Hey everyone! I’m thrilled to be a part of the blog tour for this fabulous new novel by one of my favorite authors! Read on for my review!
Title: An Echo of the Fae
Author: Jenelle Leanne Schmidt
- Date read: March 27, 2020
- Rating: 5 stars
- Genre: Fantasy
- Age: Anyone / Children’s to YA
- Year pub: 2020
- Pages: 262
- Series: Stands alone
- Notes: I was a copyeditor for this, but as an unbiased reader I genuinely loved this book and all opinions are completely my own.
- Links: Goodreads • Barnes & Noble • Amazon • Author’s Website
An Echo of the Fae is a stunning new fantasy adventure, featuring selkie and fae mythology deliciously woven together, with a dash of Rapunzel!
I LOVED how this book was full of familiar folklore and fairytale goodness, but with its own twist on all of it. I’ve always felt that selkies should feature in more books, and I loved how that element showed up in this, in surprising ways. Fae stories are also some of my favorites, and the way that features in the book was also delightful — with a dash of the Summer and Winter Courts and all of it! And then we have just a hint of a Rapunzel thread near the middle, which I loved. This mingling of familiar things with new twists made me SO happy!
The characters. THE CHARACTERS! We have a splendid cast in this adventure, all of them so vividly real! I love how nobility still shines through despite their struggles — and I love how they are all true to how they should be, like the array of fae characters are unpredictable and sometimes capricious or terrifying. Just. I can’t describe it but they were all exactly right! Echo is a fabulous heroine, this twelve-year-old girl who’s introverted but has such a steady courageous determination. Malilia the elf is sooo intriguing. Echo’s parents, Gareth and Runa, are fabulous and I adored how they were a big part of the story. And we meet so many others along the way, who I will let you meet yourself, but . . . Eirloch (one of my faves)! Princess Jana! Little Drayeth! The Winter King! (Whoa. He was one of THE most fascinating characters! :O I CAN’T!)
The setting was another favorite thing. I adore this world and I want to go live there! I felt like I walked right through the pages, and I simply loved the gorgeous descriptions — you can FEEL the sea and the mysterious woods and enchanted paths and towers and magical lanterns etc. And delightful fantasy elements, like fae and selkies and dragons and other really cool creatures and characters! The feeling and atmosphere of this book (almost a Celtic feel) and the different lands and the feel of different seasons throughout was just perfect!
The story itself felt like a solid adventurous quest, with a coziness alternating with peril that felt simply perfect for the book — and a smidge of fae court intrigue lurking at the edges. I LOVED the writing, which had this fairytale quality to it and pulled me right into the story. The book stands alone well — though I almost want a sequel simply because there were one or two threads I’d LOVE to follow more, and I want to go back to this world again for more fae and selkie goodness and Eirloch and the owl and the Winter King and all of it!
Overall, An Echo of the Fae captivated me and is definitely a new favorite! I loved being pulled into this enchanting world full of such a striking cast of delightful characters, fantastic beings, heroism, finding light and courage in the darkness, sisters and family and friendship, and dashes of folklore and fairytale that absolutely made my day. It’s a perfectly magnificent new adventure for readers of any age. Don’t miss it!
Some Favorite Quotes
“But I’m not a heroine,” Echo muttered. “I’m just… me.”
***
If the past few days had taught her anything, it was that she much preferred going on adventures when they were contained within the pages of a book.
Tour Schedule
June 21
When the Story Chooses the Author @James Quinlan Meservy
Character Interview with Echo and Jana @Live.Love.Read
June 22
Author interview @Dreams and Dragons
Myths and Folklore that Inspired An Echo of the Fae @Author E.E. Rawls
June 23
How I’ve Been Influenced by Fairy Tales @DJ Edwardson
Review and Author Interview @Smudged Thoughts
June 24
Author Interview @An Independent Will
Book Spotlight @Kyle Robert Shultz
Building the Fae Realm @JL Mbewe
June 25
A Peek Into My Writing Process @Lands Uncharted
Book Review/Spotlight @Cathrin Bonham
June 26
Book Spotlight @Caroline Puerto
June 27
Character Interview with Jana @AMReynwood
Author Interview @Adventure Awaits
June 28
The Building of Ennis Rosliath @Live.Love.Read
Does the Author Matter? @An Independent Will
June 29
Interview with Jana @Dreams and Dragons
Book Review @Christine Smith Author
June 30
Character Interview with the Winter King @Beka Gremikova
Author Interview @Live.Love.Read.
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The Page Dreamer (Deborah O'Carroll) 
Aaaahhhh yes! You captured it SO well. The mix of familiar folklore while still being fresh was PERFECT. And Eirloch and Ritioghra were my favorites toooo! They were so…unexpected. And EPIC.
Everything was just so cozy and fun! I loved this precious little tale! ❤
Absolutely fabulous review!
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Eep, thanks! Eirloch and Ritioghra, yesss! Unexpected is the perfect word for them. 😀 SO COZY AND PRESH, YES! Thank you!
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Thank you so much for your kind words!! You totally made my day!
And thanks for catching my typos!!!
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You’re so welcome! And aww, yay! 😀
It was my pleasure, truly! ^_^
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