I've read a lot of fae-related books this year, but I found this story to be incredibly refreshing because it wasn't the romantasy story I expected. Instead, the book delivers a mystery-filled adventure story, steeped in Irish lore.

It starts with the gruesome murder of the Aisling's mother, setting off a chain of events that leads Aisling back to her family's clan and pushes her into the role of the clan's matriarch, a responsibility she struggles to navigate. The story follows Aisling and her newfound allies as she learns to navigate clan politics and tries to solve the mystery behind her mother's murder.

There are three things I liked most about this book. The first is how the author used the mythology of the Tuatha Dé Danann and Tír na nÓg as the foundation of the world-building. I remember the lore from childhood and it gave me a strong sense of nostalgia. Second, I liked how each of the main characters goes through some major development in the story. It was fun to get to know them as their various motivations were revealed. Lastly, I loved the choices the author made for the ending. I can't say much more without giving it away, but it definitely left me wanting more and looking forward to the next installment!

Thank you for the ARC! This review has been cross-posted on Goodreads.

Realm of Lore and Lies by Claire Wright
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I don’t know what I was expecting, but this was very different from many of the fae stories I have read in the past few years. I am guessing this author incorporated more the lore of Ireland, which made it an interesting read. This book focuses on Ash, Maebh, Set, and Tiernan, who are all part of the fianna. The Fianna are traveler people who hold the secret of the fae in the human world. Though the main characters are mainly from two separate fianna clans (Ash had left but is now back), they are working to solve a mystery that saw them losing parents 7 years ago. And now something sinister has caught up to them. They have to work together to try and solve the mystery for their own sakes and for the sake of their world and the fae realm.

I wasn’t crazy about having 4 different points of view in the story at first, but it grew on me as the story progresses. I am invested in seeing what happens next (I somehow missed the words “Fair Ones Book 1 on the cover and didn’t realize it was a series).

Hopefully the author writes fast so I don’t have to wait long to see what happens!

Thank you to #netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This book starts out really slow, it almost feels like is dragging. There is a lot going on and a lot of world-building all seen through the eyes of four main characters. All of the characters are very well written and I love the dynamic that the quartet has between them. There is so much good lore about Celtic mythology and honestly learned a few things that I didn't know. The book really comes together when the four characters are working closely with one another so the story starts to feel more cohesive and put together then.

There is so much mystery and intrigue in this book. None of it felt overly tropey or overdone. every character felt right in their various roles. And I cannot stress that its hard to trust even the MCs at times with how much deception is going down in this world.

The ending is a huge cliffhanger that left me needing more because there is still so much to learn about the world and what is going on.

Huge thank you to Claire and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this e-arc!

This book had me right from the get go when I saw Ireland based fantasy! This is a story that follows Aisling, Ash, a girl who ran away from her clan in pursuit of a normal life. Years later after seeing a Banshee, Ash discovers a murder victim and is sent on a whirlwind adventure that brings her face to face with demons from her past. She returns to her clan and faces the challenge of the Cath. Alongside her friends, Ash will have to survive the Cath and solve a murder.

This story captured me from the title, and I was drawn in. I will admit the first part of the book moved a little slow for me, but once you get into it, you're locked in. This book follows four different characters throughout their journeys. Normally I am not a huge fan of multiple POVs, but I rather enjoyed the characters in this book. I think the characters were one of the biggest strengths in this book. I really liked how each of their personalities differed, and how unique each of their stories were. All the characters are very neatly woven together, and I found that this made it easier for me to keep track and really focus on each character. This book is perfect for anyone looking for an enjoyable fantasy read, and anyone who also loves Irish folklore. This is the kind of book that once you get into it, you won't be able to put it down!

Overall Rating: 4.5/5

Thank you to NetGalley and BooksGoSocial for the advance reader copy.

So much potential. I really loved the premise and characters but the pacing threw me off completely. It's almost as if the whole thing (especially the first half) could have done with some fine-tuning.

“Níl sé ach ina thús. It’s only just begun.”

Realm of Lore and Lies had me hooked from start to finish - quite literally I could not put it down! Inspired by Irish Lore, the story follows four teens from 2 different Fianna clans, Aishling, Tiernan, Maebh, and Setanta, as they search for answers about their missing/murdered pare while fighting in the Cath, a time honored tradition. However, the land of Tír na nÓg provides only question after question, with few answers in sight.

Though some reviews I have read were not a fan of the multiple POVs, I actually really enjoyed them. It gave the characters depth that would have been harder to achieve through just Ash's POV. It also allowed me to feel more deeply for each of the four, making this book all the more heartbreaking to read, and the pot twists at the end more shocking.

I don't know how I am going to wait so long for the second book. I definitely need it now!

*Thank you NetGalley for the ARC of Realm of Lore and Lies in exchange for my fair and honest review"
I typically love anything Fae... and this was no exception!
Take a trip into the Realm of Lore and Lies with our wonderfully developed characters: Ash, Maebh, Set, Tiernan, and Conor as they uncover the deep, dark, secrets of the Tir na nOg. I loved the mini backstories of our cast of characters. They helped draw you in and assisted in understanding each of their trauma that molded them into the characters we grew to know and love. The different pov's assisted in learning who they were, where they came from, and why they did the things they did. It was interesting watching Ash's transformation; accepting her role in this tale and the support system she discovered to help get her there.
The world-building was adequate but fell short when it came to the Irish Lore. I felt there was an opportunity to delve a little deeper into the Tuatha De Dannan. For those with little or no background, I feel they weren't given the attention they deserved. Going deeper into the Fae and the Irish side of mythology could've given this book a huge boost. Fortunately, I came into this with barely more than a general knowledge and it just made me want MORE! More Fae. more magic. More explanation.
The story moved with a decent flow. The beginning started a wee bit slow but before long I was submerged in this magic-infused Ireland with murmurs of legend intermixed with present-day.
For the most part, I loved this book. The story. The characters. The setting and the plot/twists. Definitely looking forward to the next installment.

I was really excited for this one but unfortunately I just couldn’t get into it, the first 25% was very slow going and as a result I struggled to connect with the characters and plot

World building wise it was amazing and I’d love to read more books around irish folklore - it’s definitely an area not explored enough in popular books!

This book has given me everything I want! I was constantly guessing what would happen next and the ending absolutely blowed me away! It got me hooked from beginning to end and I can’t say enough how much I adored reading this! The world it is set in got me hooked and I can not wait to find out more about the characters we met and what will be happening in book 2!

I was so excited to get into this and really wanted to love it. This book had so much potential but unfortunately just didn’t grip me in the way I thought it would.

The pacing seemed off, there was so much going on but it lacked detail and depth. The plot was pushed along more so by dialogue and it left me confused and lost in places due to this lack of detail and depth. The characters also seemed superficial with no real development arc.

I do still want to know more about this universe and this story so I am looking forward to the rest of this series!

Thanks so much to NetGalley for providing this copy!

I really did try to be into this one, but I felt like I couldn't connect. I'm glad so many people are loving it though!

I liked this book a lot! I love the Irish folklore and that its based in Ireland. It gives the book something unique and different from other fantasy books. The only reason it is getting 4 instead of 5 stars is because it was on the longer side and was slow paced. But, overall i liked it and reminded me of SJM books.

I really enjoyed reading Ash’s points of views, and thought they flowed really well. Ash was a really well written character, and I always looked forward to her POV because of how well rounded and bold she was written.

However, I felt that there were a few characters where their POV wasn’t necessary. It jumbled the story line, and switched POV too quickly to give the reader time to process, and often didn’t have anything to do with the following chapters.

I really appreciate the use of fae lore in this book. I was nervous starting it but honestly it was the best thing about it and refreshing to read.

But I also found myself struggling to focus. It was definitely a me thing and I think on reread I'd enjoy this more.

I'd definitely recommend this book though for people looking for Irish fae books.

This story is set in Ireland, with Irish mythology. The world building in this book was absolutely fantastic!

I devoured this book!
Give me anything to do with Irish mythology and the Tuatha Dé Danann and I’m hooked.
Aisling left her Fianna clan for unknown reasons but circumstances bring her back into that world whether she wants to or not. While her family is still reeling from recent events, an ancient competition is upon them and Aisling and her clan must take part in the dangerous rite, but at what risk? What will happen? Who will win?

Aisling is everything you could want in a heroine. Headstrong, brave, smart, and also relatable.
There is action, romance, mystery and magic. There are different types of family, there is diversity, there is LGBTQ+ representation.
If you’re after a great story with memorable characters, than I can’t recommend this book enough! I honestly can’t wait to read more!

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me a chance to read the arc of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.

From the back of the book:

‘Nothing is ever as it seems, especially when Fair Ones are involved.

In a land that harbours two realms, magical creatures and dangerous games are a way of life and death for the travelling Fianna clans. It is an honour to visit Tír na nÓg, even if the price is pretending Fair Ones don't hunt humans for sport.

Ireland native Aisling never imagined she'd be alone, living a double life. But when your family shares the ability to see through fae glamour, keeping secrets isn't something you do for fun. You do it to stay alive.

A murder leaves Aisling motherless, thrusting her into the position of matriarch in a world she thought she'd never return to. Teaming up with unlikely allies for a competition steeped in peril, she can't resist the distraction warrior Setanta offers. Brooding, gorgeous, and impossibly strong, he gives her a chance to be something she never could before—herself.

Bonded by troubled pasts and deadly circumstances, the team of misfits must face damaging truths as they try to stop their worlds from colliding.’

Review:

A realm of Lore and Lies breathes life into Irish Folklore. We follow the points of view of four different characters whose lives are tangled together in mystery and loss. The first 40% of this book introduces us to each of the four protagonists and we are shown the world of the travelling Fianna and what it means to live as one.

The pacing was a little slow at first with occasional bursts of action that propelled the story very quickly forwards. The death of Aisling’s mother was brutal and my heart was in my throat by the end. There were so many wonderful and clever twists in this book that allowed the true villain to feel like a huge shock. I truly can’t wait for the next book to come out. My absolute favourite character will forever be Maebh, she is unapologetically herself, a confident and strong bisexual Queen. And Tiernan holds my heart. What you expect from this book after the first half compared to where it takes you by the end is such a journey. Each characters perspective is so well done (with no crossovers in timeline which is always a win). I’m suspicious as to why four of the main characters have a special ability and I can’t wait to learn more about it in the next book. As a debut novel and the first of a series I’m hooked.

I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for my free and honest review.

In a land that harbors two realms, magical creatures and dangerous games are a way of life and death for the travelling Fianna clans. It is an honor to visit Tír na nÓg the land of the forever young, even if the price is pretending Fair Ones don't hunt humans for sport. Ashling, had left that world behind but now after the death of her mother she's dragged back in to try and figure out what's going on.

This book has a lot going on that made it hard to follow at certain points. Particularly at the first jump to a new POV. We hadn't been introduced to Tiernan at this point but we are thrust into his POV that where something entirely new is going on. This happens again when we are introduced to Setanta's POV in chapter 8 and Maebh in chapter 9. Eventually it all works out, but its a bit disconcerting.

I did really like the dichotomy between Ashling and Maebh. Both are the next in line as matriarch for their respective clans, with neither clan being particularly happy about the fact. They are both fraternal twins. Other than that they are extremely different with Maebh being head strong and determined and Ashling being much more passive with her only goal being to save/ be by her brother's side.

There is a lot of Irish folk lore and mythology woven in which I really enjoyed. The fair ones themselves are, tritonal. As in not nice, mischievous and pick on/ harm humans, I like seeing them less watered down. I hope in the next book we get to see more of the fair ones.

Over all I liked the book, I will look into the sequel when it comes out because it does leave of on a heck off a cliffhanger. I'm just hoping that it will be a bit easier to get through knowing about the world from the first book.

Set in Ireland, with Irish mythos and culture, the culture and worldbuilding that went into Realm of Lore and Lies is outstanding!

In a land that harbours two realms, magical creatures and dangerous games are a way of life and death for the travelling Fianna clans. Fair Ones don’t hunt humans for sport. Ireland native Aisling never imagined she’d be alone, living a double life. But when your family shares the ability to see through Fae glamour, keeping secrets isn’t something you do for fun. You do it to stay alive.

I loved that the book was written in third person, each chapter focused primarily on a different character and their thoughts. Aisling is clearly the main character, but I enjoyed the other characters also. Aisling discovers so many secrets! While the romance wasn't really for me it didn't distract from the plot, and overall I liked the quest, the murder mystery, and that surprise ending!

Thank you NetGalley for the chance to read Realm of Lore and Lies by Claire Wright before publishing.
All thoughts spoken are my own.

GR rating: 4 ⭐s
My rating: 3.5 ⭐s

Ash left the Fianna clan 7 years ago, only to discover her mom murdered at her place of work, and she sets out to find her killer. Loaded with Irish Mythology and Folklore, Realm of Lore and Lies deals with death, mystery, trials and romance during the course of the story.

Open reading the blurb I was excited for this book. And while it was good, I struggled to get through it, and it took me much longer than anticipated. I hate to say I almost DMFd it.

It had it's high points that I did enjoy (the Lore, friendships, setting, the banter), but overall it fell flat for me. I struggled to connect with the characters, and would have liked to say maybe only two POVs instead.

Releasing October 3rd 2022

*review posted to Goodreads. Will also be posted to my instagram upon release day.