Scan barcode
A review by bookshelfmonkey
The Fae Keeper by H.E. Edgmon
adventurous
dark
funny
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Oh hell yeah the gays are fucking shit up.
I wasn't sure if it would be possible to fit in the massive expansion of worldbuilding that was implied in book 1 in just one more (relatively short) book, but apparently it was, and it was done really well. In typical duology fashion, we started right in the middle of things, and it never really slowed down. There was new information coming from every possible direction and so many plot twists (and just developments that I didn't see coming) but they were all presented in such a way that I could follow along and was never so confused that it stopped being fun to read. Then there was a whole final battle, which I didn't expect-- at least, not on the scale that we got it-- but I was definitely a fan. I love battles, and they're always a great way to end a book.
The characters continued to be good. These are some of the most teenage teenagers that I've read in YA (this is a good thing): they were messy and figuring things out and not great at communicating all the time but not so much that it was just there to frustrate the reader and complicate things unnecessary. Although the particular circumstances of the book are likely ones that nobody has ever actually experienced, it perfectly captured the experience of just trying to grow up and figure yourself and your relationships out while the entire world is actively trying to tear itself and you apart, which is, unfortunately, quite relatable. We also got gay villains, which was cool, as well as many, many queer characters on the protagonists' side.
I wasn't sure if it would be possible to fit in the massive expansion of worldbuilding that was implied in book 1 in just one more (relatively short) book, but apparently it was, and it was done really well. In typical duology fashion, we started right in the middle of things, and it never really slowed down. There was new information coming from every possible direction and so many plot twists (and just developments that I didn't see coming) but they were all presented in such a way that I could follow along and was never so confused that it stopped being fun to read. Then there was a whole final battle, which I didn't expect-- at least, not on the scale that we got it-- but I was definitely a fan. I love battles, and they're always a great way to end a book.
The characters continued to be good. These are some of the most teenage teenagers that I've read in YA (this is a good thing): they were messy and figuring things out and not great at communicating all the time but not so much that it was just there to frustrate the reader and complicate things unnecessary. Although the particular circumstances of the book are likely ones that nobody has ever actually experienced, it perfectly captured the experience of just trying to grow up and figure yourself and your relationships out while the entire world is actively trying to tear itself and you apart, which is, unfortunately, quite relatable. We also got gay villains, which was cool, as well as many, many queer characters on the protagonists' side.