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World of Aluvia #1
Fairy Keeper
Forget cute fairies in pretty dresses. In the world of Aluvia, most fairies are more like irritable, moody insects. Almost everyone in the world of Aluvia views the fairy keeper mark as a gift, but not fourteen-year-old Sierra. She hates being a fairy keeper, but the birthmark is right there on the back of her neck. It shows everyone she was born with the natural ability to communicate, attract, and even control the tiny fairies whose nectar is amazingly powerful. Fairy nectar can heal people, but it is also a key ingredient in synthesizing Flight, an illegal elixir that produces dreaminess, apathy and hallucinations. She’s forced to care for a whole hive of the bee-like beasties by her Flight-dealing, dark alchemist father.
Then one day, Sierra discovers the fairies of her hatch are mysteriously dead. The fairy queen is missing. Her father’s Flight operation is halted, and he plans to make up for the lost income by trading her little sister to be an elixir runner for another dark alchemist, a dangerous thug. Desperate to protect her sister, Sierra convinces her father she can retrieve the lost queen and get his operation up and running.
The problem? Sierra’s queen wasn’t the only queen to disappear. They’re all gone, every single one, and getting them back will be deadly dangerous.
Sierra journeys with her best friend and her worst enemy -- assigned by her father to dog her every step -- to find the missing queens. Along the way, they learn that more than just her sister’s life is at stake if they fail. There are secrets in the Skyclad Mountains where the last wild fairies were seen. The magic Sierra finds there has the power to transform their world, but only if she can first embrace her calling as a fairy keeper.
Then one day, Sierra discovers the fairies of her hatch are mysteriously dead. The fairy queen is missing. Her father’s Flight operation is halted, and he plans to make up for the lost income by trading her little sister to be an elixir runner for another dark alchemist, a dangerous thug. Desperate to protect her sister, Sierra convinces her father she can retrieve the lost queen and get his operation up and running.
The problem? Sierra’s queen wasn’t the only queen to disappear. They’re all gone, every single one, and getting them back will be deadly dangerous.
Sierra journeys with her best friend and her worst enemy -- assigned by her father to dog her every step -- to find the missing queens. Along the way, they learn that more than just her sister’s life is at stake if they fail. There are secrets in the Skyclad Mountains where the last wild fairies were seen. The magic Sierra finds there has the power to transform their world, but only if she can first embrace her calling as a fairy keeper.
238 pages, Paperback
First published March 5, 2015
About the author
Amy Bearce
11 books129 followersAmy writes magical escapes for young readers and the young at heart. She is the author of the World of Aluvia series, The Secret Psychic series, and the Wish & Wander series, for ages 10-14 and up. Her latest book is The Worst Villain Ever, for ages 8-12. She is also a former reading teacher and school librarian.
As a military kid, she moved eight times before she was eighteen, so she feels especially fortunate to be married to her high school sweetheart. Together they’re raising two daughters in San Antonio. You can find her online at amybearce.com.
As a military kid, she moved eight times before she was eighteen, so she feels especially fortunate to be married to her high school sweetheart. Together they’re raising two daughters in San Antonio. You can find her online at amybearce.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 174 reviews
August 3, 2015
4.5 stars!
Literally a fantastic read. I loved the fact it is super middle grade!
The idea behind this fantastical world is brilliant. Fairies being the main focus but also the mention of dragons, faun, mermaid/men, and many more fantastical beasts.
I loved the adventure the three characters went on!
PERFECT book to read for a read a thon! :D
Literally a fantastic read. I loved the fact it is super middle grade!
The idea behind this fantastical world is brilliant. Fairies being the main focus but also the mention of dragons, faun, mermaid/men, and many more fantastical beasts.
I loved the adventure the three characters went on!
PERFECT book to read for a read a thon! :D
November 8, 2015
This was a YA fantasy story about a girl who kept fairies and harvested nectar from them.
Sierra was a girl who really cared about her sister, and would do anything to keep her safe, especially from their father, which was an admirable trait, even if it was hard to achieve.
The storyline in this was about Sierra trying to find her queen fairy who had gone missing, in an attempt to save her sister from being sent to work at a factory. This was okay, but I found that the story dragged quite a bit, and I kept wanting things to move along a bit faster.
The ending to this wrapped things up quite nicely, and it seems that the sequel will focus on Phoebe rather than Sierra.
6 out of 10
Sierra was a girl who really cared about her sister, and would do anything to keep her safe, especially from their father, which was an admirable trait, even if it was hard to achieve.
The storyline in this was about Sierra trying to find her queen fairy who had gone missing, in an attempt to save her sister from being sent to work at a factory. This was okay, but I found that the story dragged quite a bit, and I kept wanting things to move along a bit faster.
The ending to this wrapped things up quite nicely, and it seems that the sequel will focus on Phoebe rather than Sierra.
6 out of 10
August 29, 2015
www.melissa413readsalot.blogspot.com
This was a sweet, magical read for the most part. Sierra is a Fairy Keeper and so is her best friend Corbin. They tend to the Queen and the worker fairies. The only exception is Corbin and his family use the fairies elixers to making healing potions. Sierra's big jerk of a dad, uses them to make a drug called Flight. Sierra hates doing this and she doesn't want to be a Fairy Keeper. She wants to have her own choices in her life, but when you have the mark on the back of your neck and your Queen finally comes to you as a child, you have no choice.
Sierra has a sweet little sister named Phoebe and they have an old unicorn called Old Sam. He's not a big character in the book, but I thought it was cool to mention because unicorns rock!
Anyhoo, one day Sierra finds her Queen is missing and her worker fairies are dead. She's sad about this but she's more worried about what her jerk father (Jack) will do to her. He's not a very nice person, not even to his daughter's. And her worst fears have come true, her father wants to sell her sister to an evil man in payment for not having any elixer. This man is reputed to drive these kids to death by running them so hard selling for him and starving them! Sierra makes a deal with them and has one week to try to find her Queen.
She sets out on a journey with Corbin (who's queen is missing too) and with Nell. Nell is an enforcer for her father and she runs the drugs for him. Sierra doesn't like her but that is not the point. She has to find her Queen to save her sister.
It turns out on this journey they find out all of the fairy Queens are missing and the fairy workers are dead. They must find out what is causing this. They make a journey to the mountains as this is said to be where the fairies came from originally.
Along the way they find out some things about each other, they run into a faun that Sierra names Micah. They all journey together and find out so many things that are going wrong in their world of Aluvia. They are hoping to set everything right along with saving Phoebe. They get help from a few more magical creatures and Sierra finds out some things about herself that may just save them all.
I thought this was a great little book to hide away in for a little bit of time.
This was a sweet, magical read for the most part. Sierra is a Fairy Keeper and so is her best friend Corbin. They tend to the Queen and the worker fairies. The only exception is Corbin and his family use the fairies elixers to making healing potions. Sierra's big jerk of a dad, uses them to make a drug called Flight. Sierra hates doing this and she doesn't want to be a Fairy Keeper. She wants to have her own choices in her life, but when you have the mark on the back of your neck and your Queen finally comes to you as a child, you have no choice.
Sierra has a sweet little sister named Phoebe and they have an old unicorn called Old Sam. He's not a big character in the book, but I thought it was cool to mention because unicorns rock!
Anyhoo, one day Sierra finds her Queen is missing and her worker fairies are dead. She's sad about this but she's more worried about what her jerk father (Jack) will do to her. He's not a very nice person, not even to his daughter's. And her worst fears have come true, her father wants to sell her sister to an evil man in payment for not having any elixer. This man is reputed to drive these kids to death by running them so hard selling for him and starving them! Sierra makes a deal with them and has one week to try to find her Queen.
She sets out on a journey with Corbin (who's queen is missing too) and with Nell. Nell is an enforcer for her father and she runs the drugs for him. Sierra doesn't like her but that is not the point. She has to find her Queen to save her sister.
It turns out on this journey they find out all of the fairy Queens are missing and the fairy workers are dead. They must find out what is causing this. They make a journey to the mountains as this is said to be where the fairies came from originally.
Along the way they find out some things about each other, they run into a faun that Sierra names Micah. They all journey together and find out so many things that are going wrong in their world of Aluvia. They are hoping to set everything right along with saving Phoebe. They get help from a few more magical creatures and Sierra finds out some things about herself that may just save them all.
I thought this was a great little book to hide away in for a little bit of time.
April 11, 2015
This was a thoroughly enjoyable read! The characters were believable and richly drawn, and Sierra's journey was compelling.
The fantasy world of Aluvia was full of not only beauty and magic, but evil and corruption as well.
Written for primarily the tween and teen audience, I found plenty of deeper layers and thematic issues to engage my mind, and the writing was so very pretty and precise, it was a joy to read.
I highly recommend this book to lovers of fantasy, and those who enjoy coming of age novels with strong and engaging female characters.
The fantasy world of Aluvia was full of not only beauty and magic, but evil and corruption as well.
Written for primarily the tween and teen audience, I found plenty of deeper layers and thematic issues to engage my mind, and the writing was so very pretty and precise, it was a joy to read.
I highly recommend this book to lovers of fantasy, and those who enjoy coming of age novels with strong and engaging female characters.
March 10, 2015
Amy Bearces' debut young adult fiction novel, Fairy Keeper, is a work of magic in itself. Sierra Quinn, a young teen who is born into the role of Fairy Keeper, has a responsibility that she resents but must fulfill in order to appease Jack, a twisted alchemist who chooses greed and power over the love of his daughters, Sierra and Phoebe. He uses the nectar she gathers from her fairies' hatch in order to produce Flight, an elixir that leaves its users in a drug-stupor of sublime bliss - and enslaves them to crave more. Then, a dreaded day comes when the fairies are all dead and the queen fairy is missing. Sierra knows her father will be angry, but never imagines the evil fate he has in store for young, innocent Phoebe if Sierra cannot find the queen fairy and begin to replenish the nectar needed for the alchemist's much craved and highly profitable Flight. Faced with the challenge of seeking the queen in order to prevent her sister from the horrors of Jack giving Phoebe to Elder Bentwood - a powerful man whose diabolical business destroys all who work for him - Sierra begins a journey with unlikely companions to find the queen and restore her to the hatch. Little does she know that the journey will help her find more than a fairy; she will discover her true self and the power that love holds over despair and greed. Bearce creates a novel that intertwines modern day conflicts and issues with powerful imagery of a distant and magical time as she draws the reader into Sierra's world and emotions, leaving the reader to hope for more chances to join with Sierra on future quests.
December 11, 2017
When Sierra, reluctant fairy keeper, is catapulted into serious trouble with her dark alchemist father by the deaths of her fairies, she finds herself on a quest to save her little sister Phoebe, her fairy queen, and the entire world--with a little help from her best friend and her worst enemy.
One of my very favorite things about this book is the characters, and how they interact--the tenderness and fierce loyalty and love between Sierra and Phoebe, the mistrust and open hostility between Sierra and Nell, and how that changes throughout their journey, the awkwardness and jealousy that arises between Sierra and Corbin and the ways they work through that, the anger and resentment between Sierra and Queenie that grows into love, the confusion Sierra harbors about Micah, and the terror and disgust she feels for her father, Jack... It's all done so, so well, and with such honesty.
And the ending--so good! I stayed up late to finish it, even though (full disclosure here) I've read this book about five times previously in various incarnations as Amy was working on it.
An interesting and convincing magical world, beautifully developed characters with complex relationships, action and adventure, and a super satisfying conclusion... Well done indeed, Amy!
Can't wait for the next book!!!
One of my very favorite things about this book is the characters, and how they interact--the tenderness and fierce loyalty and love between Sierra and Phoebe, the mistrust and open hostility between Sierra and Nell, and how that changes throughout their journey, the awkwardness and jealousy that arises between Sierra and Corbin and the ways they work through that, the anger and resentment between Sierra and Queenie that grows into love, the confusion Sierra harbors about Micah, and the terror and disgust she feels for her father, Jack... It's all done so, so well, and with such honesty.
And the ending--so good! I stayed up late to finish it, even though (full disclosure here) I've read this book about five times previously in various incarnations as Amy was working on it.
An interesting and convincing magical world, beautifully developed characters with complex relationships, action and adventure, and a super satisfying conclusion... Well done indeed, Amy!
Can't wait for the next book!!!
February 3, 2017
Unfortunately I didn't like this book at all.
The beginning was interesting, but it took a long time for the more action-packed chapters to happen and by the end of the book I felt like things were really easy to solve and the characters were only interested in being in love with each other.
The beginning was interesting, but it took a long time for the more action-packed chapters to happen and by the end of the book I felt like things were really easy to solve and the characters were only interested in being in love with each other.
March 16, 2015
Fairy Keeper is an amazing debut novel from author Amy Bearce. It’s a great read for anyone who loves fantastic world-building and beautiful prose, but it’s absolutely perfect for readers who might have outgrown children’s books but are not quite ready for YA.
Like Earth, Aluvia is a world of limited natural resources. And its biggest natural resource is magic, which is exploited by some of its inhabitants. As a fairy keeper, fourteen-year-old Sierra is part of the magic, whether she wants to be, or not. And her father Jack is one of the exploiters. When Sierra’s fairy queen disappears from her hatch, Sierra must go on a quest to get her back. Her younger sister’s life depends on it, and as Sierra soon discovers, so does Aluvia, itself.
Along the way, Sierra learns about friendship, responsibility, self-acceptance, and love. She meets magical creatures she didn’t know still existed, including mermaids, a teen faun and a fire-breathing dragon. It’s a truly amazing journey that nobody should miss.
Like Earth, Aluvia is a world of limited natural resources. And its biggest natural resource is magic, which is exploited by some of its inhabitants. As a fairy keeper, fourteen-year-old Sierra is part of the magic, whether she wants to be, or not. And her father Jack is one of the exploiters. When Sierra’s fairy queen disappears from her hatch, Sierra must go on a quest to get her back. Her younger sister’s life depends on it, and as Sierra soon discovers, so does Aluvia, itself.
Along the way, Sierra learns about friendship, responsibility, self-acceptance, and love. She meets magical creatures she didn’t know still existed, including mermaids, a teen faun and a fire-breathing dragon. It’s a truly amazing journey that nobody should miss.
April 9, 2015
I'm not going to summarize the plot here, but I will say that I'm an adult who read this both because I love finding gems on the Young Adult shelf and because I like finding books I can recommend and discuss with my kids. There's a lot of great YA fiction out there right now, and _Fairy Keeper_ is no exception.
Amy Bearce balances a lot of different things with this book, and she does it well. It is engaging and interesting for age levels from tweens to adults. There aren't a lot of books that both my 10-year-old and I can enjoy reading. Also, as a parent it can be hard to find books that are challenging enough for an advanced tween reader without having the mature content of books geared towards older teens. This story does have a bit of violence and a little romance, but it stays firmly in the PG camp and is certainly nothing the tween crowd hasn't seen before. Still, nothing feels "played down" and there is depth to the plot and characters' emotions that I think will be appealing to older teens-- I certainly wasn't about to put it down before I found out what happened!
The characters are all intriguing and Sierra's development throughout the story shows her growing and changing, but still staying true to who she is at heart. Without giving too many details (no spoilers!) I love that her feelings toward her closest friend remain the same even though she feels confused about the way their relationship might be changing. Really, I love the way all of the relationships in the story play out. Characters' feelings and reactions ring true to their age group without seeming immature or uninteresting to me as an adult reader, another bit of balance (and insight) by the author.
Finally, I love a book like this that creates another world with its own rules, creatures, and customs and draws me in completely. This story begins with action, not exposition, so it is a treat throughout the book every time a new facet of Aluvia is revealed. The power of magic in Sierra's world and the creatures that inhabit it are woven seamlessly into the plot so that nothing ever feels like an explanation for the readers' benefit. The ending of the book wraps up the plot of this story, but leaves the door open for learning much more about Sierra and Aluvia.
Amy Bearce balances a lot of different things with this book, and she does it well. It is engaging and interesting for age levels from tweens to adults. There aren't a lot of books that both my 10-year-old and I can enjoy reading. Also, as a parent it can be hard to find books that are challenging enough for an advanced tween reader without having the mature content of books geared towards older teens. This story does have a bit of violence and a little romance, but it stays firmly in the PG camp and is certainly nothing the tween crowd hasn't seen before. Still, nothing feels "played down" and there is depth to the plot and characters' emotions that I think will be appealing to older teens-- I certainly wasn't about to put it down before I found out what happened!
The characters are all intriguing and Sierra's development throughout the story shows her growing and changing, but still staying true to who she is at heart. Without giving too many details (no spoilers!) I love that her feelings toward her closest friend remain the same even though she feels confused about the way their relationship might be changing. Really, I love the way all of the relationships in the story play out. Characters' feelings and reactions ring true to their age group without seeming immature or uninteresting to me as an adult reader, another bit of balance (and insight) by the author.
Finally, I love a book like this that creates another world with its own rules, creatures, and customs and draws me in completely. This story begins with action, not exposition, so it is a treat throughout the book every time a new facet of Aluvia is revealed. The power of magic in Sierra's world and the creatures that inhabit it are woven seamlessly into the plot so that nothing ever feels like an explanation for the readers' benefit. The ending of the book wraps up the plot of this story, but leaves the door open for learning much more about Sierra and Aluvia.
March 12, 2015
Definitely worth the lost sleep, from staying up to read. I really enjoyed how things didn't always go the obvious, expected way. It wasn't just the ending that wasn't predictable... I don't want to spoil anything for folks who just got their copy, but... I've read a fair amount of MG and YA novels, and... a certain relationship didn't go where I thought it would. None of the characters were caricatures or archetypes. Wonderful, strong, bad-ass female characters.
July 23, 2017
What? A fairy keeper?
Yeah.
Why do fairies have to be kept?
Dunno.
So they’re tiny like bees?
Yeah, and testy like bees. Maybe that is why they have to be kept.
Oh. Is there a queen fairy?
Well now that you mention it, yes. And therein lies the problem, because fairy keeper Sierra’s fairy queen has disappeared and her fairies are dead.
They probably died defending the queen.
Could be, but Sierra’s friend (fairy keeper also) Corbin’s queen fairy is missing too. Corbin’s family uses fairy nectar to make healing potions. Btw, both Corbin and Sierra have rare tattoo birth marks on their neck that mark them as fairy keepers.
Let me guess. They have to buy new queens to start a new hive, just like bees.
NO! They set out to rescue their little fairy queens. THEY are NOT BEES! Fairies are people too, you know! Not only that, but Sierra’s evil father/alchemist, uses the nectar to produce an addictive, expensive hallucinogenic drug and has threatened to sell Sierra’s sister to the black market if Sierra doesn’t get her hands on the queen fairy who disappeared.
Oh. So no pressure or anything… Sierra has just has a little extra motivation to find her fairy queen or her sister becomes a starving slave. What is wrong with people nowadays?
Right. Now you understand this dire situation. So anyway, Sierra and Corbin set out to save/find their fairy queens and save Sierra’s sister. Along the way, they encounter magical creatures, who, either help or hinder them – I’m not telling. It is a very enjoyable story that I am happy I read. I don’t want to give too much of the story away, so I’ll stop there.
You can’t do that, NOT NOW! I’m too invested in this story.
*snicker, snicker* Guess you’ll just have to get the book and read it to find out what happens.
*poke*
What did you do that for?
*bats eyelashes* May I borrow your book, please? Hmmm?
Oh, alright.
*poke*
What!
Nooow?
*fairy curses*
Wait! Is that a tattoo I see on your neck?!
A first version of this review was
on NetGalley.*****Fun story. Go get the book.*****
March 10, 2015
Fourteen year old Sierra Quinn wants to choose her own path in life, but she is bound to her responsibilities. Bound by love to her younger sister Phoebe and bound to her fairies by the tattoo on the back of her neck that marks her destiny as a fairy keeper. This connection to the fairies also keeps her bound to her heavy-fisted, alchemist father, as she is the only one who can supply him with the fairy nectar necessary for his most potent and lucrative elixir, Flight. When Sierra discovers her fairies dead and the queen missing, her father threatens to trade Phoebe to a business associate even more dangerous than himself. With the intention of saving her sister, Sierra begins a journey to find her queen. However, this journey puts her on a path to uncovering a danger that threatens the hope of survival, not just for herself and her sister, but for all of Aluvia.
Bearce’s vivid description and use of imagery brings both the world of Aluvia and the characters to life. The feeling of entrapment Sierra feels to her father is evident even in her description. “She tried to forget they were related by blood, which was hard given that Jack’s dark hair, brown eyes, and pale skin were stamped right on her.” Her conflicting emotions about her fairy queen are portrayed by description as well. “Long, silky golden hair draped around her body like a dress and her wings hung down her back. Flowing in a golden shimmer, her fairy queen had defined beauty. There was a pang in her heart. Sierra ruthlessly shoved the unwelcome emotion into a deep, dark, corner.”
Although Sierra’s resentment of her responsibility is a dominant part of her character at the beginning an evolution of her character occurs along her journey. Just as teens her age are coming to terms with the ever-increasing responsibility of growing up, Sierra begins to accept her situation as a labor of love rather than an encumbrance. She also discovers that true love isn’t the liability she once feared, but rather it gives her strength to overcome the many challenges she faces on her journey. With these relatable qualities, Bearce has created a character worth connecting to as the plot captivates readers with its many magical twists and turns.
Bearce’s vivid description and use of imagery brings both the world of Aluvia and the characters to life. The feeling of entrapment Sierra feels to her father is evident even in her description. “She tried to forget they were related by blood, which was hard given that Jack’s dark hair, brown eyes, and pale skin were stamped right on her.” Her conflicting emotions about her fairy queen are portrayed by description as well. “Long, silky golden hair draped around her body like a dress and her wings hung down her back. Flowing in a golden shimmer, her fairy queen had defined beauty. There was a pang in her heart. Sierra ruthlessly shoved the unwelcome emotion into a deep, dark, corner.”
Although Sierra’s resentment of her responsibility is a dominant part of her character at the beginning an evolution of her character occurs along her journey. Just as teens her age are coming to terms with the ever-increasing responsibility of growing up, Sierra begins to accept her situation as a labor of love rather than an encumbrance. She also discovers that true love isn’t the liability she once feared, but rather it gives her strength to overcome the many challenges she faces on her journey. With these relatable qualities, Bearce has created a character worth connecting to as the plot captivates readers with its many magical twists and turns.
September 24, 2019
What’s this!? A previously unknown clean YA Fantasy series with a really fascinating faerie world and GORGEOUS covers? I’m so excited!
This is a world where humanity is misusing and draining magic—where fairy nectar is used as drugs, where unicorns age in stables, where merfolk are kept in chains.
Our heroine and her little sister fear their father, who is not a typical drunk father in most fantasy novels, but a recognized criminal—former Assassin, now Druglord. To save her little sister, our heroine must track down the missing fairy queens with the help of her best friend and arch nemesis, struggling with her own tendency towards ruthlessness and her lack of hope for a better future.
I’ve seen some refer to this series as upper middle-grade, but I really don’t agree with that. This is more like what YA USED to be, before it got drowned in darkness and sexuality. Yeah, our heroines and heroes are 14/15 but they have the maturity of today’s 17/18 year olds, and honestly that’s realistic to old time periods. Modern minds may not like the idea of teen marriages, but that’s just how it was in the olden days. You grew up fast and you died sooner.
Speaking of romance, I was worried early on that the book would bogged down by a love triangle, but it actually handles this with surprising maturity and examples of true friendship and character growth. THIS is what YA romance is supposed to be like...innocent, mysterious, frustrating, and sweet. Not the steamy, sexy junk handed out like free candy to kids these days.
Sure, there was a lot of moments in this book being resolved by “unexpected magical power” but hey it was pretty darn interesting magical power.
Can’t wait to start the next book! Because merfolk! Mer-Boy! Rescuing mer slaves!
This is a world where humanity is misusing and draining magic—where fairy nectar is used as drugs, where unicorns age in stables, where merfolk are kept in chains.
Our heroine and her little sister fear their father, who is not a typical drunk father in most fantasy novels, but a recognized criminal—former Assassin, now Druglord. To save her little sister, our heroine must track down the missing fairy queens with the help of her best friend and arch nemesis, struggling with her own tendency towards ruthlessness and her lack of hope for a better future.
I’ve seen some refer to this series as upper middle-grade, but I really don’t agree with that. This is more like what YA USED to be, before it got drowned in darkness and sexuality. Yeah, our heroines and heroes are 14/15 but they have the maturity of today’s 17/18 year olds, and honestly that’s realistic to old time periods. Modern minds may not like the idea of teen marriages, but that’s just how it was in the olden days. You grew up fast and you died sooner.
Speaking of romance, I was worried early on that the book would bogged down by a love triangle, but it actually handles this with surprising maturity and examples of true friendship and character growth. THIS is what YA romance is supposed to be like...innocent, mysterious, frustrating, and sweet. Not the steamy, sexy junk handed out like free candy to kids these days.
Sure, there was a lot of moments in this book being resolved by “unexpected magical power” but hey it was pretty darn interesting magical power.
Can’t wait to start the next book! Because merfolk! Mer-Boy! Rescuing mer slaves!
April 4, 2015
Read all my reviews on http://urlphantomhive.booklikes.com
Sierra isn't happy as a Fairy Keeper though she's destined to be one. When the Fairy Queen she's bonded to disappears and the rest of the fairies die, she must volunteer as a tribute find her queen or her sister is in grave danger!
The world presented in Fairy Keeper was actually quite cute. The fairies are not very nice, nor as mean as the faeries from other stories. Sierra as a fairy keeper has kind of a love-hate relationship with them. The book would classify as middle grade or young-young adult, but I still enjoyed reading it.
The story isn't that original, quest, band of people looking for something to save person they love. It has been done before. Nevertheless, this was a refreshing if not very remarkable, look on that idea. At first I wasn't a big fan of the travel companions but I got to like them after a while. There was a serious undertone of not overusing natural resources. I would read another book by Amy Bearce.
Thanks to the publisher for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review during this blog tour!
Sierra isn't happy as a Fairy Keeper though she's destined to be one. When the Fairy Queen she's bonded to disappears and the rest of the fairies die, she must
The world presented in Fairy Keeper was actually quite cute. The fairies are not very nice, nor as mean as the faeries from other stories. Sierra as a fairy keeper has kind of a love-hate relationship with them. The book would classify as middle grade or young-young adult, but I still enjoyed reading it.
The story isn't that original, quest, band of people looking for something to save person they love. It has been done before. Nevertheless, this was a refreshing if not very remarkable, look on that idea. At first I wasn't a big fan of the travel companions but I got to like them after a while. There was a serious undertone of not overusing natural resources. I would read another book by Amy Bearce.
Thanks to the publisher for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review during this blog tour!
April 10, 2015
I received a free copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
At first I wasn't sure if I would really like this book. There are so many fairy-tale-creature-themed young adult novels that I was worried it would be mediocre. However, I was pleasantly surprised. After the first few chapters, I was definitely caught in the stingers of the fairies. Although, I'm still not sure how much I actually like the main character, Sierra. I find her to be a moody, bratty teenager--but then, weren't most of us at one point?
In addition to the love triangle--there were underlying themes of friendship, self-acceptance, as well as responsibility. Additionally, there were very serious ecological themes throughout the novel--most prevalent out of all was the the warning to not overuse the natural worlds resources--fairy nectar in the case of this story.
I would love to read another book by Amy Bearce and it would be even more awesome if it was a sequel to this one! I'd love to see what other mythical creatures reside in the land of Aluvia, as well as to get to know the ones we already met better.
At first I wasn't sure if I would really like this book. There are so many fairy-tale-creature-themed young adult novels that I was worried it would be mediocre. However, I was pleasantly surprised. After the first few chapters, I was definitely caught in the stingers of the fairies. Although, I'm still not sure how much I actually like the main character, Sierra. I find her to be a moody, bratty teenager--but then, weren't most of us at one point?
In addition to the love triangle--there were underlying themes of friendship, self-acceptance, as well as responsibility. Additionally, there were very serious ecological themes throughout the novel--most prevalent out of all was the the warning to not overuse the natural worlds resources--fairy nectar in the case of this story.
I would love to read another book by Amy Bearce and it would be even more awesome if it was a sequel to this one! I'd love to see what other mythical creatures reside in the land of Aluvia, as well as to get to know the ones we already met better.
May 30, 2015
This is a wonderful fantasy book for all ages. It is complete with flawed but sympathetic characters, bad guys, and strong familial love.
April 4, 2015
I received this book as a proof copy for my kindle from 'Curiosity Quills Press' via 'NetGalley.com' for an honest review.
First off, let me start by saying this is one of the best books I have read in a long time. It only took me four evenings to divulge its entire contents. Just wow. I am so sad that I finished this book, I wanted it to go on forever.
Check out the stunning cover, this is such a beautiful representation of Sierra who is our beloved protagonist throughout the story. It makes me wish I had a fairy keeper mark just like Sierra does. The talented artist who created this gorgeous cover is Amalia Chitulescu, and she has done a wonderful job.
If you think this is a run of the mill fairy story then you will be completely mistaken, for the fairies in this story at first seem to be nothing more than irritable and moody bugs. When I first saw this little snippet of information I was apprehensive because I love fairies to be walking, talking, human like magical creatures. But what this story does is open your eyes to the diversification of how fairies can be represented, and now I really want my own fairy queen.
In the world of Aluvia where this magical story is set, those who have the fairy keeper mark are seen as chosen or even gifted for they have the responsibility of caring for a fairy queen and her subjects. However 14 year old Sierra sees it as something completely different. Her father Jack is a terrible person and he is also a very highly feared dark alchemist who uses fairy nectar to create a drug like hallucinogenic to sell for an awful lot of dirty profit. He is a vile man who is often mentally and physically violent with his daughter.
Sierra feels trapped, she has an adoring little sister Phoebe who she loves dearly and cannot face abandoning her even for her own safety. So she continues to harvest the nectar for her greedy father until something catastrophic happens. Sierra finds her fairies dead and her fairy queen missing, but she isn't the only one this has happened to. They’re all gone, every single one, and getting them back will be dangerous and deadly.
Sierra is sent on a journey with her best friend Corbin and her worst enemy Nell to search and retrieve a fairy queen, or her little sister Phoebe will be sold to cover her fathers debts. But there is significantly more to this tale than you think, there is a greater risk and a much greater threat to mankind and the future of the world if magic is not somehow saved. Keep an eye out for the wonderful character of Micah who appears later in the book. Other than Sierra he is my favourite character in this story.
I thought that the plot of this book was wonderfully thought out and constructed. Keeping a decent pace all the way through and making sure your interest remained peaked at all times. The characters are very well written with enough depth to feel for them exactly what the author wants you to feel. You will be surprised how your feelings towards Nell will change when we initially start out wanting to smack her really hard in the face.
There are also occasional hints in the book that may dictate where the story could go next in further books. I will not however spoil this for you because I want to see if you can spot them for yourself like I did. You really need to take your time with this book and literally eat up every single little detail because it is all so important to adding that extra bit of magic to an already wonderful story.
You have no idea how much I need need to read the next book and Amy Bearce the talented author behind 'Fairy Keeper' is in the process of writing the next book as we speak.
This book deserves a magical, fantastical 5/5
First off, let me start by saying this is one of the best books I have read in a long time. It only took me four evenings to divulge its entire contents. Just wow. I am so sad that I finished this book, I wanted it to go on forever.
Check out the stunning cover, this is such a beautiful representation of Sierra who is our beloved protagonist throughout the story. It makes me wish I had a fairy keeper mark just like Sierra does. The talented artist who created this gorgeous cover is Amalia Chitulescu, and she has done a wonderful job.
If you think this is a run of the mill fairy story then you will be completely mistaken, for the fairies in this story at first seem to be nothing more than irritable and moody bugs. When I first saw this little snippet of information I was apprehensive because I love fairies to be walking, talking, human like magical creatures. But what this story does is open your eyes to the diversification of how fairies can be represented, and now I really want my own fairy queen.
In the world of Aluvia where this magical story is set, those who have the fairy keeper mark are seen as chosen or even gifted for they have the responsibility of caring for a fairy queen and her subjects. However 14 year old Sierra sees it as something completely different. Her father Jack is a terrible person and he is also a very highly feared dark alchemist who uses fairy nectar to create a drug like hallucinogenic to sell for an awful lot of dirty profit. He is a vile man who is often mentally and physically violent with his daughter.
Sierra feels trapped, she has an adoring little sister Phoebe who she loves dearly and cannot face abandoning her even for her own safety. So she continues to harvest the nectar for her greedy father until something catastrophic happens. Sierra finds her fairies dead and her fairy queen missing, but she isn't the only one this has happened to. They’re all gone, every single one, and getting them back will be dangerous and deadly.
Sierra is sent on a journey with her best friend Corbin and her worst enemy Nell to search and retrieve a fairy queen, or her little sister Phoebe will be sold to cover her fathers debts. But there is significantly more to this tale than you think, there is a greater risk and a much greater threat to mankind and the future of the world if magic is not somehow saved. Keep an eye out for the wonderful character of Micah who appears later in the book. Other than Sierra he is my favourite character in this story.
I thought that the plot of this book was wonderfully thought out and constructed. Keeping a decent pace all the way through and making sure your interest remained peaked at all times. The characters are very well written with enough depth to feel for them exactly what the author wants you to feel. You will be surprised how your feelings towards Nell will change when we initially start out wanting to smack her really hard in the face.
There are also occasional hints in the book that may dictate where the story could go next in further books. I will not however spoil this for you because I want to see if you can spot them for yourself like I did. You really need to take your time with this book and literally eat up every single little detail because it is all so important to adding that extra bit of magic to an already wonderful story.
You have no idea how much I need need to read the next book and Amy Bearce the talented author behind 'Fairy Keeper' is in the process of writing the next book as we speak.
This book deserves a magical, fantastical 5/5
April 13, 2015
Initial warning about this book. The characters are so well written, that the fear the main character feels about her father is palpable. It could be a trigger for someone who had a bad childhood with a father-figure. The father Jack was introduced first just from the thoughts of his daughter, the MC Sierra and that was enough for me. I didn't want to meet him at all. When he made an actual appearance, he was as bad as Sierra thought and then some. Very well written.
The characters were all alive for me. They were tropes, but more than that. The strong female MC who was trying to keep her sister safe, the platonic male best friend, the untrustworthy secondary female character, but that was just their starting off point. They started off as tropes, but they grew. They lived and breathed and developed and evolved.
Sierra was "special", but she grew into it. She wasn't a Mary Sue with all of the answers. She didn't save the day each and every time. She had friends who helped her on her journey. Her love for her sister and her fear of her father gave her dimension.
The world was well built, I could see where the characters were in my mind and it was lovely. I enjoyed the ecological theme, as it didn't bludgeon the reader over the head, but again, was an idea that developed gradually.
The ending wrapped up the main quest of the book, but could easily lead into a series. I would definitely enjoy reading more about the world the author created and hope there is a series if they are all as well written and thought-out as this book is.
I would recommend this book, with the one trigger warning of the abusive father-figure. Solid four stars.
My thanks to NetGalley and Curiosity Quills Press for an eARC copy of this book to read and review.
The characters were all alive for me. They were tropes, but more than that. The strong female MC who was trying to keep her sister safe, the platonic male best friend, the untrustworthy secondary female character, but that was just their starting off point. They started off as tropes, but they grew. They lived and breathed and developed and evolved.
Sierra was "special", but she grew into it. She wasn't a Mary Sue with all of the answers. She didn't save the day each and every time. She had friends who helped her on her journey. Her love for her sister and her fear of her father gave her dimension.
The world was well built, I could see where the characters were in my mind and it was lovely. I enjoyed the ecological theme, as it didn't bludgeon the reader over the head, but again, was an idea that developed gradually.
The ending wrapped up the main quest of the book, but could easily lead into a series. I would definitely enjoy reading more about the world the author created and hope there is a series if they are all as well written and thought-out as this book is.
I would recommend this book, with the one trigger warning of the abusive father-figure. Solid four stars.
My thanks to NetGalley and Curiosity Quills Press for an eARC copy of this book to read and review.
April 11, 2015
(Excerpt(s): "Sierra hated that her fate had been decided the moment she was born with a keeper mark on the back of her neck.Her path was fixed, mot matter how much she wished otherwise. The fairies would never leave her alone. The mark was only the out ward evidence of some inner trait or ability the fairies were drawn to. If she knew what it was, she'd change herself and be free.”
“She didn’t have the words to express why it infuriated her to have no choice about her life’s calling. Yes, she took care of the fairies. If she didn’t, she’d never have a moment’s peace. The little worker fairies needed someone to protect them, as they weren’t very clever. Sierra built a special hatch for them, and found the exact mushrooms the queen needed to thrive. The fairies lived on the far edge of the Quinns’ land, as close to the forest as Sierra could get them while still keeping them safe. She made sure no wild creature encroached on their territory and that other people left them alone. But in return, she took their nectar for Jack, even though she didn’t want to.
“She was trapped, by her mark, her father and her love for Phoebe.”)
REVIEW: Aluvia is a land filled with magic and magical creatures, while they are all important fairies have a special role. Sierra Quinn, a fairy keeper from a long line of fairy keepers, keeps collecting the nectar in order to keep her precious baby sister safe from their father Jack. As if being heartless tyrant is not bad enough he is also an assassin and dark alchemist, who forces Sierra to take too much of the fairies nectar so that he can make an illegal mind-altering elixir that he invented and calls Flight. The elixir is his most lucrative potion. It makes users so tranquil that sometimes they starve to death and the will trade/sell everything they own to get more. Sometimes it produces hallucinations. The authorities overlook the illegal trade and sell of Flight because it makes users too dazed and complacent to make trouble. Many of the elders also use the potion and they want to make sure that there is an ample supply available.
After an earthquake, Sierra drops the vials of nectar she had collected that morning. She knows nothing will protect them from Jacks wrath is she does not have the nectar he needs to make Flight. Collecting nectar is always dangerous; the fairies bite, pinch and sting you trying to get you to leave their nectar alone She know that trying to collect more at dusk will have them more agitated that usual. As she nears the meadow where the fairies live in a hatch that she built for them, she knows something is very wrong, it’s too quiet. When she reaches their hatch she discovers all the fairies are dead. She searches through the tiny creatures, looking for the queen who is larger, but discovers that she is missing. Even thought she hated her calling she had never wished that they’d die. What would the world be without their magic? What would Jack do, how was she to going to tell him that fifty fairies were dead and the queen was gone?
To save Phoebe from being given to Elder Graham Bentwood, a dark alchemist, the most monstrous ruffian in Aluvia, Sierra goes in search of her queen. Jack insists that Nell, one of his employee goers with her as to protect, guard and ensure that she returns. She goes to her best friend, Corbin, another keeper hoping that he knows why this happened and where her queen might have gone. When they reach his home they discover more dead fairies and another missing queen and he joins them
There are so many things I love about this book:
The love and protectiveness that Sierra feels toward Phoebe;
The anger and resentment that turn to love between Sierra and Queenie as she begins to realize her role in protecting the magic that the fairies create, Her comprehension that true love isn’t the liability she once dreaded, and how this gives her strength to overcome the many challenges she faces on her journey;
The magical creatures; the magic and amazing world they reside in;
The character development of and interactions between Sierra and Phoebe; then between Sierra, Nell, Corbin, the fairy Queens and all the magical creatures;
The need to protect the world’s natural resources from exploitation and abuse;
The stunning cover, which shows Sierra's mark that, signifies she is a keeper. I’ve never commented on a cover in a review, but this one is just amazing and I want to thank Amalia Chitulescu, the artist who created this work of art. While I wish that her hair had been longer and braided as the book describes I love the detailed keeper’s mark. I thought at first it was a butterfly until I started reading; (I can visualize fairies and butterflies chasing each other as the play; flying among the flowers.)
I look forward to reading more from this author.
4.75 STARS **Receiving a digital ARC from the publisher via NetGalley did not influence my rating or review of this book; all opinions are my own.**
“She didn’t have the words to express why it infuriated her to have no choice about her life’s calling. Yes, she took care of the fairies. If she didn’t, she’d never have a moment’s peace. The little worker fairies needed someone to protect them, as they weren’t very clever. Sierra built a special hatch for them, and found the exact mushrooms the queen needed to thrive. The fairies lived on the far edge of the Quinns’ land, as close to the forest as Sierra could get them while still keeping them safe. She made sure no wild creature encroached on their territory and that other people left them alone. But in return, she took their nectar for Jack, even though she didn’t want to.
“She was trapped, by her mark, her father and her love for Phoebe.”)
REVIEW: Aluvia is a land filled with magic and magical creatures, while they are all important fairies have a special role. Sierra Quinn, a fairy keeper from a long line of fairy keepers, keeps collecting the nectar in order to keep her precious baby sister safe from their father Jack. As if being heartless tyrant is not bad enough he is also an assassin and dark alchemist, who forces Sierra to take too much of the fairies nectar so that he can make an illegal mind-altering elixir that he invented and calls Flight. The elixir is his most lucrative potion. It makes users so tranquil that sometimes they starve to death and the will trade/sell everything they own to get more. Sometimes it produces hallucinations. The authorities overlook the illegal trade and sell of Flight because it makes users too dazed and complacent to make trouble. Many of the elders also use the potion and they want to make sure that there is an ample supply available.
After an earthquake, Sierra drops the vials of nectar she had collected that morning. She knows nothing will protect them from Jacks wrath is she does not have the nectar he needs to make Flight. Collecting nectar is always dangerous; the fairies bite, pinch and sting you trying to get you to leave their nectar alone She know that trying to collect more at dusk will have them more agitated that usual. As she nears the meadow where the fairies live in a hatch that she built for them, she knows something is very wrong, it’s too quiet. When she reaches their hatch she discovers all the fairies are dead. She searches through the tiny creatures, looking for the queen who is larger, but discovers that she is missing. Even thought she hated her calling she had never wished that they’d die. What would the world be without their magic? What would Jack do, how was she to going to tell him that fifty fairies were dead and the queen was gone?
To save Phoebe from being given to Elder Graham Bentwood, a dark alchemist, the most monstrous ruffian in Aluvia, Sierra goes in search of her queen. Jack insists that Nell, one of his employee goers with her as to protect, guard and ensure that she returns. She goes to her best friend, Corbin, another keeper hoping that he knows why this happened and where her queen might have gone. When they reach his home they discover more dead fairies and another missing queen and he joins them
There are so many things I love about this book:
The love and protectiveness that Sierra feels toward Phoebe;
The anger and resentment that turn to love between Sierra and Queenie as she begins to realize her role in protecting the magic that the fairies create, Her comprehension that true love isn’t the liability she once dreaded, and how this gives her strength to overcome the many challenges she faces on her journey;
The magical creatures; the magic and amazing world they reside in;
The character development of and interactions between Sierra and Phoebe; then between Sierra, Nell, Corbin, the fairy Queens and all the magical creatures;
The need to protect the world’s natural resources from exploitation and abuse;
The stunning cover, which shows Sierra's mark that, signifies she is a keeper. I’ve never commented on a cover in a review, but this one is just amazing and I want to thank Amalia Chitulescu, the artist who created this work of art. While I wish that her hair had been longer and braided as the book describes I love the detailed keeper’s mark. I thought at first it was a butterfly until I started reading; (I can visualize fairies and butterflies chasing each other as the play; flying among the flowers.)
I look forward to reading more from this author.
4.75 STARS **Receiving a digital ARC from the publisher via NetGalley did not influence my rating or review of this book; all opinions are my own.**
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 3, 2015
This is an excellent middle grade read! Bearce's prose is beautiful and I absolutely loved the themes in the book. Not only is it a wonderful fairy story, it's a great book for discussion because of the just-below-the-surface environmental themes. I highly recommend!
February 7, 2017
Original Blog Review: https://myescapebookscoffeetea.wordpr...
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Actual Rating: 2.5 Stars
* The publisher of this book sent me this paperback copy in exchange for an honest review, so don’t expect less than that, I will always give my honest opinion, like it or not *
I still don’t know what I really feel about this book, I didn’t hate it but I didn’t love it and I am not sure I enjoyed it that much… I am confused as hell !
I gave to this book 2.5 Stars on Goodreads for a simple reason, besides not “understanding” what I felt reading it I was bored sometimes while reading this book, I don’t know guys I just didn’t like it as much as I thought I would, I really was sure I was going to love this book because it looks super amazing BUT I didn’t, I love the cover I think it is really amazing and beautiful but there were a lot of things that didn’t make me happy.
To beggin with I didn’t like the characters in this book and the main character, OH LORD, the main character was so annoying… you’re not even seeing my point. I didn’t love any character in this book, I didn’t feel a connection with anyone, NOT EVEN ONE FREAKING CHARACTER !I didn’t understand the “actions” of the main character, I didn’t like a ton of things about the characters in general.
About the plot… the plot is probably the only reason why I gave this book a 0.5 point on top of the 2 stars, yas, my thing is I finished it so I gave it 2 stars because I finished it and besides being bored I kinda liked the description of the “scenario” and blablabla, and that’s it, I could easily give to this book 2 straight stars BUT I kinda understand the plot and I kinda got it and liked it so just for the plot 2.5 Stars.
I like the way the author writes I just don’t think she was able to “reach me” you know ? There was something missing, the writting is quite simple and light but I still feel there’s something missing here so I don’t know, I don’t think I would recommend this book to you this time guys, of course that you all should read the book because you should have your own opinion about it and all of that but I just didn’t enjoy it that much so I am not recommending it to you because it was not amazing and I will not say “YOU MUST READ IT” .
My MAIN Bookstagram: http://instagram.com/blog.myescape
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Buy this book on The Book Depository: http://www.bookdepository.com/Fairy-K...
Actual Rating: 2.5 Stars
* The publisher of this book sent me this paperback copy in exchange for an honest review, so don’t expect less than that, I will always give my honest opinion, like it or not *
I still don’t know what I really feel about this book, I didn’t hate it but I didn’t love it and I am not sure I enjoyed it that much… I am confused as hell !
I gave to this book 2.5 Stars on Goodreads for a simple reason, besides not “understanding” what I felt reading it I was bored sometimes while reading this book, I don’t know guys I just didn’t like it as much as I thought I would, I really was sure I was going to love this book because it looks super amazing BUT I didn’t, I love the cover I think it is really amazing and beautiful but there were a lot of things that didn’t make me happy.
To beggin with I didn’t like the characters in this book and the main character, OH LORD, the main character was so annoying… you’re not even seeing my point. I didn’t love any character in this book, I didn’t feel a connection with anyone, NOT EVEN ONE FREAKING CHARACTER !I didn’t understand the “actions” of the main character, I didn’t like a ton of things about the characters in general.
About the plot… the plot is probably the only reason why I gave this book a 0.5 point on top of the 2 stars, yas, my thing is I finished it so I gave it 2 stars because I finished it and besides being bored I kinda liked the description of the “scenario” and blablabla, and that’s it, I could easily give to this book 2 straight stars BUT I kinda understand the plot and I kinda got it and liked it so just for the plot 2.5 Stars.
I like the way the author writes I just don’t think she was able to “reach me” you know ? There was something missing, the writting is quite simple and light but I still feel there’s something missing here so I don’t know, I don’t think I would recommend this book to you this time guys, of course that you all should read the book because you should have your own opinion about it and all of that but I just didn’t enjoy it that much so I am not recommending it to you because it was not amazing and I will not say “YOU MUST READ IT” .
November 10, 2015
I received a copy of this book through netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Even though this ‘review’ is more of a ‘How I Feel’.
This story. Wow. Lets see if I can articulate how I feel about this book into words.
Fairy Keeper is a new look onto the fairy stories that I grew up with, and its very refreshing & exciting yet an imaginative and seriously breathtaking story. Some of the scenes in this book, the descriptions…man. I love them.
I have a feeling though that this is the type of book that you will either hate or love It. I am on the side of Loving It.
Fairy Keeper does have a slow start to the book, however somewhere around the halfway mark the story just starts to run off the pages. What I mean by that is that, the story just had me craving for more. Once I really started reading it, I couldn’t put it down.
There is so much diversity in both the mythological aspect and the characters that are portrayed in this story. The author had a way of writing this where there were only a few characters where the spot light was on them but she also wrote it in a way where I felt like I knew everyone else in the story as well.
I dont think Ive ever read a story where the protagonist is so morally sound. Sierra, the main character, has such a strong sense of self. Sierra is so…I dont know how how to describe her. She’s strong, she is so realistic. I connect with Sierra so much. Maybe that’s why I love this book.
Before I go on and on about how much I love this book though, I cant ignore the fact that there is yet another love triangle..and this irritated me to bits! I should counteract that with saying that the the triangle is dissolved quickly.
There are so many ways the story could go on from where the author left off though. And if Mrs. Bearce ever decides to write a second book, not only would I gladly read said book, but I would be honoured to go with Sierra on her next adventure.
With Fairy Keeper being a stand alone novel, I honestly feel that a second addition to this first book would be great! But this book would do way better as a duology or as a series because of what happened at the ending. Now that I know that Fairy Keeper is a standalone, it was a sweet little glimpse into Sierra’s story. And Sierra grew so much as a character. To think of Sierra at the beginning of the book and then remember how she was at the end, you can just see how much she grew as a character. Saying that though, I know that the other characters have so much potential to grow. Thus why I feel this book would do better not as a standalone.
The cover is really pretty in my opinion and Fairy Keeper is actually a fast read because its only 238 pages! I gave this book 5 stars, and I definitely recommend this book!
This story. Wow. Lets see if I can articulate how I feel about this book into words.
Fairy Keeper is a new look onto the fairy stories that I grew up with, and its very refreshing & exciting yet an imaginative and seriously breathtaking story. Some of the scenes in this book, the descriptions…man. I love them.
I have a feeling though that this is the type of book that you will either hate or love It. I am on the side of Loving It.
Fairy Keeper does have a slow start to the book, however somewhere around the halfway mark the story just starts to run off the pages. What I mean by that is that, the story just had me craving for more. Once I really started reading it, I couldn’t put it down.
There is so much diversity in both the mythological aspect and the characters that are portrayed in this story. The author had a way of writing this where there were only a few characters where the spot light was on them but she also wrote it in a way where I felt like I knew everyone else in the story as well.
I dont think Ive ever read a story where the protagonist is so morally sound. Sierra, the main character, has such a strong sense of self. Sierra is so…I dont know how how to describe her. She’s strong, she is so realistic. I connect with Sierra so much. Maybe that’s why I love this book.
Before I go on and on about how much I love this book though, I cant ignore the fact that there is yet another love triangle..and this irritated me to bits! I should counteract that with saying that the the triangle is dissolved quickly.
There are so many ways the story could go on from where the author left off though. And if Mrs. Bearce ever decides to write a second book, not only would I gladly read said book, but I would be honoured to go with Sierra on her next adventure.
With Fairy Keeper being a stand alone novel, I honestly feel that a second addition to this first book would be great! But this book would do way better as a duology or as a series because of what happened at the ending. Now that I know that Fairy Keeper is a standalone, it was a sweet little glimpse into Sierra’s story. And Sierra grew so much as a character. To think of Sierra at the beginning of the book and then remember how she was at the end, you can just see how much she grew as a character. Saying that though, I know that the other characters have so much potential to grow. Thus why I feel this book would do better not as a standalone.
The cover is really pretty in my opinion and Fairy Keeper is actually a fast read because its only 238 pages! I gave this book 5 stars, and I definitely recommend this book!
April 12, 2015
I don't know about you, but reading that synopsis made me super intrigued about the book. Lost queens, irritable fairies... that makes a pretty good book when written right, so I decided to request this book.
A week later, I got an email that said I had permission to view this book. I was really happy and I moved this book to the front of my to-read list. I'm very glad I did.
I really enjoyed this book. There were very good relationships between the characters, and while some of them were strained, they managed to put the past behind them and put up with each other. By the end of the book you could clearly see the friendships between some former enemies and really see their sides of things.
The plot was not boring at all- it really surprised me! I found myself actually wanting to read even when there wasn't as much action.
Even though this book is labeled middle grade, I really believe it should be YA. When I picked it up I thought it was YA, and I didn't find out it wasn't until after I was done and looking at the author's website.
The romance wasn't instant, and you could really see how real it was. It was awkward at times, but I felt that made it more realistic and I think that most teens can relate to that- not knowing if your crush likes you or if you should do anything about it. That's something I feel that everyone goes through at least once in their life.
I would definitely recommend this book! Wow, I haven't given a book more than 4 stars in over a month, but I feel really good about giving this one 5 stars.
A week later, I got an email that said I had permission to view this book. I was really happy and I moved this book to the front of my to-read list. I'm very glad I did.
I really enjoyed this book. There were very good relationships between the characters, and while some of them were strained, they managed to put the past behind them and put up with each other. By the end of the book you could clearly see the friendships between some former enemies and really see their sides of things.
The plot was not boring at all- it really surprised me! I found myself actually wanting to read even when there wasn't as much action.
Even though this book is labeled middle grade, I really believe it should be YA. When I picked it up I thought it was YA, and I didn't find out it wasn't until after I was done and looking at the author's website.
The romance wasn't instant, and you could really see how real it was. It was awkward at times, but I felt that made it more realistic and I think that most teens can relate to that- not knowing if your crush likes you or if you should do anything about it. That's something I feel that everyone goes through at least once in their life.
I would definitely recommend this book! Wow, I haven't given a book more than 4 stars in over a month, but I feel really good about giving this one 5 stars.
March 19, 2018
Fairykeeper is a good read.
Think of a queen bee in a beehive, and the story is about that. Fairies produces nectar to use in drugs-like Flight, with the same feelings, I guess - hallucinations, a good feel, the feeling of high, etc.
The story a descriptive novel, it describes a lot, the feelings, the quake, the lights, hallucinations, etc., which made a feeling that you don't want to think, or pull the string to go to the end. Anyway, reading this one made me realized that things you are born with are not necessarily you are born to. There are things that are planned, but it ends differently. Sometimes adventure leads to something, but that something may lead to everything.
The world of Aluvia, is like our world, there are corrupt leaders that consent with drugs (Flight) as long as they are beneficial to it. There are people who do slavery and hostage for their gain. And there are people who sold their children for money and material gains.
But sometimes, in our world there is no Sierra, Nell, Corbin, Micah and Queen to save the day. It takes some bravery and courage to stand for what you believe is right, to fight for the future, and to live a life with conscience and love.
A wonderful a journey. Salamat sa isang magandang paglalakbay.😊
Think of a queen bee in a beehive, and the story is about that. Fairies produces nectar to use in drugs-like Flight, with the same feelings, I guess - hallucinations, a good feel, the feeling of high, etc.
The story a descriptive novel, it describes a lot, the feelings, the quake, the lights, hallucinations, etc., which made a feeling that you don't want to think, or pull the string to go to the end. Anyway, reading this one made me realized that things you are born with are not necessarily you are born to. There are things that are planned, but it ends differently. Sometimes adventure leads to something, but that something may lead to everything.
The world of Aluvia, is like our world, there are corrupt leaders that consent with drugs (Flight) as long as they are beneficial to it. There are people who do slavery and hostage for their gain. And there are people who sold their children for money and material gains.
But sometimes, in our world there is no Sierra, Nell, Corbin, Micah and Queen to save the day. It takes some bravery and courage to stand for what you believe is right, to fight for the future, and to live a life with conscience and love.
A wonderful a journey. Salamat sa isang magandang paglalakbay.😊
February 4, 2016
*Source* Publisher
*Genre* Young Adult, Fantasy
*Rating* 3.0
*My Thoughts*
Fairy Keeper is the first installment in Amy Bearce's World of Aluvia. Meet 14-year old protagonist Sierra Quinn. Sierra is a rare breed. She was fated to be born as a Fairy Keeper, and has the tattoo on the back of her neck to prove it. She has the ability to communicate with the pesky, irritating Fairies that produce a nectar that is used for such things as healing, and not so incredibly, a drug called Flight which is her own fathers invention.
*Full Review Posted 02/04/2016 via Gizmos Reviews*
http://gizmosreviews.blogspot.com/201...
Published March 5th 2015 by Curiosity Quills Press
*Genre* Young Adult, Fantasy
*Rating* 3.0
*My Thoughts*
Fairy Keeper is the first installment in Amy Bearce's World of Aluvia. Meet 14-year old protagonist Sierra Quinn. Sierra is a rare breed. She was fated to be born as a Fairy Keeper, and has the tattoo on the back of her neck to prove it. She has the ability to communicate with the pesky, irritating Fairies that produce a nectar that is used for such things as healing, and not so incredibly, a drug called Flight which is her own fathers invention.
*Full Review Posted 02/04/2016 via Gizmos Reviews*
http://gizmosreviews.blogspot.com/201...
Published March 5th 2015 by Curiosity Quills Press
February 16, 2016
This book gave me goosebumps! I loved the ending. It had some great surprises and twists. Unique take on fairies and magical creatures. Great character development throughout!
June 13, 2015
REVIEW on my blog - http://readingadd.blogspot.com/2015/0...
April 14, 2017
It is only when you lose someone that you realise just how much they meant to you in the first place.
No one asked Sierra if she wanted to be a Fairy Keeper, but nevertheless, that is what she is. She doesn't even like fairies all that much; they are vile things which bite and scratch and in worse cases sting. But they have their uses, for their nectar is powerful indeed, it is used for healing. However, that is not all that the nectar is used for, for there are those who harness the power of the nectar and change it into an illegal elixir that is as addictive as it is cruel. Only the lowest of criminals would profit from the nectar of fairies, unfortunately for Sierra, her father is such a man. But as long as her fairies keep producing the nectar then Sierra and her little sister are safe from her father's cruelty and always ready fist.
Then one-day disaster strikes, all the fairies are dead, apart from the Queen and she is missing. It is now a race against time to find out where Sierra's Queen is and bring her home, if she does not then her sister will be sold to Brentwood, a vile man, to settle her father's debt.
Page one caught my attention; by page two I was captivated. Fairy Keeper is a page-turning adventure of a read. I lost myself in this most amazing world that Bearce has created. It is like escaping to Narnia only so much better. The attention to detail brings Aluvia to life; it is so easy to visualise this fantastical, magical world. Bearce has created a truly stunning backdrop for the most amazing story.
I adored the characterisation of Sierra. She is an incredibly strong heroine who has an awful time of it. She has an abusive father, but she vows to keep her younger sister safe from his fierce temper. She struggles with her moments of failures, but she is willing to learn from them. When she starts this difficult journey to find her Fairy Queen, her thoughts are purely occupied with preventing her sister from being sold, by the end of the trip, she has learnt what being a Fairy Keeper means and atones for the things she has done wrong in the past. I could not help, but like Sierra, she is a real joy to read about.
The plot was so engaging and so fast-paced that time just flew by while I read this book. I am loving this series, and I can't wait to read book 2.
I Highly Recommend.
No one asked Sierra if she wanted to be a Fairy Keeper, but nevertheless, that is what she is. She doesn't even like fairies all that much; they are vile things which bite and scratch and in worse cases sting. But they have their uses, for their nectar is powerful indeed, it is used for healing. However, that is not all that the nectar is used for, for there are those who harness the power of the nectar and change it into an illegal elixir that is as addictive as it is cruel. Only the lowest of criminals would profit from the nectar of fairies, unfortunately for Sierra, her father is such a man. But as long as her fairies keep producing the nectar then Sierra and her little sister are safe from her father's cruelty and always ready fist.
Then one-day disaster strikes, all the fairies are dead, apart from the Queen and she is missing. It is now a race against time to find out where Sierra's Queen is and bring her home, if she does not then her sister will be sold to Brentwood, a vile man, to settle her father's debt.
Page one caught my attention; by page two I was captivated. Fairy Keeper is a page-turning adventure of a read. I lost myself in this most amazing world that Bearce has created. It is like escaping to Narnia only so much better. The attention to detail brings Aluvia to life; it is so easy to visualise this fantastical, magical world. Bearce has created a truly stunning backdrop for the most amazing story.
I adored the characterisation of Sierra. She is an incredibly strong heroine who has an awful time of it. She has an abusive father, but she vows to keep her younger sister safe from his fierce temper. She struggles with her moments of failures, but she is willing to learn from them. When she starts this difficult journey to find her Fairy Queen, her thoughts are purely occupied with preventing her sister from being sold, by the end of the trip, she has learnt what being a Fairy Keeper means and atones for the things she has done wrong in the past. I could not help, but like Sierra, she is a real joy to read about.
The plot was so engaging and so fast-paced that time just flew by while I read this book. I am loving this series, and I can't wait to read book 2.
I Highly Recommend.
June 4, 2015
Review Originally Posted At: FictionForesight
In accordance with current FTC Guidelines, please let it be known this book was received through NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Review:
I have read many fantasy books throughout my life involving magicians, dragons, and knights, but this is the first book I have ever read that focused mostly on fairies; and it was far from a disappointment.
Fairy Keeper is a great fantasy adventure about a girl named Sierra who lives in a typical fantasy village, but has the untypical trait of being born with a natural connection to fairies. She embarks on a quest to find her missing fairy queen in order to save her younger sister from becoming collateral for her abusive father’s cruel business-associate. This is all due to the fact that the fairies produce a nectar necessary for her father’s dangerous and addictive elixirs and poisons. It seems like a lot to take in at once, but throughout the book Amy Bearce was skillfully able to create an easy to understand, yet intricate plot filled with epic thrills, mystical creatures, and a multitude of complex yet relatable characters.
The Good:
Aside from my “not so subtle” praise about the plot and characters, this book was an easy read that was hard to put down. It was not so long that the story seemed to drag, but still filled with enough detail to keep me immersed in the story. The environment was well enough described, the protagonists were easily likeable, and the antagonists were easily able to be loathed. Part of the reason for my ability to form these connections so easily is in how flawed and human Amy Bearce made all of her characters. Although some characters are morally better or worse than others, each character has the ability to commit acts of good and bad while also being able to make mistakes. These are not perfect “cookie-cutter” good and bad characters.
The Bad:
Even with my high regard for this book, no book is perfect. Although my bad points are minor for Fairy Keeper, there is still one worth mentioning. The main thing that bothered me a few times throughout the book is that the main character gave away details which allowed me to quickly acknowledge, and identify, minor plot points throughout the beginning of the book. This is not bad in and of itself, however the main character Sierra, could not realize theses plot points for herself, until closer to the end! I found myself frustrated at how cunning Sierra was with various situations, and how observant she was with everything around her, yet she could not piece together this simple plot information, even when it was right in front of her face. This may sound a bit hypocritical, after I previously stated in my review that I enjoyed the characters flaws, but in these instances I feel that Sierra’s high level of cluelessness to these minor plot points was a bit too much for my liking.
Overall:
Overall I loved the world of Aluvia that Amy Bearce created with Fairy Keeper. It was a great adventure book that I would recommend to any Young Adult Fantasy lover, especially if you’ve never read a book about fairies before, like myself. The plot and characters were great, the creatures were magical, the book was easy to read, and the setting was perfect for the storyline. It’s a great book that I would recommend to any fiction lover looking into fantasy, and I’m actually planning on buying a physical copy to add to my own collection (I’m a little odd that way). My actual rating for this book is a 4.7 out of 5 stars, but with the well written ending, I’m willing to round up to 5 in this case.
(www.FictionForesight,com)
In accordance with current FTC Guidelines, please let it be known this book was received through NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Review:
I have read many fantasy books throughout my life involving magicians, dragons, and knights, but this is the first book I have ever read that focused mostly on fairies; and it was far from a disappointment.
Fairy Keeper is a great fantasy adventure about a girl named Sierra who lives in a typical fantasy village, but has the untypical trait of being born with a natural connection to fairies. She embarks on a quest to find her missing fairy queen in order to save her younger sister from becoming collateral for her abusive father’s cruel business-associate. This is all due to the fact that the fairies produce a nectar necessary for her father’s dangerous and addictive elixirs and poisons. It seems like a lot to take in at once, but throughout the book Amy Bearce was skillfully able to create an easy to understand, yet intricate plot filled with epic thrills, mystical creatures, and a multitude of complex yet relatable characters.
The Good:
Aside from my “not so subtle” praise about the plot and characters, this book was an easy read that was hard to put down. It was not so long that the story seemed to drag, but still filled with enough detail to keep me immersed in the story. The environment was well enough described, the protagonists were easily likeable, and the antagonists were easily able to be loathed. Part of the reason for my ability to form these connections so easily is in how flawed and human Amy Bearce made all of her characters. Although some characters are morally better or worse than others, each character has the ability to commit acts of good and bad while also being able to make mistakes. These are not perfect “cookie-cutter” good and bad characters.
The Bad:
Even with my high regard for this book, no book is perfect. Although my bad points are minor for Fairy Keeper, there is still one worth mentioning. The main thing that bothered me a few times throughout the book is that the main character gave away details which allowed me to quickly acknowledge, and identify, minor plot points throughout the beginning of the book. This is not bad in and of itself, however the main character Sierra, could not realize theses plot points for herself, until closer to the end! I found myself frustrated at how cunning Sierra was with various situations, and how observant she was with everything around her, yet she could not piece together this simple plot information, even when it was right in front of her face. This may sound a bit hypocritical, after I previously stated in my review that I enjoyed the characters flaws, but in these instances I feel that Sierra’s high level of cluelessness to these minor plot points was a bit too much for my liking.
Overall:
Overall I loved the world of Aluvia that Amy Bearce created with Fairy Keeper. It was a great adventure book that I would recommend to any Young Adult Fantasy lover, especially if you’ve never read a book about fairies before, like myself. The plot and characters were great, the creatures were magical, the book was easy to read, and the setting was perfect for the storyline. It’s a great book that I would recommend to any fiction lover looking into fantasy, and I’m actually planning on buying a physical copy to add to my own collection (I’m a little odd that way). My actual rating for this book is a 4.7 out of 5 stars, but with the well written ending, I’m willing to round up to 5 in this case.
(www.FictionForesight,com)
April 22, 2015
Verdict: Young girls will love this one!
If you love magical folk, you’ll love this book. Fairies, merefolk, unicorns... Bearce has created a beautiful world with a beautiful name: Aluvia. I absolutely love how the fairies are like pesky bees, producing nectar that can be turned into a drug. It’s brilliant set up which I tip my writing hat to.
The idea that really sold the book to me was Flight: the illegal hallucinogenic that can be produced from fairy nectar. It makes a few appearances throughout the story, but it’s not really what the book is about. In a way, Fairy Keeper is really about how human greed can destroy beautiful creations.
Sierra is strong and likeable character. Because of her abusive father, Sierra has a darker side, but she realises what she could become and tries to act better. I enjoyed how she grew as a character, especially when contrasted against her best friend, Corbin, who has lived a sheltered life in comparison. The third main adventurer is Nell, Sierra's nemesis who has also had a rough lot in life. Again, fantastic set up. Nell definitely spiced up the story in more ways than one.
As much as I loved the set up, I have to be honest. Bits of it dragged. It felt overwritten in places, and the camping was a tad repetitive. I know its middle grade, but the main 'issues' wouldn’t progress and yet they would be discussed again and again through the third person, over the shoulder narrative. It grinded the pace to almost a halt at once point, but it did pass.
The love aspect was a bit tricky. At first I liked how the romance blossomed, and how things just weren’t going to be easy for Sierra. Ultimately, she has to understand another point of view, and I like how it didn’t turn into a love triangle in the traditional sense. Then again, something happens later which I can’t help feel the book would have been better if it didn’t go down that particular route. To avoid spoilers, I’ll just say it felt a bit forced.
This is still a fantastic read with a really exciting ending. There are lots of great action scenes, twists, well-built characters, and a great round up in one book. It won’t leave you hanging in uncertainty, and it definitely made me want to read on.
Source: Curiosity Quills through NetGalley.com
Blog:ScookieReviews
If you love magical folk, you’ll love this book. Fairies, merefolk, unicorns... Bearce has created a beautiful world with a beautiful name: Aluvia. I absolutely love how the fairies are like pesky bees, producing nectar that can be turned into a drug. It’s brilliant set up which I tip my writing hat to.
The idea that really sold the book to me was Flight: the illegal hallucinogenic that can be produced from fairy nectar. It makes a few appearances throughout the story, but it’s not really what the book is about. In a way, Fairy Keeper is really about how human greed can destroy beautiful creations.
Sierra is strong and likeable character. Because of her abusive father, Sierra has a darker side, but she realises what she could become and tries to act better. I enjoyed how she grew as a character, especially when contrasted against her best friend, Corbin, who has lived a sheltered life in comparison. The third main adventurer is Nell, Sierra's nemesis who has also had a rough lot in life. Again, fantastic set up. Nell definitely spiced up the story in more ways than one.
As much as I loved the set up, I have to be honest. Bits of it dragged. It felt overwritten in places, and the camping was a tad repetitive. I know its middle grade, but the main 'issues' wouldn’t progress and yet they would be discussed again and again through the third person, over the shoulder narrative. It grinded the pace to almost a halt at once point, but it did pass.
The love aspect was a bit tricky. At first I liked how the romance blossomed, and how things just weren’t going to be easy for Sierra. Ultimately, she has to understand another point of view, and I like how it didn’t turn into a love triangle in the traditional sense. Then again, something happens later which I can’t help feel the book would have been better if it didn’t go down that particular route. To avoid spoilers, I’ll just say it felt a bit forced.
This is still a fantastic read with a really exciting ending. There are lots of great action scenes, twists, well-built characters, and a great round up in one book. It won’t leave you hanging in uncertainty, and it definitely made me want to read on.
Source: Curiosity Quills through NetGalley.com
Blog:ScookieReviews
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