Fairydale by Veronica Lancet is part fantasy, part historical fiction, part gothic romance, with a touch of horror thrown in for good measure. All such disparate elements somehow work together seamlessly to allow the author to create a story that is both utterly unique and a truly bewitching read.
In 1955 Massachusetts, Darcy O’Sullivan has always tried so hard to be good and proper. As an orphan, she’s had to prove her worth and earn her place at every turn. When a mysterious letter comes through, claiming an inheritance from a recently deceased father who she never knew, she heads to a remote town she’s never heard of to find answers and claim the money. What she finds is a generational drama beyond what she ever could have imagined. And it only gets crazier from there.
With her only friend, Caleb Hale, the mysterious son of the people her father considered his enemies, she’s left to sort through the tangled threads of Fairydale. In her dreams, she’s haunted by a past she doesn’t remember, and another man entirely, the dangerous Amon d’Artan. Torn between her developing feelings for Caleb and this inexplicable connection with the man in her dreams, Darcy finds herself surrounded by oddities and questioning her own sanity.
The content warnings warned me this book has a plot that I actually need to pay attention to which I found both delightful and accurate. This plot is far-reaching and intricate, with layers that readers will have to tune in to. It’s not like some romantasies, where you know what is coming and exactly what to expect, that can be ripped through in an afternoon.
Fairydale opens up in the prologue with a rape situation, although it occurs off-page. It is clear this is not going to be a typical romantasy. Let the darkness descend. In addition to setting the tone, there are clear magical systems that the author is preparing for readers. Then, in chapter one, we’re suddenly in 1955, following a schoolteacher. I was extremely intrigued by this skip in time, and it would prove to be only the first time this book surprised me.
It certainly seems like the author is setting up a love triangle, although the description specifically warned readers that it is not a traditional love triangle, so I was fascinated to discover what is going on with these characters. I won’t say more, except that I was not disappointed in the direction this story took.
The male main character is a book boyfriend for the ages, for the ages I tell you. Darcy O’Sullivan is also a fascinating character, with depth and layers far beyond what we first meet on the surface.
In the book, he falls first and he falls hard, but the romance is a slow burn nonetheless. The spice comes, and when it comes it does not disappoint, but the author is teasing the readers before turning the heat all the way up.
Fairydale is very suspenseful, and not just with the spice. The author tantalizingly leaves details for the readers like breadcrumbs, revealing information ever so slowly always leaving us wanting more.
This is a truly incredible story. I’ve never read anything else like it, which is among my favorite things to find in a book. It gives Invisible Life of Addie LaRue vibes but with more romance, more magic, and more intrigue.
Fairydale is severely underrated. I haven’t heard anyone discussing it, and that is a travesty. Thank god my Kindle store algorithm remedied the situation. This book should be near the top of every romantasy bestseller list that exists.
Writing: 5
Spice: 4
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