Reviews

The Faceless Woman by Emma Hamm

tomesproject's review against another edition

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4.0

witches, fae, a talking cat (witch), and forced togetherness on a journey? or all of my favorite fantasy romance tropes?

starlightbooktales's review against another edition

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4.0

4.5 Stars

Need more Bran

dankfantasy's review against another edition

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adventurous mysterious fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.75

marineb09's review against another edition

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5.0

I had the chance to read an ARC of this beauty <3
I am so glad I don't have to wait July to read it haha, but I cannot wait to get the physical copy in my hands !!

This book was truly amazing, I thought Heart of the Fae was my favorite Emma Hamm's book ... well it's been dethroned haha
I love being back in the Otherworld, loved the witty banter between Aisling and Bran, LOVED Lorcan, the action, the story, the curses ... Just read it please !

jessshine's review against another edition

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adventurous dark funny lighthearted fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

Much much better than the 2nd book in the series. Much better plot, better editing, more consistent and interesting characters

suey_library's review against another edition

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5.0

***Received an Advanced Readers Copy by the author in exchange for an honest review - thank you Emma***

Holy nuggets comrades - this cover. This synopsis. Nothing I can say in any amount of words can convey how much everything consumed me with The Faceless Woman. If the prologue didn't captivate you like it did me, then I am going to start questioning your sanity and mental comprehension.

Returning to the world I love, we are faced the with deliciously naughty Bran, the Unseelie Prince from Heart of Fae and Veins of Magic. During a wondering moment, Bran is witnessing a witch hunter burning a witch, Aisling. Refusing to help, Bran continues to watch in the shadows until Aisling does the only thing she can to save her own life - Aisling curses our young prince, binding spell; if she dies, he dies. 

Oh Aisling. What can I say about our elusive heroine? Well I can admit that going into this I kept imagining Odette when I first dived into this installment, but damn was I completely off base. Aisling was not what I was expecting in the least bit. She wasn't this 'Oh woe is me' type damsel, no she was definitely ballsy. Aisling has this fierce attitude that just makes her so empowering while still holding some innocence and vulnerability. She is an amazing blend of kindhearted appeal with such a powerful personality that screams to be seen, to be heard. Plus her feisty personality mixed with Bran's cocky attitude was just perfection. And speaking of the scrumptious Bran, comrades I have waited a long while to finally get the the Unseelie Prince and he did not disappoint. I cannot gush enough about his character. Bran was childish, yet cunningly intelligent. Mixture of mischievous and intrusive exterior personality, he had this untouchable kindness to him, especially as the connection between him and Aisling grew.

Bran and Aisling together was phenomenal, it was perfection - this is the best I can describe them. Although they have their secrets, their mission is very similar, utilizing one another to gain what they wish for most - freedom. Not only did their witty banter and stubbornness aid in their chemistry, but they really challenged each others motives. Their entire interactions was either this push and pull of flirting or bickering. What I enjoyed most was as the journey continued their connection really evolved from this battling friendship into a world where they were consumed by one another. 

Aside from the romance that honestly I am #TeamBran all the way, the backbone of The Faceless Woman is truly an intriguing experience. Each book up to now has given glimpses into different worlds of the Otherworld. Getting a taste of the humans vs. the Fae, down to the beginning where we dived into the beauty of the Seelie Court. Now however we are swimming in the Unseelie Realm, which is an entire new side of this unforgiving world. Unseelie is the world of the dark magic - misfits, dissentients, suffering - our nightmarish demons. The courts of abominable creatures that come into contact with the plot is intriguing to say the least. Amongst the disfigured cannibals and fallen Gods, we get new introductions to other folklore - the Sluage. Oh man my fingers are tingling of the possibilities. 

And that ending... guys I still have chills down my spine. It was a satisfyingly intense cliffhanger; that is all I am saying. 

And I have to just say it, but Emma Hamm slays me. She is such a phenomenal writer that she has me beguiled, enchanted and ever more made me completely in love to where my speckled heart is bursting. She takes such unique avenues of these mythology backbone stories and really enriches everything she creates in her own unique plot without taking away the basis of the legend of mythology she portrays. I honestly cannot get enough of this world.

The Faceless Woman is definitely my favorite in the Otherworlds Series at this point. Don't get me wrong I LOVED the first, but something about Aisling and Bran just overpowered everything about this world Emma has created. I honestly cannot wait to see what comes in the future with this duo; let the stalking commence comrades.

queenpebbles's review against another edition

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dark emotional mysterious fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated

3.75


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alexperc_92's review against another edition

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5.0

I received an e-ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review. Review can be found on *Milky Way of Books*

Following closely Emma's writing has been a delight in the past months. Having discovered her books accidentally, after scouting Goodreads for a good "Beauty and the Beast" retelling, I fell in love with her pose and writing style, not to mention the seamless way, she weaves Celtic mythology with classic fairy tales!

Her upcoming book, part of the Otherworld series, features the Swan Princess as it blends with the Celtic mythology. While the books can be read as stand-alones, I truly recommend you to read them from the beginning. The stories interconnect with each other and very smartly the author laces clues for the next books in the series within the existing novels.

Aisling is a witch who has a curse on her; no Fae can see her face and she has magic within her that could make her coveted in the Otherworld or hunted in the human one. Bran is the Unseelie Prince who searches for a cure. Yet, when accidentally Aisling curses him, binding them together, they will form a tentative alliance, in order to search for the solution to the binding curse.

Their trip will be an adventure, a mystery, laced with dreams, creatures both beautiful and scary, sleeping old gods and tragedy. And a slow-burning romance, which I really want to have more of it. You can see the outline of the Swan Princess here, yet Emma Hamm succeeds in creating a unique blend of magic and monstrous beauty which encaptures the reader, begging for more.

At least, I want more! Because the ending could be this! And while some parts left me questioning the whys I am positive that Emma will give this pair a wonderful ending. Don't miss this one; the cover is stunning, there are clues everywhere and this hidden gem deserves more attention!

j0nes's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional funny fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

holsarmstrong's review

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3.0

I really like EH’s writing and I wasn’t familiar with this story beforehand so I went into this one without knowing much. This wasn’t my favourite of her books but it was a good story and I liked the journey our characters went on.

- I liked the idea of witches being introduced into this world and how humans and fae saw them differently. I also really liked the idea of our protagonist being faceless and it wasn’t about ‘natural, stunning beauty’ and it was about how she was as a person.
- I liked bran but he wasn’t anything to shout about (in my opinion). I liked how he was loyal and questioned things and I liked how he didn’t force the budding romance between aisling and him.
- the use of familiars in this book was interesting.

Definitely not my favourite but not a bad read!