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covetedbooks's review against another edition
2.0
I really enjoyed reading Ash’s points of views, and thought they flowed really well. Ash was a really well written character, and I always looked forward to her POV because of how well rounded and bold she was written.
However, I felt that there were a few characters where their POV wasn’t necessary. It jumbled the story line, and switched POV too quickly to give the reader time to process, and often didn’t have anything to do with the following chapters. I had to DNF it about 50% through.
Thank you netgalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
However, I felt that there were a few characters where their POV wasn’t necessary. It jumbled the story line, and switched POV too quickly to give the reader time to process, and often didn’t have anything to do with the following chapters. I had to DNF it about 50% through.
Thank you netgalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
gquinn87's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
brigitte25's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
4.5
I was giddy the whole time I was reading this book. I loved everything about it! The Irish folklore, the plot, the realms, the badass FMCs, the MMCs, it checked all the boxes. Add to your TBR!
trashlovingtrashpanda's review against another edition
To many different Povs, very slow pacing
ilegnealle's review against another edition
2.0
This book sadly wasn't for me.
I really wanted to like it, because I love the idea of using aspects of Irish mythology for a fantasy series, but it fell flat for me.
The world building was really lacking in my opinion - in the beginning, every character kept referencing things that were completely unknown to the reader. I know this was supposed to build up interest and curiosity, but I mainly found it annoying and frustrating.
It used multiple POVs, which I'm not a big fan of in general, but here the characters didn't really get distinctive voices from each other, which was disappointing.
The pacing was incredibly slow, the whole book could have been 150 pages shorter.
Most characters are down right annoying, and sadly there were too many moments where I majorly cringed. It's supposed to be New Adult, but these people really felt like 15 year olds at times. I cringed alot during reading, mainly at weirdly sexualised moments.
These are all things that often annoy me with Fantasy, which is why I barely read it anymore.
Now, this was a debut novel and I do believe that with more practice, time and editing the followimg books could get better. Since this is a series, I think I will give the next ones a try.
I really wanted to like it, because I love the idea of using aspects of Irish mythology for a fantasy series, but it fell flat for me.
The world building was really lacking in my opinion - in the beginning, every character kept referencing things that were completely unknown to the reader. I know this was supposed to build up interest and curiosity, but I mainly found it annoying and frustrating.
It used multiple POVs, which I'm not a big fan of in general, but here the characters didn't really get distinctive voices from each other, which was disappointing.
The pacing was incredibly slow, the whole book could have been 150 pages shorter.
Most characters are down right annoying, and sadly there were too many moments where I majorly cringed. It's supposed to be New Adult, but these people really felt like 15 year olds at times. I cringed alot during reading, mainly at weirdly sexualised moments.
These are all things that often annoy me with Fantasy, which is why I barely read it anymore.
Now, this was a debut novel and I do believe that with more practice, time and editing the followimg books could get better. Since this is a series, I think I will give the next ones a try.
crazyjuice37's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
amginther's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
It’s a fun read. I do think some of the character development was rushed. The end for me felt abrupt. Over all not a bad book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder
the_bookishmum's review against another edition
4.0
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me a chance to read the arc of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.
From the back of the book:
‘Nothing is ever as it seems, especially when Fair Ones are involved.
In a land that harbours two realms, magical creatures and dangerous games are a way of life and death for the travelling Fianna clans. It is an honour to visit Tír na nÓg, even if the price is pretending Fair Ones don't hunt humans for sport.
Ireland native Aisling never imagined she'd be alone, living a double life. But when your family shares the ability to see through fae glamour, keeping secrets isn't something you do for fun. You do it to stay alive.
A murder leaves Aisling motherless, thrusting her into the position of matriarch in a world she thought she'd never return to. Teaming up with unlikely allies for a competition steeped in peril, she can't resist the distraction warrior Setanta offers. Brooding, gorgeous, and impossibly strong, he gives her a chance to be something she never could before—herself.
Bonded by troubled pasts and deadly circumstances, the team of misfits must face damaging truths as they try to stop their worlds from colliding.’
Review:
A realm of Lore and Lies breathes life into Irish Folklore. We follow the points of view of four different characters whose lives are tangled together in mystery and loss. The first 40% of this book introduces us to each of the four protagonists and we are shown the world of the travelling Fianna and what it means to live as one.
The pacing was a little slow at first with occasional bursts of action that propelled the story very quickly forwards. The death of Aisling’s mother was brutal and my heart was in my throat by the end. There were so many wonderful and clever twists in this book that allowed the true villain to feel like a huge shock. I truly can’t wait for the next book to come out. My absolute favourite character will forever be Maebh, she is unapologetically herself, a confident and strong bisexual Queen. And Tiernan holds my heart. What you expect from this book after the first half compared to where it takes you by the end is such a journey. Each characters perspective is so well done (with no crossovers in timeline which is always a win). I’m suspicious as to why four of the main characters have a special ability and I can’t wait to learn more about it in the next book. As a debut novel and the first of a series I’m hooked.
From the back of the book:
‘Nothing is ever as it seems, especially when Fair Ones are involved.
In a land that harbours two realms, magical creatures and dangerous games are a way of life and death for the travelling Fianna clans. It is an honour to visit Tír na nÓg, even if the price is pretending Fair Ones don't hunt humans for sport.
Ireland native Aisling never imagined she'd be alone, living a double life. But when your family shares the ability to see through fae glamour, keeping secrets isn't something you do for fun. You do it to stay alive.
A murder leaves Aisling motherless, thrusting her into the position of matriarch in a world she thought she'd never return to. Teaming up with unlikely allies for a competition steeped in peril, she can't resist the distraction warrior Setanta offers. Brooding, gorgeous, and impossibly strong, he gives her a chance to be something she never could before—herself.
Bonded by troubled pasts and deadly circumstances, the team of misfits must face damaging truths as they try to stop their worlds from colliding.’
Review:
A realm of Lore and Lies breathes life into Irish Folklore. We follow the points of view of four different characters whose lives are tangled together in mystery and loss. The first 40% of this book introduces us to each of the four protagonists and we are shown the world of the travelling Fianna and what it means to live as one.
The pacing was a little slow at first with occasional bursts of action that propelled the story very quickly forwards. The death of Aisling’s mother was brutal and my heart was in my throat by the end. There were so many wonderful and clever twists in this book that allowed the true villain to feel like a huge shock. I truly can’t wait for the next book to come out. My absolute favourite character will forever be Maebh, she is unapologetically herself, a confident and strong bisexual Queen. And Tiernan holds my heart. What you expect from this book after the first half compared to where it takes you by the end is such a journey. Each characters perspective is so well done (with no crossovers in timeline which is always a win). I’m suspicious as to why four of the main characters have a special ability and I can’t wait to learn more about it in the next book. As a debut novel and the first of a series I’m hooked.
nvangilder's review against another edition
4.0
This book started out just ok, but it get better the more I read. By the end of it, I was quite invested in the story. I liked that It had multiple POVs, always a favorite for me. Plus a mischievous Puca pretending to be a cat. Always a good time. the Irish mythology was magical. I liked that each of the characters seem to have some type of development over the course of the book. This book definitely feels like the story is only just beginning.
holleearchibald's review against another edition
5.0
Gyspys, fae, kings, evil moms, and romance. LGTBQ representation. Murder Mystery. Seriously you fall in love with these characters and try to figure out who murdered who and why... all while on a quest with their found families.