"A human, a fae warrior, and the wicked Unseelie king walk into a bar. Just kidding. There is no bar. But there is a quest to find a missing queen. And tension. Lots of tension."

I don't usually put any blurb in my reviews, but the quote above from the author really did sum it up so well 😂😂. This is a short Novella, just under 2 hours, and is basically an intro/teaser into a series of full-length books where the story with these characters unfolds. Holy moly, I was hooked from the start!
Our FMC is Gwyndolin, who is a human who's Family was murdered by the Fae. Then we have our MMCs, Rowan a fae warrior and Aspen the Unseelie King. Neither were who I expected, but no spoilers here other than what happened was 🔥. The tension is no joke, I loved the part of the story we have been let in on so far, and I can't WAIT to continue!!!!!
The audio was incredible, narrated by Grace Noble, Gregory Salinas, and Anthony Palmini. They need to be the narrators for the rest of the series!!!!
A huge thank you to Momentum Media and Netgalley for the ALC. I got two by this author at the same time, and both were 5 stars.

Dark Romantasy
1st person POV

Duet narration - Grace Noble, Gregory Salinas, Anthony Palmini
Love these narration!

Ok this is a short novella that left me needing and wanting more. I really enjoyed the characters and the brief insight into them. I can not wait to listen to more of this series.

I have been struggling lately getting into fantasy at romances and this short story drew me in. I will impatiently be waiting for more!

ALC Review:
Duet Narration by Grace Noble, Gregory Salinas, and Anthony Palmini

Tropes:
Enemies to lovers
Villain gets the girl
He falls first
Morally gray MMC
Touch her and...
Quest

Gwyndolin’s visit to the Unseelie Court spirals into a dangerous quest alongside the wicked High King Aspen. Amazing banter, adventure, magic, betrayal, and immersive world building that hints at even bigger stakes ahead. I’m absolutely invested in continuing this series!

The emotional delivery, pacing, and character differentiation were fantastic. Many thanks to Momentum Media, NetGalley, and the author for this ALC.

Of Fae and Wicked Kings completely surprised me. I went in a little skeptical because of the shorter length, unsure how attached I could really become in so few pages—but within the opening chapters, I was hooked. It takes serious skill to create emotional investment that fast, and McCrary absolutely pulls it off.

This dark romantasy, told in first-person POV, wastes no time throwing us into tension, grief, and complicated loyalties. Gwyndolin (Gwyn), a human whose parents were killed by the Unseelie, carries both trauma and determination into a dangerous mission. She sets out to confront the Unseelie king, Aspen, alongside Rowan—the fae she has known for years and quietly loves. Rowan’s protectiveness is evident from the start, but his full feelings remain just out of reach, adding a subtle ache to their dynamic. There’s history between them, though I found myself wishing for even more glimpses of their shared past before the journey begins.

Then there’s Aspen. The wicked Unseelie king is arrogant, magnetic, sharp-tongued—and far more layered than the title “villain” suggests. His presence shifts the energy of every scene he enters. The tension between him and Gwyn is immediate, charged with hostility and undeniable pull. While his bold interest in her appears quickly, what kept me intrigued were the flashes of depth beneath the charm. Aspen and Rowan’s distrust of one another creates an undercurrent of rivalry that adds heat to an already volatile situation. I would have loved even more interaction between the two of them; their clashing energies practically demand it.

What stands out most is how effectively the novella balances romance with political intrigue. Fae politics are messy, alliances are fragile, and motivations shift as secrets surface. The line between hero and antagonist blurs more than once, which made me sympathize not just with Gwyn’s burden, but even with the so-called “wicked” king. The emotional pressure placed on the FMC is palpable, and watching her stand her ground—especially when the powerful fae around her try to intimidate or manipulate—was deeply satisfying. She refuses to be overshadowed, and that strength anchors the story.

The pacing is brisk but purposeful. There’s no excess, yet the world-building still paints a vivid picture of a realm steeped in danger and enchantment. Even when certain twists felt familiar within the genre, the character dynamics kept me fully engaged. By the final chapter, I was left with that delicious frustration of needing the next installment immediately.

The audiobook elevates the experience even further. The duet narration by Grace Noble, Gregory Salinas, and Anthony Palmini adds richness and depth to every interaction. Each narrator captures the distinct personalities and emotional intensity of the characters, making the tension, banter, and darker moments land even harder. Their performances made an already gripping introduction feel immersive and cinematic.

While readers should take note of the trigger warnings—including a kidnapping element—the execution isn’t gratuitous. Instead, it reinforces the stakes without overwhelming the story.

If you enjoy fae lore filled with trickery, morally gray rulers, layered romance, and a heroine unafraid to challenge kings, this novella delivers. It may be brief, but it leaves a lasting impression—and I’m more than ready to see where Gwyn, Rowan, and Aspen’s story goes next.

Ok this novella was unexpected. I'm 100% sold on picking up this series. In this short novella, there was love, lust, Banter, one horse, a tree pinning, betrayal, and not 1 but 2 plot twists... Like what?!?
It was beautifully narrated by Gregory Salinas (swoon), Anthony Palmini (Hi Kingfisher!), and Grace Noble (she's soooo good). Its read as a full cast so each narrator reads for their own character no matter who's chapter POV they're in. It was FANTASTIC!

This novella was pure fantasy adrenaline.

With Of Fae and Wicked Kings, you receive all the elements you want to see within a romantasy novella. You receive danger, power, tension, and that special something that makes the wickedness so appealing. The world-building is detailed enough without being too detailed, and the pacing is quick without ever feeling hurried.

I adored the fact that this novella was so well-written. It’s a novella with no filler, no slow parts, just a quick pace. You see the tension and intrigue build quickly, and the stakes are high throughout the entire novella. I read this so quickly now I just want more.

If you enjoy fae politics, gray energy, and action-packed fantasy within a novella, this is a very satisfying read.

Thank you so much to Momentum Media and Publishing LLC and NetGalley for the ALC of this audiobook!

Even though this was a shorter listen, it completely hooked me. Sometimes novellas can feel rushed, but this one did the exact opposite... it delivered just enough to pull me in while perfectly setting the stage for what’s to come. The groundwork for the series feels so intentional and intriguing, and I already feel invested in the characters and the direction the story is heading. If this is just the beginning, I can only imagine how incredible the full series will be.

The audio production truly elevated the experience. The duet narration was fantastic and added so much emotional depth and chemistry. It made the story feel immersive and dynamic, and I found myself fully swept up in the performance. The narrators really brought the characters to life in a way that made everything feel vivid and engaging.

Overall, this was such a strong introduction to the series, and I’m genuinely excited to continue. I’ll definitely be picking up the next installment!