Scan barcode
colleenaf's review
5.0
Such a fantastic debut! I cannot wait for the next one. The only issue I have with it is the number of friends who are now trying to steal my copy.
futuriana's review
About a third in, not feeling terribly strongly about it one way or another. Doesn't feel like anything much is happening, and the fantasy angle seems pointless. Putting it aside for now.
bellatora's review
3.0
At first I was super excited that this book was set during the Troubles. It’s a fascinating and dreadful time of history and a good way to remember that not all terrorists are Islamic Arabs and that a Western country has been under terrorism and military siege in the recent past. But then. The tragedy never ended. And there was barely any fantasy.
Whoever wrote the description for this book obviously never read it, because I kept waiting for the war between the Fey and the Fallen to become the main plot and for the supernatural element to take over. Nope, never happened.
Liam shapechanges into a black dog with increasing frequency and he is a wicked driver akin to taking someone on a “Wild Ride” and his father (the fey) shows up sometimes to talk to people (this book is 95% talking, 5% magic), and there’s an order of demon-hunting priests and there’s a Redcap (fey) who thinks he’s Liam’s half-brother (but is he?) and is out to destroy Liam. And that all sounds very interesting but this is MOSTLY about the brutality of the British and the Loyalists and how much it sucked to be Irish and Catholic.
Liam goes to prison camp twice (and the first time gets raped by an evil guard), Liam gets involved with the IRA, Liam’s wife gets brutally raped by Protestants (encouraged by the Redcap), Liam is (rightfully) sad a lot. But practically no magic, no fey, and no fallen. Mostly just one horrendous thing that humans do to each other after another. What are the fairy courts like in this? What are the Fallen (besides being generally demons) and what do they want? What is the magic like? These are not questions explored in this book. Instead it is one grinding, grim reminder of the brutality of humanity after another.
I would categorize this as a "quiet" fantasy (like [b:Among Others|8706185|Among Others|Jo Walton|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1317792367s/8706185.jpg|6449955]) except it's not quiet - it is restless and angry. This is about TRAGEDY, not magic. Magic is a weird hook into the emotional devastation of the Troubles.
Whoever wrote the description for this book obviously never read it, because I kept waiting for the war between the Fey and the Fallen to become the main plot and for the supernatural element to take over. Nope, never happened.
Liam shapechanges into a black dog with increasing frequency and he is a wicked driver akin to taking someone on a “Wild Ride” and his father (the fey) shows up sometimes to talk to people (this book is 95% talking, 5% magic), and there’s an order of demon-hunting priests and there’s a Redcap (fey) who thinks he’s Liam’s half-brother (but is he?) and is out to destroy Liam. And that all sounds very interesting but this is MOSTLY about the brutality of the British and the Loyalists and how much it sucked to be Irish and Catholic.
Liam goes to prison camp twice (and the first time gets raped by an evil guard), Liam gets involved with the IRA, Liam’s wife gets brutally raped
Spoiler
and murderedI would categorize this as a "quiet" fantasy (like [b:Among Others|8706185|Among Others|Jo Walton|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1317792367s/8706185.jpg|6449955]) except it's not quiet - it is restless and angry. This is about TRAGEDY, not magic. Magic is a weird hook into the emotional devastation of the Troubles.
wynwicket's review
4.0
The Troubles in Northern Ireland in the 1970s coincide with a war between the Fey and the Fallen, and half-Fey Liam must decide whether to resist or embrace the beast within him as he is pulled into both conflicts.
This was a compelling, well-written alternate history with just the right amount of magic. It's more than just dark fantasy, as the author gives equal (if not more) emphasis to the human conflict between the Catholics and the Protestants. A bit more violent than my usual, but a very powerful story.
This was a compelling, well-written alternate history with just the right amount of magic. It's more than just dark fantasy, as the author gives equal (if not more) emphasis to the human conflict between the Catholics and the Protestants. A bit more violent than my usual, but a very powerful story.
gstarfelt's review
5.0
Much as I'm a fantasy geek, the premise of this book seemed deeply unappealing to me. Fairies and angels and angsty Irish folk- it covers ground that has been endlessly and fruitlessly trod by innumerable terrible authors. But the book was recommended by a friend whose taste I respect, and I'm quite happy I picked it up. This is probably the best piece of fantasy writing I've read in the last few years. The story is a bit disjointed, but the characters are excellently written- the protag in particular is both flawed and heroic in just the right proportions. And, while fairies and demons have been done to death various World of Darkness-flavored novels and fanfics over the years, Stina Leicht's approach to them comes off as fresh. For anyone interested in urban fantasy, I'd heartily recommend this book.
lyndiane's review
5.0
January 2021 binge re-read - I am still suckerpunched by this incredible piece of narrative!
A superbly written drama filled with courage, love, tragedy, loss and hope. Set in Ireland during the earlier period of IRA conflict, the story describes some of the persecution experienced by Catholics in Ireland during this era. Terrorism, especially against soft targets, can never be condoned, but the events set out in this brilliant novel leave the reader almost sympathetic and understanding of the main character's personal choices.
There is an abundance of kick-ass heroes in the urban-fantasy genre. Thankfully, Liam is not one of them. Neither does it portray the Fallen as a clique of misunderstood 'nice guys'. As with real life, the characters are flawed and vulnerable, making choices based on circumstances and facing the consequences.
I will be thinking about the nuances of this story for quite a while
A superbly written drama filled with courage, love, tragedy, loss and hope. Set in Ireland during the earlier period of IRA conflict, the story describes some of the persecution experienced by Catholics in Ireland during this era. Terrorism, especially against soft targets, can never be condoned, but the events set out in this brilliant novel leave the reader almost sympathetic and understanding of the main character's personal choices.
There is an abundance of kick-ass heroes in the urban-fantasy genre. Thankfully, Liam is not one of them. Neither does it portray the Fallen as a clique of misunderstood 'nice guys'. As with real life, the characters are flawed and vulnerable, making choices based on circumstances and facing the consequences.
I will be thinking about the nuances of this story for quite a while
tfrohock's review
5.0
This novel rocketed me right out of my chair. It's that good. I think it’s wonderful to see something fresh brought to the fantasy genre, and Stina Leicht does it with flair.
Set in the 1970s when the Provisional Irish Republican Army (IRA) and the British Army (BA) clash, Leicht’s story opens with action that doesn’t stop until the last page is turned. Ireland’s Fey are at war with the Fallen, and as that conflict escalates, so does the confrontations between the IRA and the BA. Caught up in the war zones from both sides is Liam, a young man who always assumed that his protestant father was dead. When Liam is wrongly accused of participating in a riot and is arrested, his mother turns to her old lover and Liam’s father, a member of the Fey, for help.
Told with the fierce voice of the Irish, Leicht takes the reader deep into Northern Ireland’s Troubles through Liam’s experiences. She pulls no punches and shows both the IRA and the BA in all their brutality while never losing sight of either the old Celtic religion or the new (Christianity). It’s rare to see such a masterful weaving of worlds, but Leicht keeps a tight grip on her story and propels the reader forward like a bullet from a gun.
All of Leicht’s characters are rich and complex, and she keeps the surprises coming. She masterfully intertwines fantasy with reality to create a world so gritty, you feel like you’re walking Belfast’s streets. Dark and feral in its imagery, this is a story you don’t want to miss.
Set in the 1970s when the Provisional Irish Republican Army (IRA) and the British Army (BA) clash, Leicht’s story opens with action that doesn’t stop until the last page is turned. Ireland’s Fey are at war with the Fallen, and as that conflict escalates, so does the confrontations between the IRA and the BA. Caught up in the war zones from both sides is Liam, a young man who always assumed that his protestant father was dead. When Liam is wrongly accused of participating in a riot and is arrested, his mother turns to her old lover and Liam’s father, a member of the Fey, for help.
Told with the fierce voice of the Irish, Leicht takes the reader deep into Northern Ireland’s Troubles through Liam’s experiences. She pulls no punches and shows both the IRA and the BA in all their brutality while never losing sight of either the old Celtic religion or the new (Christianity). It’s rare to see such a masterful weaving of worlds, but Leicht keeps a tight grip on her story and propels the reader forward like a bullet from a gun.
All of Leicht’s characters are rich and complex, and she keeps the surprises coming. She masterfully intertwines fantasy with reality to create a world so gritty, you feel like you’re walking Belfast’s streets. Dark and feral in its imagery, this is a story you don’t want to miss.
virginiaduan's review
5.0
Bleak and grim, certainly. Gripping and compelling, definitely. Fantastic story. Just fantastic! I don't usually read urban fantasy (nor do I give out five star ratings lightly) but this book cannot be missed. Plus, the title is pretty badass. Worth reading based on that alone.
imitira's review
3.0
Interesting historical context; otherwise solid urban fantasy fare, though not the most sympathetic of characters.
lizthedragon's review
3.0
[b:Of Blood and Honey|9351647|Of Blood and Honey (The Fey and the Fallen, #1)|Stina Leicht|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1353530258s/9351647.jpg|14235034] is a solid first book. It has good pace, credible dialogue, and an interesting enough story to keep me reading. There were two, maybe three, absolutely excellent scenes in the book that make me think [a:Stina Leicht|3095890|Stina Leicht|https://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1286748705p2/3095890.jpg] has a lot of potential. I'll briefly discuss one of them here.
The first scene that really grabbed me was. Why? Because it left so much to the intuition of the reader. What was to happen was mildly hinted at earlier in the novel, but there was just enough mystery left. And, most importantly, Stina didn't tell us everything. She left a lot to the imagination.
The rest of the book could have easily been this good if a bit more information was withheld. For instance, many of the scenes with Kathleen and Bran could have been eliminated (or, really, any of the scenes where Liam wasn't present), which would have left space for a scene where Liam learns all these details at the same time as the reader. Instead, the tell-all (which isn't really a tell-all) doesn't grab the reader because we already know what's being said.
And I do wish she'd resisted the urge to give the big baddie his evil movie villain speech ;)
Overall, this is solid enough that I'll be reading the sequel.
The first scene that really grabbed me was
Spoiler
the first time Liam shiftedThe rest of the book could have easily been this good if a bit more information was withheld. For instance, many of the scenes with Kathleen and Bran could have been eliminated (or, really, any of the scenes where Liam wasn't present), which would have left space for a scene where Liam learns all these details at the same time as the reader. Instead, the tell-all (which isn't really a tell-all) doesn't grab the reader because we already know what's being said.
And I do wish she'd resisted the urge to give the big baddie his evil movie villain speech ;)
Overall, this is solid enough that I'll be reading the sequel.