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Fair Ones #1
Realm of Lore and Lies
Nothing is ever as it seems, especially when Fair Ones are involved.
In a land that harbours two realms, magical creatures and dangerous games are a way of life and death for the travelling Fianna clans. It is an honour to visit Tír na nÓg, even if the price is pretending Fair Ones don’t hunt humans for sport.
Ireland native Aisling never imagined she’d be alone, living a double life. But when your family shares the ability to see through Fae glamour, keeping secrets isn’t something you do for fun. You do it to stay alive.
A murder leaves Aisling motherless, thrusting her into the position of matriarch in a world she thought she’d never return to. Teaming up with an unlikely band of allies for a competition steeped in peril, she can’t resist the distraction warrior Setanta offers. Brooding, gorgeous and impossibly strong, he gives her a chance to be something she never could before—herself.
Bonded by troubled pasts and deadly circumstances, the team of misfits must face damaging truths as they try to stop their worlds from colliding.
In a land that harbours two realms, magical creatures and dangerous games are a way of life and death for the travelling Fianna clans. It is an honour to visit Tír na nÓg, even if the price is pretending Fair Ones don’t hunt humans for sport.
Ireland native Aisling never imagined she’d be alone, living a double life. But when your family shares the ability to see through Fae glamour, keeping secrets isn’t something you do for fun. You do it to stay alive.
A murder leaves Aisling motherless, thrusting her into the position of matriarch in a world she thought she’d never return to. Teaming up with an unlikely band of allies for a competition steeped in peril, she can’t resist the distraction warrior Setanta offers. Brooding, gorgeous and impossibly strong, he gives her a chance to be something she never could before—herself.
Bonded by troubled pasts and deadly circumstances, the team of misfits must face damaging truths as they try to stop their worlds from colliding.
494 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 3, 2022
400 people are currently reading
6560 people want to read
About the author
Claire Wright
2 books159 followersClaire Wright is the author of the Fair Ones series. She currently lives in Ireland with her husband, three children and one neurotic dog.
Claire pulls her inspiration from the rolling mountains to her left, the crashing waves of the sea to her right, and a small town steeped in Irish lore.
The second book in the Fair Ones trilogy will be coming 2023.
Claire pulls her inspiration from the rolling mountains to her left, the crashing waves of the sea to her right, and a small town steeped in Irish lore.
The second book in the Fair Ones trilogy will be coming 2023.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 285 reviews
September 29, 2022
AN INTERESTING FAE-WORLD THAT WAS LET DOWN BY A LACK OF EDITING
The starting point was strong. A wandering people who are able to see and interact with the Fae? Wonderful! However, the potential of the story and the setting was let down by a lack of editing. It was clear to me that Wright is a talented writer with a great story in her heart. But this really did need more editing to really get the story to shine.
👍 What I Liked 👍
Setting: I was immediately attracted to the Irish setting and the world of the traveling folk, the Fianna. They made a living as entertainers while also, under cover, protecting regular people from the Fae. It was a world that fascinated me and caught my interest.
👎 What I Disliked 👎
Characters: I don't necessarily think that any of the four main characters were decidedly bad. They were just slightly blah. We have four main characters, each with their own POV (more on that later) - but it was just too many characters for the story to handle. I never really felt like I got to know any of them. Or that they were more than just surface characters. They lacked depth and clarity of personality. The only one I kind of felt like I get to understand and really feel was Maebh.
Pace: This was definitely an editing issue. The pace was simply too slow for my taste. Probably because of the four separate POVs (more on that later). But also because nothing really happened. And then suddenly something happened all in a rush. And then we were back to nothing again.
POVs: Four POVs were too much for this story to handle! The characters and the pacing suffered immensely. But I was especially saddened by the lack of voice in each POV. If you do multiple POVs, my opinion is that you should make each of them unique. Give each character their own voice, their own flair. If every POV is written in the same voice, it creates a distance between the reader and the characters, in my opinion. I believe that this story would have fared much better with only to POV.
ARC provided by the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
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The starting point was strong. A wandering people who are able to see and interact with the Fae? Wonderful! However, the potential of the story and the setting was let down by a lack of editing. It was clear to me that Wright is a talented writer with a great story in her heart. But this really did need more editing to really get the story to shine.
👍 What I Liked 👍
Setting: I was immediately attracted to the Irish setting and the world of the traveling folk, the Fianna. They made a living as entertainers while also, under cover, protecting regular people from the Fae. It was a world that fascinated me and caught my interest.
👎 What I Disliked 👎
Characters: I don't necessarily think that any of the four main characters were decidedly bad. They were just slightly blah. We have four main characters, each with their own POV (more on that later) - but it was just too many characters for the story to handle. I never really felt like I got to know any of them. Or that they were more than just surface characters. They lacked depth and clarity of personality. The only one I kind of felt like I get to understand and really feel was Maebh.
Pace: This was definitely an editing issue. The pace was simply too slow for my taste. Probably because of the four separate POVs (more on that later). But also because nothing really happened. And then suddenly something happened all in a rush. And then we were back to nothing again.
POVs: Four POVs were too much for this story to handle! The characters and the pacing suffered immensely. But I was especially saddened by the lack of voice in each POV. If you do multiple POVs, my opinion is that you should make each of them unique. Give each character their own voice, their own flair. If every POV is written in the same voice, it creates a distance between the reader and the characters, in my opinion. I believe that this story would have fared much better with only to POV.
ARC provided by the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
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February 15, 2025*AUTHOR NOTE*
This is not an official review, but how weird would it be if I gave my own book anything other than 5 stars?
Here is a little insight into what to expect from book 1:
New Adult Fantasy (YA vibes but for a more mature reader).
Multiple POV (Point of View) Chapters.
Irish Mythology - think mischievous and sometimes scary fae. Quirky lore and an enchanting culture.
Expletive language.
Murder and some violence - It's your typical fantasy.
Found Family - with banter and misfits.
Slow burn romance subplot - a sprinkle of romance is introduced in book 1. Remember, this is a marathon, not a sprint. We have two more books to go!
This is the beginning of the Fair Ones series, and while you're introduced to their world in this book, prepare yourself for more scary fae in the next books.
This is not an official review, but how weird would it be if I gave my own book anything other than 5 stars?
Here is a little insight into what to expect from book 1:
New Adult Fantasy (YA vibes but for a more mature reader).
Multiple POV (Point of View) Chapters.
Irish Mythology - think mischievous and sometimes scary fae. Quirky lore and an enchanting culture.
Expletive language.
Murder and some violence - It's your typical fantasy.
Found Family - with banter and misfits.
Slow burn romance subplot - a sprinkle of romance is introduced in book 1. Remember, this is a marathon, not a sprint. We have two more books to go!
This is the beginning of the Fair Ones series, and while you're introduced to their world in this book, prepare yourself for more scary fae in the next books.
August 19, 2022
*Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review *
Somehow, I wanted to like this a lot more than I actually did. I feel like there were too many characters who didn't receive enough depth and the pacing of the story felt all over the place.
Somehow, I wanted to like this a lot more than I actually did. I feel like there were too many characters who didn't receive enough depth and the pacing of the story felt all over the place.
September 14, 2022
Before I start my review I just want to say I’m a person who generally writes what I don’t like about a book and let people decide if they can look past those or not. I am 100% sure the author Claire Wright put all of her time and heart into this book and I thank her for that. It is rare these days that I see author’s who write because they do love writing, Claire is one of them. Her attention to detail, her research, and general admiration for her characters and the world she created shine through the pages. So I encourage you to give this book a chance even though I ended up not liking it as much as I thought I would. This book didn’t work for me but I am sure it will work for most. I again, thank Claire for writing this. Now…
IT’S TIME FOR THE MEAN PART OF MY REVIEW!
*Cue the applause*
So what I didn’t like about this book… Let’s start with my arch-nemesis who made an appearance in this book: insta-love. For the sake of keeping this review spoiler free, I won’t tell the certain couple’s names here but that won’t stop me from ranting about it. You guys have only known each other properly for what? 5 days? GET A GRIP. Anyway.
Looking at my notes, it is really hard to write this review without giving much away but I’ll just say some of Ash's actions do not add up with her personality and what she said or thought a few pages back. She changes her mind quicker than the song Hot n’ Cold by Katta Perry. Her reactions actually made my head spin. If I had that weird emotion-reading power like some of the characters in this book, I’d feel high AF whenever I was with her.
Speaking of, the people in this book started randomly getting that rare and important emotion reading power which did not add anything to the plot. That power was as rare as Sarah J. Maas’s mates. You are told that they are extraordinary and very special and then BOOM. You run into five thousand of them.
As I mentioned earlier in my review, I do take notes when I’m reading a book. When I look back on those notes, I can tell I was bored but didn’t want to admit it because I was just fascinated with the book. Let me give you an example: “I was posting an update on GoodReads when I noticed nothing significant happens till the 50% mark. I wasn't bored or anything, it just felt dull. The book started fast and exciting just to crash everything to the ground instead of climbing up.” This might sound like a diary entry but it’s true. Plus none can explain me better than myself so, here’s another one: “No but I'm at 70%, and still nothing happened? No news on the murder-mystery part and no news on the big approaching fight part. Nothing. Nada. Why am I even reading this again?”
Now this portion will involve minor spoilers. If you decide to read it it’s on you. It won’t spoil the book for you but I don’t wanna get gunned down just because someone thought it was a big thing.
“Oh but Cyra, you said this review would be spoiler free!” STFU dipshit, mama has to talk about this.
So, Set has this weird power that came straight from an episode of Supernatural. He randomly turns into a demonic monster. (You find out about this bit on his first POV so that’s not really a spoiler anyway.) And it is kept a secret because why wouldn't it be? His mother even designed a secret dungeon just for him and his Hannah Montana persona to come out and have time to heal afterward. Again, and I can’t stress this enough, he turns into a monster RANDOMLY. So tell me why on earth would his mother decide to bring him to Cath, which is like a big tournament that everybody attends, WHERE HE CAN TURN AND POSSIBLY KILL SOMEONE AT ANY GIVEN MOMENT? OR GET HIMSELF KILLED FOR BEING A WEREWOLF-Y MONSTER? Even if he somehow magically stops himself without killing anyone, someone can still find out about it? THEN WHAT? I never read about ONE GOOD MOTHER whose name was Imogen and this one wasn’t an exception.
END OF NOT MUCH OF A SPOILER-SPOILER.
So if you have read this far, you deserve to know about Maebeth. She is a bisexual with mommy issues. Mae alone is a very good reason to read this book. There is a scene at the beginning where she is having a crisis and screaming “I am just as golden, just as worthy.” while beating up her own brother. She is giving Marvel Loki energy and I’M HERE FOR IT. Speaking of Marvel, this book can be counted as a Dr. Banner and Natasha fanfiction. (You’ll understand this joke once you read this book… And if you’re familiar with Marvel… And its characters… Okay you probably won’t get this joke but I found it funny so I’m gonna keep it, thanks.)
I received an ARC of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
IT’S TIME FOR THE MEAN PART OF MY REVIEW!
*Cue the applause*
So what I didn’t like about this book… Let’s start with my arch-nemesis who made an appearance in this book: insta-love. For the sake of keeping this review spoiler free, I won’t tell the certain couple’s names here but that won’t stop me from ranting about it. You guys have only known each other properly for what? 5 days? GET A GRIP. Anyway.
Looking at my notes, it is really hard to write this review without giving much away but I’ll just say some of Ash's actions do not add up with her personality and what she said or thought a few pages back. She changes her mind quicker than the song Hot n’ Cold by Katta Perry. Her reactions actually made my head spin. If I had that weird emotion-reading power like some of the characters in this book, I’d feel high AF whenever I was with her.
Speaking of, the people in this book started randomly getting that rare and important emotion reading power which did not add anything to the plot. That power was as rare as Sarah J. Maas’s mates. You are told that they are extraordinary and very special and then BOOM. You run into five thousand of them.
As I mentioned earlier in my review, I do take notes when I’m reading a book. When I look back on those notes, I can tell I was bored but didn’t want to admit it because I was just fascinated with the book. Let me give you an example: “I was posting an update on GoodReads when I noticed nothing significant happens till the 50% mark. I wasn't bored or anything, it just felt dull. The book started fast and exciting just to crash everything to the ground instead of climbing up.” This might sound like a diary entry but it’s true. Plus none can explain me better than myself so, here’s another one: “No but I'm at 70%, and still nothing happened? No news on the murder-mystery part and no news on the big approaching fight part. Nothing. Nada. Why am I even reading this again?”
Now this portion will involve minor spoilers. If you decide to read it it’s on you. It won’t spoil the book for you but I don’t wanna get gunned down just because someone thought it was a big thing.
“Oh but Cyra, you said this review would be spoiler free!” STFU dipshit, mama has to talk about this.
So, Set has this weird power that came straight from an episode of Supernatural. He randomly turns into a demonic monster. (You find out about this bit on his first POV so that’s not really a spoiler anyway.) And it is kept a secret because why wouldn't it be? His mother even designed a secret dungeon just for him and his Hannah Montana persona to come out and have time to heal afterward. Again, and I can’t stress this enough, he turns into a monster RANDOMLY. So tell me why on earth would his mother decide to bring him to Cath, which is like a big tournament that everybody attends, WHERE HE CAN TURN AND POSSIBLY KILL SOMEONE AT ANY GIVEN MOMENT? OR GET HIMSELF KILLED FOR BEING A WEREWOLF-Y MONSTER? Even if he somehow magically stops himself without killing anyone, someone can still find out about it? THEN WHAT? I never read about ONE GOOD MOTHER whose name was Imogen and this one wasn’t an exception.
END OF NOT MUCH OF A SPOILER-SPOILER.
So if you have read this far, you deserve to know about Maebeth. She is a bisexual with mommy issues. Mae alone is a very good reason to read this book. There is a scene at the beginning where she is having a crisis and screaming “I am just as golden, just as worthy.” while beating up her own brother. She is giving Marvel Loki energy and I’M HERE FOR IT. Speaking of Marvel, this book can be counted as a Dr. Banner and Natasha fanfiction. (You’ll understand this joke once you read this book… And if you’re familiar with Marvel… And its characters… Okay you probably won’t get this joke but I found it funny so I’m gonna keep it, thanks.)
I received an ARC of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
December 26, 2024
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This one was a bit disappointing personally. I read that it was based on irish lore and mythology which is what initially drew me in, and I want to say that the author's passion and love for irish culture really shines through, but every other aspect in this just didn't work out, which is why it ultimately fell flat for me.
The beginning was quite hard to get into as it was really slow, which was in large part due to the inconsistent pacing. There were pages upon pages of literally nothing happening, then suddenly things started happening, and just as quickly it was over. In general, for a book that's 500ish pages long, I also have to say that barely anything noteworthy happenend? Sure, there's the murder mystery they all wanna solve, but this could've been condensed by a lot?
The plot was a mess. Like you don't really have anything happening till you're like 60% in, then the characters get a quest and after a couple pages they find what they're looking for?? SUCH a missed opportunity to show the reader more of the world/realm/creatures there and have the characters interacting/bantering so you can actually see their chemistry with each other.
And imo, the comparisons to Holly Black or Sarah J. Maas are completely off, the only thing that is similar about them is that they write stories about fae. That's it.
I usually love multiple POV stories, but it just didn't work here, nor was it needed. Even though the characters got whole chapters revolving around them, they fell flat, with no actual depth. There were just too many perspectives and not enough time with them.
Additional thoughts:
- the characters were 20+ yet felt like YA cutouts
- their thoughts and actions often didn't match
- both romantic relationships had zero chemistry and felt forced (e.g. you just went through something traumatic but you can't stop staring at the hot boy's muscles?? was this needed and/or realistic?)
-there was a random sex scene that came out of nowhere and completely threw me off lol
- the dialogue was kinda unnatural/cringy at times?
There were just too many storylines with too many characters going on, it became SO convoluted and easy to lose track. How can you have this much going on with nothing actually happening? Needless to say, I couldn't get myself to care about any of them (except for Maebh), and I found it hard to immerse myself in the story due to the inconsistent pacing.
This is the first book in a trilogy, and the author most likely will improve with each one, but I don't have any desire to continue on with this series.
I would recommend this book to anyone that is interested in irish lore with a modern twist and is willing to give this debut author, who is clearly passionate about her culture, a chance.
This one was a bit disappointing personally. I read that it was based on irish lore and mythology which is what initially drew me in, and I want to say that the author's passion and love for irish culture really shines through, but every other aspect in this just didn't work out, which is why it ultimately fell flat for me.
The beginning was quite hard to get into as it was really slow, which was in large part due to the inconsistent pacing. There were pages upon pages of literally nothing happening, then suddenly things started happening, and just as quickly it was over. In general, for a book that's 500ish pages long, I also have to say that barely anything noteworthy happenend? Sure, there's the murder mystery they all wanna solve, but this could've been condensed by a lot?
The plot was a mess. Like you don't really have anything happening till you're like 60% in, then the characters get a quest and after a couple pages they find what they're looking for?? SUCH a missed opportunity to show the reader more of the world/realm/creatures there and have the characters interacting/bantering so you can actually see their chemistry with each other.
And imo, the comparisons to Holly Black or Sarah J. Maas are completely off, the only thing that is similar about them is that they write stories about fae. That's it.
I usually love multiple POV stories, but it just didn't work here, nor was it needed. Even though the characters got whole chapters revolving around them, they fell flat, with no actual depth. There were just too many perspectives and not enough time with them.
Additional thoughts:
- the characters were 20+ yet felt like YA cutouts
- their thoughts and actions often didn't match
- both romantic relationships had zero chemistry and felt forced (e.g. you just went through something traumatic but you can't stop staring at the hot boy's muscles?? was this needed and/or realistic?)
-there was a random sex scene that came out of nowhere and completely threw me off lol
- the dialogue was kinda unnatural/cringy at times?
There were just too many storylines with too many characters going on, it became SO convoluted and easy to lose track. How can you have this much going on with nothing actually happening? Needless to say, I couldn't get myself to care about any of them (except for Maebh), and I found it hard to immerse myself in the story due to the inconsistent pacing.
This is the first book in a trilogy, and the author most likely will improve with each one, but I don't have any desire to continue on with this series.
I would recommend this book to anyone that is interested in irish lore with a modern twist and is willing to give this debut author, who is clearly passionate about her culture, a chance.
October 3, 2022
When you're gifted an ARC ahead of its launch in exchange for an honest review and it's one of the best fantasy fiction books you've read in ages. If not ever!!
I totally enjoyed this book from start to finish so five star rating for sure and definitely getting a Physical copy of this book.
Set in Ireland and filled with Fae Lore, monsters, romance and murder, follow the story of Ash, Set, Maebh and Tiernan.
It has some of the best characters I've read about in ages. We all need a Set in our lives. And the ending!! I'm already in need of book two.
This book was impossible to put down. I loved the world building and that the author took the time to build such a strong understanding of each character while still making it action packed thrilling.
You're totally drawn into their world. I love all of the main characters and watching the relationships unfold. With plot twists, a brilliant interwoven storyline and so much happening throughout, I found it impossible to fault this book.
Can't wait for book two.
If there is one Fae fantasy book you read, it needs to be this one.
I totally enjoyed this book from start to finish so five star rating for sure and definitely getting a Physical copy of this book.
Set in Ireland and filled with Fae Lore, monsters, romance and murder, follow the story of Ash, Set, Maebh and Tiernan.
It has some of the best characters I've read about in ages. We all need a Set in our lives. And the ending!! I'm already in need of book two.
This book was impossible to put down. I loved the world building and that the author took the time to build such a strong understanding of each character while still making it action packed thrilling.
You're totally drawn into their world. I love all of the main characters and watching the relationships unfold. With plot twists, a brilliant interwoven storyline and so much happening throughout, I found it impossible to fault this book.
Can't wait for book two.
If there is one Fae fantasy book you read, it needs to be this one.
November 14, 2023
I wasn't sure I was enjoying this when I started as there was quite a lot of info dumping but as I persevered I found I really enjoyed the plot. I've not read many books set around Irish mythology or Fae so it was interesting to learn about, I did have to Google a lot of the Irish words and then I realised there was a glossary at the end 🤦🏻♀️
The book was split into four POV, which was too many I think as some of the characters were very samey and a sharper focus and development on two main characters may have worked better.
The romances felt a bit too instalove but nevertheless, I enjoyed the plot once it got going and am keen to see how the story progresses.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Thank you to Netgalley, BooksGoSocial, and the author.
The book was split into four POV, which was too many I think as some of the characters were very samey and a sharper focus and development on two main characters may have worked better.
The romances felt a bit too instalove but nevertheless, I enjoyed the plot once it got going and am keen to see how the story progresses.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Thank you to Netgalley, BooksGoSocial, and the author.
August 22, 2022
I was pleasantly surprised by how good this book was. I didn‘t really have any expectations going in, I just new that it‘s a fantasy book. I loved the story playing in Ireland, it‘s a story with some romance, family stories, murder and mystery. I wanted more depth into the characters but that might be something that will get explored in the second one of this series, we‘ll see. I‘m excited to see how this will continue.
September 12, 2022
A fantasy novel surrounding Irish Mythology? I’ll read it.
I was pleasantly surprised by this page-turner. While the first few chapters read a bit slow, as the world and characters were being established, it was quick to pick up. Definitely a read that won’t let you stop till 3am, so make sure you can sleep in the next day.
I typically do not like multi-POV books, as it is nearly impossible to make each character equally compelling. Claire Wright proved me wrong. I was heavily invested in each of the four leads and did not feel annoyed when flipping the page over to find another character’s chapter. That said, Tiernan definitely was my favorite character. As a computer science major, I am a sucker for a tech genius.
Action-packed, incredible world building and lovable characters. I would totally recommend Realm of Lore and Lies to a friend. Especially if visiting Ireland is on your bucket list.
Thank you NetGalley for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.
I was pleasantly surprised by this page-turner. While the first few chapters read a bit slow, as the world and characters were being established, it was quick to pick up. Definitely a read that won’t let you stop till 3am, so make sure you can sleep in the next day.
I typically do not like multi-POV books, as it is nearly impossible to make each character equally compelling. Claire Wright proved me wrong. I was heavily invested in each of the four leads and did not feel annoyed when flipping the page over to find another character’s chapter. That said, Tiernan definitely was my favorite character. As a computer science major, I am a sucker for a tech genius.
Action-packed, incredible world building and lovable characters. I would totally recommend Realm of Lore and Lies to a friend. Especially if visiting Ireland is on your bucket list.
Thank you NetGalley for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.
October 30, 2022
Thanks to NetGalley & BooksGoSocial for an eARC of this book. The following review is my honest reflection on the text provided.
Realm of Lore and Lies is one of those books that you know you should be enjoying as you’re reading it, but you can’t quite bring yourself to that level. All the individual parts are remarkable, but something about their assembly feels off. Whether it’s the pacing, the interactions, the decisions, or the rampant instalove, there’s just something working against your desire to enjoy this read. After all, you can’t describe a magical gift as being unique and then by the end of the book, basically everyone can do it.
That said, I believe Realm of Lore and Lies is worth reading for Mae and Mae alone. Her very human desire to be accepted by her mother (and her clan) and her acting out to defend herself when she knows this will never happen was captivating. She is the most grounded character whose actions make sense and made me want to know so much more about her.
I think I would be interested to read the next book in this series. With some editing, I believe there are the bones of something special here. Maybe it will reveal itself moving forward.
Review originally posted here on Britt's Book Blurbs.
Realm of Lore and Lies is one of those books that you know you should be enjoying as you’re reading it, but you can’t quite bring yourself to that level. All the individual parts are remarkable, but something about their assembly feels off. Whether it’s the pacing, the interactions, the decisions, or the rampant instalove, there’s just something working against your desire to enjoy this read. After all, you can’t describe a magical gift as being unique and then by the end of the book, basically everyone can do it.
That said, I believe Realm of Lore and Lies is worth reading for Mae and Mae alone. Her very human desire to be accepted by her mother (and her clan) and her acting out to defend herself when she knows this will never happen was captivating. She is the most grounded character whose actions make sense and made me want to know so much more about her.
I think I would be interested to read the next book in this series. With some editing, I believe there are the bones of something special here. Maybe it will reveal itself moving forward.
Review originally posted here on Britt's Book Blurbs.
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October 14, 2022
Thank you so much to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I was instantly hooked from the premise of this and couldn't wait to start. Overall I am bummed I didn't love this more. This was very atmospheric and I loved the world created. I've never been to Ireland but I felt transported there while reading this. This was slower than I anticipated, which isn't a bad thing, I just wished the action and tension started to happen sooner.
Aisling was a decent enough heroine, but her relationship with Setanta felt a little insta-love to me, which was a bit of a downfall for me. I wanted to love this more and I am sad I didn't. I'm undecided on if I'll pick up the sequel.
I was instantly hooked from the premise of this and couldn't wait to start. Overall I am bummed I didn't love this more. This was very atmospheric and I loved the world created. I've never been to Ireland but I felt transported there while reading this. This was slower than I anticipated, which isn't a bad thing, I just wished the action and tension started to happen sooner.
Aisling was a decent enough heroine, but her relationship with Setanta felt a little insta-love to me, which was a bit of a downfall for me. I wanted to love this more and I am sad I didn't. I'm undecided on if I'll pick up the sequel.
September 8, 2022
i received an arc from netgalley; all reviews are my own
4 stars
WOWIE WHAT A BOOK! the characters and the writing are just *chef kiss*
the story takes place in ireland, and is based off irish folklore. it follows the stories of aisling (ash) breen, tiernan cassidy, setana (set) and meabh mcquillian, and conor breen, and how their paths intertwine as they are dropped in Tír na nÓg to go on a scavenger hunt. think hunger games, but less barbaric (?)
without giving too much away, here are my fav moments from this book:
1. set's kinda like the hulk (he's ginormous in all parts iykyk)
2. meabh and ash become bffs and its so cute (they also kinds share the same power)
3. tiernan's cousin emer is a giant pile of flaming shit and i don't like her
4. tattoos :')
5. just women hyping each other up and men not giving them shit for being strong and being leaders
overall, a solid read, and i am definitely looking forward to book 2
4 stars
WOWIE WHAT A BOOK! the characters and the writing are just *chef kiss*
the story takes place in ireland, and is based off irish folklore. it follows the stories of aisling (ash) breen, tiernan cassidy, setana (set) and meabh mcquillian, and conor breen, and how their paths intertwine as they are dropped in Tír na nÓg to go on a scavenger hunt. think hunger games, but less barbaric (?)
without giving too much away, here are my fav moments from this book:
1. set's kinda like the hulk (he's ginormous in all parts iykyk)
2. meabh and ash become bffs and its so cute (they also kinds share the same power)
3. tiernan's cousin emer is a giant pile of flaming shit and i don't like her
4. tattoos :')
5. just women hyping each other up and men not giving them shit for being strong and being leaders
overall, a solid read, and i am definitely looking forward to book 2
October 3, 2022
I would like to start out by saying that I have been looking forward to this book for a very long time. When I first read the description, I knew that it would become a favorite read for me. What I didn't expect was to absolutely fall in love with everything about it.....This is Claire Wright's debut but it definitely reads like a seasoned author who has many best sellers under her belt!
This story follows Aisling who is from the Breen Clan. At a very young age, she runs away and is taken in by a wonderful couple who treat her like their own. She lives away from her clan for years but has so many regrets and misses her younger brother Conner. The only tie she has to her family are the written letters that she receives from her brother. When tragedy strikes, Aisling must go back and rely on the help of friends and family to participate in the Cath. The only way she will survive is if she relies on the for help. The problem is that there are so many obstacles in her way and she must decipher the truth for fiction. Will she and her friends survive?
OH MY.......This book is so good. Its hard to even describe how much I LOVE THIS STORY! Claire weaves a tale so entrenched in lore and mythology that you find yourself drawn in and not wanting it to end. The characters become your friends and their travels become your journey into their world. They are a group of misfits that work. There is Tiernan who is the dedicated friend and computer genius but more like another brother to Aisling. Maebh (pronounced Maeve) who is the best friend that Aisling didn't know she needed. And let me tell you, Maebh is snarky and funny as hell! Set is the handsome twin brother to Maebh. He's the sexy love interest but he doesn't know it. Poor Set has secrets and demons he is fighting all the time. and you have Connor. Aisling's brother who has his own demons to high. Together, this rag tag group of misfits will laugh, cry and fight together to form a family who will stick together through it all. Claires love for her homeland is woven through this book and is amazing to see it through her eyes. The writing is flawless and the story a tale I will never forget. I promise that you will love it as much as me and I hope you give it a try. If I could give this book more than 5 stars, I would!
This story follows Aisling who is from the Breen Clan. At a very young age, she runs away and is taken in by a wonderful couple who treat her like their own. She lives away from her clan for years but has so many regrets and misses her younger brother Conner. The only tie she has to her family are the written letters that she receives from her brother. When tragedy strikes, Aisling must go back and rely on the help of friends and family to participate in the Cath. The only way she will survive is if she relies on the for help. The problem is that there are so many obstacles in her way and she must decipher the truth for fiction. Will she and her friends survive?
OH MY.......This book is so good. Its hard to even describe how much I LOVE THIS STORY! Claire weaves a tale so entrenched in lore and mythology that you find yourself drawn in and not wanting it to end. The characters become your friends and their travels become your journey into their world. They are a group of misfits that work. There is Tiernan who is the dedicated friend and computer genius but more like another brother to Aisling. Maebh (pronounced Maeve) who is the best friend that Aisling didn't know she needed. And let me tell you, Maebh is snarky and funny as hell! Set is the handsome twin brother to Maebh. He's the sexy love interest but he doesn't know it. Poor Set has secrets and demons he is fighting all the time. and you have Connor. Aisling's brother who has his own demons to high. Together, this rag tag group of misfits will laugh, cry and fight together to form a family who will stick together through it all. Claires love for her homeland is woven through this book and is amazing to see it through her eyes. The writing is flawless and the story a tale I will never forget. I promise that you will love it as much as me and I hope you give it a try. If I could give this book more than 5 stars, I would!
September 17, 2022
thanks to netgalley for this arc!
i wasn’t sure what to expect when i started this book but i was delightfully surprised. i loved it 🫶🏽
set in ireland, realm of lore and lies is a tale of human Fianna clans and the creatures that live among them and in the otherworld. while keeping their eye out for púca, white-haired druids, and trifling family, there are also grisly murders and missing loved ones. after that ending, i absolutely need to know what happens next!!
i wasn’t sure what to expect when i started this book but i was delightfully surprised. i loved it 🫶🏽
set in ireland, realm of lore and lies is a tale of human Fianna clans and the creatures that live among them and in the otherworld. while keeping their eye out for púca, white-haired druids, and trifling family, there are also grisly murders and missing loved ones. after that ending, i absolutely need to know what happens next!!
September 17, 2022
I received an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
I wanted to like this, but in the end it was another fae story that let me down.
It started off pretty well. The writing isn't *amazing* but it is easy to read, and there was a decent hook to begin with.
I think the first mistake the author made was making this multi-POV. It just... didn't need to be. Aisling is clearly the main character, and also this story would 100% still have worked with just her POV. Introducing the other POVs completely slammed the breaks on the pacing, and after a fairly gripping opening, nothing happened. This could have been condensed by a lot too.
Also, nothing much actually happened plot wise. This feeling was exacerbated by how passive the four main characters were. They barely made a single plan the whole time, just reacted to other stuff happening. And then when they did have plans, they didn't make any sense?
The druid, Ethne was also annoying af. She was clearly OP, knew everything, and just kept appearing and being vague, but also made the characters do things instead of them having any of their own agency. There's not necessarily anything wrong with having an OP kind of character manipulating others from behind the scenes, but it's certainly more interesting when it's not so obvious (including to the characters themselves) that they're being manipulated.
The romance in this also wasn't for me. They both felt forced, and there was just way too much internal dialogue about feelings and how hot everyone was. Ew. I was also wish we got to see more actual fae, and more of the fae world. There was very little faerie screen time. Maybe that will change in future books, but I won't be sticking around to find out.
I wanted to like this, but in the end it was another fae story that let me down.
It started off pretty well. The writing isn't *amazing* but it is easy to read, and there was a decent hook to begin with.
I think the first mistake the author made was making this multi-POV. It just... didn't need to be. Aisling is clearly the main character, and also this story would 100% still have worked with just her POV. Introducing the other POVs completely slammed the breaks on the pacing, and after a fairly gripping opening, nothing happened. This could have been condensed by a lot too.
Also, nothing much actually happened plot wise. This feeling was exacerbated by how passive the four main characters were. They barely made a single plan the whole time, just reacted to other stuff happening. And then when they did have plans, they didn't make any sense?
The druid, Ethne was also annoying af. She was clearly OP, knew everything, and just kept appearing and being vague, but also made the characters do things instead of them having any of their own agency. There's not necessarily anything wrong with having an OP kind of character manipulating others from behind the scenes, but it's certainly more interesting when it's not so obvious (including to the characters themselves) that they're being manipulated.
The romance in this also wasn't for me. They both felt forced, and there was just way too much internal dialogue about feelings and how hot everyone was. Ew. I was also wish we got to see more actual fae, and more of the fae world. There was very little faerie screen time. Maybe that will change in future books, but I won't be sticking around to find out.
August 29, 2022
This books was very interesting and refreshing. I loved the way Claire Wright told this story, as she set it up beautifully. I loved how although the book was written in third person, each chapter focused primarily on a different character and their thoughts. Books written like that are so refreshing and such a joy to read. I found Ash's story to be the most interesting and entertaining because she was the easiest one for me to relate to. The other characters, however, are still interesting. One thing about this book is that is relatively on the lengthy side and does move a bit slow during some parts. It didn't bother me much because the plot was still overall interesting, but keep that in mind while reading this one. I would still recommend it!
Thank you NetGalley and BooksGoSocial for this free arc in exchange for my honest review.
Thank you NetGalley and BooksGoSocial for this free arc in exchange for my honest review.
October 3, 2022
This book blew me away, it brought me to tears and made me fall in love with the world. I loved Ash, Set, Maebe and Tiernan.
I loved all the culture and lore and really found the world building to be so rich and beautifully written. The twists and turns and secrets were perfect and I honestly can’t wait for the next book in the series.
Amazing writing and I promise you will not want to miss out on this one,
I loved all the culture and lore and really found the world building to be so rich and beautifully written. The twists and turns and secrets were perfect and I honestly can’t wait for the next book in the series.
Amazing writing and I promise you will not want to miss out on this one,
July 1, 2022
¿Querés leer la reseña en español? seguí bajando :D
She lived and breathed archaeology
Same Ash, same. And talking about Aisling, welcome to this honest review of Realm of Lore and Lies, a book I had the opportunity to read as an advance copy.
Like I said, this is Ash’s story, a girl who ran from her clan and years after that she is in her last year of her archaeology degree. The only connection she has with her family is through her brother’s letters she receives monthly. One day like any other, she is working on an archaeological site, and she saw a Banshee, a creature that according to Irish folklore is a signal if someone will die soon. Oh surprise, not much time after that, Ash found a body in a tomb, but obviously this is not a skeleton from an ancient group, nope, it’s a person that had been murdered and now, Ash is a suspect.
But that is not the only thing that complicates Ash’s life, she also has to return home and take an active role on her clan, and be part of the Cath, something like a competition on Tír na nÓg AKA the land of youth or the Irish otherworld. Dun dun dun… Here is where things became interesting, that’s means you have enough information to make yourself an idea of what this book is about.
With the help of Maebh, Setanta and Tiernan, Ash has to claim her birthright, find a murderer and win some quest for the High King, nothing could go wrong right? Well, everything could go wrong when magic and ancient forces are involved, so you can figure out that Ash’s journey isn’t easy.
Quick opinion, I loved this book. The world in this book feel so real, magical and it’s so full of myths that this archaeologist and myths lover writing this review fangirled a lot. This book brings to life a lot of Irish folklore and combines this with a murder mystery and a fantasy story, and even with these elements, the book doesn’t feel overwhelming or dense.
Now, what I think is the strongest point of this book, the characters, this story follows multiple points of view, and every single one of them was really good, but my favorite was Ash’s POV. But the four of them were fascinating. I love that every one of the four main characters, Ash, Set, Maebh, and Tier; had their own adventure and space to grow through the story, to feel their fears and to make their own choices.
Talking about the characters I can’t talk about one of them, letting the others behind so, what can I say without spoiling you? That I loved them and I really need them happy and living their best life. Another thing I can say is #leaveMaebhbehappy please, this girl has been through a lot; also I can say that I loved that Ash fangirled with ancient symbols, and I’ve never been so identified with a character, in terms of their love for the past, like I was with Ash. And of course, I can’t forget that Tiernan is so smart, I love how clever he is, and also how cute Setanta is, I mean he could kill me, but I think he is like a big teddy bear ready to kill.
Finally, let’s talk about that final part of the book, it was so good, I love it, the way everything tided up together to make the big revelation of the real evil one was epic. Now I'm patiently waiting for book two on this series because I need to read what will happen to these guys in the trials they’ll have to face in the future.
Sooooo, I gave Realm of Lore and Lies 4.5/5 because even when I loved this book, and it’s such an amazing story full of myths and folklore, it was a little difficult for me to follow every character’s storyline at the beginning, but in my defense, I was more focused on Ash’s story because I just wanted to know, and I am an impatient person :D. But when I did it, I couldn’t stop reading until the end.
Ella vivía y respiraba arqueología
Igual Ash, igual. Y hablando de Aisling, bienvenidos a esta honesta reseña de Realm of Lore and Lies, libro que tuve la oportunidad de leer como copia avanzada.
Como dije, esta es la historia de Ash, una chica que huyó de su clan y años después está en su último año de la carrera de arqueología. La única conexión que tiene con su familia es a través de las cartas de su hermano que recibe mensualmente. Un día, como cualquier otro, ella está trabajando en un sitio arqueológico y vio a una Banshee, una criatura que según el folclore irlandés es una señal de que alguien va a morir pronto. Oh, sorpresa, no mucho tiempo después de eso, Ash encontró un cuerpo en una tumba, pero obviamente este no es un esqueleto de un grupo antiguo, no, es una persona que ha sido asesinada y ahora, Ash es una sospechosa.
Pero eso no es lo único que complica la vida de Ash, también tiene que volver a casa y tomar un papel activo en su clan, y ser parte del Cath, algo así como una competencia en Tír na nÓg, también conocida como la tierra de la juventud o el otro mundo irlandés. Dun dun dun… Aquí es donde las cosas se pusieron interesantes, eso significa que tienen suficiente información para hacerse una idea de lo que trata este libro.
Con la ayuda de Maebh, Setanta y Tiernan, Ash tiene que reclamar su derecho de nacimiento, encontrar un asesino y ganar una misión para el Gran Rey, nada podría salir mal, ¿verdad? Bueno, todo podría salir mal cuando la magia y las fuerzas antiguas están involucradas, así que pueden darse cuenta de que el viaje de Ash no es fácil.
Opinión rápida, me encantó este libro. El mundo en este libro se siente muy real, mágico y está muy lleno de mitos, que esta arqueóloga y amante de los mitos que escribió esta reseña fangirleó demasiado. Este libro da vida a una gran cantidad de folclore irlandés y lo combina con un misterio de asesinato y una historia de fantasía, e incluso con estos elementos, el libro no se siente abrumador o denso.
Ahora, lo que creo que es el punto más fuerte de este libro, los personajes, esta historia sigue múltiples puntos de vista, y cada uno de ellos fue realmente bueno, pero mi favorito fue el punto de vista de Ash. Pero los cuatro fueron fascinantes. Me encanta que cada uno de los cuatro personajes principales, Ash, Set, Maebh y Tier; tuvieron su propia aventura y espacio para crecer a lo largo de la historia, sentir sus miedos y tomar sus propias decisiones.
Hablando de los personajes no puedo hablar de uno de ellos, dejando atrás a los demás, así que, ¿qué puedo decir sin spoilearles? Que los amé y realmente los necesito felices y viviendo su mejor vida. Otra cosa que puedo decir es #dejenaMaebhserfeliz por favor, esta chica ya ha pasado por mucho; también puedo decir que me encantó que Ash fangirleara con símbolos antiguos, y nunca me había sentido tan identificada con un personaje, en términos de su amor por el pasado, como lo estaba con Ash. Y, por supuesto, no puedo olvidar que Tiernan es demasiado inteligente, me encanta lo ingenioso que es, y también lo tierno que es Setanta, o sea, podría matarme, pero creo que es como un gran oso de peluche listo para matar.
Finalmente, hablemos de la parte final del libro, fue muy buena, me encanta la forma en que todo se juntó para hacer la gran revelación del verdadero mal de todos los males, fue épica. Ahora estoy esperando pacientemente el segundo libro de esta serie, porque necesito leer lo que les sucederá a estos chicos en las pruebas que tendrán que enfrentar en el futuro.
Eeeeentonces, le di Realm of Lore and Lies 4.5/5 porque incluso cuando amé este libro, y es una historia tan increíble, llena de mitos y folclore, fue un poco difícil para mí seguir la historia de cada personaje al principio, pero en mi defensa, estaba más enfocada en la historia de Ash porque solo quería saber, y soy una persona impaciente :D. Pero cuando lo hice, no pude dejar de leer hasta el final.
She lived and breathed archaeology
Same Ash, same. And talking about Aisling, welcome to this honest review of Realm of Lore and Lies, a book I had the opportunity to read as an advance copy.
Like I said, this is Ash’s story, a girl who ran from her clan and years after that she is in her last year of her archaeology degree. The only connection she has with her family is through her brother’s letters she receives monthly. One day like any other, she is working on an archaeological site, and she saw a Banshee, a creature that according to Irish folklore is a signal if someone will die soon. Oh surprise, not much time after that, Ash found a body in a tomb, but obviously this is not a skeleton from an ancient group, nope, it’s a person that had been murdered and now, Ash is a suspect.
But that is not the only thing that complicates Ash’s life, she also has to return home and take an active role on her clan, and be part of the Cath, something like a competition on Tír na nÓg AKA the land of youth or the Irish otherworld. Dun dun dun… Here is where things became interesting, that’s means you have enough information to make yourself an idea of what this book is about.
With the help of Maebh, Setanta and Tiernan, Ash has to claim her birthright, find a murderer and win some quest for the High King, nothing could go wrong right? Well, everything could go wrong when magic and ancient forces are involved, so you can figure out that Ash’s journey isn’t easy.
Quick opinion, I loved this book. The world in this book feel so real, magical and it’s so full of myths that this archaeologist and myths lover writing this review fangirled a lot. This book brings to life a lot of Irish folklore and combines this with a murder mystery and a fantasy story, and even with these elements, the book doesn’t feel overwhelming or dense.
Now, what I think is the strongest point of this book, the characters, this story follows multiple points of view, and every single one of them was really good, but my favorite was Ash’s POV. But the four of them were fascinating. I love that every one of the four main characters, Ash, Set, Maebh, and Tier; had their own adventure and space to grow through the story, to feel their fears and to make their own choices.
Talking about the characters I can’t talk about one of them, letting the others behind so, what can I say without spoiling you? That I loved them and I really need them happy and living their best life. Another thing I can say is #leaveMaebhbehappy please, this girl has been through a lot; also I can say that I loved that Ash fangirled with ancient symbols, and I’ve never been so identified with a character, in terms of their love for the past, like I was with Ash. And of course, I can’t forget that Tiernan is so smart, I love how clever he is, and also how cute Setanta is, I mean he could kill me, but I think he is like a big teddy bear ready to kill.
Finally, let’s talk about that final part of the book, it was so good, I love it, the way everything tided up together to make the big revelation of the real evil one was epic. Now I'm patiently waiting for book two on this series because I need to read what will happen to these guys in the trials they’ll have to face in the future.
Sooooo, I gave Realm of Lore and Lies 4.5/5 because even when I loved this book, and it’s such an amazing story full of myths and folklore, it was a little difficult for me to follow every character’s storyline at the beginning, but in my defense, I was more focused on Ash’s story because I just wanted to know, and I am an impatient person :D. But when I did it, I couldn’t stop reading until the end.
Ella vivía y respiraba arqueología
Igual Ash, igual. Y hablando de Aisling, bienvenidos a esta honesta reseña de Realm of Lore and Lies, libro que tuve la oportunidad de leer como copia avanzada.
Como dije, esta es la historia de Ash, una chica que huyó de su clan y años después está en su último año de la carrera de arqueología. La única conexión que tiene con su familia es a través de las cartas de su hermano que recibe mensualmente. Un día, como cualquier otro, ella está trabajando en un sitio arqueológico y vio a una Banshee, una criatura que según el folclore irlandés es una señal de que alguien va a morir pronto. Oh, sorpresa, no mucho tiempo después de eso, Ash encontró un cuerpo en una tumba, pero obviamente este no es un esqueleto de un grupo antiguo, no, es una persona que ha sido asesinada y ahora, Ash es una sospechosa.
Pero eso no es lo único que complica la vida de Ash, también tiene que volver a casa y tomar un papel activo en su clan, y ser parte del Cath, algo así como una competencia en Tír na nÓg, también conocida como la tierra de la juventud o el otro mundo irlandés. Dun dun dun… Aquí es donde las cosas se pusieron interesantes, eso significa que tienen suficiente información para hacerse una idea de lo que trata este libro.
Con la ayuda de Maebh, Setanta y Tiernan, Ash tiene que reclamar su derecho de nacimiento, encontrar un asesino y ganar una misión para el Gran Rey, nada podría salir mal, ¿verdad? Bueno, todo podría salir mal cuando la magia y las fuerzas antiguas están involucradas, así que pueden darse cuenta de que el viaje de Ash no es fácil.
Opinión rápida, me encantó este libro. El mundo en este libro se siente muy real, mágico y está muy lleno de mitos, que esta arqueóloga y amante de los mitos que escribió esta reseña fangirleó demasiado. Este libro da vida a una gran cantidad de folclore irlandés y lo combina con un misterio de asesinato y una historia de fantasía, e incluso con estos elementos, el libro no se siente abrumador o denso.
Ahora, lo que creo que es el punto más fuerte de este libro, los personajes, esta historia sigue múltiples puntos de vista, y cada uno de ellos fue realmente bueno, pero mi favorito fue el punto de vista de Ash. Pero los cuatro fueron fascinantes. Me encanta que cada uno de los cuatro personajes principales, Ash, Set, Maebh y Tier; tuvieron su propia aventura y espacio para crecer a lo largo de la historia, sentir sus miedos y tomar sus propias decisiones.
Hablando de los personajes no puedo hablar de uno de ellos, dejando atrás a los demás, así que, ¿qué puedo decir sin spoilearles? Que los amé y realmente los necesito felices y viviendo su mejor vida. Otra cosa que puedo decir es #dejenaMaebhserfeliz por favor, esta chica ya ha pasado por mucho; también puedo decir que me encantó que Ash fangirleara con símbolos antiguos, y nunca me había sentido tan identificada con un personaje, en términos de su amor por el pasado, como lo estaba con Ash. Y, por supuesto, no puedo olvidar que Tiernan es demasiado inteligente, me encanta lo ingenioso que es, y también lo tierno que es Setanta, o sea, podría matarme, pero creo que es como un gran oso de peluche listo para matar.
Finalmente, hablemos de la parte final del libro, fue muy buena, me encanta la forma en que todo se juntó para hacer la gran revelación del verdadero mal de todos los males, fue épica. Ahora estoy esperando pacientemente el segundo libro de esta serie, porque necesito leer lo que les sucederá a estos chicos en las pruebas que tendrán que enfrentar en el futuro.
Eeeeentonces, le di Realm of Lore and Lies 4.5/5 porque incluso cuando amé este libro, y es una historia tan increíble, llena de mitos y folclore, fue un poco difícil para mí seguir la historia de cada personaje al principio, pero en mi defensa, estaba más enfocada en la historia de Ash porque solo quería saber, y soy una persona impaciente :D. Pero cuando lo hice, no pude dejar de leer hasta el final.
September 20, 2022
While this book has some plot points I really liked I struggled throughout the read. There was so much going on that I found it a little hard to keep up. I ended up making it more than half way through this one before I DNF'ed it.
The story follows four characters and their pov's with a murder mystery plot. It did have some parts I really enjoyed and I would say that if multiple POV's don't bother you to give this one a try.
The story follows four characters and their pov's with a murder mystery plot. It did have some parts I really enjoyed and I would say that if multiple POV's don't bother you to give this one a try.
October 3, 2022
Thank you to Claire Wright and NetGalley for the eARC of this book!
Claire did a fantastic job of combining a modern setting with Irish mythology and fantasy.
I loved the characters and they were written so well. Ashling is the first character thats met and she is the one I actually loved the most. Her passion for history and archaeology made her very relatable to me because history is one of my biggest passions.
The setting was absolutely amazing. It’s written by someone who has actually experienced those places and has been there and lived there her whole life. You can tell. The places are written in detail and I could picture them in my head.
I loved this book and I’m excited for the second!
Claire did a fantastic job of combining a modern setting with Irish mythology and fantasy.
I loved the characters and they were written so well. Ashling is the first character thats met and she is the one I actually loved the most. Her passion for history and archaeology made her very relatable to me because history is one of my biggest passions.
The setting was absolutely amazing. It’s written by someone who has actually experienced those places and has been there and lived there her whole life. You can tell. The places are written in detail and I could picture them in my head.
I loved this book and I’m excited for the second!
August 21, 2022
Thank you so much to the author and the publisher, BooksGoSocial, for sharing an ARC of this magnificent fantasy story with me through NetGalley!!!
“Níl sé ach ina thús
It’s only just begun”
“Fair Ones, gods, fae - whatever you wanted to call them. Those mythical bastards were real and very much alive”
“Offend a Fair One, welcome strife”
“I’m aware of magic, but legends and lore are another matter”
I am absolutely speechless. There are no words to describe the wonder and deep admiration I have for this author, whose debut novel comes with a beautiful fantasy adventure, based on the legends and lore of Irish folklore.
The story surrounding our main characters (whom I specifically studied, taking notes)
Ash, Tiernan, Set and Maebh is one I have never read about before !!!
The world building, the magic system and the characters’ dynamic were absolute wonderful and I’m in awe of the great job the author did at explaining what was happening and who was involved to a completely clueless reader !!!
I new nothing about these legends and knowing that what’s written in this book is a truthful and reliable source of information for that culture (albeit a very fantastic one) is amazing !!!
Apart from the knowledge it gave me about fae, high kings and the Fianna’s clans, I loved every moment of the action sequences that were taking place, as well as the romantic subplot that involved two main couples in particular (I’ll let you read the book to figure out who I am taking about) was the best ever !!!!
And the pronunciation guide at the end of the book was very much appreciated indeed !!!! THANK YOU AUTHOR !!!
The ending of the book left me with a bit of a cliffhanger but it’s completely understandable because … THIS BOOK IS NOT OUT YET AND I ALREADY CANNOT WAIT FOR BOOK TWO !!!
I’m so glad I had the chance to read it and be part of this adventure that, I hope, will only grow better in time !!!
“I know everyone’s emotions, but I don’t know how to deal with my own”
“If this is a gift , why am I the one paying ?”
“If she’d learnt anything, it was that fate often wielded a double-edged sword, and she would be ready to fight back with a fury born from destruction”
“Níl sé ach ina thús
It’s only just begun”
“Fair Ones, gods, fae - whatever you wanted to call them. Those mythical bastards were real and very much alive”
“Offend a Fair One, welcome strife”
“I’m aware of magic, but legends and lore are another matter”
I am absolutely speechless. There are no words to describe the wonder and deep admiration I have for this author, whose debut novel comes with a beautiful fantasy adventure, based on the legends and lore of Irish folklore.
The story surrounding our main characters (whom I specifically studied, taking notes)
Ash, Tiernan, Set and Maebh is one I have never read about before !!!
The world building, the magic system and the characters’ dynamic were absolute wonderful and I’m in awe of the great job the author did at explaining what was happening and who was involved to a completely clueless reader !!!
I new nothing about these legends and knowing that what’s written in this book is a truthful and reliable source of information for that culture (albeit a very fantastic one) is amazing !!!
Apart from the knowledge it gave me about fae, high kings and the Fianna’s clans, I loved every moment of the action sequences that were taking place, as well as the romantic subplot that involved two main couples in particular (I’ll let you read the book to figure out who I am taking about) was the best ever !!!!
And the pronunciation guide at the end of the book was very much appreciated indeed !!!! THANK YOU AUTHOR !!!
The ending of the book left me with a bit of a cliffhanger but it’s completely understandable because … THIS BOOK IS NOT OUT YET AND I ALREADY CANNOT WAIT FOR BOOK TWO !!!
I’m so glad I had the chance to read it and be part of this adventure that, I hope, will only grow better in time !!!
“I know everyone’s emotions, but I don’t know how to deal with my own”
“If this is a gift , why am I the one paying ?”
“If she’d learnt anything, it was that fate often wielded a double-edged sword, and she would be ready to fight back with a fury born from destruction”
November 24, 2022
2.5 🌟 I cannot express the relief I feel after FINALLY finishing this book. I started reading it in September on NetGalley, and at first I loved it. Then we got into another point of view, then another one, and so forth. This book had tremendous potential, but just missed the mark for me. To be frank, it was a mess.
Ash leaves her clan to live in the human world and is doing just fine until *no spoilers* something happens that causes her to return to her clan. She returns as matriarch of her clan and enrolls them in The Cath- a competition to decide the next High King's guard.
Here's where things start to decline. Did the Cath actually happen yet? As far as I could tell they weren't participating in it yet by the end of the book. They received a side quest from the current high king and they went off to do that and while they did that they found out who had been killing people along the way. Oh yeah, and some of them have powers. That's important for the next book.
It's obvious that there was a lot of research that went into this book, but we didn't get the world building that we could have. There are a lot of loose ends (which can be tied up in the next book!), so I would hope to see the next book flesh out characters more and really edit edit edit because it just dragged. There wasn't enough action, and when there was it just didn't end. Everything happens in the last 30 pages, and it was probably 25% longer than necessary. If you've read this book, what did you think? I have mixed feelings because I was SO excited in the beginning.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this digital ARC in exchange for my fair and honest review, this title is available now.
Ash leaves her clan to live in the human world and is doing just fine until *no spoilers* something happens that causes her to return to her clan. She returns as matriarch of her clan and enrolls them in The Cath- a competition to decide the next High King's guard.
Here's where things start to decline. Did the Cath actually happen yet? As far as I could tell they weren't participating in it yet by the end of the book. They received a side quest from the current high king and they went off to do that and while they did that they found out who had been killing people along the way. Oh yeah, and some of them have powers. That's important for the next book.
It's obvious that there was a lot of research that went into this book, but we didn't get the world building that we could have. There are a lot of loose ends (which can be tied up in the next book!), so I would hope to see the next book flesh out characters more and really edit edit edit because it just dragged. There wasn't enough action, and when there was it just didn't end. Everything happens in the last 30 pages, and it was probably 25% longer than necessary. If you've read this book, what did you think? I have mixed feelings because I was SO excited in the beginning.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this digital ARC in exchange for my fair and honest review, this title is available now.
August 12, 2022
Realm of Lore and Lies- Book Review
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
I have recently fell in love with romance books that have murder mystery, and now I found a fantasy book with murder mystery? Safe to say I was hooked!
Realm of Lore and Lies was an amazing debut murder mystery, mythology, and found family-ish.
This story takes place in a small town in Ireland where the faerie and human lands run parallel, but humans don’t know they exist. Insert the finnian warriors/clans who help to make sure that is how it stays. Throughout the story we get to follow two clans as they compete against one another for a spot in the kings immortal army. All while also trying to solve the FMC mothers murder, who she hasn’t spoken to in 7 years.
Claire had AMAZING world building, I felt like I could truly picture the setting. Also first book in awhile that the fae weren’t “good”, which I haven’t read in awhile. The cast of characters were amazing and each so unique, I loved that we got to hear from all their POVs.
This book was a little slow towards the beginning/middle BUT it picked up so much at the end that it had me screaming that I needed more, and that epilogue!!!!!
I cannot wait for the second book! Thank you to Claire and Netgallery for this eARC in exchange for an honest review!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
I have recently fell in love with romance books that have murder mystery, and now I found a fantasy book with murder mystery? Safe to say I was hooked!
Realm of Lore and Lies was an amazing debut murder mystery, mythology, and found family-ish.
This story takes place in a small town in Ireland where the faerie and human lands run parallel, but humans don’t know they exist. Insert the finnian warriors/clans who help to make sure that is how it stays. Throughout the story we get to follow two clans as they compete against one another for a spot in the kings immortal army. All while also trying to solve the FMC mothers murder, who she hasn’t spoken to in 7 years.
Claire had AMAZING world building, I felt like I could truly picture the setting. Also first book in awhile that the fae weren’t “good”, which I haven’t read in awhile. The cast of characters were amazing and each so unique, I loved that we got to hear from all their POVs.
This book was a little slow towards the beginning/middle BUT it picked up so much at the end that it had me screaming that I needed more, and that epilogue!!!!!
I cannot wait for the second book! Thank you to Claire and Netgallery for this eARC in exchange for an honest review!
September 20, 2022
First off, I want to thank NetGalley for an arc of this book. I really do appreciate it.
Now onto my review. For the most part, this is not a bad book. I like the idea behind it and the overall story. However, I do have one or two … problems is the wrong word and so is issues. It’s just that this took me over a week to read. I kept putting it down and doing something else. The characters didn’t have that much depth to it. There was a lot of service level stuff going on and there were too many perspectives and not enough time with a lot of the characters, ie Set and Tiernan. Aisling did grow quite a bit throughout the book, but she didn’t get off to the right foot at the start. It is a little slow in the beginning (ok a lot slow), but it does quicken towards the end. Despite this, it does have a lot of potential. I think maybe if she focused on maybe two characters rather than the three or more that the author had written about. Like I said, it’s not a bad book. I think I would recommend it, even just to see what others thought of it.
Now onto my review. For the most part, this is not a bad book. I like the idea behind it and the overall story. However, I do have one or two … problems is the wrong word and so is issues. It’s just that this took me over a week to read. I kept putting it down and doing something else. The characters didn’t have that much depth to it. There was a lot of service level stuff going on and there were too many perspectives and not enough time with a lot of the characters, ie Set and Tiernan. Aisling did grow quite a bit throughout the book, but she didn’t get off to the right foot at the start. It is a little slow in the beginning (ok a lot slow), but it does quicken towards the end. Despite this, it does have a lot of potential. I think maybe if she focused on maybe two characters rather than the three or more that the author had written about. Like I said, it’s not a bad book. I think I would recommend it, even just to see what others thought of it.
October 4, 2022
I have at least two pages full of notes for this book. It's a mixture of Feedback, reaction-scribbles, and info mind maps, because I sensed (correctly) that you'll need it for this story.
But I'll keep my review as brief as possible.
Story-type: Adventure, with a bit of romance, a bit of murder, and a bit of emotional guilt.
Audience: Probably late teens, young adults.
Pacing: Hard to pin down. It starts strong, ends strong, there are a few strong bits in between, but the rest feels kind of off.
Be warned, mild spoilers ahead!
Good bits:
⇝ There's a lot happening in this book and I was pleasantly surprised by how well-connected everything seemed. You get a lot of hints throughout the book – they're not shoved in your face, but also not played down – so that you're not completely surprised by the plot, yet you don't see it coming from a mile away. You can constantly sense there is a bigger picture looming and you just wait for the other shoe to drop.
⇝ The book is written from four perspectives, and every perspective is unique in its own way. It was actually really fun to draw a connection map of the characters and fill it in along the way (with arrows of how they meet or know each other).
⇝ This story definitely has a case of insta-love. But to its credit, even though you see them kind of pining for each other, they go through a lot of trials and getting-to-know-each-other-moments first. It does add tension to the story, when you realize the relationship won't happen soon.
⇝ I love the backdrop of the story. The Irish folklore and the descriptions of it was fascinating! I'm absolutely hooked to pick up some more books with this theme.
⇝ If you stuck around until the end, the last 10% of the story will reward you for it. I feel like at the 90%-mark, I became fully invested in the characters and what'll happen to them. Arguably, it's a bit late for that, but damn, the ending packed a punch.
Problematic bits:
⇝ The pacing. Sorry to come back to this, but I really had an issue with that. I'm not sure that I would have stuck with this book if I hadn't been a test reader. I understand that some scenes are necessary to maybe get to know the character better or to see the direction they will develop towards... but there were just too many mundane scenes and they actually worked against a coherent character development.
⇝ Which leads me to the next issue: multiple POVs. I don't have a problem with that, but in this case it did a dis-service to the story. Even though everything fit together like puzzle pieces, the amount of information was a bit overwhelming and too much for one book. This story could have benefitted from one or two more editing runs to form them into a good pacing.
⇝ There was one ability that was described as something extraordinary even for this story world (when you read it, you'll know). But then, seemingly, everyone has it! I get it that a couple of characters are destined for something, and that has to be made clear. But. There is enough other stuff to point that out. Or let one character develop the ability reeeeeally late, you know? Maybe make me wonder if that person is actually one of the special ones...
⇝ Even though the characters in this story were distinct, they shared one big similarity: the tendency to wallow in self-pity and to not feel good enough for anything. For the twins? Yeah, I get it. They do that for different reasons and it suits their characters well. But for the rest? It felt off. And made me not really care for them. Which is a shame, because so much of the story is tied to them.
All that considered, it's really hard to give this book a rating. It was a good debut, with a lot of potential in the future. Who knows, maybe I'll give the next books a chance.
Thank you, NetGalley and BooksGoSocial for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
But I'll keep my review as brief as possible.
Story-type: Adventure, with a bit of romance, a bit of murder, and a bit of emotional guilt.
Audience: Probably late teens, young adults.
Pacing: Hard to pin down. It starts strong, ends strong, there are a few strong bits in between, but the rest feels kind of off.
Be warned, mild spoilers ahead!
Good bits:
⇝ There's a lot happening in this book and I was pleasantly surprised by how well-connected everything seemed. You get a lot of hints throughout the book – they're not shoved in your face, but also not played down – so that you're not completely surprised by the plot, yet you don't see it coming from a mile away. You can constantly sense there is a bigger picture looming and you just wait for the other shoe to drop.
⇝ The book is written from four perspectives, and every perspective is unique in its own way. It was actually really fun to draw a connection map of the characters and fill it in along the way (with arrows of how they meet or know each other).
⇝ This story definitely has a case of insta-love. But to its credit, even though you see them kind of pining for each other, they go through a lot of trials and getting-to-know-each-other-moments first. It does add tension to the story, when you realize the relationship won't happen soon.
⇝ I love the backdrop of the story. The Irish folklore and the descriptions of it was fascinating! I'm absolutely hooked to pick up some more books with this theme.
⇝ If you stuck around until the end, the last 10% of the story will reward you for it. I feel like at the 90%-mark, I became fully invested in the characters and what'll happen to them. Arguably, it's a bit late for that, but damn, the ending packed a punch.
Problematic bits:
⇝ The pacing. Sorry to come back to this, but I really had an issue with that. I'm not sure that I would have stuck with this book if I hadn't been a test reader. I understand that some scenes are necessary to maybe get to know the character better or to see the direction they will develop towards... but there were just too many mundane scenes and they actually worked against a coherent character development.
⇝ Which leads me to the next issue: multiple POVs. I don't have a problem with that, but in this case it did a dis-service to the story. Even though everything fit together like puzzle pieces, the amount of information was a bit overwhelming and too much for one book. This story could have benefitted from one or two more editing runs to form them into a good pacing.
⇝ There was one ability that was described as something extraordinary even for this story world (when you read it, you'll know). But then, seemingly, everyone has it! I get it that a couple of characters are destined for something, and that has to be made clear. But. There is enough other stuff to point that out. Or let one character develop the ability reeeeeally late, you know? Maybe make me wonder if that person is actually one of the special ones...
⇝ Even though the characters in this story were distinct, they shared one big similarity: the tendency to wallow in self-pity and to not feel good enough for anything. For the twins? Yeah, I get it. They do that for different reasons and it suits their characters well. But for the rest? It felt off. And made me not really care for them. Which is a shame, because so much of the story is tied to them.
All that considered, it's really hard to give this book a rating. It was a good debut, with a lot of potential in the future. Who knows, maybe I'll give the next books a chance.
Thank you, NetGalley and BooksGoSocial for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
October 2, 2022
I was lucky enough to be approved for an ARC of Realm of Lore and Lies by Clair Wright through NetGalley. I've been on a fantasy kick lately, so this sounded right up by my alley.
I was really excited to read this book based on the synopsis, but unfortunately, it didn't live up to my expectations. There are definitely things I liked about this book, don't get me wrong, but it wasn't what I had hoped it would be. One thing I definitely liked? The Irish lore & mythology. It was really interesting getting to hear about some of the mythology that makes up Irish culture. I also loved how much you can tell Claire Wright put into creating this world.
Unfortunately, there were more things I disliked about the book, but they still didn't fully take away from the experience. I think the biggest thing about this book that made it a bit hard for me to really love was that is just was a bit much. There were a lot of character POVs, which I do love, but it just seemed that no one or two characters were really developed into what I could see Claire could make them into. There was also a lot going on. Sometimes it was too much to keep track of, & it detracted from the story a bit. Plus, the romantic relationship between Ash & Set just didn't have enough romance for me. I thought there was going to be a lot more to their relationship than there actually was.
Now, despite that critique, I will say that this book seemed to be a lot about creating Ash's world & leading up to more in the next book. The very ending of this book, it got me. I was laying in bed with about 25 minutes left in the book (thanks Kindle for always letting me know how much longer I have to go) when Derek said he was ready to go to bed. I decided that was fine. I could finish the book in the morning. Well, as I laid there, trying to fall asleep, I decided I couldn't wait lol. If the rest of the book was as good as the last, say, 10%, I'd have flown through this book.
Overall, I give Realm of Lore and Lies ⭐⭐⭐. I really wish I could give it more, but it didn't live up to my expectations based on the blurb.
I was really excited to read this book based on the synopsis, but unfortunately, it didn't live up to my expectations. There are definitely things I liked about this book, don't get me wrong, but it wasn't what I had hoped it would be. One thing I definitely liked? The Irish lore & mythology. It was really interesting getting to hear about some of the mythology that makes up Irish culture. I also loved how much you can tell Claire Wright put into creating this world.
Unfortunately, there were more things I disliked about the book, but they still didn't fully take away from the experience. I think the biggest thing about this book that made it a bit hard for me to really love was that is just was a bit much. There were a lot of character POVs, which I do love, but it just seemed that no one or two characters were really developed into what I could see Claire could make them into. There was also a lot going on. Sometimes it was too much to keep track of, & it detracted from the story a bit. Plus, the romantic relationship between Ash & Set just didn't have enough romance for me. I thought there was going to be a lot more to their relationship than there actually was.
Now, despite that critique, I will say that this book seemed to be a lot about creating Ash's world & leading up to more in the next book. The very ending of this book, it got me. I was laying in bed with about 25 minutes left in the book (thanks Kindle for always letting me know how much longer I have to go) when Derek said he was ready to go to bed. I decided that was fine. I could finish the book in the morning. Well, as I laid there, trying to fall asleep, I decided I couldn't wait lol. If the rest of the book was as good as the last, say, 10%, I'd have flown through this book.
Overall, I give Realm of Lore and Lies ⭐⭐⭐. I really wish I could give it more, but it didn't live up to my expectations based on the blurb.
August 11, 2022
Realm of Lore and Lies is a captivating debut filled with Irish mythology, a murder mystery, and amazing friendships.
Fantasy books with murder mystery is one of my favorite types of books so that was an aspect of this book that I was really looking forward to and I enjoyed it immensely!
The story takes place in a modern world with a parallel faerie realm, and I liked the modern touches but we still got the elements of a fantasy world. Realm of Lore and Lies follows a band of misfits as they compete in a competition against other clans to become immortal warriors for the king. They are also trying to discover who murdered Aisling’s mom.
The world building was so realistic and well written, I feel like I could travel to the faerie realm if I were in Ireland. And the Irish mythology was magical! I loved the clan politics, it’s so different than anything I’ve read before.
Claire Wright wrote a delightful cast of characters, each with their own different vibrant personalities that I loved. We get the 4 POVs of the main characters and I liked all of POVs. I didn’t find myself wanting one characters over the others which sometimes happens when I read books with more than two POVs. Aisling discovers so many secrets and this book really kept me on my toes while reading!
While I thought the beginning was a little slow getting to know all the characters, the writing is excellent and it was really enjoyable and easy to read. The murder mystery plot was excellent and we get politics, adventure, and plot twists along the way. Realm of Lore and Lies is phenomenal and I’d definitely recommend it!
Some things you can expect from this book:
✨Murder mystery
✨Irish mythology
✨Found family
✨Clan politics
✨Multiple pov
Thank you, Claire, for an arc in exchange for an honest review!
Fantasy books with murder mystery is one of my favorite types of books so that was an aspect of this book that I was really looking forward to and I enjoyed it immensely!
The story takes place in a modern world with a parallel faerie realm, and I liked the modern touches but we still got the elements of a fantasy world. Realm of Lore and Lies follows a band of misfits as they compete in a competition against other clans to become immortal warriors for the king. They are also trying to discover who murdered Aisling’s mom.
The world building was so realistic and well written, I feel like I could travel to the faerie realm if I were in Ireland. And the Irish mythology was magical! I loved the clan politics, it’s so different than anything I’ve read before.
Claire Wright wrote a delightful cast of characters, each with their own different vibrant personalities that I loved. We get the 4 POVs of the main characters and I liked all of POVs. I didn’t find myself wanting one characters over the others which sometimes happens when I read books with more than two POVs. Aisling discovers so many secrets and this book really kept me on my toes while reading!
While I thought the beginning was a little slow getting to know all the characters, the writing is excellent and it was really enjoyable and easy to read. The murder mystery plot was excellent and we get politics, adventure, and plot twists along the way. Realm of Lore and Lies is phenomenal and I’d definitely recommend it!
Some things you can expect from this book:
✨Murder mystery
✨Irish mythology
✨Found family
✨Clan politics
✨Multiple pov
Thank you, Claire, for an arc in exchange for an honest review!
October 5, 2022
Realm of Lore and Lies by Claire Wright is a modern fantasy with its roots in the folklore and mythology of the author's native Ireland.
The story is told from four perspectives as we are introduced to four characters - Aisling, Setanta, Tiernan and Maebh whose paths will cross in a dramatic and exciting manner as the story unfolds.
Aisling has left her family behind, she longs for a normal life and is doing her best to make that happen by studying archaeology and working as a tour guide in her spare time. Unfortunately her abilities to see the Fair Folk and Fae creatures make this something of a challenge and when she encounters a Banshee and finds the blood soaked body of her estranged mother she is thrust back into the world she thought she had left behind, a matriarchal society and a clan reluctant to accept her return as their new leader.
Tiernan is a technology whiz kid who was adopted by Aisling's clan and who was keeping an eye on her online at her mother's request. He is one of the few people who supports her in her quest to fill her mother's shoes and become clan leader.
Maebh is another unlikely ally for Aisling, she is the daughter of another clan matriarch but is fed up of feeling like she is playing second fiddle to her twin Setanta. who is struggling with issues of his own. She leaves her clan to join Aisling , becoming her second in command for the upcoming warrior tests in Tir na nOg, the land of the fair folk.
The action moves between our world and the world of the Fae, with plenty of action in both , ranging from Aisling becoming a suspect in her mother's death to a quest to find the first High King of Ireland.
The book starts strong and ends strong but it definitely drags a little in the middle, not enough to spoil my enjoyment of the book overall, but enough that I noticed it, I thought the incorporation of the mythology was really well done and I loved the idea of travelling clans of Fianna warriors . Each of the four main characters had a distinctive voice and story and I really enjoyed seeing how they came together.
I read and reviewed an ARC courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher, all opinions are my own.
The story is told from four perspectives as we are introduced to four characters - Aisling, Setanta, Tiernan and Maebh whose paths will cross in a dramatic and exciting manner as the story unfolds.
Aisling has left her family behind, she longs for a normal life and is doing her best to make that happen by studying archaeology and working as a tour guide in her spare time. Unfortunately her abilities to see the Fair Folk and Fae creatures make this something of a challenge and when she encounters a Banshee and finds the blood soaked body of her estranged mother she is thrust back into the world she thought she had left behind, a matriarchal society and a clan reluctant to accept her return as their new leader.
Tiernan is a technology whiz kid who was adopted by Aisling's clan and who was keeping an eye on her online at her mother's request. He is one of the few people who supports her in her quest to fill her mother's shoes and become clan leader.
Maebh is another unlikely ally for Aisling, she is the daughter of another clan matriarch but is fed up of feeling like she is playing second fiddle to her twin Setanta. who is struggling with issues of his own. She leaves her clan to join Aisling , becoming her second in command for the upcoming warrior tests in Tir na nOg, the land of the fair folk.
The action moves between our world and the world of the Fae, with plenty of action in both , ranging from Aisling becoming a suspect in her mother's death to a quest to find the first High King of Ireland.
The book starts strong and ends strong but it definitely drags a little in the middle, not enough to spoil my enjoyment of the book overall, but enough that I noticed it, I thought the incorporation of the mythology was really well done and I loved the idea of travelling clans of Fianna warriors . Each of the four main characters had a distinctive voice and story and I really enjoyed seeing how they came together.
I read and reviewed an ARC courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher, all opinions are my own.
October 2, 2022
I think the premise of this book is interesting. There are always lots of fantasy novels thst incorportate elements from medieval England, but not many of them draw from the legends of Ireland. This novel introduces us to a cast of interesting characters, each a member of the Fianna, a group of nomads who are sort of keepers like of the fairie.
Although I like the idea behind this novel, i was bored by the execution. Overall, I found the pace to be extremely slow. I think this has a lot to do with the writing. It is very clunky and super wordy. Every single noun is modified by at least one adjective. There are lots of descriptions of what everyone is wearing and what the locations look like but the dialogue between characters is often bland. The book's main action is that the Fianna warriors travel to the fairie realm to compete in an ancient quest to be numbered among the high king's warriors. However, it takes our characters over half the book to get to this point. Before that, all the characters have to meet and be moody for a while. I was so tired of reading the clunky, inelegant prose that I ended up just skimming the second half of the novel. This book could have been really interesting, if it was about a fourth of the size.
Needless to say, I won't be continuing with this series.
I received a digital copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
Although I like the idea behind this novel, i was bored by the execution. Overall, I found the pace to be extremely slow. I think this has a lot to do with the writing. It is very clunky and super wordy. Every single noun is modified by at least one adjective. There are lots of descriptions of what everyone is wearing and what the locations look like but the dialogue between characters is often bland. The book's main action is that the Fianna warriors travel to the fairie realm to compete in an ancient quest to be numbered among the high king's warriors. However, it takes our characters over half the book to get to this point. Before that, all the characters have to meet and be moody for a while. I was so tired of reading the clunky, inelegant prose that I ended up just skimming the second half of the novel. This book could have been really interesting, if it was about a fourth of the size.
Needless to say, I won't be continuing with this series.
I received a digital copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
October 2, 2022
Thank you to Netgalley, the author and the publisher for my earc copy of this book for an honest review!
I really wanted to enjoy this one so much. It sounded so good, Fae, Irish Mythology...yep sign me up.
Unfortunately, the end product did not work for me. The pacing was the main issue for me, it took sooooo long for the story to get going. I really enjoyed the first few chapters of Aisling and learning about her, with the elements of her past alluded to and then...we were with another character and this is how it continued...honestly, I read through some other reviews and I totally agree, I was waiting until around 60% before anything really happened.
I also felt there was a LOT of names and information to process and clans and who belonged where and what did this mean and just sometimes so much info dumping. Obviously, sometimes that is needed but show me, don't tell me all the time, show me some of this information and I cannot stand pages upon pages or information, description and no dialogue, it just bores me.
So unfortunately, this one just wasnt for me. With more editing this could be an amazing read as all the elements are there, it just needs some stripping back and more focus on certain areas that are glossed over, give me more depth to the characters, more of a journey and I would be one happy bunny.
I really wanted to enjoy this one so much. It sounded so good, Fae, Irish Mythology...yep sign me up.
Unfortunately, the end product did not work for me. The pacing was the main issue for me, it took sooooo long for the story to get going. I really enjoyed the first few chapters of Aisling and learning about her, with the elements of her past alluded to and then...we were with another character and this is how it continued...honestly, I read through some other reviews and I totally agree, I was waiting until around 60% before anything really happened.
I also felt there was a LOT of names and information to process and clans and who belonged where and what did this mean and just sometimes so much info dumping. Obviously, sometimes that is needed but show me, don't tell me all the time, show me some of this information and I cannot stand pages upon pages or information, description and no dialogue, it just bores me.
So unfortunately, this one just wasnt for me. With more editing this could be an amazing read as all the elements are there, it just needs some stripping back and more focus on certain areas that are glossed over, give me more depth to the characters, more of a journey and I would be one happy bunny.
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