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.

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.

Thank you NetGalley for a chance to read Realm of Lore and Lies.

I loved this book. I was hooked from the start and couldn’t put it down. I loved the characters and the world building was amazing. I couldn’t read this book fast enough and I can’t wait for the next book.

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.

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 😍

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!

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!

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.

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!