Fae Archives - Ysobella Black

Available in Kindle Unlimited here, or as an audiobook.

SYNOPSIS

When Aria returns to the Fair Realm to attend a ball at the Salamander castle, it isn’t long before things take a turn for the deadly.

With her father’s home in ashes and her newfound family reduced to dust, Aria finds herself King Auberon’s captive once more. Deep within the mountains that border the Celeste Kingdom, Aria is powerless to fight back, her newly-discovered abilities suppressed by the weight of the rock that surrounds her. But when a Celeste guard whispers about rebellion and promises to help her escape, Aria is desperate to trust him.

Crown Prince Xander returns home to the Gnome castle, laden with grief for his brother and father, and dreading the day he will be crowned king. Preparations are underway for his marriage and coronation, but thoughts of the girl he betrayed trouble him day and night. Until the morning of his wedding, when a note arrives that Aria has been taken by Auberon once more, and Xander is forced to choose between his life of duty and obedience, and what he believes is right.

REVIEW

The second book sees us in the Fair Realm the whole time. There’s a visit to a new kingdom, and more interesting world building.

Bad things happened in the first story, but poor Aria really suffers this time. She still doesn’t turn into a damsel, though. Go, Aria! Her determination and strength make it easy for me to see her becoming Queen.

I wanted to dislike Xander after his shenanigans before, but I have to admit he redeemed himself. While he feels grief and guilt, he never crosses the line into self pity or angst. He accepts his decisions and grows from them.

The slowburn romance between Aria and Xander progresses a bit, but the pace feels natural, given everything else going on in the story. I like that the relationship isn’t forced to happen between them.

There were more revelations and a twist at the end that I didn’t see coming, but really appreciated.

Olivia Barnes-Brett returned as narrator for the second book and gave another wonderful performance bringing the story and characters to life.

Genre: Fae, Paranormal, Slowburn Romance
Series: The Fair Chronicles |

The book is available in Kindle Unlimited here, or as an audiobook.

SYNOPSIS

A brooding fae prince. A tyrannical king out for her blood. Could she be the one to save them all?

Aria is bored of her small town and dreams of a life filled with excitement and adventure. Until an eye-opening encounter at the summer fair sees her ripped from her normal life and thrown into a nightmare.

Dragged through the Veil into the Fair Realm by a strange, silver-eyed boy and his band of fairy soldiers, Aria discovers she is the legendary Fair Queen, the subject of a prophecy that promises to bring an end to the centuries-long conflict between the Five Kingdoms.

With terrifying creatures on their heels, and a tyrannical king who will stop at nothing to prevent the prophecy from coming true, Aria will have to rely on her wits if she’s to escape the Fair Realm with her life.

But can she resist the charms of her dark and mysterious captor, or will the fae prince steal her heart?

REVIEW

Magic and adventure

Be careful what you wish for — especially if Fair folk might be lurking. Aria didn’t want to be stuck in her little town forever, but a trip to the realm of the Fair folk wasn’t what she expected.

This was my favorite kind of story, and all the elements were woven together perfectly. Some magic, fast-paced action, emerging abilities, a vague prophecy, new world building, and a strong female character. Aria had a lot thrown at her, but she never became a damsel in distress.

I had my suspicions about Xander from the beginning — always suspect those too good to be true types! — but even then, I was still surprised at the number of twists and turns through the story, especially toward the end.

Olivia Barnes-Brett did an amazing job bringing Aria to life.

A fun frolic of a story.

Genre: Fae, Fantasy, Paranormal, Romance
Series: The Fair Chronicles |