Confessions of a reviewer - I have a lifelong attraction towards the faerie realm, and truly enjoy playing with the possibilities of what could be. So this book was super fascinating for me to come across.

The Confessions of Fiona" is a thought-provoking exploration of fae theology, delving into the mystical world of Scottish author William Sharp and his pseudonym, Fiona Macleod. Steve Blamires' extensive research provides a fascinating glimpse into the life and work of these enigmatic writers, shedding light on the mythology of the Sidhe (fae). While some readers may require a suspension of disbelief to fully appreciate the subject matter, those with an interest in fae studies will find this book to be a rich and informative read.

While Blamires' interpretations are well-researched and engaging, they also leave room for skepticism (but honestly, those that don't want to believe will find any excuse to keep their minds limited). The author's acceptance of Sharp's account of possession as truth may raise questions among readers who prefer more nuanced approaches. Nevertheless, "The Confessions of Fiona" serves as an excellent introduction to the subject matter, providing a compelling starting point for further exploration. With its beautiful cover art and captivating topic, this book is sure to appeal to those who believe in the mystical realm of faeries. For those looking to delve deeper into fae studies, Blamires' work offers a unique perspective that can be built upon through independent research or further study.

My rating is a lot due to writing style, I have a harder time reading this style of writing and therefore it takes me longer to digest and get through. As an airy being, I don't like to be slowed down that long :)

If you believe in the possibilities of what could be, anything can be. Keep believing my magical friends!

A study in fae theology-

Steve Blamires has extensively researched the writings of author William Sharp and by association, Fiona Macleod. This is Steve's most recent, but not his first, publication on the subject. By all intents and purposes Blamires is looking to dissect the truth of the Sidhe (fae) from what is (and is not) present in Fiona's historical texts. By-and-large, the subject matter makes for a fascinating and rather scholarly read- however, this requires a fair bit of suspension of disbelief on the reader's behalf.

For context: William Sharp is a Scottish author who acted as an intermediary for the mysterious Fiona Macleod for thirteen years beginning in 1893. There was much fanfare surrounding Fiona during the height of her writing due to her secrecy as well as her content- she wrote almost exclusively about the life of the fae as a person living among them. It wasn't until after Sharp's death in 1905 that the truth came to light: William Sharp and Fiona Macleod were one and the same. The controversy herein remains because both author's works were distinct, and were Sharp to be believed, he was possessed of the Fae woman during the last years of his life.

Though a more skeptical thinker might evaluate Sharp's unique situation as a case of bipolar, or other mental health condition, rather than posession, such options are never discussed in Blamires' interpretations. In fact, Blamires takes Sharp's account of possession as truth and evaluates Fiona's writing from there, often circumnavigating in an attempt to explain 'inaccuracies' or 'misunderstandings' in her prose.

While this made for a riveting read, it left me feeling unsatisfied. As if only half of the conversation were being had in these pages. Fortunately, The Confessions of Fiona is a short read and would make for an excellent jumping-off point for anyone looking to go down this particular rabbit hole. I, for one, intend to do more independant study on the subject and only wish I had found it in time to make an academic thesis of the topic.

[Thank you to Crossed Crow Book and NetGalley for a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.]

This was well-researched about Fiona Macleod who was author William Sharp. A lot of information and is very informative. Love the cover!

I really enjoyed reading this book, it had that mythology element that I was looking for and enjoyed in this type of book. I enjoyed getting to know Fiona in this book and how well Steve Blamires wrote this.