A review by literaryelle
Lore of the Wilds by Analeigh Sbrana

adventurous medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Voyager for providing me with an advance copy!

A Beautifully Told Romantasy With a Strong Heart 

Lore of the Wilds follows its titular character Lore Alemeyu as she’s taken from her human village and brought into a fae kingdom to search their cursed, “no fae allowed” library. This task becomes a magical, charming adventure as she tries to find the one thing within herself that she’s always longed for. 

This novel is a gorgeous romantasy that has the legs to be a crown jewel of the subgenre. Sbrana tells a clear story about inequality, which in my opinion is the heart of this story. It lies in Lore’s navigation of being a human in a fae world; confronting stereotypes and prejudice, and coming face-to-face with how much her human village suffers in comparison to the rest of the continent. 

The romance is wonderful and unexpected. Sbrana found a good balance between the romance and fantasy elements – neither overpower the other. 

Charming and Masterfully Constructed 

The world-building is seamless and the pacing keeps you on your toes. The writing itself is top-notch – a particular note is that Sbrana’s portrayal of youth is so nuanced and well done. Her character descriptions celebrate Black beauty at every available opportunity. 

The world feels lived in and the main characters are people that you want to root for. 

Final Thoughts 

Y’all, I loved this book. Mark my words, Sbrana is going to be a star in the fantasy genre. This book was delectably written and constructed as well as immediately immersive. The novel impressively skips the usual slow crawl of worldbuilding that is almost a staple in first-in-series fantasy books.