In the wake of her Mam’s death, Krystal Monarain has turned to escapism, throwing herself into the fantastic stories she was told as a child and the strange, recurring dreams she has at night. But she never quite believed her Mam’s tales that her birth mother wasn’t human—That is until Draqa, a stranger from one of her dreams, appears in her life and tells her she’s part fae. So she does the unthinkable and risks following him into Arai, the realm where the fae have lived unbothered for hundreds of years. For Draqa, however, Krystal’s arrival in his world could mean his execution, and he must do everything he can to get her off his hands before they’re caught.
Meanwhile, unrest is growing between the fae and those they deem a threat to the safety of their realm, and when someone from Draqa’s past comes to him seeking aid, he and Krystal may have no choice but to get involved.
Assessment:
Plot: The novel is well-paced and inviting, with hardly any lagging moments in the narrative. Transitions between dual perspectives from characters are seamless throughout and never leave readers disoriented.
Prose: Fenn’s prose is both descriptive and stimulating, painting an alternate fae world with unknown creatures that never leave readers disengaged.
Originality: Fenn’s fairytale-like novel demonstrates an original perspective on interactions between fae creatures and humans through dream walking and otherworldly dimensions that readers are sure to enjoy.
Character/Execution: Protagonist Krystal's evolution may strike readers as familiar, however, her growth is believable and well-executed, as she learns about her background in being half-human and half-fae. Other characters including Draqa also undergo character growth that adds depth to the story.
Date Submitted: July 16, 2022
A crafty, twist-laden tale that effectively introduces a complex fantasy series.
- Kirkus Reviews
The Dreamer and the Marked by Airic Fenn is a beautifully written fantasy novel with an expansive world, creative story, and such in-depth characters(...) Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this novel and would highly recommend it.
- Reader's Favorite
