It did not live up to the first book. First 40% was pretty slow and then there was little to no conclusion at the end. Over I was underwhelmed and it definitely gives of second book syndrome

4 stars -- After listening to and loving A Feather So Black last summer, I was so excited to be back in this world with these characters (after that cliffhanger). Fia and Irian must deal with the aftermath of the Ember Moon and Eala's brazen choices. Irian is juggling his complicated feelings about what Fia sacrificed while Fia is trying to navigate twisty and deadly consequences her half sister wrought on their world. This sets up our main characters to really go through it™️ in this one!

If you enjoy Irish mythology, deadly folklore, and twisty actions, this series is likely for you. This is a story that dives deeply into flawed characters making impulsive decisions and dealing with the consequences. I think fantasy like this is really cool, even if sometimes it makes the reader frustrated by characters making not-the-best decisions. But because of this, I think this story upped the stakes of this world SO much. And how many people in real life make decisions that are not always in our best interests? So I found this aspect compelling and intentional.

This second novel expertly tangles Irish folklore and myth with a deadly competition and complex character motivations. I loved how just when I thought I knew what would happen, it didn't! I genuinely did not expect this book to take the paths it did. This choice by Selene was really interesting because it subverted the more formulaic monthly visits to Tir na Nog that book 1 set up for us. And, after book 2, I have no idea where book 3 will go but I am looking forward to it. Sometimes the pacing was slower in the first half, but really picks up in the second half.

Fia and Irian's relationships is tested to the maximum. There's a lot of angst and arguments but frankly, it's in character (esp. character development)! Fia and Irian went through a lot at the end of book 1 and they are navigating the first six weeks of their marriage in this. I saw one of the twists in the story (but it's intentionally obvious, IMO). The cast of characters grows and Linn is probably one of my favorite creatures in a fantasy novel -- what sass!

The elemental magic and new island setting upped the stakes from AFSB. Fia's power is always changing in scope, even as she explores sacrifice and loss. There's a lot of lingering questions I have about the mythology and folklore within this series so I look forward to book 3 exploring it even further. This sequel is out on Janurary 21st of this year!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher Orbit Books for the digital advanced readers copy. It did not affect my review in any way. (My review is currently posted and live on my Goodreads acct and my Instagram acct)

"I was no queen, no general. I was newly made and recklessly forged and sharp with all my dark thorns. And I was tired of seeing good-hearted people leashed by people who thought they knew best.”

The new location of the Silver Isles are beautiful and a chance for Lyra Selene to stretch her poetry-as-prose skills that were so notable in the first book as well. As with many other readers, I had a hard time with the first half of the book and Fia’s change in personality as she reckons with the aftermath of the first book and all of her new powers and the new life at her feet, and especially how that impacts her relationship with Irian. While it does indeed all start to make sense and be explained and explored in the back half of the book, I wish we were given a little more to hang onto in the first half. It takes some heavy lifting to push through to the second half payoff. I will still tune in for the final book, because I do love Irian and want him and Fia to finally be happy and at peace, but I hope the pacing issues don't continue.

First half: 2.5/5 stars
Second half: 5/5 stars

Thank you to Orbit and NetGalley for the chance to read an advanced copy. All opinions are my own.

This book took me a while to get into. The first half is pretty slow, but it is worth the wait because the second half was amazing!

In the first half Fia seemed different in this book compared to the first. There was a lot of conflict and Fia’s and Irian’s arguments drove me crazy. They were arguing about the same thing over and over again, talking themselves in circles. This does get explained in the second half of the book and made me empathize with Fia, but I wish it had been explained early on.

I also really enjoyed Fia and Irian’s relationship when they weren’t arguing. I’m obsessed with them and their banter.

Overall A Crown So Silver was a solid 4 star read for me and I’m super excited for book #3!

There is a lot that I love about this series. I really enjoy the Celtic inspiration and the way the fair folk are depicted. In this installment though, I found myself getting frustrated with our characters and the turn the plot has taken.

In the first book, Fia was also a little brash but in this sequel it was amplified to the point where she became unlikable. Irian became unlikable too with his behavior. The romance between the two of them has moments that I quite enjoy, but I was not rooting for the relationship in this book. I thought Fia actually had a lot of chemistry with Wayland at first and wished it would have been explored in a more meaningful way. Eala, for me, borders on being flat. She's just giving evil for the sake of being evil vibes and it's boring.

As for the plot, I feel like the intention was to expand on the overall world and it's lore but having the majority of the story take place in a single location made it feel a little claustrophobic to me. The tournament as a plot device was done differently but the stakes didn't feel high, you knew pretty early on who would make it to the end.

Overall, I do plan to continue on, but this one was not my favorite. I really enjoy Lyra Selene's writing style and think the series has a lot of potential.

Lyra Selene’s “A Crown So Silver”, the second book in this series, is a mesmerizing conclusion to her sweeping fantasy saga, filled with intricate world-building, richly developed characters, and an emotionally charged plot that grips readers until the very end. Selene's signature poetic prose shines in this installment, creating a story that is as breathtaking as it is unforgettable.

The pacing is expertly handled, weaving moments of intense action with quiet, poignant scenes that allow the characters’ emotional journeys to take center stage. Every chapter is purposeful, building toward a satisfying and heart-wrenching finale that will leave readers both fulfilled and longing for more.

Selene’s characters are the heart of the story. The protagonist, Fia, in particular, demonstrates incredible growth, balancing inner struggles with her determination to fight for what she believes in. Relationships—both romantic and platonic—are beautifully nuanced, showcasing loyalty, sacrifice, and the complexities of trust. The supporting cast adds depth and vibrancy, making the world feel truly alive.

The world-building in *A Crown So Silver* is nothing short of stunning. Selene crafts a realm teeming with magic, danger, and wonder, with vivid descriptions that transport readers into every lush forest and glittering palace. The intricate politics and mythology woven into the narrative add layers of intrigue and richness.

For fans of epic fantasy with equal parts heart and high stakes, *A Crown So Silver* is a must-read. Lyra Selene delivers a powerful tale of courage, love, and the cost of power, cementing her place as a masterful storyteller. This is the kind of book you’ll think about long after you’ve turned the final page. Truly a strong second book in the series that I highly recommend!

I want to start this review by saying that, in general, I find Selene's writing style to be absolutely intoxicating! I love the Romantasy genre, but will admit that I often struggle to find current works in the genre that have artful prose that aids in the story telling. Selene is certainly an exception. The atomospheric nature of her prose in A Feather So Black and A Crown So Silver immerses readers in a fairytale world.

This novel is a very solid sequel to the first book. The characters continue to develop, and the new expanding plot is both engaging and feels to unfold naturally. I loved learning more about Fia and Irian, although some of their tension did feel a little contrived. I also feel like there are a few areas in this book where the pacing got a little too slow, I definitely feel that this book could've been a 4.5/5 Stars if it had been cut down a little. It appears to be over 500 pages, yet the story feels like one that could be effectively told in 400-450.

Thank you for the ARC, I am definitely looking forward to continuing the series and reading more of Selene's work!

4.25/5 stars

I did enjoy this second installment in the Fair Folk romance/fantasy/adventure series which felt more like a YA book to me (although it's not billed as one).

But while I did end up enjoying it, I found it slow going in the beginning. To give it its due, it had been a while since I had read the previous book (A Feather So Black), so that may have had something to do with it. I felt like I had to slow down and re-introduce myself to both the characters and the world-building/former action. However, once it picked up, and I became more comfortable with it, it took off and kept me riveted and entertained.

I really liked the change in location in this one, the addition of some interesting and colorful characters, and the plot twists and turns. It's very romantic with a hero who's not afraid to be vulnerable with his heroine. And while, I did get a bit frustrated with said heroine at times (she could be very stubborn and unforgiving), overall, I loved them as a couple.

As there was quite a cliffhanger, I'm looking forward to continuing the adventure in the next installment.

My sincere thanks to the author, NetGalley and Orbit Books for providing the free early arc of A Crown So Silver for review. The opinions are strictly my own.

Excellent second book of the trilogy! Selene does a great job with the complexity of the characters and leaving readers wanting more.

Characters - Rogan irritated me in the first book, so seeing less of him here was a plus for me. We got some serious Tamlin vibes partway through the book. The Aughiskies were some of my favorite characters.
Atmosphere/Setting - We spend most of this book in a new setting, drastically different from the first. The atmosphere suited the book and set the appropriate mood.
Writing Style - Read pretty quickly, was easy reading and enjoyable.
Plot - Continued with the overarching plotline around Eala and the treasures, but still had a self-contained plot within this book. It felt like this book did well moving the overall progress forward. I'm not sure how many books are planned for this series - I could see it either wrapping up in the next book or continuing on for more.
Intrigue - There is piece partway through where the Tia's powers are suppressed for the remainder of the book and I didn't enjoy that part. It felt like a convenient plot device, and was a bit of a bummer because I really enjoyed her using and exploring her new powers early on.
Logic/Relationships - Pond Scum is the true enemies to lovers in this book and I will stand by that statement. They might be my favorite relationship in the book.
Enjoyment - I had a good time with this! I wasn't completely sucked in and enraptured to where I couldn't put it down, but that actually was beneficial with when I was reading this book. I am glad to see an improvement over the first book because while I originally rated that 4 stars, in hindsight I think it was slightly high and I had reservations about continuing the series. With where this book landed, I look forward to continuing the series!

I cannot wait for book three!
I appreciated the familiar cadence following the flow of book 1, knowing that in the third act I would not be able to put it down.
I do hope in book 3 to see more character development in Fia and Irian as I felt this book was more plot driven (normal for mid series, I get it)-book 1 was an amazing bakance of both. I appreciated that the romance in this book was not perfect, but Fia girl, you can be wrong too.
I love the writing and the use of language, so many perfect descriptors and word choice tailored to the moment. That being said, one part of the editing I didn't love was the repetitive descriptor of the same thing in the same way. E.g. "Erstwhile foster brothers" 3 times in as many pages" or "nacre hallways" over and over again.
The author is very skillet at setting scenes, and the repition almost dulls it.

I throughlyly enjoyed this book...there were times where I felt there was a lull in the beginning, but once the crew was reunited I couldn't put it down.

Once you get past the really slow start, this book was really good! Both Fia and Irian pissed me off - Fia for being so stubborn and immature at times, and Irian for what he did in the tournament and making her decisions for her. I do appreciate their growth throughout the book, though they end up not spending too much time together. I really enjoyed the new side characters we got - while we don’t see much of Corra (though the brief glimpse we get is amazing), I love the addition of Balor. Wayland is also a fantastic character and I have a love/hate relationship with the 2nd love triangle introduced in this book.

From 50% until the end, the plot really picks up. The conflict is captivating and tense. Eala is a formidable villainess. Gavida is a fun side villain. There were plot twists that caught me completely off guard. And we are left with a cliffhanger ending, leaving me desperate for book 3!

Overall really enjoyed once I got past the beginning. If you’re thinking about DNFing, push through!

Thank you to Orbit and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review!

thank you for supplying me with I dnfed this book at 40% for several reasons
1. the use of celtic words without an explanation of what it means (this was a problem in the first book as well but there was a lot to redeem that book where as this book had a lot less redeemable qualities for me) when i have to go and look up words constantly either on google or the glossary it breaks immersion and makes reading much harder
2. fia feels like a completely different character she went from a badass fmc to an petulant child who cannot see reason and her relationship with irian falling apart because of her perception of him being overly protective is wild bc i really didn’t think he was being that crazy she was the one being reckless and wanting to run head first into danger and he just wants her to be safe it was incredibly frustrating to have spent the whole first book invested in their relationship only for it to fall apart for no reason in the second book
3. the new love triangle… i just don’t get why the author was setting up another love triangle when we had one last book like i feel like you get one love triangle per series esp when it’s clear that irian and fia are endgame and it’s just for tension and not anything really relevant

i was just realllyy disappointed that everything i enjoyed about the first book was lost in the second for example irian and fia telling each other stories which was such an endearing fun way to learn about these characters and this stopped even tho they still don’t know each other THAT much and it could have continued

Thank you netballs and orbit books for this arc in exchange for an honest review!
This was brilliant! It was a rollercoaster of events that kept you engaged. I love that we got to fall in love for even more characters in this trilogy and it was a perfect story and great pace to get us to the 3rd and final book. We are set up perfectly for what’s coming next and I can not wait!
I love that Fia and Irans relationship is more realistic. The up and downs, doubts, arguments, and respect for one another and not just a boring love story.

I’m feeling very conflicted abut this story.

I loved A Feather So Black, and A Crown So Silver (FOR ME) didn’t have the same heart.

I was constantly frustrated with the characters and their decisions, and overall it just did not go the way I wanted it to go. But hey, it’s not MY book - so that’s okay.

It wasn’t what I wanted it to be. But that doesn’t make it a bad book. It’s still lush, and this one a bit darker I would say, and our characters flaws and anxieties take centre stage. Mostly to their own detriment.

I think on merit and out in the universe it’s a 4 star, but for me personally it’s more of a 3.5 star.

Either way, thank you Orbit Books and NetGalley for an advanced electronic copy in exchange for an honest review. A Crown So Silver comes out on January 21st.

A Crown So Silver is a magical sequel in the Fair Folk series.

After sacrificing herself in Irian’s place, Fia has returned and now possesses the magic of the Treasure of the Forest. She seeks revenge on her sister, Eala, who sacrifice the swan maidens for power. Fia and Irian travel to the Silver Isle hoping to persuade the smith-king to help them. But when they arrive, the Tournament of Kings is beginning, and Fia learns that she and Irian are not as aligned as she had once thought. After everything that happened during the Ember Moon, Irian wants nothing more than to keep Fia safe, even if that means keeping secrets. In order to defeat, her sister and free Rogan, Fia needs allies. And when I’m mysterious stranger pops back into her life, it throws everything into tumult. Can Fia embrace her new power and defeat Eala, even if the cost is everything Irian fears?

I really enjoyed this sequel in the Fair Folk series. The writing is really beautiful and the story is intricate. I love the Celtic influences woven throughout. We also get to see a deeper side to Fia and Irian’s relationship, as they are learning to grow together. There were some exciting new character characters as well, and I’m looking forward to seeing more of them in the next book. The tournament provided an exciting atmosphere for this new book and I like that we shifted locations as well so we start to see more of this world. There was a lot of challenging back and forth between Fia and Irian, which was further complicated by additional characters. I had to keep reminding myself about the nature of these characters who they are and how they are growing and evolving as individuals and as a couple. But the story itself was really intricate and it kept me interested throughout. Overall, I enjoyed the sequel and I’m looking forward to where the series will take us next..

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Orbit Books for the advanced copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

"Not in a thousand lifetimes will I ever let you go."

i literally gasped it ended like THAT??? omg what a cliffhanger im in pain. fia and irian truly cant catch a break damn😭 but wow what a sequel!! not only did i love this even more than i did A Feather So Black, but also this happens to be my first 5 star of 2025!! makes me so so happy🥹

i almost feel weird giving this 5 stars considering how many mixed reviews there are about how awful the first half was with the amount of fighting between fia and irian (which valid!!) but somehow that didnt affect my enjoyment at all?? it mightve helped a lot that i saw warnings about the many arguments that would occur, but i also think i just could see where each character was coming from? much as they frustrated me to no end and i kept screaming at my kindle for them to just TALK to each other in certain situations, i felt more pain that fia and irian were fighting than annoyance (what can i say, im just too in love with these two idiots to stay mad at them for long🫠). oh did i want to throttle the two, especially for some *ahem* certain decisions but i honestly really love the way the author handled fia and irian's relationship!! it felt super realistic to me and in my opinion, i felt it contributed a lot for both of their character arcs and developments. but again, i definitely see why a lot would DNF or rate the book poorly because of this issue. in the end, my bias and overall love for fia and irian are probably what helped the most in me being able to bear the quarrels they had.

anyways! with that out of the way, wow did this book have me in a chokehold?? i had zero issues with the pacing, i genuinely couldnt stop reading and always craved to see what happened next. the tournament had an unexpected twist in the beginning which made me gasp and i actually really adore the route the author took because really how often does that usually happen in novels with tournaments the FMC is taking part in?? ive certainly not experienced another like that, and it definitely made for a unique situation! (view spoiler)

there was honestly never a dull moment in this book for me. the new bonds that were formed as well?? truly loved them. shoutout to wayland, laoise, and especially sinead !! i love that girl SO much, even more so after a specific well done scene <3 what a queen, she was amazing. and you better believe some certain characters made me feel extremely murderous (we all know who im talking about..). AND LINN. MY FAV🥹 the aughiskies (aka water horses !!) were such an unexpected fun addition that i loved and the bonding there was an absolute favourite and so funny. also one of the twists i actually suspected from the beginning?? so that made me feel very proud of myself for guessing correctly LOL.

the writing as always was gorgeous and i was obsessed. not only were the descriptions of The Silver Isle so beautiful (to the point where i desperately wish i could go visit myself omg??) but there were so so many gorgeous lines i highlighted because wow truly they were amazing. and the romantic scenes??? yes fia and irian may have argued a lot but that doesnt mean we didnt get some sweet and wholesome scenes!!🥹 there were genuinely so many scenes i highlighted that made me grin like a lovesick idiot as if i was the one there hello??? its taking everything in me not to place them in this review but as this is an ARC i cannot do that (insta post featuring my fav scenes though WILL be coming after release date). and honestly i really love how i can appreciate the first half much more seeing how much it changed both of them for the better?? it's the saying "one needs to fall before they can rise" and i feel like that resonates here with their relationship? anyways they both may have screwed up at times, but you could truly still tell that they loved one another so much.

truly though fia and irian literally mean everything to me, theyve definitely made it to becoming one of my fav couples ever. i adore those two so much and i need their happily ever after ASAP. (that ending was absolutely cruel💔 im sending my therapy bills to the author for emotionally hurting me)

cant believe i have to now wait over a year for book 3?? maybe i need to go find myself a golden apple to bite... (iykyk😭)


Thank you Orbit Books for sending me an ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review!!

I almost DNF and it took me too long to pick it back up each time I took a break. I simply did not like Fia in this book. I enjoyed A Feather so Black so I thought this would be good. The story is good, the side characters are great. The first 50% was slow and Fia was annoying with no growth. When it finally picked up it was entertaining (which is why I read)
I really like Irian and Wayland I like their characters (flaws and all), I want to see where this story takes them.

I don't generally read spicy books and this has some in it. Every time there was spice I kept thinking it wasn't well written.

Will I read the last book? I don't know. I'm a sucker so maybe. Okay, probably because I admittedly really want to know what happens to Wayland and Irian.

Releases January 21, 2025

The second installment in Lyra Selene’s international bestselling series, A Crown So Silver, is set during a deadly trial on a mysterious snowy island ruled by a trickster king. The prize: a chance for vengeance.

After her sacrifice on the Ember Moon, Fia is flush with powerful magic and eager to rush into battle against her murderous sister, Eala. However, Fia’s new husband Irian suggests they bide their time and retreat to the Silver Isle, a snowy island at the edge of the fae world.

Ruled by the cunning smith-king, the Silver Isle proves far from a safe haven. Fia and Irian become embroiled in the Tournament of Kings competing for a magical forging of immense power. Their relationship will be put to the test as they navigate their conflicting motivations, shifting allegiances, and ancient magic.

With the end of the tournament looming and Eala’s threat growing, Fia must decide just how much she’s willing to sacrifice to defeat her sister.

Thank you NetGalley for this egalley. I was under no obligation to review it. The opinions are my own.

Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher, and the author for providing a free e-arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Unfortunately, I did not enjoy the second book as much as the first. I feel that the book has kind of lost some of its mythological touch in a way and shifted more on the romance, with yet another triangle being formed. The book also took quite a long time to take off, about halfway through the book! The trials were the most investing part for me.

Fia was quite frustrating throughout this book, becoming argumentative at the drop of a hat. The books could also really just leave the spicy scenes out and it would really help to not bring "cheese" into the story as most of the time in romantasy, the spicy scenes are not needed and comical.

I'm still interested in the third book as that looks like that's what we're leaning towards, though.