Fae & Fairies in Fantasy Fiction

 This list is looking specifically at Fae or Fairy (as a land or a people); not elves; as the meaning of "elf" has changed to sometimes encompass the land of the Fae, but sometimes refer to a more Dungeons & Dragons or Tolkien-esque version of elves as a race.....so to save craziness, I am simply working with them as Fae.  I may do another list another time looking at various versions of elves/orcs/dwarves etc....but we shall see

Here is the link to the podcast if you want to listen

https://anchor.fm/alchemyofgenres/episodes/Stories-of-the-FaeFairy-ehocli

I have mentioned this series before, but it definitely works here as this first volume actually has Tiffany Aching traveling through the land of fairy for her stolen little brother, but you could include the entire series if you also include the actual Wee Free Men (Nach Mach Feegle), since they are in all the stories.  It's obviously told with a fun side as it's Terry Pratchett, but it does not ignore the dangerous mercurial nature of the fae either.

Written for teens but enjoyable for anyone

This is a duet (so far) of tales featuring a Kitsune, which is technically a fae creature; and the series is meant for adult readers who are comfortable with M/M romance; but in this book Sebastian is stuck in the world of fairy trying to find his way back to his mate Liam and discover his own kitsune powers.

Written for adults, and available only through Amazon

(Wicked Lovely #1) is the stand alone start to the series (all the books deal with fairies but can be read interchangeably without knowledge of the other books)

Aislinn has always seen fairies but she pretends not to, because it's never safe for them to know you can see them and through their illusions.  Unfortunately, in spite of all her care, she has garnered the affections of Keenan, the Summer King and is now caught in Sidhe politics and intrigue that she may not escape alive.

Written for teens but enjoyable for anyone

(Faerie Wars Chronicles #1)

Henry is shocked to find a crown prince of faerie when he is just expecting to help an old man clean up his house.  Now he is being enlisted into helping Pyrgus, the Prince, to regain his throne and to help keep him safe from treacherous evil fairies.  They are trying to find the right portal to the castle that has been stolen from him and may have to fight egomaniacal demons along the way.....if they can only find the right portal, because there are so many.

Written for teens but enjoyable for anyone

Mackie is a changeling (aka a replacement).  He doesn't really know much about his original heritage, he knows that he is lucky that his parents kept him and that he has extreme allergies to iron & blood & consecrated ground.  When his secret crush's baby sister is taken, he decides to take on the task of rescuing her and heads into Mayhem (realms of fairy) to find her, and possibly learn more about himself as well along the way.

Written for teens, but able to be enjoyed by anyone

(American Fairy #1)

This urban fantasy/historical fiction mashup is a very crazy cool mix.  Zettel works in issues of poverty, classism, racial inequities and historical situations alongside magical elements with incredible talent.  Callie is not only bi-racial but also half fairy.  Now in the middle of a huge dust storm, Callie must run from her fairy kin across the country to CA for safety; but running alone in Depression era America as a single girl of color is not an easy journey; then adding in magic and magical powers and it is even more dangerous .  Can she make it?  Will she find her father, and find out about her own powers?

This is written for teens, but has so many layers anyone will read and enjoy it.

New Policeman #1

Thompson does a fantastic mix of Tir Na Nog & the Sidhe with modern day life issues in this story set in modern day Ireland.  I can't say too much because there are so many details and clues that help the story along, but it is a fabulous story of a boy trying to get more time as a gift for his ma, and the new policeman in town.

Written for teens, but fun to read for anyone.

(wondrous strange #1)

Kelley Winslow is playing the fairy queen in Midsummer Night's Dream, but then she finds that fairies are all too real and also discovers secrets about herself which put her in danger from the fae.

Written for teens, but able to be enjoyed by anyone.

Feyre's had to hunt and kill to survive but this time when she accidentally kills a creature of Fairy, she is in more trouble than she can handle.  She is imprisoned and her captor is an intriguing masked figure.  As she gets to know him, she starts to fall for him and decides to break his curse or die trying.  A very intense story for older teens or adults.

(Modern Faerie Tales #1)

Kaye travels with her mom's rock band until an attack forces her to return to her childhood home in NJ.  Home is not the safe haven it was supposed to be though and Kaye finds herself a pawn in a faerie war....and pawns don't usually survive wars very well.

Written for teens but for the enjoyment of any age.

(soulbound #3)

Patrick is looking forward to catching up with his old team from his mage corps days, but unfortunately he and Jono are once again caught up in Dominion Sect intrigues.....this one involves the kidnapping of the Summer Lady of the Fae (and boy does Patrick hate Fae politics); as well as a changeling child causing issues.  Now it is Patrick and as many allies as he can gather up against the Queen of Air & Darkness....and the Dominion Sect intent to make themselves a new god.   

This is a series written for adults, and available only through Amazon

(Iron Fey #1)

This is a paranormal teen love story, and it questions the changing role of magic and belief as well as exploring the kingdoms of fairy.  The story has loads of betrayal and magic and suspense with a fun love story as well.

Fun for all ages, written for teens

Not sure if series is Faery or Once Upon, (seen it both ways); but this is the first of a group of 4 exploring fairy tale ideas as well as tying them to the four seasons and 4 courts of Fae.  This one is based on East of the Sun, West of the Moon and explores the roots of fae & fairy culture, the nature of love and trust and is a fun story all around with lots of suspense and danger.

I love this series and it is written for older teens or adults (seen it both ways).

Enjoy!

(October Daye #1)

Read awhile ago (time to reread!)

October (Toby), is half human/half fae and has tried to deny her fairy heritage but has been pulled back into the Fae realm by a dying curse forcing her to investigate a killing.  

Written for adults, McGuire is well known for strong storylines and well made characters.

One of my Favorite series (Merry Gentry #1), and one of my Fav authors as well.  This is not a series for the faint of heart (lots of sex & violence) nor for someone not acquainted with the basics of who the Fae are and the Seelie vs Unseelie courts. In this novel, Merry is in hiding from her family but is a literal fairy princess (being related to both courts)....when an investigation forces her to reveal herself she is pulled back into her Aunt's Court (the Unseelie Court) where she is offered a chance at the Queen of Air & Darkness's throne, if she can get pregnant before Morrigan's son can get someone with child....and if she can survive.   

So Good!!!