This book was sent to me electronically by Netgalley for review. Thanks to the publisher for the copy. What a gorgeous book! The author has a great gift for characterisation - nuanced, interesting, believable people.

Sincerest thanks to Orbit Books for an ARC of "A Feather So Black" in exchange for an honest review.

"I have never known a love that did not twist, did not curdle, did not poison. Life hurts. Death levels. But love—love destroys."

"A Feather So Black" was enchanting. I really felt like I got swept up in an old fairytale and this is thanks to Lyra Selene's beautiful prose and expansive worldbuilding. I had a couple of "complaints" about the romance and little things here and there but this was a solid fantasy book. This novel was a breath of fresh air in a sea of half-assed fae-based fantasy books dropping every two days. I highly recommend reading "A Feather So Black" if you like Irish mythology, beautiful fairy tales, grim folk legends, and everything related to fae and Fair Folk. Absolutely loved this one and looking forward to the sequel.

*thank you to netgalley and the publisher for an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*

what a great read! i couldn't put it down. the characters and the world building were great.the banter was amazing!i couldn't put it down honestly what a great book!! can't wait to read more by this author!
10/10 would recommend!

There was a lot to like about this book. There were a lot of familiar themes, but a fresh, unique story. The dedication gave me an early hint at where this tale was going, but I loved the message at the heart of it.
The development of Fia’s relationship with the romantic lead was well done, but even better was seeing the evolution of her other relationships with her family and friends, and her self-development alongside that.
I was pretty confused by the ending- it was fortunate that the first chapter of the sequel was included as until I read that, I don’t think I had correctly understood the conclusion. However, I am left wanting to read the sequel, which is always a good sign!
Thank-you to NetGalley and Little Brown for the opportunity to read this eArc in return for an honest review. As requested, I will not publish it to Goodreads until nearer to the publication date.

I really liked Fia and Irian together (Although they didn't actually spend much time together). Fia grew a lot and Irian was great. I also enjoyed the magic and the different realms. I would have liked to spend less time in the human realm or for the time in Tír na nÓg to be less rushed.

The writing was good, I liked that the stories used were short and to the point. I did think the ending was a bit rushed, I would have liked to understand more about Fia, but hopefully this will be in the next book.

Thank you to Netgalley, the author and publisher for an eARC copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

This was such an enjoyable read. The world building, the character growth, the folklore, I thought it was absolutely magnificent.

I enjoyed this book start to finish but the second half I just couldn’t put down.

What I loved most was how folklore was used in this book, it was beautifully done. Our main character Fia is a changeling, she replaced a princess who was taken to Tir Na Nog as a child, closely resembling the princess but with dark hair and different coloured eyes. Fia has green magic which often flares out of her control, giving some she touches back to nature.

Fia and her former lover are sent to rescue the princess Eala. However Rogan is betrothed to the princess and had previously left Fia cruelly some years ago. An awkward and damaged pairing sent to reduce the princess from a dangerous world.

We saw excellent character growth in Fia. Always with dignity and continually learning. Fia is often too trusting and others take advantage of her, but throughout the story she grows in herself and learns to challenge what she’s told and question the motives of others.

I thoroughly enjoyed this and I can’t wait to read more!

I read an eARC of this book so thank you to the author, the publisher and Net Galley.

I enjoyed this book and read it quite quickly. I really liked the love triangle and also the sassiness of the FMC. The only thing I'm not sure about is the ending, I don't know how there can be a second book how it ended, I feel it would be better as a standalone.

This was a really enjoyable read a fairytale reimagining , it has beautiful lyrical writing that pulls you in and keeps you engaged.

Descriptive world building a unique type of botanical magic, heavy in Celtic mythology and folklore that added so much to the story and kept it interesting and intriguing.

The character and relationship development were incredible and really helped move the plot along as it is mainly a character driven book. The romance plot was a major focus but that didn’t stop the fantasy world building or storyline suffer in away and the romance only helped move the plot along.

Highly recommend for anyone who loves a fantasy romance with fae, darker themes a love triangle done the right way with also a little bit of spice.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a arc in exchange of an honest review.

I could not put this down! The world building was done perfectly - straight into the plot from the start then fleshing out the world as the story progressed without being too overwhelming. Sometimes fantasy books can feel very clunky with information dumps thrown in to set the scene - I didn't feel this once.

On top of this the relationships explored were so interesting and the main reason to continue the series... I need to know more!! 'Mother' is also the queen of manipulation wow! I also think this is one of the best examples of a love tringle situation not feeling forced or too cringe. Both Rogan and Irian have so much going on, are totally different and brought so much out of Fia. Plus I am so intrigued about Eala and the other swans, their backstory and where this is going.

However because the story is so character/relationship driven that the mission element felt like a subplot, that everyone involved didn’t take this too seriously until it was crunch time. Also the period this book covers is basically a year, the jumps in time felt a little jarring and that I was missing out on something during the gaps.

Overall this was a super fun easy read and left me wanting more, if fae/folk fantasy and romance is your vibe definitely give this a go!

This book just confused me.

The world building was definitely unique. I wouldn’t compare it to The Cruel Prince because this world is so much more complex.

Honestly I didn’t know what was happening. The timeline confused me as months passed between chapters (?) was this all happening over years? Because it could have been weeks …

Just not for me.


2.5 ☆

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

"For anyone who has ever doubted if they were the main character in their own story. You are."
Right from that dedication I fell in love with this book. The writing was enchanting and weaved a beautiful story.

This book has:
✅️ Friends and enemies to lovers
✅️ A love triangle
✅️ Celtic Mythology
✅️ A dark and brooding morally grey man
✅️ Great character development
✅️ A little bit of spice

The story is told from the point of view of Fia a changling left in the human realm by the fae who stole the queens daughter. The Queen raises her whilst also training her as a weapon through many forms of abuse disguised as training.
From the start I felt a strong distaste for the Queen, she was saying things such as “Only I know how to love someone like you, and no one will ever love you more than I do.” which to a girl who wants nothing more than to be loved may seem affectionate and not seen as the manipulation it is.
The Queen sends Fia and her childhood friend Rogan, who she is in love with on a mission to save the princess, who is also Rogan's betrothed, from the folk realm.

While they venture into the folk realm to make a plan of action on how to save the princess we also meet Irian and dark and mysterious gentry. As the story progresses it turns into a bit of a love triangle alongside the story, I'm not normally a fan of love triangles but this one was well written and you could feel how confusing it was for Fia trying to navigate her feelings for both men.

The ending I could see part of it coming but was not expecting as many twists and shocks as we were given, I cannot wait to read the next book to see where the story goes next.

Thank you to netgalley and little brown book group for my arc copy for my honest review.

This review will also be posted on goodreads and amazon on release day

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This book is perfection! There's not a single imperfect sentence in A Feather So Black. Not a meaning to be missed. I'm so in love with it, and I can hardly wait for book 2.

If you loved The Cruel Prince and longed for his adult sister, look no more: A Feather So Black is very much the adult sister of The Cruel Prince, and that is the Highest Compliment I can give because The Cruel Prince is legendary.

A Feather So Black has a prose with vivid imagery; its cunning sharp as a sword yet its tenderness soft as a feather. The author describes the environment as vividly as if she lived in that world. Every image, every texture, every smell echoes through the pages immersing the reader irrevocably. In the beginning, I thought that this would be a novel I'd like but felt too wordy, but around 20% I think, I just fell completely and utterly in love with everything. Me who doesn't like lengthy descriptions sought all kinds of setting descriptions out and drank them in (not that they were lengthy, to begin with). The worldbuilding is inspired by Celtic mythology, and I thought it was so fresh and unique! There's simply no other word for it: I just fell in love with this world, these characters, and the undeniably compelling voice.

The book is told by Fia's point of view. Fia is the changeling girl who was left behind at the castle when the Princess was taken. She grew up in an unkind, cruel world where non-humans are detested and hated. She grew up to become a weapon in order to be appreciated and loved. And the cruelest thing was that she thought she was loved. She swore her unyielding loyalty to a woman who kept telling her that she's the only one who could ever love her, and Fia longed for that love, felt grateful for that love and she didn't even consider why on Earth only she could love me? She thought she was loved when she was being controlled and confused a leash with love, and it was so tragic, so sad, so heart-wrenching to watch Fia feel like this. Even as I realized all this, I still felt for Fia because her portrayal was that good; I wasn't annoyed or jested, I was deeply sad for her. And I rooted for her happiness more than I have for any other character I've read.

Our princeling, Rogan, definitely played his role very well. The best friend, the friend with benefits sort of, the one who got away and tried to get back. I liked him a lot, but I never saw him as endgame for Fia because 1. hello, Irian, my beloved, and 2. he called her changeling. Fia and Rogan had this playful banter where they called each other princeling and changeling. If you loved Fia wholly and unconditionally, if you loved every part of her, you wouldn't call her a changeling as in the presumed name of her species. It was something that I had in my mind every time he did it. And then, he showed all the more how weak his character was.

Whereas Irian has maintained a strong heart since he was a child, being hunted for his bloodline. Even at his lowest, he showed more strength, more grit than Rogan ever did. I was so worried that Irian would get hurt because he was truly the one who has been doomed since he was born, so I was practically sitting and biting my lips and nails the whole time. I adored Irian! I mean his name is to die for! Tall, dark, with broad shoulders, silver eyes of Moonlight that stare into your soul, and broody enough to keep you obsessed with him! Absolutely adore Irian! I'm the feather on his shoulder, the ink on his arm!

And the banter between Fia and Irian, oh my goodness! The constant push and pull! The secrets in form of stories and glances and hidden meanings! The flirting and the witty, vivid banter between two people who saw themselves for WHO they were and not WHAT they were, between two equals who saw and embraced their differences and their similarities. It was so beautiful, so soft and tender, and so delightful spicy in all aspects!

They say the plot thickens, and it's so true in this book. Just when you think you discovered it all, boom, a new plot twist and a new possibility came up! Even when you see something coming, you have no idea how it will be solved and how the story is going to go. And I thought it was brilliant! Another theme of the book is women's empowerment and how women have been belittled and used as pawns as well as the lengths people will go to in order to gain power. I thought the author weaved these nuances very well and very thoroughly not only with the prose and characterization but also with the plot, as well. Masterful storytelling all in all!

This story may have a toxic found family but it was the purest found soulmate storyline ever!

I absolutely love everything about this book, even the commas! And I'm proud to be the one who coined their ship name: Firian.

If you love dark fairytales, stories about fae, stories about self-love, delightfully witty romance, and a prose that grips your soul, this is it: A Feather So Black.

If you're still obsessed with Jude and Cardan *like me*, you must read this book. There's a new fae romance queen in town, and her name is Lyra Selene, whose name and storytelling are as beautiful as the fae themselves....

Lyra Selene has written a wonderful story, and the first chapter had me hooked. What happens when you go on a considering questing with your most memorable love to assist him with saving ... his pledged? I adored Fia's excursion of going from the High Sovereign's placeholder and spy to a legend unto herself! Everything isn't as it appears and perusers will leap out of their seats when a dull, agonizing fae shows up! Vivid world structure, unusual writing, holding experience, and heart halting sentiment,

“I wanted to live. I wanted to love. But more than anything, I wanted to be where I was always meant to be. I wanted to go home.”

Where do I even start with this review?

Firstly, thank you so much to Netgalley for giving me this Arc to review! It was an absolute pleasure to read from start to finish.

A Feather so Black is a mystical, magical, breathtaking fairytale of Celtic inspired reimagining. To me,
if you asked me what the core message in this story is I would say, this book seeks to answer the following question: " what does it mean to come home to yourself? the true part of yourself that has been waiting to live? ".

Fia is an absolutely fascinating character, she has lived a semi-shelter life under the thumb of her adopted mother, who is also a Queen. She was left behind and exchanged as a child with the Queen's real daughter, who was taken to the lands of Fae. However, the Queen chooses to raise Fia as her daughter and trains her how to be one thing - a weapon. Fia becomes everything that the Queen desires - she is dark, cruel and vengeful and she knows how to kill. One day the Queen decides that Fia must go and find her daughter. Suddenly, her childhood friend that she hasn't seen in years 'returns', a Prince who broke her heart - is betrothed to the 'sister' she's supposed to save, or rather, retrieve from the Far realm so order can be brought to the human world. However, the Queens daughter has been cursed by said 'dark magic', and Fia must find a way to break the swan curse.

Fia is also tasked with a secret mission - to find an item that wields magic that her Queen mother desires.

You can expect:
(1) Enemies to lovers
(2) forbidden love elements
(3) human vs fae
(4) 'touch her and die' vibes
(5) Unique magical system (empowered by Celtic mythology)
(6) love triangle
(7) multidimensional characters
(8) storyteller/riddles

I found Fia a truly likeable and relatable FMC. She was so raw, honest, and determined throughout much of this story. The thing is, she was trained to make herself 'unlovable' by those closest to her, she was taught that humans would only fear her for who she was and her magic, and she experiences so much emotional manipulation in her life - she is taught that she should be 'happy' to receive love in whatever form it comes in, even if that love is used to make you hard like a weapon. Halfway through this story, Fia decides to choose herself - or rather, discover who she is without other people feeding her a narrative about WHO she should be. She chooses that she no longer wants to be a weapon. There is something that I truly admire about her, when she starts to make those decisions for herself. She's strong, vulnerable, and prepared to sacrifice herself in more ways than one. Her growth in this book from beginning to where it ends made me so proud of her!

Do I dislike Rogan as a character? Yes and no. I think there are a few reasons for this - whilst some of it comes down to political reasons, and his position as a Prince - I don't believe he has it in himself to sacrifice in the same way. For example, he didn't get a choice in being betrothed to Fia's 'sister', but his stance politically is more about what he can gain. I think the relationship him and Fia has bloomed from co-dependency. Yes, they showed each other kindness during childhood and became best friends that slowly grew into lovers - but was that love healthy? I'll let you make up your mind about that. I don't believe Rogan has it in him to love all of her. I think he simply loves the idea of her.

I grew to love Irian through this book - his life has up until now being precarious. He was put in a position as a child to make decisions no child should have to make. He is faced with some truly difficult decisions throughout and honestly? I felt for him. He's mysterious, dashing, and darn-right mystical. I wouldn't classify him as your standard morally grey character - the reason for this is because, yes, his life has been built of secrets - however, you'll grow to understand why he has kept himself so hidden, where the source of his pain comes from and why he becomes so enamoured with fia. I'm really looking forward to seeing more from his POV in the next book! also, the unconditional acceptance he has towards Fia truly warms my heart.

The Spice level, oof I was not expecting that much spice! so that was a nice lil' surprise.

I'll be honest - this is an intense story, especially on the emotion side. If you're a romantasy type I'd definitely recommend it and if you love bad-ass FMC's?! then uh, pick this one right up! I'm still feeling a bit emotional about it and I've had to collect myself for this review. Honestly, I want the second book already - pleaaaaaaase!

Well, that was a good one. So, onto a review I am very happy to write:
In this first installment of the new fantasy series by Lyra Selene, we meet Fia. Fia is a changeling girl left behind after a war between humans and Fae. All her life she has been sharpened as a weapon to be wielded by the queen, a mother whose daughter was stolen, and replaced by a changeling child. All her training culminates in one crucial mission. Her ultimate goal: save the human princess Eala, free her from her curse, and steal the magic sword that holds ancient powerful magic. However, once she meets the fae who wields the sword she is forced to ask questions she had long silenced.

So, to the review, First, the world-building was fascinating. Mythology was used cleverly, making this world familiar to us, yet unique to the author. However, due to the nature of the story, we got to see far too little of this world. Much of the action happened only in one place, so there is a lot left to explore. I hope we get to see more in the next installment.

Truly well done were the characters. I am so proud! Guys, we FINALLY have a heroine who is capable of logical thought!! She is the "girl who doesn't fit in" done right. She struggles with accepting herself, yet she is strong and determined. She has never been loved and thus makes some questionable decisions, but even her doubts and her mistakes make absolute sense for her character. And as the story progresses you see her growing into herself and as a reader, you are proud of her. Well done, truly.

Just as well done is the "tormented, dark MMC". Irian is Fae. He is dark, he is lonely, and he has been hardened up by pain and loss. And still, he's not an ass. He respects the FMC and encourages her to love herself, to make her own choices, and to believe in herself. I like how respectful he is. I feel like a common theme in these types of novels is that the MMC is cruel and callous towards the FMC but we have to forgive him because of his scars. There was none of that here and it was refreshing. He owned his mistakes and tried to make up for them. He didn't excuse himself with his past and he treated the FMC well. So, I think he is one of my absolute favorites so far.

We have other characters, such as Eala, the human princess stolen into faery. I don't want to spoil too much here, but she is quite an intriguing character. Then there is Rogan, who is simply a product of his time and circumstances. There is the queen, manipulative and cunning. They all add so much to the story and are all essential to it in their own ways.

The story in itself is quite a nice retelling. I loved how elements of the original story were used. This author is an expert in taking something familiar and making it her own, unique version. What I liked the most, however, is how the concept of "love" was treated. We have the constant contrast between toxic love and healthy love. On one hand is Rogan, who can only love parts of Fia; the queen, who tells Fia constantly that no one except her can love someone so difficult; and Eala, who just wants to use her. All of them represent one form of toxic love: there is control, there is condition, manipulation, and criticism. None of them will accept Fia the way she is nor are capable of loving all of her.
On the other hand, Irian loves Fia fully and unconditionally. He doesn't try to manipulate her, nor does he try to shape her the way he likes best. On the contrary, he encourages her to love herself and all the parts that make her her. I liked that the MMC is actually the healthy option and not the toxic one. This was done quite differently from most romance novels.

Overall, a great story, a great couple, and a great retelling. I recommend this book for fans of retellings, lovers of intriguing worlds, unconditional love that conquers everything, and new beginnings instead of endings.

Firstly thank you Netgalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read this beautiful book. Lyra, I on the edge of my seat now for the second and I'm so happy this isn't a stand alone.

A Feather So Black had me intrigued from the get go. As a young women from Ireland, I was raised on the tales of Tír na nÓg, Cuchulainn and the Children of Lir and when I read the synopsis I immediately wanted to read this book. Lyra didn't disappoint and I feel has only scratched the surface and has so much more in-store for us with our hero's/anti-heros.

From ancient gods to vengeful queens and fickle Faes I was completely hooked and adored Fia and her revere and resolve. One of my favourite points was the connection though to ireland and the references to IMBLOC, Beltane, Lughnasadh and Samhain and the references to Brigid etc. Honestly I could go on but there are so many wonderful easter eggs doted in this book and anyone interested in folklore will have a field day.

It was a beautiful woven tapestry retelling and weaving a beautiful new fantasy series into existence while taking the stories of old.

Hates off to you Lyra, go raibh míle maith agat.

Was super interested in the synopsis of this book, so bumped it straight up to the top of my tbr!
Lovely, lush foresty and magical world. Great character building and development throughout the book.
Only negative is I felt like I knew who the good and bays guys were the whole time (unsure if intentional or not).
But overall a great read and I wasn't let own in my high expectations.
Really looking forward to the next book!

⭐️ARC REVIEW⭐️

🍃 A Feather So Black 🍃 by @lyraselene


Rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

💫Review💫

I am struggling to find adequate words to describe just how breathtakingly beautiful this story was. The way this story was written was nothing short of phenomenal. The author takes you on an enthralling, exhilarating, heart-stopping journey through a rich world of magic, fae, first loves, forbidden romance, Sizzling sexual tension, betrayal and the journey to findings ones true self.

The concept of this story was utterly bewitching. I was gripped from the first few pages. This has fast become my favourite read of the year, and I am dying for the next book to be released so I can continue this journey. The world building was expertly crafted, and the character depth and growth of characters within this instalment was exquisite. The FMC is genuinely a strong FMC. Her journey to finding herself was beautiful, and I have fallen in love with her character. The MMC has taken up residence as my new book husband. The development of their romance was written perfectly, and the pacing of the story was perfect.

I loved the elements of the book that gave me Swan Princess vibes with a twist. I haven't seen this done elsewhere, and the way it was done in this book was excellent.

I finished this story with a feeling of contentment and joy that I have not experienced in a very long time. Not because of the way it ended, but purely the sign of a spectacularly written book crafted so well it sang to my soul. Through they eyes of the FMC it spoke to the child in me who fantasised of princes and princesses, magic and treasures, it spoke to the teenager in me and the painful but heart warming memories of first love found and lost, and it spoke to the adult in me, finding my way and place in the world, my inner strength and an unhealthy obsession with dark and dangerous fictional men.

I recommend this book to everyone and have already pre-ordered a physical copy because I need this on my shelf. It is quite literally perfection and a must-read. Particularly fans of SJM, Charrisa weaks etc etc.

#netgalley #littlebrownbookgroup #lyraselenebooks #lyraselene #afeathersoblack #romantasy

Thank you to Little, Brown Group UK for an e-arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Rating:4/5

"There was once—in a time of long-lost battles and unknown pasts—a changeling girl. She was raised to be strong, hammered to be hard, and whetted to be sharp. But she had a weakness for green things, for she carried the forest in her blood.”

Not bad...not bad at all. I'm usually a romantasy hater, but this book lured me in because of the lovely snippets the author posted on Instagram. I love Celtic mythology, I love Swan Lake, so how could I not read this?! Even the dedication is very touching: "For anyone who has ever doubted if they were the main character in their own story. You are."
A Feather So Black is a Celtic mythology infused retelling of Swan Lake from the perspective of the black swan and it was pretty good! Lyra Selene has crafted a wonderful world full of myth, magic and of course, fae. The author really has a talent for writing in a lush, poetic way. Honestly, the writing made me swoon harder than the romance... I was mostly here for the aesthetics and vibes. It's quite the atmospheric book. As a botany lover, I really enjoyed reading about Fia's magic and the references to many, many plants. AFSB has a BIG focus on nature. Stories and storytelling are a big part of the book, which gives it a dark fairytale feel. The romance is the only part I wasn't a huge fan of, but it's a me problem. Irian was and alright love interest, but Fia's relationship with Rogan was definitely toxic. Romantasy readers will definitely fall for Irian. Fia's character growth throughout the book and the way she learns to love herself was excellent.
The ending was quite good and left me hungering for more. Overall, I really liked the book and would recommend it if you like Celtic mythology, dark and enchanted forest vibes(like one dark window but better imo), absolutely stunning prose, enemies to lovers, fae bargains and fairytales!

Some of my favourite quotes:
"But I’d learned that no stories were ever just stories. Stories had their lies but also their truths. Stories were how we taught ourselves to fear the things we secretly desired."

"Love is rarely anything but a prelude to tragedy."

"I was made of earth and sky and endless waters. I was made to be loved fully, or not at all."

This story is beautifully written, has some wonderful quotes and a really interesting premise. Unfortunately I just couldn’t get into it. The way the book is structured so that most of the characters only interacted one night a month made the plot feel a little repetitive and kept taking me out of the story. Im still giving it three stars because it had a lot of good points and will probably work for a lot of people, it just wasn’t for me.