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Season of the Elf #2

A Crown of Cruel Lies: Season of the Elf

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Fae can't lie. That's the golden rule woven into the people of Elphyne, but for deaf Elf Guardian Aeron, he knows this isn't true. Lies are told between the lines, in misdirection, and in false hope. When he turns up at the Spring Court with his newfound, broken human mate in his arms, he learns the most cruelest lie of all. He is not who he thought he was. His whole life has been orchestrated... even this moment... even this new love burgeoning in his heart for a human enemy with more secrets than his own.Learning to trust and accept is hard for both of them, but with civil war on their doorstep, fae plotting to take them down, and the taint on the Well growing more dangerous, they have no choice but to try. Trust can only be found if they start from within. Only then will they know where their true enemies lie...

400 pages, Hardcover

First published December 29, 2022

416 people are currently reading
2043 people want to read

About the author

Lana Pecherczyk

65 books2,432 followers
Lana lives in Perth, Western Australia and loves writing Paranormal/ Fantasy and Sci-fi Romance. When she’s not writing, you’ll find her creating art and designing book covers. She also fights evil by moonlight, wins love by daylight and never runs from a real fight.

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5 stars
1,501 (53%)
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348 (12%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 257 reviews
Profile Image for Jenn (The Book Refuge).
2,679 reviews4,499 followers
May 31, 2023
Another excellent entry to the series. I'm only sad I have to wait for the next one!

I was very much anticipating this couple and it did not disappoint.

4.5 stars
2 on the spice scale

CW: abelist language to hero. Also, some self hate for disability but that is part of his journey.
Profile Image for Teela (bookdragontee).
526 reviews85 followers
February 11, 2025
He took the fear he'd spoken about earlier and turned it into something glorious. She felt his fear prickle down their bond and knew he was reliving the same moments that had frightened her, but then he owned his fear. He wore it like a crown. He let her feel it so she could see how much he loved her and needed her. He turned it into love.


Every time I pick up the latest book in the Fae Guardians series, I think to myself, "there's no way Lana can top that last book." And then she proves me wrong... every single time. I love it when she does that. I swear, each book, each couple, brings something new and different and wonderful with them, and Aeron and Trix are no exception.

The nuerodivergence and disability rep in A Crown of Cruel Lies is nothing short of exquisite. Aeron is still deaf after the events of A Symphony of Savage Hearts, and the way he learns to take this new "shortcoming" of his and "wear it like a crown" as Trix would say... ugh, you guys. My heart can't handle how perfect these two are together. Trix is 1000% what Aeron needed to pull him out of his brooding and help him become all he was meant to be. And Aeron? His patience and love and absolute devotion to Trix made me fucking MELT. The way he finds value in those quirks of hers that others revile, the way these two nourish and help one another grow... it's so good, I can't handle these two, send help, I think my heart might give out... 😭💜

I mean... [slight spoilers ahead]

There were a number of twists and turns and revelations in this book - as is to be expected at this point in the series. Some weren't all that surprising, as they had been hinted at earlier on. Others, however, (like that epilogue) have left me riddled with anxiety. Just... the fact that Nero is still alive and gets to breathe air is a personal insult to me at this point! 🤣

I'll say this, though - I am VERY MUCH looking forward to Leaf's story next. The things Lana sets up towards the end of this book for our favorite elf with a stick up his ass is just... YES PLEASE. I AM SO READY. And the extra insight we got into the Sluagh also has me itching for more! And Cloud is still Cloud and I still love him... (god, forgive me).

I wish I could dive into more of this book and what specifically I loved about it, but *SPOILERS* and all that, so I'll leave you with this instead: there are some poignant emotional scenes in this book that hit close to home for me, which means these characters have only managed to carve themselves deeper into my heart than they were already. These Guardians and their well-blessed mates are everything, and I crave their happiness and triumph almost more than anything else at this point. 🥰

But the most rewarding thing of all is watching the way love has the power to mend, to heal, and to reveal hidden strengths and truths about oneself in a way that nothing else can - and I will never get tired of witnessing the way Lana weaves that timeless tale over and over again with these characters, their relationships, their depths, and all those beautiful layers.

This series is truly special and I am already dying for the next installment!

On the surface, an embrace was so simple: two people wrapping their arms around each other and squeezing. But the reaction inside Trix's body was as confounding as an exploding constellation. Her heart swelled as he held her tight. He'd saved her life, and she'd saved his.
Profile Image for Ash Rowe.
71 reviews3 followers
December 22, 2022
I received an ARC copy of this book but all opinions are my own:

This is the 8th instalment in the Fae Guardian series and oh mylanta are things heating up. Aeron and Trix’s story is sensual and sweet (yet oh so steamy) with the couple having to overcome difficult challenges both physically and mentally and find support in one another.

Filled with action, the return of beloved characters and cameos from reprobate crow boys (that literally made me squeal like a teenager whenever they appear on the page) Lana gives us yet another wild ride through Elphyne. And the ending… well… let’s just say I need book #9 more than I need air at this point.
Profile Image for Merry Jayned.
196 reviews6 followers
December 5, 2025
the story is woven together well and I will say Aeron was swoon-worthy.
Profile Image for Krystle.
53 reviews6 followers
December 29, 2022
I knew Aeron's book would be good but I had no idea how good. His self perception of being broken and unworthy is so heartbreaking to read because he is the sweetest golden retriever boy. All you want to do is grab him and wrap him in a huge bear hug to make everything better. Trix, she is exactly what he needs. Coming from Crystal city she is very wary of him and everyone around him because they are all fae, which was to be expected. Her broken pieces fit with his so we'll that they both just understand each other. Aeron and Trix' love story is sweet and amazing.
Even though we are on book 8 of the series there is still a good amount of the great world building we have come to love and expect from Lana. The Spring court is new and absolutely wonderful. And the tapestry of history is being woven throughout each instalment makes me want to learn more.
Overall this book is a great addition to the series and I look forward to rereading it again and again.
Profile Image for Trish (Beautiful Chaos Reviews).
1,073 reviews23 followers
December 28, 2022
A Crown of Cruel Lies was so heartfelt, romantic, deeply thought out, and thrilling that I'm having some difficulty encapsulating all my thoughts. First, Aeron is dealing with a new challenge affecting his role as a Guardian. Then he discovers his mate needs to be rescued by him now. Aeron struggles between doing what he knows he must and what he wants to do to restore himself. Along with this struggle is the feeling of not being enough he was subjected to during his childhood. Aeron has a strong desire to be the best he can be despite what he was told and subjected to as a child. Yes, he's a bit broken right now, but he always wants to do what's best for the whole--self-centeredness is not part of Aeron's vocabulary.

Trix is simply, in a word, brilliant. But along with her brilliance is the balance of hyper-focus, distractedness, and no filter. She's been a pawn of the evil Nero and holds a lot of guilt over things she was made to design and build. However, she is one of the sweetest, friendliest creatures I have encountered in my reading. Her brilliance, quirkiness, and inveterate drive to fix whatever seems to be a problem are charming and quickly line her and Aeron up to be perfectly matched and a favorite couple.

The story flows at a good pace, and the characters are well-voiced, both the good and the very bad. I enjoyed this book cover to cover and how the story of the taint is slowly being revealed, including how the horrible Nero has a secret weapon. I can only imagine how LP will make him get his evil comeuppance--but thank goodness we have quite a few Guardians to fall for before we reach that place. A Crown of Cruel lies tells the story of how we all have to overcome obstacles and how often the "new normal" is far more joyous and rewarding once we learn to adapt and move on. Aeron and Trix's story is a beautiful telling of finding their normal is more than succeeding. Thanks for this romantic yet incredibly uplifting tale!
Profile Image for KittenKaboom.
192 reviews5 followers
December 31, 2022
This is one of my more favorite series. This book was great, just like all the others. There were some unanswered plot questions that I think weren't explained well enough so it felt a little rushed at the end. But otherwise, it was great. I really enjoyed how she worked with Aeron's hearing disability and his acceptance of the loss and finding alternatives to make up for it. As always, I'm looking forward to the next book.
Profile Image for Angie.
1,406 reviews234 followers
December 30, 2022
Misdirected truth was the cruelest lie, and fae were the masters of it. They might not lie with their tongues, but they did so with expectations. They intentionally manipulated emotion. They made him hope and then squashed it beneath their boots.

4.5 stars!

Going into this next installment, I really didn't know where Aeron and Trix's story was going to take us in this amazing and complex world that Lana has weaved masterfully from book to book. However, I trust Lana implicitly to deliver a story full of romance, magic, and just the right amount of angst to leave us longing for more, and she delivered all of these and so much more beautifully. I loved Aeron and Trix's characters so much--both separately and how they interacted together.
He loved her. He hardly knew her, but it didn't matter. Their souls spoke to each other in a way he'd never had with another person before. She needed him, and he needed her.

Like the many Well-blessed unions that formed before them, they were hesitant and unsure of their bond at first, but as they spent more and more time together, they realize that fate may have chosen their mate correctly. I loved witnessing those little moments of their blooming relationship, where they are learning to trust each other and realizing that they're starting to like each other more than they probably should. Aeron and Trix's romance was a little quieter than some of the previous couples, but the way they connected with each other was no less monumental...or steamy. Lana truly continues to amaze me with how she effortlessly weaves one story into the next, and I am so stoked for Leaf's book...and hopefully more about what the Prime and Maebh are up to♡

Tropes: fated mates, dystopian world, deaf hero, heroine with ADHD, heroine-in-danger, hidden past, tortured hero, misunderstood heroine, band of brothers, tragic past, found family

My Aeron, the tortured elf who finds his purpose in his mate Trix...


*ARC provided by the author, and I voluntarily reviewed it*
Profile Image for Heather.
574 reviews
November 29, 2025
Favorite book so far in series.

Okay.. so I have a few thoughts on this series. If you like a change or progression in plot then you will most likely not enjoy this series.

The plot stays pretty consistent and barely makes any progress even after 8 books. It’s slowly lining up all the characters or pawns if you look at it like chess for the climax of the plot. ****It’s slow progression.***
Usually I hate this, but I’ve been enjoying all the guardians quests and connecting with each of their mates. I’m trying to enjoy the fluffy romance stuff and know that plot is slow moving.

Aeron and Trix are kind of my favorite so far ☺️
They don’t play the miscommunication game. They don’t let Aeron’s deafness get in the way of their bond.
I enjoyed Trix and her fierce determination. They were always determined to fight together.
Profile Image for Sarah.
324 reviews2 followers
December 29, 2022
I enjoyed this next installment in the Fae Guardian Series! Aeron and Trix were a sweet couple and the story again continued on the over arching plot of the whole entire series.

Aeron and Trix are well-blessed mates and meet when they both least expect it. Throw in an injury, forced proximity, and communication in a way that only the two of them can do, and you have the sweet and spicy relationship that develops. For the lack of dialogue in this book due to Aeron being deaf, Lana did a good job of not just having internal monologue the whole time. By the middle of the book I actually forgot that he was deaf because the introduction of signing (Trix teaches him sign language), which Lana then uses as dialogue between the two.

The plot for the overall story starts to thicken even more, and we learn some knew things about certain characters and how they are connected. I can't wait to see what happens in the next book, who Leaf's well-blessed mate will be, and what this prophecy says that everyone was talking about at the end :)
Profile Image for Cat (catnapsnbooks).
433 reviews
January 3, 2023
Lana Pecherczyk has created another masterpiece with this latest installment in the Fae Guardian. We are almost halfway through the series and the drama, tension and richness of the overarching story arc continues to grow and be revealed and in A Crown of Cruel Lies we are treated to the sweet friends-to-lovers relationship of Forrest and Trix.

As always with a book by this author the characters are beautifully written and their connection undeniable. After Forrest was injured and doubting himself, it was lovely seeing him receive his happily ever after.

A Crown of Cruel Lies is such a fitting title for this book as some of the lies that have wrapped around the Twelve are revealed. We also get to meet the mysterious Slaugh and find out a bit more of their origins.

The Fae Guardians is a connected series with a brilliant larger storyline. Each book tells the story of an individual member of the Twelve set against a rich post-apocalyptic fantasy world. They have all been 5-star reads and I’d recommend starting the series today.
Profile Image for Mimi Chow.
70 reviews6 followers
January 23, 2023
Oh man I LOVED this one!!! I’ve been a fan or the majority of any of the seasons but to have disabilities and well being in general addressed in these stories has been a game changer. The characters and their struggles ended up being very relatable and maybe that’s why I enjoyed them more. The others started feeling really repetitive but this was different and refreshing. Like I said, the massive efforts and emotions that took hold of the story line was what made the whole plot. One of my favorites from this series for sure!!
16 reviews3 followers
December 29, 2022
Loved this book so much! This entire series is amazing, and I can't wait to see where Lana takes it.

I loved how much support Aeron and Trix gave each other through their individual struggles, and while part of me wished Aeron's ears would be healed, ultimately I think the way Lana handled his struggles as well as how he came to a point of acceptance added depth and complexity to character development and the overall story.

I have so many questions about the overall story and world moving forward. Lana dropped a lot of hints, Easter eggs, and possible WTF bombs and I can't wait to see what happens.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Kristin.
194 reviews225 followers
January 13, 2023
I love the Fae Guardians and Aeron is probably my favorite! I loved seeing all that he overcame with his disability and trauma. Trix reminded me so much of myself and the way my brain works that it made her thoughts very relatable. Their love story is so pure and good, and the subplot cliffhanger has left me with so many unanswered questions! I can’t wait to get my hands on the next one!
Profile Image for Amanda Rogers.
5 reviews
December 31, 2022
I am OBSESSED with this world!

I loved this book, and I am so excited to see what happens next! I was kinda iffy on wanting to read Leaf’s story because he’s kinda stiff and annoying but now I am dying to know if some of the theories in my brain pan out. So happy to read Aeron and Trix’s story and glad they found each other!
Author 1 book2 followers
August 8, 2023
This quickly became a new favorite series! I loved this world and the characters she created, especially with that distopian plot avenues. I'm pissed I have to wait until October to have the final innnstalmet. I am not a great waiter! lol.
Profile Image for Lexi.
4 reviews
January 1, 2023
This entire series has me ❤️❤️❤️

This entire series has me obsessed!! This book was extra sweet because of how the mates communicated. I want more.
Profile Image for Eliza Thulson.
146 reviews1 follower
October 22, 2025
I quite liked this one - I think because of the representation of disabilities & neurodivergence. It was also nice to have a FMC that wasn’t already trained in fighting/a warrior - I liked her thought process a lot.
Profile Image for Larissa.
495 reviews10 followers
January 5, 2023
Yup. Officially my new fav guardian book. Wow this was so good.
First of all, Aeron and Trix were an amazing couple!! And I thought the disability and neurodivergent rep was well done. However I have no personal experience with either so I don’t speak for the communities. Just my take from reading this book.
Aeron having no hearing definitely made the way they communicate sooo interesting to me because they both so desperately wanted to communicate and worked so hard together to make the other feel seen, safe and supported. And honestly that’s all I ask for in my romance books. Because the trauma both characters (ESPECIALY my cinnamon roll Aeron) went through was gut wrenching to read.
Oleanna and Tian (queen and king of the spring court) were the sweetest, sweetest side characters ever oh my gosh I love how quickly they accepted Trix. Also #justiceforTian

I have sooo many sexy quotes to share because dang the few spicy scenes we got were unparalleled.

Okay now spoilers below…





I have a theory….




Just putting it here first…






I think that Leaf might be Jack Crimson 👀

And then also the epilogue?!? Oh my gosh poor little Willow. She can raise the dead?? Like what??
Oh my gosh those were some big bombs to drop on us.
Profile Image for llgbooks.
62 reviews1 follower
December 28, 2022
I just love this series. Each and every book is so good, and the world that is weaved throughout them all is so unique. I really enjoyed this one especially as it showcased the MC’s disabilities as strengths. SO GOOD. Great job Lana! Can’t wait for the next one.
Profile Image for Shelly.
56 reviews4 followers
January 11, 2023
It took me a bit to finish this one but Aeron… please dear lord. I loved the inclusivity. I love that Aeron saved his voice for her 😭 god I can’t wait for Leaf’s book
20 reviews
December 22, 2022
I loved A Crown of Cruel Lies! I was sad when I realized I was almost to the end! It's amazing that Lana has created this awesome world with so much detail! while I was reading my brain just kept going to how creative Lana is to create this amazing storyline. Now I was really hoping that Aeron would get his hearing back at some point in the story (I'm still holding out hope) but I was really pleased with how everything came together. We also get a snippet of Leaf and I'm super curious and excited to see how his story goes. Not to mention I can't wait to read Cloud and Rory. If you've not read these stories go get the first book in this series, you won't regret it!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Tanja Babel.
36 reviews
December 31, 2022
a lackluster read

So the Fae Guardian Series is was got me back into reading. The season of the wolves and vampires, in my opinion, are the better written books out of all of these so far.

It feels like I am just reading a news article - going from event to event. It is all very surface level and doesn’t have the depth the first ones did.

I understand needing to add the events in there - but I feel like if there was just an extra 100 pages to add more clarity on something, it would be better.
Profile Image for Deb Farris Wood.
163 reviews2 followers
December 24, 2022
Wow, I’m blown away by @lana_p_author and Crown of cruel lies from the amazing cover art to the captivating story of Aeron and the world she’s created in her Fae Guardians books. It’s well worth the read, hell anything written by her is just brilliant.
Profile Image for Hannah Harper.
235 reviews13 followers
January 9, 2023
I absolutely loved the details and thought put into this book. Trix was such a fun character and I enjoyed her POV quite a bit. Her thought process was so relatable and had me laughing out loud. The multiple POV’s of this book really brought extra depth to the plot and helped me understand each character more which I thought was brilliant.

I also really appreciated the deaf and sign language representation in this book for Arron. It’s not often that I read a book with hearing impairment and sign language but now I can’t imagine these characters without these extra details. I did feel that the plot did get slowed down a bit with the world building but the chemistry between Aeron and Trix was very well written. Definitely can’t wait until the next book comes out!
Profile Image for MommaT_Book_Phoenix.
130 reviews1 follower
January 1, 2023
The Tinker + The Thinker =🥺🥰😬😮🥵😏🤟🥰🥹


Let's talk about Aeron and Trix! They are precious together, ok, well, AFTER the initial "WTF, I'm mated to my enemy" scenerios! The absolute patience, communication, & forgiveness these two develop and have together is phenomenal. Trix being neurodivergent gave her that outside-the-box "what if factor" that helps with Aeron's disability, and his patience and understanding with her ADHD was perfect, complementing each other's "struggle areas" in a such heart-warming way. It wasn't just spicy, their's is a beautiful love story as well. Honestly, I ADORED these two, and to say Trix is my girl is putting it mildly. She deals with my daily battles of time loss, chaos, hyper-fixation, daydreaming, wondering about how to make things work & flow better, testing theories, or just similar rabbit trails, if you will. It was like a warm hug to read about someone else being like me, and how Aeron treated that difference just hit me in the feels, as well as her response to his new disability. The best thing about this was how they learned to accept themselves because of that support.
There are new monsters to outwit, of two and multilegged varieties, plus Nero's & Maebh's mechinations, definitely bringing that Witcher vibe. This time, some jaw-dropping secrets have come to light relating to the overarching storyline, and for Leaf! (If you want to catch up, go grab book 1, The Longing of Lone Wolves.)
It's just an amazing story, and you should zip over and one-click it now, you'll thank me later!

Also, for a little insight the author at the end:
"Thank you for reading Aeron’s and Trix’s story. As a recently diagnosed individual with ADHD, I wanted to represent by having Trix with the same neurodiverse condition. Sometimes she can be flighty, chaotic, but that’s how we roll. To everyone struggling, I wish you all the best in finding peace and understanding."
We see you, Lana! Thank you for having Trix show up for us and for having Aeron and his struggles with hearing loss represented as well! Well done, I can't wait for Leaf's story!
445 reviews
June 14, 2023
1st reading: I'm glad Aeron lived up to my imagination's expectations. ;) Again, Trix and Aeron are perfectly suited to each other, each with something to give to and learn from their partner. Aeron is not broken because he is deaf, and Trix is not flighty or incompetent because she has ADHD. I'll be interested to see if we ever find out how Aeron ended up at the Autumn Court as an infant - was it Kelvhan's doing?
Leaf - now there's a mystery. I suspect he may be a reincarnation of Jackson Crimson. Both blond, wingless males with pointed ears. Jackson lost his soulmate during the Fallout and never recovered; his body was never seen again after he entered the Ceremonial Lake a second time (he didn't float). Leaf has unusually strong powers for one who claims not to be that old (not much older than Aeron and Forrest), he wishes he could dive into the Ceremonial Lake and reawaken in another time *like the old world women* (which is NOT how they arrived in the future), and he is dead set against finding his Well-blessed mate (because his psyche believes no one can measure up to the woman he lost 2,000 years ago?). But I believe Leaf's Well-blased mate is the woman Jackson lost.
The epilogue with the Void and Willow is scary and disheartening. Willow had said Rory needed her help to fix the clouds in her mind, but Nero is creating clouds in Willow's mind - and teaching her how to resurrect and control the dead. And he's threatening Rory's life if Willow says anything to her about it. GAH.
Wondering when the book about Leaf will be ready.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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