Swan princess but make it dark and spicy! 

I listened to the audiobook of A Feather So Black and I felt like the narrator and her accent really helped sweep me away into the fairytale of this book. I wanted to pick this up after seeing it marketed as a swan princess retelling.

A Feather So Black is a dark fairy tale retelling in which the FMC is a changeling and has to go to the Fae realm to find her sister, break the curse, and also to find a magical object. She goes on this mission with her childhood friend Rogan and her sister's betrothed. While on this mission she meets Irian who is the dark-hearted fae lord holding her sister captive.

The atmosphere is dark, gothic, and mythological. I loved the author's prose and how she captures the feelings of this dark and relenting world.

The beginning started a little slow for me, but the narrator's voice really kept me interested through that part. After several chapters, I was finally hooked by the story and had to know where it was going to go.

If you like romantasy, folktales, and morally grey characters then I'd recommend this book.

Thank you to Orbit Books and Netgalley for sharing this advanced copy with me in exchange for my honest review.

I had a hard time getting into this book. I started it over multiple times and still couldn’t follow along. I wasn’t the biggest fan of the narrator, and felt the monotone reading made the story drone on

I enjoyed the story telling aspect of this book, the narrator has a slight Irish lilt which creates a nice mysterious atmosphere. However at times I found it robotic and literal, I wished for a larger range in emotion throughout.

The book had a lot of potential but it was very sluggish. I struggled to connect to the story at first and the whole middle part could have been shortened. There was a lot of telling, not showing. The descriptions of the Fae world and tales started blending together. It made the world slightly dull and not overly engaging.

I liked the faery beastie Cora, along with Fia and her changeling magic, it was compelling. I wanted to connect to her more but it took a long time. I really liked the addition of the morally gray love interest, it was believable and helped Fia’s character growth. I just wish there was more structure to propel the story past its middle. The conflict amplified in the third part, albeit a little anti climactic, it created a more enchanting fantasy.

Straddling the line between YA and NA with a love triangle, I recommend this for fans of slow burn fantasy romance.

Thank you to Netgalley and Hachette Audio for the advance listening copy to review.

Fia, a changeling raised by the Queen as a lethal weapon, finds herself on a mission with Prince Rogan to navigate the dangers of Tír na nÓg and rescue Princess Eala through the elusive thirteenth gate. Amidst the perils, including the formidable Lord Irian, Fia grapples with complex emotions directed at Rogan, Irian, Eala, her mother, and, most importantly, herself. The journey becomes a quest to discover her true identity and determine her path.

“A Feather So Black” by Lyra Selene was one of the best books I’ve ever read. It was absolutely perfect! I loved the lore of the Fae Folk being evilish and cunning instead of the Fae types of characters written in a lot of books lately. If you love Holly Black then this book is perfect. I liked everything about the story line; changeling, characters, relationships, imagery, all of it. Listening to the audio book version did not disappoint. I loved Heather O’Sullivan accent which matched how it would sound like in my head. The way the house sprite sounded like in the book reminds me of Luna Lovegood from Harry Potter which was so cute. I preordered a physical copy immediately after reading it. If I could give it more than 5 stars I would- it’s beyond perfect.

Previous reviews I have written celebrate my adoration for fairytale retellings, especially when they are a retelling of the original version of a fairytale and not the Disney version. No shade to Disney, it's just not my jam and...star wars (shudder) what they did to Star Wars. Oooop, snap back to the present and the book review

I listened to this book as an audiobook and first things first, Heather O’Sullivan was the right choice for this audiobook. Excellent emotes, vocalisations, timbre, pace and character continuity *chef's kiss* brilliant!

Narrating a book is not easy and if the story flows well and the technical construction is on point, then a narrator and a writer can always produce an exceptinal audiobook through the merging of great talents


The story itself is a delight and Lyra Selene has truly written a marmite coup de grace and either you love it or hate it. Either you prefer Disney style retellings or retellings authentinc to the original story. Our heroine Fia is a changeling, who has been adopted by the queen as a secret weapon, a spy. The queens real daughter is cursed, fated to be a swan by day and returning to her real self at nighfall. (This retelling reflects that of The Swan maiden in the Edda or in Grimms Fairy Tales, but others may see themes from the Disney retelling of 1994 and either way is ok as it is all down to interpretation) Lyra Selene has created a retelling that can stand on its own as a strong romantasy novel and not just a retelling

This version is spicy in context, has a morally grey MMC and twists and turns that will captivate and enchant the listener

Thank you to Netgalley, Hachette audio, Orbit, the author Lyra Selene and the narrator Heather O'Sullivan for this stunning ALC. My review is left voluntarly and all opinions are my own

Fae, changelings, curses, and more, A Feather so Black promised all these and delivered. Here is what I liked about this book. Lyra Selene describes the world surrounding the story beautifully, it is magical and at times dark. The elements of Celtic mythology are woven throughout the story beautifully.

The story follows Fia, a changeling, who is joined by her childhood best friend to rescue the princess who as stolen by the fae, the princess from whom she was left with the humans. Fia was fairly naive at times and overly trusting; however, she does show some growth across the story. I was a bit frustrated with her at times as well. The story itself is fairly focused on the romance and character interactions, which I enjoy. I will be interested to see where the story travels next, especially after the events at the end of the book.

I listened to the audiobook narrated by Heather O'Sullivan. The production and narration were very well done. The characters had enough difference between voices for me to easily follow sections of dialogue. It was easy to immerse myself in the story.

Thank you to Hachette Audio and NetGalley for an audio ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This one had a lot of promise when it came to the blurb. I am always intrigued by anything that deals with the fae. Although the audiobook is great, loved the narration, the plot just didn’t live up to my expectations.

The book is told from one point-of-view and it comes from Fia. She is a changeling who replaced a princess and has become a replacement daughter for the queen until her real child returns. She isn’t treated much different by the queen, but the others around her question her motives and see her as a plague pretty much. She is beneath them all. In some ways Fia is strong and doesn’t let others words bother her, but she does feel those snide remarks at times and it makes her vulnerable. It does make her relatable and human.

Her love interests are pretty bland though. One guy she is just pining over basically the whole time. They have history so I get it, but I don’t want to be reminded over and over again. It became repetitive. The other interest is just a mysterious shadow guy who doesn’t have much going for him besides that. A wall would be more interesting than them. I didn’t like either choice.

I wish that the plot had delivered and was more intriguing. Time passes quickly, but there is nothing really going on besides Rogan being broody and Fia trying to complete her task for the queen. It just never grabbed my attention even though I wish it had.

Overall, this one was okay but didn’t work for me.

This fantasy novel was beautifully written. The narrator's accent made it even more so. Fia, a changeling who is fae, but raised in the human world by the high queen, is asked to go on a mission to save her sister Eala. As her journey unfolds with her childhood friend, Rogan, Fia begins to question what is really going on and who she can actually trust. This was a beautiful story, not yet complete. I loved the Earth magic that Fia possesses. It was interesting to see how the characters changed throughout the novel.

Fia spent her whole life searching for true love, till she thought she doesn’t deserve it. Then he came, revealing the untold truth that was hidden by cruel deception.

When the monster isn’t really the villain, & the victim isn’t that innocent.

Amazing world building, very well described characters & great story. All highlighted by the excellent narration.

Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for the ALC.

This book was not for me. I got VERY bored, and I felt like the love diamond was too much. I wanted to love it, but it wasn't my cup of tea.