In the first seven chapters (and a prologue) we have five characters POV—which got a little confusing at first. But once past all that—the book took off at a run until the end. It is a simple tale: A young woman named Brianna Hai is the half-human daughter of the High King of the Sidhe, beyond the veil which separates our world from the Land of Fairie. She runs a wonderful shop that sells charms and stones and magical things. Her best friends are an old woman, named Maxine, a gargoyle named Pug and a human male (with a little sidhe in him) named David whose brother Nick is a local cop. Brianna has accepted her exile from her father but circumstances beyond her control, including the workings of the Three Fates: Lachesis, Clotho and Atropos have other plans for Brianna and her dad. All hell is breaking loose in the land of Fairie and an evil elf named Valjeta is making a move for the throne.

There is so much treachery in this tale. Everyone has an agenda and who is on whose side is a constant surprise, including nasty power plays among the High King’s children. Lots of beings die. Brianna, happy with her life as it is, realizes in a forced return to the land of Fairie, she may have to accept the fact that of all the royal children, she is the one most suited to rule after her father. And dad knows he is not going to live past the coming conflict and does what he can to make sure Brianna (and her friends) survive.

It’s not real clear where in the human world Brianna’s shop and life are centered. Somewhere in the Northeast U.S., but no city is named. The struggle, the hair’s breadth escapes and the confrontations are terrific. I pretty much read this in a day.

So. If you like the world of the Fae with a contemporary flavor: elves, pixies, trolls, gargoyles---even a dragon or two, this is your book. A fun fast read and there is more to come. ~~ Sue Martin