Set in a future version of our world, the fae – dragons, shades, vampires, harpies, etc – and humans were once at war with each other. The fae are living in hidden locations, as human society is very against them. The protagonist of this book, Owen, finds himself thrown into conflict when his family become involved with the fae, or possibly they are fae waiting to emerge. Here’s the blurb:
Most people think the fae are gone. Most people are wrong.
Owen Williams wakes after a horrific car accident to find his wife is dead—and somehow turned into a gryphon—and his kids gone after a home invasion turned horribly wrong. Shattered and reeling, he vows to do whatever it takes to find them.
When a fae scout appears and promises to reunite him with his kids, he doesn’t hesitate before joining her. But she warns him that if he wants to protect his family, he must follow the fae to their city, the hidden haven of Tearmann.
With enemies on the horizon, Owen needs to set aside his fears and take up arms to defend their new home alongside the people he’s always been taught were monsters—or he’ll lose everyone he’s trying to protect.
This book started in a way which totally gripped me. It was a fantasy thriller and, had the pace been sustained, my interest would have been kept. However, the story slowed down for much of the book in favour of world-building and character development. To the author’s credit, these elements are very well done, but the focus on them convinced me that the book was not my kind of read. I’m sure that for readers who enjoy lots of detail about the history and organisation in a fictional world, it will be ideal. If fantasy is your favourite genre, I would say definitely check this book out. It’s the first in a series, The Fae Queen’s Court.
Part of TheWriteReads tour for the BBNYA 2022 finalists. Thank you to the author and TheWriteReads for the review copy.
