📚Dance with the Fae by Elisabeth J. Hobbes📚

Overall Rating:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2
Spice Rating: Fade to black

✨Tropes✨
⚔️LGBTQIA+ Rep
⚔️Healing from Trauma
⚔️Fae x Humans
⚔️One Bed

✨Initial Thoughts✨
Historical Fiction ☑️ Fantasy ☑️ Strong LGBTQIA+ representation ☑️
This was such a fun and unique read. It takes place just after WWI and our MMC Kit is still reeling from his time during the war. Kit not only has battle scars, but he also has guilt over loving and losing a fellow soldier, Andrew. He is supposed to marry his childhood friend Adelaide, who he does care about, just not romantically. When Adelaide meets and dances with a handsome stranger, Mr. Wilde, at their engagement party, she is more than just captivated. And when Adelaide enters a mysterious sleeping illness, it’s up to Kit to try to save her. He and Missy Dove, the woman who was with Mr. Wilde during the party, go into the land of the Fae to rescue Addie.

This story has such a wonderful message of self acceptance, healing from multiple forms of trauma, and forgiveness. I love that it’s also a standalone and therefore did not end on a cliffhanger. The story was nicely written and the ending was perfect.

✨Pros✨
* The immersive world the author weaves.
* The combination of historical fiction and fantasy. It felt like Downton Abbey meets Fae and I loved it.
* Really great LGBTQIA+ representation.
* Valentine/Valentin. They were the only reason I could like Kit. Seeing him through their POV was a breath of fresh air for his character. They’re also a really lovable character in her own right.

✨Cons✨
* I spent a lot of time not liking Kit’s personality. He is so confrontational at the best of times that it was hard to like him fully. I understand where the anger and mistrust is coming from and I think the author wrote Kit very realistically considering the trauma he went through. That doesn’t mean I necessarily like him any better during the first 2/3 of the story. Kit does grow and I did like him at the end.


Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for the gifted copy and the opportunity to review this book.

I tried so hard to get into this book. The premise was great and I like different aspects but overall this was not the fantasy book for me. There just wasn't that engagement with the characters. I just don't develop a bond with them and therefore had no desire to see them rescued and things resolved. I might try this again at a later time as I just might not have been in the mood for it.

I had very high hopes for this book as the synopsis sounded very intriguing, however, this unfortunately fell quite flat for me.

The world building felt clunky and very choppy, and the plot build-up was achingly slow. All of the action happened in the last 15% of the book, but it was so rushed that it was over before it even really started.

The romance plots also were quite disappointing - I didn't feel the connection or tension between the characters, and I just had trouble overall connecting to the characters in general.

While the premise of the book is a really great idea, I just didn't feel like it was executed in the best or right way.

Dance with the Fae is set just after World War 1 and is a blend of fantasy and historical fiction. The story follows Kit Arton-Price who has recently come back from the war as he uncovers the world of the Fae on the night of his engagement party.

Some have said that the book is slow to start, but I don't see that as a strike against it. It beautifully sets up this fictional world we are in and describes all the relevant details so that I had a great image in my mind as I got further into the book.

The writing was very easy to read and the book left me thinking about it when I wasn't reading. Some of the sentence structure was a little off at times, but nothing too bad.

I would love to have seen more of the intriguing world of the Faedemesne and felt like the end came very quickly. There were a few twists and turns which I didn't expect and I enjoyed being surprised.

Overall a solid book.

"Dance with the Fae" weaves a captivating tale that seamlessly blends historical fiction with the enchanting world of faerie. Set amidst the aftermath of World War I, the novel follows Kit Arton-Price, a war veteran grappling with the physical and emotional scars of his past.

The story takes a dramatic turn when a mysterious illness sweeps through his village, leaving his fiancée, Adelaide, inexplicably asleep. Driven by desperation and a gnawing sense of unease, Kit is drawn into a hidden realm – the ethereal world of the fae.

Hobbe's prose is evocative, painting vivid pictures of both the mundane world of 1919 England and the fantastical realm of the fae. The characters are richly drawn and deeply relatable, with Kit's internal struggles and his burgeoning romance with a captivating faerie providing the emotional core of the narrative.

"Dance with the Fae" is a poignant exploration of love, loss, and the enduring power of hope. It's a captivating read that will stay with you long after you turn the final page.

My favorite things:

Its unique blend of historical fiction and fantasy: The novel seamlessly intertwines the realities of post-war England with the magic and intrigue of the faerie world.
Its compelling characters: Kit's journey of self-discovery and his complex relationship with the faerie world are both poignant and captivating.
Its atmospheric prose: The author masterfully evokes the mood of both the human and faerie worlds, creating a truly immersive reading experience.
Its exploration of themes of love, loss, and the enduring power of hope: The novel offers a poignant reflection on the human condition and the importance of finding beauty and meaning in the face of adversity.
Overall: "Dance with the Fae" is a must-read for fans of historical fiction, fantasy, and readers who enjoy stories that delve into the depths of the human soul.

Dance with the Fae
by Elisabeth J. Hobbes


Review from Jeannie Zelos book reviews

Genre: General Fiction (Adult), Romance, Sci Fi & Fantasy

Well, I really liked the sound of this, anything Fae catches my eye ;) I found it very slow to start though, struggled a bit to get in to it, and wanted to smack Adelaide a few times she was so shallow. Then suddenly everything clicked and I was carried along on a mysterious whirlwind of a story, that felt as it it could be so very real. Or maybe thats just my wishful thinking.
There's the horrific tragedies of the Great War, which Kit knows only too well but which everyone wants to gloss over as being In The Past. I so felt for him, and others like him. His losses, hi heartbreak, and the future mapped out for him by tradition and convention. Adelaide grew on me eventually and of course the Fae side of the story – perfect.
I love that it all works out in the end, the mystery of it, the weaving of human life stories and Fae. I know its a story I'll reread, it was fabulous.

Stars: Five, a marvellous read, I loved it.

ARC supplied by netgalley and publishers

This synopsis caught my attention because it's so rare to read any kind of fae story where the human man enters the fae realm. I want more of that idea. Unfortunately that is where my intrigue ended with this story. I didn't enjoy the setting, the writing, or the characters. I had to dnf it at 15% which is a shame because I didn't even get into the thick of the story. The writing felt overly formal to the point I kept thinking I was reading a regency era story but it's not. I wasn't connecting with the main characters and was even tiresome of the fmc. I was mildly intrigued by the fae, the one character I met who I suspect is fae. I got the vibe this might be a bad or trickster fae story but I'll never know because on top of everything else I have spent 3 weeks trying to read this story every day and only reached 15%. The writing isn't bad by any means it's just not writing I enjoy reading.

Combine historical fiction about post-First World War trauma with fae fantasy and LGBTQ representation, and you’ll never go wrong. Dance with the Fae turned out to be so much more than I expected. It’s a captivating story—both tender and melancholic. I truly loved this book.

The protagonist of Dance with the Fae is Kit, a young hero of the Great War. Upon returning home, he must contend not only with the haunting memories of the trenches but also with the heavy societal expectations placed upon him. As the eldest son, Kit is expected to inherit the family estate and marry his childhood friend Adelaide, who comes with a generous dowry. However, at their engagement party, Kit and Adelaide meet the enigmatic duo—Mr. Silas Wilde and Miss Alexandra Dove. It quickly becomes clear that this encounter will lead to unforeseen consequences—and a journey into the fae realm.

Some readers might find the pacing in this book a bit uneven, especially at the start. However, the slower beginning didn’t bother me at all. I was deeply impressed by Kit’s portrayal: a man who survived the war, only to return home and feel even more isolated, with no one who shares his experiences or with whom he can truly talk. Honestly, I could have read about this alone and never gotten bored. Once the story shifts to the fae world, things pick up considerably—the action becomes more dynamic, and there are plenty of twists and turns to keep you hooked.

This novel also excels at capturing the social realities of post-war England. On the one hand, it’s clear that returning to the pre-war world was impossible, and certain attitudes were no longer sustainable. On the other hand, England remained a deeply intolerant country, still rooted in conservative social structures. The fae world, dangerous and unpredictable, acts as a magnifying lens that amplifies the harshness and injustice of the human world. The fae realm also provides an excellent backdrop for the book’s LGBTQ representation, which is handled convincingly.

I’m aware of a few flaws in the book. Aside from the slower pacing, I sometimes felt that the behavior of certain secondary characters was a bit too overtly designed to provoke specific reactions from the reader, making it difficult to fully root for Kit’s relationship with them. Additionally, the resolution of the main “quest,” while satisfying, came surprisingly quickly and without much of a struggle.

That said, I still consider this book an ideal read for me. It strikes a perfect balance between history and fantasy, and should appeal to anyone interested in historical fiction and the First World War (especially if you’re looking for something a bit sweeter than the usual tales of trench warfare). On the other hand, fans of fae stories will definitely want to give this one a try. I highly recommend it.

I've been back and forth with my opinions on this book. I think it finished too neatly, for certain. The premise was excellent but the writing, at times, took me out of it. It didn't feel fully polished. Many of the characters' actions and words were predictable or theatrical

This was really well done, it had that element that I was looking for and enjoyed about the genre. The characters were everything that I was hoping for and enjoyed from this type of book. I thought this worked well as a way to tell the world and was engaged with what was happening. I enjoyed the way Elisabeth J. Hobbes wrote this and hope to read more from Elisabeth J. Hobbes.

This story was definitely different to read! It was good, but very different. I would highly suggest this book to anyone who wants something different than the norm fantasy.

3.75 ⭐️ rounded up to 4

I really enjoyed this book. I read it all in one day as I was enticed and I haven’t read a book like this before I loved the historical element to it. That being said it did take until about halfway through for anything to really happen but once we got to that point, the plot was fantastic. I really had a really good time with it and I do like a slow paced book
I liked the writing style in this, it was able to keep me wanting to carry on and I really enjoyed the descriptions in this book. The world building as well was really good. I liked Kit, I really enjoyed his character.

The reason for the rating is it did take me a while to get into it, I do enjoy slow pace books but I just needed a bit more at the beginning.

Thank you Netgalley and the publishers for allowing me to read this book

Dance With the Fae by Elisabeth J. Hobbes
Publish Date February 27th

‘Dance With the Fae’ is the story of Kit, a war survivor, who, after the arrival of two strangers, finds himself on a journey to save his fiancée from a mysterious sleeping illness.

There was so much I enjoyed about this book, but I especially enjoyed the utter uniqueness most of all.

This book is an interesting blend of fairytale, history, mythology, romance, fantasy and mystery. Kit, our protagonist, is full of heart, but he is also flawed in a number of ways, which makes his character likeable and unlike any I have met before.

The fae characters in this story are definitely more reminiscent of fae in the old British and Irish tales then the modern romanticised fae that most readers are currently familiar with.

The storyline itself was easy to follow while remaining engaging.

Overall, I would give this book 4 solid stars.

Thank you to NetGalley and One More Chapter for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for an eARC copy of this book.

Overall this historical fantasy reads closer to a true fairy tale, rather than the typical romantasy fae based stories I've been seeing get popular over the last few years. While I found the premise to be interesting, reminding me of older fae-based romance stories from the early to mid-2000s, those looking for somthing a kin to ACOTAR may not find what they are looking for here.

Overall, I enjoyed the premise of the story, and I do enjoy historic fiction that use fairy tale elements, however I did find the pacing slower than I would have liked for a book this size. However, a man as the MC rather than a woman was a welcome change compared to many popular books. While it is something I enjoyed reading, it is also a book that I believe will be fun for some, is not what others are looking for.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this book.

I love fantasy and faeare one of my favorite fantasy characters.

This book kept my interest from page one to the end.

I read it over the course of a day and a half .

Hoping for a sequel.

Recommend.

This story is an intoxicating blend of romance, mystery, sci-fi, and magic. The blend of historical context and fantasy is beautifully done, pulling you into a world where the line between reality and magic blurs. The eerie “sleeping sickness” mystery keeps the tension high, while the underlying romance between Kit and Adelaide adds emotional depth. It’s a captivating tale of healing, secrets, and the supernatural.

Dance with the Fae is a fantasy romance with a historical, post-war setting. The start of the book establishes a really atmospheric and intriguing story but it is a little slow to get Kit's journey into Faedemesne started. Kit was an interesting, realistic and well-rounded character, but Adelaide was particularly unlikeable. I think this was intentional so that the reader doesn't root for her to be with Kit, but maybe it went a bit too far - I didn't think she had any redeemable qualities, even just as a friend to Kit rather than as a legitimate love interest.

It isn't specified in the blurb or marketing that I've seen so far so it's probably worth mentioning (despite possibly verging into spoiler territory) that the romance in this book is between a bisexual man and a Fae who can take both male and female forms, but who spends the majority of the book in female form. The book isn't afraid of addressing the fact that homosexuality was still a crime at the time this book is set, and showing how this impacts Kit and a few side characters.

It was a really unique Fae tale and had a strong and interesting human MMC at its heart.

Disclaimer: I received an Advance Reader Copy from NetGalley but this is my voluntary and honest review.

I could not get into this. No matter how hard I tried. It was confusing, and slow. I hate to not finish a book, it’s truly sad for me, because I know how much time goes into writing, but I just couldn’t get through this one.

This book was very hard to follow, I felt like I was constantly missing something, yet somehow it was painfully slow.
It was as if nothing happened before 30%, then again a blank before 60% and again until 95%.
In theory this has all the hallmarks of a book I would like but the execution wasn’t there for me at all.

This story follows more closely to fae in old English tales rather than a modern imagining, and I really enjoyed the fairy tale, whimsical world that was created.
I really enjoyed our main character being a male. He's a character with a lot of depth - this book takes place at a very difficult time for many, but especially the young soldiers who fought.
All these elements are woven together to craft a magical story. Overall for me the story lacked depth so I didnt feel a deep connection to the characters, which is a quality I relish in the books I read. For me, this was a 3.5 stars and I've rounded it up to 4 stars here.

Thank you so much to Harper Collins UK for the ARC via NetGalley and for giving me the opportunity to share my honest thoughts on this book.