For me, this book is really hard to review because I went into it thinking that it was gonna be one thing and in my opinion it was far different than the blurb made it sound.
I went into it, thinking it was going to be a romantasy, with a feminist main character, heavy on the romance

The first half of the book is far more closely to a Salem witch trials type situation, but with Fae, instead of witches, and the female main character is half Fae so the people who hate her are technically correct…???
The first half definitely reads kind of like a historical romance, but without a happy ending

Then the second part reads more like a fantasy, but very little romance, some spice, but no romance. It’s kind of awkward, a scratch the itch thing.
It’s very dark, lots of depressing situations. You do not finish this book feeling good you finish it really down in the dumps.

On top of all that you’re jumping to, and from between the past (historical romance portion of the book), and current (the fantasy portion).
There’s also three characters with very similar names and that part is annoying to try to keep it all straight on top of the time jumps.

I didn’t go into it having read the lore that this is based off of, I went into it thinking I was about to get a romantasy book with a feisty feminist character, and she was not feisty.

Don’t get me wrong, the book was very well written and obviously extremely well researched but I just was not in the mood to read something so sad. This is not a book I would’ve ordinarily picked out to read.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with a copy of The Changeling Queen in exchange for my honest review.
Kimberly Bea’s The Changeling Queen is a lush, romantic retelling of the “Ballad of Tam Lin” that blends Scottish folklore with feminist themes and hauntingly beautiful prose. Set over a single night on Samhain, the story follows a fierce battle of wills between Janet and the Faery Queen, whose past as the changeling Bess unfolds in rich, emotional layers.
Bess’s journey from outcast midwife’s daughter to powerful fae ruler is captivating, filled with desire, betrayal, and sacrifice. The world Bea builds is atmospheric and seductive, with a dark magic that lingers. Perfect for fans of Holly Black and Natalie Haynes, this is a story of love, identity, and the price of power.

The writing style of this took a little while for me to get used to. However, once I did, I was sucked into this story and I didn’t want to leave the world I was in. The fantasy medieval world you are in tells one of the best tales. The fact that this is a debut for this author also blows my mind. An amazing debut for sure!

Bess (so she seems) is a changeling growing up in the mortal realm under the guidance of Mairi Grieves, her mortal mother figure and a fiercely competent healer. For a time she’s able to find a place following under Mairi’s teachings. When Mairi is suddenly taken ill (a victim of the fae perhaps?) Bess becomes her full time caretaker, and her life is completely upended as she is forced to navigate the mortal realm alone. Her home of Faery calls to her and she’s forced to question how she came to live in the mortal realm, where she really belongs, and does she have what it takes to become whom she’s meant to be.

The story is structured as our protagonist mainly recalling past events to Tam Lin and Janet, with bits of their interactions in the present moving the story forward. I enjoyed this book immensely. The writing style was lush and really drew you into the world and time and it was clearly well researched. I would have liked to have a little more substance in her interactions with the fae later in the book and to have seen some more of the tricksy way the fae cannot lie and how they don’t usually let that get in their way of being untruthful. I felt the pacing was even for the most part. I wanted to read through the parts happening in the present faster as they just weren’t as interesting as the main story. There was some slowness in the beginning just before the plot really takes off and I felt myself getting nervous towards the very end of the book because I saw how few pages were left to wrap it up! The ending did feel a little sudden but ultimately it was satisfying.

Ultimately, this was a lush and fun retelling and I enjoyed reading. I would recommend!

Thanks to Net Galley, Kensington Publishing, and the author for the opportunity to review the book! All opinions are my own.

The Changeling Queen is a beautifully written Fae fantasy that blends court intrigue, political tension, and slow-burn romance with a strong, smart heroine you can root for.

Kimberly Bea delivers a lush, layered story that balances fae magic and royal drama with emotional depth. The pacing starts slow, but once it picks up, it doesn’t let go. Elira is everything I want in a changeling queen, resilient, clever, and not afraid to challenge power.

Pros:
•Gorgeous prose and atmospheric world-building it felt like stepping into a dream.
•Elira is a complex, grounded protagonist in a world that constantly tries to define her.
•The Deluxe Edition extras made it feel like a full experience, maps, artwork, and just beautiful book design.

Cons:
•The beginning is a bit slow, especially if you’re waiting for the romance or major twists.
•Some secondary characters felt underdeveloped, I wanted more from the court politics.
•A few info-dump moments with fae lore that pulled me out of the story.

That said, once it hits its stride, it’s an emotionally satisfying, magical read with real stakes and a heroine who earns her crown. Perfect for fans of Throne of Glass and An Enchantment of Ravens.

"The Changeling Queen" based on an actual reading experience.
However, I can simulate what a 5-star review might look like based on the information I have about its premise, themes, and anticipated strengths.
A Bewitching Masterpiece: The Faery Queen's Unforgettable Origin!

"The Changeling Queen" by Kimberly Bea is an absolute triumph! This book isn't just a retelling; it's a breathtaking, lyrical reimagining that will consume you from the first page and leave you utterly spellbound. Bea has taken the familiar threads of the Tam Lin ballad and woven them into an intricate tapestry of desire, power, and devastating choices, all seen through the eyes of the legendary Faery Queen herself.

Bess's journey from a conflicted changeling to the formidable Queen is nothing short of mesmerizing. Her dual nature, caught between mortal and fae, is explored with such raw emotion and stunning depth. You don't just read about her transformation; you feel it in your bones. The prose is simply exquisite, dripping with a sensual atmosphere that perfectly captures the allure and danger of the Faery realm.

This is a true feminist fantasy, giving voice and agency to a character often cast as a villain, revealing layers of vulnerability, ambition, and tragic necessity. The tension between Bess, Thomas, and the manipulative Amadan is perfectly crafted, building to a climax that is both inevitable and utterly heartbreaking. Every twist, every revelation, is delivered with masterful precision.
If you crave dark, sensuous folklore, unforgettable characters, and a story that bravely redefines a legend,

"The Changeling Queen" is an absolute must read. It's a new classic in the making, and I cannot recommend it highly enough. A rare and precious gem!

I have been pushing myself so hard to get into this book but I have decided at page 505 that I just can’t do it. I wanted to love this book but the world building isn’t there, the characters are very basic, and the story is very dry. This one wasn’t for me.

This book surprised me, page after page!

You will love this book if you love:
🧝‍♀️All things Medieval
🧚‍♀️Faeries!!!!
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿Scotland
👑A complicated and vengeful female lead

The full tea:
This book is sooo immersive! I was nervous at first because I like Medieval fairy tales but they are not my bread and butter. By the first page, Bea's writing won me over. It is so good, I could hear the words in a Scottish brogue in my head.

I was not super familiar with the ballad of Tam Lin but that did not hinder my enjoyment. I loved the main character and the focus on a woman who is usually the villain. Bea subverts and expands on the source material in interesting ways, especially the ending. Most of the book centers on the MC's journey and how she straddles human and faery worlds with Tam Lin and Janet really serving as framing.

My major issue with this story is the pacing. Some sections I couldn't put down, some sections felt glossed over, and some sections dragged. Ultimately, I would have loved to spend more time in Faery but, overall, I still enjoyed my time.

Thanks to the publisher for an eARC!

I wanted to love this book so much. It's good, I just wanted a bit more from it. I think it's worth reading and I preordered a beautiful copy for my shelf but it struggles in a time when there are so many amazing books being published.

The Changeling Queen is a retelling of the Scottish “Ballad of Tam Lin” and is told through a series of flashbacks following the Faery Queen, Bess: a half Fae, half mortal woman.

The writing in this book is beautiful. Kimberly Bea does a wonderful job painting a vivid world for the reader. One of the major themes of this book I really enjoyed was the struggle between desire and duty. We see Bess, as well as Thomas, struggle with this throughout the story. However, I had a difficult time with the pacing of this book; it was too slow for me. Bess’s character in the flashbacks was also maybe too naive for my taste, but I did feel for her, especially when it came to her familial and romantic relationships.

I think that marketing this as being for fans of Romantasy books, like Quicksilver, is a bit misleading. If you’re looking for a tale that isn’t romance-forward, but has lovely prose and rich Scottish folklore, this would be a good one to pick up.

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for the e-arc in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you very much to the author/publisher for giving me this book through NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

I have read only a few books that are based on Scottish folklore/ballads, and this book is definitely one of my favorites.

This story is about A fae/changeling queen, who is half mortal, and is telling a couple her story of growing up as a mortal and getting to know who she is.

I absolutely enjoyed the writing style. The first chapter was really confusing, but when I got a grasp of what´s happening, the writing style consumed me completely.

I really loved Bess´ character. A witty woman who knows what she is (that she is a changeling), and she did not mess with other people and what they thought of her. And I absolutely loved what Thomas and Bess had, and it really broke me, how it ended up.

In the second part we get to see, how she is adjusting to the fae court and being a ruler, and I love all the vivid details and how is everything described.

However, when we´re in the fae court there is usually a lot of time skips, and it´s really hard keeping up with it.

About the ending, I understand it had to be just like the ballad, but it just did not make any sense to me.

Overall I enjoyed it so much.

I can say that is one of my favorite stories of this year. When i was in i felt that i wanted to keep reading it. I love LOVE this story. It is a fantasy for us fantasy lovers.

the cover and those beautiful edges in the mock-up are what caught me, and urged me to request this title.
i went into this expecting something completely different, but that doesn't mean this was bad at all!
as other people have remarked on before me: this is NOT romantasy!! don't pick this up expecting romance, because you will be disappointed!
anyways; i am a sucker for historical fantasy, and that mixed with folklore?? i LOVE that. i am a big outlander fan, and this definitely scratched that itch a little.
i didn't know much about the ballad of tam lin (next to nothing, really), so this was a very fun read for me.
great worldbuilding and fleshed out characters; i do recommend this!

I enjoyed this one! Its a very classic sort of faery tale, it goes back and forth in time between when our Faery Queen was living as a mortal changeling, unaware of what exactly she was, with mortal morals, as human as could be. To her rise and self discovery and eventual leaving of her mortal trapping and mortal heart, to her taking of Tam Lin, and his lover Jenny coming to steal him back, as he was meant to be the mortal sacrifice of the Teind, once every seven years to renew Faery. It must have blood, have life.

Bess Grieve was of Faery, given as a changing to a Healer and Midwife. Her mother Mairi knows what she is, and raises her as her own child. Her father hates her, and barely tolerates her, and she is left after her mother's death to decide how to move forward with her life. And her trials, grief, love, and struggle to move through the human world as a human woman with very few options.

It's written in a way that reminds me much of the fantasy books I read probably 20 plus years ago, very old prose, more stilted. Not modern in any way. It was a bid different from what I've become used to. So don't be surprised if this reads very differently from what you are used to.

It had wonderful character growth and Bess goes through so much, let down by so many who should have been there to shelter and protect her and so many others she tried to do what they will not do for her. Her journey is arduous, and even when she accepts her true self, she still has much adjustment to go through as a faery with a mortal upbringing.

This is definitely for the Outlander, Quicksilver type readers - historical lore blended with high fantasy. I was not familiar with the Ballad so I definitely had to stop and do some research. It does NOT contain romance so just note that going into this if you expected a romantasy type storyline.

This cover is beautiful and definitely drew my eye to read and review this book! Whoever the artist is did an amazing job. This book was a good story but definitely could have been better for me. Personally this book at first kind of read like you should already know what things were in this fearie world. It was a little slow at times for me. It did pick up off and on. It ended up being a good read, but one I probably wouldn’t read again (definitely a sign of a 4 or 5 star read for me).
Reviewed on goodreads.

In Carterhaugh, by the ancient well, she plucked a wild rose. Janet walked through the verdant forest where she was a willing participant, or was seduced by a fairy knight. Now pregnant, she revisits Carterhaugh, a place where maidens had been warned not to enter. Encountering the same knight, Janet learns that her lover is a mortal, captured and being held by the Queen of Faeries since he fell from his horse. Tonight is Halloween, the Night of The Wild Hunt. Every seven years, a consort or mortal must be sacrificed for the Teind (the tithe), which must be paid. A consort makes for a stronger Teind.” Tam Lin will likely be the sacrifice. While the faery folk ride, Janet lies in wait, hidden in the bushes. The Queen has her methods. She will shape shift Tam Lin into a newt, a snake, a lion, then a burning hot coal. Janet holds tight to Tam Lin, throwing his shape shifted coal into the well. She covers the naked mortal man that emerges, in her green mantle. “Rage is a maelstrom inside the Queen”. She says, “Had I known Tam Lin…This night I did see…I’d have looked him in the eyes and turned him to a tree.”

Familiarity with the Scottish ballad Tam Lin enticed this reader to enter the world of Fae discovering a new reading experience outside my comfort zone. It seemed that despite freeing Tam Lin, the Queen insisted upon telling the young lovers her tale in an attempt to sway Janet’s resolve to leave Carterhaugh with Tam Lin. What follows is the tale of the Changeling Queen. “To be a child of two worlds, and a citizen of none…a fate no one should endure.”

“I am called Bess…given to Mairi Grieve, who served our late, beloved Queen Una as midwife…(I was) taken by Mairi Grieve…when the Queen died in childbirth…my father was a mortal.” “Ever had I been two people: the seeming of Bess Grieve and the Fae I was inside…Raised by Mairi Grieve, a healer and cunning woman, Bess learned to aid in childbirth and healing through the use of plants. She was taught compassion and charity. The Fae however were convinced that Mairi Grieve had killed their Queen Una. Now Mairi was “faery struck” bedridden, never to recover.

Tam Lin’s forebear…my shepherd king was the only man I ever loved, the man who betrayed me .”Imbolc…sang through my veins…one of 4 times a year when the veil between the mortal and Fae realms lay open, and one might cross to the other side…Did I belong in Faery or among mortals? In Faery, I would be embraced, “my liege you have been long away my little changeling…little half Fae…”, the words of the Elf Lord Amadan who was a Dark Fool trickster and malevolent force to be reckoned with. “Because I am Faery and Faery is me…It was less freedom than I had ever known….I must maintain my emotions, my very spirit.” Listening to the Changeling Queen’s story Janet commented, “There is mortality and kindness in you yet, Your Highness.”

The Changeling Queen was an excellent read and most welcome introduction to the world of Faery. Although I enjoyed the feminine POV in this retelling of Tam Lin, I was disappointed that Tam Lin’s POV was minimally voiced, however, this was storytelling at its best!

Thank you Kensington Publishing/Erewhon Books and Net Galley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

If you love fae stories with grit, heart, and a badass queen who refuses to be anyone’s pawn, The Changeling Queen is a must-read. Kimberly Bea’s writing is sharp, emotional, and totally immersive.
The worldbuilding is vivid, the characters complex, and the plot packed with twists and fierce magic. Honestly, I was hooked from start to finish.

Perfect for fans of dark fantasy and powerful heroines.

I don't read many folklore stories because I sometimes struggle with the disconnect - some writers create gorgeous, flowery language, but it lacks heart.

This book does NOT lack heart. I fell in love with it from the first page, and it truly transported me elsewhere. I love how many characters we follow, and how they're all interesting/fully fleshed out.

Review: The Changeling Queen by Kimberly Bea

Lush, haunting, and steeped in Scottish folklore, The Changeling Queen reimagines the Ballad of Tam Lin with dark magic, tragic love, and fierce female power. Told in one unforgettable night, it weaves past and present as the Faery Queen—once just Bess, a half-mortal girl—fights to reclaim what she’s lost.

I was drawn in by the lyrical writing and the emotional weight behind every choice Bess makes. Love, power, betrayal—it’s all tangled together in this beautifully written story. If you love myth, magic, and morally gray heroines, this one’s for you.