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queer_bookwyrm's review
adventurous
mysterious
fast-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? No
4.0
4 ⭐ CW: violence, blood, homophobia
"The people you are born into are not always the people you belong to."
Faye and the Ether by Nicole Bailey is book one in the Faye and the Ether series. It should be no surprise that I love Nicole's books. I have raved about her other two series, so I figured it was time to start her first series while I wait for the new one. Unlike her other two series, this one is young adult, and is just as good!
We follow Faye, a girl who grew up in the human world, but finds out that she is a selkie from a place of magical beings called the Ether. She finds out from Daron, a half-centaur, that all the mythical beings she learned about from her adopted mom are very real, but very different from the stories in the human world. Faye is thrown into an unknown world with strange rules and customs, and a prophecy that puts her squarely in the middle of a war she is totally unprepared for.
There is so much mythology in this! I love the mashup of different beings and stories and the twist Nicole gives them. I also love that a large portion of the book is spent familiarizing Faye with the Ether and actual training instead of just keeping in headfirst. It really gives us time to get to know and fall in love with the character. Not to sound like a broken record, but Nicole's characters are always fantastic! I love the way she writes group dynamics and found family. We get to see elemental magic, cultural struggles around conformity and tradition, and, of course, the power of love (spoiler alert: it's gay 😂).
As usual she has left us with a cliffhanger that had me immediately buy the next book. I'm interested to see where the story goes, especially since we are set up really well for more changing group dynamics and plot twists.
"The people you are born into are not always the people you belong to."
Faye and the Ether by Nicole Bailey is book one in the Faye and the Ether series. It should be no surprise that I love Nicole's books. I have raved about her other two series, so I figured it was time to start her first series while I wait for the new one. Unlike her other two series, this one is young adult, and is just as good!
We follow Faye, a girl who grew up in the human world, but finds out that she is a selkie from a place of magical beings called the Ether. She finds out from Daron, a half-centaur, that all the mythical beings she learned about from her adopted mom are very real, but very different from the stories in the human world. Faye is thrown into an unknown world with strange rules and customs, and a prophecy that puts her squarely in the middle of a war she is totally unprepared for.
There is so much mythology in this! I love the mashup of different beings and stories and the twist Nicole gives them. I also love that a large portion of the book is spent familiarizing Faye with the Ether and actual training instead of just keeping in headfirst. It really gives us time to get to know and fall in love with the character. Not to sound like a broken record, but Nicole's characters are always fantastic! I love the way she writes group dynamics and found family. We get to see elemental magic, cultural struggles around conformity and tradition, and, of course, the power of love (spoiler alert: it's gay 😂).
As usual she has left us with a cliffhanger that had me immediately buy the next book. I'm interested to see where the story goes, especially since we are set up really well for more changing group dynamics and plot twists.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Homophobia
Moderate: Blood
hailstorm1025's review
2.0
Book was ok. I feel like the scenes were very abrupt and could have been further developed for smoother transitions and character development. Happy for the quick read though.
stanfieldwrites's review
5.0
It has been a long while since the last time I dove into a fantasy story, and I was thoroughly impressed by the tale spun in Nicole Bailey's creation. There's quite an impressive amount of world building here, especially in the way that it re-imagines some of the more familiar characters from mythology. (sirens, selkies, Gods and Goddesses alike) I won't give away any of the plot in this review, you'll simply have to experience that ride for yourself. But I am a fan of any story that takes a seemingly ordinary character and throws them into a world beyond their understanding. This tale certainly does that and the results are exciting and harrowing.
The story of Faye is one of heart and no small amount of danger either, with a love story that honestly took me by surprise. (and I do love a story that has the power to surprise me) I came away from the experience excited to see where this tale might lead, and I would highly recommend it to anyone who has a love for mythological fantasy. If you're a fan of the genre and eager to find a story that's unique, fun and full of adventure, then this is definitely the book for you.
The story of Faye is one of heart and no small amount of danger either, with a love story that honestly took me by surprise. (and I do love a story that has the power to surprise me) I came away from the experience excited to see where this tale might lead, and I would highly recommend it to anyone who has a love for mythological fantasy. If you're a fan of the genre and eager to find a story that's unique, fun and full of adventure, then this is definitely the book for you.
stanfieldwrites's review against another edition
5.0
It has been a long while since the last time I dove into a fantasy story, and I was thoroughly impressed by the tale spun in Nicole Bailey's creation. There's quite an impressive amount of world building here, especially in the way that it re-imagines some of the more familiar characters from mythology. (sirens, selkies, Gods and Goddesses alike) I won't give away any of the plot in this review, you'll simply have to experience that ride for yourself. But I am a fan of any story that takes a seemingly ordinary character and throws them into a world beyond their understanding. This tale certainly does that and the results are exciting and harrowing.
The story of Faye is one of heart and no small amount of danger either, with a love story that honestly took me by surprise. (and I do love a story that has the power to surprise me) I came away from the experience excited to see where this tale might lead, and I would highly recommend it to anyone who has a love for mythological fantasy. If you're a fan of the genre and eager to find a story that's unique, fun and full of adventure, then this is definitely the book for you.
The story of Faye is one of heart and no small amount of danger either, with a love story that honestly took me by surprise. (and I do love a story that has the power to surprise me) I came away from the experience excited to see where this tale might lead, and I would highly recommend it to anyone who has a love for mythological fantasy. If you're a fan of the genre and eager to find a story that's unique, fun and full of adventure, then this is definitely the book for you.
eleanora0901's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
kookie9200's review against another edition
4.0
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to review this book.
Faye loves the ocean more than anything. In her senior year of high school, she is looking to the future and the possibility of college. When she meets Daron, a new student, she doesn't know the world as she knows it will be turned upside down.
I quite enjoyed this book. The setting is lovely the characters are good, and I loved that there is a gay romance. Representation is important, and in a novel about groups of different creatures coming together, this lesson plays heavily. I enjoyed a new twist on mythology, and found the retellings interesting.
This book blends mythology and humanity together well. the flow is good and it reads easily and quickly. Before the reader knows it, he or she is absorbed into the story, which is always a good thing. This seems to be the first in a series, and I can't wait to see what happens next as the story unfolds.
Faye loves the ocean more than anything. In her senior year of high school, she is looking to the future and the possibility of college. When she meets Daron, a new student, she doesn't know the world as she knows it will be turned upside down.
I quite enjoyed this book. The setting is lovely the characters are good, and I loved that there is a gay romance. Representation is important, and in a novel about groups of different creatures coming together, this lesson plays heavily. I enjoyed a new twist on mythology, and found the retellings interesting.
This book blends mythology and humanity together well. the flow is good and it reads easily and quickly. Before the reader knows it, he or she is absorbed into the story, which is always a good thing. This seems to be the first in a series, and I can't wait to see what happens next as the story unfolds.
story_sanctuary's review against another edition
3.0
The beginning of the book reminded me a lot of the book Of Poseidon by Anna Banks-- boy from another world looking for girl he suspects might be from his world. It's a good comparison, because I liked that series!
There were a few scenes and plot elements that seemed to move really fast and left me a little confused at times, but overall, I liked the characters and thought the book was good.
Note: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
There were a few scenes and plot elements that seemed to move really fast and left me a little confused at times, but overall, I liked the characters and thought the book was good.
Note: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
frombethanysbookshelf's review against another edition
4.0
Faye and the Ether grabbed my attention right from the first line - and the fantastical mystery didn't stop the whole way through. I was transported to a glimmering world of magic and darkness that Faye and Daron had to wade through, Faye was an exceptionally loveable and curious character right from the start and following her on her journey to stop the dangers facing the world was a pleasure.
Delving into mythology, this book gave it's own unique spin on a lot of classic tropes we've all grown to know and love.
It was a wonderful fantasy, but also a beautiful coming-of-age story all wrapped into one.
Thank you to Netgalley and Nicole Bailey for allowing me to read at ARC of this book*
Delving into mythology, this book gave it's own unique spin on a lot of classic tropes we've all grown to know and love.
It was a wonderful fantasy, but also a beautiful coming-of-age story all wrapped into one.
Thank you to Netgalley and Nicole Bailey for allowing me to read at ARC of this book*
zabacitanovine's review against another edition
3.0
This book really had a lot of potential, but sadly, the execution wasn't all that good.
The story is told through voices of Faye and Daron and we follow them through their adventures in Ether, a land where all the mythical creatures dwell.
Now, first 50% of the book were really enjoyable - Faye discovers that she is of the Ether and she goes to the new land with Daron on a mission to stop/win the war that endangers both Ether and the human world.
The problems with the plot start when the LGBT relationship is brought in the picture.
Honestly, I have nothing against LGBT relationships in books, but I have a lot against them when they change the course of the whole book. And I also have a problem with them when they are introduced out of nowhere.
We haven't had a single hint or a scene where the two characters might show any interest in each other. And then, all of a sudden, they can't live without each other and they are, excuse ME, destined for each other or whatever.
Okay, I could swallow that, no problem. People fall in love out of nowhere all of the time.
But then their relationship takes the stage and becomes the main point of the book. The war (that we know very little about; I can safely say that I'm not even sure what the whole war was about and I'm not sure the author knew it either) is completely forgotten, and now we have something like a civil war just because a leader's child couldn't mate with another person of high status, or whatever.
And THEN, the previous war is somehow mixed with this stupid Revenge of the Rejected, but if you ask me how the hell Faye turned it all around, how did the good guys win, or what happened to the bad guys - I can't tell you. It was all just so, SO sloppy and mixed up, and just so rushed.
I have no intention of sounding rude, narrow-minded, or like I want to exclude anyone or anything but this could have been such a good book if the LGBT relationship wasn't added just for the sake of having one in the book.
ACTUALLY, it might have been so much better if it was added just for the sake of having one in the book without giving it a place in the front row.
Also, I am certain that the author had no intention of being racist or anything, and the mess could have been avoided with just one more read on the author's side (or more attention on the editor's side), but there is a thing that was just beyond horrible.
Somewhere in the first part of the book Faye asks one of her fellow warriors what is her type. And the fellow companion says that it is rude to ask one's type, because types in Ether are just like races in the human world, and we know that it is not polite to ask someone "Excuse me, what race are you?"
BUT THEN, when the two characters admit their love for each other and they talk about it, we have this sentence:
"... a bird type raised me and I'm in love with a bird type, as far as I'm concerned, this is forever for me..."
Which would be almost like "my parents are Caucasians, and so I can love only a Caucasian person"
WTF Nicole!???
There are several more inconsistencies, but I'm too tired of them to point them all out.
As for the writing style, it was okay (pretty nice, even) until it all got so jumbled up towards the end.
However, I didn't see the point of own voices in this story because we learned nothing of neither Daron nor Faye's inner world from that. Additionally, one chapter is told by Daron, the second one by Faye, the third one by Daron again, and so on. This pre-established idea of who should tell the story next got in the way of story itself. Many chapters were told by Faye when it was clearly Daron's story to tell and vice versa. It made no sense.
Finally, the additional chapter was beyond useless and I really didn't see the point behind in apart from getting subscribers to the mailing list. Which is just not good quality work.
Also, who the fuck arranges a date in 3 weeks!?!??
I won't lie, I liked this book for the most part. But the ending was just so rushed and messy, and I'm giving this book 3 stars just because I think it has potential. I'm not sure if this is Nicole's first book, but if it is, I am sure that she will only get better because the story was engaging and the writing style was solid. It just needed a little more time and a few more revisions.
The story is told through voices of Faye and Daron and we follow them through their adventures in Ether, a land where all the mythical creatures dwell.
Now, first 50% of the book were really enjoyable - Faye discovers that she is of the Ether and she goes to the new land with Daron on a mission to stop/win the war that endangers both Ether and the human world.
The problems with the plot start when the LGBT relationship is brought in the picture.
Honestly, I have nothing against LGBT relationships in books, but I have a lot against them when they change the course of the whole book. And I also have a problem with them when they are introduced out of nowhere.
We haven't had a single hint or a scene where the two characters might show any interest in each other. And then, all of a sudden, they can't live without each other and they are, excuse ME, destined for each other or whatever.
Okay, I could swallow that, no problem. People fall in love out of nowhere all of the time.
But then their relationship takes the stage and becomes the main point of the book. The war (that we know very little about; I can safely say that I'm not even sure what the whole war was about and I'm not sure the author knew it either) is completely forgotten, and now we have something like a civil war just because a leader's child couldn't mate with another person of high status, or whatever.
And THEN, the previous war is somehow mixed with this stupid Revenge of the Rejected, but if you ask me how the hell Faye turned it all around, how did the good guys win, or what happened to the bad guys - I can't tell you. It was all just so, SO sloppy and mixed up, and just so rushed.
I have no intention of sounding rude, narrow-minded, or like I want to exclude anyone or anything but this could have been such a good book if the LGBT relationship wasn't added just for the sake of having one in the book.
ACTUALLY, it might have been so much better if it was added just for the sake of having one in the book without giving it a place in the front row.
Also, I am certain that the author had no intention of being racist or anything, and the mess could have been avoided with just one more read on the author's side (or more attention on the editor's side), but there is a thing that was just beyond horrible.
Somewhere in the first part of the book Faye asks one of her fellow warriors what is her type. And the fellow companion says that it is rude to ask one's type, because types in Ether are just like races in the human world, and we know that it is not polite to ask someone "Excuse me, what race are you?"
BUT THEN, when the two characters admit their love for each other and they talk about it, we have this sentence:
"... a bird type raised me and I'm in love with a bird type, as far as I'm concerned, this is forever for me..."
Which would be almost like "my parents are Caucasians, and so I can love only a Caucasian person"
WTF Nicole!???
There are several more inconsistencies, but I'm too tired of them to point them all out.
As for the writing style, it was okay (pretty nice, even) until it all got so jumbled up towards the end.
However, I didn't see the point of own voices in this story because we learned nothing of neither Daron nor Faye's inner world from that. Additionally, one chapter is told by Daron, the second one by Faye, the third one by Daron again, and so on. This pre-established idea of who should tell the story next got in the way of story itself. Many chapters were told by Faye when it was clearly Daron's story to tell and vice versa. It made no sense.
Finally, the additional chapter was beyond useless and I really didn't see the point behind in apart from getting subscribers to the mailing list. Which is just not good quality work.
Also, who the fuck arranges a date in 3 weeks!?!??
I won't lie, I liked this book for the most part. But the ending was just so rushed and messy, and I'm giving this book 3 stars just because I think it has potential. I'm not sure if this is Nicole's first book, but if it is, I am sure that she will only get better because the story was engaging and the writing style was solid. It just needed a little more time and a few more revisions.
larrachersan's review
3.0
"Faye and the Ether" is a wonderful, magical journey with a great cast of characters, each and every one with his/her own personality, fears and hopes.
Faye is a strong heroine, even through her fears and doubts. I loved to see her grow and find her place among a group of different individuals. She has many things to deal with but handles them in her own unique way. I greatly enjoyed following her through this book.
I also loved all the other characters, especially Daron and Alec, but also Telanes with his kind, friendly way. It really speaks for the book that the characters are so diverse and not fixed on just good and bad. They all have their faults, but grow through this journey.
The plot is catching, full of twist and turns, which give a good pace. I finished the book within two days, which shows how deeply I was involved in the story.
There's only one thing, which let's me give this book three stars instead of the four it normally deserves. There are quite a few mistakes in the text. Sometimes it's just a word written wrong or a missing punctuation mark (or one set at the wrong place). But more than once a whole sentence sounded off, as if the words got tumbled around. I had to reread some passages twice to get the meaning. That didn't add to the reading flow.
I hope this can be edited before the book releases, cause its really the only bad thing about this very enjoyable story.
Otherwise I recommend this book to fans of young adult fantasy, who enjoy a dip into mythology with a nice, special twist.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Faye is a strong heroine, even through her fears and doubts. I loved to see her grow and find her place among a group of different individuals. She has many things to deal with but handles them in her own unique way. I greatly enjoyed following her through this book.
I also loved all the other characters, especially Daron and Alec, but also Telanes with his kind, friendly way. It really speaks for the book that the characters are so diverse and not fixed on just good and bad. They all have their faults, but grow through this journey.
The plot is catching, full of twist and turns, which give a good pace. I finished the book within two days, which shows how deeply I was involved in the story.
There's only one thing, which let's me give this book three stars instead of the four it normally deserves. There are quite a few mistakes in the text. Sometimes it's just a word written wrong or a missing punctuation mark (or one set at the wrong place). But more than once a whole sentence sounded off, as if the words got tumbled around. I had to reread some passages twice to get the meaning. That didn't add to the reading flow.
I hope this can be edited before the book releases, cause its really the only bad thing about this very enjoyable story.
Otherwise I recommend this book to fans of young adult fantasy, who enjoy a dip into mythology with a nice, special twist.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.