In Love with the Fae Devils: A Review of ‘Castle of Nevers and Nightmares’
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As winter blankets the Court of Dreams with its chilling embrace, a momentary ceasefire settles over the perpetual struggle against the lurking Nightmares below. Winter comes in this season of frost, and the faerie queen orchestrates a captivating tournament. Beckoning mortals to vie for the fulfillment of their deepest desires within the ethereal realm of the Castle of Nevers and Nightmares. Among the contenders stands Willow Nightstalk, an outcast burdened by a curse that binds her to a relentless sense of ugliness.
For Willow, the tournament represents not just a chance, but her sole beacon of hope. Yet beneath the glittering facade of the competition lies a nefarious plot. The tournament serves as a cunning snare, crafted to expose the weaknesses of mortal challengers amidst the seemingly flawless fae society, ensuring their swift demise. To survive this perilous game, Willow must navigate a labyrinth of treacherous alliances, where betrayal lurks in every shadow.
As an underdog heroine her path to victory hinges upon earning the favor of formidable fae nobles. A daunting task that propels her into unexpected realms. In a domain where reality bends and illusions reign supreme, Willow finds herself drawn into the enigmatic embrace of the notoriously recluse House of Shadow, led by the very fae who once shattered her world.
Against all odds, they extend an offer of mentorship. Thrusting Willow into a realm where trust is a fragile currency and deception reigns supreme. Within the Court of Dreams, where destiny weaves its intricate tapestry, Willow embarks on a perilous journey. Where her fate entwines with the machinations of destiny itself.
Title: Castle of Nevers and Nightmares
Author: Lana Pecherczyk
Genre: Fantasy Romance, Why Choose
Pages: 496
Star Rating: 5 stars (a million stars)
Spice Rating: 1 chili peppers
Tropes: Enemies to Lovers, Fated Mates, Star-Crossed Lovers
Within the Castle of Nevers and Nightmares
First, let me say that I absolutely devoured this book and I am OBSESSED with Castle of Nevers and Nightmares. This story easily makes it to my top ten of the year (possibly even the top three of my favorite books). And, I have made it my mission for the author, Lana Pecherczyk to give me an arc of book two after that ending! If you are reading this Lanaaaaa! PLEASE!
The Castle of Nevers and Nightmares is the start of Lana’s fantasy romance series The Fae Devils. And while this is a new series this is a Fae Guardians spinoff series. Before reading Castle of Nevers and Nightmares, I had no idea about the original series. I received a request from The Nerd Fam signed up not thinking they would approve it and moved on. That being said, after reading about the Fae Devils, and learning Lana’s writing style I will be reading her backlog.
“All the years, under the guidance of weaker queens, the nightmares dared to dream with fault in their hearts and hope in their prayers.”
In Castle of Nevers and Nightmares, we follow Willow Nightstalk a woman on the path to revenge against the Six. Dark Fae Guardians who she feels destroyed her life and then left without a trace. Willow is a petty thief, spending her time stealing “manabeez” (we will get to this hold on) and going on adventures with her animal companion Tinger. As mentioned Willow blames the Six. Because of them and their bargain for a queen, she was kidnapped and treated like a warrior tool.
Jaded by her hatred, and feeling like she doesn’t know her purpose anymore now that she is mortal and aging. Willow ends up cursed by a powerful faerie queen, Titania. Causing her visage to be just as ugly as her insides. After waking up to what she thought was a dream, Willow for the first time decides to do something about it. Stepping out of her comfort zone and finding herself in a new world. Willow is on a mission to find the Six and kill them all. She opens a portal and steps into the Court of Dreams. What Willow doesn’t know is that the Court of Dreams is currently hosting a tournament in celebration of Titania. The very queen who cursed her. In this competition, mortals compete for the prize to have a wish come true. Willow sees it as a chance to solve all her problems.
“There’s something about you, Willow O’leary Nightstalk, something disruptive and magnetic. You’re smart, ruthless, and yet full of compassion for strangers.
The Six (Legion, Bodin, Emrys, Varen, Fox, and Styx) operate under a “hive” mentality. Just like bees, they need a queen to help control them. Steer them in the right direction. Titania is their current queen but not their prophesied queen. And, this faerie queen holds them. Mentally chaining them away to do her bidding and taking away their memories.
I adored the storyline for Castle of Nevers and Nightmares. The story feels like the embodiment of Willow and everything she’s feeling at the time. Anger, desperation, confliction, loved, and taken care of. The pacing of the story was perfect. It was the very thing I needed at that moment. Bringing me to my knees and needing book two ASAP. The machinations of the politics were your typical bias. Based on how good you looked and general classism.
Ok, the magic system. Manabeez. Manabeez are balls of energy erupting from the Fae bodies, holding memories, among other things from the host. You aren’t supposed to kill for them but if the fae creature dies for survival purposes, and a prayer of thanks to the Well is offered, repurposing manabeez to enhance your life in some way is permitted.
You are a natural-born queen, with or without magic, with or without a hive.
Mana stones are the only source of magic. Magic in a sense doesn’t flow “freely”. It is given and taken by The Well. The manabeez powers all things. The healing fountain has manabeez in it to heal. The baths are forever warmed and powered by manabeez.
The world building is immaculate. The land split into two. Avorlorna. The commonwealth of dreams (Court of Dreams) and Nocturna. The subterranean of nightmares (The Court of Nightmares). Avorlorna is beautiful. The wintery setting is frosty and enjoyable. With unique happenings like using dandelion fronds to float to other parts of the city.
While there are similarities between Willow’s homeland of Elphyne and Avorlorna there are some differences too. Little things like calling them manabeez in Elphyne but called wisps in the Court of Dreams. And forbidden within the lands. This helps you and Willow appreciate where she is from and the things that she has experienced.
“If this all turns to ruin, and all we’re left with is the pleasure of your company for this single heartbeat in time, I will consider myself fortunate.”
As Castle of Nevers and Nightmares is a fantasy romance novel, let’s talk about romance. This is a why choose romance (although she isn’t with all 6 of them within this book). At the same time, Castle of Nevers and Nightmares isn’t what I would consider SUPER SPICY (I am hoping for more spice in book two). What there was of spicy scenes was very well done. Getting lost in the words. It is an enemies to lovers, slow burn. As for the majority of the book Fox is trying to get on Willow’s good side, and Willow just downright wants to unalive them every chance she gets.
As Willow starts uncovering secrets about the deadly seven (Yes, I mean seven not six. No I can’t tell you cause SPOILERS) bodies start dropping. All in the name of protecting Willow. Because safety means choosing the fae devils and surviving means securing her.
“I’M NOT NOTHING!”
The story of the Six left me with so many questions. The Six are known as the Slaugh of the Morrigan’s first hive. Slaugh meaning army in Scottish Gaelic. A host, army; crowd. While I understand that the Slaugh isn’t the most morally proper group of males, why does everyone think they are the villains vs being the victims? I want to get deeper into their backstory. More than what I feel is the surface layer that has been presented. But honestly this probably all could be remedied by reading the original series. Plus, Willow’s arc was so good. To see her go through, (essentially) self-hatred to realize that she holds the power was wonderful to experience.
Finally, I should mention that this ends on a cliffhanger so please be warned (I wanted to cry at having to wait because it is that good). But, if you love a fantasy romance that is also a why choose romance then Castle of Nevers and Nigtmares is your girl. The plot is intriguing with a well-developed romance. And, a TRUE enemies to lovers. It is emotionally heavy at times, but the culmination of the story and how it drew to the setup for book two was perfection. Truly one of my favorites of the year! Everyone should read it!
Thank you so much to The Nerd Fam for my eArc of Castle of Nevers and Nightmares. I don’t know if I would have had the experience I did without you! You’re the real MVP!!! And to Lana! Because babes this is a gem!
Castle of Nevers and Nightmares is available both in signed and unsigned editions on Lana’s website
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