A review by half_bloodreader
Realms of Fae and Shadow by Joanna Reeder, Alison Ingleby, Valia Lind, Clarissa Gosling, Kay L. Moody, Tessonja Odette, Hanna Sandvig, Stacey Trombley
This anthology contains 8 stories by 8 different authors all exploring the same theme: fae. These stories are prequels to bigger series.
》Night Bringer by Stacey Trombley
⭐⭐
Short-novel-length novella.
I personally can't speak for the series, Wicked Fae, goodreads says it's NA, but the prequel works for YA readers.
Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3530411594
》Heir of Bitter Thorn by Kay L Moody
⭐⭐⭐
YA short story
Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3530144716
》Fae Bargains by Clarissa Gosling
⭐⭐
YA rated prequel for the Lost Princess of Starlight series
This story was originally written with UK spelling. This version of the story was edited with US spelling to match the rest of the anthology. The other books in this series use UK spelling.
Faerie punishments usually spell death. For Evan, it could offer freedom.
As reluctant heir to the Moonlight Court, Evan would take forest games over a royal crown any day. But when he’s caught sneaking humans into Faery for fun, the fearsome Huntsman of the Forest delivers a fateful ultimatum: give up the throne to serve as a guardian of the gates between realms or face the wrath of the combined Courts of Faery for breaking the Treaty of the Yews.
With a chance to escape the dreaded role he was born to finally within reach, Evan is willing to do whatever it takes to claim the Huntsman’s bargain. But it’s easier said than done when his mother, the domineering Queen of Moonlight, orders him to go on a last royal mission that pits him against his heart.
With his future on the line, can Evan complete this final task… or will he unwittingly set into motion the greatest betrayal known to faekind?
Things you should know.
1. These fae can lie. Boo.
2. Fae supporting character who uses "they" pronouns!! ♥
3. All of the main players in this story suck, specifically Evan the mc and his mother, Queen of Moonlight Court. Example:
These humans deserved what they got for thinking their dreams were easy to achieve. Nothing was handed to you on a plate, as it all needed work and dedication., thinks the trash bag Evan while using glamours against them. He's just releasing his frustrations on them, while being impotent to work towards his dreams, for it is not in his fae nature to trick humans and lead them into the forest! Unlike the nature of the boggart (I wasn't upset at the boggart, it's in his nature to play with humans and eat them).
And speaking of ill fates, he's bringing -- no, he's showering others with them!
There's nothing wrong with the story or the writing, I just wasn't that entertained. Mostly aggravated. Sadly, I read quickly only when Evan was completing his icky distasteful "task", though mostly because I was wondering how on Earth he was going to do it () and maybe hoping he'd get caught.
》To Rule A Fae Throne by Tessonja Odette
⭐⭐⭐
Shortest story in the anthology. Side story
Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3350957312
》Exiling a Fae Queen|55155427] by Joanna Reeder
》Crown of Darkness|55062237] by Alison Ingleby
Longest story in the anthology
》Marked by Fae by Valia Lind
》The Wolf Gate: A Retelling of Little Red Riding Hood by Hanna Sandvig
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
》Night Bringer by Stacey Trombley
⭐⭐
Short-novel-length novella.
I personally can't speak for the series, Wicked Fae, goodreads says it's NA, but the prequel works for YA readers.
Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3530411594
》Heir of Bitter Thorn by Kay L Moody
⭐⭐⭐
YA short story
Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3530144716
》Fae Bargains by Clarissa Gosling
⭐⭐
YA rated prequel for the Lost Princess of Starlight series
This story was originally written with UK spelling. This version of the story was edited with US spelling to match the rest of the anthology. The other books in this series use UK spelling.
Faerie punishments usually spell death. For Evan, it could offer freedom.
As reluctant heir to the Moonlight Court, Evan would take forest games over a royal crown any day. But when he’s caught sneaking humans into Faery for fun, the fearsome Huntsman of the Forest delivers a fateful ultimatum: give up the throne to serve as a guardian of the gates between realms or face the wrath of the combined Courts of Faery for breaking the Treaty of the Yews.
With a chance to escape the dreaded role he was born to finally within reach, Evan is willing to do whatever it takes to claim the Huntsman’s bargain. But it’s easier said than done when his mother, the domineering Queen of Moonlight, orders him to go on a last royal mission that pits him against his heart.
With his future on the line, can Evan complete this final task… or will he unwittingly set into motion the greatest betrayal known to faekind?
Things you should know.
1. These fae can lie. Boo.
2. Fae supporting character who uses "they" pronouns!! ♥
3. All of the main players in this story suck, specifically Evan the mc and his mother, Queen of Moonlight Court. Example:
These humans deserved what they got for thinking their dreams were easy to achieve. Nothing was handed to you on a plate, as it all needed work and dedication., thinks the trash bag Evan while using glamours against them. He's just releasing his frustrations on them, while being impotent to work towards his dreams, for it is not in his fae nature to trick humans and lead them into the forest! Unlike the nature of the boggart (I wasn't upset at the boggart, it's in his nature to play with humans and eat them).
And speaking of ill fates, he's bringing -- no, he's showering others with them!
Spoiler
You'd think they'd know stealing the newborn babes of 2 Courts, who were at war not too long ago, could only lead to tragedy!! Wtf was the queen thinking, they could've shared the visions with all the Courts and come to an agreement! And expect 2 young fae raised as siblings to fall in love? Who said wisdom came with age?There's nothing wrong with the story or the writing, I just wasn't that entertained. Mostly aggravated. Sadly, I read quickly only when Evan was completing his icky distasteful "task", though mostly because I was wondering how on Earth he was going to do it (
Spoiler
I expected royal sproutlings to be better watched over》To Rule A Fae Throne by Tessonja Odette
⭐⭐⭐
Shortest story in the anthology. Side story
Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3350957312
》Exiling a Fae Queen|55155427] by Joanna Reeder
》Crown of Darkness|55062237] by Alison Ingleby
Longest story in the anthology
》Marked by Fae by Valia Lind
》The Wolf Gate: A Retelling of Little Red Riding Hood by Hanna Sandvig
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.