Loved it!!! This was so unique. An urban fantasy mixed with rockstar romance and fae, and Asian background. I loved it. I was pleasantly surprised. Also I did not need to read book 1 to read this. The story flowed so well. There was also a hint of spice which was nice since I’m a spicy book gal. I really hope she writes more. This series needs to be more talked about. I adored it so much! The romance and plot was evenly mixed to me. I enjoyed Roxana’s character so much and loved that she was a single parent and a metal working witch. The magic system was so cool. I really enjoyed this read and hope they make an audio version soon.

Added review on Amazon it has been submitted!

An interesting surprise with queer and LGBT yes.. I'm so happy that nowadays this is more and more normal, so Rafi a human born from a fae mom, also it's important to refer that faes here are very mean and wicked, lost his grandmother who was he's last connection to the human world that he wants so much to be a part of and then he meets Roxana a single parent and they start a friendship who leads them to love, she's on her way to move and he has to stay so together they formulate an idea that has two different ways to end up

Miryoku is a town that sits on the verge, the border between fae and human territory. Rafi is a mortal denizen, a form-changer, relative to the fire fae, part of a 90s cover band, and his human grandmother has died from the carelessness of the fae. Roxana is a metalworking witch, healing charms her specialty, and a single parent. They meet by chance and she fixes his instrument. The become fast friends, then fall for each other. Determined to stop the fae from hurting the townsfolk they come up with an idea that might just work or doom the town.

I was so excited to return to the world of Eidolonia for Lava Red Feather Blue was brilliant, one of my faves the year it came out. As the narrative draws you into this enchanting but dangerous world, it feels like an ethereal breeze that embraces you lovingly. It oddly but welcomely gives you that warm feeling of homecoming.

I loved the way the author describes things — giving you insight into the pictures in her head while sparking your imagination, so it can roar. There is a dreamlike quality to her descriptions and an eccentric flair to the vibrant details that constitute the worldbuilding. Her unique use of words can be simultaneously to the point and poetic.

You will enjoy seeing both sides to the protagonists' relationship. The POVs are wonderfully grounded in this fantastical world and both leads are so relatable and endearingly honest in their thoughts. There are shades of tenderness and loneliness and utter kindheartedness. The counterbalance is the selfishness and cruelty found in the faefolk. But like all fae folk are not bad, all humans are not good. You will feel your heart squeeze for what Rafi has to go through. Actually the book will make you feel so much.

A cheeky nature permeates this mostly beautifully paced story. There were a few instances where I wished things would come to fruition a little faster, and the pining, unfortunately, turned a little whiny. Then as the fae-human balance shifts and the political tapestry changes, tolerance and decency and the need for justice tint the story, as things get intense. The book then becomes beyond awesome. Also for fans like me of Lava Red Feather Blue, there are some wonderful little gifts. We are also rewarded with this tale ending up being a beacon of hope.

This book is about being yourself and accepting others for who they are. About doing what is right, challenging the so-called order of things. About respecting others and not taking advantage, even if you have more power. It also touches on themes of free will and control.

This is a story of quiet power but powerful just the same. A warm blanket and storytelling near the campfire, enticing and full of magic not only of the fae, witches, etc but also of relationships and humanity. Molly Ringle, I need more stories in Eidolonia.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing an e-copy of this novel!

This book is the second in a series but can be read as a stand alone. I had originally planned to read its predecessor (Lava Red Feather Blue) beforehand, but just never got around to it. On a whole, I would say this book stands well on its own. However, the last 20-ish percent kinda felt out of nowhere and I feel like that wouldn't have been the case had I read Lava Red Feather Blue first. I would call the majority of this book a cozy fantasy (maybe romantasy?). As it basically follows two characters as they fall in love and try to navigate a changing political climate. It's a slow, slice-of-life type narrative, until it suddenly isn't. If I had read its predecessor, I would have known where this story was going and wouldn't have felt so blind sided by the shift. I thought this book was written well and I liked the story, I just think I'm not really cut out for cozy fantasy.

In “Ballad for Jasmine Town” by Molly Ringle, the town of Miryoku offers ocean views, fragrant jasmine vines, and a thriving arts scene, despite sharing a precarious border with the fae realm. Rafi, born to a fae mother but longing to belong in the human world, faces prejudices and legal hurdles. After his grandmother’s death due to fae carelessness, his only human connection is through his nineties cover band—until he meets Roxana. A single parent and metalworking witch, Roxana repairs Rafi’s instrument string one summer night, sparking a friendship that grows into love. As Roxana plans to move away, they must confront the fae dangers threatening Miryoku and devise a plan to protect their town, risking everything for a chance at peace and love.

Because of the excellent world-building, you’ll be happy to discover references to your favorite characters, magical systems, and locales in both volumes, regardless of the order you read them. I adored that this companion book gave us additional magic—both in terms of scientific reasons and mystical, individual interpretations. The author included genuine difficulties and conflict, even though this is a fantasy novel, which made the plot feel very accessible.

All in all, I enjoyed reading it and thought it was a good modern fantasy. Despite not having read the series’ first book, I didn’t feel as if I was missing anything. There’s enough information up front so you won’t have any trouble following along. Because of the author’s vivid descriptions, it is simple to picture and immerse oneself in the environment and people. I’d want to read more from this author because the narrative was so good.

This was different than expected but not in a bad way. Although it covered some intense topics there seemed to be a lightness which made it feel cozy! I wasn’t immediately captivated by the writing style and it was kind of underwhelming at times. I would like to read this again after reading the first book to gain more perspective. I gave it a 3.5/5 rounded down to a 3. I’d recommend this to anyone who is interested in a cozy urban fantasy that still has some substance to it! I also want to mention that I am a mood reader and at the moment urban fantasy is not at the top of my list so this rating could change!

“I will grieve with you, I will rage with you, I will stay quietly with you, I will do whatever you need. I will be with you.”

Queer fantasy featuring witches, a magical island, evil fae, and family/community feels? Count me in!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing access to a digital copy.

I gotta clarify, I didn’t read the first book in the series. That wasn't a problem in the end because we're provided with enough context to understand the story and the characters. But I think it's important to mention.

Loved the social commentary! The author handles heavy topics like racism and discrimination while thoroughly developing the magic system and creating a complex, layered world. That's no easy feat!

The romance was cute, and the relationship between the main pair has a very healthy, mature pattern of "we work through our issues" that I appreciated. Though I gotta say, the chemistry wasn't always sparking for me. But hey, perception is a tricky, very personal little monster. So, who knows?

Also, I think it's important to mention this is a slow-paced story. Pas de problème on my side, but I know this is relevant to some readers.

Overall an interesting reading experience with social and psychological insight, angst, "one for all and all for one", healthy romance and LGBTQ+ rep.

4.5 our of 5 stars

It has been amazing the way the author has kept me hooked in this story, she has a way of immersing you in the plot where you can't stop thinking about the adventure that is unfolding around you.

That combination between humans and fairies and the balance in a society has provided a great touch to the story, here following several characters we get into their struggles, goals and emotions, and it takes you on a roller coaster ride that you can't get off until the end.

I highly recommend the world the author has created and the diversity she presents in such an enjoyable and natural way.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this fabulous story.

#BalladforJasmineTown #NetGalley

I just returned from an adventure, feeling like I might not be entirely the same person. Witnessing this character's journey and growth has left me deeply moved. Getting to know all the characters has been both heartbreaking and enriching. Despite the emotional rollercoaster, I wouldn't hesitate to experience it all over again. The author skillfully weaved history into the narrative, making the story not only captivating but also educational. It felt effortless to immerse myself in their world, as if I were growing and learning alongside the characters. This book has undoubtedly earned a permanent spot on my recommendation list. However, now that I've finished it, I find myself in a reading slump, searching for a new adventure that can transport me like this one did. I'm afraid I won't find anything quite as captivating. Moreover, I'm anxious about the next book; how can the author surpass or even maintain the momentum of this one? I'm on edge, holding my breath in anticipation. I'm determined to acquire every version of this story as a token of gratitude for the journey it took me on. Thank you for sharing this remarkable story with me.

“I will grieve with you, I will rage with you, I will stay quietly with you, I will do whatever you need. I will be with you.”

“Ballad for Jasmine Town,” by Molly Ringle

I loved this book so much. The Fae in this book have a hard time; there are mental illness problems, and they are treated like second class citizens. One of the main characters is transgender but with a magical spin which was super unique. The Fae gets reincarnated when they die which was interesting. I liked that the book is about a Fae who is trying to fit in as a human in a human world. The romance was good and heartwarming. 5 out of 5 stars, so good. The cover is also beautiful.

-Fae
-Transgender
-Magic
-Musician
-Multi POV

Thank you for the ARC, Netgalley.

Ballad for Jasmine Town is the sequel to Lava Red Feather Blue, but what I didn’t realize until about 75% into the book was that it was the same timeline/started earlier as LRFB and not a story of the aftermath.

In LRFB, the town of Miryoku gets destroyed by Ula Kana and other faerys following her. This book shows the town before this happened and the events leading up to that destruction.

We follow the story of Roxana, (a single mom and an exo-witch who infuses metals with magic) and Rafi (a half fae/half human that was raised in the fae realm by his mom and his terrible dad).

It was interesting to see the events of LRFB from a different perspective. I thoroughly enjoyed the slow burn of Rafi and Roxana’s romance. And we did eventually get a little crossover at the end from some LRFB characters but overall it wasn’t as exciting as I’d hoped. The middle and end of the book dragged on and the ending was very underwhelming.

I, honestly, loved it. Anyone who likes soft romance and political novels will definitely love it.

Thank you Netgalley and Central Avenue Publishing for the ARC.

Thanks to NetGalley and Central Avenue Publishing for the eARC! This is my honest review.

Molly Ringle guides the reader through a world of magic, fae folk, and danger in her novel Ballad for Jasmine Town. This is, technically, the second book in Ringle’s Eidolonia Series, but functions as a standalone novel. I have not read Lava Red Feather Blue, the first book in the series, and did not at all feel out of my depth or confused. I have, however, added it to my TBR based on how much I enjoyed Ballad for Jasmine Town!

This novel is set on the enchanted island Eidolonia, which is inhabited by both humans and fae, in the border town of Miryoku. Seated right on what is called “the Verge” - the border which separates the human and fae territories. In Miryoki - also affectionately called “Jasmine Town” by its inhabitants - the half-fae musician Rafi struggles to reconcile his unconventional childhood and youth in the fae realm with his friends, connections, and emotional ties to the human town, feeling like he doesn’t truly belong in either. Similarly, human witch Roxanna works to secure a fulfilling life for both herself, and her daughter Esther. Roxana and Rafi fall for each other and strive to build something they can hold onto in the midst of human/fae tension, a changing world, and a political climate that feels, at times, uncomfortably familiar.

Ringle handles themes of trauma, grief, friendship, and forgiveness deftly, while crafting a world that balances on enchanting and dangerous. It’s a world that I want to spend more time in, hence my adding Lava Red Feather Blue to my TBR.

My chief…I don’t know if I’d even call it a ‘complaint’ per se, but I suppose the one aspect that didn’t quite work for me was that the last portion of the book didn’t quite work for me. Once Rafi and Roxana and Miryoku’s story is largely wrapped up, we, the audience, get a crash course through major events (or, at least a handful of major events) of Lava Red Feather Blue so that we can know the fate of The Big Bad and the general safety of Eidolonia. Frankly, I can’t think of how else Ringle could have handled it, and it might have only felt like a bunch of rushed, new information to me since I wasn’t familiar with the first book, but either way, the vibes didn’t quite match the rest of the novel.

I would absolutely not let this keep me from recommending Ballad for Jasmine Town to anyone else, though. I still loved the novel. I found its exploration of childhood trauma and falling in love as an adult to be insightful. I, once again, loved the world that Ringle has built in Eidolonia. The diversity and representation that Ringle writes into her world also feels very natural and comfortable, and, overall, I’m very excited to read Ringle’s first Eidolonia novel, and to keep my eye out for any new stories set in this world in the future.

Rafi is half fae/half human but counted as human due to his mortal nature. He’s lived his life flitting in and out of the fae world into the mortal world never quite feeling at home in either.

When his beloved human grandmother is killed by his paternal family of fae, he leaves the fae world for an extended period.

In the village of Miryoku, he makes friend, joins a band and begins a relationship with Roxana, a materials witch.

But Roxana is leaving town to further her education, their island is upheaval as a hate filled president takes charge, and a long asleep violent fae awakens to wreak havoc.

I loved the concept of found family, the magical realism and how the mortal and fae world existed side by side. The world building too a bit of time to make sense to me, but once it did I was all in.

I can see how someone would write this book with five stars. To put it simply, this is a very well written book about two people healing from personal traumas with support from family and friends. The world is very well built and charming. I enjoyed both the fae and human parts of the world. I felt like both parts and the conflict between people was carefully presented. The author did well to show both sides of the conflict and how different actions are perceived. The depiction of fae was definitely less human than some other books. The characters are also very well written and diverse. The main characters’ relationship was cute and healthy (or if not, they worked through it). Personally, the book just didn’t click with me. It had a slower pace and was romance forward than I usually enjoy. I was waiting for the hinted at disaster but it didn’t come until much later. The style of writing was also not to my taste. I can’t point what I didn’t like, but it was just difficult for me to get into. Good book but not for me. Would recommend to someone looking for a cozy-ish romance read about healing and angst.

Spicy level: kissing and several vague sex scenes which last a few pages. All kisses and sex scenes are between adults.

Tw: mentioned of depression, mentioned of rape/forced pregnancy, described child abuse, mentioned murder of family member, scenes with verbal abuse, scenes with physical abuse, etc (this is a book about healing but there is gonna be a lot along the way)

For the record , the author says that you can read this book without reading the previous book of this series but I would not recommend. The last two chapters have major spoilers from the first book, including about the ending of the first. Again, this is an arc so it might be taken out. But I felt it was fair to warn people because if I had really enjoyed this book and wanted to read the first one, I would be disappointed.

I didn’t read book 1, but book two was very easy to pick up on. It was very inclusive and a nice read for pride month.

I absolutely loved this book! The author does a fantastic job of making sure that the reader understands the story without needing to read book one. I have not read the first book, but I really want to now that I've read this book. I love the world building and just how thoughtfully the author has approached creating a world that the reader can immerse themselves in. I love how complex she makes her characters and really creates characters that the reader can connect with, especially Roxanna and Rafi.

Any story about faeries are immediate must reads for me. I had not read the previous book in this same world 'Lava Red Feather Blue' but the author did a great job of making it easy for readers to read them separately and to jump in without prior knowledge. I absolutely loved the world building with this island where fae and humans mingle in this urban fantasy setting. Especially given the magical element of once you leave the island any memory of it fades from you. I fully appreciate that the author leaned into the element of fae that are tricksters that don't carry the same morals as humans as I just find it so much more interesting when they are so clearly inhuman.
The pace of the story itself was very slow which while not a bad thing I also unfortunately didn't grow as attached to the characters as I had hoped which made it more difficult to enjoy the more slow character driven moments.
Overall it was a fun read just more slowly paced.

📚Ballad for Jasmine Town
🖋️Author: Molly Ringle
📆Publication date: June 4
🖌️Publilsher: Central Avenue
🗂️Genre: Magical Romance

•ARC REVIEW•

4,5/⭐️

📌Summary:
“Ballad for Jasmine Town” by Molly Ringle is the second installment in the series “Eidolonia” and follows the story of Rafi, a human born to a fae mother, a mortal denizen of the fae realm, a form-shifter who aches to join the human world, but prejudices and legal tangles stand in his way. After the death of his beloved human grandmother at the careless hands of fae, his only connection to humans is the cover band he plays with—until he meets Roxana. The second protagonist is Roxana who is a dutiful single parent and a metalworking witch specializing in healing charms. When she meets Rafi one summer night and repairs an instrument string for him, they strike up a friendship that soon kindles into love. But she’s moving away from Miryoku at summer’s end, and Rafi must stay, determined to stop the fae who keep hurting townsfolk. Together, Roxana and Rafi formulate an idea that might tame the most dangerous offenders—or might only accelerate the doom of their hometown.

📌Review:
I read the book without having read the first one in the series and I was not disappointed. The author explained all the details in the book so I wasn’t lost. I loved the setting of the world and the characters. One main thing is you do not get bored with the world building as it may happen to a lot of books.

📌Thoughts:
I am thinking about reading the first book in the series to get the complete view.

Thank you NetGalley and @centavebooks for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

I found this book a little slower paced - which is in no way a bad thing! The writing was wonderfully descriptive and I enjoyed the world building. The characters were enjoyable and at times, relatable, as well.