"How to Survive a Fairy Bargain" by Laura J. May

 


















"How to Survive a Fairy Bargain" by Laura J. May is the second book in the Fairies and Familiars series, and just as good. I loved the first book, so I couldn’t wait to dive back into the world of fairies, enchanted realms, and all things magical. The book picks up where its predecessor left off, throwing us straight into the action. In the first book, Theo learned how to summon a fairy. Here, she learns how to survive a bargain with one.

Almost a year has passed since Theo fulfilled her deal with Cecily. Now Cecily’s familiar, she faces new challenges—and a fair share of boredom. Her days are filled with parties, playing her instrument, and adjusting to life in the land of fairies. She misses Kasra, Cecily’s former familiar who is now human and living in the mortal world, and occasionally spies on him in her hedgehog form.

She is as prickly and sharp-tongued as ever, but her harsh edges have softened a bit. She even has Fae friends now—her bandmates. The plot thickens when Theo uncovers her true heritage and, at the same time, realizes a murderer is hell-bent on killing her. Between assassination attempts and a fairy determined to put her into a thousand years of slumber, her plate is full. She must expose the murderer before her time runs out.

Fae bargains, fairy rings, and a goblin named Alby make this a delightful read. Alby is a fantastic addition to the gang—he provides wonderful comic relief, and his devotion is heartwarming. The book is humorous, enjoyable, and whimsical, just like the first one. The story moves at a fast pace—sometimes at the expense of character development. There are also a couple of plot holes—Kasra being one—but they didn't diminish my enjoyment.

The ending left me with a warm, fuzzy feeling and a sense of closure. Though this is the second book of the duology, it leaves the door open for another installment. The story is well written in third-person POV, although I sometimes found myself frustrated with Arlys. He is one-dimensional and irritating, especially in his stubbornness to put Theo to sleep. Still, the dialogues between him and Theo are witty and entertaining.

A strong female lead, romance, and interesting plot twists—what more could you ask from a novel? I loved the loyalty of Theo’s friends to her, and admired Theo for returning that loyalty twelvefold and for being willing to risk herself for them. Speaking of wit, I especially enjoyed the wordplay: “a scowl that could launch a thousand complaints”—a clever twist on “the face that launched a thousand ships.”

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed the book, plot holes aside. If you liked the first book, you’ll enjoy this one as well—they have the same charm and vibe. It also works as a standalone, though I recommend starting with book one to appreciate the nuances and better understand where the characters came from. I’d recommend this to fans of fairy-tale retellings, adventure, and anyone who loves a bit of magic in their stories. After reading, you may think twice before striking a bargain with a fairy... If you can even find one.

* Thank you NetGalley and (publisher) for the opportunity to read this arc.  All opinions are my own.

* For more info about the book: "How to Survive a Fairy Bargain" by Laura J. May