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."

Recommended for fans of fantasy and romance. I really liked this one. Great writing and world building. Highly recommend and will be reading more.