Hello Book friends!

Today I’m reviewing A Feather so Black by Lyra Selene. In this debut adult fantasy romance we follow Fia a changeling fostered by a human queen, honed to be an unfeeling weapon. Burdened with the quest to save her cursed sister, and defeat a fae lordling who holds her sister captive.

It’s been a good while since I’ve read a fantasy romance that kept me utterly captivated. Where I ignored the world around me, hiding in my room, so I could get one more chapter in. You know those books that keep you up until the wee hours of the night, consuming your every thought as you plunge into a lush and enchanting new world that you never want to leave? Well get ready to be fully immersed in a world filled with deception and trepidation.

Now, let’s chat about the book itself. As a history buff, I love when authors use folklore or mythology as their backdrop for their prose. Painting in vivid dazzling colors a world you can so easily find yourself stepping into and getting lost in the magic and loveliness, beguiled by the hum of the stories beating pulse.

I hands down love this book. Enemies to lovers romances has always been a favorite of mine, though I have to be honest, I'm never a fan of love-triangles. It worked in this story, but I still sigh when it's used. Another aspect of the book that I craved was to see Fia show her heartless qualities a bit more when she enters the fae world. I felt we needed to see Fia as that honed weapon, similar to how we see Celaena Sardothien in The Throne of Glass series. I loved the romance, but I felt Selene didn’t do Fia’s character full justice in her capabilities of being an assassin.

A Feather so Black checks all the right boxes of Celtic folklore, enemies-to-lovers, and a mesmerizing magic system, fantasy romance readers will be lured into a tale of yearning, betrayal, and seductive romance. Simply put, a book you should absolutely preorder. With lush writing, an enchanting magical system, and a story that will have you devouring each and every page and leave you aching for more when you get to the end.

Happy Reading ~ Cece

An adult fantasy with notes of Swan Lake and a love triangle with a toxic golden prince and a dark-haired shadow boy. This should appeal to both spicy romance fans and readers of more serious fairy-tale retellings.

It’s an intriguing read, but the plot and magic does become quite confusing by the end. You may also need to glance back at the glossary. However, I fell for the character Fia, and even Rogan, though more time in the fairy realm would have better served Irian and Fia’s relationship development with him. It came off a little instalove for me. We didn’t need as much time spent in the human world.

"I was made of weeds and dark water and unbreakable ice. I was not made to lose."

Wow. Just...wow.

Thank you to Lyra Selene, Net Galley, and Orbit Books for letting me read the ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. What made me request this ARC (other than I love a good Swan Lake retelling) was the author's own review on Goodreads. She called this 'the book of her heart.' I found that really compelling and I have to admit, this book was really beautiful.

I picked Thanksgiving Day to crack this one open and I gotta confess that I fell into it and wasn't really emotionally present for my family. This ended up being a hella page turner! Initially, I wasn't sure I was going to be able to get into it. The first couple of chapters felt hurried, a little too smart for me, and were jam packed with a whole lot of winding character information. I was overwhelmed. I prayed for an Ice-T SVU moment, where someone comes in and says something like, "You mean to tell me..." and then breaks down everything important that happened into layman's terms. I'm so glad I didn't put it down though! Me and google figured out the celtic lore and language- and I made it to Chapter 4, where the story begins to slow down and focus. That's where I was able to fall into it and by Chapter 10- it was so GOOD. So, I guess that makes this book a little bit of a slow burn, in my opinion, but worth it.

So many sentences in this book were absolute botanical word porn. I didn't know that I needed that in my life. It was captivating. All the things that Fia is made of- it wasn't hard to feel that insane imagery and the strength behind the words. Nature is woven into and around her seamlessly- her feelings, movements, and thoughts. It's gorgeous. Plus, all of the weapon analogies. There were a couple that I added to my Pinterest tattoo folder.

What shot this to a 5 star read for me though was the bad guys. They are damaged and shaped by what it took to overcome the world around them. And yet, even though they were understandable, they were also so wickedly cunning and manipulative that I really stayed stressed out throughout the book.

This book is set to publish March 11, 2024. If you like stories about the fae, swan lake, love triangles, angst, magic, and heroism- you gotta check this one out.

Thank you NetGalley and Orbit Books for this ARC!

I picked up this ARC anticipating it to be a beautiful, memorable fairytale—plot twist, this book a *masterpiece*. A Feather So Black is a striking rendition of a traditional fae ramantasy, but with vines, teeth, and tangles. This book is steeped in Celtic mythology, and unforgettable creatures that will ensnare you under the terms of a bargain to be eternally entwined in a forest of twigs, brambles, and marigolds.

The premise: the High Queen sends Fia, our stabby, thorny, changeling FMC, on a quest to rescue her human counterpart sister that she was switched with, Eala. Fia is destined for chaos when she’s sent alongside her first love and Eala’s betrothed, Rogan. The unfinished story of the prince and the changeling remains ashes to a flame. Rogan and Fia venture to break the princess from a vicious curse, in which she’s bound to the body of a swan by day and only assumes her human form by night.

Lyra Serene’s prose is lush, a whimsical and enchanting voice akin to the likes of Hannah Whitten, Holly Black, and Shelby Mahurin, but the storytelling is still fresh and intriguing. The realm she’s created is a familiar shade of fae, but the narrative is striking—full of twists, intricately woven dips and turns, fully-fleshed out characters, and the thrumming heart of a forest beneath it. Serene takes an already absorbing story and writes the marrow out of the bone. Ugh, it really is THAT GOOD!

Tropes romantasy readers will love:

- Enemies to lovers
- Friends to lovers
- A charming, mystical sprite!
- Fae parties, bargains, and weddings
- A rusty, old library
- Enchanted greenery, forests, and gardens
- An FMC full of forest magic
- A shadow, secret-filled Fae

I sincerely hope that EVERYONE picks up this book next year! A Feather so Black has secured Lyra Serene as an auto-buy for me! A must-read for all romantasy readers.

A Feather So Black is your new favorite fairytale! Told in the same dark and atmospheric vein as Rachel Gillig and Hannah Whitten, this story is sure to pull you into its dreamlike and dangerous world.

I loved the inclusion of Irish folklore and mythology - to me those are the truest and original fairytales. This story manages to combine all the fantasy, romance, and subtle darkness found in the most beloved Grimm’s fairytales while giving the MC the sharp edges and wit to be her story’s own hero.

This was achingly romantic, full of stories, and included themes of first love, betrayal, sisterhood, motherhood, sacrifice, and secrets. I cannot wait to see what happens next!

Thank you to NetGalley and Orbit Books for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

A Feather So Black layers grit and desire. It is a story of dirt, feathers and creatures, all a live wire. Fans of fae stories with warring sisters and plenty of steam will love this adult fantasy debut from Lycra Selene. Are you looking for your next Rhysand? Irain is it, and A Feather So Black is here to deliver!

Fia, a changeling with fae gifts, is raised as a daughter to the Queen until her childhood friend can recover the true princess from fae lands. Playing a pretend life has left Fia devoted to the ones who have turned her into a blade until she feels warmth and belonging in her homeland.

Fia's story is one of acceptance and what it takes to overcome our past beliefs. As she journeys further into the land of the fae on her quest to rescue her sister, she runs into that common problem so many heroines face: is she the rescuer? Or has she been a captive her whole life until now?

"A Feather So Black" by Lyra Selene transports readers to a world brimming with perilous magic and moonlit forests, where a defiant changeling takes center stage in a seductive romantic fantasy. Fia, a rare changeling left behind by the Fair Folk, is raised by the queen and trained as a spy. In a kingdom where magic has waned, Fia's fae blood is both a gift and a curse.

The story unfolds when a hidden gate to the fae realm is discovered, prompting the queen to task Fia with a mission to retrieve the kidnapped princess Eala and break her curse. Accompanied by Prince Rogan, Fia's childhood friend and Eala's betrothed, the journey takes them through enchanted forests where magic winds through the roots of the trees and beauty conceals danger.

As Fia navigates her quest, she finds herself torn between her feelings for Prince Rogan and an unexpected attraction to the dark-hearted fae lord, Irian, who holds Eala captive. Irian, though seemingly more monster than man, connects with Fia in ways she never expected.

The narrative weaves together themes of love, loyalty, and the struggle to unravel the truths of the past. Fia's internal conflicts add depth to the story, making it not just a quest to save a cursed princess, but a journey of self-discovery. With time ticking away, Fia must confront her emotions and question the true nature of her mission, as unraveling the secrets of the past threatens everything she holds dear.

In "A Feather So Black," Lyra Selene crafts a world that enchants readers with its magical landscapes, complex characters, and the timeless allure of romance intertwined with the threads of fantasy. The novel promises a blend of adventure, intrigue, and the enduring power of love in the face of darkness.

DNF at 22%

I had a feeling this would be like Folk of the Air or A Court of Thrones and Roses, but I wasn't sure, so I requested it. Unfortunately, new adult romantasy is really hit or miss for me and although I think this book incorporates more traditionally Celtic versions of fairy lore and may, therefore, be a little more interesting, when I got to the male fae love interest having tattoos (again, really?), I decided to stop right there. I could already see where this was heading and it's not anywhere I wanted to be. Fia's adoptive mom is also highly emotionally abusive and I assume much of Fia's personal journey will be about escaping that toxicity. Due to personal reasons, I am not interested in that story right now. Thanks for the opportunity to read, I may come back to this someday!

I loved this book! The book was an amazing journey in which Fia had to discover her true nature and choose who she wanted to trust and which path to take. The author's writing style was beautiful. The book does have a love triangle, which I typically do not like. However, I thought this book did an excellent job with it. Overall I cannot wait for the next book to come out and will definitely be preordering a physical copy of this book!

Thank you to NetGalley and Orbit Books for sending me an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Once there was a princess who was destined to wed a prince, except one night she was taken and a changling was left in her place.

Fia does not remember who she was before waking up in the princess’s bed at 8 years old. The queen lost one daughter and chose to accept her as another. When the queen sends Fia on a mission to the faeland to rescue the princess, Fia would do anything for her adoptive mother, even go on a mission with the boy she loved to rescue his betrothed. Because happily ever afters are for princes and princesses, not changling girls with thorny hearts and bloody hands.

Utterly captivating. I could not put this book down. It was so lovely. The writing was lush and lyrical. I loved the magic and the descriptions. I really loved Fia. I think the author did an excellent job of having flawed characters. I think they felt authentic. Everyone’s motivations made sense and were well developed.

The writing style is similar to Rachel Gillig or Hannah Whitten. It feels like a dark fairytale, which is something that I absolutely love. I will one hundred percent be impatiently waiting for it to release so that I can have a physical copy. It was so good.

4.75/5 stars

Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this in exchange for an honest review.

A Feather So Black is the story of a girl's journey to finding self-acceptance and self-love. It's a story of love and magic, of family and wickedness, of power and greed, of princes and princess and changelings and monsters. And it's BEAUTIFUL. The prose, the character development, the world-building. It was dark and atmospheric, but also cozy and magical. The author's choice of words when she's writing about how a character is feeling was so beautiful (I literally could not stop highlighting my favorite quotes throughout the entire book). The love interests in this story were done in a way that I wasn't sure who I was supposed to be rooting for. The FMC had a genuine connection with both of the MMCs, with good chemistry and banter. Which I find is rare, usually when there is more than one love interest there is a clear distinction of who she should/shouldn't be with but throughout the story I could see our FMC with either choice. There was a perfect balance of fantasy and romance, making this one of the best, most swoon-worthy fantasy romances I've read in a long time. I'll be quietly screaming from the mountaintops for anyone listening to read this book. If I haven't already convinced whoever is reading this review to read this book, please enjoy some of my favorite quotes in hopes of swaying you further:

"I thought you were tanaiste of your Sept."
"Your mistake, to think of me at all."

"I have eviscerated men for less."
"Good thing I am no man."

"A friend once told me our lives are like a great lake... Each moment in time is a stone tossed in the water. Our memories are the ripples, washing over us until at last they fade. The bigger the moment, the stronger the ripple."

"I thought I might not mind oblivion, if you were the one to deliver it." (ARE YOU KIDDING ME!?)

"I was made to be loved fully, or not at all."

"But he does not deserve you."
"Why do you say that?"
"Because you love him, yet he is wooing her... If I had your heart, I would not be dancing with another."

"Another time, I might have let them live. But they tried to hurt you. So I killed them all."

"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."

Swooning yet? I already want to reread this. A million thank yous to NetGalley for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review! This will be all I can think about for a while.

I think I’ve found my new obsession.

This book was stunningly magical with such heavy influences from Celtic folklore and a strong dash of Swan Lake. I adore this author’s writing style. It was so magical and wondrous, and she wove such a beautifully mythical tale.

I loved the characters. Fia is such a powerhouse, raised to be one thing, destined to be another. Irian was sin wrapped in soft downy feathers.

While this is part of a series, I am incredibly glad we had a bit of closure for some of the story. I am genuinely excited and intrigued to see what happens to the characters next and if those who deserve it get their true comeuppance.

I would say this is a good recommendation for fans of Throne of Glass by Sarah J Maas and Folk of the Air by Holly Black.

Thank you to NetGalley for sending me an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

A Feather So Black by Lyra Selene is a breathtakingly and heartbreakingly beautiful fairytale that weaves Celtic folkore with beloved stories like Swan Lake and the Twelve Dancing Princesses. It is an emotionally resonant fantasy that focuses on our main character, Fia, as she grapples with her purpose, her past, and who she wants to become.

A Feather So Black is a masterful exploration of self-love, sacrifice, and homecoming. Selene's writing was evocative and lyrical, drawing the reader into her lush world and complex characters. This dark fairytale was full of twists and romance and poetry that left me anxious for more.

Overall, this read is a must add to your TBR if you are interested in a well-crafted, timeless, folklore story that explores deep emotional themes. I can't wait for the next installment in this series, and I will definitely be purchasing the physical copy on March 12th!

Fia, a changeling raised by the Queen as a lethal weapon, finds herself on a mission with Prince Rogan to navigate the dangers of Tír na nÓg and rescue Princess Eala through the elusive thirteenth gate. Amidst the perils, including the formidable Lord Irian, Fia grapples with complex emotions directed at Rogan, Irian, Eala, her mother, and, most importantly, herself. The journey becomes a quest to discover her true identity and determine her path.

“A Feather So Black” by Lyra Selene was one of the best books I’ve ever read. It was absolutely perfect! I loved the lore of the Fae Folk being evilish and cunning instead of the Fae types of characters written in a lot of books lately. If you love Holly Black then this book is perfect. I liked everything about the story line; changeling, characters, relationships, imagery, all of it. I preordered a physical copy immediately after reading it. If I could give it more than 5 stars I would- it’s beyond perfect.