Drags on and on, until it doesn’t.
There is a moment, around 300 pages, in A Feather So Black, where the story finally gets interesting. Unfortunately you have to read the 300 pages prior to get to it.
I understand that there is an attempt here to make the trust and relationships grow over time (less insta-love than usual). I did like the consent representation and respect both men give our leading gal but is it enough?

The problem is I had so many questions throughout the first 300 pages, and I didn’t feel like we are really privy to our MC’s true feelings or thoughts. When we do finally get her inner issues I was frustrated we hadn’t been feeling our MCs thoughts sooner given the book is first person.

Other things that plagued me included:
- Why doesn’t she confront Mother?
- Why does she keep referring to her doppelgänger (well she is the doppelgänger technically) as her Sister?
- Why doesn’t she fret more over what to do?
- and most importantly, where is the urgency?!
There is a huge lack of urgency throughout given the deadlines in place. It actually had me convinced very early on that it was a faux deadline because there was so little tension. Which brings me to my biggest issue, tension! There should be tons of it, and yet it fell totally flat for me.

My second biggest issue, full moons are not monthly! I’m sorry but come on, you don’t get to rewrite planetary movement because it’s easier to refer to the full moons as being monthly. This irked me during all 12 visits to the Fae realm, AND every time someone referred to how many months were left before the big deadline. It was so glaringly obvious. Especially when we got down to 2 months to go… the difference between 60 days and 42 is enough that it really felt like a void of time being extended artificially. These are the kinds of details that really good books get right. They are important pieces that set up a reality that is believable inside fantasy elements.

All that said, it’s not a lost cause because I plan to read book two. This is a debut novel so I’m willing to give some lenience I might not to someone like Kemmerer or Maas who are later in their careers. But compared to Yarros debut this one is significantly lesser (but not every book can have awesome dragons I suppose, lol). Check out A Feather So Black if you love slow burns, a Fae world, Celtic words (there are a lot of them but a small, incomplete, glossary at the back), and, of course, gotta be okay with the leading lady torn between two men.

Please note: I received an eARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. This is an honest and unbiased review.

I thought this book had good bones but the execution left a lot to be desired. I thought the language was too flowery, It felt forced, the characters were pretty one dimensional, and the villian was pretty obvious. Maybe I just wasn't in the mood, or I'm not it's intended audience but I struggled to want to pick this up and finish it. ⭐️⭐️ Thank you Netgalley for letting me read this book. All opinions are my own.

I wanted to like this, but all the names were not intuitive and there was no pronunciation guide. I know that’s a silly reason to dnf but it was so distracting and made it hard to relate to.

3.5/5 stars! I love fae stories and ones featuring changlings, so I was really excited to read this book. This also hits the spot as a darker romantasy retelling of Swan Princess. Most of the characters were likable but I disliked Fia our FMC. She just felt too naive and that she didn't want to learn or grow, even when the truth is right in front of her. Want to see what happens in the next book.

This is absolutely amazing. It does not feel cookie cutter tropey at all, and the take takes you on an adventure with twists you don't see coming. The romantic tension is SO GOOD. I loved every minute of this book!

DNF at 60%

I gave it a shot reading this, but it really fell flat. One is that I'm really so tired of the fae being romanticized as much as they are when they are, mythological, some of the foulest and cruel. This makes it worse because there was a lot of gaelic/celtic myth tied in, but that aspect which is the most critical part of the whole mythos.

This just fell really flat, and it was trying to achieve so many points that it felt more chaotic than a solid plot. The writing was really nice at times, so I'll give it that and the tension after a point I just couldn't do it. I wasn't enjoying the story and just pushing myself to finish.

Thank you to the publisher Orbit for the ARC and this is my honest review.

Inspired by Swan Lake, this fairytale hooked me from the get-go with its brazen, engaging protagonist and her incredible nature magic. A changeling daughter to a mortal queen, Fia has crafted her own place in the human world as a loyal tool for the court’s use – but the queen loves her like a daughter, she swears. A quest to enter the fae realm and retrieve the queen’s true daughter soon unfolds – and who is to accompany Fia but the lover that disappeared years before and conveniently shows up in time to retrieve HIS long-lost beloved?

The set-up is rife for juicy tension, Fia and her former flame stuck in close proximity on a mission that is primed to divide them. Of course old feelings haven’t fully faded. Of course they dance around each other in pretend ignorance. Of course something was bound to happen.

What follows is a year of drama that gets more and more tedious as it unfolds.

Fia and not-her-prince (of course he’s a prince) are only able to enter into the fae realm once a month when the full moon is at its peak, and they must return to the human world before the sun fully rises to avoid getting stuck in a world of dangerous magic. They have one year to attempt to find and rescue the real princess Fia was swapped for as a child before she’s trapped in the fae realm forever because *magic reasons*. This plot device means we have twelve singular nights out of a year of story in which any actual progress can be made. And so the cycle set in.

I’m so disappointed to say that what started out as a five-star prediction, mainly due to gorgeous prose, slowly lost points the further the tale unwove. A gorgeous use of phrasing – ““I was made of frost and rot and endless things. I was not made to fear the Folk.” – became a mantra that was echoed in almost every. single. chapter. I’m not kidding. Beautiful imagery and emotion that initially made me nod in appreciation turned into an increasingly large eye roll each time it popped up. The words completely lost their power in the absurd amount of repetition and the mantra began to grate when it first had impressed.

Character-wise, Fia’s naivete was at odds with her bravery and confidence, and she clung onto old beliefs far longer than felt realistic given all the proof of a villain at her fingertips. There are multiple romantic interests and they both felt like fractions of beings rather than fully-fleshed characters. There’s insta attraction and far too much back and forth and a *fairytale ending* that fell flat. And, personally, I am so sick of dark shadow men with tattoos in romantasy books. There is a charming sidekick of a magical creature that was a joy every time they appeared on page, a nice addition to lessen my frustration.

While the writing got in its own way at many points, to the point that I had to reread passages to make sure I knew what was actually happening, there are some gorgeous standout lines. I’m intrigued by the author, because the prose did initially grab me with its poetry, and I may even continue the series if my curiosity piques, but my current recommendation to read this is lukewarm at best. For readers who care more about romance than fantasy, and who aren’t bothered by clichés.

Content warning: violence, emotional abuse.

A Feather So Black by Lyra Selene is a beautifully haunting and atmospheric fantasy that blends dark magic, family secrets, and self-discovery. The story follows a young woman as she uncovers her hidden powers and delves into a mysterious world of danger and intrigue. Selene’s writing is lyrical and immersive, creating a vivid and magical setting where the lines between reality and illusion blur. The emotional depth of the characters, particularly the protagonist's journey of growth and acceptance, adds layers to the story, while the slow-burn romance and thrilling plot twists keep readers hooked. A Feather So Black is a must-read for fans of dark fantasy, rich world-building, and complex characters.

love love love! this was such a great read, and I highly recommend it to fans of fantasy romance! you don't want to miss this one

Enjoyable story with a decently straightforward plot. the best part was definitely all the folklore that was mixed in.

I wasn’t entirely sure if I would like this one because the synopsis made it seem reminiscent of romantasy books I’d read a bunch of times before (fae love interest, strong FMC that is definitely not like other girls, etc.), but there were also still aspects that intrigued me. In the end, I was completely surprised by how the story ended up unraveling, and enjoyed this as a whole!

While this book did seem to start in a way that reminded me of other stories, it quickly began to undermine and subvert some of the common tropes seen in romantasy. I enjoyed how the relationships were used as a form of growth for Fia, and we see that as she grows and changes throughout the story, so does what she’s looking for in a partner. It also introduced some interesting discussions about change and the inherent good or bad of certain types of changes, and how that can depend on the person.

Another aspect I enjoyed was the folklore and magic woven into the story. This is a key part of what set this book apart for me and made it feel new and fresh. I’ve read a decent amount of romantasy, and enjoy it as a genre while still understanding and agreeing with some of the criticism of it. One main criticism is often this lack of depth in the plot or world-building and of books failing to find the proper balance of romance and fantasy. I think this book is a clear example of my preferred balance, and a large part of that comes from the depth of the world-building. This depth is in large part due to the folklore of the story and how fae in particular was used in a more meaningful way, playing more with the historical myths and assumptions about the fae rather than just using the watered-down modern version.

One small criticism I do have of the book is that the ending felt a bit chaotic and messy, and I do wish we were given a bit more time at the end to fully understand and sit with the ramifications of what happened. I do think this will be properly addressed and explained in the sequel, but it did feel like this installment was left off at an awkward place.

Overall, I quite enjoyed this book, and I can’t wait to see where the next one goes!

This was so good. I preordered the next book when I was only halfway through this,
The character development with Fia was fantastic. There were definitely points where I wanted to yell at her, but I think that might've been the point. The magic is really interesting and works in odd way, and I really liked how it wove into the story.

Also, Corra better be in book two!

I am so torn on this one. On one hand, I can see why this would work for a lot of people. On the other hand, for most of the book, I was NOT one of those people and I was incredibly bored.

This book really struggled with pacing in my opinion. It is LONG and when you spend hardly any time in the fae realm, there are large portions of the book where absolutely nothing is happening.

My biggest problem is the characters. They were just so bland and forgettable. The love triangle was also unnecessary and didn't add anything to the story whatsoever.

"Set in a world of perilous magic and moonlit forests, this seductive romantic fantasy tells the story of a defiant changeling, her cursed sister, and the dangerous fae lord she must defeat to save her family. As they journey through the forests of the Folk, where magic winds through the roots of the trees and beauty can be a deadly illusion, Fia’s mission is complicated by her feelings for the prince…and her unexpected attraction to the dark-hearted fae lord holding Eala captive. Irian might be more monster than man, but he seems to understand Fia in a way no one ever has. Soon, Fia begins to question the truth of her mission. But time is running out to break her sister's curse. And unraveling the secrets of the past might destroy everything she has come to love."

I enjoyed the story, the magical system, the characters, and the Celtic mythology. I liked the characters, but didn't care for the love triangle. I had some questions at the end of the book, and hope there will be another book. This was a good book overall, especially for a debut novel. I will definitely read other books by Lyra Selene.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read a free copy of this novel in exchange for my honest opinion!

Beautiful writing, incredible characters, a truly brilliant retelling....just WOW!!! Impatiently waiting for the sequel!!!

So overall I enjoyed this dark Fae story with the smidges of retelling woven into it with all kinds of fairytale origins. I will most certainly be back to read the next book and see what happens to the few characters that I have come to root for. That all being said, this was waaayyy too long and drawn out. The book could have easily been shorter with no missed plot since a lot of the story moseyed along about nothing, basically a years worth of time spent by the main character having random angst and romantic dalliances that did not need to occur since we already knew she had those romantic feelings previously. To say I was bored was an understatement- and yet I still gave the book 4 stars since the backbone of the story was good, the main characters I liked, the crow king is the best, and the ending was a big mess.

A dark, delightful read for anyone who wants a jolt of magic in the form of curses, angst, forbidden romance, and the kind of characters that feel very familiar while still bringing uniqueness to the table.

"A Feather So Black" is a beautifully written and atmospheric novel that explores themes of identity, family, and the complexities of life. The author’s lyrical prose creates a vivid setting, immersing readers in the emotional journey of the protagonist. The characters are well-developed, and their relationships are both heartfelt and thought-provoking. The story unfolds with a delicate balance of suspense and introspection, keeping the reader engaged. While the pacing is strong, some parts of the plot feel predictable, and a few plot points could have been explored in more depth. Overall, it’s a deeply moving and engaging read.

I featured this book in a new release video prior to publication and was very excited to read about changelings!! I also love a quest story AND there's promise of an evil villain actually being a love interest omg. Will update when final review posts, but I'm expecting 5 stars!

The Queen's daughter was stolen by the Fair Folk, and in her place they left a changeling. Changeling Fia was raised by the Queen as a weapon and a spy. Her latest mission? To go to Tír na nÓg, find the queen's true daughter Eala, lift the curse that turns her into a swan by day a girl by night, and bring her home. Fia is joined in her mission by Prince Rogan, her first love and Eala's fiancee.
Fia must deal with her feelings for Rogan as they cross the gate to Tír na nÓg and try to save Eala and the other girls cursed to be swan maidens. But the swan maidens are held captive by a powerful fae lord who stands in Fia's way.
This book is a mix of A Court of Thorns and Roses and The Swan Princess. I really enjoyed it!