This was not for me. The terms could be a lot to parse through at times, and any book where I am constantly googling or flipping to the glossary is just not for me--I can never get fully immersed in the story if I'm constantly flipping back and forth. I wish that the terms had been more organically explained and included. There's also not much plot outside of Fia pining for Rogan. All of the twists and turns were so blatantly obvious (like she was obviously going to end up with who she ended up with). There just wasn't anything compelling me to read this. The characters were OK, the world was interesting but hard to get into, the plot was...not really anything, the romance was lacking tension and build-up. I was so intrigued by the synopsis of this, but the actual reading experience was eh.

I enjoyed the way in which the author wrote, though, so I would check out more by them in the future.

A Feather So Black is a gothic Swan Princess retelling which follows the story of Fia, a rare changeling. I really enjoyed Lyra Selene's lyrical writing. The audiobook was also very fitting for this mystical fairytale.

Overall, I'd give this book a 2.5-3 stars.

It felt very repetitive. I did not enjoy the love triangle/square. This trope is not normally a hit for me to begin with, but it felt particularly grating in his book. The plot also felt really predictable and therefore my interest waned as I continued reading. Overall, while I did enjoy parts of this book, I was overall disappointed.

I would recommend this book to someone who reads primarily romance, and wants to dip their toe into fantasy. I would also recommend this book to someone who hasn't read many romantasy books as it may not feel as predictable.

I did consider DNFing, but it held my interest enough to finish. I appreciated that the audiobook was easy to digest, so I could keep it on in the background or while walking outside. I also really enjoyed the imagery - Selene really did a great job building a lush world - love the forest vibes. I likely won't continue the series, but I won't rule it out entirely.

Thank you NetGalley, Orbit Books, and Hachette Audio for an e-book and audio ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

A new fantasy featuring fae with hints of the Swan Princess woven together with the Twelve Dancing Princesses. This was a tale about a girl on the outside. The one sent to save the princesses. The one molded to her role, manipulated by the ones she hoped to be loved by. The one seen as more of a placeholder or a weapon than a living, breathing being. A changeling girl who’d only ever wanted to be loved.

🪶NA fantasy
🪶changeling left in the human world
🪶forced proximity
🪶swan princess reimagining
🪶first love and villain love interests
🪶identity
🪶fae Folk
🪶quest
🪶dangerous trials of a sort

“You are a weapon, little witch. You were made to hurt. And men only know how to use weapons—they do not know how to love them.”

Fia has always been Other. She’s always been an outsider: too strange for the humans, too human for the Folk. Left as a changeling in place of a human princess twelve years prior, Fia has been raised as a daughter, a weapon, a spy for the Queen herself all leading to this moment: the moment where they are finally going to make a move and bring the true princess home.

“Stories had their lies but also their truths. Stories were how we taught ourselves to fear the things we secretly desired. Dark forests. Beautiful monsters. Broken hearts.”

Honestly, it broke MY heart reading and recognizing the emotional manipulation and abuse Fia has been through by people she only ever wanted to have love her. She wanted to be accepted, to have a family, and those people she looked to exploited that and made her dependent on them. That and they made her a weapon they could wield. My heart broke for the little changeling girl that wanted to grow plants and have a loving home.

The whole first love betrayal and betrothal to a sister that’s not even a blood sister is filled with such ANGST. Not necessarily in a bad way. But man, Rogan, set the poor girl free. Decisions were made. Can’t have both, that would belittle Fia more than her current predicament as the unwanted but emotionally manipulated foster child to the Queen. Plus he can want her all he wants, but as a wise author once wrote in a much-beloved eight-book series “you cannot pick and choose which parts of her to love.” He fears her power and is only offering part of himself to her. That is not love. Not truly. And I was so proud of her for acknowledging that, despite that hurt.

“But if love demands alteration to exist, is it even love at all?”
“A piece is not enough…I was made of earth and sky and endless waters. I was made to be loved fully, or not at all.”

Which brings me to the make I was rooting for since the first mention of his otherworldly eyes and tattooed self (what can I say, I have a type). Dearest broody Irian with the air of mystery and legend of monster. His darkness matches her own. He sees every part of her and does not shy away. She may be sharp as thorns and ruthless as the winter, but so is he. And he does not mind being cut by her thorns. He is patient with her and her trauma, even as his time in this world draws closer to its end. With him we got:
🪶touch her and you ☠️
🪶enemies to lovers
🪶knife to throat
🪶he falls first
🪶morally grey
🪶a hint of wings
Now the romance (both developing with Irian and the quest for closure with Rogan) did come off slightly YA with its angstyness, but it also had NA leanings with its spice. But of course, the poor girl has been manipulated so much that she has no idea how or who to even trust. Not even her own heart.

The thing I enjoyed most for this book and Fia’s character development was her learning to embrace the “darker” aspects of herself. For her to begin learning to love herself rather than seek it out in others. Most of all, I loved that it wasn’t an easy transition for her to do so. She acknowledges her struggles and her trauma while admitting it’s still something she’s working on. That felt so real and I appreciated it.

All this to say that overall, I found this to be a fascinating debut to a new fantasy world. It had a slow start for me and took a minute to get into, but I feel like that’s a common trait for most new fantasy worlds. You have to learn the mythos and the realm and get introduced to new characters all at the same time. It’s bound to take a moment to adjust. The pull on lore and subtle weaving from know folktales made for an interesting base to the world of Fae described within these pages.

“If your love only destroys, let it destroy me. I am already a doomed man.”

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4 Stars

Dark fairytale retailing of the black swan princess with Fae, a changeling raise to be an assassin, curses, and an ill fated love 🖤

Beautifully written with lush descriptions and poetic. This story follows Fia, who is a changeling left behind by the Fae when they stole 12 daughters including the Queen’s. She is raised to hate the Fae and be a spy/assassin. The Queen sends her on a mission to break the curse in the Fae realm and rescue the 12 stolen daughters. Rogan, her childhood best friend and other princess’s bothered, is tasked to go with her to help rescue them. In Fae, Fia meets Irian. Dark and mysterious. Morally grey. The moments between Fia and Irian are what I lived for.

The only drawback is Fia can only go into the Fae realm every full moon, so there is what I felt was filler time waiting for the next full moon. Time spent gardening and eating, which I didn’t care for.

The ending to this story was unpredictable and I can’t wait to read the next book. Highly recommended 🔥

Thank you to NetGalley and Orbit Books for this arc in exchange for an honest review!

Lyrical and magical, A Feather So Black is a lush, romantic fantasy novel sure to enchant readers.

I was worried, at first, that it would be a(nother) imitation of Maas’s blockbuster series that now proliferate the genre. And in some ways, I think it still may be. But Selene’s book stands strong on its own, thanks to a grounding in Irish folklore and culture. While I cannot be sure as to the veracity of her world to Irish myth and historical roots, the flavour of it is there, which will probably be enough for most readers.

Certainly not a perfect book—parts of it are under-explained and under-developed, and some B and C-plots use up many pages, only to go nowhere. I can only hope that subsequent books, perhaps, help them have payoff. And I still am not sure if Fia’s character arc is well-written or not. But for all of that, I thoroughly enjoyed most of the book and was happily swept into Selene’s world. I suspect many readers will feel the same.

Thanks to NetGalley and Orbit Books for the ebook ARC. All opinions are mine alone.

Thank you to Netgalley for allowing me to read this book! It was an experience that left me feeling empty and wanting for more!

Now firstly I have to admit, it took quite a few pages before this book hooked me (80ish pages). A semi-slow start with a lot of lore and world building left me feeling slightly overwhelmed (and is really the only reason this isn't a 5 star read for me) but once the overarching plot began to make click I was absolutely hooked! Learning about the creatures and magic of Tír na nÓg was such a delight and I wish I had utilized the glossary more! Though as in depth as it was, towards the end I felt like the lore wasn't expanded on as much as I would have liked. My favorite aspect of this book was how the concept of 'love' was treated, and how important it was to the central theme of the story. It shows a perfect contrast between an unhealthy and healthy relationship.

| "I was raised to be a weapon. What if I am truly nothing more than rocks and bones and stinging things- a blade wrapped in brambles? My love has only ever destroyed."

Fia. Lovely, lovely Fia. She might just be one of my new favorite main characters! She is so headstrong and yet so unsure of herself, truly a product of her upbringing. I spent the latter half of this book wondering what she might have grown up like if raised by a caring family. Unfortunately she was raised less as a daughter and more as a living weapon, and thats all she really thinks of herself as. She constantly doubts herself and believes herself unworthy of love, and thats where Irian shines. he never puts Fia down for thinking of herself this way, He simply encourages her to embrace her darkness, all of her thorns.

| "Have you ever stood at the top of a tall cliff and, though terified by the height, wildly wished to fall? That is what loving you feels like. Everything hurts, and yet I want more of it. To climb a little higher, to press a little harder, to drive the blade a little deeper." ;
"If loving you is a cliff, then I have already fallen over it."

| "When you give me your heart, colleen, I want all of it. I want all of you. If you are sharp with broken thorns, let them cut me. If you churn with dark shadows, let them engulf me. And if your love only destroys, let it destroy me. I am already a doomed man."

I'm very pleased to admit that the "shadow daddy" trope was not Irian's only personality trait. He is such a flawed and generous character, constantly putting others feelings before his own while keeping up his dark and mysterious exterior. He truly loves like no other.

| "If a heart given in love is indeed powerful magic, then I beg you, Fia- guard yours."

Fia and Rogan's relationship is incredibly bittersweet, and I feel like it's a perfect example of right person wrong time (or wrong circumstances). They really do love each other, in a way I think they won't ever love anyone else. I do wish that their story had better closure, but I understand why it ended the way it did.

If you enjoy detailed worlds, lush storytelling, and complicated relationships then I cannot recommend this book enough, Genuinely a standout in the fantasy genre and I cannot wait for book 2!!! ♡

There was just so much potential here and it fell short across the board. I didn't care about a single character, not even the main character. I didn't know what was going on half the time because there was so much prose that it all just got..... convoluted. I couldn't get a good idea of anyone or anything. We're supposed to fall for Irian with a once a month visit?

I literally despise almost every character in this book. They're all so....annoying. Not one of them is likeable. As far as love interests go, I wasn't at all invested in Rogan because he obviously sucks. Irian held a little intrigue, but there was just so much convoluted crap in their visits and absolutely zero spark that I just.... don't get it.

And the sex scenes, holy awfulness. Absolutely terrible. I would actually have preferred they just be left out. They were awkward and not written very well.

And then we just wrapped up.... basically nothing. I know there's another book coming, but I hate it when so much stuff is left up in the air. We honestly didn't even get an answer as to how Fia or Irian survived? What about everyone else? WTF happened with Rogan? Chandi? Eala? It's all too open. Like, zero answers.

ALSO, WHY THE FRENCH TOAST DO WE GIVE A GIRL NAMED FIA THE NICKNAME COLLEEN?

Also, we're just supposed to know all these Celtic monsters? When you get to the end there is a Celtic glossary, but like we didn't know that when we were just guessing what all these monsters were.

So yeah, one star because the first few chapters held promise.

I would like to thank NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I’m not going to lie, I was a little put off by the title of this book, but I’m extremely glad I went ahead and read it anyway because I enjoyed the hell out of this book. Swan Lake meets Beauty and the Beast centered around Celtic lore in this - I have to say it - enchanting tale. There are a lot of books out there about Fae and the Fair Folk (especially lately) but this one is a true gem amongst them all. The plot was compelling, the world building and lore well articulated, and there was a wonderfully surprising amount of spice and romance intertwined among it all.
The reason I ultimately gave this novel five stars was because of the main character, Fia. Throughout the story she grapples with following her heart, being herself or being who others want her to be in order to gain their love and trust, and learning to love even (what she thinks) are the ugliest parts of herself. I relate to Fia very heavily during this time in my life, and I very much felt like I was living through her at times. It’s always a delight when I find books that really connect with me at the heart, and you can bet I 100% recommend this to any and all of my fellow fantasy and Fae lovers.
Thanks to Netgalley for ARC access!

DNF @ 64%

Another spring release I was excited for that just didn't work for me at all. This one I think will work (and clearly is based on reviews I've already been seeing) for others. I found the plot in this one to just be glacially slow. And as someone who is a plot first reader this left me feeling incredibly bored with a lot of the story. The main plot of this story is supposed to be quest but at this point in the story I feel like almost no progress has been made on this quest. I also feel like the story could have benefitted from a second POV as our two main characters were split up anytime they went into the fae world so if the other character was actually making quest progress heck if we as the readers knew!

The other problem I had with the book was the romance aspects. The book is written with a love square of sorts. Which as a concept can work for me and has before. It really, really did not work in this one. Partially because the book's own blurb spoils who the end game for Fia is going to be (or at least is heavily implied to be) and that character didn't really become present in the story until halfway in. So the first half of the book we just get Fia's internal monologue of never ending pining for this other character and I couldn't bring myself to care because I knew he wasn't end game and found the constant back and forth of her pining so hard then reminding herself that she couldn't have him to be incredibly grating and increasingly annoying as the book went on.

At the halfway point of this book I thought I was seeing some signs of it turning around for me but after another 15% when it never did I finally decided to just cut my losses and put it down and move on to something else

"I was made of earth and sky and endless waters. I was made to be loved fully, or not at all."

4.5 stars.
A Feather so Black was an enchanting and beautiful tale of duty and desire, truth and stories.

Fia is a changeling, a young woman of the Folk with earth magic who was raised by the High Queen after taking the place of her own daughter. But she has always been made to know she was different - not quite human, not quite Folk. The Queen asks Fia to undertake a dangerous mission to Tír na nÓg, the land of the Folk, to rescue her daughter, princess Eala who has been cursed by a wicked Folk lord, and to recover a Treasure that will restore magic to the human lands. The mission however requires her to go with Rogan, the handsome and kind prince of a neighboring kingdom, who is Fia's first and only love who left her with a broken heart, and Eala's betrothed. Fia and Rogan travel to the last known gate to Tír na nÓg and attempt to find a way to break the curse on the lost princess and her maidens. But they can only enter Tír na nÓg on the night of the full moon each month, and must return to the human lands before dawn. But while searching for Eala, Fia comes across a mysterious Folk lord, Irian, who is as enchanting as he is terrifying. Can Fia carry out the mission for her mother, while fighting her desire between a man she can never have, and betraying one who might cause her to lose everything, including her heart?

This was a really lovely story - the writing was excellent and I was transported to Tír na nÓg through the beautiful imagery and rich worldbuilding. There is a lot going on in this story - political intrigue in the Folk lands and human realms, romantic entanglements, curses and enchantments, and duty and sacrifice. The story is truly enchanting as well, as we have a young Folk woman raised by humans to be a weapon, and a human woman raised in Folk lands who has become a very different kind of weapon. The love "square" between Fia, Rogan, Eala and Irian was well done. I don't normally like love triangles, but this had me really yearning for the characters. The romance between Fia and Rogan ripped me apart - you know how much they love each other, but also know it can never be together as they are just too different and too bound by their duties. Meanwhile. Irian and Fia have an interesting connection, sharing stories that are twined with a bit of truth, and a deeper bond they are eager to explore. They begin to trust one another and care deeply about each other, and Fia begins to question everything she was taught about the Folk and herself. I loved seeing Fia's strength and acceptance of her abilities grow throughout the book as well.

As much as I loved this book, there were a few things that I had issues with. The first is somewhat minor - the language and writing is amazing overall, but occasionally the author slips in a few modern phrases which kinda took me out of the story for a moment. The other issue is that since our characters can only visit Tír na nÓg on the night of the full moon, the story takes place over months and months, but weeks go by with nothing really happening other than a passing reflection. To me, this made the flow of the story a little odd and that threw me a bit while reading. Additionally, the timeline made it seem like the relationship between Fia and Irian developed somewhat quickly, as they could only interact one night out of each month, though these evenings make up the majority of the story. But these are fairly minor issues, and overall I found the story really enchanting and engaging. I loved it, and I am looking forward to more in this series!

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Orbit Books for the electronic advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

I received an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed A Feather So Black and look forward to the sequel. It's an upcoming [redacted] book box pick, so I snagged an ARC and it did not disappoint!

This book felt like an adult Holly Black fairy romantasy, and the fairy tale and romance elements really drew me in. The romance is woven throughout the plot in a way that kept me hooked.

The pacing was a little slow at times, lingering on some cozy moments that didn't propel the plot in between moments of higher tension. The story is structured around events occurring around each full moon, so naturally there is a lot of down time in between. This didn't bother me as much as it might for some, but it slowed down the read for me.

!! some light spoilers ahead !!
I know some people don't like a love triangle, but I love a love triangle that keeps you guessing. The book really explores both love interests and I enjoyed the journey! I also dislike when one love interest dies or turns antagonistic so it's easier for the main character to pick, and I thought the author did a great job showing why the main character picks who she does.

My main complaint was that the ending was a little confusing in the magical mechanics. I know the sum of what happened, but I'm not sure how. Maybe it'll be covered in the sequel, which I look forward to reading!

Once again, a (skinny, attractive) fae woman is falling in love with a generic (unavailable) prince. Fia is a changeling, swapped in infancy for the queen’s daughter Eala, long presumed dead. When they learn that Eala is alive and there is an opportunity to rescue her, Fia and Rogan (aforementioned bland friends to love interest) set out to rescue her. So much bothered me about this book right from the jump: the aggressively violet hue of the prose, Fia’s extremely irritating internal monologue, and the fact that it’s yet another fae romantasy without any substance or originality.

We've got all the good romantasy things here: enemies to lovers, friends to lovers (love triangle but it's ok), shadow daddy, touch-her-and-die, some spice, a unique magic system, Swan Princess vibes, Celtic mythology, and fairytale retellings. It's beautifully written. I wouldn't say it's groundbreaking to the genre at all, but I thoroughly enjoyed it.

This is one very good book! I was completely captivated by the poetic writing. The details were amazing and I loved the main character's growth. It does have an ending even though it's a series. I will definitely be reading the rest as they come out. The cover is really pretty too. I've always loved stories about the fae and this did not disappoint me at all. I was super lucky that I got this as an ARC from Netgalley.

<i><b>“I understood what it felt like to be forced onto a path you hadn't chosen. To be forged into a weapon sharper than you wanted to be. To feel your destiny like a weight pushing you toward doom.”</b></i>


“A Feather so Black” is a mystical, dark fairytale retelling of Swan Lake with magic, curses, and betrayal. This novel will reveal tons of twist & turns, making you get lost into the magical world of Tír na nÓg. Are you ready for this journey?

<i><b>“If I wanted you," he drawled, "I would go to any lengths to keep you."</b></i>


<b>Tropes</b>
🌱 Enemies to lovers
🌱 Celtic mythology
🌱 Whimsical & lyrical writing
🌱 Botanical magic
🌱 Morally grey love interest
🌱 Love triangle
🌱 Spice



⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I’m still in awe of how beautifully written this story was. I could get lost in this world forever and was sad to see it end but can’t wait for the second novel!!

I felt so connected to Fia on how all she wanted was to belong and then seeing her become a stronger version of herself and finding self-love for herself made me weep with happiness for her. Throughout the ending I was reading through teary eyes imagining all the possibilities of what will come for Fia and her dark, mysterious lover, Irian. I didn’t expect that ending or major cliffhanger and finding out they’ll be a second novel made me so happy to be able to continue and see what Lyra Selene will have in store for us and the war that will be coming!

<b>Thank you to NetGalley, Lyra Selene, and Orbit Books for the chance to read and review this e-arc in exchange for an honest review! All thoughts and opinions remain my own.</b>

Okay, I loved this so much. I mean, I feel like this author gave everything in this book, and I am in love.

Fia is just the perfect character. So flawed, frustrating at times, determined, but wow, does this character truly develop. Fia is on a mission from her Queen "Mother" with handsome prince Rogan to go to the land of the Folk and rescue her half-sister and retrieve an item of power. Yet, as you might expect.... things don't go as planned.

First, this is a long fantasy romance, and I hope you are prepared for this gorgeous story. There are adult themes (smut) and romance, but this just isn't the main plot... at least not way towards the end( and then it's seriously so good!).

This caught and held my attention primarily because it's a very unique story of the folk. I love reading anything fae, but this really took my imagination to just completely new places.

Highly recommend!

Out March 12, 2024!

Thank you, Netgalley and Publisher, for this Arc!

What an unexpected story!

This is another one of those stories that just took me by surprise with how much I enjoyed it. This was one of those books that once I was hooked, I had to finish it.

I really enjoyed the world in this book. Although, at times it did feel like the rules didn't make sense, but I still enjoyed the concept and the structure. The main character was fun to follow. I did find her slightly intolerable at times, but overall, I enjoyed following her story. But the real winner was Irian! Hands down, this shadow man wins all the awards. I was so invested in him moreso than even the FMC at times. He was honestly the real MVP of this whole book. The romance was good, but I honestly enjoyed Fia's journey of self-love more than the actual romance. But that spice though (not the first time) was a pleasant surprise and nice touch.

My biggest issue with this book was with Rogan and Fia. I felt like they had the same arguement throughout the whole book, and it was frankly annoying by the end. Like at first it was fine and I understood what its' purpose was, but after the fifth conversation of the exact same issue just didn't do it for me. I also felt like the conflict was off at times in the book.

Overall, I enjoyed this read, and I did find it super consuming. I will say the ending left me questioning what might come next, but I will be eagerly awaiting to see what the sequel will hold. I would like to give a big thank you to the publisher, author, and netgalley for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Rating: 4.7/5

In A Feather So Black the reader is introduced to Fia, a changeling whose human mother embraced her fae nature and made of her a tool for the good of their kingdom, Rogan, the prince she loves who is betrothed to the girl she replaced, and eventually Eala, her mother's true daughter, Chandika, one of many captive girls held in Tír na nÓg, and Irian, their fae captor. If that sounds like it could get complicated, you're right! But Selene steers the story smoothly through rocky relationships, tricky geasa, and self-discovery, giving readers a treat of a read with enough spice to keep it interesting. This first book in Lyra Selene's Fair Folk series sets a high bar for subsequent entries. (I admit, I'm not sure where any further books would go, plotwise, since this one ends with everything neatly sorted as far as the main characters are concerned.)

I do have a few quibbles, but they are minor: everything is described as being a tangle or tangled, and the cover art looks way too Art Deco for this firmly fae fantasy setting. (Oh, also, it's a little weird to me that this is an Orbit publication, because it feels very heavy on romance and sex for their imprint, which is not actually a quibble or complaint, but a curiosity.) Otherwise, I am pleased to recommend this romantic Celtic fantasy.

This did remind a bit of the cruel prince in the way that it's a romantasy with fae, but it also stood out on its own as a Swan Lake retelling. The magic and changing aspects were fun, as well as adding another romantic interest that controls shadows to the collection. I gave this four stars mostly because of how enjoyable it was, but besides for the swan lake retelling it didn't come across as anything unique.

4.5/5 star read.

If you like the cartoon the swan princess I feel like this book would speak out to you. Instead of the story following the prince and princess imagine it following the villains of the story. The main character Fia is complex, working through her own internal battle knowing she's a changeling while trying to help a world she's only ever known. When her life comes into question, she has to make independent choices And the adventure that goes along with it is fast paced and captivating. The book has spice I would maybe give it a 1.5/5 The relationships are complex and I was just so engrossed by the end I was sad for it to be over. It was a wonderful dark fantasy with what fairytale folk would be. I took off half a star was because the world building was confusing at first. It took me about 4-6 chapters to realize the chapter headers were the calendar of the world. And she dives right in with the Celtic words but luckily she has included a glossary in the back (which to me is a pain when using a kindle). I absolutely loved this book and Can't wait for book 2 and to dive more into the world of the Folk!
I want to thank NetGalley and Orbit Books for giving me a chance to read and review the ebook! This is my honest opinion of the book.