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Song of the Fairy Queen
Alternate cover edition of ASIN B004774N2S
It's said of Fairy that if you are in dire need and call the name of one, they will come. King Oryan, with his castle under siege and his son in his arms, could not be in any more dire need. With only High Marshall Morgan and a handful of Morgan's men at his back, there is only one place left to run, up, and only one ally who can save them.
Kyriay, Queen of the Fairy.
It's said of Fairy that if you are in dire need and call the name of one, they will come. King Oryan, with his castle under siege and his son in his arms, could not be in any more dire need. With only High Marshall Morgan and a handful of Morgan's men at his back, there is only one place left to run, up, and only one ally who can save them.
Kyriay, Queen of the Fairy.
502 pages, ebook
First published June 20, 2009
98 people are currently reading
1277 people want to read
About the author
Valerie Douglas
47 books226 followersValerie Douglas is a prolific writer and a genre-crosser. She writes classic, epic, and historical fantasy, suspense, thrillers, western and romance. As V. J. Devereaux, she writes more spicy romances.
She is also co-founder of the FB Indie Author Group, to help other writers with their work.
She's companion to two dogs, four cats and an African clawed frog named Hopper who delights in tormenting the cats from his tank.
You can find more information at
http://valeriedouglasauthor.com/
She is also co-founder of the FB Indie Author Group, to help other writers with their work.
She's companion to two dogs, four cats and an African clawed frog named Hopper who delights in tormenting the cats from his tank.
You can find more information at
http://valeriedouglasauthor.com/
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews
May 27, 2013
It has been a long time since I last read something so tedious. It is repetitive and boring. Also, if I wanted to spend so much time on porn, I would watch it, not read it... Every 5 seconds there is a description of them having sex, we get it allready, he is having sex with a fairy, get on with the story. The story is so slow paced, nothing seems to be happening for 30% of the book, and then in one chapter there is a short battle, and then again with the nothing happening. I barely got to 50% of the book, and am going no further.
January 22, 2012
Omfg!!! I am so in love with this story! I'm so sad that I borrowed it instead of owning it because it was sooooo good! The story begins with King Oryan's castle being attacked by his younger brother Haerold. The queen dies defending the king and her son, and they escape with the help of the fairy queen. The king and his son separate in order to keep one of the two safe and the story shifts more to Morgan, King Oryan's most trusted guard. He and Kyri (queen of the fairy) begin to get feelings for one another. They fall in love while trying to assist Oryan in his quest to get back the throne. Morgan begins to get sloppy out of exhaustion and Kyri makes a desperate decision in order to keep him safe.
There is so much more to the story, but I don't want to give it away! The sacrifices and love these characters have for each other is so heart lifting and sad at the same time. I loved almost every minute of the story and want to reread it over and over until my eyes bleed. I would give it 7 out of 5 stars!
There is so much more to the story, but I don't want to give it away! The sacrifices and love these characters have for each other is so heart lifting and sad at the same time. I loved almost every minute of the story and want to reread it over and over until my eyes bleed. I would give it 7 out of 5 stars!
March 18, 2012
Contest Here: http://thetbrpile.weebly.com/1/post/2...
I want to start by saying that I really enjoyed the story and I did read it in pretty much one sitting. Kyri and Morgan are great together, with just the right amount of love and lust. Was it the best fantasy I ever read? No. Was it the worst I ever read? Far from. Was it a good romance? Oh yeah!
The story is based on a plot that has been done many times in the genre, but it had certain parts and characters that made it original enough. Even though the focus is on Morgan and Kyri, there are a lot of other characters, both human and fairy that bring a lot to the story. You can really feel the camaraderie between the King and his men. The Fairy is a fun and cheeky people with a mischievous side.
I want to start by saying that I really enjoyed the story and I did read it in pretty much one sitting. Kyri and Morgan are great together, with just the right amount of love and lust. Was it the best fantasy I ever read? No. Was it the worst I ever read? Far from. Was it a good romance? Oh yeah!
The story is based on a plot that has been done many times in the genre, but it had certain parts and characters that made it original enough. Even though the focus is on Morgan and Kyri, there are a lot of other characters, both human and fairy that bring a lot to the story. You can really feel the camaraderie between the King and his men. The Fairy is a fun and cheeky people with a mischievous side.
December 27, 2011
This is a pretty epic book. No, really, it’s long, covers a couple of years, lots of traveling, and has an epic feel to it. It reminds me more of one of those “guy” fantasy stories that has a couple of volumes. I hate to say it, but the first half of the book dragged. I felt like it could have been cut in half and moved a lot faster, and there was too much of a focus on politics and more minor characters. BUT – the second half of the book rocked. The action was fast paced, the love scenes were hot, the dialogue was snappy, and the focus remained on the people I actually gave a hoot about – Kyriay and Morgan.
Read the full review at Love on the Bookshelf: http://loveonthebookshelf.wordpress.c...
Read the full review at Love on the Bookshelf: http://loveonthebookshelf.wordpress.c...
September 7, 2012
I started the book yesterday while waiting for my daughter in the dentist office. She had a two two hour procedure and while reading the book it seemed to much less and I just couldn't stop reading this amazing story. Now that i have to go to work it will be forever before I continue with my reading. I am hoping to finish this Song of the Fairy Queen this weekend. I am loving it!!!!!
Ms. Douglas, you have just great writing and I love all characters. I really am enjoying your plot, your writing (said that already but it is true). Thank You for your books.
Thanks,
Bea
Ms. Douglas, you have just great writing and I love all characters. I really am enjoying your plot, your writing (said that already but it is true). Thank You for your books.
Thanks,
Bea
May 2, 2013
Story Overview:
Set in a fictional fantasy world, this story tells the story of a King deposed by his brother and his attempt to regain his crown with the help of his loyal General; Morgan and his Marshalls and the mysterious and beautiful Queen of the Fairies. As can be expected from such a book, there is battle scenes, lives lost, magic, mythical creatures and romance.
Cover Page: 19/20
A striking and bold statement on the front cover that when I look at it draws me in. The character on the front of the book surely is someone that I wouldn't expect to be a fairy and that adds to the appeal of the book - there is a new twist to a well known mythical creature. My only nitpicking (and it is nitpicking) is that with the wings and the arrow holder visible, it is evident that they aren't connected, but that is really being nitpicking.
Character (and their development): 18/20
The depth and the development of the characters have been excellent shown within the writing and as you read the story you do feel that they are changing with the events which are unfolding. My original concern with the book was that there were too many characters introduced too quickly and at the beginning I was checking on who was who. However by chapter three or four I had gotten use to all the characters and felt that I knew them well. The emotion felt by all the characters is especially done well and is not easily resolved by any of them. For instance; you can really feel the emotional pain that King suffers as he loses his wife and his journey to cope the sadness. There are also no two dimensional characters, even the most minor of character has his or her own distinct character.
Storyline: 18/20
The start of the story is strikingly good. As the attack of the castle commences there is the sense of the confusion and panic which is often associated with battle, adding to an excellent atmosphere. As the battle continues there are many questions asked but very answers at the time, left for the reader to get the information in little pieces as the book progresses, just as if you were a defender in the castle from the surprise attack. I loved reading about the fairies, having only really touched upon fairies from Peter Pan, I can honestly say I didn't know what to expect and I was pleasantly happy with the way the author has taken a mythical creature and made it her own. She has also done the same with another mythical creature, but I'll leave that for you to discover in the book. The fact that the back story to the universe has been well established in the book makes you feel as if this isn't just a made up story but a tale of a real work.
The only disappointments in the storyline was the fact that it was a brother who overthrew the King, which I tend to think is too obvious (however an Uncle would certainly have been worse) and the fact that the passage of time sometimes seems too quick. I wonder if there was a chance for several books here or a longer novel exploring what happened in the weeks between chapters.
Style: 18/20
By delving straight into the action you immediately get hooked onto the story and immediate loss of a character that seems so promising is an excellent way for the ready to keep on guessing who is safe and who is not. The actual writing is very descriptive to the point where I could almost draw images of what was around the main characters or try for a good picture of the characters themselves. Yet the author doesn't describe too much in the battle, instead keeps the action moving and speed fast, forcing the reader to read at the pace of the battle, adding to the sense of chaos and blurriness that battle can bring. However I found the change in perspective every couple of paragraphs at time a little confusing and sometimes frustrating as I had little indication as when the change was made and who it was changed to.
Spelling and Grammar: 17/20
If search for other books by Valerie Douglas and her works, you will find reviews commenting on her poor spelling and grammar. You'll also find those who say it is great and there is nothing to worry about. To be honest, there are a few mistakes, but if you look at some of the great works out there, there is a lot of mistakes too. I tend to look at mistakes as if I am driving down a road and a mistake is a pot hole. If my car goes over the pot hole and I don't notice anything but a little bump then what is the problem, after all we are all human. However if it can break my car, then I am worried. In the case of this novel there is nothing here that would destroy the car. The mistakes, which are all word misplacement (rather than spelling), are few and far between, and often it is obvious what was supposed to be there that the reader could easily read over them without noticing.
Conclusion: 90/100
A highly enjoyable book, which if I am honest I couldn't put down despite not being on my usual reading pile. I enjoyed the battle scenes, the romance scenes and the friendships that grew from the book. If this review was on Amazon, this would get five stars and I truly hope that more people give this book a try and the recognition that it so deserves.
Set in a fictional fantasy world, this story tells the story of a King deposed by his brother and his attempt to regain his crown with the help of his loyal General; Morgan and his Marshalls and the mysterious and beautiful Queen of the Fairies. As can be expected from such a book, there is battle scenes, lives lost, magic, mythical creatures and romance.
Cover Page: 19/20
A striking and bold statement on the front cover that when I look at it draws me in. The character on the front of the book surely is someone that I wouldn't expect to be a fairy and that adds to the appeal of the book - there is a new twist to a well known mythical creature. My only nitpicking (and it is nitpicking) is that with the wings and the arrow holder visible, it is evident that they aren't connected, but that is really being nitpicking.
Character (and their development): 18/20
The depth and the development of the characters have been excellent shown within the writing and as you read the story you do feel that they are changing with the events which are unfolding. My original concern with the book was that there were too many characters introduced too quickly and at the beginning I was checking on who was who. However by chapter three or four I had gotten use to all the characters and felt that I knew them well. The emotion felt by all the characters is especially done well and is not easily resolved by any of them. For instance; you can really feel the emotional pain that King suffers as he loses his wife and his journey to cope the sadness. There are also no two dimensional characters, even the most minor of character has his or her own distinct character.
Storyline: 18/20
The start of the story is strikingly good. As the attack of the castle commences there is the sense of the confusion and panic which is often associated with battle, adding to an excellent atmosphere. As the battle continues there are many questions asked but very answers at the time, left for the reader to get the information in little pieces as the book progresses, just as if you were a defender in the castle from the surprise attack. I loved reading about the fairies, having only really touched upon fairies from Peter Pan, I can honestly say I didn't know what to expect and I was pleasantly happy with the way the author has taken a mythical creature and made it her own. She has also done the same with another mythical creature, but I'll leave that for you to discover in the book. The fact that the back story to the universe has been well established in the book makes you feel as if this isn't just a made up story but a tale of a real work.
The only disappointments in the storyline was the fact that it was a brother who overthrew the King, which I tend to think is too obvious (however an Uncle would certainly have been worse) and the fact that the passage of time sometimes seems too quick. I wonder if there was a chance for several books here or a longer novel exploring what happened in the weeks between chapters.
Style: 18/20
By delving straight into the action you immediately get hooked onto the story and immediate loss of a character that seems so promising is an excellent way for the ready to keep on guessing who is safe and who is not. The actual writing is very descriptive to the point where I could almost draw images of what was around the main characters or try for a good picture of the characters themselves. Yet the author doesn't describe too much in the battle, instead keeps the action moving and speed fast, forcing the reader to read at the pace of the battle, adding to the sense of chaos and blurriness that battle can bring. However I found the change in perspective every couple of paragraphs at time a little confusing and sometimes frustrating as I had little indication as when the change was made and who it was changed to.
Spelling and Grammar: 17/20
If search for other books by Valerie Douglas and her works, you will find reviews commenting on her poor spelling and grammar. You'll also find those who say it is great and there is nothing to worry about. To be honest, there are a few mistakes, but if you look at some of the great works out there, there is a lot of mistakes too. I tend to look at mistakes as if I am driving down a road and a mistake is a pot hole. If my car goes over the pot hole and I don't notice anything but a little bump then what is the problem, after all we are all human. However if it can break my car, then I am worried. In the case of this novel there is nothing here that would destroy the car. The mistakes, which are all word misplacement (rather than spelling), are few and far between, and often it is obvious what was supposed to be there that the reader could easily read over them without noticing.
Conclusion: 90/100
A highly enjoyable book, which if I am honest I couldn't put down despite not being on my usual reading pile. I enjoyed the battle scenes, the romance scenes and the friendships that grew from the book. If this review was on Amazon, this would get five stars and I truly hope that more people give this book a try and the recognition that it so deserves.
August 2, 2013
This is one of those books where I really enjoyed it and I think it deserves the 5 stars, but I know there are too many minor annoyances and so I should give it 4 star.. but I won't:)
This story takes us on a journey of a king who gets forced into exile by his evil half-brother and does all he can to get back his rightful seat. The Fair and the humans, under the king's law, lived in peace, but when the half-brother takes over he calls war on the Fair as well and so they team up with the king to help him get his throne back. The main stars are the Fairy Queen and the king's most trusted man as they work their way through the kingdom trying to fight the bad guys and build their Resistance. During this fight these two end up falling in love and we get to go on this journey with them...and boy is it a beautiful one.
That's pretty much the gist of the story. I think my main problems were pretty basic but nothing that bothered me too much. The language would get a little flowery whenever the hero, Morgan, would look at the heroine, Kyri, and he thinks about how beautiful she is and how majestic she flies etc etc etc.. I enjoyed it the first few times but really it got a little annoying after number 23-- it started to feel a little like he feel in love with her face and not her personality (even though it was obvious he loved her quirks, he just went on and on about how beautiful she was). The heroine did this too but not on the level that the hero did. Another thing that bothered me a little was the timing and distance from place to place. Although we don't need a map, I would have liked to know how far away things were from each other and not just "to the north" or "to the east" so I can get a better sense of how far they are moving in their movements and how long it would take them.
Although I got annoyed by her somewhat flowery writing in terms of the hero and heroine, I thoroughly enjoyed it when it was used to describe some heart-breaking moments... The author made me cry over a character's death when I didn't even know the character!! oh man those first few chapters were intense.. anyways for those moments of death and torture I decided this book was definitely a worthy 5 star read.
This story takes us on a journey of a king who gets forced into exile by his evil half-brother and does all he can to get back his rightful seat. The Fair and the humans, under the king's law, lived in peace, but when the half-brother takes over he calls war on the Fair as well and so they team up with the king to help him get his throne back. The main stars are the Fairy Queen and the king's most trusted man as they work their way through the kingdom trying to fight the bad guys and build their Resistance. During this fight these two end up falling in love and we get to go on this journey with them...and boy is it a beautiful one.
That's pretty much the gist of the story. I think my main problems were pretty basic but nothing that bothered me too much. The language would get a little flowery whenever the hero, Morgan, would look at the heroine, Kyri, and he thinks about how beautiful she is and how majestic she flies etc etc etc.. I enjoyed it the first few times but really it got a little annoying after number 23-- it started to feel a little like he feel in love with her face and not her personality (even though it was obvious he loved her quirks, he just went on and on about how beautiful she was). The heroine did this too but not on the level that the hero did. Another thing that bothered me a little was the timing and distance from place to place. Although we don't need a map, I would have liked to know how far away things were from each other and not just "to the north" or "to the east" so I can get a better sense of how far they are moving in their movements and how long it would take them.
Although I got annoyed by her somewhat flowery writing in terms of the hero and heroine, I thoroughly enjoyed it when it was used to describe some heart-breaking moments... The author made me cry over a character's death when I didn't even know the character!! oh man those first few chapters were intense.. anyways for those moments of death and torture I decided this book was definitely a worthy 5 star read.
September 25, 2012
If I picked books by their covers, I probably wouldn't have downloaded, which meant I would have missed out on an enjoyable book.
A more accurate rating is probably 3.5. It is a good enjoyable fantasy. It has some great characters, an interesting plot, and a comfortable world that is very earth-like except for the fairies.
Unfortunately, there were two things I didn't like as much about it, but one of them is just my taste and not something wrong with the book. I found some of the love scenes a bit much. The writer must have a romance background and these scenes and the style of them are why I don't read romances.
The other issue I had was with the POV. I am guessing the writer is going for am omniscient POV, but there wasn't a clear narrator voice most of the time (it first turned up at the end of chapter 7). The main problem I had is that the perspective changed characters very frequently and sometimes I had trouble figuring out who was doing the talking. So sometimes I had to spend too much time thinking about whose perspective I was and that limited enjoyment of those scenes.
As usual, the book needs a thorough polish. Too many typos, smart quotes pointing the wrong direction, and misplaced spaces and punctuation. But how often lately do I get to read a book where I DON'T wish it were better edited?
Unlike some other reviewers, I had no issues with the book's length. But then I was the kid who used to pick out books in the library just because they were thick and would then last longer.
A more accurate rating is probably 3.5. It is a good enjoyable fantasy. It has some great characters, an interesting plot, and a comfortable world that is very earth-like except for the fairies.
Unfortunately, there were two things I didn't like as much about it, but one of them is just my taste and not something wrong with the book. I found some of the love scenes a bit much. The writer must have a romance background and these scenes and the style of them are why I don't read romances.
The other issue I had was with the POV. I am guessing the writer is going for am omniscient POV, but there wasn't a clear narrator voice most of the time (it first turned up at the end of chapter 7). The main problem I had is that the perspective changed characters very frequently and sometimes I had trouble figuring out who was doing the talking. So sometimes I had to spend too much time thinking about whose perspective I was and that limited enjoyment of those scenes.
As usual, the book needs a thorough polish. Too many typos, smart quotes pointing the wrong direction, and misplaced spaces and punctuation. But how often lately do I get to read a book where I DON'T wish it were better edited?
Unlike some other reviewers, I had no issues with the book's length. But then I was the kid who used to pick out books in the library just because they were thick and would then last longer.
September 10, 2012
A wonderfully woven tale of men, women, Fairy and magic. The King's evil brother has overthrown his kingdom. Oryan grieves deeply for his wife who valiantly fought the intruders so that her husband and young son had time to escape. Morgan, his Lord High Marshall and dearest friend, is with them when Kyriay, Queen of the Fairy, comes with her people to rescue them. So begins the story. An immense struggle for power and peace ensue, but with the help (and love) of those willing to do whatever is necessary, grueling battles commence and the wizards (at Haerold's command) have unleashed the Hunters. Death and dispair are eventually the only things the people know now. Plans are being made and forces are being called to overthrow the darkness that has enveloped the people. Fierce battles, dark magics seeking those weilding light magics and passionate love stories intertwine in this intensely engrossing tale. Will good men prevail? Will light overcome the darkness? Will they survive?
I really enjoyed this book!
I really enjoyed this book!
August 12, 2012
I'm always delighted when I find a free download that I can give a 4 or 5 star rating to and while this is not quite a 5-star (must keep to re-read) it is a solid 4 star. Author takes a standard framework for the plot, fairies, humans, evil brother to the king, dark wizards, etc. and weaves an interesting storyline around it. Good characterization and some atypical relationships between the fairy communities and the human characters.
The excellent characterization got me through the few slow portions without much difficulty. I do think another edit would have tightened the writing, picked up some more of the editing errors and made for a smoother read but I would definitely read another by this author.
The excellent characterization got me through the few slow portions without much difficulty. I do think another edit would have tightened the writing, picked up some more of the editing errors and made for a smoother read but I would definitely read another by this author.
December 31, 2012
Song of the Fairy Queen. A spectacular book in which very much is brought together. Adventure, love, loyalty and trust, battle, betrayal and the worst that people can bring up, all forged into a story that made it hard to put the book down even when my eyelids demanded it.
The characters are all detailed in a very friendly and convincing way, their interaction - be it with friend of foe - is believable (important especially for a fantasy book). Every new setting that I was led into became real in my mind, I could hear and see and smell it. And trust me, some of the places that the heroes in the story visit are definitely unpleasant. Definitely a book to read for fantasy lovers who appreciate Fairies without the fairy-tale bit.
The characters are all detailed in a very friendly and convincing way, their interaction - be it with friend of foe - is believable (important especially for a fantasy book). Every new setting that I was led into became real in my mind, I could hear and see and smell it. And trust me, some of the places that the heroes in the story visit are definitely unpleasant. Definitely a book to read for fantasy lovers who appreciate Fairies without the fairy-tale bit.
December 29, 2012
I didn't like this book sadly. There were some really cool battles but the in between times were so boring. I thought the character development was off. I just didn't love any of them. The relationship between Morgan and Kyri got annoying. There were way too many sex scenes and if I had to hear about how "her wings sparkled in the sun" and "Morgan was amazed" I was going to throw my Kindle out the window! I didn't even make it half way through. Very disappointing.
August 14, 2012
I started this book and didn't want to put it down. I enjoyed the characters and their relationships, I enjoyed the interplay between characters, and the movement between story line. it was a tender and touching lovestory, and story of friendships and loyalties, of faith and trust. with plenty of battle scenes and tales of daring do!
It's a good book to pass the weekend, just for fun, without having to expand your mind or learn anything. Perfect also for a rainy day!
It's a good book to pass the weekend, just for fun, without having to expand your mind or learn anything. Perfect also for a rainy day!
June 10, 2013
I really loved this book. It is a long book and soo Full of action, friendship, romance.
I really was pulled into this book, I was right there as one of the characters!!!
A must read for all that love different books, and want to step out of their usual genre. If this is your genre and you haven't read this book You need to! You will not be disappointed!
You never know if you will Need to call upon a fairy anytime in the future!
I really was pulled into this book, I was right there as one of the characters!!!
A must read for all that love different books, and want to step out of their usual genre. If this is your genre and you haven't read this book You need to! You will not be disappointed!
You never know if you will Need to call upon a fairy anytime in the future!
September 29, 2012
I started off feeling a little confused, and wanting Gwenifer to feature a little more in subsequent chapters. However, by the time I had got to about chapter three, I was hooked! I wasn't quite expecting some of the twist and turns and the timeline of the story, but I became engrossed and couldn't wait to see the outcomes. Well written and a good read.
September 5, 2014
I absolutely devoured this book on an international flight, and I keep coming back for more! The plot is beautifully written, heart-wrenching in both the gross-sobbing-inducing way, and the beautiful touching 'awh' moments. Fell in love with all the characters instantly! Valerie Douglas, amazing job!
January 31, 2016
I'm still reeling from the final chapters of this book but it was amazing. I absolutely loved this book. It was heartwarming, gripping and emotional, all rolled into one.
The characters were really well developed and I came to love the good and dislike the bad.
The characters were really well developed and I came to love the good and dislike the bad.
July 3, 2012
Love it. An epic battles wonderful characters and villeins. One of the best love stories.
August 24, 2012
I really really enjoyed this book and couldn't hardly put it down - read well into last night to finish it....
September 6, 2012
I thoroughly enjoyed this book! It was a little longer than I would like but enjoyable never the less.
December 28, 2013
I really like this book. Fairies and wizzards and men in love with fairies. A displaced king takes back his thrown. Very, very good.
April 1, 2014
If you enjoy fantasy, you will love this book.
March 3, 2015
Loved it!
Valerie Douglas is an amazing storyteller with a tale that spans years and yet is full of non stop action and adventure.
Valerie Douglas is an amazing storyteller with a tale that spans years and yet is full of non stop action and adventure.
January 3, 2013
Wow this is a detailed book! You feel like your really in it! Good so far!
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October 7, 2022I firs read this way younger than I should have. I think I was 14 or 15 when I read this, and I thought the sex was too much. This is definitely an adult book, not young adult. I also remember back then being annoyed at there being way too many descriptions of Kyri and how pretty she is, and I still have to agree. It felt like every time she is mentioned, we hear about her golden hair or aquamarine eyes and her shapely body the clothing she wears, or lack thereof. That's most of what the first third of the book is, and I ended up starting to skim and then skipping around. Nothing was really happening besides Morgan and Kyri seeing each other and being attracted to each other.
Honestly, the writing isn't that great, and I've gotten bored, so I'm just going to put this down and leave it in the past. I basically wanted to reread it to see if it was as graphic as I thought, and yes, it is, but the writing isn't as good as I remembered it being, and I don't want to force myself through 500+ pages when I'm not into it. I kind of regret revisiting this one, because before I could imagine it was as good as I once thought, but it's just not, as least not for me right now.
Honestly, the writing isn't that great, and I've gotten bored, so I'm just going to put this down and leave it in the past. I basically wanted to reread it to see if it was as graphic as I thought, and yes, it is, but the writing isn't as good as I remembered it being, and I don't want to force myself through 500+ pages when I'm not into it. I kind of regret revisiting this one, because before I could imagine it was as good as I once thought, but it's just not, as least not for me right now.
November 23, 2020
There were a lot of issues I found with this book.
1. Seemed to lack clear editing. Editing is not just for spelling and grammar, but to also make sure there's not too much written when a little would suffice. I mean, I get it. Her legs are shapely and her eyes are aquamarine. I didn't have to be beat over the head with it. And call me a cynic, but did they have to say, "I love you" and "I love you, too" all the time?
2. Half the names were super fantastical, and the other half were flat.
3. I'm all for women having agency, but the women in this story seemed to be the only ones to . And we have a Mary Sue and the boy version of a Mary Sue.
4. Zero world building. At some point characters pull these almost-but-not-quite deux ex machina things out of their sleeves with zero evidence of them existing before then. And motives for the villains don't seem to be explored either. Some times, sure, people are bad for the sake of being bad, but if I'm reading a story, I want to know why they're bad.
Anyway, it was a long/tedious read.
1. Seemed to lack clear editing. Editing is not just for spelling and grammar, but to also make sure there's not too much written when a little would suffice. I mean, I get it. Her legs are shapely and her eyes are aquamarine. I didn't have to be beat over the head with it. And call me a cynic, but did they have to say, "I love you" and "I love you, too" all the time?
2. Half the names were super fantastical, and the other half were flat.
3. I'm all for women having agency, but the women in this story seemed to be the only ones to . And we have a Mary Sue and the boy version of a Mary Sue.
4. Zero world building. At some point characters pull these almost-but-not-quite deux ex machina things out of their sleeves with zero evidence of them existing before then. And motives for the villains don't seem to be explored either. Some times, sure, people are bad for the sake of being bad, but if I'm reading a story, I want to know why they're bad.
Anyway, it was a long/tedious read.
October 26, 2019
The story is pretty fast-paced and overall, enjoyable. There are many cliche elements to the book, but in being cliche, they are familiar and the writer takes advantage of the emotions associated with such familiarity. There are some scenes which do not connect as well to each other, many questions that are brought up, but which are never answered (though the main questions usually are) For instance, the final battle, while she puts emphasis on what one of the main characters does as if it would be horrible with a horrible outcome for that character, she never returns to this build up in the final segment of the book.
Also - it is often difficult to know who is speaking, who is thinking, and who is doing what action. I often found myself having to back up and decipher who was doing what which at times, was annoying and disrupted the flow of the story.
Given this though, the book was a solid book with a delightful story and a few pleasant and unexpected twists.
Also - it is often difficult to know who is speaking, who is thinking, and who is doing what action. I often found myself having to back up and decipher who was doing what which at times, was annoying and disrupted the flow of the story.
Given this though, the book was a solid book with a delightful story and a few pleasant and unexpected twists.
October 1, 2023
I have ADHD and it took me a very long time to chip away at the first half of the book as things built up, but so much happened so quickly in the second half it hooked me in and I finished it quite quickly at least for me.
Its a good book and worth reading, just a bit longer than I expected.
Its a good book and worth reading, just a bit longer than I expected.
October 8, 2014
I'm a frequent reader of indie authors, and I'm not bothered by lack of polish when a book engrosses me, makes me feel, or generally abides by a few basic linchpins: decent plot, decent writing, decent characters, or at least one of the three.
Here I found none.
The story circles around and around, and it's dull, sappy, predictable, repetitive and the book is too long for its few working elements. There are abrupt changes of pace and timeline which throw off the reader, a few incongruities, a lot of plot-stretching/convenient outcomes, not a shadow of world-building and, did I mention it, a cartload of repetitions (descriptions, situations, thoughts...)?
Also, nothing never actually happens in the story, there's no real danger, no lasting change, no plot twist, no climax: just a far-fetched attempt at an epic finale and, as already stated, a couple of changes of pace and timeline, more confusing than kindling.
To make it worse the book is in need of serious editing, not mainly about typos or an Elissa who becomes Elisa, but because of both the redundancy of information -yes, we get it! No need to give the same piece of info thrice in a few paragraphs, and really, I GET IT Kyri sports beautiful hair, Morgan a broad strong chest, Gawain his mother's eyes- and the dull writing: sentences like "Morgan stripped off his shirt, his eyes on hers..[same ebook page]..Then he pulled off his shirt..." and "Where they could, both Fairy and men would do what they could to aid the wounded, if they could" really could do with a bit of editing.
Seriously, you cannot simply throw in the adjective "glorious" (or adverb "gloriously") at least 18 times during the love scenes (ah, add to the tally a sprinkle of noun "glory", and one verb "glorying" as well). But even a veneer of professional editing cannot make up for lack of substance, of literary flair and inspiration.
My quotes are basically all from sex scenes, because unfortunately it seems the whole 504-page-book-that-could-be-effortlessly-halved is centered about sex sequences and the story devised to give some backdrop for them, not the other way around; the intent is painfully clear. Mind I say sex sequences, and not love story. Romance or erotic romance stories ask for development, involvement, dangers, misunderstandings, context, whatever, you cannot simply introduce two characters, make them fall hard for each other at first sight and keep at that for a whole book! No momentum, no tension, you can see it coming exactly the way it comes from page one! Then, do I want sex in my fantasy novels? Sure, but I want it to be primarily fitting, dosed and at least entertaining, or tasteful, or appealing to my sordid instincts, or whatever it takes to deliver quality and not gratuitous scenes. Here it's just plain boring and redundant, if you want a smut book with fantasy elements, look elsewhere.
The characters have no development, not even a wee pinch, nothing: marvelously one dimensional. You don't really care for them, and that would be just a precondition! The protagonists are beautiful/strong/lucky/awe-inspiring/etc., the sidekicks are just sidekicks, then there's the faithful, the betrayer, the sacrificial lamb, the seasoned warrior, the selfless companion...you get it, the full array of boring, nondescript and forgettable characters, coming and going to serve their purpose. And the villains? Evil queen and evil king-usurper? Meddling with dark magic? Ok, fine, but there's really nothing else beneath, no drama, no light vs dark as part of clever sub-plots, or at worst resulting in a gambit pileup seasoned with mysteries and layers of deceptions. Or, truly, everything but profound and total nothingness!
In all this, I save the character of the omniscient Fairy Queen, but for another book.
I'm really sorry to say this ended up in my first one-star rating ever, because from the summary there was some potential in the story. After the first 40 pages or so, I still gave the book the benefit of the doubt, the writing style was flat (at best), the editing flaws growing and there were no hints of character development or surprises in-the-making, but still...it could have been a decent fantasy tale, if not original (and, no, the preposterous Arthur's cycle name-game is hard to miss), at least readable. Nothing of the sort.
I read it through, with some skimming, because I'm a believer of last-minute redemption. Which makes me an optimist bound to be sorely disappointed.
Here I found none.
The story circles around and around, and it's dull, sappy, predictable, repetitive and the book is too long for its few working elements. There are abrupt changes of pace and timeline which throw off the reader, a few incongruities, a lot of plot-stretching/convenient outcomes, not a shadow of world-building and, did I mention it, a cartload of repetitions (descriptions, situations, thoughts...)?
Also, nothing never actually happens in the story, there's no real danger, no lasting change, no plot twist, no climax: just a far-fetched attempt at an epic finale and, as already stated, a couple of changes of pace and timeline, more confusing than kindling.
To make it worse the book is in need of serious editing, not mainly about typos or an Elissa who becomes Elisa, but because of both the redundancy of information -yes, we get it! No need to give the same piece of info thrice in a few paragraphs, and really, I GET IT Kyri sports beautiful hair, Morgan a broad strong chest, Gawain his mother's eyes- and the dull writing: sentences like "Morgan stripped off his shirt, his eyes on hers..[same ebook page]..Then he pulled off his shirt..." and "Where they could, both Fairy and men would do what they could to aid the wounded, if they could" really could do with a bit of editing.
Seriously, you cannot simply throw in the adjective "glorious" (or adverb "gloriously") at least 18 times during the love scenes (ah, add to the tally a sprinkle of noun "glory", and one verb "glorying" as well). But even a veneer of professional editing cannot make up for lack of substance, of literary flair and inspiration.
My quotes are basically all from sex scenes, because unfortunately it seems the whole 504-page-book-that-could-be-effortlessly-halved is centered about sex sequences and the story devised to give some backdrop for them, not the other way around; the intent is painfully clear. Mind I say sex sequences, and not love story. Romance or erotic romance stories ask for development, involvement, dangers, misunderstandings, context, whatever, you cannot simply introduce two characters, make them fall hard for each other at first sight and keep at that for a whole book! No momentum, no tension, you can see it coming exactly the way it comes from page one! Then, do I want sex in my fantasy novels? Sure, but I want it to be primarily fitting, dosed and at least entertaining, or tasteful, or appealing to my sordid instincts, or whatever it takes to deliver quality and not gratuitous scenes. Here it's just plain boring and redundant, if you want a smut book with fantasy elements, look elsewhere.
The characters have no development, not even a wee pinch, nothing: marvelously one dimensional. You don't really care for them, and that would be just a precondition! The protagonists are beautiful/strong/lucky/awe-inspiring/etc., the sidekicks are just sidekicks, then there's the faithful, the betrayer, the sacrificial lamb, the seasoned warrior, the selfless companion...you get it, the full array of boring, nondescript and forgettable characters, coming and going to serve their purpose. And the villains? Evil queen and evil king-usurper? Meddling with dark magic? Ok, fine, but there's really nothing else beneath, no drama, no light vs dark as part of clever sub-plots, or at worst resulting in a gambit pileup seasoned with mysteries and layers of deceptions. Or, truly, everything but profound and total nothingness!
In all this, I save the character of the omniscient Fairy Queen, but for another book.
I'm really sorry to say this ended up in my first one-star rating ever, because from the summary there was some potential in the story. After the first 40 pages or so, I still gave the book the benefit of the doubt, the writing style was flat (at best), the editing flaws growing and there were no hints of character development or surprises in-the-making, but still...it could have been a decent fantasy tale, if not original (and, no, the preposterous Arthur's cycle name-game is hard to miss), at least readable. Nothing of the sort.
I read it through, with some skimming, because I'm a believer of last-minute redemption. Which makes me an optimist bound to be sorely disappointed.
September 9, 2021
At the recommendation of someone in my new SFF Facebook group, I opened this book enthusiastically.
I am dismayed.
This book has so much promise .. a plot line that’s mostly alright, well drawn-out goodfolk characters, and evil-doing do-baddies doing their thing.
Where the book falls down is wacky plot timing and forgetting it’s not a romance novel.
The book is ostensibly about a king who loses his crown and his wife in a takeover bid by his brother. Said bro then proceeds to chase him for years and years with a frothing hatred that has no underlying basis other than he breathes. Okay, bad guys are generally more shallow than heroes. Here, however, they come across as a bit cartoonish.
You’d rather expect this story to be about the king working to regain his throne. And it is ... but somehow it’s more about his chief advisor and the Fairy Queen helping him. They fall in love and ... spoiler ... fireworks ensue.
The amount of time I read about how he loves seeing her in her favourite short shift that matched her sea green/blue eyes and how it swishes around her shapely legs, how he adores her crystal wings ... seriously, once is sweet, twice is okay, three times is repetitive and more than that ... is what you find in this book. It’s just GRRM’s “fire-kissed hair” all over again.
Love-making scenes are included in the book, but they are so poorly done. I really cannot envision anyone getting excitement from them. Scenes where the author gets a bit daring are just boring ... skippable even. Outside of the first time, they are totally unnecessary to the plot.
There is a tendency for the author to write consecutive paragraphs from a first person perspective from different people without any indication that we’ve switched the set of eyeballs we’re viewing from. It’s disconcerting.
Then there is the wonky time stuff. We have a love-making scene followed by Morgan’s (the advisor) missing his love for months, then another love-making scene. It’s not the only time the author does this, I could cite other instances, but I don’t want to give away more parts of the story. It just seems that weird time dilation is a plot contrivance used to switch the story forward without writing the actual words that would make it fit in seamlessly.
Then there’s the book title. There’s no music in this book, other than a few mentions of the musical lilt in the queen’s voice and a bad ballad composed by a courtier. Why it should be called Song of the Fairy Queen is beyond me.
It’s not a total loss! Both Morgan and the Fairy Queen are well-drawn out characters, as are the king and (eventually) his grown son (more time jiggery-pokery) and the advisors of the various courts. You care about them, you cheer when the couple get together and you so, sooo hope they get a chance to set things right.
This book could have used a better editor.
I am dismayed.
This book has so much promise .. a plot line that’s mostly alright, well drawn-out goodfolk characters, and evil-doing do-baddies doing their thing.
Where the book falls down is wacky plot timing and forgetting it’s not a romance novel.
The book is ostensibly about a king who loses his crown and his wife in a takeover bid by his brother. Said bro then proceeds to chase him for years and years with a frothing hatred that has no underlying basis other than he breathes. Okay, bad guys are generally more shallow than heroes. Here, however, they come across as a bit cartoonish.
You’d rather expect this story to be about the king working to regain his throne. And it is ... but somehow it’s more about his chief advisor and the Fairy Queen helping him. They fall in love and ... spoiler ... fireworks ensue.
The amount of time I read about how he loves seeing her in her favourite short shift that matched her sea green/blue eyes and how it swishes around her shapely legs, how he adores her crystal wings ... seriously, once is sweet, twice is okay, three times is repetitive and more than that ... is what you find in this book. It’s just GRRM’s “fire-kissed hair” all over again.
Love-making scenes are included in the book, but they are so poorly done. I really cannot envision anyone getting excitement from them. Scenes where the author gets a bit daring are just boring ... skippable even. Outside of the first time, they are totally unnecessary to the plot.
There is a tendency for the author to write consecutive paragraphs from a first person perspective from different people without any indication that we’ve switched the set of eyeballs we’re viewing from. It’s disconcerting.
Then there is the wonky time stuff. We have a love-making scene followed by Morgan’s (the advisor) missing his love for months, then another love-making scene. It’s not the only time the author does this, I could cite other instances, but I don’t want to give away more parts of the story. It just seems that weird time dilation is a plot contrivance used to switch the story forward without writing the actual words that would make it fit in seamlessly.
Then there’s the book title. There’s no music in this book, other than a few mentions of the musical lilt in the queen’s voice and a bad ballad composed by a courtier. Why it should be called Song of the Fairy Queen is beyond me.
It’s not a total loss! Both Morgan and the Fairy Queen are well-drawn out characters, as are the king and (eventually) his grown son (more time jiggery-pokery) and the advisors of the various courts. You care about them, you cheer when the couple get together and you so, sooo hope they get a chance to set things right.
This book could have used a better editor.
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