, so I was holding my breath and didn't want to put this story down. The writing is so compelling, and it builds such a sense of foreboding mixed with the loveliest romance that you will be hooked. I was hooked.
I can't possibly guess as to where this story will take us, but Lily Mayne better deliver in the second book also because I'm about to combust now. The angst! The drama! The luuuurve. I am here for it, and my body is ready for another marathon reading session.
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Mortal Skin was my first book from Lily Mayne, and with all stellar reviews from my friends, I knew it would be something special. And it really, really was.
Readers, be prepared for a gripping, dark fae story. I knew, KNEW, the other shoe would drop eventually, so I was holding my breath and didn't want to put this story down. The writing is so compelling, and it builds such a sense of foreboding mixed with the loveliest romance that you will be hooked. I was hooked.
I can't possibly guess as to where this story will take us, but Lily Mayne better deliver in the second book also because I'm about to combust now. The angst! The drama! The luuuurve. I am here for it, and my body is ready for another marathon reading session.
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April 21, 2024
5 ⭐️ Hello, hi. It’s me. I’d like firstly to apologise for my dramatic outburst in my initial review below, I’m a little (a lot) embarrassed. Having read most of book two, I can now confirm that I am semi healed and no longer heartbroken (as much).
So let’s review! This story is an MM fantasy romance surrounding 21 year old British uni student Ash🥹. Ash lives a regular life with a regular, loving dad and stepmum. The only thing unique about Ash is he had some ‘imaginary’ (wink wink) Fae friends from the forest called Folk between the ages of 7 and 14.
Fast forward 7 years, just before Ash’s 21st birthday. He comes home to his parent’s cottage on a break from school, and something absolutely awful happens💔. Whilst navigating grief, he’s kidnapped by…you guessed it, FAE aka the Folk. From here the story unfolds. There is a mystery around why he’s been kidnapped and why the horrible unseeli Fae Queen wants him trapped in her land.
The Unseeli Fae Queen is an awful piece of work. And I have no problems calling her a bitter bitch. The only good thing she did? She gave birth to our Lonan 🥹😭❤️. Her youngest son who’s she’s forced to become her blade. The dark assassin prince. Lonan is tasked with watching Ash’s every move and we get to see the most beautiful relationship blossom.
Ash and Lonan together are the SWEETEST. They are both so desperate to be together. There are obvious mysteries and secrets that should keep them apart but they persevere and create their own little bubble. Ash is constantly scared and stressed - he’s trapped on Fae land with no way of getting home. Lonan is obviously being used by his awful family and cannot tell Ash why anything is happening. They are both so stuck but manage to find little pockets of happiness together. My boys 🥹😭❤️.
There is no unbalanced dynamic here even though Lonan is this scary assassin prince. They are both super vulnerable and open once they have the chance.
I won’t go into anymore detail because this is one of those occasions where I find it hard to write a genuine review about the plot or writing style. I just CONNECTED to these characters. Like I felt it from the first few chapters being introduced to Ash. I love them and I’m going to stick beside them.
The spice in this is 🥵🔥🫠. Like. I COULD NOT DEALLLLLLLLLLLLL.
As you can tell from my initial outburst (sorry again) the cliffhanger in this book BROKE ME. I was SHATTERED. It’s a gut wrenching scene and I was so sad. But there’s hope at the end of the tunnel. I’m writing this review just as I finish reading book 2…present me is much more relaxed that past me 😂.
If you can’t tell already, I am recommending this series! ♾️ ⭐️
———————-
No no no no no no no no no no. Rocking back and forth in a dark room until I’m able to cope with that ending…
Can’t even say “review to come” because WILL IT?? WILL I BE ABLE TO REVIEW THIS WITHOUT EXPERIENCING PAINNNNN???????
So let’s review! This story is an MM fantasy romance surrounding 21 year old British uni student Ash🥹. Ash lives a regular life with a regular, loving dad and stepmum. The only thing unique about Ash is he had some ‘imaginary’ (wink wink) Fae friends from the forest called Folk between the ages of 7 and 14.
Fast forward 7 years, just before Ash’s 21st birthday. He comes home to his parent’s cottage on a break from school, and something absolutely awful happens💔. Whilst navigating grief, he’s kidnapped by…you guessed it, FAE aka the Folk. From here the story unfolds. There is a mystery around why he’s been kidnapped and why the horrible unseeli Fae Queen wants him trapped in her land.
The Unseeli Fae Queen is an awful piece of work. And I have no problems calling her a bitter bitch. The only good thing she did? She gave birth to our Lonan 🥹😭❤️. Her youngest son who’s she’s forced to become her blade. The dark assassin prince. Lonan is tasked with watching Ash’s every move and we get to see the most beautiful relationship blossom.
Ash and Lonan together are the SWEETEST. They are both so desperate to be together. There are obvious mysteries and secrets that should keep them apart but they persevere and create their own little bubble. Ash is constantly scared and stressed - he’s trapped on Fae land with no way of getting home. Lonan is obviously being used by his awful family and cannot tell Ash why anything is happening. They are both so stuck but manage to find little pockets of happiness together. My boys 🥹😭❤️.
There is no unbalanced dynamic here even though Lonan is this scary assassin prince. They are both super vulnerable and open once they have the chance.
I won’t go into anymore detail because this is one of those occasions where I find it hard to write a genuine review about the plot or writing style. I just CONNECTED to these characters. Like I felt it from the first few chapters being introduced to Ash. I love them and I’m going to stick beside them.
The spice in this is 🥵🔥🫠. Like. I COULD NOT DEALLLLLLLLLLLLL.
As you can tell from my initial outburst (sorry again) the cliffhanger in this book BROKE ME. I was SHATTERED. It’s a gut wrenching scene and I was so sad. But there’s hope at the end of the tunnel. I’m writing this review just as I finish reading book 2…present me is much more relaxed that past me 😂.
If you can’t tell already, I am recommending this series! ♾️ ⭐️
———————-
No no no no no no no no no no. Rocking back and forth in a dark room until I’m able to cope with that ending…
Can’t even say “review to come” because WILL IT?? WILL I BE ABLE TO REVIEW THIS WITHOUT EXPERIENCING PAINNNNN???????
October 5, 2022
3.5 Stars
Told in single POV, 1st person, it’s the first installment in the "Folk" series and ends on a cliffhanger. I liked the world building, I liked the story line in general but I didn’t feel so much about romance between the MCs. I was detached from them and their feelings. I think their relationship could have been better. Also the story was a bit repetitive at some parts. All in all, it was a good read and hope you enjoy it as well!
Told in single POV, 1st person, it’s the first installment in the "Folk" series and ends on a cliffhanger. I liked the world building, I liked the story line in general but I didn’t feel so much about romance between the MCs. I was detached from them and their feelings. I think their relationship could have been better. Also the story was a bit repetitive at some parts. All in all, it was a good read and hope you enjoy it as well!
July 29, 2022
A slow to start, gorgeously written fantasy that weaves a tale of a young man and a mysterious world filled with manipulative beings. Who can he trust? Why does his heart leap in the presence of the Queen's assassin?
Unbidden, my gaze darted back to the black-haired son. He was still watching me, his gaze hooded and filled with disdain. I saw his black eyes flicker down my frame and back up, and I felt my face get hot.A beautiful enemies to lovers, MM love story. Takes awhile to get there but way steamier than expected.
Jesus, he was sucking my cock like he’d been dying to do it. His sheer enthusiasm was forcing the orgasm up too fast, making me pant as my head tipped back against the tree behind me.Ends in a huge cliffhanger, but book two is already out so I survived.
January 31, 2022
The beginning of an interesting trilogy!
I don't really like stories with fae world, but I gave this book a chance because Lily mayne is a great writer.
Contains spoiler🚫
It always brings us protagonists that we want to follow, Ash is a boy with simple personality, it is not difficult to like him. I liked Ash from the first moments. He went through a painful loss and thus began his journey in the world of folk.
Totally confused, Ash had to get used to his new life in the midst of the fae creatures, I think he adapted well. I couldn't run out of technology 😅
When it first had the interaction between Ash and Lonan, I felt a great chemistry between them. It was a very intense thing!!
Lonan is a character who has become my favorite of this book, I like characters with his personality. I love mysterious characters who don't show much of how they feel.
His contrast with Ash's personality made it all the more enjoyable to watch! It was wonderful to see their romance grow, but a story doesn't survive on romance alone. The first book was more romance than action, I like to read impactful things in fantasy books. I thought the most exciting moment was towards the end, when things were finally starting to happen in the story.
I want to see more action in the second book, it's a trilogy and I feel like that's going to happen more in the next books. I will have high expectations. I love romantic and sex scenes, but I like shocking tension scenes even more (like at the end of the first book).
About the plot wist of the story.... I was able to find out most things before they were revealed. It was obvious who Ash's beloved animals were 😅 It was obvious that Ash was the son of someone important in the fae world. He wouldn't be kidnapped for nothing if he were a mere half fae.
I cried with Lonan at the end, I confess that I was surprised to know that he was the one who killed Ash's parents. There must be some explanation for this, I can't believe he had the guts to kill Ash's parents. I know there's an explanation for that.
Ah.. I couldn't help but talk about a character that irritated me a lot in this story. Caom was the most boring character in this book, I think Belial deserves better.
I'm looking forward to the next book.
Kisses from a Brazilian fan
I don't really like stories with fae world, but I gave this book a chance because Lily mayne is a great writer.
Contains spoiler🚫
It always brings us protagonists that we want to follow, Ash is a boy with simple personality, it is not difficult to like him. I liked Ash from the first moments. He went through a painful loss and thus began his journey in the world of folk.
Totally confused, Ash had to get used to his new life in the midst of the fae creatures, I think he adapted well. I couldn't run out of technology 😅
When it first had the interaction between Ash and Lonan, I felt a great chemistry between them. It was a very intense thing!!
Lonan is a character who has become my favorite of this book, I like characters with his personality. I love mysterious characters who don't show much of how they feel.
His contrast with Ash's personality made it all the more enjoyable to watch! It was wonderful to see their romance grow, but a story doesn't survive on romance alone. The first book was more romance than action, I like to read impactful things in fantasy books. I thought the most exciting moment was towards the end, when things were finally starting to happen in the story.
I want to see more action in the second book, it's a trilogy and I feel like that's going to happen more in the next books. I will have high expectations. I love romantic and sex scenes, but I like shocking tension scenes even more (like at the end of the first book).
About the plot wist of the story.... I was able to find out most things before they were revealed. It was obvious who Ash's beloved animals were 😅 It was obvious that Ash was the son of someone important in the fae world. He wouldn't be kidnapped for nothing if he were a mere half fae.
I cried with Lonan at the end, I confess that I was surprised to know that he was the one who killed Ash's parents. There must be some explanation for this, I can't believe he had the guts to kill Ash's parents. I know there's an explanation for that.
Ah.. I couldn't help but talk about a character that irritated me a lot in this story. Caom was the most boring character in this book, I think Belial deserves better.
I'm looking forward to the next book.
Kisses from a Brazilian fan
March 18, 2025
5⭐️
y’all this was SO GOOD 😩
i genuinely could not put it down, the world building was perfect and safe to say it was unique enough that i couldn’t predict much and at the same time not too confusing where it felt like it was all a blurb.
yes i was confused at times BUT THATS THE MYSTERY OF IT. it filled me with anticipation of what’s about to go down.
i read the monstrous series by ms lily and i absolutely loved it. WHY DIDN’T ANYONE TELL ME TO READ THIS SOONER??
if ur planning on reading this, go into it completely blind. trust me. stop reading and leave 😭
also the ending was batshit crazy, i knew this book was gonna hurt but goddamn slow down will u 🥲
I’m definitely diving into book 2 and seeing where this is going bcuz OUCH. literally ouch.
quotes:
’It had felt like he was desperate to do it. Like getting his mouth and hands on me had been the only thing he’d wanted in that moment. Like the desire was something he’d been bottling up inside him and it had been straining to burst free. Like the moment he kissed me, he’d been helpless to stop.’
’No one had ever done anything like this to me before—touched and kissed and sucked me like they’d die if they didn’t. Like they’d waited years to do it, and now that they could they were unwilling to stop until they’d done it all.’
“I want you to be happy. And safe,” he said shakily, staring down at me. “And warm and whole and—and…”
“I want you to stay that way. Forever.”
“I want you so much, Ash.” His voice shook, low and husky. “More than anything.”
SPOILERS GET TF OUT IF U HAVEN’T READ IT YET!
i’m so butthurt i don’t even wanna write the quotes from the end of the book.
i love ash and lonan sm and i feel equally bad for both of them. yes i feel betrayed but MY HEART CANT HELP IT IM SO SAD.
people say the second book is super slow and im scared bcuz that means the pain will just last longer 🥲
LILY MAYNE WHEN I CATCH U 👹
———
my ever gloriously heartbreaking aftermath:
wtf was that ending.
what the actual fucking fuck.
i’m in shock.
my heart fucking hurts.
y’all this was SO GOOD 😩
i genuinely could not put it down, the world building was perfect and safe to say it was unique enough that i couldn’t predict much and at the same time not too confusing where it felt like it was all a blurb.
yes i was confused at times BUT THATS THE MYSTERY OF IT. it filled me with anticipation of what’s about to go down.
i read the monstrous series by ms lily and i absolutely loved it. WHY DIDN’T ANYONE TELL ME TO READ THIS SOONER??
if ur planning on reading this, go into it completely blind. trust me. stop reading and leave 😭
also the ending was batshit crazy, i knew this book was gonna hurt but goddamn slow down will u 🥲
I’m definitely diving into book 2 and seeing where this is going bcuz OUCH. literally ouch.
quotes:
’It had felt like he was desperate to do it. Like getting his mouth and hands on me had been the only thing he’d wanted in that moment. Like the desire was something he’d been bottling up inside him and it had been straining to burst free. Like the moment he kissed me, he’d been helpless to stop.’
’No one had ever done anything like this to me before—touched and kissed and sucked me like they’d die if they didn’t. Like they’d waited years to do it, and now that they could they were unwilling to stop until they’d done it all.’
“I want you to be happy. And safe,” he said shakily, staring down at me. “And warm and whole and—and…”
“I want you to stay that way. Forever.”
“I want you so much, Ash.” His voice shook, low and husky. “More than anything.”
SPOILERS GET TF OUT IF U HAVEN’T READ IT YET!
i’m so butthurt i don’t even wanna write the quotes from the end of the book.
i love ash and lonan sm and i feel equally bad for both of them. yes i feel betrayed but MY HEART CANT HELP IT IM SO SAD.
people say the second book is super slow and im scared bcuz that means the pain will just last longer 🥲
LILY MAYNE WHEN I CATCH U 👹
———
my ever gloriously heartbreaking aftermath:
wtf was that ending.
what the actual fucking fuck.
i’m in shock.
my heart fucking hurts.
December 17, 2023
Reread: Saturday, December 16, 2023 - 5⭐
✨Just as fkin brilliant and enchanting as I remembered... maybe even better. Will hopefully improve on these reread thoughts in a few ✨
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1st read: 29/01/2022 - 5⭐
Ahhhhhhh this was soooooooooo good! This book was such a mood! Filled to the brim with arresting imagery, and the writing was *chef's kiss* excellent. Pure magic! The world building and the darker vibe of murdery fae and the FKIN feels totally sent me back in time to those halcyon days when I gobbled up HB's Folk of the Air series. But I admit to loving Mayne's characters wayyyy more than Jude and Cardan.
For one thing (and probs the most important), Lonan and Ash were so fire these boys were making a business out of melting eyeballs 🔥
And I honestly didn't mind the ending. I thought it was a great place to pause for a minute, and I'm already anticipating my reread for when the second installment drops. Not to flog a dead horse, but I'd read the ARC of Wicked King, lost my fkin mind, and had to wait like almost two years for Queen of Nothing.
So a girl can keep secrets and knows how to wait (Valar Morghulis)
✨All the Stars because I absolutely loved this book✨
✨Just as fkin brilliant and enchanting as I remembered... maybe even better. Will hopefully improve on these reread thoughts in a few ✨
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1st read: 29/01/2022 - 5⭐
Ahhhhhhh this was soooooooooo good! This book was such a mood! Filled to the brim with arresting imagery, and the writing was *chef's kiss* excellent. Pure magic! The world building and the darker vibe of murdery fae and the FKIN feels totally sent me back in time to those halcyon days when I gobbled up HB's Folk of the Air series. But I admit to loving Mayne's characters wayyyy more than Jude and Cardan.
For one thing (and probs the most important), Lonan and Ash were so fire these boys were making a business out of melting eyeballs 🔥
And I honestly didn't mind the ending. I thought it was a great place to pause for a minute, and I'm already anticipating my reread for when the second installment drops. Not to flog a dead horse, but I'd read the ARC of Wicked King, lost my fkin mind, and had to wait like almost two years for Queen of Nothing.
So a girl can keep secrets and knows how to wait (Valar Morghulis)
✨All the Stars because I absolutely loved this book✨
February 1, 2022
HO-LY SHIIIIT! Ok, Mortal Skin was my jam. Doozy of a cliffy, though! I hope we won't have too long to wait for book 2. Fuck.
The Fae are some seriously manipulative fuckers, though I knew that already. They can't lie directly, but lies of omission or misdirection sure are fair game. And they do love their games. I suspected their goal before we found out for sure, but came somewhat as a surprise, though maybe it shouldn't have.
My god, Lonan... even after that ending my heart breaks for him. Maybe it shouldn't, but it does. And Ash is so human in his desire to trust and connect, I'm left a bit shattered.
In the afterward, the author states: "You may still have some unanswered questions at the end of this book." I call that the understatement of this very young year! Questions? Hell yes I have questions! Starting with -- How the fuck are they going to recover from that ?!?!
Counting the days until book 2. If only I knew how many days I need to count. *taps foot*
The Fae are some seriously manipulative fuckers, though I knew that already. They can't lie directly, but lies of omission or misdirection sure are fair game. And they do love their games. I suspected their goal before we found out for sure, but came somewhat as a surprise, though maybe it shouldn't have.
My god, Lonan... even after that ending my heart breaks for him. Maybe it shouldn't, but it does. And Ash is so human in his desire to trust and connect, I'm left a bit shattered.
In the afterward, the author states: "You may still have some unanswered questions at the end of this book." I call that the understatement of this very young year! Questions? Hell yes I have questions! Starting with -- How the fuck are they going to recover from that ?!?!
Counting the days until book 2. If only I knew how many days I need to count. *taps foot*
Read
January 31, 2022dnf @ 57%
this book is not for me. i tried tho. the fact that i liked the world building and the mystery more than the potential romance warrants the chop treatment. didn't like lonan too.
this book is not for me. i tried tho. the fact that i liked the world building and the mystery more than the potential romance warrants the chop treatment. didn't like lonan too.
March 20, 2025
Y'all... Holy shit!!! I'm in love. And I'm screaming and thrashing because how the fuck do you survive not picking up book 2 right after THAT cliffhanger ending?
Finally after reading a million and one brilliant reviews of Lily Mayne did i pick this book up and damn, it did NOT disappoint one bit. I've always had problems reading fantasy books but it was such an easy read, i swear. The world building was so smooth and the characters were so perfectly written. The plot was a bit slow in the beginning and i was taking it lazily, then came the last 5 chapters and it was BOOM BAM BOP BADOOP BOOMP POW! I was scrolling with one hand and clutching my mouth shut with the other, trying to control the gasps but man, the gasps i gasped!
Ash and Lonan? ASH AND LONAN??!!🤌🏻🤌🏻🤌🏻I love them sm. Their chemistry was top notch, the tension was fire-spitting and i gobbled it up like a damn addict. And that ending?? Lonan on his fucking knees and crying? I legit had my hand clutched over my heart. K, brb, onto the next one
Finally after reading a million and one brilliant reviews of Lily Mayne did i pick this book up and damn, it did NOT disappoint one bit. I've always had problems reading fantasy books but it was such an easy read, i swear. The world building was so smooth and the characters were so perfectly written. The plot was a bit slow in the beginning and i was taking it lazily, then came the last 5 chapters and it was BOOM BAM BOP BADOOP BOOMP POW! I was scrolling with one hand and clutching my mouth shut with the other, trying to control the gasps but man, the gasps i gasped!
Ash and Lonan? ASH AND LONAN??!!🤌🏻🤌🏻🤌🏻I love them sm. Their chemistry was top notch, the tension was fire-spitting and i gobbled it up like a damn addict. And that ending?? Lonan on his fucking knees and crying? I legit had my hand clutched over my heart. K, brb, onto the next one
January 29, 2024
Lily Mayne could sneeze into a hanky and I'd probably still rate it 5 stars at this stage 😂😂😂 and I don't even care anymore. I am ✨a weak ass hoe✨ for Lilly Mayne and her silly goose collection of monsters, men and fae and etc..
At the end of the day, I just had a great time reading this book. It gave me those few minutes of serotonin that I needed to fuel my little pea brain.
After loving the monstrous series with my whole soul and being, I thought I’d try this one, and it’s really good as well. I liked Ash and Lonan a lot even though Ash definitely has a time throughout all of the books and trials do be sent to test him 😂, and he whines a lot but that's okay... and Lonan's descent at the end of book 1… chefs kiss. I hope the seedy side character redeems himself in book 2, or he falls off a cliff never to be mentioned again, either way 💅🏼
**Edited because I am a Lilly Mayne feral and my first review was too tame.
At the end of the day, I just had a great time reading this book. It gave me those few minutes of serotonin that I needed to fuel my little pea brain.
After loving the monstrous series with my whole soul and being, I thought I’d try this one, and it’s really good as well. I liked Ash and Lonan a lot even though Ash definitely has a time throughout all of the books and trials do be sent to test him 😂, and he whines a lot but that's okay... and Lonan's descent at the end of book 1… chefs kiss. I hope the seedy side character redeems himself in book 2, or he falls off a cliff never to be mentioned again, either way 💅🏼
**Edited because I am a Lilly Mayne feral and my first review was too tame.
March 18, 2024
4.0 Stars
First read: 4.0 Stars
Second Read: 4.5 Stars
Original Review: the cliffhanger. I am so glad I read this when all the books came out coz I could not take it if I had to wait for the second book.
First read: 4.0 Stars
Second Read: 4.5 Stars
Original Review: the cliffhanger. I am so glad I read this when all the books came out coz I could not take it if I had to wait for the second book.
August 8, 2022
So, i feel like my expectations were high...
The writing and the world-building were okay. But they have the potential to be better. The romance was okay too. The story a bit repetitive. But the ending was predictable. Really. I was expecting something else. But well. Although I give it points for being addictive.
I hope the next one is better 🤞🏻
The writing and the world-building were okay. But they have the potential to be better. The romance was okay too. The story a bit repetitive. But the ending was predictable. Really. I was expecting something else. But well. Although I give it points for being addictive.
I hope the next one is better 🤞🏻
June 13, 2022
Again, I’m floored by the incredible imagination Lily Mayne had when writing. What. A. Book. 5 stars can’t do it justice.
So good, guys. SO GOOD. It had me sitting on the edge of my seat, ignoring real life, and chewing my fingernails. It’s not a mere mm romance, even though it is a very intense love story. It’s urban fantasy at its best, so good that it sucks you in completely from page one.
And I refuse to give you details, because every little hint I might inadvertently drop will spoil your enjoyment when reading it. And you should read it if you’re into
Suspense
Drama
Intense love
Melting hot sex
Betrayal
Folklore
…and so much more.
One of the best books I’ve read in a while, and I’m happy I waited until book 2 came out, because now I can dive in the next book right away.
Prepare to be wowed when you read it!
If you’re interested in a longer review - hailtostilinski wrote a review that’s a lot more detailed than mine 😉
So good, guys. SO GOOD. It had me sitting on the edge of my seat, ignoring real life, and chewing my fingernails. It’s not a mere mm romance, even though it is a very intense love story. It’s urban fantasy at its best, so good that it sucks you in completely from page one.
And I refuse to give you details, because every little hint I might inadvertently drop will spoil your enjoyment when reading it. And you should read it if you’re into
Suspense
Drama
Intense love
Melting hot sex
Betrayal
Folklore
…and so much more.
One of the best books I’ve read in a while, and I’m happy I waited until book 2 came out, because now I can dive in the next book right away.
Prepare to be wowed when you read it!
If you’re interested in a longer review - hailtostilinski wrote a review that’s a lot more detailed than mine 😉
May 19, 2023
Wow. Whoa. I really liked this book. Like really, really, liked this book. I think I liked this book a little too much— but that isn't possible so… :D
March 1, 2025
Time of death approx. at 66% 💀 May this book rest in peace
🎶"It's me, hi, I'm the problem; it's meee"🎶
Well. How do I write this so I don't come out as an overly picky bitch, while still making clear this book just wasn't for me 👀 Decisions decisions. I mostly feel like I majorly failed at infiltrating a cult of another well-loved series 😩 But my dislike of Soul Eater should've been a hint.
I really liked some aspects, so I should start with that. The setting was great. I love Fae stories, and the setting always makes things interesting because with the Folk, you never know who to trust—or, more accurately, you know you can't fully trust anyone. Therefore, the suspense and mystery were the highlights for me. It felt a bit predictable in some plot points - though I'm not sure about that, Pauline will tell me if our theories were right 🤭
The writing was pretty straightforward and easy to read - neither bad nor impressive. The portrayal of grief felt very genuine and well-done; that's another point for the story.
Aaand that's about it, guys. The mystery was intriguing but not enough to continue because everything else fell completely FLAT for me. Ash as a main character? Very meh. Bland, not distinct enough to make him either likable or unlikable, which is actually the worst. There was nothing about him to make me feel connected - and I generally don't like adult characters that act and speak in a way that makes the story read as YA.
Lonan was the biggest disappointment BUT that's on me; I recognize that. I built him up in my mind as something completely else, my expectations were too high. And by the time we came to know him better, I refused to accept he's just a pretty blushing Fae hiding behind his rep of a fearsome powerful assassin, which he's very much NOT.
The romance? Yes, I should've probably looked up more reviews to find out this was insta-everything . Lust, obsession, love. And don't get me wrong, I like the desperation and neediness, but I need on-page build-up and mounting tension for that to work. I got NEITHER, even the banter was just juvenile. Yes, I know there is a reason for Lonan being so obsessed (and Ash too, come on) but by that point, I was not a happy camper. The first time these two very suddenly collided? Hard cringe. And it got worse and worse and worse, and I was just skimming.
You know, I'm starting to understand something about myself. The romance might be swoon-worthy on page however much it wants, but if I don't fall in love with at least one of the characters? Not working at all. I shall call myself a demi - I need to feel emotionally connected to the character to believe in the romance part 😅 It was like that in San Amaro Investigations by Kai Butler - there was a quickly-formed relationship, but I loved it because I loved Parker the MC.
Sorry guys, I know this is the favorite of many, and I love you adore it, but I won't be joining the fanclub 😭
Pauline!!! 😭❤️ This was another buddy-read with this beautiful lovely person and I'm so damn sorry I couldn't stick it though with you! Like a coward, I abandoned the ship 😅 But I'm so glad at least one of us is loving it ❤️ If it weren't for you, I would DNF much earlier, and I loved our brainstorming sessions 😍
🎶"It's me, hi, I'm the problem; it's meee"🎶
Well. How do I write this so I don't come out as an overly picky bitch, while still making clear this book just wasn't for me 👀 Decisions decisions. I mostly feel like I majorly failed at infiltrating a cult of another well-loved series 😩 But my dislike of Soul Eater should've been a hint.
I really liked some aspects, so I should start with that. The setting was great. I love Fae stories, and the setting always makes things interesting because with the Folk, you never know who to trust—or, more accurately, you know you can't fully trust anyone. Therefore, the suspense and mystery were the highlights for me. It felt a bit predictable in some plot points - though I'm not sure about that, Pauline will tell me if our theories were right 🤭
The writing was pretty straightforward and easy to read - neither bad nor impressive. The portrayal of grief felt very genuine and well-done; that's another point for the story.
Aaand that's about it, guys. The mystery was intriguing but not enough to continue because everything else fell completely FLAT for me. Ash as a main character? Very meh. Bland, not distinct enough to make him either likable or unlikable, which is actually the worst. There was nothing about him to make me feel connected - and I generally don't like adult characters that act and speak in a way that makes the story read as YA.
Lonan was the biggest disappointment BUT that's on me; I recognize that. I built him up in my mind as something completely else, my expectations were too high. And by the time we came to know him better, I refused to accept he's just a pretty blushing Fae hiding behind his rep of a fearsome powerful assassin, which he's very much NOT.
The romance? Yes, I should've probably looked up more reviews to find out this was insta-everything . Lust, obsession, love. And don't get me wrong, I like the desperation and neediness, but I need on-page build-up and mounting tension for that to work. I got NEITHER, even the banter was just juvenile. Yes, I know there is a reason for Lonan being so obsessed (and Ash too, come on) but by that point, I was not a happy camper. The first time these two very suddenly collided? Hard cringe. And it got worse and worse and worse, and I was just skimming.
You know, I'm starting to understand something about myself. The romance might be swoon-worthy on page however much it wants, but if I don't fall in love with at least one of the characters? Not working at all. I shall call myself a demi - I need to feel emotionally connected to the character to believe in the romance part 😅 It was like that in San Amaro Investigations by Kai Butler - there was a quickly-formed relationship, but I loved it because I loved Parker the MC.
Sorry guys, I know this is the favorite of many, and I love you adore it, but I won't be joining the fanclub 😭
Pauline!!! 😭❤️ This was another buddy-read with this beautiful lovely person and I'm so damn sorry I couldn't stick it though with you! Like a coward, I abandoned the ship 😅 But I'm so glad at least one of us is loving it ❤️ If it weren't for you, I would DNF much earlier, and I loved our brainstorming sessions 😍
January 19, 2025
Debe ser el peor libro de esta autora.
Mi queja principal con este libro es que es muy plano y aburrido, no pasa casi nada y no hay un interés real por desarrollar el mundo que se nos presenta, solo sexo, sexo y más sexo. Como mínimo saber más sobre las costumbres fae de la corte unseliee y aprovechar para desarrollar la trama del prota y el interés amoroso, pero todo es tan simplista.
Además, no tengo problemas con el instalove, las escenas de sexo (se le fue la mano) y los múltiples clichés, porque muchas novelas están llenas de eso recursos y nadie es libre de usarlos. Pero es que no hay ni un poquito de humor, no hay ironía, no hay sarcasmo, no hay acidez, no hay chispa, no hay sazón. Sus personajes además de planos, sin personalidad alguna por resaltar.
Es que a ver, el personaje principal de esta novela le ocurren en los primeros capítulos una serie de hechos terribles: se vuelve huérfano, tienen un proceso de aceptación y duelo corto (después de unas páginas ni se menciona la falta de familia; de un padre y una madre) y en últimas es secuestrado por unos faes que se lo llevan a su mundo fantástico, en este caso, la corte unseliee con el propósito de que al fin abrace su lado fae y se desprenda de su piel mortal. Todo esto con segundas intenciones, obvio.
Eso sí, el protagonista no "confía" en nadie pero sí en Lonan, el hijo de la reina Carlin, que en la consciencia colectiva de todos los faes él es el asesino a sueldo de esta y también el más despiadado (por cierto, jamás lo vi matar a un solo ser a pesar de esa reputación que carga encima).
Pero bueno, como no podía ser de otra forma, el prota aunque odia el lugar y no confía en nadie, solamente se fía un poco de él, del asesino. Pero cómo no, si es apuesto y le gusta y se lo saborea en todas las formas posible. Vaya, vaya. Qué sorpresa.
Se le acaba la batería muy rápido a uno con esta novela y encima es aburrida... lo único interesante son los últimos cuatro capítulos, y todo para cerrar con broche de bronce: en un cliffhanger.
Mi queja principal con este libro es que es muy plano y aburrido, no pasa casi nada y no hay un interés real por desarrollar el mundo que se nos presenta, solo sexo, sexo y más sexo. Como mínimo saber más sobre las costumbres fae de la corte unseliee y aprovechar para desarrollar la trama del prota y el interés amoroso, pero todo es tan simplista.
Además, no tengo problemas con el instalove, las escenas de sexo (se le fue la mano) y los múltiples clichés, porque muchas novelas están llenas de eso recursos y nadie es libre de usarlos. Pero es que no hay ni un poquito de humor, no hay ironía, no hay sarcasmo, no hay acidez, no hay chispa, no hay sazón. Sus personajes además de planos, sin personalidad alguna por resaltar.
Es que a ver, el personaje principal de esta novela le ocurren en los primeros capítulos una serie de hechos terribles: se vuelve huérfano, tienen un proceso de aceptación y duelo corto (después de unas páginas ni se menciona la falta de familia; de un padre y una madre) y en últimas es secuestrado por unos faes que se lo llevan a su mundo fantástico, en este caso, la corte unseliee con el propósito de que al fin abrace su lado fae y se desprenda de su piel mortal. Todo esto con segundas intenciones, obvio.
Eso sí, el protagonista no "confía" en nadie pero sí en Lonan, el hijo de la reina Carlin, que en la consciencia colectiva de todos los faes él es el asesino a sueldo de esta y también el más despiadado (por cierto, jamás lo vi matar a un solo ser a pesar de esa reputación que carga encima).
Pero bueno, como no podía ser de otra forma, el prota aunque odia el lugar y no confía en nadie, solamente se fía un poco de él, del asesino. Pero cómo no, si es apuesto y le gusta y se lo saborea en todas las formas posible. Vaya, vaya. Qué sorpresa.
Se le acaba la batería muy rápido a uno con esta novela y encima es aburrida... lo único interesante son los últimos cuatro capítulos, y todo para cerrar con broche de bronce: en un cliffhanger.
April 2, 2022
This was quite slow and not much happened but I really enjoyed the romance, I like the setting of the Unseelie court a lot!! The ending was great so a 3.5 it is. The second one is a gonna be a whirlwind.
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I will read anything Lily Mayne writes 😌
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I will read anything Lily Mayne writes 😌
March 1, 2025
Isn’t it wild (and honestly amazing) how two people can read the same book and have completely opposite experiences?! 🥰
You have the utterly lovely Teru with whom I BR this (love you, I had so much fun spinning theories with you!) who hated almost everything about this book (check her review for some very valid points!!) and then you have me who loved almost everything about this book, lol.
Freaky how that works sometimes 😂♥️
This was my first fae romance and I was instantly enthralled by their world! All these different lore elements hooked me from page one. I loved that you couldn’t trust anybody at all, I loved the different kinds of fae and their special powers, I loved the world building with the unseelie queen and her four sons (these visuals were so powerful!), I loved the writing which made me see everything in my head-cinema - the whole aesthetic was just *chef’s kiss*. I loved the cozy vibes in the cottage, I loved the wolf and the cat, I loved the mystery of it all and I even loved the ending with the biggest cliffhanger ever!
And, maybe most importantly, I loved Ash and Lonan and all their neediness, desperation, tenderness, jealousy, acts of service, devotion and freaking hot steam 🥵
But COME THE FUCK ON - THAT ENDING?! I feel destroyed and I can’t even begin to comprehend how we will come back from this 😳
And yet, I cannot wait hehe 🤭
I’m ignoring the fact for now that it’s unrealistic that Lonan is such a feared assassin at the tender age of 21, and also that some of the twists were predictable (thanks to mine and Teru’s masterminds of course). I still had such a good time with this and can’t wait to see where the story takes us!
4,5⭐️
You have the utterly lovely Teru with whom I BR this (love you, I had so much fun spinning theories with you!) who hated almost everything about this book (check her review for some very valid points!!) and then you have me who loved almost everything about this book, lol.
Freaky how that works sometimes 😂♥️
This was my first fae romance and I was instantly enthralled by their world! All these different lore elements hooked me from page one. I loved that you couldn’t trust anybody at all, I loved the different kinds of fae and their special powers, I loved the world building with the unseelie queen and her four sons (these visuals were so powerful!), I loved the writing which made me see everything in my head-cinema - the whole aesthetic was just *chef’s kiss*. I loved the cozy vibes in the cottage, I loved the wolf and the cat, I loved the mystery of it all and I even loved the ending with the biggest cliffhanger ever!
And, maybe most importantly, I loved Ash and Lonan and all their neediness, desperation, tenderness, jealousy, acts of service, devotion and freaking hot steam 🥵
But COME THE FUCK ON - THAT ENDING?! I feel destroyed and I can’t even begin to comprehend how we will come back from this 😳
And yet, I cannot wait hehe 🤭
I’m ignoring the fact for now that it’s unrealistic that Lonan is such a feared assassin at the tender age of 21, and also that some of the twists were predictable (thanks to mine and Teru’s masterminds of course). I still had such a good time with this and can’t wait to see where the story takes us!
4,5⭐️
November 23, 2023
I am … STARING AT THE WALL, SILENTLY SCREAMING. Lily fucking Mayne, why must you do this to me?! *gives five stars*
THE PREMISE: stolen from the human world by Unseelie fae, our main character doesn’t know why he’s there or why the only one he trusts is the dark, assassin prince.
TROPES & VIBES
- Enemies to lovers
- Reveal that gave me “there you are” feels
- MM fantasy romance
- Chill, slice-of-life plot and then A GIANT FUCKING DRAMATIC CLIFFHANGER
- The main fae character gives Moth energy (the girls that get it get it)
5⭐️ (it was 4.5 until we hit 90% and I was thrown into cardiac arrest) 2.5🌶️
THE PREMISE: stolen from the human world by Unseelie fae, our main character doesn’t know why he’s there or why the only one he trusts is the dark, assassin prince.
TROPES & VIBES
- Enemies to lovers
- Reveal that gave me “there you are” feels
- MM fantasy romance
- Chill, slice-of-life plot and then A GIANT FUCKING DRAMATIC CLIFFHANGER
- The main fae character gives Moth energy (the girls that get it get it)
5⭐️ (it was 4.5 until we hit 90% and I was thrown into cardiac arrest) 2.5🌶️
May 8, 2022
Re-reading this book was interesting because despite the initial part that was slower and boring, I enjoyed more the relationship between Ash and the Prince and some parts have more sense.
There is a huge cliffhanger but I hope to understand more in book 2
There is a huge cliffhanger but I hope to understand more in book 2
January 29, 2022
4.5 stars!
RTC. That was one hell of a cliffhanger. I'll just be over here like...
RTC. That was one hell of a cliffhanger. I'll just be over here like...
January 29, 2022
✩ 𝟯.𝟱
if ash ignores one more note telling him to shed his mortal skin, i fucking swear. i am- 😤
also, he needs to leave poor lonan alone.
there are OBVIOUSLY extenuating circumstances, my goodness.
overall, a great start to a new series!!
i am very much looking forward to book two.
if ash ignores one more note telling him to shed his mortal skin, i fucking swear. i am- 😤
also, he needs to leave poor lonan alone.
there are OBVIOUSLY extenuating circumstances, my goodness.
overall, a great start to a new series!!
i am very much looking forward to book two.
❝i want you to be happy. and safe,❞ he said shakily, staring down at me. ❝and warm and whole and—and…❞
i laughed, wrapping my arms round his neck, grateful to move past how vulnerable the moment had made me feel. ❝i’m all of those things right now.❞
❝i want you to stay that way. forever.❞
January 26, 2023
Lily Mayne is a powerhouse and I hope they never lose the magic.
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