I feel like this book really tried. Like really, really tried, but it fell just short of the mark.

The story felt like it dragged in places, the characters felt flat in a way that didn't get better even as the story progressed. Perhaps I went in with too high of expectations since the plot summary felt right up my alley, but the execution was just not there. I had to push myself to keep reading, and keep reading, and I considered putting it down a few times, but I don't like DNF-ing books, so I didn't.

I do think that the author's passion for Irish folklore and mythology shown through, and it was part of the saving grace that prevented this from being a lower-starred rating. Still, it couldn't make up for the vaguely disappointing way in which the stories were told. Or perhaps this sort of style is just really not my cup of tea.

Thank you to Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

2.5 stars. This one was a bit disappointing personally. I read that it was based on irish lore and mythology which is what initially drew me in, and I want to say that the author's passion and love for irish culture really shines through, but every other aspect in this just didn't work out, which is why it ultimately fell flat for me.

The beginning was quite hard to get into as it was really slow, which was in large part due to the inconsistent pacing. There were pages upon pages of literally nothing happening, then suddenly things started happening, and just as quickly it was over. In general, for a book that's 500ish pages long, I also have to say that barely anything noteworthy happenend? Sure, there's the murder mystery they all wanna solve, but this could've been condensed by a lot?

The plot was a mess. Like you don't really have anything happening till you're like 60% in, then the characters get a quest and after a couple pages they find what they're looking for?? SUCH a missed opportunity to show the reader more of the world/realm/creatures there and have their characters interacting/bantering/growing more chemistry with each other. Also for the fact that this is marketed as a fae story, there were almost no fae or even mythological creatures?? Yeah, they see a couple throughout the book, but it felt like too little.
And imo, the comparisons to Holly Black or Sarah J. Maas are completely off, the only thing that is similar about them is that they write stories about fae. That's it.


I usually love multiple POV stories, but it just didn't work here, nor was it needed. Even though the characters got whole chapters revolving around them, they fell flat, with no actual depth. There were just too many perspectives and not enough time with them.

Additional thoughts:
- the characters were 20+ yet felt like YA cutouts
- their thoughts and actions often didn't match
- both romantic relationships had zero chemistry and felt forced (e.g. you just went through something traumatic but you can't stop staring at the hot boy's muscles?? was this needed and/or realistic?)
- the dialogue was kinda unnatural/cringy at times?

There were just too many storylines with too many characters going on, it became SO convoluted and easy to lose track. How can you have this much going on with nothing actually happening? Needless to say, I couldn't get myself to care about most of them (except for Maebh tbh), and I found it hard to immerse myself in the story due to the inconsistent pacing.


This is the first book in a trilogy, and the author most likely will improve in the later ones, but I just don't have any desire to continue as I just didn't enjoy this one as much as I would've liked.

I would recommend this book to anyone that is interested in irish lore with a modern twist and is willing to give this debut author, who is clearly passionate about her culture, a chance.

This was a slow start for me. Although the development and the world building was very full and detailed. Up until about chapter 8 I felt like the little engine that could. I didn’t understand relationships at all for that first part. I had no idea why she was with new caretakers. It distracted me. But I kept going and I’m glad I did. The writing is smooth and good and I was happy to be inside of it as some books I’ve read lately have started to feel immature. The book slowly but surely became a page turner.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The book wasn't up to par with my expectations. The premise was exciting enough, however, the actual plot failed to deliver. The pacing was also slow and the characters were too one-dimensional to keep my attention. The pacing of the book was also very slow. Countless times I wondered why this particular detail or this action mattered to the overall narrative.

A more comprehensive review is up on GoodReads! Thank you <3

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

I'm torn between 2.5 and 3 stars. I had high hopes for this one because the plot was there and t started out great.

Unfortunately, at some point during the 15% or 20% mark, it started to go downhill. There are 4 POVs in this book which wouldn't be an issue but, being written in the 3rd person, it turns out to be annoyingly confusing.

I also found the story dragging on at several moments, which only made it harder for me to finish. I had to really power through to get to the finish line (cliffhanger ending alert).

There are stories about fae ( the fair ones) where a human enters their world, willingly or unwillingly, meets one and eventually falls in love. This is not that kind of story and I love it. This book is about a girl who is one of the few able to see through glamor and chooses not to interact unless to save a human from their stupid games. This book intertwines fantasy and a murder mystery together seamlessly and offers a look into the life of people "gifted" with the responsibility to protect the humans from the fair ones and what happens when your past forces you to confront things you wish you didn't have to.

I loved reading this and I can't wait for what comes next.

Realm of Lore and Lies by Claire Wright is a modern fantasy with its roots in the folklore and mythology of the author's native Ireland.
The story is told from four perspectives as we are introduced to four characters - Aisling, Setanta, Tiernan and Maebh whose paths will cross in a dramatic and exciting manner as the story unfolds.
Aisling has left her family behind, she longs for a normal life and is doing her best to make that happen by studying archaeology and working as a tour guide in her spare time. Unfortunately her abilities to see the Fair Folk and Fae creatures make this something of a challenge and when she encounters a Banshee and finds the blood soaked body of her estranged mother she is thrust back into the world she thought she had left behind, a matriarchal society and a clan reluctant to accept her return as their new leader.
Tiernan is a technology whiz kid who was adopted by Aisling's clan and who was keeping an eye on her online at her mother's request. He is one of the few people who supports her in her quest to fill her mother's shoes and become clan leader.
Maebh is another unlikely ally for Aisling, she is the daughter of another clan matriarch but is fed up of feeling like she is playing second fiddle to her twin Setanta. who is struggling with issues of his own. She leaves her clan to join Aisling , becoming her second in command for the upcoming warrior tests in Tir na nOg, the land of the fair folk.
The action moves between our world and the world of the Fae, with plenty of action in both , ranging from Aisling becoming a suspect in her mother's death to a quest to find the first High King of Ireland.
The book starts strong and ends strong but it definitely drags a little in the middle, not enough to spoil my enjoyment of the book overall, but enough that I noticed it, I thought the incorporation of the mythology was really well done and I loved the idea of travelling clans of Fianna warriors . Each of the four main characters had a distinctive voice and story and I really enjoyed seeing how they came together.
I read and reviewed an ARC courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher, all opinions are my own.

3.5 Fantasy Murder Mystery

Thank you to Netgalley for an ARC of this book...even if I'm reviewing it a few days late.

It's definitely a slow start (lots of lore and worldbuilding that's necessary) and really the only thing pushing me through the first 40% was that I got this as an ARC a few days before it was published and knew I had to get through it quick.

I'm so glad I did. Our mc, Ash, is relatable with her struggles between fulfilling her duty to her family and trying to carve her own path in the world. Ash, Setana, Tiernan, and Maebh make a great group that have believable banter, strong bonds, and so much personality packed into each, even if switching between 4 POVs was a bit jarring.

Following Ash along on her quest to discover who killed her mother submerges us right into the vivid world (which Wright does a great job making it digestible without info-dumping) of the Fair Ones. I did expect a bit more action, but very much enjoyed the murder mystery vibe with hints of action and romance. I nearly cried at a certain part (no spoilers) and was on the edge of my seat for the cliffhanger at the end.

I will definitely be reading the next of the trilogy!

well that was an adventure. I liked the different POV but some of the characters I didn’t warm too. Lots of folklore within the fae world. It took me a long time to read but I think that was just the pace of the book not the plot. I really did enjoy this

A unique take on the legends of Irish myths and folklores. A tale of supernatural beings, demons and fae set against contemporary Ireland.

It's been 7 years since Aisling ran away from home.
But now that her mother, and clan leader, has been murdered, she has to come back and make some difficult decisions.

Story-type: Adventure, with a bit of romance, a bit of murder, and a bit of emotional guilt.
Audience: Probably late teens, young adults.
Pacing: Hard to pin down. It starts strong, ends strong, there are a few strong bits in between, but the rest
feels kind of off.

I have at least two pages full of notes for this book: It's a mixture of Feedback, reaction-scribbles, and info mind maps, because I sensed (correctly) that you'll need it for this story.

⇝ A lot happens in this book, and I was pleasantly surprised by how well-connected everything seems. You get a lot of hints throughout the book – they're not shoved in your face, but also not played down – so that you're not completely surprised by the plot, yet you don't see it coming from a mile away. You can constantly sense there is a bigger picture looming, and you just wait for the other shoe to drop.
The problem is: the pacing. I really had an issue with that. The first 10% are great. The last 10% are great. But in between...? I'm not sure whether I would have stuck with this book if I hadn't been a test reader. And I understand that some scenes are necessary to maybe get to know the character better... but there are just too many mundane scenes that actually work against a coherent character development. Sadly, I wasn't invested in the characters up until the 90%-mark.

⇝ The book is written from four POVs, and every perspective is more or less unique in its own way. But, here comes my next issue: the multiple POVs did a dis-service to the story. Even though everything fit together like puzzle pieces, the amount of information is a bit overwhelming and too much for one book. This story could have benefitted from one or two more editing runs to form them into a much better pacing.

⇝ This story definitely has a case of insta-love. Not my thing. But to its credit, even though you see them kind of pining for each other from the start, they go through a lot of trials and getting-to-know-each-other-moments first. It does add a bit of extra-tension to the story, when you realize the relationship won't happen soon.

⇝ I love the backdrop of the story. The Irish folklore and the descriptions of it was fascinating! I'm absolutely hooked to pick up some more books with this theme.

The good: I was immediately pulled into the story. I loved the setting and the lore that it used. The Fianna are interesting and the writing was pretty good for a debut novel.

The bad: The pacing felt off. There would be a chapter or two of excitement followed by several long chapters of exposition. Some of the dialogue felt really ... off? Awkward? The relationship building was next to non-existent.

eARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley & Claire Wright, and BooksGoSocial for providing the ARC.

I love Ireland and fairy lore and thought the premise of the book sounded interesting. I like the storyline and the mystery but spent most of the book confused. I am used to a LOT of worldbuilding in the first book of a series. This book made me feel like I was dropped into the story halfway through? I would have liked more background on the Fianna, the main characters, and how the worlds were divided. I needed more information on why the clans have split the way they have and how the characters' personalities were shaped by their earlier years. Maybe that information will be revealed in further installments of the series.

I think the story has promise and I don’t regret spending the time to read the book, but don't know that I am invested enough to read what comes next.

So, I'm not sure how to start sharing my thoughts about this book as they're a bit all over the place, but in an attempt to sum them up:

- There were 4 PoVs (Aisling, Tiernan, Setante and Maebh) which felt like at least like one too many. In fact I think 2 PoVs would've been fine.
- The book seemed to lose its pacing from 15-70%
- The premise was super intriguing (it's set in Ireland and has to do with Fianna and the Fae/Fair Ones!) and I thought it seemed well-researched
- My archnemesis, the insta-love trope, unfortunately (at least kind of) reared its ugly head
- Some of the interactions between the two romance "couples" felt random, badly timed and servicey
- The characters were interesting, but I wish I'd gotten to know them better which I don't feel like I managed despite the 4 PoVs
- The cliffhangeeeeeeer

Overall I think I'd end up granting this a 3.4/5⭐

<i>Thanks to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review</i>

This was pretty fun! Loved how much Irish and Celtic lore was involved throughout! Those that enjoyed King dom of the Wicked will also enjoy this!

Wow, this book.
I did not have super high expectations going into this ARC, thinking it was going to be another run of the mill fantasy book about faeries. Boy was I wrong!
Realm of Lore and Lies has it all- found family, mystery, romance, fantasy, magic, and the fae.
This book is set in modern day Ireland and involves Irish folklore and creatures. The fairies in this book are NOT what we have become accustomed to in recent years- they are wicked, cruel, tricksters.
Realm of Lore and Lies is multiple POV- which I normally don't enjoy but I found myself completely okay being taken from one character to another in each chapter. I was that engaged! By mid book, all our characters are in the same place going through the same trials together.
There is a smattering of romance with plenty of room for more in the coming books. This first book focuses more on the found family aspect of the story.
This is definitely one of my favorite reads of the year and I cannot wait for the next one!
As always, thank you to Netgalley and the author for a review copy of Realm of Lore and Lies.

A modern spin on Irish myths and lore set in present day Ireland- sign me up!

Claire packed a lot into her debut novel. I enjoyed the world-building, the whole found family trope and the introduction to the many characters who live in this world. The pacing is slow, primarily due to the introduction of the characters and the establishing of the world in which the story is set. With multiple point of views, each of the four main protagonists got to show a glimpse into their minds and thought processes and I know that as this is book one of a trilogy, the characters will mature more and more with each book.

Standout characters for me are Maeve and Ash; two resilient young women who are fated to become the matriarchs of their respective clans. Both have a lot of potential as fierce leaders and we are only getting to see the beginning of their journey to find themselves and claim their birthright.

The only issues that I have with the book is the pacing is a bit slow for me and although I was here for the potential romance between Ash & Setanta, it was a bit of a non-starter (here’s to more of it in book 2 😉). Claire goes into detail about the various aspects of Irish myths and legends she’s introducing in the story- this slowed down the pace but I think is necessary for those unfamiliar with this lore to get a handle on.

I can’t wait to read book 2 coming out next year (Claire - you know I need Ash and Set to get together 😉😂😂)

Thanks to NetGalley & publishers for the arc. Realm of Lore and Lies is out today!

Rating: 3.5/5
Pub: 10/3/22

I was gifted an eARC for my honest review.
This book was a little hard for me to rate, I loved a few things about this book but there were a few things that I did not like at all, and I felt that without those things this book would have been higher up on my rating.

First, I loved how the author showed attention to detail in this book, you could see how the world she was building came to life. I enjoyed that She took her time with research on subjects she was writing about. It really was able to shine through with her writings. I am a huge lover of Ireland and when I found out this book had the setting in Ireland and in-between, I couldn’t have been more excited about that. I was able to see how Claire took great love and care for her characters. I did enjoy the cliffhanger and the end of the book, and I do want to know what is going to happen next.

What I did not like about the book was, I thought the different POV of the characters really got in the way of seeing them shine on their own. I felt sometimes a little lost and having to turn back a few pages to see who was talking now. I was not able to connect with any of them because I really did not have time to understand them.

The pace I found to be a little slow for me and that might have been because of the different POV from the characters, but around 60% of the book the pace did start to pick up a lot more and I did find myself enjoying it a little bit more.

With this being said I would still recommend this book to fellow fantasy lovers. Just because it was not my cup of tea does not mean it will not be theirs.

I want to thank NetGalley and BooksGoSoical for allowing me the opportunity to read and review this book for my honest opinion.

Thank you to the publisher for providing me a digital ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Realm of Lore and Lies is a ya fantasy that includes murder and mystery. It is set in Ireland and follows multiple characters (4 to be precise) in a world where there are groups of wandering people who have the ability to see and interact with the fae world.

Now, I just want to preface this by saying that I truly believe that Claire Wright is a really good writer, especially with this being her debut novel. I loved how you can tell that Wright has put in the hours and the dedication to learn all she needs to about Irish mythology, and as a whole I really enjoyed that part of the book.

However, there were a few things that brought down my enjoyment of the book. The main reason being the pacing. There wasn't an easy flow to the book and with the 4 different POVs there were too many characters to be able to properly learn and grow to love each of them. There was a lot going on and the jumps between POVs weren't as smooth as I'd have liked. This, then partnered with the amount of mythology, makes the pacing quite slow and the one thing that takes me out of a book the quickest is when it's too slow.

That being said, I think that this could be fixed with more editing and more time to really delve into each and every character. So although it didn't hit all the boxes that I would have liked it too hit, I did enjoy the story and I can see why others loved it.

Let me start by saying I absolutely love the premise of this book. Seeing the fae portrayed in such a different light than you see in most books these days was refreshing.

However I feel the execution was a bit off for the story. Four POVs was just too much, and I get each character needed their backstory/storyline but I felt that it ruined the pacing of the book, the first 50-60% was a struggle to get through which is not what you want when reading a book.

There was also a ton of info dumping which I get we needed all the information about the clans and the irish folklore but it just felt like pages upon pages of information and no progression to the story, felt more like reading a history book than a fantasy novel.

That being said the last quarter of the book did pick up and I am interested to see where the series goes, hopefully now weve got all the information/lore out of the way the next book will focus more on the storyline.

⭐️⭐️⭐️½