I went into this so apprehensive as I usually stick to my usual romantasy tropes and this was entirely different to my usual read. I thoroughly enjoyed it!


With it being a retelling of the Scottish Ballad of Tam Lin, I was entertained through out. Getting to dip into the faerie folklore etc was wonderful.
However I could have done with some oomph to keep me interested as there were times where it felt really slow and struggled to grab my attention.

Overall this was a lovely easy read.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC read. This was such an interesting take on the “Ballad of Tam Lin” and the Scottish folklore included.

There was so much descriptive info in this one that you could visualise exactly what was happening, as well as having the story told from the Queen herself’s POV.

And how the “Bess Who Seemed” born as a changeling with the help of a midwife develops into her role over time, as well as the difficulties she faces in feeling as though she belongs nowhere on either side of the veil. And the heartbreak that follows, alongside the struggles of a dual heritage identity.

If you’re interested in the following tropes then this one is for you:

Morally grey FMC
Dark and atmospheric retelling
Forbidden love/chemistry

I enjoyed reading “The Changeling Queen,” and recommend it if you’re invested in fae folklore! I was not well versed in the Ballad of Tam Lin, and wished I had looked into it a bit more. I found myself liking that we were shown the “good” as well as the “bad” throughout the story. I feel that a majority of fantasy books pushed out now glaze over the darkness in the worlds we learn about.

I did find the book to be a bit slow, it took me awhile to get into the book. However, as I mentioned, that could be because I was not well versed in the Ballad of Tam Lin. I found that once the story did pick up though, I could not put it down!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book early!

I was hooked from the first few chapters, it puts a unique spin on the story and makes it refreshing to read!
If you like anything to do with fae, you'll love this one.

4.5 stars!
I really, really liked this book! I’d been in a bit of a reading slump, starting books, setting them down, nothing holding my attention. But The Changeling Queen had me hooked from the very first page!

The writing is stunning. Bea's prose is immersive, atmospheric, and incredibly vivid. I felt like I was walking beside Bess the whole time! I especially loved how the author used language that felt appropriate to the era. The dialogue had weight, the descriptions were lush, and even during slower stretches of the plot, I never once felt bored.

The narrative weaves two timelines together: in the present, Janet and the Faery Queen are locked in a struggle over Tam Lin. In the past, we learn how Bess came to wear the crown. I wasn’t as emotionally connected to the Janet/Tam Lin thread, but Bess’s story? I could not put it down. I read the book in under 24 hours because I was that invested!

I also absolutely loved how the fae are portrayed. They’re not just pretty people with pointy ears and magical powers—they’re otherworldly. They’re beautiful, yes, but also strange and frightening. Tricksters. Inhuman. Bound by rules like iron and salt, incapable of lying. The book draws heavily from folklore in ways that felt fresh but deeply rooted. There are so many different kinds of fae mentioned (which I was obsessed with), and the whole world feels rich, well-researched, and fully imagined.

Now, the blurb describes this as a romantic, feminist retelling. And while those threads are present, I’d say they’re not the main focus. The feminist themes mostly show up in Bess’s early life, and they’re very subtle. The romance was beautifully written, but I didn’t quite connect with it. Thomas, the love interest, felt realistic, but his actions (or lack thereof) made it hard for me to fully believe in their bond. Bess’s naivety around him really frustrated me at times, even if it made sense in context. I started to understand their connection more near the end, and there were definitely some lovely, tender moments, but I didn’t feel the romance as strongly as I wanted to.

Some plot points were predictable, largely because of the dual timeline structure, where hints from the present gave away parts of the past. But that didn’t lessen the emotional impact. I felt every twist in my chest. I was nervous, heartbroken, hopeful. Kimberly Bea knows how to make you feel—how to ratchet up tension and deliver emotional payoff, even when you think you know what’s coming.

This is a gorgeously written, atmospheric debut that reimagines a classic ballad with depth, heart, and dark folkloric beauty. I’m still thinking about Bess, and about the lush, terrifying world she came from. If you’re into stories about complicated heroines, tragic romance, or fae that feel truly other, this book is absolutely worth your time!

This was the first time that I read a historical fiction, and I'm surprised to say that I enjoyed it. I did have some trouble pronouncing some of the names in the book, and I had to go look them up. I also didn't realize that the story was actually a flashback at the very beginning, but that may have been an error on my part. I loved the world building. I could tell that Kimberly did her research on faeire. Overall, this is a good book and I really enjoyed reading it.

3.5 stars rounded up. A changeling left in the mortal world, unknowingly a queen. She must make a choice, embrace her mortal side or become the queen that faerie needs.
Here’s what I loved-This book had a wonderful story and it is beautifully written and descriptive. It truly is a fairytale written without rose colored glasses. We are shown the wonder and the beauty and the dark and the gory.
However, I did feel that the stakes just weren't high enough for me. It felt slow at certain parts and repetitive.There were some bits that were hard not to skim through just so I could get to the end. Without spoiling anything-I felt like I didn't *reallly* understand our point until the very very end. But I feel that I needed to be more familiar with the Ballad of Tam Lin to truly appreciate things.

I would recommend this one to anyone who loves folklore, fairytales, and twists from traditional point of views! Just beware that it may not be a heart-racing read.

5 stars!⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I have been waiting for a good retelling of Tam Lin and this one is fantastic! I never thought I would read a version of this story that left me slightly sympathetic to the fae queen but the way Kimberly Bea shows a human side to a changeling queen has done just that.

What I loved in particular:
- the family relationships that Bess/Fia has with Mairi Grieve and Jamie give the story a real emotional heart.
- the mythology is masterfully intertwined with a historical depiction of the village of Carterhaugh which pulled me into the story and kept me there.
- The bittersweet love story between Bess and Tom Shepherd was beautifully done.

I can’t believe this was Kimberly Bea’s first novel, I’ll be keeping an eye out for whatever she writes next.

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington publishing for the opportunity to read this ARC.

My attention was caught by the premise of a retelling of the Scottish Ballad of Tam Lin. I'm a sucker for a good traditional lore twisted into something more modern.

This book was wonderful. It was a bit slow, with wonderous beauty and darker pieces not hidden behind any shiny rose glasses. Unbiased.

We really get to delve into the faeries side of the folk story rather than the mortal side which was a nice change of pace! It isn't a super high stakes tale, and while it isn't a heart pounding, fast paced read, it was a wonderful read

I really enjoyed the retelling. The characters were well written and the plot kept your attention the whole time. I loved the feminist empowerment in the story.

What happens when the myth belongs not to the hero but to the so-called villain? The Changeling Queen spins a rich, moonlit web around that very question, daring to pry open the “Ballad of Tam Lin” and give the stage, for once, to the Faery Queen herself—a figure usually cast in shadows and vengeance. But in this retelling, she isn’t just a queen. She is Bess: changeling, healer’s daughter, mortal-born and fae-raised, an outsider in two worlds who becomes their reluctant bridge.

Told as a story-within-a-story—one long, magical night on Samhain as Bess faces down Janet, the mortal girl who would reclaim Tam Lin—this book pulls off something rare. It’s not quite a romance, not quite a feminist manifesto, and not quite a hero’s journey. Instead, it’s a reclamation. A reckoning. A whispered spell from the other side of the veil.

What makes this tale stand out is its refusal to romanticize the usual tropes. The relationship with Thomas Shepherd is not a sweeping, sensual saga but a pivot point in Bess’s journey—tender, yes, but ultimately transient. Likewise, the feminist themes are subtle, rooted in the quiet authority of a mortal healer’s knowledge, and how easily that power is dismissed or consumed by the otherworldly. Yet this is less a book about defying gender roles than one about finding identity in a world that splits you down the middle.

There is much more fae magic here than midwifery or herb lore. That may disappoint readers looking for a grounded, earthy heroine battling against patriarchal constraints. But approach it as a tale of liminality—between fae and human, lover and ruler, captive and queen—and The Changeling Queen delivers enchantment and grief in equal measure.

Bess’s voice is the true enchantment here: sharp, sly, wounded, and wise. Her memories unravel like a ballad sung by firelight—haunted, half-truthful, never quite linear. She is not always likable. She is not trying to be. But she is utterly compelling. And in the end, it’s not Tam Lin’s fate that keeps us turning pages—it’s hers.

Verdict:
Don’t come to The Changeling Queen expecting a love story with a tidy bow or a heroine out to smash the patriarchy. Come for something older, sadder, and far more spellbinding: the story of a woman who was born between worlds and who dares, in her own quiet fury, to claim both.

I gave this book 3 stars because while it's written well, I just could not get into it. The story being told mostly in the past and then going back and forth just couldn't keep my attention. It's written very well, with very descriptive scenes, so some may enjoy it. I do wish that there was more to the story but it is based on a legend.

Spooky? Gothic? Fantasy? Yes, please! The world building and characters in this novel were amazing. It took a little bit to get into but once you get there, you will be immersed into the world. I can't wait to read more by this author.

A romantic feminist retelling of the Scottish Ballad Of Tam Lin. I really enjoyed this book and thought the author did a phenomenal job with this retelling. The characters and plot were well written and really grabs your attention.

The Changeling Queen has the dark and seductive feel of a folk tale reborn. Kimberly Bea seems to go beyond simply retelling the ballad "Tam Lin" and delve into the complex psychology of her female characters caught between two worlds. The strongest feeling I had was about the pain of not belonging - Bess with her mixed blood, Janet with her fight for love. This work raises profound questions about whether we can hold on to love and fulfill our destiny or whether we must ultimately choose and sacrifice.

The world building in this book was good, I did struggle a little bit to get into it as I haven’t read many books like this, but it was a good read.

I like retellings of folklore and myths so the description of a retelling of the Scottish “Ballad of Tam Lin” sounded like just what I was looking for and this is, in essence, a retelling of that narrative however it is not told from the perspective of the mortals. It is instead the story of the fairy queen from whom he escapes. In fact, it is more her story that she recounts to the mortals for she was a changeling child, and half-mortal one too, that was the heir to the fae crown. She tells of her upbringing with a mortal mother who was midwife and healer and taught her the craft and she tells of her first love and how it led her to the path that returned her to the fae. I don't think it is particularly sensually romantic, or feminist; yes, there was a relationship with the shepherd but the outcome fell short of "sensually romantic" , and yes, female healers of that era were a challenge to the male physicians, but the story seemed to show off more fae magic power than non-magical healing. However, with expectations reset to frame this as the story of a changeling growing up in the mortal world and returning to rule fairies bookended by the fable of Tam Lin, this was an enjoyable book.
I received access to this eARC thru NetGalley (for which I want to thank NetGalley and the publisher, Kensington Publishing - Erewhon Books) for an honest review. The opinion expressed here is my own.

This was such a good fantasy read! The concept of it was so fun and the changeling queen was amazing! I am really excited for when this book comes out!

Well-researched with lovely prose - but I wouldn't describe it as "sensual and feminist" like the blurb.

We spend a lot of time with Bess-the-not-quite-human. Almost exactly 50% - which, given Bess' half-human half-fae shtick, makes me think it was intentional?

Bess and her life is... fine to read about, if you're a fan of historical fiction. She certainly dabbles with the fae, including tussling with the Dark Fool and a sweet friendship with a house Brownie. The Dark Fool hints at Bess' true heritage - but maddeningly all Bess seemingly cares about is her relationship with a human shepherd. Like, girl, he ain't worth it.

I won't spoil what leads her to becoming the Faerie Queen, but we finally get there. There are gorgeous descriptions of Faery - both the land and its inhabitants - but it all felt disjointed. Things kind of just happened and I couldn't keep the timeline right in my head. The Wild Hunt makes several appearances, and the Unseelie Court, which was very cool!

All this story takes place as a "flashback" that the queen is narrating to Janet and Tam Lin, and we get chapters throughout where they argue about sacrifice. This was my least favourite part of the book - like, can't you just stab him and be done with this shit?

I didn't like the ending... but it must follow the OG Tam Lin folklore, so whatever. Maybe I need to be more familiar with that to appreciate it more.


Look, overall, if you're a fan of fae folklore, it's worth reading. And the cover is gorgeous.

Still wondering where the sensual and feminist part come in, though!


Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the ARC.