Thank you NetGalley for letting me view this book in exchange for a honest review.

At first, it was okay, but I didn't really understand the first and last chapter of the book. But maybe that's my fault for not realizing this book was the second one in a series.

Overall, it has an interesting idea, but there needs to be a little more added to it. It needed that kick to make the story. I felt it didn't have it. I felt the characters fell short of their expectations. I really wanted more out of Fagan, but I didn't get it.

I did feel like there were plot holes which made the story a little confusing for me.

Very cool, and very well written. Would tell my friends and family to look out for this book and this author. Loved the world building, The style of magic, and the way in which things were described.

I was given a free copy of Warrior Tithe: Faerie Tales by T.J. Deschamps (author), T.J. Deschamps (publisher) and Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.

This review will not contain any spoilers.

I would characterize this story as Celtic-based fantasy/fairy tale.

The story takes place, I think, in Ireland before industrialization, the fairy world, and in between.

The main characters are a kelpie and a poor young man who just buried his dead brother. I found the two main characters to be engaging and interesting while seeing their budding relationship develop under trying and extenuating circumstances.

Warrior Tithe: Faerie Tales is a novella, and it is a short read. At the end of the story, I wanted to read what happens next.

I rate Spellmaker 4 stars.

I would like to thank T.J. Deschamps and Netgalley for the free ARC.

This is a quick read, as this story is part of the episodic series Faerie Tales.

Aoife is a kelpie and a daughter to the god of the sea, Mannan mac Lir. She's on the run from her betrothed a human sorcerer that only wants to use her. In her bid for freedom she's injured and persuades her rescuer to go with her to the Sidhe court, intended to trade him for protection. She never counted on falling for a human.

I liked where this story was going and then it ended to be continued in 'Vow Unbroken' to be released in May 2021.

I received a free copy of this book and I'm voluntarily leaving a review. If you like my reviews I hope you will follow my blog. https://wyldheartreads.wordpress.com/

The book blurb seemed very interesting and the story itself is a great premise, its just that it feels incomplete with a lot missing and no questions answered.
The story opens with a couple who are paying a price for a crime they committed and yet while the story gives us a glimpse on how they came to meet we have no clue on what betrayal was committed and when Aoife and Fergus came to be bound to each other. The last glimpse we have of Aoife is being recaptured by the evil sorcerer she is running away from and Fergus is going to be brought to Queen Mab. So how did we get from that to the prologue is a mystery that I wish I could decipher.
On a positive note what I did read is intriguing and building a great story that feels like it just ended abruptly in the middle.

3.5 stars

[I received an ARC ebook copy from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. Thank you!]

[What I liked:]

•Out of the gate, the narrative is dropping interesting backstory hints without veering into infodumping territory, which kept me engaged & wanting to read more. In fact, I read this in one sitting.

•The story is well written, both in terms of prose & narrative development. There is touching character emotional growth & relationship growth, which is hard to accomplish in the length of a novella.

•There are lots of fun magical facts & folklore from Celtic mythology woven in.

•The plot is kept exciting with danger & betrayal chasing the main characters. I liked the pacing. There is a good balance between emotional development, action, & world building.

•The character motivations & the stakes are clear & developed more over the course of the story.

[What I didn’t like as much:]

•The prologue & epilogue are confusing, because they feature different characters & plotlines than the main story does.

•The book doesn’t exactly end on a cliffhanger, but there isn’t a plot line that has an arc resolution by the end. The novella feels like the 1st third of a full length novel that ends abruptly mid-story, rather than a contained story. I’m sure why it’s being serialized instead of published as one book. It would help if the title makes it clear this book isn’t standalone, but part of a series. But I do want to continue reading the series!