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The Fae Queen's Court #2
Avalon
The fae are on the brink of war.
It’s been nearly a year since the Battle of Tearmann. With their last legitimate trade routes cut off, the fae increasingly rely on the Corps away teams to get essential supplies. Owen Williams, now a Corps member, has spent the last ten months running the border to get the haven what it needs to survive. But his last mission nearly killed him and his decision to join the corps threatened his fragile relationship with his family—a relationship that was already stressed to the breaking point by his son’s death.
But after Percill, a battleborn vampire, reveals the location of a group of the fae captives, the corps leadership makes it clear that there isn’t much they won’t do to rescue them. When Percill refuses to say more without a guarantee that Owen will be on the team that rescues them, Owen agrees even though going on this mission could shatter what’s left of his family.
Success means he gets to retire a hero and go home to his family. However, failure wouldn’t just risk the captives, but could end with him held alongside them and separated from his family forever.
It’s been nearly a year since the Battle of Tearmann. With their last legitimate trade routes cut off, the fae increasingly rely on the Corps away teams to get essential supplies. Owen Williams, now a Corps member, has spent the last ten months running the border to get the haven what it needs to survive. But his last mission nearly killed him and his decision to join the corps threatened his fragile relationship with his family—a relationship that was already stressed to the breaking point by his son’s death.
But after Percill, a battleborn vampire, reveals the location of a group of the fae captives, the corps leadership makes it clear that there isn’t much they won’t do to rescue them. When Percill refuses to say more without a guarantee that Owen will be on the team that rescues them, Owen agrees even though going on this mission could shatter what’s left of his family.
Success means he gets to retire a hero and go home to his family. However, failure wouldn’t just risk the captives, but could end with him held alongside them and separated from his family forever.
266 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 28, 2022
17 people want to read
About the author
Ceril N. Domace
15 books29 followersCeril N Domace is an accountant, animal lover, and dedicated dungeon master.
As a lover of fiction works great and small, Ceril has been reading age-inappropriate stories since her father failed to pull The Silmarillion from her grubby little fingers at age five. As a grown-up accountant, her spreadsheet compiling gives her plenty of time to make plans for a fantastic world that isn't plagued by balance sheets . . . and also has dragons.
On the rare occasions she manages to free herself from an ever-growing and complex web of TTRPG, Ceril enjoys taking walks and griping that all her hobbies are work in disguise.
As a lover of fiction works great and small, Ceril has been reading age-inappropriate stories since her father failed to pull The Silmarillion from her grubby little fingers at age five. As a grown-up accountant, her spreadsheet compiling gives her plenty of time to make plans for a fantastic world that isn't plagued by balance sheets . . . and also has dragons.
On the rare occasions she manages to free herself from an ever-growing and complex web of TTRPG, Ceril enjoys taking walks and griping that all her hobbies are work in disguise.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
June 3, 2022
I very much enjoyed this book, and I feel for the characters as they struggle through personal loss, family duties, and a feeling of obligation to the people around them. Looking forward to the next installment!
May 12, 2023
I said the first book was difficult to discuss without spoilers, and that goes double for the sequel. I have no idea why I expected a more whimsical journey, the wounded dragon on the cover is a very fair warning for what’s in store.
Reading this reminded me of my time with Fitz and the Realm of the Elderlings. Owen suffers constantly and while it’s rough to read, I can’t put it down (I’ll be very grouchy if the ending isn’t happy or at least bittersweet lol) There are so many mythical races and geopolitical conflicts, but I appreciate how normal everything feels at this point even though it’s a rather complex world.
Pacing in particular was great. I blew through this book faster than expected, there is so much happening in the second half it’s really difficult to stop reading. Looking forward to part 3 and hoping for a happy ending for Owen
Reading this reminded me of my time with Fitz and the Realm of the Elderlings. Owen suffers constantly and while it’s rough to read, I can’t put it down (I’ll be very grouchy if the ending isn’t happy or at least bittersweet lol) There are so many mythical races and geopolitical conflicts, but I appreciate how normal everything feels at this point even though it’s a rather complex world.
Pacing in particular was great. I blew through this book faster than expected, there is so much happening in the second half it’s really difficult to stop reading. Looking forward to part 3 and hoping for a happy ending for Owen
June 26, 2022
Fun, engaging second installment that has the same wonderful mix of tension and emotional contemplation as the first book but builds on the first book to make the highs and lows even more powerful.
The books opening to an intense series of events that reorient you slowly in where the world and characters are now. Once the initial action resolves, the middle is thoughtful and full of familial struggles and strong emotional beats, dealing heavily with the traumas of the last book in a realistic way that makes you grief alongside the characters. The ending picks back up again with a massive bang that accumulates in one of those epic fantasy moments that sticks in your head for months after, then throws a fantastic twist at you that I'm thrilled to see explored in the third book. The bookends of fast-paced plot around a dominantly slower middle is a little unusual, and if you're not into long stretches of these heavier, slower chapters in your fantasy books then the extent of the book that covers these during the second act might not work for you, but I personally found they held my attention just fine.
As with the first book, the heart of this story is definitely in the character's relationships, which give the more action-packed segments extra tension as the story progresses and these relationships shift and deepen and falter. The world building is still fantastic, the conflict between the fae their antagonists still very realistic with some fresh shades of morally grey thrown in. Overall a great second book and builds on all the best aspects of the first one.
(I still struggled somewhat with remembering what specific versions of the mythological species looked like at times, but if you're reading a physical copy I believe there's an appendix at the end that should be very helpful for that. There's probably one in the ebook too I just have a hard time finding my place again in ebooks so I didn't look.)
The books opening to an intense series of events that reorient you slowly in where the world and characters are now. Once the initial action resolves, the middle is thoughtful and full of familial struggles and strong emotional beats, dealing heavily with the traumas of the last book in a realistic way that makes you grief alongside the characters. The ending picks back up again with a massive bang that accumulates in one of those epic fantasy moments that sticks in your head for months after, then throws a fantastic twist at you that I'm thrilled to see explored in the third book. The bookends of fast-paced plot around a dominantly slower middle is a little unusual, and if you're not into long stretches of these heavier, slower chapters in your fantasy books then the extent of the book that covers these during the second act might not work for you, but I personally found they held my attention just fine.
As with the first book, the heart of this story is definitely in the character's relationships, which give the more action-packed segments extra tension as the story progresses and these relationships shift and deepen and falter. The world building is still fantastic, the conflict between the fae their antagonists still very realistic with some fresh shades of morally grey thrown in. Overall a great second book and builds on all the best aspects of the first one.
(I still struggled somewhat with remembering what specific versions of the mythological species looked like at times, but if you're reading a physical copy I believe there's an appendix at the end that should be very helpful for that. There's probably one in the ebook too I just have a hard time finding my place again in ebooks so I didn't look.)
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June 12, 2022I was intrigued by Avalon's cover - I assumed it was (grim)dark, but it’s actually contemporary/urban. The concept is x-men with fae: a exiled, persecuted group of fae (some were humans changed in magical fallout, others are hybrid human/fae, etc) protecting their kind from experimentation. The lead character Owen is dragged into one last rescue mission, despite untrustworthy allies and his grief-stricken family.
Unfortunately, I didn't find the characters super compelling, and the plot was slow up until 60%. Stuff happened to Owen, he didn’t do any driving of the plot. There is also a lot of ”fae” subspecies (gryphons, vampires, werewolves, dragons, etc) to keep track of.
However, I think the way the author depicts Owen’s family suffering grief and trauma is very realistic: everyone reacts differently, most them react in unhealthy ways, loved ones are driven apart from each other and it’s messy/slow. And of course there’s dragons.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Unfortunately, I didn't find the characters super compelling, and the plot was slow up until 60%. Stuff happened to Owen, he didn’t do any driving of the plot. There is also a lot of ”fae” subspecies (gryphons, vampires, werewolves, dragons, etc) to keep track of.
However, I think the way the author depicts Owen’s family suffering grief and trauma is very realistic: everyone reacts differently, most them react in unhealthy ways, loved ones are driven apart from each other and it’s messy/slow. And of course there’s dragons.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
July 29, 2022
Title: Avalon
Author: Ceril N Domace
Release Date: May 26th, 2022
Page Count: 323
Start Date: July 13th, 2022
Finish Date: July 29th, 2022
Review:
Story: With the way the first book ended, I had to dive into this one as immediately as I could. I just couldn't believe how quickly everything went down! I'm not going to go into too many details to prevent spoilers. There are already enough spoilers in the blurb of this book. I definitely strongly recommend reading the first book first. Both books are so amazing. They are both worth the read.
Characters: We are following Owen. He is the father of four beautiful children who are all turning into Fae. This is the first book I've read like this with the main character being the parent. I'm sure there are many other books out there like this. It's just the first one I've personally experienced. I loved it. It was a nice change of pace for me. And it was such a lovely sight to see such a loyal individual who is so selfless as the main character. I'd of liked to see more of the characters in this book. Especially the children. I mean we get plenty of them. Don't get me wrong. I just can't really explain it well. I didn't really care at all for a certain character in this book. She was just a little too much.
Critiques: None
Final Thoughts: I really can't get over how amazing I found this book. I'm looking forward to reading the rest of the series. I'm actually pretty curious to read other books by this author. I love the writing style they have. I'm sure they will have many other great works if they don't already. I fully recommend reading this book. Please read Haven first. It helps so much in the flow of things.
Author: Ceril N Domace
Release Date: May 26th, 2022
Page Count: 323
Start Date: July 13th, 2022
Finish Date: July 29th, 2022
Review:
Story: With the way the first book ended, I had to dive into this one as immediately as I could. I just couldn't believe how quickly everything went down! I'm not going to go into too many details to prevent spoilers. There are already enough spoilers in the blurb of this book. I definitely strongly recommend reading the first book first. Both books are so amazing. They are both worth the read.
Characters: We are following Owen. He is the father of four beautiful children who are all turning into Fae. This is the first book I've read like this with the main character being the parent. I'm sure there are many other books out there like this. It's just the first one I've personally experienced. I loved it. It was a nice change of pace for me. And it was such a lovely sight to see such a loyal individual who is so selfless as the main character. I'd of liked to see more of the characters in this book. Especially the children. I mean we get plenty of them. Don't get me wrong. I just can't really explain it well. I didn't really care at all for a certain character in this book. She was just a little too much.
Critiques: None
Final Thoughts: I really can't get over how amazing I found this book. I'm looking forward to reading the rest of the series. I'm actually pretty curious to read other books by this author. I love the writing style they have. I'm sure they will have many other great works if they don't already. I fully recommend reading this book. Please read Haven first. It helps so much in the flow of things.
July 15, 2022
I loved Avalon just as much as the first book, Haven! Owen's PTSD over losing his son felt realistic, and my heart ached for his family as they tried to weather the storm David's death brought to their lives. Owen definitely needs all kind of therapy (and to work on his parenting skills), but watching him try to fix his mistakes after months of being absent but his family not being very open to it felt real.
Overall a great novel by Ceril about family under the guise of a fantasy adventure.
Overall a great novel by Ceril about family under the guise of a fantasy adventure.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 12, 2022
I really enjoyed this second installment.
The sequel touches on healing from trauma and grief in your own way, and elaborates on the world built in Haven. The characters balance doing what's right versus what is for the good of the community vs what they personally want. They are, ironically, so human.
If you are looking for a read that is fantastical, with a heist plot, this is the book for you!
The sequel touches on healing from trauma and grief in your own way, and elaborates on the world built in Haven. The characters balance doing what's right versus what is for the good of the community vs what they personally want. They are, ironically, so human.
If you are looking for a read that is fantastical, with a heist plot, this is the book for you!
June 27, 2022
The cover is what drew me in and I'm glad I did. the characters were what I wanted from this type of book. I hope there is more in this series.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 15, 2022
Fantasy with a human element
First off, the world building in this series is really innovative and intricate—you can spend hours soaking it up and still feel like there’s so much more going on than what’s presented to you. The thing that really makes these books work is the human element, though—Owen is unique as a fantasy protagonist because he’s a dad, and one of his main struggles is keeping his family together while making decisions that are best for the fae society he’s become part of. I’ve grown really emotionally invested in Owen and his family. Really loved the direction this book took and the ending left me breathless. Can’t wait to sink my teeth into the next one!
First off, the world building in this series is really innovative and intricate—you can spend hours soaking it up and still feel like there’s so much more going on than what’s presented to you. The thing that really makes these books work is the human element, though—Owen is unique as a fantasy protagonist because he’s a dad, and one of his main struggles is keeping his family together while making decisions that are best for the fae society he’s become part of. I’ve grown really emotionally invested in Owen and his family. Really loved the direction this book took and the ending left me breathless. Can’t wait to sink my teeth into the next one!
June 6, 2022
This book promises more adventure to come in the same way the first promised a wondrous, well-thought-out world for us to dive into. Ceril's ability to describe grief and pain is impeccable, and the ways in which the characters have grown since the first book makes perfect sense. Owen remains an incredible father figure albeit a more flawed and unfortunately realistic one. It's a stark reminder that parents are still human (per se) and a remarkable exploration on how far one man is willing to go to protect his family.
April 4, 2023
Couldn't put it down. Really built upon the first book. Excited to finally see the 3rd book coming out soon!
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews