Publishers Weekly
★ 01/22/2024
A queen’s foster daughter becomes the key in a war for magic in this spellbinding romantic fantasy from Selene (Diamond & Dawn). After the Fair Folk kidnap infant human Princess Eala and leave a changeling named Fia in her place, Queen Eithne raises this replacement daughter as a weapon to bring her real daughter home. Fia is fiercely loyal to the queen but her fae blood makes her an outcast among humans. Only one other person finds his way into her heart: Prince Rogan Mòr, Eala’s betrothed since birth. After breaking Fia’s heart four years prior, Rogan returns to help retrieve Eala, reopening old wounds. Before they leave for the fairyland of Tír na nÓg, the queen secretly gives Fia another task: to steal the Sky Sword from the fae lord keeping Eala captive and with it bring magic back to their land. But Fia finds more than she bargained for behind the gates of Tír na nÓg—especially in her target, the deceptive and devastatingly handsome high lord Irian. Selene makes the world of the fae mysterious, sensual, and enthralling, and utilizes a delicious love quadrangle and a complex heroine who’s just beginning to unpack the trauma of her upbringing to keep the pages flying. Readers ready to graduate from Sarah J. Maas will want to snap this up. Agent: Jessica Watterson, Sandra Dijkstra Agency. (Mar.)
From the Publisher
"Dark and dangerous and teeming with romance, A Feather So Black is an exhilarating adventure that walks the edge of a blade. Truly enchanting."—Rachel Gillig, New York Times bestselling author of Two Twisted Crowns
"Opulent and scorching, A Feather So Black transcends the genres of romance and fantasy into a tale that is timeless, blood-spattered, and rich with longing and magic. Selene lured me to the dangers of her fairy world and I never want to leave." —Roshani Chokshi, New York Times bestselling author of The Last Tale of the Flower Bride
Darkly enchanting and beautifully written, A Feather So Black is the perfect mix of atmospheric fantasy, heart-stopping action, and delicious romance. —Thea Guanzon, New York Times bestselling author of The Hurricane Wars
I was hooked from the first chapter. Immersive world building, whimsical prose, gripping adventure, and heart-stopping romance, A Feather So Black will definitely be a new romantasy favorite!—A.K. Mulford, bestselling author of The High Mountain Court
"With a breathtaking, sizzling romance, A Feather So Black weaves a twisted fairy tale of thorns and teeth."—K.M. Enright, author of Mistress of Lies
"A Feather So Black is a beautiful nightmare, an eldritch tale steeped in lore and lush with exquisite prose. By turns seductive and heartbreaking, this enthralling journey heralds a new era of fantasy." —Breanne Randall, New York Times bestselling author of the Unfortunate Side Effects of Heartbreak and Magic
“Selene makes the world of the fae mysterious, sensual, and enthralling. Readers ready to graduate from Sarah J. Maas will want to snap this up.” —Publisher's Weekly
“Selene smoothly reinterprets the swan-princess fairy tale with surprising reveals that will delight fantasy readers.” —Booklist
"Luxuriantly poetic [and] extravagantly sexy, A Feather So Black's high stakes and high emotion cast a swoon-worthy spell sure to enthrall readers."
—Shelf Awareness
“A complex heroine, a genuinely compelling love quadrangle, political intrigue, sexy Fae, and lots more.” —Paste Magazine
Library Journal
01/01/2024
Twenty years ago, the Fair Folk started a war against the human kingdoms, and it ended with the capture of 12 young girls. Fia, a changeling left in place of Princess Eala, daughter of the High Queen, was raised to call the Queen her mother but has always felt out of place. Hidden from most people is Fia's gift, or curse, of greenmark magic, and her training to be a weapon at the will of the Queen. Then Fia is sent into Tír na nÓg with Prince Rogan, who is betrothed to Princess Eala, on a rescue mission but also to obtain a powerful magic object. Establishing the magic of the Fair Folk and the Gates, access points between Tír na nÓg and the human realm, is built into Fia's own learning experiences, creating a shared sense of mystery around what's true and who's lying. Occasionally, however, it feels as if changes in a viewpoint aren't fully explained, and some characters could use more development. VERDICT YA author Selene (Diamond & Dawn) makes her adult debut with this story featuring the fae and a main character torn between two men and the worlds they represent. Recommend to readers looking for a new romantasy series.—Stacey Hayman
MAY 2024 - AudioFile
Heather O'Sullivan narrates a romantic fantasy inspired by Irish mythology. Fia is a changeling in the human world who is trained as a weapon and a spy. When an opportunity to free a stolen human princess arises, Fia is sent on the mission. O'Sullivan's portrayal of Fia's long and, at times, painful journey of self-discovery is emotionally resonant but doesn't shy away from distressing developments. While Fia struggles to choose between Rogan and Irian, her two love interests, O'Sullivan proves more than adept at differentiating between them. Many Irish words and names are used throughout, which Dublin-born O'Sullivan pronounces beautifully, adding a layer of authenticity to the narration. K.M.P. © AudioFile 2024, Portland, Maine
