Realm of Lore and Lies

Fanyasy book set in Ireland and it is so good !! The story follows Ash , a girl who ran from her clan years ago and is in school at she is in her archaeology. One day she saw a Banshee, a creature that signals someone is going to die Soon after that, she discovers a murder victim and become a suspect. To make things worse, she has to return to her clan, and become part of the Cath, a competition in the Irish otherworld. With the help of others along the way, she has to win the quest for the High King, claim her birth right , and find the real murderer. Myth lovers will love this as it involves magic and lots of Irish folklore.

Aisling has been different since she ran away from home 7 years ago. She rediscovers her roots of being a Fianna warrior against the Fair Ones when an unexpected tragedy strikes.

Maebh has always been second fiddle to her twin brother Setana in their mothers eyes. She’s tired of constantly feeling the need to prove herself “just as golden” as Set.

These two become unlikely friends and Allie’s as they have to navigate the ins and outs of clan life.

This is a wonderful debut novel set deep in Irish mythology!

She lived and breathed archaeology

Same Ash, same. And talking about Aisling, welcome to this honest review of Realm of Lore and Lies, a book I had the opportunity to read as an advance copy.

Like I said, this is Ash’s story, a girl who ran from her clan and years after that she is in her last year of her archaeology degree. The only connection she has with her family is through her brother’s letters she receives monthly. One day like any other, she is working on an archaeological site, and she saw a Banshee, a creature that according to Irish folklore is a signal if someone will die soon. Oh surprise, not much time after that, Ash found a body in a tomb, but obviously this is not a skeleton from an ancient group, nope, it’s a person that had been murdered and now, Ash is a suspect.

But that is not the only thing that complicates Ash’s life, she also has to return home and take an active role on her clan, and be part of the Cath, something like a competition on Tír na nÓg AKA the land of youth or the Irish otherworld. Dun dun dun… Here is where things became interesting, that’s means you have enough information to make yourself an idea of what this book is about.

With the help of Maebh, Setanta and Tiernan, Ash has to claim her birthright, find a murderer and win some quest for the High King, nothing could go wrong right? Well, everything could go wrong when magic and ancient forces are involved, so you can figure out that Ash’s journey isn’t easy.

Quick opinion, I loved this book. The world in this book feel so real, magical and it’s so full of myths that this archaeologist and myths lover writing this review fangirled a lot. This book brings to life a lot of Irish folklore and combines this with a murder mystery and a fantasy story, and even with these elements, the book doesn’t feel overwhelming or dense.

Now, what I think is the strongest point of this book, the characters, this story follows multiple points of view, and every single one of them was really good, but my favorite was Ash’s POV. But the four of them were fascinating. I love that every one of the four main characters, Ash, Set, Maebh, and Tier; had their own adventure and space to grow through the story, to feel their fears and to make their own choices.

Talking about the characters I can’t talk about one of them, letting the others behind so, what can I say without spoiling you? That I loved them and I really need them happy and living their best life. Another thing I can say is #leaveMaebhbehappy please, this girl has been through a lot; also I can say that I loved that Ash fangirled with ancient symbols, and I’ve never been so identified with a character, in terms of their love for the past, like I was with Ash. And of course, I can’t forget that Tiernan is so smart, I love how clever he is, and also how cute Setanta is, I mean he could kill me, but I think he is like a big teddy bear ready to kill.

Finally, let’s talk about that final part of the book, it was so good, I love it, the way everything tided up together to make the big revelation of the real evil one was epic. Now I'm patiently waiting for book two on this series because I need to read what will happen to these guys in the trials they’ll have to face in the future.

Sooooo, I gave Realm of Lore and Lies 4.5/5 because even when I loved this book, and it’s such an amazing story full of myths and folklore, it was a little difficult for me to follow every character’s storyline at the beginning, but in my defense, I was more focused on Ash’s story because I just wanted to know, and I am an impatient person :D. But when I did it, I couldn’t stop reading until the end.

I absolutely loved getting to know the characters, the world building was spot on and I felt like I was there. I loved how there were twists that I didn’t see coming, so many books have similar stories that it’s hard to be surprised but there were a few times I was shocked! Only negative is I have to wait for book 2!

This was a great start to the Fair Ones series, it was what I was looking for in this type of book. The characters were what I was looking for and was so invested in what was happening in this world. The world worked so well in a fantasy setting and I enjoyed the magic used. The characters were beautifully done and I enjoyed getting to know them, the characters worked really well in this universe. Claire Wright has a great writing style and I can;t wait to read more in the Fair Ones world.

"She fell to the ground and looked up in time to see his weapon rushing down, crying out as the blade sank into her. Through her. She blinked as she stared at the blade sticking out from her stomach, but no pain came. Her attacker didn’t bother to dislodge his weapon as he picked up another that had fallen by the muddy ground beside them. Without looking at her, he moved on to his next target."

An excellent way to start a series! Realm of Lore and Lies is a beautifully woven tale that features some of my favourite elements of fantasy. I loved the characters and adored the Irish lore, which was very well written. You can tell that the author put a lot of love into this book. I highly recommend this book and am unbelievably excited for the sequel!

Y’all I was NOT ready for how good Realm of Lore and Lies was. It’s her DEBUT novel and omg. THAT ENDING??? How dare you 😭😂 ahhhh I cannot wait for book 2. I love reading a fantasy set in Ireland with Fae, quests, banter and warrior clans. Sexy males, badass females, murder mystery, surprise endings…oof. This was SO GOOD. That ending 😭 yes, I had to mention it twice. This book mad me laugh, cry, get angry… ALL the emotions. I’ll definitely be preordering a physical copy 😍

Big thanks to Claire and NetGalley for allowing me the opportunity to read the e-arc for this amazing book! Not every book I read is a hit and I easily fall into book slumps, but this book brought me right out of it!

Folklore, mythology, and magical creatures are my favorite subjects. I have to read a book whose blurb checks all three boxes. This story follows Ash and a band of misfits from the Fianna Clans. Ash leads a double life in a world where two realms exist and the fae hunt unsuspecting humans for sport. She never imagined she would have to deal with clan life again until she finds her mother's brutally murdered body on Samhain. On top of that, she has to become the matriarch of the clan. When she thinks things couldn't get any worse she has to lead the clan in the Cath. A competition between all the clans filled with dangers she could never imagine.

Although Ash is the main character, there are other characters who I grew to love, and although I thought the different POVs would be confusing, I actually became attached to each and every one. There is so much world-building, character-building, and mystery around every corner that I could not put this book down. Despite the lack of spice, I think this book is still worth reading. There is so much depth and complexity to the storyline that a lack of romance does not matter. Not to say there isn't a sprinkle of romance, it is there lol just not the main focus.

You will love this book if you enjoy mystery, action, and edge-of-your-seat books that will emotionally damage you. During some parts of the story, I felt as if I were there with all its magic and intrigue. This was a page-turner and worth the gray hairs I may have gotten from reading it.

Thank you to Net Galley and BooksGoSocial for an advanced copy of Realm of Lore and Lies in exchange for an honest review.

Do you like magical quests? How about magical quests in Ireland? How about magical quests in Ireland with found family and not one, but two slow burn romances? If yes then this book is for you.

This book was wonderful. Filled with mystery, beautiful setting descriptions and interesting, yet complex characters, I would highly recommend this book to any fantasy fan.

What have I just read?? I’m awestruck, CLAIRE when can I get book two? The Cliffhanger, the suspense of what will happen next is killing me. I’m astounded by the story, it has bowled me clean sweep. The detailing here is impeccable and that makes the World Building more strong and more relatable to me. I could picture all the things and scenarios happening with precision. Multiple POVs made the perspective of the story more defined for me.

The four main characters “Ash, Tier, Set, Mae”, have four different traits, with minds of their own, making the experience of the story mind-blowing. Having to deal with their own struggles in life at a young age, has made them the way they are strong, confident, and full of self-doubts and the need which they think can never be fulfilled. When this group of misfits comes together on a journey, they experience and realize many things they were missing.

It’s Clair's debut novel and she has woven this story so perfectly with the detailing of the surrounding that I want to visit Ireland someday and want to see the places mentioned. Justice is done with other characters and I loved everything about the book. I enjoyed reading these lovely fellows, I’m suspicious of Druid Ethne, I hate Emer and how she treats people. A lot is left unsaid and I’m reading to find out in the next book.

It’s a 4.5⭐️ for me.

Okay so maybe I am a bit Biased, as an Ashe, with a book character named Ash. But this Debut Novel by Claire Wright, blew me away in a way, I honestly don't always expect with a debut novel. Thanks sooo much to @netgalley for this ARC. I love reading a fantasy set in Ireland with Fae, quests, banter and warrior clans. Sexy males, badass females, murder mystery, surprise endings…oof. I think I may have ran the gambit of emotions. Laughing out loud, crying a little bit, ready to throw my fucking kindle. it was kind of a roller coaster lol But I saw Irish lore and knew I needed it yesterday!

In a land that harbours two realms, magical creatures and dangerous games are a way of life and death for the travelling Fianna clans. It is an honour to visit Tír na nÓg, even if the price is pretending Fair Ones don’t hunt humans for sport.
Ireland native Aisling never imagined she’d be alone, living a double life. But when your family shares the ability to see through Fae glamour, keeping secrets isn’t something you do for fun. You do it to stay alive..

This is Ash’s story, a girl who ran from her clan and years after that she is in her last year of her archaeology degree. The only connection she has with her family is through her brother’s letters she receives monthly. One day she is working on an archaeological site, and she sees a Banshee, a creature that according to Irish folklore is a signal if someone will die soon. Oh surprise, not much time after that, Ash found a body in a tomb, but obviously this is not a skeleton from an ancient group, nope, it’s a person that had been murdered and now, Ash is a suspect.

DUN DUN DUN!!!!

One of the best parts of this book is the strength of the characters. This story follows many points of views. The four of them were both really good, but of course Ash's was my favourite , But they each had their own space to grow, and their own adventure throughout the story, so that the reader is able to feel their fears, and having space to make their own choices.

I immediately fell in love with this book because for one of the first times a book, based in Ireland, with Irish mythos and Irish culture was written by an IRISH PERSON! And it's not cringe-worthy because Claire obviously knows what she's writing about.
I loved all the culture and lore and really found the world building to be so rich and beautifully written. The twists and turns and secrets were perfect and I honestly can’t wait for the next book in the series.

This book tied up so nicely, and I was not disappointed by the way it wrapped up at the end. I love it, the way everything tided up together to make the big revelation of the real evil one was epic. Now I'm patiently waiting for book two on this series because I need to read what will happen to these guys in the trials they’ll have to face in the future.

I absolutely LOVED THIS BOOK!!!

The world building was incredible, easy to follow and FULL of Irish folklore! I felt myself being so drawn in and wanted to learn even more about Irish folklore and mythology after finishing the book. ROLAL is definitely a standout fantasy novel for me.

The four main characters (Ash, Tier, Set and Mae) were all unique, strong and well rounded which made the story all the more engaging, and I thoroughly enjoyed following the story from all four of their POVs.

Claire created so much mystery and suspense and I honestly had no idea what was coming next so I was SHOOOOOOOOK by the ending. I need the second book already!!!

I received an ARC for an honest review.

Realm of Lore and Lies is based in modern Ireland and the main characters are Fiannan, who are a travelling community who have a connection with the fae. It focusses around Ash and her peers.

In general, I enjoyed the book. The characterisation was decent and the plot moved briskly but the chapter focus changed from character to character, which I never really like. I did get a little confused on occasion as there were a couple of times key scenes happened and it wasn’t obvious what had happened but it was all explained by the end. Though an easy enough read I did feel like there was something missing. I wasn’t invested and maybe that’s because of the changing viewpoints or something else, I don’t know.

It was definitely left open for another book though as there were some questions and things waiting to happen, though there was no major cliffhanger.

The fantasy novel I didn’t know I needed! This mesmerizing debut novel is steeped in Irish folklore and mythology. I fell in love with Ash, Set, Maebh, and Tiernan! Each added a unique voice to this beautiful story about found family, slow-burn romance, coming home/into your own, plot twisters, and fighting inner monsters. I highly recommend this book and can’t wait for book two!

Thank you to NetGalley, Claire Wright, and BooksGoSocial for an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

Was a good book. Was a it confusing at first when all the characters were introduced but I got really intrigued with the concept of the book and the parallel worlds. It was like acotar but less action but also had its own flare with the use of the mystery. Was a great read and I really enjoyed it would recommend if you are a fan of mystery and acotar vibes.

If you enjoy fast-paced fantasy novels featuring new adult characters trying to find their way in the world than Realm of Lore and Lies by Claire Wright may be the book you have been waiting for.

Alternating between the limited omniscient perspectives of Aisling (Ash), Tiernan, Setana, and Maebh, the novel tells the story of the Fianna, a group of traveling clans living in 21st century Ireland who have inherited Faerie Sight which allows them to see through the glamour of the Fair Ones. The novel opens with Ash, a young woman who was destined to be the matriarch of her clan before leaving her people to pursue a degree in archaeology. When Ash finds the dead body of her mother in an ancient tomb, she is forced back to the world of the Fianna to complete her mother’s quest and solve her murder.

The tone and style of the novel is designed to appeal to new adults, and it does fulfill this objective. The focus rotates quickly between the misfit characters, the language is casual, and plot is emphasized over characterization. The novel is the first in a series, so the conclusion prepares readers for more rather than bringing full closure to the narrative.

My favorite part about the book is the use of Irish history, spirituality, and lore. Readers will learn about Puca, Changelings, Will O’ The Wisps, Banshees, the Tuatha De Danann, and Tir na nOg. The lore was more interesting to me than the plot, but overall, the book is a fun read that will leave you contemplating the way you define your family, your clan, and your home.

For sure a five star read for me. I loved this book so much!!

First let me start off by saying that I finished this book in two days. I wish I had taken longer to read it because I was so engrossed in the story I didn't want it to end.

Every element of this book just draws you in from the amazing setting in Ireland to the fae lore and Fianna clans. Then bam you add murder and a seven year long mystery and you have a compelling story that I can not wait to read more of.

My favorite thing about this book was its characters. All four of the main characters were so real and so well developed that I forgot that this book was the authors debut novel!

This book should be on everyones must read if they love fae lore and badass characters. I can't wait to add a physical copy to my bookshelf when the book is released.

I just wish that we didn't have to wait so long for book 2!

Realm of Lore and Lies is a captivating debut filled with Irish mythology, a murder mystery, and amazing friendships.

Fantasy books with murder mystery is one of my favorite types of books so that was an aspect of this book that I was really looking forward to and I enjoyed it immensely!

The story takes place in a modern world with a parallel faerie realm, and I liked the modern touches but we still got the elements of a fantasy world. Realm of Lore and Lies follows a band of misfits as they compete in a competition against other clans to become immortal warriors for the king. They are also trying to discover who murdered Aisling’s mom.

The world building was so realistic and well written, I feel like I could travel to the faerie realm if I were in Ireland. And the Irish mythology was magical! I loved the clan politics, it’s so different than anything I’ve read before.

Claire Wright wrote a delightful cast of characters, each with their own different vibrant personalities that I loved. We get the 4 POVs of the main characters and I liked all of POVs. I didn’t find myself wanting one characters over the others which sometimes happens when I read books with more than two POVs. Aisling discovers so many secrets and this book really kept me on my toes while reading!

While I thought the beginning was a little slow getting to know all the characters, the writing is excellent and it was really enjoyable and easy to read. The murder mystery plot was excellent and we get politics, adventure, and plot twists along the way. Realm of Lore and Lies is phenomenal and I’d definitely recommend it!

Some things you can expect from this book:
✨Murder mystery
✨Irish mythology
✨Found family
✨Clan politics
✨Multiple pov

Highly enjoyable. Loved all the different characters, Irish lore, and mystery. An amazing debut novel!

Realm of Lore and Lies- Book Review
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

I have recently fell in love with romance books that have murder mystery, and now I found a fantasy book with murder mystery? Safe to say I was hooked!

Realm of Lore and Lies was an amazing debut murder mystery, mythology, and found family-ish.

This story takes place in a small town in Ireland where the faerie and human lands run parallel, but humans don’t know they exist. Insert the finnian warriors/clans who help to make sure that is how it stays. Throughout the story we get to follow two clans as they compete against one another for a spot in the kings immortal army. All while also trying to solve the FMC mothers murder, who she hasn’t spoken to in 7 years.

Claire had AMAZING world building, I felt like I could truly picture the setting. Also first book in awhile that the fae weren’t “good”, which I haven’t read in awhile. The cast of characters were amazing and each so unique, I loved that we got to hear from all their POVs.

This book was a little slow towards the beginning/middle BUT it picked up so much at the end that it had me screaming that I needed more, and that epilogue!!!!!

I cannot wait for the second book! Thank you to Claire and Netgallery for this eARC in exchange for an honest review!

I loved this book it was great. The writing style was fast-paced and engaging, the characters had great arcs and the world-building was brilliant.

Thank you to Net Galley for an advanced copy of Realm of Lore and Lies in exchange for an honest review.

This book really draws you in, making it near impossible to put down. The Irish folklore was fascinating to read about, and the world building was really great. The writing is really excellent, and I can’t wait to read the next book!

Some key elements of this book:

-Found family trope
-Irish folklore
-Clan politics
-Mystery
-Multiple POV’s

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an advanced copy of Realm of Lore and Lies.

High Fantasy is my all-time favourite literary genre, and I have read so many series that fit into this category. I requested RoLaL based on the beautiful cover and the synopsis piquing my interest, and was pleasantly surprised when it quickly became one of the best fantasy books I’ve read in a long time, along with one of my top five reads of this year.

Based on Irish Mythology, Realm of Lore and Lies follows protagonist Aisling Breen, struggling between the normal life she is attempting to lead, and the complicated one she has left behind. Told through multi-person-pov, all four main character’s perspectives kept me engaged and gripped, and I loved weaving together the information each character was gaining and how it would come to help the others. The characters felt so real to me: they were so well-developed with their motivations, flaws, insecurities and personalities all clear and believable. You truly root for Aisling, Meabh, Setanta and Tiernan.

This book ticks so many boxes for me: likeable and developed characters, interesting magic systems, incredible romantic tension and moments, genuinely funny humour, female friendship, heart-breakingly sad moments, mystery, and PLOT TWISTS. Towards the end I had to hold my kindle one-handed as I needed the other hand to cover my open mouth. When a character title-dropped, I had to put it down and go for a walk.

Realm of Lore and Lies was so well-written. I highlighted so many excerpts of this book that just had the most beautiful descriptions: it was so vivid I really felt like I was seeing it myself. I could not believe when I read in the acknowledgements that this is Claire Wright’s debut novel - I have already followed her on Goodreads so I don’t miss any updates as I need to read anything she writes. I will 100% be buying a physical copy of RoLaL when it comes out in October and will be forcing everyone I know to read it, as well as recommend it over on my BookTok account. I eagerly - read: impatiently - book 2 of this series.

Finally a fantasy novel steeped in Irish mythology!

Where to begin other than I loved this book? This follows four points of view- Ash, Maebh, Set and Tiernan as they all try to come to terms with the lost members of the main clans. I loved how they each had the same amount of weight within the book, providing a varied account of the issues they face as well as the quest they are forced to partake in. Wright’s world-building is effortless and we experience not only a modern day world in which the Fianna clans try to survive, but also the mythological lands of the Tara Court- all in stark clarity. The plot feels refreshing- it’s more about solving mysteries rather than blood, guts and war- and allows the four main characters to develop in way which makes it a pleasure to experience. The connections between them feels realistic and never once left me wondering how they could develop such close kinships in so short amount of time.

If I were to put this review in a nutshell, it would go as follows: I simply loved this book and found it so exciting, I was practically bouncing in my seat. I cannot wait for the second one!

I would highly recommend any fantasy lover to crack open this book and explore a world of intoxicating Irish folklore.

"Blood spilt on Samhain is an invitation for all manner of evil to befall you."

We are huge fans of contemporary fantasy and feisty fairies, so it was a real treat to get an early peek at this new magical series set in the Emerald Isle 💚🍀✨

Realm of Lore and Lies is a little coming-of-age, a little murder mystery and a very cool take on some familiar Irish lore. Deadly fae, a closed matriarchal society of traveling performers, and badass warrior women with unusual abilities - oh yeah!

There are some interesting spins on a few of the myths and customs that shape the story's main quest, and the druid character was a delightfully dark take on the trope.

All in all it was a most excellent weekend read for lovers of fantasy adventure with an Irish vibe. ✨Scheduled for release on October 3rd 2022✨

📻Soundtrack - Flogging Molly
🥮Munchies - Barmbrack

Oh, this is a beautifully crafted tale of Ireland lore, and Claire Wright, you’re an awesome storyteller.
This book is an intriguing, fast-paced, easy to read, page turner that will keep you up while you follow the story of Ash, Conor, Tiernan, Maebh and Setanta while they search for the Caillte and are summoned to fight in the Cath.
Looking forward to the next installment of the Fair Ones series.

4.5 ✨ for this book for sure! Closer to a 5 than a 4. Before going over the book, I would like to disclose that I did receive this book as an eARC. However, this review will be completely honest.

The world the author created is incredible! WHAT A DEBUT BOOK! 💛 This book is more focused on Fantasy, with a romance sub genre. However, the focus is not on the romance and trust me, you don't even mind that. The relationships between the characters are still developed beautifully and the friendships formed!! I feel like I love the friendship and found family aspects more or equally to the romantic relationships between the characters.

I had never read anything regarding Irish Mythology and I went into this book not knowing much, but what I loved is that you don't feel lost while reading it. The world building is executed perfectly. This is the type of story that will have you on the edge of your seat, constantly wondering if what you think is going on is actually it or just your imagination. So many turns and I loved them all.

I loved all characters with all of my heart. Ash had a considerable amount of growth, however, I see much more of it in the future and I cannot wait to see it. She is a strong FMC and fiercely loyal to those she loves and I feel like we can relate to that.

Maebh? She is THE ICON, THE MOMENT. She is the reason why I loved that this was a multi POV book. She uses her easy going, care free, bad b*tch attitude as a shield to hide how she really is and it makes me wanna give her the biggest hug. IF anyone deserves a HEA it is her!

Setanta, what can I say? I have met my new book husband for sure. A powerful man, who exudes "I can break you apart with one pinkie" energy, and yet he is so open with his emotions?? He is sweet and thoughtful and just such a cinnamon roll. Now don't take that to mean he is perfect, because while we all may think so, this man has such a dark story. HE deserves all the love in the world.

Tiernan is the type of guy you want to have in your life in whatever way he will let you. Friend, boyfriend, husband, anything. He is the guy you want in your corner. He has a heart of gold and is the most incredible character in this book. I love him and will protect him at all costs.

The pace is slow at first but it picks up close to 50%, but honestly, are we surprised with it being the first book in the series? I really enjoyed this read and hope you give it a shot. You will not regret it! 💚

I really enjoyed this book, especially since it was a fae story set in Ireland, which I had never read before. There was very interesting worldbuilding and I enjoyed all of the different characters' perspectives. The whole clan social hierarchy with a Matriarch and her Second was interesting to learn about too. Overall, I would recommend this book for readers interested in fae lore and books with multiple perspectives. It was fun and heart-wrenching in the best ways.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I love books that are set in Ireland and having Irish heritage myself I can tell you that the folklore and legends surrounding Ireland and the Celts is fascinating and so this book was right up my street. I loved it and devoured it so quickly. A great read and I love the cover.

The realm of lore and lies is a slow burner that slowly hooks you and leaves you unable to turn away from the pages.

Perfect for young adults looking for a feel-good easy read. With Romance, fantasy, and murder mystery what more could you ask for?

Whilst I enjoyed this book I couldn’t give it 5 stars as I found all of the different narratives used at the start of the book to be a bit confusing. The further I got into the book and the more I got used to the characters the easier it got.
I also wish there had been more time to delve deeper into the characters and to see more character development and development of relationships between the characters. That’s what the next book in the series is for though!

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review

Thank you to NetGalley & the publisher for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Summary: Aisling left her family behind 7 years ago, taken in by the only two people who might have a chance of understanding her, she starts her life anew with her two sweet foster parents. Her only connection to her past are the letters she receives from her brother, Conor, and the occasional Fair One trying to steal an infant from unsuspecting humans in the cafe she works in. Aisling has The Sight; she comes from a long line of warriors who balance the two sides of the veil in order to keep peace with the Fair Ones. It’s her senior year of college, everything seems to be going well, until she’s met by a heralding call and discovers something that will undoubtedly change everything.

This was such a refreshing read! This took me back to middle school reading YA Fantasy like The Iron Fey that took more of a traditional folklore approach to the world building and I loved it so much!! An incredible balance between deep roots and well utilized traditional Irish folklore based in the Tír na nÓg, the Tuatha Dé Danann, and history and historic sites such as The Hill of Tara and Newgrange, and the Fianna while also including the modern world in a realistic way!

The characters are well developed and relatable! I found myself cheering Maebh on and my heart hurting for her simultaneously! Aisling is so complex and I can’t wait for us to continue to get to know her character and dive deeper into her complex relationships with her heritage and commitments and her perspectives after spending 7 years among modern society. I need to know more of Conor’s story. My heart breaks for him and his journey and experiences.

There are romantic subplots in this story that I think are appropriate for the YA genre! I’m interested to see what directions things go in as the plot continues.

I just LOVED the lore! I feel like fantasy has been steering away from truly sticking with traditional lore in world building lately, but I think this is just so CLASSIC while still being original and I just adored it!

Thank you to NetGalley and BooksGoSocial for the eARC of this book!

Realm of Lore and Lies is an expertly written debut New Adult Fantasy novel! Mystery, well-written characters, and Irish Folklore? What's not to enjoy!? Add in a dash of emotional damage and an ending that will leave you wanting more and you have the makings of a perfect start to a series! I will be awaiting the next installment in this at the edge of seat!

I absolutely LOVED that this was set in Ireland! Lots of fun lore and world building in this story! I look forward to reading book 2!

Growing up on stories of Irish folklore and history, this fantasy book filled such a special place in my heart, and that's on top of it being an absolutely amazing story that kept me reading chapter after chapter. I loved each of the characters, how their histories were interwoven and their general badassary - ooh and that ending made my heart hurt. I can't wait to see if there will be more books!

I was pleasantly surprised by how good this book was. I didn‘t really have any expectations going in, I just new that it‘s a fantasy book. I loved the story playing in Ireland, it‘s a story with some romance, family stories, murder and mystery. I wanted more depth into the characters but that might be something that will get explored in the second one of this series, we‘ll see. I‘m excited to see how this will continue.

*Thank you NetGalley for the ARC*. I loved this book a lot! The characters where really amazing I was in love with Set from his first chapter. The plot and story were very interesting and kept you engaged the whole time. The setting of Ireland is beautiful. Overall very enjoyable read!

I very much enjoyed this book!

The writing was great - it was easy to follow yet not overly simplified, even though there were a lot of names and terms that were new to me.

I thought the author struck the right balance between explaining the world and letting the reader get as in depth as desired. I found myself looking up places and people and terms. They were explained in the book, but I love knowing the details. And this book did such a great job of intertwining fiction and modern day Ireland with its rich history and folklore.

And I loved the storyline. With the Irish legends and lore, romance, and mystery, I was hooked from the first chapter.

I love that the story is told from multiple POVs. Early on I was interested in each of the characters, and by the end I was completely invested.

My only criticism is that the voices for the different character chapters weren’t overly distinct. There were a couple times I had to remind myself who’s POV I was reading. But I think I just needed a bit more depth from the characters. And by the end of the book I was starting to see it. So I hope we get even more character arcs in the next book. Which I will definitely be reading!

The story is told from the POV of four characters and I liked all of them. I didn't rush in the POV chapter of one character so that I could read the chapter of another, which sometimes happens if I don't find the character interesting, but all the characters were built up really well and you can feel the differences in their personalities.

The theme of the book itself is already intruiging - a fantasy book with a murder mystery (and romance). The world itself is written meticulously and in detail making it a very immersive setting.

The beginning of the book itself is somewhat slow and the pace only picks up at about the 40% mark but I don't really find it that bothersome as this is still the first book of a series. I look forward to the next book to find out how the story continues.

I definitely recommend this book to fantasy lovers.

Thank you to BooksGoSocial, the author and Netgalley for the e-ARC of this book.

Beautiful representation of Irish mythology with captivating characters, this is a unique and magical read that I thoroughly enjoyed reading. Highly recommend to anyone who loves fantasy!

I throughly throughly loved this debut from Claire Wright. There were sprinkles of romance, fantasy, murder, and a whole load of mysterious circumstances to figure out. I fell in love with all four of the main protagonists, as we see all the action through their eyes and get to understand their backstory in this world. The characters I believe are all around 23 (I will have to double-check), so I enjoyed having their ages close to mine.

I sometimes find fantasy books a struggle when there are huge info dumps, but I found it easy to follow along with the plot, remember past characters, and get a sense of the general direction the story was heading. I would argue that the story in the first 30% is a little bit slow, but the pace picks up soon after. I read this book digitally, but I believe the chapters in a paperback would probably be quite short, which is something I really love too.

All in all, this was a great debut and after that finale, I will sell my soul for next year to come quickly so I can get my hands on it. >Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review<

Irish mythology at its best.
Though the pace was quite slow this fantasy book was also part thriller / mystery which I enjoyed more than I expected to.
Thanks to netgalley for the book

I would like to start out by saying that I have been looking forward to this book for ages! When I first read the description, I knew that it would become a favourite read for me. What I didn't expect was to fall in love with everything about it. This is Claire Wright's debut but it definitely reads like it's not!

Realm of Lore and Lies, a book weaving Irish folklore with a fantastic story. I enjoyed reading this and can not wait until the sequel is out. I need to know how the Author ends all of this.

This book is complex in the sense that you are given a lot of information on Irish stories and lore which relates to the Characters and the situations they are in. Once you get started you can not stop. However you do need to pay attention because even the smallest details can be revealed to be very significant as the story continues.

Thank you for the opportunity to read this book and give my opinion.

This book was very interesting and refreshing. I loved the way Claire Wright told this story, as she set it up beautifully. I loved how although the book was written in third person, each chapter focused primarily on a different character and their thoughts. Books written like that are so refreshing and such a joy to read. I found Ash's story to be the most interesting and entertaining because she was the easiest one for me to relate to. The other characters, however, are still interesting. One thing to note about this book is that it is relatively on the lengthy side and does move a bit slow during some parts. It didn't bother me much because the plot was still overall interesting, but keep that in mind while reading this one. I would still recommend it!

Thank you NetGalley and BooksGoSocial for this free arc in exchange for my honest review.

First, a sincere thank you to the publisher for providing me with this ARC in exchange for an unbiased review.

The story takes place in a modern world with a parallel faerie realm, which is reminiscent of Holly Black's work. Realm of Lore and Lies follows a band of outcasts as they compete in a competition against other clans to become immortal warriors for the king. Features a murder mystery plot trying to solve the murder of main character Aisling's mother. I found the world building to be very well written without coming across as too heavily involved that it hinders the plot and character development. A fantastic read for fans of fantasy and Irish mythology.

I honestly didn’t know what this book was for at least the first third of it. I was drawn in by the mythology but couldn’t tell of it was going to be thriller, fantasy, or some amalgamation of both. I like that the characters are flawed and so human, fae sight or no, and that we get to see how “fair” the fair folk really are. But for a series named after the fair ones, we see precious few of them. For all the series romanticizing the fae as of late, I love that Realm of Lore and Lies holds them apart as an other that is hard to be knowable. Despite the legends and lore, they aren’t to be understood. But even more so, I like the fact that despite their otherness, the Tuatha Dé are not the antagonists, at least as far as we know. This has rambled on, but I have to say that I’m hooked and will certainly be picking up the sequel as soon as may be. And as Maebh and Tiernan immortalized, “Níl sé ach ina thús.”

To start, I love the map provided at the beginning. The detail is really nice.

I liked how it got right into the story and a lot of world building wasnt thrown at us right at the beginning. It was added as it was relevent.

I was not fully sure, I was going to like this book. I have been in a bit of a fantasy reading slump lately. But, this book helped me out of it. The story was very engaging and all of the characters were interesting in their own way.

I really like that this book has multiple POVs. Getting to see both characters POV always helps me get into the story and like the characters more. I was worried with the multiple POV's that it would be hard to distinguish the characters, but Claire made sure to give them all their own voices.

This is an incredibly magical story with lush prose and incredible characters, both main and supporting. The author is so incredibly transportive to this magical world..

4.5 stars

WOWIE WHAT A BOOK! the characters and the writing are just *chef kiss*

the story takes place in ireland, and is based off irish folklore. it follows the stories of aisling (ash) breen, tiernan cassidy, setana (set) and meabh mcquillian, and conor breen, and how their paths intertwine as they are dropped in Tír na nÓg to go on a scavenger hunt. think hunger games, but less barbaric (?)

without giving too much away, here are my fav moments from this book:
1. set's kinda like the hulk (he's ginormous in all parts iykyk)
2. meabh and ash become bffs and its so cute (they also kinds share the same power)
3. tiernan's cousin emer is a giant pile of flaming shit and i don't like her
4. tattoos :')
5. just women hyping each other up and men not giving them shit for being strong and being leaders

overall, a solid read, and i am definitely looking forward to book 2

Aisling is a Fianna, or a people that have The Sight and protect the human world from the Fair Ones, or fae. She is suddenly thrust into the position of matriarch of her clan after the shocking murder of her mother. It follows three other characters as well. Maebh, a young woman hell bent on finding her missing father and proving her worth to her over bearing mother. Maeve’s twin, Setanta, fighting against an affliction that turns him into a monster. And Tiernan, a Fianna skeptic who is searching for his missing mother.
The mystery and suspense was unreal. I had no idea what to expect from one moment to the next. This is not a book you can easily anticipate.
And oh my gosh. This book was so good. Realm of Lore and Lies is definitely a slow build, so if you’re hoping to jump straight into the action with a clear idea of what’s happening, you don’t. But, with the slowness you get INCREDIBLE world building. Honestly, few books have the depth and intricacies of a magic world while keeping the story interesting and moving forward. I was absolutely captivated. I already cannot wait until the second book comes out!

Side note: the pronunciation guide at the end is necessary and a lifesaver. You need it. Irish Gaelic is very confusing to my brain!!!

As an Irish Fantasy book lover I'm used to authors from other nationalities borrowing aspects of Irish lore for their fantasy books.
I'm was delighted to read a fantasy book by an irish author being inspired by the Irish lore and including pucas, banshees, the fianna etc- it really enhanced my experience.

I really loved reading every second of it! Aisling is a great character! I can't believe this is this is the authors debut, I look forward to reading more from her.

I loved this book so much! Definitely in my favorites of 2022 so far. I cannot believe this is the author's debut release! This book is character-driven with multiple POVs. It has been quite a while since I was interested in every character's storyline individually. In this book I was. Switching between perspectives didn't feel distracting. I was completely invested in what happened to each of ghte characters in this story.

This story also includes little known and rarely discussed mythological creatures/entitles from Celtic Mythology and Lore. .The modern clan systems being part of the main story line was really entertaining. I'm really happy I had the opportunity to read this book and I will continue with the series as future books come out. Fans of Sarah J. Maas will probably enjoy this book. Is it time for the second book to come out yet???!!!!

*Thank you NetGalley and BooksGoSocial for this ARC in exchange for an honest review*

4.5 ⭐️

I really loved the setup of this book, the Irish folklore and the world Claire Wright created 🪄

The third person perspective was refreshing, although I kind of wanted a little more depth to each of the characters. But throughout this book (that I read through in no time - because it’s really captivating!) I love the love stories, found families and the connections between them💖

The book has some slow spots, but I think the overall plot makes it worth it and would definitely recommend for the folklore /fantasy lovers out there!
Who can say no to Fair ones, Druids, Will O’Wisps, Púkas and portals to a magical realm ?? Not me that’s for suuure 🧙🏼‍♀️

Aisling is probably my favorite character in here, she’s totally badass but also has her doubts and cringy selfish thoughts throughout the book. Which I think is relatable to most people 🌸 And my heart really breaks for her several times throughout the book.


I reeeeally want to read the next one now, because that ending left me on my toes with teary eyes 👀

4.25/5*

What a book!

A very slow beginning to this book though. I’m not sure if it’s because all the Irish names, pronunciations and lore was extremely hard to get straight for someone who hasn’t read this genre before or if it was just a lot of details thrown at me really quick. I had to look up references in the back of the book frequently, so reading was slow. I almost gave up around the 20% mark but I am SO happy that I didn’t. Starting a quarter way through, the characters become more established and the plot gets really good. It was a fantastic glimpse into Irish folklore and culture with wonderful world building.

I really liked Ash and Maebh. They are two awesome FMCs who aren’t flakey or afraid to take charge, which is exactly what I like to see in a novel. Set and Tiernan are also amazing supporting characters. The plot takes the reader on a thrilling ride through worlds, murders, plots, schemes, lies and lore, exactly as this book promises. There were a couple moments in which I was a little confused as to where the novel going because there seemed to be so many plots layered on top of each other, that was hard to focus. I would have liked to see a bit more direction and closure of some conflicts before this book ended with a huge cliffhanger.

Overall, a fantastic debut novel with no lack of details and exciting plot twists. I look forward to see how this world develops in the next book.


**I was lucky enough to read an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review from NetGalley. **

I don’t know where to begin…
One: I don’t know if it’s my imagination but this book seemed to be longer than the other ARCs I got from NetGalley. And I loved this! Thick books are my favourite.
Two: Fairy tales for grown ups. Again, love it! While retellings of Grimms tales are a nice way of making those more mature, I really enjoyed that this story was aimed at an older group. I didn’t know much about Irish more (except for Tir Na Nog, thanks to the series mystic knights) but the author made it so easy to follow and dive into the world.
Three: The four main characters. Their reasonings were a bit cryptic at times which I’m not a fan of but I get that it’s part of the story Progression and therefore necessary. Nevertheless the characters were very different from each other and nicely fleshed out. No spoilers but I hope that one character returns and I’m rooting for a HEA for all four of them!

Can’t wait for the next book in this trilogy and wow, what a read this one was!

soooooo
This book was good
Like really really good.

I loved the story building, the magic used and the supernatural aspects. Gorgeous book

Would recommend.

Thank you Netgalley for providing me with an arc copy.

Claire Wrights book Realm of Lore and Lies is an incredible story.

The story follows Ash, an archeologist, who comes from a clan of travelers. After the murder of the clan leader, her mother, Ash must face her past. Ash is persuaded to take on the role of Clan leader while finding the killer, but that is easier said than done once you've made the decision leave the clan behind seven years ago.

It's a mix of fantasy, mystery, romance with some Irish history. The beginning of the story took some time to get into/past, but once that happened, I found myself become fully invested in the story and characters. I was intrigued by the Irish lore and how detailed the Author took the story. My only issue with the story is the number of characters that are thrown at us, it almost felt a little too much at times.

Thank you Netgalley for this ARC.

This book was fantastic. It has fantasy mixed with a murder mystery, a real setting of Ireland plus two romance sub-plots. It is jam packed with fae lore, monsters, strong characters and a found family.

I think this might actually be one of my favourite (if not the favourite) fae book I've ever read. The murder mystery element to it really draws you in. There aren't heavy lore dumps as it's really worked into the story.

And that ending!! I can't wait for the next book to continue reading this fantastic story.

Oh I really liked this one!
Fantasy meets mystery, my favourite combo. It features strong characters with lots of personality and great banter. I really enjoyed how the plot developed and the twists and turns it took. Loved the gang that forms, with Tiernan being my favourite character (such a loyal one ❤️).
Loved the concept and cannot wait to see what happens next in the Fair Ones series. By the end I was completely hooked and MUST know what happens next! An easy and enjoyable read about a girl discovering where she fits amongst 2 worlds and a whole lot of magic. Thank you to Netgalley, Claire Wright & the publishers for an ARC ebook of this in exchange for a review.
It’s out OCT 3rd, put it on your wish lists!
🌟🌟🌟🌟

A fantasy novel surrounding Irish Mythology? I’ll read it.

I was pleasantly surprised by this page-turner. While the first few chapters read a bit slow, as the world and characters were being established, it was quick to pick up. Definitely a read that won’t let you stop till 3am, so make sure you can sleep in the next day.

I typically do not like multi-POV books, as it is nearly impossible to make each character equally compelling. Claire Wright proved me wrong. I was heavily invested in each of the four leads and did not feel annoyed when flipping the page over to find another character’s chapter. That said, Tiernan definitely was my favorite character. As a computer science major, I am a sucker for a tech genius.

Action-packed, incredible world building and lovable characters. I would totally recommend Realm of Lore and Lies to a friend. Especially if visiting Ireland is on your bucket list.

Thank you NetGalley for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

First off, thank you so much to the publisher and Netgalley for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review! All opinion are my own.

Going into this book, I already knew I'd be biased towards liking it just because of it's location and the fact that it was high fantasy. However, since it's a debut novel from this author, I was not expecting to love this book as much as I did. It had absolutely everything that I require from a fantasy novel! 10/10 recommend. An amazing start to a series and a great debut for the author. It ended with me feeling exactly as I should've: overwhelmed with many questions, predictions, and wanting to know what happens next. There's a lot of world building, different species of fae and other mythical creatures, a pronunciation guide at the end (which I really appreciated), and many familiar and unfamiliar legends. I simply cannot talk about the characters without wanting to get into spoilers so just know that at the end, the author made me laugh, cry, and root for each main one! Aisling, Tiernan, and Set were my absolute favorite characters! The levels of sympathy I have for them is off the charts, and that's all I'll say on that.

My favorite thing about this book was the world-building and LORE!!! It might seem obvious that there would be lore in this book, especially in a fantasy book, but I've had my fair share of disappointments in the past. The author does a great job on building on Irish lore and myths. It's noticeable the amount of research that had to be done for this. As someone who has always loved Irish mythology, this fed a deep part of my soul. Very rarely do we get a book so heavily focused on one specific countries mythology and that delves so deeply into it.

My main issue with it was the pacing at times, and the lack of depth into some of the main characters. It's difficult to start a series with four different main povs and keeping the reader engaged with each one. By the end of it, I was fully invested in each character, but I did struggle a bit in the beginning with that. While I liked the characters, I don't feel like I know them that well yet. I didn't get that feeling of attachment until about halfway through the book. I do think this is something that is easily fixable considering this book is also meant to be the first in a series. It definitely reads like the first in a long fantasy series.

I cannot wait for the following book in the series, and it will require an exorbitant amount of willpower to not purchase a physical copy of this book, since the ARC I received was an ebook. I have full faith that this is one of those series that will stick with me as it continues.

I was not prepared for how much I was going to love this book. Full of Irish lore, a group of misfits, unexpected twists and turns, and some incredible world building. I'm a big fan of magical quests, found family, slow burn romances, and murder mysteries. The ending destroyed me and I cannot wait to read book two!

Thank you Claire & NetGalley for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

This book is incredibly enjoyable. I didn’t have any expectations going in. I only knew it was a fantasy set in Ireland.

I really loved the blend of murder mystery, fantasy, mythology and romance in this book. I don’t know much about Irish history or mythology, but despite this I never felt lost or confused about what was happening. After things fell into place at the beginning I really got invested in the story quite quickly, and stayed intrigued all the way through.

The characters in this one were also really captivating. I loved Tiernan, Maebh and Set the most. One of my improvements would be that I did find the main character, Ash, a bit bland to start with. I enjoyed her POV’s in the second half of the book a lot more when she started standing her ground and finding her strength. Perhaps this was due to me finding my feet in the story at the beginning, but I always felt myself more drawn to the side characters. All the side characters were really unique and had compelling stories of their own, and great dynamics with the each other.

I enjoyed the humour and all the small characters moments thrown in, such as the tattoo scene and the under the stars scene. There was a good balance between character and plot.

I enjoyed the slow burn romances in this one a lot too. They are very slow, but I’m so keen to see where things go.

All in all, I really loved this read. I did find Ash wasn’t my favourite character but that’s not to see I didn’t like her growth and where her character got to by the end. Overall this was a pretty minor gripe I had, and otherwise I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I need book two… asap!

Realm of Lore & Lies had me hooked. I love the multiple POVs, the world building, and the depth of the characters. My only complaint is that I want more!

I literally just finished this. It is 6am and your girl is going to have a massive book hangover over this cliffhanger of an ending… phenomenal.

I have no more words. I loved this book. Thank you. Bye.

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟/5

Thanks to NetGalley for this arc!

I wasn’t sure what to expect when I started this book but I was delightfully surprised. I loved it !

Set in Ireland, Realm of Lore and Lies is a tale of human Fianna clans and the creatures that live among them and in the otherworld. While keeping their eye out for púca, white-haired druids, and trifling family, there are also grisly murders and missing loved ones. after that ending, I absolutely need to know what happens next!!

Gyspys, fae, kings, evil moms, and romance. LGTBQ representation. Murder Mystery. Seriously you fall in love with these characters and try to figure out who murdered who and why... all while on a quest with their found families.

Honestly, I love a good fantasy book and this one really drew me in. I loved how it was set in Ireland, the fae lore and the murder mystery.

Following these characters truly was a whirlwind. At first it did take me a bit to get into which is expected as the story is set up. But as the story progresses to Tír na nÓg I began to get invested. Especially around the last thirty percent of the book, I couldn't stop reading.

I do hope to see a lot more character development in the next book! With an ending like that I can't want for book two!!

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!

Thanks so much to NetGalley and Claire Wright for the ARC of this book.

I think this was a great start to what is clearly going to be an epic fantasy series. Going into it, I wasn’t really sure what to expect, but I really enjoyed the story of the fae offset with modern-day humans in Ireland. The battle between the stereotypes and prejudices was an interesting take I think.

This story follows our four main misfits:

Aisling Breen - Ash - the girl who ran from her clan to live a “normal” life, only to be forced into matriarchy after her mother’s death. A formidable force and leader of the Breen clan.

Maebh McQuillan - the badass who ran from her clan to escape her abusive mother for the opportunity to prove herself in the legendary Cath trials. Basically a bisexual, gender swapped Loki.

Tiernan Cassidy - a lean, witty hacker often misunderstood and underestimated. After his mother’s disappearance, joins the Breen clan.

Setanta McQuillan - Set - Maebh’s twin brother who is part human, part monster. Think the Hulk but fae-style. Experimented and doted on by his mother as the favorite of her two children.

As the story develops, we learn more about each character from their points of view. Normally I’m not a huge fan of more than two POVs, but I think this story really worked. I enjoyed how interconnected their lives were, and I can guarantee that we haven’t even seen the extent of that interconnectedness yet.

Overall, this book was long and there were some character mishaps occasionally (ie thoughts didn’t always line up with actions), but I am thankful to have read it. I can’t wait to read the rest of this series and see where all the story goes.

I did enjoy reading this book! It's such an interesting way to look at the magical realm. I wish more was explained in a sense with certain characters or scenes that happened but thats what the other books will be for right?!
The world building was so interesting i love seeing authors ways of building a fantasy world and this didn't disappoint me. You follow Ash(Aisling), Set(Setana), Maebh, and Tiernan in this book and man going from each person and seeing their lives and how their relationships grew over time. Murder, mystery, love, and finding one's self! I loved how Ash and Meabh's friendship grew, love to see women support women! The ending definitely out here breaking my heart but I am excited to see where things go in book 2!

I loved the dreary Irish backdrop in this book, super cozy for fall! I also especially loved the modern day aspect, but with all of the Irish folklore tied in. This book was a fun read and I definitely felt myself caught up in the warrior clan culture and family drama. This made me want to go to Ireland even more now, sans evil magical creatures. Overall, great debut novel!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4.25

Thank you to NetGalley for providing with an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

This was a captivating read using Irish mythology and fairytales to embrace a story of travellers embracing their roots and protecting their clan.

Set in the modern world, the characters find themselves surrounded by death, trials and mystery as they try to navigate the politics of their clans and the rules of the faerie land.

I liked the found family aspects (as anyone knows I’m a sucker for this), and there were some humorous dialogue exchanges between the characters which made it fun.
The plot was fast-paced and action-packed.

However, I do wish there were more aspects of the mythology included such as more monsters, fae creatures and those sorts of interactions.
I did love the mischievous pucca though!

My first ARC from NetGalley for an honest review, and WOW. I feel so fortunate to have such a great florist experience with an ARC.

After reading the premise, I was immediately interested in diving headfirst into Realm of Lore and Lies. I love to learn and read about many regions of folklore and mythology, with most experience being Norse, Greek, and Arthurian. The story elements from Irish Folklore were new and exciting - I can’t wait to learn more.

The plot was slow to start, but once it picked up I was hooked.

My only criticism would be the too-quick onset of romantic feelings between characters.

I can’t wait for book 2!

Set in Ireland, with Irish mythos and culture, the culture and worldbuilding that went into Realm of Lore and Lies is outstanding!

In a land that harbours two realms, magical creatures and dangerous games are a way of life and death for the travelling Fianna clans. Fair Ones don’t hunt humans for sport. Ireland native Aisling never imagined she’d be alone, living a double life. But when your family shares the ability to see through Fae glamour, keeping secrets isn’t something you do for fun. You do it to stay alive.

I loved that the book was written in third person, each chapter focused primarily on a different character and their thoughts. Aisling is clearly the main character, but I enjoyed the other characters also. Aisling discovers so many secrets! While the romance wasn't really for me it didn't distract from the plot, and overall I liked the quest, the murder mystery, and that surprise ending!

“Níl sé ach ina thús. It’s only just begun.”

Realm of Lore and Lies had me hooked from start to finish - quite literally I could not put it down! Inspired by Irish Lore, the story follows four teens from 2 different Fianna clans, Aishling, Tiernan, Maebh, and Setanta, as they search for answers about their missing/murdered pare while fighting in the Cath, a time honored tradition. However, the land of Tír na nÓg provides only question after question, with few answers in sight.

Though some reviews I have read were not a fan of the multiple POVs, I actually really enjoyed them. It gave the characters depth that would have been harder to achieve through just Ash's POV. It also allowed me to feel more deeply for each of the four, making this book all the more heartbreaking to read, and the pot twists at the end more shocking.

I don't know how I am going to wait so long for the second book. I definitely need it now!

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me a chance to read the arc of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.

From the back of the book:

‘Nothing is ever as it seems, especially when Fair Ones are involved.

In a land that harbours two realms, magical creatures and dangerous games are a way of life and death for the travelling Fianna clans. It is an honour to visit Tír na nÓg, even if the price is pretending Fair Ones don't hunt humans for sport.

Ireland native Aisling never imagined she'd be alone, living a double life. But when your family shares the ability to see through fae glamour, keeping secrets isn't something you do for fun. You do it to stay alive.

A murder leaves Aisling motherless, thrusting her into the position of matriarch in a world she thought she'd never return to. Teaming up with unlikely allies for a competition steeped in peril, she can't resist the distraction warrior Setanta offers. Brooding, gorgeous, and impossibly strong, he gives her a chance to be something she never could before—herself.

Bonded by troubled pasts and deadly circumstances, the team of misfits must face damaging truths as they try to stop their worlds from colliding.’

Review:

A realm of Lore and Lies breathes life into Irish Folklore. We follow the points of view of four different characters whose lives are tangled together in mystery and loss. The first 40% of this book introduces us to each of the four protagonists and we are shown the world of the travelling Fianna and what it means to live as one.

The pacing was a little slow at first with occasional bursts of action that propelled the story very quickly forwards. The death of Aisling’s mother was brutal and my heart was in my throat by the end. There were so many wonderful and clever twists in this book that allowed the true villain to feel like a huge shock. I truly can’t wait for the next book to come out. My absolute favourite character will forever be Maebh, she is unapologetically herself, a confident and strong bisexual Queen. And Tiernan holds my heart. What you expect from this book after the first half compared to where it takes you by the end is such a journey. Each characters perspective is so well done (with no crossovers in timeline which is always a win). I’m suspicious as to why four of the main characters have a special ability and I can’t wait to learn more about it in the next book. As a debut novel and the first of a series I’m hooked.

Realm of Lore and Lies by Claire Wright
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I don’t know what I was expecting, but this was very different from many of the fae stories I have read in the past few years. I am guessing this author incorporated more the lore of Ireland, which made it an interesting read. This book focuses on Ash, Maebh, Set, and Tiernan, who are all part of the fianna. The Fianna are traveler people who hold the secret of the fae in the human world. Though the main characters are mainly from two separate fianna clans (Ash had left but is now back), they are working to solve a mystery that saw them losing parents 7 years ago. And now something sinister has caught up to them. They have to work together to try and solve the mystery for their own sakes and for the sake of their world and the fae realm.

I wasn’t crazy about having 4 different points of view in the story at first, but it grew on me as the story progresses. I am invested in seeing what happens next (I somehow missed the words “Fair Ones Book 1 on the cover and didn’t realize it was a series).

Hopefully the author writes fast so I don’t have to wait long to see what happens!

Thank you to #netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Thank you NetGalley, for a copy of this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
*spoiler free review*
l'I start off by saying, going into this I had no expectations. thought the cover was cute and so decided to jump in. Although it definitely gave me some mixed feelings, overall I really liked it.
loooved the found family trope, and so many of the characters quickly captured my heart. You can tell the author really loves the story she is telling, as she did so much research and put so much effort into writing it- I really appreciated that. I loved all the Irish lore that was interlaced throughout the book, and of course anything fae realm related I'm a huge fan of, so naturally I was hooked in fast with this story.
I found myself constantly wanting more, and I'm hoping that some of the characters and side plots get more action in the next books in the series because there was a lot that left me questioning at the end of the book.

Always wonderful to read stories set in Ireland. You can tell the author put a lot of care and passion into this work. The worldbuilding was wonderful and easy to follow, the characters were interesting, and the plot was full of fun twists and turns that kept you wanting to read more. I'm excited for the rest of this series!

I've read a lot of fae-related books this year, but I found this story to be incredibly refreshing because it wasn't the romantasy story I expected. Instead, the book delivers a mystery-filled adventure story, steeped in Irish lore.

It starts with the gruesome murder of the Aisling's mother, setting off a chain of events that leads Aisling back to her family's clan and pushes her into the role of the clan's matriarch, a responsibility she struggles to navigate. The story follows Aisling and her newfound allies as she learns to navigate clan politics and tries to solve the mystery behind her mother's murder.

There are three things I liked most about this book. The first is how the author used the mythology of the Tuatha Dé Danann and Tír na nÓg as the foundation of the world-building. I remember the lore from childhood and it gave me a strong sense of nostalgia. Second, I liked how each of the main characters goes through some major development in the story. It was fun to get to know them as their various motivations were revealed. Lastly, I loved the choices the author made for the ending. I can't say much more without giving it away, but it definitely left me wanting more and looking forward to the next installment!

Thank you for the ARC! This review has been cross-posted on Goodreads.

Huge thank you to Claire and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this e-arc!

This book had me right from the get go when I saw Ireland based fantasy! This is a story that follows Aisling, Ash, a girl who ran away from her clan in pursuit of a normal life. Years later after seeing a Banshee, Ash discovers a murder victim and is sent on a whirlwind adventure that brings her face to face with demons from her past. She returns to her clan and faces the challenge of the Cath. Alongside her friends, Ash will have to survive the Cath and solve a murder.

This story captured me from the title, and I was drawn in. I will admit the first part of the book moved a little slow for me, but once you get into it, you're locked in. This book follows four different characters throughout their journeys. Normally I am not a huge fan of multiple POVs, but I rather enjoyed the characters in this book. I think the characters were one of the biggest strengths in this book. I really liked how each of their personalities differed, and how unique each of their stories were. All the characters are very neatly woven together, and I found that this made it easier for me to keep track and really focus on each character. This book is perfect for anyone looking for an enjoyable fantasy read, and anyone who also loves Irish folklore. This is the kind of book that once you get into it, you won't be able to put it down!

Overall Rating: 4.5/5

Beautiful story with a beautiful setting. I love a bit of Irish mythology with lots of fun twists and turns along the way. I would have like a little more background on some of the characters but hoping this will be explored in book 2.
Thank you netgalley for this ARC

I do not like magical realism but this book changed my mind. I absolutely loved this book. It was wonderfully executed with beautiful characters, great world building and a really nice plot. Excellent book! I highly recommend it!

I enjoyed this book, it was easy to read and held my attention. I will be reading more from this author :)

Claire did a fantastic job of combining a modern setting with Irish mythology and fantasy.
I loved the characters and they were written so well. Ashling is the first character thats met and she is the one I actually loved the most. Her passion for history and archaeology made her very relatable to me because history is one of my biggest passions.

The setting was absolutely amazing. It’s written by someone who has actually experienced those places and has been there and lived there her whole life. You can tell. The places are written in detail and I could picture them in my head.

I loved this book and I’m excited for the second!

I can’t wait to dive into the rest of this series once they come out. This book had everything I needed! Romance, murder, evil creatures, and fighting. No one is as they seem and I wasn’t prepared for the twists and turns this story threw my way.

This book was a great mixture of old Fae lore and what that looks like in conjunction with a community who is still aware of them and tries to live in harmony with them. Ash left her family 7 years ago to live on her own outside of her clan. But now her family history is starting to catch up with her. When strange things start happening, Ash starts to wonder what's going on. When everything hits the fan, she finds herself back with her clan and trying to figure out what comes next for her and her clan while maintaining relationships with the High King and his court. This book made me feel like I was in it in a way that few other books have done recently. It definitely a must read for fans of the Fae.

A modern telling of Irish folklore. A group of reluctant friends, mysterious murders, a druid, Fae, warriors and a quest. Sound familiar? Maybe. But you should definitely read this book.
The character development I'm the list book was superb. Not just individually, but watching the various relationships come together with real depth, without taking away from the plot. Loves it.
I really, really enjoyed this book and cannot wait for the next one!
Excellent.

Thank you NetGalley for a ARC of this book.

A modern spin on Irish myths and lore set in present day Ireland- sign me up!

Claire packed a lot into her debut novel. I enjoyed the world-building, the whole found family trope and the introduction to the many characters who live in this world. The pacing is slow, primarily due to the introduction of the characters and the establishing of the world in which the story is set. With multiple point of views, each of the four main protagonists got to show a glimpse into their minds and thought processes and I know that as this is book one of a trilogy, the characters will mature more and more with each book.

Standout characters for me are Maeve and Ash; two resilient young women who are fated to become the matriarchs of their respective clans. Both have a lot of potential as fierce leaders and we are only getting to see the beginning of their journey to find themselves and claim their birthright.

The only issues that I have with the book is the pacing is a bit slow for me and although I was here for the potential romance between Ash & Setanta, it was a bit of a non-starter (here’s to more of it in book 2 😉). Claire goes into detail about the various aspects of Irish myths and legends she’s introducing in the story- this slowed down the pace but I think is necessary for those unfamiliar with this lore to get a handle on.

I can’t wait to read book 2 coming out next year (Claire - you know I need Ash and Set to get together 😉😂😂)

Thanks to NetGalley & publishers for the arc. Realm of Lore and Lies is out today!

There are stories about fae ( the fair ones) where a human enters their world, willingly or unwillingly, meets one and eventually falls in love. This is not that kind of story and I love it. This book is about a girl who is one of the few able to see through glamor and chooses not to interact unless to save a human from their stupid games. This book intertwines fantasy and a murder mystery together seamlessly and offers a look into the life of people "gifted" with the responsibility to protect the humans from the fair ones and what happens when your past forces you to confront things you wish you didn't have to.

I loved reading this and I can't wait for what comes next.

For a debut novel this book was great, a book that makes you feel all the emotions. Fae, magic, quests and brilliant descriptions that make you feel part of the story.
But the cliffhanger!!! And with no date for book 2 on the horizon

Thank you Net Galley and BooksGoSocial for giving me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this book as the characters were very much likeable, and the pace of the book was perfect for the plot. Each chapter is from different points of view from the characters. I thought that the writing style was very well done and quite clever in areas. However, in some places I felt that there could have been a bit more action.
Realm of Lore and Lies starts off with the death of Aisling’s mother, where Aisling views the death as a murder and very suspicious, but when she shares this with the High Court they pass it off. With the help of her friends, this exhilarating read follows how Aisling gets justice.

This book was really good! I loved how it was based in Ireland where I am from, so it was cool to see it in a fantastical sense. The only problems I had with the book was that it was a bit Insta lovey and I would have loved to see more depth into the characters but other than that I thought this was a really fun read!

I love books that have Irish lore and mythology as its theme. So, I was super excited when Claire Wright invited me to be part of her street team for her debut novel, Realm of Lore and Lies. And, let me tell you, it was so good. Thank you for having me on the team and for the gifted e-arc, Claire!

This story is steeped in clan lore and law. A life that Aisling Breen no longer wanted to be part of. Leaving her brother behind, she started a new life using her fae sight to help protect the humans from certain disaster at the hands of the fae. But when a mysterious murder takes place, Aisling is pulled back into the very world she thought she had escaped. She has to choose between turning her back on her clan and leaving her brother behind again or staying and and obeying what clan law dictates.

I loved Aisling’s sense of duty and loyalty toward her brother. Once pieces started coming together, that sense only grew stronger. All she ever really wanted was a family to belong to and people who loved her as much as she loved them. Family dynamics are never easy and sometimes you just have to forge your own way. Aisling can be a badass but her fear of letting others down or not being good enough holds her back sometimes. I hope we see her really come into her own and be the strong leader she was born to be over the rest of the series.

Maebh is my favorite character, which is saying something because I love all the characters. She is the one I resonated with the most. She wears her mask (she doesn’t really care, nothing bothers her, etc.) to protect who she really is. Just below the surface is a woman who wants to live fiercely and love deeply. This quest that the King demands these characters (Aisling, Maebh, Setanta, and Tiernan) undertake starts to break down some of those walls she’s built. I really want a happy ending for her!

Setanta is the “Thor/Hulk” character in this story. He is more than his muscles and brawn, though. He cares. He cares deeply for those around him. Then Tiernan is the “Tony Stark/Dr. Banner” figure. He’s smart. So smart. He doesn’t have the bulking body but don’t let that fool you. What he lacks in physical power he more than makes up for with his brain power. Tiernan may be the key to achieving this quest altogether. Both men have storied pasts and both want what everyone wants: to be loved. I want happy endings for both of them!

There were great twists and turns. I love the magic. Claire created a world that is so believable that I could see myself living there. There are some heart wrenching moments too. Why do all the best stories have to rip our hearts out? Nothing is as it seems but some of the questions to all the mystery are answered. The ending isn’t a cliffhanger that leaves you saying, “What the hell just happened?” But it leaves you wanting the next book. That epilogue, however, is an amazing way to end it! I was like, “No way!” I can’t wait for the next installment!

I highly recommend Realm of Lore and Lies to fans of fantasy, fantasy romance, found family, urban fantasy, paranormal fantasy, and Irish folklore.

First let me just say THANK YOU for this lovely book arc!!! Now into the review-

This book hands down was amazing. It started out a little slow, but once you get into it, you cant put the book down. I found myself sneaking away at work just to read the smallest snippets I could get my greedy eyes on. The magic system, world build up and characters are so multifaceted that it was such a breath of fresh air reading this book! I wont give any spoilers up but let me just say I CANNOT wait to see what more this author has to offer and what adventure lies in wait for our crew! If you're thinking of getting this book when it releases...RUN DONT WALK!

Aisling was once an active member of one of the travelling Fianna clans but following a disagreement with her mother she walked away from the lifestyle. However she could not walk away from her heritage and her abilities to see what also lurked within the human realm.
When her mother is murdered, Ash has to step up to her heritage in order to even stand a chance of discovering who killed her mother.
This book is written with a wonderful mix of traditional rich folklore and modern mystery. I loved the world-building and strength of character development. I felt that the encyclopaedia of the Irish terms would help many readers get more out of the book, if it was moved to the front as many digital readers would not know about it until completing the story.

I could not put this book down!! I read it all in less than a day because the story had me wanting more and more! The world building and the story line was so fun and unlike anything I had read lately! The author is 100% going on my must buy list and I can not wait to read more from her in the future!! Also totally need more books in this as a series!

What an absolutely stunning book. I can't explain how magnificent it is. This is a wonderful debut novel set deep in Irish mythology! Claire weaves a fantastical tale of finding yourself, your roots and determining whether or not to step into the roles you’ve been given.

<b> <I> Thank you so much to Net Galley, the author, and the publisher for providing me with a free copy of “Realm of Lore and Lies” by Claire Wright in exchange for an honest review. All of the following opinions are formulated on my own. Any quotes in this review should be cross-referenced with the final copy for any possible edits.</I> </b>

<b> Overall rating: </b> 4 out of 5 stars

<b> My review: I really liked how Irish mythology was included in this. I really loved the characters and it reminds me of the books I was fond of in high school. I loved the found family trope in this. </b>

<b> If you liked the following, you will probably like this book: </b>

<I> Switched by Amanda Hocking</I>

<b> Will I finish the series?: </b> I plan to!

Thank you for this ARC!

In a land that harbours two realms, magical creatures and dangerous games are a way of life and death for the travelling Fianna clans. It is an honour to visit Tír na nÓg, even if the price is pretending Fair Ones don’t hunt humans for sport.

Give me ALL the Fae fantasy books! Realm of Lore and Lies is a fun adventure. I enjoyed the uniqueness of the writing, characters, and storyline. Overall, Realm of Lore and Lies is atmospheric and it will take you on a RIDE!

I really enjoyed the mystery aspect of this book, I loved the Irish folklore and enjoyed how mystical it felt. Loved it so much I would love to re read again!!

Mystery meets Irish folklore.  I loved this debut novel.  The characters are well drawn and the use of Irish folklore was done with a deft hand.  You cared a lot about the character as they were introduced.  Aisling Breen steps into her birthright with all the self consciousness that comes with being thrust into a position too young but grows into her position with power and grace.  It's worth the wait when they finally get to the land of the fae and the mysterious and tragic deaths are revealed to be the work of someone you never suspected.  It leaves you with a cliffhanger that makes me want the next book to come out tomorrow!

Ash is part of the Fianna people, human yet able to see the Fair Ones. She was separated from her clan after an argument with her mother, Cara Breen, ruling matriarch of the Breen Clan. After 7 years, a banshee appears to Ash, signalling death, and Ash finds her mother murdered nearby. By Fianna customs, she is now clan matriarch. She accepts at the insistence of her brother and new friend Tiernan, despite the fact that most of her clan wishes her to relinquish her title. Tiernan wants Ash to continue looking into the caillte, a group of Fianna that went missing years ago, and Ash agrees to help look for them as she suspects her mother was also looking for them. So now she must prove her worthiness as matriarch, find out what happened to her mother, and try to find the caillte.

There were a lot of moving parts in this story. But things did eventually come together and I enjoyed it. The main characters are likeable and the mystery is good. The only real complaint I have is there was some repetition that occasionally took me out of the moment as well as some odd sentence structuring from time to time. But I was reading an ARC and those things could have been fixed by publication. And they didn't affect my enjoyment. Also, I like a bit more closure in a book before the cliffhanger but I'm still looking forward to the next one.

Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for the advanced copy.

I was thoroughly surprised by this debut fantasy by Claire Wright. A fun read that I did not want to put down. I knew going into it that it was going to be a slow burn, but so much happened in each chapter that it did not feel that slow in the end. There was lots of character and world building to set up for the rest of the series, which I appreciated. Wright took the time to research, and ensure that the reader understands the Irish folklore behind the novel.

Told from the POV of four different characters, there are some overlapping of timelines, but it is necessary to the overall understanding of the novel. This was not a distractor at all.

I can not wait for the next installment!!

I want to thank Netgalley and BooksGoSocial for an ARC of this book.

The main reason I chose to read this book was because of the cover, but it became so much more! It was a perfect book to cuddle up next to a fire.

I am SO HAPPY that I read this book.

Perhaps it's because these are stories that I was raised on, but I found the magic systems and lore really easy to understand. Still this book is full of twists and turns and a number of solid plot points to keep things interesting.

I thought enjoyed reading this book and fell in love with these characters. I cannot wait for part two. I think this will be my new favourite fantasy series.

THANKS: Received from Met Galley in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you so much for the copy to review

I felt this story was so good! I was immersed and couldn’t put it down. The characters were relatable and interesting. All the details made this so great and I could picture everything in my head. I love multiple POV stories so it really made the story enjoyable to read

Are you FREAKING kidding me?! Bravo!! The brilliance, the world building, the characters, the STORY! I dove head first into this one and didn't come up for air until the end. I love Irish/Scottish lore and this novel delivered. Cannot wait for more!

I was enthralled by the world building and Irish folklore throughout this read. The author does a beautiful job setting the scene for this novel and introducing characters you fall in love with. I find multiple POVs usually a distraction and really hit or miss for most authors, but the author did a wonderful job keeping the reader engaged and wanting to find out more about each characters' personal feelings.

I have been pleased with how good this book has been. I just knew it was a fantasy book, I didn't really have any other knowledge or expectations, except that it was based on Irish mythology. The first few chapters were a bit slow to read as the world and characters were being established. But then it picked up quickly. You'll be reading until 3am, so make sure you have plenty of sleep prior. There's romanticism, family history, murder and mysteries. I would have liked to see more depth in the characters, but that may be something that will be explored in the second book of this series, we'll see. I'm looking forward to seeing how it continues.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book! The author has really done her research on Irish mythology and wove it into a fantastic story. I really liked the characters and premise of the story and I *love* the emphasis on women leaders. However, at times, there was some pacing issues and I would've liked a bit more world building. Even though, I cannot wait for the next book to come out, I need to know what happens next!

Thank you to NetGalley the publisher and amazing author for giving me an ARC of this book.

I love that the author wanted to bring Fantasy’s to Ireland and this book does just that. It also is cool that there are a timelines and stories and then merged together. I really enjoyed this book while a little long I’m excited to see what else the author brings to the fantasy world.

This book started out just ok, but it get better the more I read. By the end of it, I was quite invested in the story. I liked that It had multiple POVs, always a favorite for me. Plus a mischievous Puca pretending to be a cat. Always a good time. the Irish mythology was magical. I liked that each of the characters seem to have some type of development over the course of the book. This book definitely feels like the story is only just beginning.

Completely obsessed with this book. it has everything I love in a book, some slow burn romance, folklore, mystery, magic and brilliant witty banter that had me laughing out loud. Cannot wait for more

I thought I was getting over fairy fantasy books but the Realm of Lore and Lies sucked me right back in. I really feel like there's not enough Irish-based mythology books. The story felt very well-researched and I could tell the author did her homework. Since it is well-researched, I think the author did too much of an information dump in the beginning that could've been edited down. It made the book have a pacing issue but it resolves itself by 50 percent. I liked the romances and I thought the chemistry was good between the leads. I would read the next book in the series because I only picture the story getting better.

I didn't sleep a wink reading this so... Take that for what it is! Love love love the FMC, the world-building, and the fact it is an Irish-setting is what makes it stand-out. I can't speak of anything lest I spoil it all, but know you'll end up binging it if you start. You have been warned!