While this is yet another fantasy novel centered around the treacherous world of the fae, I thoroughly enjoyed it. I love the stories that show the fae as tricky, not altogether "good", and this one fit the bill. It centers around a fae changling, Fia, as she attempts to rescue her sister from a world she knows very little about while discovering who she is at her very core. I thought it was very well-written, and I enjoyed the characters. While there is romance in the story, I liked that it felt more about HER and not an insta-love where he saves the day. I am absolutely looking forward to book 2.

Title: A Feather So Black
Author: Lyra Selene
Genre: Fantasy
Rating: 5 out of 5

In a kingdom where magic has been lost, Fia is a rare changeling, left behind by the wicked Fair Folk when they stole the High Queen's daughter and retreated behind the locked gates of Tír na nÓg.

Most despise Fia's fae blood. But the queen raises her as a daughter and trains her to be a spy. Meanwhile, the real princess Eala is bound to Tír na nÓg, cursed to become a swan by day and only returning to her true form at night.

When a hidden gate to the realm is discovered, Fia is tasked by the queen to retrieve the princess and break her curse. But she doesn’t go with her is prince Rogan, Fia's dearest childhood friend—and Eala’s betrothed.

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 loved this! I enjoyed Fia’s point-of-view so much: how she feels like she never fits in and she doesn’t really understand a lot of things but keeps trying her best anyway. I never liked the queen or Eala at all, and I wish Fia had been more observant when it came to both of them.

Rogan was likable enough, although I frequently wanted to smack him. Irian, I liked him from the beginning. Who doesn’t like a dark, handsome, mysterious, powerful stranger? I enjoyed this world and the bits of history sprinkled in it, and the magic and cultures were fascinating to me. Can’t wait to read more!

Lyra Selene lives in New England. A Feather So Black is her newest novel.

(Galley courtesy of Orbit Books in exchange for an honest review.)

Beautifully Retold


Immersed in a captivating blend of Romance, Fantasy, and retellings, Lyra Selene's "A Feather So Black" has become a delightful discovery for me. The novel intricately weaves the timeless tale of the Swan Princess with a fresh perspective, narrated through the lens of a changeling Fae navigating the mortal world. While the narrative introduces characters that evoke genuine disdain, it is precisely this complexity that adds depth to the story.

Selene masterfully explores the theme of balance, depicting the poignant struggle that ensues when equilibrium is disrupted. The protagonist, Fia, grapples with the conflicting forces of her innate nature and her upbringing, a conflict that tugs at the heartstrings. Moreover, the exploration of her intricate relationships adds another layer of intrigue to the narrative.

One of the most intriguing aspects of the book is its alignment with the phases of the moon. Divided into sections corresponding to each lunar cycle, with distinct names and attributes assigned to them, the story unfolds primarily during the full moon of each month. This framework not only adds a unique dimension to the storytelling but also underscores the significance of celestial rhythms within the Fae realm. Additionally, the inclusion of excerpts from Fae poetry preceding each section enhances the immersive experience for readers.

Beyond its captivating narrative, "A Feather So Black" boasts stunning cover art that invites deeper exploration with its intricate details. As the first installment in a series, the novel leaves readers eager for more, hinting at a rich tapestry of stories waiting to be unveiled. While it concludes satisfactorily, the promise of further adventures ensures that the journey is far from over

Thank you Netgalley for my eARC of this book 4 stars are a must for this one.

I’ll preface this review by saying I’m a sixty year young reader that still loves a good fantasy story.
And I did love it… mostly.
Fia is a changeling, a replacement for the Queen’s natural daughter as punishment for a war against a magical realm. After years of effort, she has finally come to be loved by her “mother”, despite not being her “real” daughter. Or so she thinks.
Rogan is the prince that has been consigned to marry the Queen’s true daughter, thus joining their kingdoms.
Obviously, this is an adult fairy tale. A retelling of The Twelve Dancing Swans.
I was engrossed from page one and found myself reading far into the night, and at times when I should have been doing other things,
Fia’s elemental magic, her love for Rogan and her mother, all made this a very enjoyable story. And became even more so when they slip the barriers between the natural realm and the magical one, in the hopes of freeing the queen’s real daughter and bringing balance to the worlds involved.
But, of course, there can’t be a fairy tale without evil plans and conspiracies and magical romance.
I won’t go into detail for fear of spoiling some of the plot. I will go as far as saying that I really enjoyed the book, and I’m looking forward to the sequel.
I loved the character of Fia, all of the elemental magic in the “other” world, and I was intrigued by the dancing swans that turn back into real girls when the sun goes down. I liked Irian and found his character compelling and heart-breaking when you finally learn his story.
I dropped my rating to 4 stars because I never liked Rogan, and I found the romantic moments between himself and Fia to be mostly cringeworthy.
Be warned that this is not a story for younger readers. The sex scenes are on the verge of being graphic, and some of the scenes involving animals are painful to read if you’re an animal lover.
A solid 4. Honestly, this would have been a cover buy for me. Loved it from the minute I saw it. And I’m anticipating the sequel because, while the story doesn’t really end on a cliffhanger, there are some plot lines that need to be tied up to make it a fully satisfying read.

Twenty years ago, Queen of Fódla, Eithne Uí Mainnín’s husband was murdered and her daughter was stolen by the Fair Folk, alongside eleven other girls. Only Eala was replaced by a live changeling named Fia, who looks just like the stolen princess, but is not quite human, for her blood runs green and black.

“..although I had been raised by Eala’s mother and wore Eala’s face, I was not Eala. Would never be Eala. Not in any of the ways that counted.”

Fia is strong and possesses green magic. She is raised by her adoptive mother, who reminds her that no one will love her the way that she does, and her lover Cathair, who calls Fia a witch and puts her through rigorous training sessions, to be a spy, a secret weapon, essentially.

“I was forged to be a weapon—raised to be strong, hammered to be hard, and whetted to be sharp. And weapons didn’t think. Weapons didn’t complain. Weapons didn’t love. They cut where they were aimed.”

In an attempt to gain Eithne’s love and prove herself trustworthy, Fia embarks on a quest with her childhood friend and prince, Rogan, to bring back Eala. The two must find a way to break a spell which turns her adoptive sister into a swan at night, and rescue her from Irian who keeps her captive in Tír na nÓg.

“Some say Tír na nÓg is a paradise. Others believe it to be a tortuous underworld.”

Phew. It’s a lot to unpack, and it certainly took me a lot of patience to try and really understand the world that this story takes place in. Not an easy feat, especially with over 30 Gaelic glossary words which I most certainly mispronounced in my head. However, it was worth the effort because this story was so beautifully written. It truly read like prose.

I liked Fia. I felt so sorry for her and everything that she’s endured in the upbringing that she had, and the ways that she’s been hurt by the people she loved.

I did not at all enjoy Rogan, and frankly found him to be annoying. Very indecisive and immature. He deserved what happened to him in the end. 😤

As for Irian, well, he certainly spiced the book up. This was a pleasant surprise, as I was not expecting this level of steamy scenes. He is dark, broody, mysterious and sexy in that dangerous way.

You will enjoy this book if you like fantasy, folklore, fairy tales, (somewhat dark) romance, love triangles, and enemy to lover trope.

Thank you to NetGalley and Orbit Books for a DRC in exchange for an honest review.

I read the reviews and expected to hate this, but I didn’t. I didn’t find it repetitive because different things happened each time, it wasn’t just copy and paste. I liked all the characters, and I thought they each added something to the story. It was a bit predictable, but after reading just the synopsis, I guessed certain things. It is just that type of book and I didn’t think it took away from it because the details weren’t known. How the FMC kept believing that her “Mother” loved her for so long was a but annoying, but I guess she was conditioned as a child. I am curious how this is going to play out in the second book. Especially if the wild magic is that corrupting.

Calling all Swan Princess fans and old-school fae fans, A Feather So Black is the perfect book for you. This book has luscious, atmospheric writing that will transport you to two worlds: one without magic and one full of trickster fae and dark, corrupted magic. Like Fia, you’ll find yourself falling prey to the dark seductiveness and beauty of Tír na nÔg.

The Swan Princess has always been one of my favorite fairytales. Growing up, I had the movie on repeatedly. I’ve been searching for a retelling of it for ages—and A Feather So Black did not disappoint.

This story is full of rich folklore, enchanting scenery, and complex morally grey characters. But, at its heart, this story is all about love. Romantic love. Platonic love. Familial love. And, most importantly, self-love. Fia, our main character, goes on a journey in this book. Her character growth is beautiful. Lyra Selene crafted her character arc beautifully. I was rooting for her the entire time.

If you’re unsure about reading this book, let the dedication sway you: “For anyone who has ever doubted if they were the main character in their own story. You are.”

Things to expect:
Swan Lake retelling with a dark twist
Love triangle but also kind of a love square
Celtic-inspired mythology
Enemies to lovers
Friends to lovers
Lyrical prose
Botanical magic 🌱

There are so many layers to this story. I really liked the emphasis on balance and what happens when equilibrium is thrown off. It was heartbreaking to see the push and pull between Fia’s nature and her upbringing. And don’t even get me started on her complicated relationships.

I was intrigued by the idea of a story that is bound to the phases of the moon. The book itself is split between each moon of the year, which is given its own name and attributes. The bulk of the action happens on the night of the full moon of each month. The rest of the time is either blurred or it feels like a waiting period. This was a really interesting framework, and I appreciated the way it shaped the story. I also liked that each section was prefaced by an excerpt of a poem about the Fae.

I adore the cover art! The more I look at it, the more details I notice.

Note: This is the first book in a series and although it ends in a good place, it’s clear that there is much more story to tell. The eBook includes a sneak peek of Book 2.

Rating: Loved It, 4.5 Stars, rounded to 5

A Feather So Black is Lyra Selene's adult debut. It is a retelling/reimagining of the Swan Lake fairy tale, and it is absolutely brimming with fae, magic, sharp edges, and eldritch forest vibes. I had a fantastic time with it, and I am eagerly anticipating the rest of this trilogy!

We follow Fia, the changeling child the fae left behind when they spirited away the High Princess, Eala. Fia has been shaped and trained to be the queen's assassin, a tool that has been honed by the queen and her druid, and she is given the chance to prove her value by breaking the curse on Eala and returning her home. She is also tasked with stealing away the treasure of the Sky Sept holding her hostage, and to return magic to the human realm. She is sent with Prince Rogan, Eala's betrothed and Fia's childhood best friend and first love, but Fia finds herself intrigued by the dark fae prince, Irian who wields the Sky Sword and holds Eala and 12 other girls hostage.

This book is dark and atmospheric. There is a gorgeous and somewhat eerie setting, curses, bargains, stories, tangled family dynamics, and enchanting prose. Overall, it is really Fia's journey of self-discovery. And I really enjoyed following Fia though her story. There is an air of mystery to everything as Fia discovers more about the fae world, the magic, the curse on the princess, and what exactly is at stake. She is willful, a little sharp around the edges, but so very earnest. I would say that she is definitely naive and makes some really terrible decisions, but it makes sense to me why she makes those decisions, so it didn't bother me.

I think that the weakest part is probably character development. I feel like we have a good understanding of Fia and who she is, but Rogan, Irian, and Eala who are probably the most prominent characters aside from her are less well-developed. Ultimately, that didn't bother me too much though. I will say that Corra, a little fae household beastie living in Fia's new home, was probably one of the best parts in terms of characters for me. There is a strong romantic element in this one, and that is a big part of the plot. There is technically a love triangle, but it wasn't an obnoxious one, I don't think. And Irian has major "who did this to you?" energy, but I'm always here for that.

I think that the thing I loved most about this book was the vibes. I would say that this is the closest I have felt to the way I felt while reading The Shepherd King Duology, which was just absolutely the pinnacle for me in terms of vibes. It is dark and eerie, and the botanical magic, and the monstrous Celtic inspired fae and beasties were absolutely on point.

I also think that the writing was beautiful. There were so many lines that I just wanted to sit in and enjoy. And writing is not something that I typically notice.

I think that the main thing that held me back from a full 5 stars was that the ending felt a bit rushed. I feel like we were moving along really well, and then all of a sudden all the things happened without the time to process it. Also, I just had no clue what happened in the very end, even after reading it twice. I didn't fully understand what was being conveyed until I read the sneak peek of the next book, which tells the same events from another perspective. That provided a lot more clarity, and I think without it, I would have been left questioning a lot.

So overall, I had a fantastic time, and I am really looking forward to continuing. Thank you to Orbit Books for an advance readers copy and to Netgalley for an eARC. A Feather So Black is available now.

Loved this book! To date I had yet to find a book about fea that I enjoyed, until now. I loved the dark atmospheric vibes of this book. It was based on Irish mythology but also was a retelling of the swan princess (but with a new twist).
The story focuses on Fia a changeling raised by a human queen whose daughter was taken by the fea (with Fia left in place of her) and her journey to rescue her human sister. Along with her childhood friend and first love Rogan, Fia travels to Tir na Nog.
I was captivated by the beautiful atmosphere and writing of this book. The characters were complex and interesting, and the story included a spicy love triangle! I enjoyed reading it, and am looking forward to reading the rest of this trilogy as it is released.

Fia is a changling that was left in the human world twelve years ago when twelve daughters were stolen into the Fair Folks’ lands after a brutal war. The High Queen in turn raised Fia to be her daughter and honed her to be a weapon who despised the part of herself that was of the Fair Folk. Fia’s greenmark made her different — her blade that was made to destroy, only worthy of a mother’s love. Now it is time for Fia to return to Tír na nÓg, beneath the light of a full moon, to save her human sister and restore power to the human lands. What will she find on the other side of the veil?

This was a great novel and an addictive variation on the much told story between human and faerie. I loved the banter between characters and how it shows Fia’s insecurities to the reader. This truly is a story of recognizing oneself and learning to love who you are and not how others see you. I also enjoyed the romantasy threads woven into the story as well. Definitely recommend this one - 5 stars.

Review based on a digital Advanced Reader’s Copy provided by Orbit Books and NetGalley. Thank you!

Book Name: A Feather So Black
Author: Lyra Selene

ARC
Thank you to NetGalley and Orbit Books, Orbit for an ARC A Feather So Black by Lyra Selene

Stars: 4
Spice: 3

First Book in Fair Folk Series
Cliffhanger
Slow Paced
FMC POV
High Fantasy

- Thoughts.
- Dark
- SLOW
- Very Descriptive
- Celtic Mythology
- Lots of Gaelic Words (almost annoyingly so)
- Love Triangle
- Abusive Relationship Dynamic
- Overcoming Trauma
- Swan Princess
- Dark Fae
- True Fair Folk Fae Vibes

Ok, what is this trend in not translating your words/giving them more context? This is the 3rd ARC this year who has refused to translate leaving the work for the reader. It does offer some immersion to have these terms or names but if they do not have context they just add a break in that immersion while I make my Kindle translate or Wiki it… Fail

That aside this Swan Princess Dark Fantasy is enjoyable and intriguing though very slow, if you like atmospheric fantasy than pick this up.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book about a changeling and the Celtic inspired world. I loved Fia’s botanical magic- but it isn’t the only magic. We do have a shadow-wielding fae as one of our love interests. The other love interest is a Prince, who is Fia’s childhood best friend and first love. The love triangle is kind of a square and I had my favorites early on.

This story is based on Swan Lake and has a darker feel, beautiful prose, and magic weaved throughout the pages. The end definitely left me wanting the next book and I saw this in planned to be a trilogy. I am looking forward to see where Lyra takes this series.

Thank you to Lyra and Orbit for the early read. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I loved this book so much. The fantasy, the lore, the plot, the character development. Everything! The author outdid herself. I cannot wait to read more!

This was very nice! While I'm not usually in it for the spice I loved the overall message of the book in terms of manipulation and learning to love one's self again after that abuse. It was magical and romantic and held a lot of wonderful prose. I think it was a great start to the trilogy and having that sneak peak of the second book gave me a lot of satisfaction.

ENCHANTING!

“But if Love demands alternation to exist, is it even love at all?”

•Swan Lake retelling
•Irish folklore
•Enemies to lovers
•FMC w/ botanical magic
•Wild wicked MMC
•Enchanted Forest
•Compelling villains
•Slow burn romance
•Love square?
•Magical creatures
•Betrayal

I took my time with this book and LOVED every second of it. I listened to the audiobook with my ears while reading the ebook with my eyes simultaneously, and I think it’s the best form of consumption. Trust me. This was filled with words I didn’t know existed.. did I know half of them? Absolutely not. Loved learning though. 😄 hopefully the glossary is in the front of the book when printed. (Not in the back please)

The author’s lyrically poetic prose had me enthralled. The world was so enchanting I never wanted to put this book down. Like Irían, I was “savoring” it.. 😏 all the magical creatures, mythology and Irish folklore woven throughout.. masterpiece.

“Liberate yourself from ideas of heroes and villains, good and evil, right and wrong. Here, we are all villains.”

The characters.. I fell in love with our kickass FMC with nature magic. 🥹 she was everything I wanted. Yes she could be silly and imperfect, but it just made me love her more. Her character arc is just.. perfection.

“She fell in love with the forest. She fell in love with the night. But she never-ever--thought to fall in love with herself."

Irian… ❤️‍🔥 wild, wicked, and dangerous. Just how I like em. Beastly beauty.

Corra! Corra had me ROLLING. I have oh so many highlights. Please read for Corra.

“Corra preformed a saucy little dance.”

The ending?! Gah. I need book two like now.

Also this was her debut? I’m sorry.. debut? Insanity. This is one of my top reads of 2024. All the stars. I want to start over and read it again.

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

This was an enchanting book. I finished it in one day at the expense of my to do list. I really enjoyed the Celtic mythology. Be warned there are many Gaelic words used and I didn’t know about the glossary in the back. It would have been less frustrating had I realized that was a reference.

On an interesting note, I feel like some of it is “Howl’s Moving Castle” coded, which was fun.

I felt the book started slow and I didn't immediately like Fia. For approximately the first third of the story I thought she was too abrasive, overconfident and lacking self reflection.
In the second half the plot picks up exponentially and I started to connect with Fia more.
I felt the comparison to The Cruel Prince was a disservice to the book. There are significantly less Fae present throughout the book, and the content leans more adult, where The Cruel Prince feels very younger YA.
The narrative style feels dull at times and the decision to spend such brief amounts of time in the fae realm when the majority of the plot is dependent on what happens there makes it hard to build emotional momentum. Due to the lack of time spent in that world, it also feels like the central romantic relationship is underdeveloped and less genuine.
I did really enjoy the dark vibes of the story and think the sequel has strong potential to improve.

Thank you to NetGalley, Lyra Selene, and Orbit for the opportunity to read this book early.

This was actually really freaking good! Such a great start to a new romantasy series. There was plenty of banter, heartache, tension and mystery. The world building was pretty amazing as well. Also a really unique sense of magic for the Fair Folk.

Fia is a changeling and was placed to take the place of the princess. She goes through so many changes over the course of the story, from her belief and confidence in herself to her beliefs of how the magic should be protected. I totally did not expect to cry within the first few chapters, but I did.

This was also pretty well paced. The beginning was a bit slower, just to help develop the world and magic. It did pick up quickly though and you are immediately immersed in the Fair Folk lands. I definitely think that this is worth the read!

I feel like A Feather So Black is what I’ve been looking for in terms of fae fantasy romance. It’s not all sexy people with pointy ears, this is a Celtic inspired realm with wicked fae bound to a strict code of give and take with their magic. This does have somewhat of a love triangle, so if you’re vehemently opposed to those, do keep that in mind when picking this up.
A Feather So Black follows Fia, a changeling who was swapped for the Princess, Eala, and then raised by the Queen as her own daughter. And by daughter I mean weapon, as Fia wields a powerful magic she calls her Greenmark, turning living things to creations of vegetation. The Queen ensured Fia’s Greenmark, along with the more mundane skills of death were honed. The Queen sends Fia, along with her childhood friend turned lover, Rogan, to the site of a hidden gate into Tír Na Nóg with the goal of freeing Eala and stealing a fae relic called the Sky Sword. Ostensibly, the magic of the sword will save the humans from plague, hunger, and the like while Eala’s return and subsequent wedding to Rogan will cement the kingdom’s alliance with Rogan’s father.
I was surprised to find that the time frame of the story stretches over at least a year’s time span. Because Rogan and Fia can only travel into Tír Na Nóg during a full moon, it does actually take quite a lot of time to ultimately attain their goals. While Rogan is trying to woo Eala and find a way to break her geas that turns her to a swan during the day, Fia is trying to find a way to get the Sky Sword from its master, a handsome tattooed fae name Irian. Yes, his appearance sounds very much like a love interest in a Sarah J. Maas book, but he’s presented in a much more magical manner. He and Fia begin with a bargain of exchanged stories about their past and experiences, told in a deliberately third-person style which I oddly enjoyed. Each full moon the two meet and even while Fia is trying to find a way to obtain the Sky Sword, she begins to fall for Irian.
Obviously since our characters only spend brief spans of time in Tír Na Nóg, they spend a substantial portion in the strange fortress they’ve taken to calling home. This I feel is where the real character development happens. Not much action is going on, but Fia is experimenting with her magic, restoring the gardens and greenhouse while also exploring the grounds. Rogan mostly seems to exist as an emotional roadblock for Fia because he can’t let her go and though he knows she isn’t meant for him, he continues to pursue her. I didn’t particularly care for him, though he did help to keep things interesting while the pair weren’t in Tír Na Nóg.
A Feather So Black was a darkly enchanting story with solid romance that felt earned, rather than a lusty insta-love situation like so many ‘romantasy’ books. This was definitely helped by the extended timeframe of the story and the important, slow moments where the characters can reflect on things rather than rushing from one crisis to the next. I particularly enjoyed the ending, which was not entirely unexpected, but was nonetheless impactful and set up nicely for a sequel. This is intended to be a trilogy, and I will be making space on my TBR for the second book once it’s released!