I really enjoyed this book! The writing was really good and the plot was well thought out. I would highly recommend this book!

A Kingdom of Souls and Shadows" by Leslie O'Sullivan presents an intriguing blend of fantasy and folklore set against the backdrop of Ireland. As Eala Duir delves into her grandmother's mysterious legacy, she finds herself entangled in a world of fae and ancient prophecies.

The Irish setting, rich with lore and language, adds depth to the story, immersing readers in a realm where folklore and reality intertwine. However, while the concept is captivating, I personally struggled to fully connect with the narrative. Despite my initial enthusiasm, the book ultimately didn't resonate with me as I had hoped.

Overall, "A Kingdom of Souls and Shadows" offers a unique and inventive premise, but it may not be everyone's cup of tea. Fans of Irish mythology and fantastical adventures may find much to enjoy, but for me, it fell short of expectations.

This is an interesting and unique concept for a book. I really liked the Irish setting, lore and language. I think that someone who had more knowledge of the Irish culture would probably get a lot more out of it. I also appreciated how the author put the correct pronunciations into the dialogue so I wasn’t left to my own (and definitely wrong) pronunciations. This was a sweet love story that crosses between urban fantasy and not. Sion and Eala have some miscommunications and complication in their journey, but overall I really loved them as a couple. I love the quest type journey that Eala joins Sion on.

Personally, I couldn’t really get into this book though. I really wanted to like it because it felt so unique to me and there were some spots throughout that kept my attention, but for the most part I was left wanting a little more. Dislike to lovers but very short on the dislike. There was a lot of side plot and information that kept getting kind of thrown into the story. Someone who is more engrossed in Irish lore would probably really like this book.

To me this book had a somewhat slow start but soon made it for it. It is a fantastical story filled with Irish lore. The bad guy isn't someone I suspected and that is always a plus. Great ending too!

I have mixed thoughts about this book... I really enjoyed reading it, and was hooked on the folklore element. However the ending felt a little anti-climactic, it was very sombre and I didn't feel an exciting conclusion.

3/4 of the way through I was loving it, but the final quarter left me just liking it.

I received this book as an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to Netgalley and City Owl Press.

A very interesting story with tons of Irish folklore. It took me a bit to get into the story as there was a lot of buildup to the adventure I was about to embark upon, but once we got there it was a whirlwind. I loved the author bringing legends to life and am excited to see where our adventure goes.

I received this book as an ARC read in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to Netgalley, the author, and the opportunity to read this book!

This was a fun read! It felt a little slow in the beginning, but there were enough twists and surprises near the end that made me want to come back for the second book when it’s released.

I enjoyed how the book began in modern times and then traveled back in time to different periods. That was fun!

Lots of Irish influences - a *little* annoying at times, but the author’s name is literally O’Sullivan, so I feel like she gets a pass this time lol.

I did have some issues with the MMC. I feel like his flaws kept getting exposed and the FMC would be done with him, and then suddenly that was overcome by “oh, well I’m just drawn to him.” I wish we saw more development/growth there. He’s a bit of a brute, but he has big potential to grow and I wanted to explore that more.

Overall, I’m excited to see where this series goes!

Thank you to City Owl Press for the ARC 🙏🏼

Found it a bit slow to begin with. However once it got going I really enjoyed it. This isnt. my usual genre for reading but would try more by same author.

I looked forward to reading this book. The cover is beautiful. The book started off slow, and the story just didn’t hold my attention. The author did an amazing job of describing the lush Irish country and Irish folklore. The characters just didn’t develop for me.

Synopsis:
All her life, Eala Duir, a young college professor, has skirted the edges of a fantasy world.

Visions of folk stories coming alive in hearth flames and vivid daydreams where carousel horses ride off to battle, drove Eala to pursue an academic life specializing in tales of the Fae.

When a cryptic message in her grandmother's will sends her to Ireland, Eala clashes with Sionnach Loho, an attractive, enigmatic local expert on folklore. After witnessing Eala's encounter with a ghost girl at an allegedly haunted castle, Sionnach reveals his own ties to the Fae realm. He insists Eala's ability to connect with the supernatural proves she's been sent to partner with him and fulfill a centuries-old otherworldly quest ordained by the mighty Finnbheara, King of the Connacht Fae.

As folktales and faeries collide with Eala's reality, she must decide whether to embrace the fantastic or flee back to the safe and predictable life she thought she always wanted.

Based on the reviews, many liked this book. It just wasn’t my cup of tea. I will leave it up to you to decide. The book will be released on March 19th.

Thank you to NetGalley, City Owl Press, and the author for the e-arc.

Very slow start into the magical world, took longer to fall in to this book as i personally felt like the beginning was dragged out longer than it should of been.

Once the story developed It ended up being a book I couldn't put down

I enjoyed all the Irish folklore, and how history ties throughout this book, the middle and end of the book where alot better then the beginning, towards the end there was many twists and turns that I didn't see coming, I loved the story behind the characters finding each other and how they had been entwined all along.

Looking forward to the next one ❤️

Thankyou so much Leslie O'Sullivan and Net galley for allowing me to be an ARC for a review ❤️

Transported me right to Ireland. I enjoyed the story of Eala finally realizing why she had flash dreams. In the beginning, this confused me a little but as I read farther I realized it was her true self calling. I loved the relationship with her grandmother. I could see their New York apartment with the beautiful garden above. Ms. O'Sullivan has such a gift for perfectly describing a scene. I felt the Veil and the forest. I felt the soft grass beneath my feet and the coolness of the forest leaves. If you love the Fae and a tugging romance to your heart this this is definitely worth a read. Thank you for the opportunity to read an advanced copy for an honest review.

Stunning! A Kingdom of Souls and Shadows is absolutely stunning! I have only read one other book of Irish Lore/ Fae (which was wonderful) but this, this is a whole different direction and I am absolutely here for it!

I love the mix of the real world, Irish Lore and the Fae Lands. Let alone a balanced romance of two very strong-willed MCs! Original, engaging, engrossing, this is a novel to be utterly savoured

In all honesty, it took me a while to warm up to Eala Duir, the FMC who is a college professor, but that might just have been because the character was designed that way, finding her way into the Fae lands and finding her true self.

A key character arc in the plot is Eala's phobia of heights (which made her very relatable to me) but this also frustrated me to a degree. A bad thing? not at all, because that reaction told me that this book was written so well that I was emotionally invested in the FMC and their journey

There are some absolutely belting twists and events in this novel but two things are for sure, I am invested in this series and I am invested in this author. Looking forward to more!

Thank you to Netgalley, City Owl Press and Leslie O'Sullivan for this stunning ARC. My review is left voluntarily and all opinions are my own

This book has so much Irish folklore! Also trips to the land of Fae and a veil! I’m not sure what I expected, but this was beyond what I imagined!
I loved the world building and learning about more Irish folklore, it felt a little like Irish Narnia with a splash of a love triangle!
I enjoyed Eala so much, I found her relatable with that social anxiety of hers. The slow burn was goooooooood too! I did feel a lot of the words weren’t in my vocabulary, but I just googled them but that’s more of a me issue! Made me want to go back to Ireland!

I did find myself having to push through the first few chapters of the book as I didn't feel like I learnt anything about Eala and couldn't exactly get a grasp on what kind of characterisation she had, aside from having 'vivid imaginations'.

Overall though it did end up being an enjoyable read and I did enjoy the journey :)

While I initially had a hard time getting into A Kingdom of Souls and Shadows with some of the Irish folklore and world building, it did end up being a story that I wanted to keep reading. There were so many plot twists later in the book that I did not see coming, especially towards the ending!

I loved being able to follow along for Eala's story while she discovered more about the world around her and herself on the university trip to Ireland. This book is full of magic and adventure as Eala finds out more about who she is and what she can do, discovering so much along her journey.

Thank you so much to Leslie O'Sullivan, Owl City Press, and NetGalley for a chance to read this in exchange for my honest review. This is the first book in the new Fae Destiny series and releases on March 19, 2024!

Rating 3.5/5 stars

A Kingdom of Souls and Shadows (Fae Destiny Book1) by Leslie O’Sullivan
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️.5


This was definitely an interesting read for me as I have never read anything to do with Irish Folklore and because of that I found myself really having to push through the book. And although the world building was good, I just felt like I couldn’t get into the book and the characters fell a bit flat.

"A Kingdom of Stars and Shadows" offers a captivating blend of Irish folklore and modern-day, creating a unique narrative that promises an enchanting journey. Ella, a professor of Celtic studies, finds herself drawn into a world of magic and mystery following the passing of her grandmother and a series of fateful events that lead her to Ireland.

The author skillfully weaves together elements of Irish folklore, adding depth and richness to the story. From the mystical landscapes of Ireland to the enigmatic characters Ella encounters, the narrative is infused with a sense of wonder and possibility. The exploration of Celtic mythology adds an extra layer of intrigue.

However, despite the novel's engaging storyline, some aspects left me feeling less than satisfied. One notable issue is the characterization of the Ella. While the premise sets the stage for a compelling lead, some readers may find Ella's portrayal lacking depth or relatability. Certain inconsistencies, such as regarding her knowledge of Irish language and folklore, may detract from the overall immersion in the story.

I don't think I would call the ending a classify HEA, as I felt it was lacking in some aspects.

I absolutely ATE UP this incredible Irish folklore fantasy adventure!! I laughed, I cried, I almost bough a plane ticket to Ireland!! This book is MY anamcara!!

This book was transportation to a magical world full of adventures in time and space across the beautiful green isle, creatures and folk from both Irish history and lore, and a deeply beautiful story about soulmates and the love shared between partners, given family, and chosen family. Not only that, but it infused just the right amount of mystery and twists to keep me going from page to page like a madwoman!!

Seeing Eala Duir grow from a very timid, anxious professor to reach her full potential (which you'll find out more about WHEN you read this book) and grow in confidence was absolutely wonderful to see. Her relationships were tested, strengthened, broken, and solidified- and so was she in her core!

Thank you so much to Leslie O'Sullivan, Owl City Press, and NetGalley for a chance to read this in exchange for an honest review. The first book in the new Fae Destiny series, A Kingdom of Souls and Shadows comes out on March 19, 2024!

Thank you, NetGalley and Owl City Press, for the opportunity to read this lush, riveting title in exchange for an honest review.

First off: MY HEART. If you are a fan of magic, folklore, adventure, and romance, you cannot sleep on this book. Never have I read a faerie story as original as this. It is brimming with Irish myth and legend and history without ever growing boring.

Our protagonist, the FMC, is a Celtic studies adjunct professor with a phobia of heights, a huge heart, and a wealth of wit and competence. Her phobia plays a large role in the plot and there were many times where I wanted to scream at her to 'Just climb the stairs! C'mon!'. But the truth is that she was portrayed realistically: you cannot will a phobia away simply because you wish it. The moment where she finally confronts her fear head-on is one that will live in my mind rent-free forever.

I could write pages about how much I love the MMC. Alas, I will be intentionally vague because there is a bit of a love triangle in this story.

Thank you, Leslie O'Sullivan, for writing such a gorgeous adventure. I cannot wait to read book two!

This was my first fantasy book I’ve read and I loved it. This was beautifully written. The Irish folklore interwoven in the story was amazing. The writing was very descriptive and it kept my attention from beginning to end. Can’t wait for the rest of the series. I totally will recommend this book to other readers.