Title: A Crown So SilverAuthor: Lyra Selene
Series: Fair Folk #2
Pages: 496
Publication Date: Jan. 21, 2025
Publisher: Orbit
Genres: Fiction / Romance / Fantasy / Romantasy
Synopsis:
On a mysterious snowy island ruled by a trickster king where magic comes at a price, a deadly trial commences. The prize: a chance for vengeance.
After her sacrifice on the Ember Moon, Fia is flush with powerful magic and eager to rush into battle against her murderous sister, Eala. However, Fia’s new husband Irian suggests they bide their time and retreat to the Silver Isle, a snowy island at the edge of the fae world.
Ruled by the cunning smith-king, the Silver Isle proves far from a safe haven. Fia and Irian become embroiled in the Tournament of Kings competing for a magical forging of immense power. Their relationship will be put to the test as they navigate their conflicting motivations, shifting allegiances, and ancient magic.
With the end of the tournament looming and Eala’s threat growing, Fia must decide just how much she’s willing to sacrifice to defeat her sister.
This blog uses affiliate links for some book recommendations, and if you purchase through them, I may earn a small commission. Thanks for supporting this little bookish corner of the internet!
Returning to the world of the Fair Folk series in A Crown So Silver was such a treat, and I was so eager to see where Fia and Irian’s stories were headed. Lyra Selene pulls you right back into the fae realm, weaving together magic, danger, and a complicated love story. The Silver Isle, with its icy landscape and mysterious king, was vivid and immersive, as is Selene’s writing.
I have to admit, I didn’t love Fia in this book as much as I did in A Feather So Black. She has a tendency to act without thinking first, and her impulsiveness causes so many problems, not just for her but for Irian and others too. It was a bit frustrating, especially during the first half of the story. Once I realized some of the reasons behind her actions and behavior, I became more understanding and sympathetic towards her. And her relationship with Irian—wow! Their relationship is really tested. It’s so messy and imperfect and complicated, and there were times when I wondered if they’d make it because they crossed some questionable lines. I’m not a big fan of love triangles, and that was the case here, but I think the strain and trauma from their past and their choices weigh heavily on them. Watching them work through those struggles was tough, especially because through it all, you can feel how deeply they love each other, and their chemistry is off the charts. I kind of wish Fia groveled a bit more because Irian deserved better.
The tournament was an intriguing aspect of the story and a bit unexpected, which I liked. It added so much suspense to the plot, world-building, and character development, and I loved the way the trials pushed the characters to their limits both physically and emotionally. And the new characters, like Wayland and Sinead, were such fantastic additions. The aughiskies were great too! A fun and eerie touch—I’m a sucker for unique magical creatures, and these water horses did not disappoint.
The book delves into themes of sacrifice and resilience, especially when it comes to Fia. Her power came at such a steep price, and it added so much depth to her decisions. I think both Fia and Irian both made so many sacrifices and proved how strong and determined they could be. Ugh, and that ending!!! I can’t even!! I’m already counting down the days until the next book—I need to know what happens next!
Special thanks to Orbit Books and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of the book. All thoughts are my own.
“Not in a thousand lifetimes will I ever let you go.”
Lyra Selene was born under a full moon and has never quite managed to wipe the moonlight out of her eyes. She grew up on a steady diet of mythology, folklore, and fantasy, and now writes tall tales of twisted magic, forbidden romance, and brooding landscapes.
Lyra lives in New England with her husband and daughter, in an antique farmhouse that probably isn’t haunted. She is the author of the young adult duology AMBER & DUSK.
Great review, I’m not sure if I’m going to read this or not because I had mixed feelings about the first book, but I am tempted now.