“Spell Borne” is a fairy tale unlike one I’ve ever read. With significantly more depth to the story than I had anticipated, I was taken through a twist&turn plot that does a great job of combining the fantastical elements that a reader would expect from a fairy tale with the darker side of society, and the consequences our choices bring upon others. While the story does have a sense of whimsy and occasional humor, it’s definitely not a lighthearted fairy tale reminiscent of our childhoods, and explores heavier themes such as trauma (check TW).

This is a well written, darker take on a unique fantasy read. I really enjoyed it!

Spell Borne is an enjoyable read that offers a unique twist on the classic young adult fantasy genre. The main character, a young witch named Lirien, is a refreshing protagonist who is easy to root for. The story is well-paced, with enough action and drama to keep readers engaged without feeling overwhelming. The world-building is solid, and the magic system is intriguing and well thought out.

That being said, the writing style may not be for everyone. While Llyr has a talent for creating vivid imagery, the prose can be overly flowery at times.

Auden Llyr captures the complexities and nuances of this fairy tale world perfectly, asking us to consider what really makes a happy ending.

With a unique take on fairy tale retellings, Spell Borne integrates different versions of classic stories and never shies away from the darker elements of the original tales. Auden Llyr takes us to a world where every decision is impacted by Magic and no choice is without consequences.

The lovable characters and a dynamic plot capture the imagination even as the story tackles questions about how much power we choose to give forces beyond our control.

As Loren learns more about herself and the world she’s been thrown into, she’s forced to decide if falling in line with fate matters more than being true to herself and choosing her own narrative.

I’d recommend this book to anyone who loved the show Once Upon a Time, or who always wanted to read a story where the Princess takes back her own agency.

The major thing that kept this from being a five-star read for me (I gave it 4/5) was the amount of confusion throughout the story about which tale would be the focus. The arguments seemed to go around in circles and it became frustrating rather than being a point of tension for the plot. The ending was a bit sudden and the switch in perspective for the epilogue was a bit lack-luster. That being said I throughly enjoyed this book and I can’t wait to see how the story continues

Love an inclusive story that holds weight and keeps my attention. Auden did an excellent job portraying neurodivergence and found a lovely way to incorporate several fairytales into one. I truly hope to see more like this as I've been raving about it since I finished!

Such a cute story! I absolutely love the twist and retellings of the fairytales. Auden did a awesome job of incorporating feminists undertones and had me agreeing with a smile. That major plot twist at the end?! I was completely blindsided in such a good way! I tried very hard to figure out her story and was still just as shocked. Highly recommend reading Spell Borne.

I wasn't sure what to expect when I read the synopsis for Spell Borne by Auden Llyr. I'm glad that I took a chance to read this wonderful book. I will say that it initially started off very slow for me--extremely slower than what I prefer--but I'm glad that I stuck with it because this book was designed to be a slow burn that builds into a near inferno. I liked the characters and thought they were decently developed. It is very obvious that this book was inspired by fairytales, but it was well done.

This novel gives off "OUAT" show vibes with all of the fairytale characters. But imagine if the show had a sassy, first-person narrator that was still in college. As someone who enjoys fairytale retellings as an adult, this book was right up my alley. In "Spell Borne," the real and fairytale worlds collide making for some compelling and magical conflict. Loren, our protagonist, deals with so many life changes and trauma in this book it's a real wonder that she doesn't have a nervous breakdown. And yet, I love that this novel has the premise: if you're a normal girl who woke up tomorrow with the option to coexist in a fantasy world, would you risk that sort of adventure? This is the ideal novel for book lovers that have always wished to live in the stories they were reading about.

Thank you for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

Trigger warning: detailed SA and aftermath

Let me start with the positives. The plot idea is wonderful. I could tell the author knew a lot about fairy tales and their tendency towards dark matters. I love the changing magic and living story aspect as well.
As far as negatives go, I had trouble getting through this book. Beyond the trigger I mentioned before making it difficult, I found it hard to connect with the main character and her constant inner monologues. Her inner thoughts broke up the dialogue too much and thus made the story extremely slow moving in the first half. The second half did improve on advancing the plot and feeling less slow but the first half was heavily focused on etiquette without the story moving forward at all. Overall I would say the book was ok.

This book really just took me for a ride. I loved the build up, the character development, and the writing. I would definitely read more from this author!

Absolutely magical, such an intricate and different world that I was sent to. Also the cover is everything!!! Go read now!

Netgalley review:

DNF 25%
I started this with so many hopes for modern fairytale vibes but it didn’t land. I put it down and restarted it several times but never got past the same pages. It’s a cute idea, I just couldn’t get into it.

Spell Borne: Lointaine Fairy Tales by Auden Llyr perfectly balances suspense, humor, and fantasy, allowing for a dynamic narrative that is compelling from start to finish. Llyr's prose is beautifully evocative, and the vivid descriptions of the whimsical town of Lointaine create an immersive backdrop against which the story unfolds. The clever blending of academic dilemmas with magical hazards adds an intriguing layer of complexity to the plot. Despite the enchanting setting, the story doesn't shy away from exploring real-world themes such as perseverance, self-discovery, and confronting personal fears. Overall, "Spell Borne" is an enchanting and thought-provoking read, a delight for any reader seeking a fresh spin on traditional fairy tales.

✨Book Review!✨
“Spell Borne”
Written By: Auden Llyr
Netgalley ARC e-book
•••
When Loren moves in with her grandmother after a serious streak of bad luck, she soon realizes the world isn’t as it seems. Her family was cursed generations ago and she is starting to learn that the enchanting world of fairy tales and magic may not be made up bed time stories meant to teach children life lessons. Her life is now a fairy tale… but which fairy tale story is hers?
•••
I REALLY loved the idea of this book. It has so much potential to be a unique story with both a happy, fun plot mixed with dark and terrifying undertones as fairy tales have always been. With that being said…. It fell flat for me. The writing was not great. Everyone seemed whiny and repetitive. It needed more depth, more personality and more detail. With that, it could have easily been a 4-5 star book.
•••
Disney has never been my thing but I love the origins of fairy tales and all things magical. I hoped it would get better but after reading for almost ten days… I’m shocked I actually finished it. With that being said, it’s on kindle unlimited FOR FREE right now! If you love a semi dark fairy tale story, GO READ IT! You may really enjoy it.

1- Characters: 6
2- Atmosphere/Setting: 10
3- Writing Style: 5
4- Plot: 6
5- Intrigue: 5
6- Logic/Relationships: 7
7- Enjoyment: 6

Total Score: 45
45/7 = 6.43
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Once upon a time, in the enchanting land of Spell Borne, there existed a fairy tale like no other. Auden Llyr weaved a mesmerizing tale called "Spell Borne," which ingeniously deconstructed the very essence of fairy tales themselves. It delved into profound themes of fate, free will, and self-fulfilling prophecies, while simultaneously exploring the haunting presence of trauma within the narratives that shape our history. Moreover, it skillfully addressed the lack of representation within the common zeitgeist, challenging the norms that had persisted for far too long.

At the heart of this captivating story was Loren, a young woman recovering from a painful concussion. Her journey unfolded against the backdrop of a family burdened by untold secrets, secrets that had been carefully woven into the fabric of Spell Borne's collective consciousness. As Loren delved deeper into her own past, she began to realize that the tales she grew up with were not mere bedtime stories. They held a deeper significance, reflecting the struggles, hopes, and dreams of those who had come before her.

Fate and free will danced a delicate waltz throughout the pages of "Spell Borne." Loren discovered that the lines between destiny and choice were blurred, and that one's actions could inadvertently shape the course of their own life. The self-fulfilling prophecies that had plagued her family for generations became a haunting reminder of the power of belief and perception.

As Loren confronted her own trauma, the story shed light on the larger narrative of trauma within society. It questioned the very foundations of the stories we tell, urging readers to consider the hidden narratives that have been dismissed or overlooked. It called out the lack of representation within the common zeitgeist, challenging the status quo and paving the way for a more inclusive future.

This was the first book I've read from this author and it was just okay. It was hard for me to get into and the characters didn't keep my attention.

Thank you to NetGalley and Auden Llyr for letting me review this book.

There are parts with too much telling. But there were also parts I really liked.

The beginning really got me hooked. There were so many questions I wanted answers to.

I loved the beginning, but as the story progressed I unfortunately lost my interest. The main character or something about her seemed just off in my experience. Or perhaps it was a few characters that didn't work for me.

I recommend this book to everyone who loves to read retellings and likes Disney.

Includes:
Fairytales
Content warnings at the beginning

I’m not really sure how to feel about this book.
It started really good and the plot had a really good potential. BUT, check TW, the SA kinda ruined it for me. Don’t get me wrong, I liked the intention of the Author about it, it just didn’t fit in the book for me. I know it should since all the Tales from the past are full of it, like the Sleeping Beauty, but as I said, didn’t work for Me. It felt wrong.
Also I don’t like the amount of use of the word “grinning”. Too much use of it.
But I liked the FMC, and her internal thoughts, they were funny to read. I wished I’ve seen more of the relationship between her and Grandmother, mostly after the Assault, but aren’t get to know how Grandma is! Also left kinda of open Loren’s relationship with her father. I wish there was a conclusion.
For the most it was an enjoyable reading.

Thank you NetGalley and Author Auden Llyr for this ARC and all opinion are my own.

Overall I enjoyed Spell Borne. I found the characters and the main plot enjoyable. The magical system was interesting and played to the childhood nostalgia associated with a lot of fairytales. I expected a bit more romance with how it ws billed but enjoyed it without that. My biggest beef was with the last chapter and the epilogue. It felt like a hard left into a crash landing and left me with a lot of questions and open plot points that would have benefited from being addressed further in this book even if a sequel is planned. It did not leave me excited to read more of a series. It left me confused and a little frustrated.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this ARC.

A SOLID 4.5 stars!

This book was enchanting, I will admit I'm a sucker for anything with a princess and a good twist on fairytales but something about this book just took both of those loves to another level. I could not stop reading this book once I started and was so glad I started it on a weekend so I wasn't bothered. The world was enthralling and rich with character that I found myself really enjoying!

DNF. This book was pretty confusing plot wise for me. I left like there were breaks between moments and no one filled in the gaps. It was not a smooth read. The beginning was exciting and intriguing and then the middle was just a bit bleh and I wasn’t able to finish.

I really wanted to like this and I liked the concept of it, but I the characters were very surface level and the overall themes of the book were just not lining up for me.

Thank you netgalley and the author for this ARC Read!