lyra selene – GoodeyReads

Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Fantasy Romance
Length: 496 pages
Author: Lyra Selene
Publisher: Orbit
Release Date: January 21st, 2025
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

On a mysterious snowy island ruled by a trickster king where magic comes at a price, a deadly trial commences. The prize: a chance for vengeance.

After her sacrifice on the Ember Moon, Fia is flush with powerful magic and eager to rush into battle against her murderous sister, Eala. However, Fia’s new husband Irian suggests they bide their time and retreat to the Silver Isle, a snowy island at the edge of the fae world.

Ruled by the cunning smith-king, the Silver Isle proves far from a safe haven. Fia and Irian become embroiled in the Tournament of Kings competing for a magical forging of immense power. Their relationship will be put to the test as they navigate their conflicting motivations, shifting allegiances, and ancient magic.

With the end of the tournament looming and Eala’s threat growing, Fia must decide just how much she’s willing to sacrifice to defeat her sister.

I LIKED IT MORE THAN THE FIRST.

Which kind of surprises me but we’re going to roll with it. I thought it picked up great in the beginning and I immediately felt immersed in the audiobook and story and characters. I love when I don’t feel lost from the first book and the execution here helped that a lot.

Now the rest of the first half was a bit meh. I did like seeing Fia and Irian work together but the cracks started to show and I found myself bored with the plot. The second half was much better in this regard. The pacing found a steadier rhythm and I liked Fia’s character arc more by the end. And y’all know I love a good cliffhanger and this definitely had on that makes me want book three as soon as I can get my hands on it.

Highly recommend the audiobook because the narrator does an amazing job with the accents.

Overall audience notes:

Fantasy Romance
Language: strong
Romance: multiple open door
Violence: moderate – high

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Rating: ★★★☆
Audience: Fantasy Romance
Length: 496 pages
Author: Lyra Selene
Publisher: Orbit Books
Release Date: March 12th, 2024
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Set in a world of perilous magic and moonlit forests, this seductive romantic fantasy tells the story of a defiant changeling, her cursed sister, and the dangerous fae lord she must defeat to save her family.

In a kingdom where magic has been lost, Fia is a rare changeling, left behind by the wicked Fair Folk when they stole the High Queen’s daughter and retreated behind the locked gates of Tír na nÓg.

Most despise Fia’s fae blood. But the queen raises her as a daughter and trains her to be a spy. Meanwhile, the real princess Eala is bound to Tír na nÓg, cursed to become a swan by day and only returning to her true form at night.

When a hidden gate to the realm is discovered, Fia is tasked by the queen to retrieve the princess and break her curse. But she doesn’t go with her is prince Rogan, Fia’s dearest childhood friend—and Eala’s betrothed.

As they journey through the forests of the Folk, where magic winds through the roots of the trees and beauty can be a deadly illusion, Fia’s mission is complicated by her feelings for the prince…and her unexpected attraction to the dark-hearted fae lord holding Eala captive. Irian might be more monster than man, but he seems to understand Fia in a way no one ever has.

Soon, Fia begins to question the truth of her mission. But time is running out to break her sister’s curse. And unraveling the secrets of the past might destroy everything she has come to love.

Thank you to Orbit Books for the ARC and Hachette Audio for the audiobook.

MIXED THOUGHTS.

This one kind of ran me around a bit.

Audio thoughts first: LOVED. I loved the narrator. I was really swept away by this story listening and highly recommend this avenue for trying A Feather So Black out.

Back to bookish thoughts: At first, I was really into it. I loved the set up and the plot. I liked the main character and alllll the fae things. This had all of those hallmark fantasy + fae aspects that I love about this genre.

And then the love triangle came into play. NOW. I knew it was a love triangle and was perfectly fine with that fact. I honestly didn’t mind the bones of it. There’s good push and pull between characters. Conflict of interest and wondering where Fia was going to land. But I didn’t love that she slept with both men throughout the story. It took away from the emotional connection by focusing so heavily on the physical connection instead. I liked both of the guys for different reasons and I am curious where things will go in the second book.

Some scenes did drag on a bit and there’s a lot of hurry up and wait. And there’s a more young adult writing style, but very adult content. The vibes are there and the ending had my attention enough that I plan to continue the series.

Overall audience notes: