Week Twenty-Seven- July 2nd - July 8th

Title: The Dark Fairy

Author: Fayesther

Genre: Fantasy

Number of Chapters: 22

Completed? Yes

Link (Added as an in-line comment):

Blurb:

"Nothing good can come from ash." 

The fairies of the Enchanted Forest have spoken these words over Carabosse from the day that she entered the world. 

Through cruel words and harboured prejudices from those who were supposed to have her back, the stigma surrounding her unique beginning colours her heart black. 

All Carabosse truly wants is to be accepted and to have a place in the world. 

But, once your soul is tainted can you ever truly fit in? 

Who in the world could possibly bring the dark fairy into the light?

Goose's Thoughts:

Welcome to Week 27 and a story full of magic, fairies, and a villian arc so good it will have you on the edge of your seat!

The magical world created in this story is amazing. I love how Faye weaves in information about the world as the story progresses and that we are placed right into the centre of the drama from the very beginning. She's created such a fun, but dark, magical system that I wish we had in real life. So much attention and care has gone into the world and the storytelling from the off that it had me gripped from the opening line.

Caraboose (or Alina) makes for an interesting main character. Her villian character arc is so well played out that you really get a sense of where she's coming from and the reason she does the things she does. It was fun to follow her on her journey from a fairy created from the ashes to a villian more than willing to do anything it takes to get revenge on those who hurt her. I loved following her thought process and understanding where she is coming from. 

Not only that, but there are moments where, as a reader, you doubt whether she truly believes in what she is doing or if she is doubting herself. That doubt also comes in the form of Ibis, an owl friend or Caraboose who is the only one that can see how she really feels. He made for an interesting side character who tried to help Caraboose understand that the pain she was causing wasn't what she wanted. Honestly, we could all do with a loyal owl friend. 

Faye contrasts Caraboose with Achlys, also known as 'The Dark One' and a truly horrifying presence in the story. I loved how Faye uses Achlys to oppose Caraboose and how, despite appearing to be the same character on the surface, are two very different people. He manages to get into her head in a way that will have you screaming at the screen for Caraboose not to trust him the way she does. 

Not only does Faye do a great job with these villian characters, she also does an amazing job with the fairies we meet throughout the story. She creates an amazing, heartwarming character in Theia and then opposes her with her own sister, the Mother of Fairies, Heartha. It was great to see some of the young fairies take after Heartha and Faye manages to put the whole concept of nice fairies right on its head. 

If you're looking for a magical story with a villian character arc, some not-so-nice fairies, and an owl of reason, then this is the story for you. Caraboose really makes for an interesting main character and it was fun to follow her throughout the story and watch this villian arc build as the story progresses. 

Thank you for writing such an amazing story, Faye!

-Goose