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.