Aurelie: A Faerie Tale Book

Once upon a time, three children and a little river dragon were the best of friends—until a promise was broken.

KLIATT

As children, they were inseparable: Aurelie, the princess-heir of Jocondagne; Netta, her companion; Garin, a fosterling from the nearby island nation of Skoe; and Loic, a river drac of the mystical fae. A touch of Loic's magic ointment on each of their left eyes allowed the three humans to see the other fae—from the graceful tree spirits to fearful dragons—under the condition that they must never reveal their ability. When Netta accidentally betrays her sight while saving a child's life, the fae's revenge breaks the fellowship and casts Netta, Garin, and Loic far from Jocondagne. Now, with war brewing between Aurelie's home and Skoe, she must find a way to reunite her friends before Skoe's ruthless new ruler takes down Jocondagne and Fairyland itself. Aurelie is a wonderful introduction to the world of Faerie, one which is consistent with traditional myths—such as sighting ointment and faerie revels—yet keeps the lore from becoming overwhelming by limiting its scope. While Tomlinson's fae are on par with those in any adult fantasy novel, her human characters are noticeably one-dimensional, making the book most suitable for younger teens or those just beginning to explore the genre. Reviewer: Cara Chancellor