Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC!

Another reviewer noted that this is sort of a perfect combination of ACOTAR and Cruel Prince- a little more grown up and spice than CP, but way less fluffy than ACOTAR. Couldn’t agree more!

I liked how the author here really engages with fae mythology and doesn’t just sort of slap faries and wings onto an otherwise normal plot. That being said, I could have done with a bit more polish on the plot here, where I noted some pacing issues and some confusion in character motivations.

But the writing itself is gorgeous and evocative and drew me right in. Look forward to more in this series!

Thank you soooo much to Orbit for giving me access to an arc of this. This was one of my most anticipated reads of 2024 and I’m so thankful that I got to read it now!

One of my favorite things about this book was the writing. It’s beautiful and gripping. It has you on the edge of your seat and Selene’s sentence construction is something to admire. I have to be honest though: for all of the beautiful writing, I don’t feel like the plot was strong enough and the writing, at many times, overshadowed what the book was actually about.

There were times where I found myself confused about why Fia and Irian felt drawn together but I have hope that their relationship will be even more fleshed out in the next book. I will say though: Irian has solidified himself as one of my top book love interests. He was mysterious yet transparent at the same time.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book and I’ll definitely be revisiting. There are some things I have questions about but I’m sure they will be answered in the second book and I cannot wait to read that one!

I just finished with an ARC, and this is by far the best I have read so far.

This book was beautiful. It made me feel like I was Fia. I was sad with her, angry with her, in love with her. I was hurt for her by how she was treated and raised by someone who said they loved her.

Now, story aside, there were a lot of words I struggled with, but thankfully, at the end, there was a glossary. I wish I knew about it in the beginning.

Some sections were a bit drawn out, and I struggled to push through, but overall, it was an excellent read.

I can’t wait for it to be published so I can get the physical copy.

Thank you, Lyra Selene, for such a beautiful story.

Ever since the Fae Romance trend started I searched for one that respected the Irish mythology instead of cherry-picking from different cultures around Ireland, Wales, England, Cornwall, and Scotland. I wanted to read this as my continual quest to look for good Fae romances. I found it. At least this series treats the mythology and use of stories with respect. Now, don't worry, this is easy to follow, full of angst and spice (good spice too).

Fia is a changing and in this retelling, they go with the modern look of changelings, that they are the Fair Folk's young that are left when humans are taken. Fia is a child of two worlds because of this and it's refreshing to have a female character who is beautiful, charming, and cruel. The only character who feels one-dimensional is Rogan, but I felt early on he was doomed in several ways.

If you're looking for a less fluffy ACOTAR and want the complexity of Cruel Prince with on-the-page spice, this book is perfect. I know I'm adding the next book to my TBR once it's released. I don't know where the book needs to go from here, but I have enough questions at the end to be excited about it.

Now, there is a reason why this book is 4 stars not 5. I'm a stickler for my 5 stars. Books in that level need to change me fundamentally. This was a solid read. I am continuing with the series. But I did get annoyed with Fia and Rogan's relationship. It was a little too much whiplash in them going 'are we going to say screw you to fate or not'. I didn't enjoy that but could ignore it and get to the parts I enjoyed.

I read this as an ebook, but I'm buying a physical copy once it gets to the store! I need it for my trophy wall!

A wickedly engrossing and alluring addition to the explosion of fae-romantasy genre! I am in awe of the world that Lyra Selene has created. Reimagining Black Swan by means of Celtic mythology is tremendously refreshing and something I have never seen! With exquisite worldbuilding and a lyrical writing style, Lyra kept me so in love with her story. I'm obsessed with Fia's efflorescent botanical magic. It's unique and dangerous and utterly beautiful at the same time. As a character, she's very bold, a little naive, but still quite a force. Her relationship with her ex-beau turned quest companion is... something! No spoilers here!

There’s so much going on in this book. It’s a first in an expected trilogy and certainly has so much opportunity for expanding the world even further; Lyra is clearly not afraid to create expansively and toss plot twists like crazy.

All around, exceptional book and very excited for the sequel(s). Recommend for new adult / romantasy readers, and fans of SJM, Carissa Broadbent, Holly Black.

Thanks to Orbit Books and Netgalley for the opportunity to review this ARC

(review to be shared publicly closer to release date)

This book was a such a wild ride of hit and miss for me.

On the upside, it was the definition of a page turner. I keep reading "just one more chapter" and downed the whole thing in two days. On the other hand, eeeeeeeverything felt projected and I was consistently frustrated by the MC's naivety. The mother was practically singing Mother Knows Best from Tangled. The missing princess was sus from the beginning. And the best friend/love interest ? I genuinely have no idea why the two of them liked each other, besides the fact that we're told (constantly) how much they do. Finally... wasn't Fia supposed to be some sort of super assassin with extensive training, etc.? Because we basically never see that play out on the page. I can go on, but there was a lot of bleh to be had here.

All that being said, I love a fae realm story, I really enjoyed how it drew on folklore and mythology, and like I said, I was invested (even if I was bugged). I'd describe the whole thing as "ACOTAR lite" so if that sounds like your jam, then right this way.

I’m OBSESSED with this. Big thanks to Orbit & to Netgalley for letting me read this e-arc! I loved the tension and intrigue of this book and the characters! I’ll leave a longer review closer to release date. Fingers crossed we get some special editions of this book, like Fairyloot or Owlcrate.

Easily one of my favorite reads of the year. The emotions this book brought out in me. I can’t even put it into words. I was sad, excited, happy-punching pillows (yes, dramatic but perfectly reasonable when it comes to this book). I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The world-building, dynamic characters, the twists, and overall journey it leads us on. The writing was enchanting, and it read like an adult storybook if that makes sense.

A romantic fantasy that tells the story of a defiant changeling, a stolen/cursed sister, a betrothed prince, and a dangerous fae lord. Fia is a changeling that was left behind in a stolen princess's place during a war between the humans and Folk. She’s raised as a weapon in a human palace that will always despise what she is. Fia is tasked with retrieving her cursed sister (breaking said curse) alongside a prince whom she loves but could never have, while also stealing from the dangerous fae prince that keeps her sister captive.

This book physically and emotionally broke me. I was hooked from the moment I met Fia, and I could not put it down. The back of my eyelids at 3AM served as my bookmark and as soon as I woke, I had the book back in my hands. Fia is a BAMF with a heart wrenching story, and I couldn’t help but feel for her. JUSTICE FOR FIA. She was looking for love in a place that could never accept her and with a prince that was promised to someone else. It’s a journey of self-acceptance amidst a setting riddled with lies and deception.

The plot twists in this book had my jaw on the floor. I never saw them coming and it's one of those books where when it's explained, the evidence was in front of you the whole time but it's so subtle that it's hard to catch so when it is finally revealed you’re left squealing.

Also, the fae lord, Irian. I have cuteness aggression when it comes to this dangerous fae male. I want to squeeze the life out of him. He just delivered on so many levels.

There are quotes that will forever live rent free in my mind. Fia’s character growth was satisfying. The changes in her mindset toward the end of the book had me cheering for her. I can not wait for the second book. I wanted book two like yesterday but sadly, this book doesn’t come out until March 12, 2024. Put the date in your calendars people, preorder if you can because this is a book you don’t want to miss.

This book is my new obsession. I absolutely loved the world and the characters. It was a fun take on a fae romance. Definitely picking up a hard copy for my library when it releases!

A promising start to a new fae fantasy series, featuring a half fae, half human girl trying to get her sister back from Tir Na Nog (land of the fae) and her adventures along the way. This book contains a very lyrical, descriptive writing style so if you like that then I recommend picking this up! I did struggle a little bit with this one sadly, I found the plot to be lacking and stilted in places so took me longer to finish. Overall 3.5 stars.

A familiar story type with an incredibly fun world and deep mythology. I'd definitely recommend this for Rachel Gillig and Hannah Whitten fans.

Oh my gosh??!! Five stars. FIVE STARS. I just finished this novel and I'm staring at the wall numbly like... that's the end? It was beautiful, tragic, wonderful, heartbreaking. All of the things. I don't even have words right now to describe how much I tragically ADORE this book!!! I am floored! Please don't change a thing, because it truly doesn't need it. Holy crow. SO so happy with this novel, wow!! I haven't read something quite like this is some time. Thank you so much for allowing me to read this, I am blown away.

Rating- ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4.5/5
Fia is a changeling left in the place of the Queen’s daughter, trained to be nothing more than a weapon. With the weakening of the gate between realms, the Queen orders Fia and childhood friend Prince Rogan to venture into the fae realm and save her daughter. Fia quickly learns that everyone’s motives are not what they seem, and she must learn to trust herself despite what she’s been conditioned to believe. Her mission is compromised by her feelings for both Rogan and Irian, the dark fae lord holding Eala captive.
“For anyone who has ever doubted if they were the main character in their own story. You are.”
First of all, wow. Lyra Selene had me hooked right from the dedication. A Feather So Black is a romantasy based on celtic mythology that gives off a dark fairytale vibe. The lyrical writing, the imagery, the lore; it’s all there. You can tell the author put a lot of thought into writing this book. Fia is an underdog who accepts her fate as being a tool in someone else’s story and I instantly found myself rooting for her. Her story is a beautiful tale of self discovery and acceptance. The characters in this story are so complex and I was absolutely here for it. I found myself not sure who to believe or who to like and was shocked at the revelations made throughout. The love triangle between Fia, Rogan and Irian is a dynamic I didn’t know I needed. I wish I could add all the quotes I have highlighted in this book, the writing is just so well done. Thank you to NetGalley and Orbit Books for the advance reader copy!
“I was made of earth and sky and endless waters. I was made to be loved fully, or not at all.”

I am speechless... this book was magnificent! What a refreshing story, I am going to be impatiently waiting for the next.

Fans of Carissa Broadbent will enjoy this new fae romance and the relationships in its pages. I enjoyed the Swan Lake references and the banter of the mc and her broody male, but it did read at times more YA than adult. Overall fun and quick read!

This book was very good. The romance was very well done and it kept me interested the whole time. The world building was very well done.

Sublime! The writing is riveting! The first half of the book is jammed back with amazing banter, tense romance, a delightful dose of spice. So many fabulous quotes! Pretty sure I found a Swan Princess reference at least once, which is a childhood favorite. I got serious ACOTAR vibes at the start. And even that random guy she owes a kiss too, I want to see him come back into play! Fia is dreadfully naive, but to me that makes sense for a changeling who doesn’t know her past and has very little contact with outsider.
I LOVED the mental struggle that Fia goes through. I really didn’t know who she should trust, if anyone! Corra reminded me of Peeves from Harry Potter except helpful.
Dislikes: Lots of Celtic words. It was immersive, but my brain hurts. You don’t really gather much of the politics of the Fae realm. They try to explain it at the wedding, but it ends up more confusing and jumbled than before. Everyone just hates Irian, I guess? I am eager to see how book 2 pans out and elaborates on what we’ve learned thus far.
The overall vibe is a 5/5. World Building and Logistics: 3/5.
There was too many little pieces here and there that just didn’t fit. The execution just wasn’t up to snuff for me and left more lingering questions than there are answers. Eala’s character just feels off for someone who was kidnapped at nine. Then there’s the random feathers in the mortal realm. And the fact that Ronan and Fia are staying at the fortress for months on end when there’s an actual castle only a day away seems a bit unnecessary. Also, Ronan is just off doing his own thing far too often and no one questions it.
The more I let this one sit with me, the less I feel about the solidity of the world building. It had ACOTAR vibes but the execution just missed the mark. Give me 50 more pages of explanations and I’d be good.

I was very excited to start a "feather so black" but was very disappointed the beginning was extremely confusing and everything was all over the place halfway through i was still extremely confused and wasn't sure what was going on. the world building was not well thought out and all the important information was all in the first ten pages it was to much information to rember at the start of a book i didn't enjoy this book as much as I wanted to

Twelve years ago, during a war between humans and the Fair Folk, children were taken by the Folk to their world and in their place Fia was left. A changeling with no memory of how she got there. She grows up in the care of the Queen and forgets being the Queen's greatest weapon.

The problem with a love triangle is that you need to have balanced sides. When you want to chuck one side of a cliff (or I guess in this case to the viscous swans) it doesn’t make for a good sort of back and forth.

I will never ship a relationship that has one character using a pet name that mocks a character's existence. “Changeling” is a part of who Fia is but not what she is. Every single time Rogan called her that instead of her name I just wanted it to be over. The saving grace was the morally grey villain that eventually starts to make up the other side of this very lopsided triangle. It’s a great day when the morally grey villain is the only redeeming character in a book. At least it is for me. I love a villain origin story and well this is not it, it’s still a great reminder that bad actions can be taken for great reasons and now everything or everyone is how they appear… except for the rest of the supporting cast. They are all the schmucks I thought they were.

I loved Fia’s powers. Tired to the earth with both pros and cons there was an emphasis on balance, a lesson which can be applied to her actions beyond that of magic.

I think fans of Hannah Whitten will very much enjoy this one. It gives me Foxglove King with a touch of Holly Black vibes.

Thank you to Orbit for providing an advanced reading copy through NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

"Perhaps I would deliver him oblivion. Or perhaps I would deliver him salvation. He didn't matter. It only mattered that I save my kingdom, my queen, my sister...and perhaps even myself."

Did I trip over the pronunciation of half the words in 'A Feather So Black'? Absolutely. Did I refuse pause to consult the glossary because that would mean I would have to stop reading? Also yes.

Adoration is the word for how I feel about this book. Fia, Irain, Corra, Rogan—they're all these multifaceted flawed, lovable characters, vividly penned and feel so real. The book's reveals may not have totally shocked me, but the journey with these characters? Worth every unpronounceable word.

It was a little long and sure, I would have loved more spice, but regardless, five stars.