Also by this author: A Feather So Black
Series: Fair Folk #2
Published by Orbit on January 21, 2025
Genres: Fiction, Fantasy
Buy on Amazon
Goodreads
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.
A Crown So Silver by Lyra Selene continues the tale of Fia and Irian from A Feather So Black. Both have gone through severe trauma. The question is, will that suffering bring them together or rip them apart? I enjoyed A Crown So Silver marginally more than A Feather So Black, but not enough that I can recommend it with a glowing review. But if you try A Crown So Silver, understand that the novel is spicy, and the plot does not truly pick up until the second half. The first is like trying to fight through a sticky bog.
The first fifty percent of A Crown So Silver is frustrating and unenjoyable. Fia is arrogant and unbelievably self-centered. She totally disregards Irian’s trauma and heartbreak, and I wanted to knock her head into a wall. Fia is narrowminded, immature, and infuriating. Child, you do not have a singular claim on horrific experiences. Irian pulls a Tamlin from A Court of Mist and Fury and becomes overprotective of her, but Fia resists. Fia kicks and screams and rips Irian apart. She does not try to understand him; instead, the two of them just bicker repeatedly about the same topics. I found myself legitimately yelling at my Kindle, begging these two to have a mature conversation. Their relationship suffers deeply because of it.
As the book continues, however, I slowly began enjoying Lyra Selene’s newest work. I love her writing style and how she includes floral imagery and metaphors, what with Fia’s earth-centered abilities. Everything began connecting, and I appreciated the character growth Selene beautifully constructed. I liked the banter between Fia and Irian (when it occurred), and between Fia and Wayland. Wayland was absolutely my favorite character, and I wanted more of him. Selene answers questions I had in book one and reveals more bits and pieces of what makes Fia and Irian who they are. But A Crown So Silver is most definitely the second book of a trilogy. It connects the beginning of the story to the end and cannot stand on its own. Oh, and it ends on a cliffhanger. Even if Lyra Selene’s “Fair Folk” trilogy isn’t among my favorite fantasy series, GIVE ME BOOK THREE.