Lovely photo by @abookapothecary!
Hey fairies,
I hope you’re all excited for Day 2 of the March Adult Book readalong of A Feather So Black by Lyra Selene. Yesterday, we left off with Fia running away from the Fair Folk Gentry, who wants to kill her.
Today we are reading from chapter 9 to the end of chapter 17. Let’s jump back into the story!
Please be warned, that the following section will include spoilers for A Feather So Black by Lyra Selene. from Chapter 9 to the end of Chapter 17. Please only read on if you have finished this section!
-!SPOILERS!-
In the mortal realm, Rogan’s acting very odd. He won’t tell Fia what happened between him and Eala. Did they kiss, or did something more occur? Also, why does he act like nothing has changed in the 4 years since he left?
Over the next months, Fia decides she’ll fix up the neglected greenhouse. However, Rogan joins her in fixing it, but they end up fighting! This is no surprise at all; at least Rogan admitted he missed her.
In return for fixing the greenhouse Corra, the sprite, will give them both all the food and tools they need, along with information about Tír na nÓg.
On the next full moon, Rogan follows the swan maidens to another party, but it’s under the lake this time! However, one of the girls is running late and falls into the water, where monsters drag her down!
Fia decides to save her by jumping into the freezing water! Luckily, Cathair trained her to swim in freezing conditions. Although I dislike Cathair, I’m glad he taught her how to survive!
Using her magic to animate the pondweed and fight the monsters, Fia saves the girl! I love that she used her magic for something good!
The girl notices that Fia looks very similar to Eala and seems wary of her until a sword appears at Fia’s throat. It’s the same Fair Folk Gentry who chased her last month, holding the sword to her throat!
OMG! Why does the Gentry recognise her? It seems he truly might know her rather than her similarity to Eala; maybe he knew her from years ago?
In a split second, the guard goes from hopeful to furious and starts controlling the forest with his magic—he’s so powerful! Fia has to run from him again, otherwise he’ll kill her!
I find Fia and Rogan’s relationship so frustrating. Why don’t they just talk to each other truthfully? Fia chooses not to tell Rogan that she misses him as well, but at least she’ll help him with Eala.
Eala has told Rogan that she wants the same sword Fia is after, as all the other Folk treasures have been destroyed. I wonder how they were destroyed?
After one of Cathair’s witch-birds harms Fia when trying to tie a note to it, she learns that she can heal herself with magic! I’m so excited to see what else her magic can do!
Back in Tír na nÓg, Chandika, the girl she saved from the lake, has decided to take Fia to a ball! Using the white flowers near the lake, a dress is conjured up for Fia, as the flowers possess transformation magic.
At the party, Fia is finally introduced to Eala, her sister… of sorts. I wonder why Eala is acting so friendly to Fia; aren’t they strangers?
The Gentry guard, Irian, who has been trying to kill Fia, is the Heir to the sword that she’s been looking for! To get the sword, they will have to interact more, and I can’t wait!
From the party, Fia learns lots of information: the Queen’s husband was killed trying to steal one of the Folk treasures, and Irian made his own realm and stole the 12 swan maidens as collateral. However, this is only Eala’s version of events, and I don’t trust her!
When trying to leave the party, one of the Folk Gentry stops Fia, but luckily, another Folk Gentry saves her! However, she now owes him a kiss! I think I like this turn of events!
In another exploration of Dún Darragh, Fia stumbles across the library and rushes to tell Rogan, where she finds him in the bath! After some talking, they finally kiss again, but Fia pulls away as she knows she can’t have him.
On the next full moon, Fia has decided she will seduce Irian… like that worked so well with Prince Connla.
Fia’s whisked away by Irian, as her finger’s bleeding from picking the flowers. He tends to her hand so gently, and they both trade stories with each other! I think I might be team Irian, as after he learns that the bracelet of thistles Fia wears is to cause herself harm, he cuts it off her!
Irian shares the story of his childhood friend, who was another Heir to a Sept, who was seduced by the human King and unfortunately, killed! I think Fia must remind him of her! Maybe, it was her mother?
Over the course of the second section, I feel like we learnt a lot about the Fair Folk and Fia herself!
Who do you think the Fair Folk that saved Fia was?
Do you trust Eala?
What do you think of Irian?
I’m excited to read more with you all tomorrow, fairies!
Love,
Emily
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A lot happened again in these chapters. I’m liking the story so far and I enjoyed learning more about the Fae world. Irian is very mysterious and there’s a lot we don’t know about him – I’m intrigued. I like that they tell each other stories. I’m interested to find out more about Deirdre, his friend. The first thought was that she was Fia’s mother as well.
I don’t trust Eala, we really don’t know her motives. Why is she after the weapon? She could take after her mother…
I don’t really understand Rogan and I’m not a fan of the miscommunication or lack of communication trope. I think from Fia’s side she was being manipulated and doesn’t realise the lies, but I wonder what the Queen and Druid told him and why he left. Part of the story is missing here.
I’d like to see more of Chandika, she seems cool
I’m glad you’re enjoying the story! 🥰
Okay Irian is my favorite character for sure! Hes so interesting and i am happy we got some actual interaction with him.
Honestly i trust no one!!! And the more time goes on the more i dislike Rogan!
I kinda feel like Fia is related to Diedre somehow??? Maybe?
Im looking forward to Fia interacting more with Irian
I’m really enjoying Irian’s character as well! 🥰
I also think diedre is Fia’s mother! So she would be half folk and the dead king is her father so Eala would be her half sister 🤔
I think Eala is a super interesting character – I’m not sure whether to trust her yet
I really like Irian but think he is complicated
I agree with you! 💜
I have a feeling Eala isn’t as good as everybody has described her to be and her friendliness left me weary. She shouldn’t be trusting Fia and she does, instantly.
I am still team Roggan and I’m glad I was right about him thinking they were ok, I didn’t think he would be cruel to Fia.
Not sure about the fae males though, but I’m intrigued by everyone wanting that sword.
Corra is growing on me, so sweet helping them with food and tools.
Who do you think the Fair Folk that saved Fia was? – I’m not sure hopefully someone genuinely on her side but can’t see that being the case 😬
Do you trust Eala? – No – she has lived in the fae world long enough to become more like them – sly and tricky- she was just too nice to be genuine I thought. No questions about her mom or her home etc.
What do you think of Irian? – not sure yet seems a bit sly and cunning, doesn’t seem to believe in love. I know he’s supposed to be the love interest but I wouldn’t be able to trust him if I was Fia and I’m not rooting for him yet. As others have said I’m also disliking the miscommunication trope between Rogan and Fia and find myself rooting for them more, at least for now.
Who do you think the Fair Folk that saved Fia was?
Someone who know who/what she is. I think he knows something of the future.
Do you trust Eala?
NO she’s a stranger plotting her escape. She might even use Fia to do that by hurting her, or trapping Fia there instead.
What do you think of Irian?
He knows something and I am looking forward to their interactions. Maybe his story is about Fia’s mother.
I hope that Fair Folk knows the truth about Fia! 💜
I really don’t trust Eala and I do not particularly like her either. I think she has her own agenda with her sword and with even be against her mother.
I am however a huge fan of Irian so far, I thought it was really sweet he cut her bracelet off and I like their dynamic so far!
Rogan has gotten a bit better as the book has gone on but I am still not loving the fact they don’t talk openly with each other. I suspect if she asked he would choose her and her mother lied to her about his feelings.
Really loving it so far!
I enjoyed this part so much and I am super dubious about everything. Fair Folk should not be trusted, or anyone who has a thing with them😅
Rogan frustrates me so much!
Irian is my fave so far!
I agree; I don’t think anyone is trustworthy! 💜
1. Who do you think the Fair Folk that saved Fia was?
Don’t really have much of an opinion, but I think not to trust any of them.
2. Do you trust Eala?
No, I think twelve years as a captive has changed her to only care for herself and her own gains. I think she is using/manipulating the others for her own agenda.
3. What do you think of Irian?
He’s interesting and I want to learn more about him. I like the dynamic between him and FIa
I agree with you about Eala! She can’t be trusted! 💜
Dierdre as Fia’s mother? Hmm, that would make sense that she’s at least partly fae, but looks like Eala in the face. Who would have switched her and Eala then when Fia was left as a changeling I wonder.
No way do I trust anyone, let alone Eala! There’s zero chance Irian is just a guard, if he was, then there should be others lurking around too.
Loving this so far!
I’m so happy you’re enjoying it! 💜
Im really not sure im reading the same book as everyone else here… who is deirdre? 😂 I’m not super into it but I’m trying my best not to DNF it because i love the swan lake and the concept of this book but tbh I’ve no idea whats going on at all.
If anything I’m rooting for Irian and Fia as a power couple and i really dislike Rogans vibes. I don’t really trust Eala but I feel like we also haven’t had enough of the story yet either as its quite slow paced.
I’m not sure who he was but I’m excited to see more of him. I kind of hope he gets his kiss eventually.
I don’t trust her at all yet. I feel like she’s more wicked than she seems. Also I feel like her wanting the sword is going to be for something bad, not just to break them of their geas.
I really like that he’s intrigued with her. I wonder if Fia is originally from there and she’s somehow his old friend and she was stolen away.
I feel like Eala is very suspicious! 💜
I wonder if these black feathers are the Black Swan (is it her, a changeling – the stolen human swan maidens in Tír na nÓg were white swans, or is it the Gentry guard – black feather tattoos suggest a connection). She’s finally seeing (letting herself see) the negativity in her life & tending the greenhouse as Corra suggested. Rogen was supposedly helping, but his throwing things around sounds more like a bull having a toddler tantrum in a China shop. Lol. I like the little interactions with Corra. The Gentry guard’s black feather tattoo is for the Sept of Feathers whose Treasure is the Sky-Sword. The little hurricane brought that piece back to me (I should’ve marked the page with that info). How Rogen has childhood memories of Eala, this Gentry guard recognizes Fia. The plot thickens. With all those Folk statues around the working gate that Druid Whore & Queen Mother knew about, knowledge that the Treasures were destroyed except for the Sky-Sword Fia was sent to retrieve, Eala’s mention of war ahead & taking the sword herself, I’m thinking Queen Mother was all over this. I also feel like Rogen & Fia are on the cusp of hashing out what’s been driving a wedge between them. Her magic can heal. Neat. A little time away from the Druid Whore & Queen Mother is revealing all kinds of things. I hope she can learn the truth in time. 2 sides to the story (figured since Queen Mother seems slimy). Irian. The Gentry (not guard) has a name. Since he brought over the 12 swan maidens, it would make sense he recognizes the only changeling exchanged for them, but how? Eala seems as much ½ Folk as Fia but in her cruel games & blinding beauty rather than mismatched eye color & actual magic. Even as a child, according to Rogen’s story, she was this way before being kidnapped. I also remember that she didn’t bloody her hands on the star flowers, having the other swan maidens bring them to her instead. If her plans are in line with Queen Mothers along with micro-expressions of ire, in leaning towards her being as slimy in some way or another. All the Gentry want to kiss her now? Rogen’s words & actions are discordant. I also notice he got the kiss the Gentry were trying to steal from Fia. Jelly Belly. Lol. A little kindness from Irian (destroying the bracelet she gets herself with as well as bandaging her finger) & being *invited* into his fortress. Deirdre was 10 years older than Irian & fell in love with Queen Mother’s husband which fulfilled her destiny of bringing about the Gate War & resulted in her death & the King’s. Did Deirdre have (½ human) Fia before she killed herself?
Daily Q&A:
Q:
1.) Who do you think the Fair Folk that saved Fia was?
2.) Do you trust Eala?
3.) What do you think of Irian?
A:
1.) I was thinking the “islander” who saved Fia from the fox-faced Gate barda Gentry was from the Sept of Scales because he’s described with the depths of the ocean.
2.) Nope.
3.) I think he’s wise to guard himself & remember Deirdre’s story. I like that he offered to bandage her tiny wound rather than demand a kiss, like the other Gentry. I also think he is the key to her past (even if he didn’t leave her as a changeling) & the truth (as never told by the humans in her life).
I love the idea that the person who saved her is another Sept! 💜
I’m so behind still! I’m still enjoying this.
Eala is definitely suss…
I think the other world is taking a toll on Rogan – like he isn’t meant to be there like Fia.
I am not sure on Irian yet but I think I can see where it’s going and he feels more like end game than Rogan.
I’m glad you’re enjoying it! 💜
I like this book so far!
Who do you think the Fair Folk that saved Fia was?
I have a feeling it was another Sept. But, I do not think this person will be on Fia’s side either. With the Folk, I’m always suspecting betrayals and scheming.
Do you trust Eala?
No, especially since the author was describing how Fia thought she saw fangs in Eala’s mouth, or her mouth looked bloody or something like that. We definitely shouldn’t trust her. And it’s strange that she knows how to break her own curse. Like…why? Is that normal? It’s also suspicious that Eala and her mother both want the sword.
What do you think of Irian?
We really don’t know much about him yet. However, he seems like a typical male faerie in these times. Tall, dark hair, and has dark, shadow-like wings. I’m not opposed to this. However, I know he’s supposed to be the love interest. So, I’m sure I’ll grow to love him. I don’t really like Rogan. There’s something missing in their relationship. Like in one of those last scenes when he was taking a bath, like…why come on to Fia when you were mooning over Eala earlier in this section? And then to be like “You don’t even know Eala, what’s the problem?” It doesn’t matter if she knows Eala or not, Rogan is still betrothed to someone else.
I think the Fair Folk who saved Fia could have been a Sept but I have no other theories. He was intriguing though, because I’d like to think that all the Fair Folk aren’t as bad as Fia thinks they are.
I don’t trust Eala at all. Everything she has done so far and talked about have been really suspicious and then Fia immediately going along with everything? I want to be wrong but I think Eala has some totally other agenda – yes, she wants to be free but there must be something else as well that she is not telling Fia nor Rogan.
I think maybe Irian is also not as bad as everybody thinks he is… he is intriguing and I actually can’t wait to see more of him and Fia interacting. I also like the name Irian, I’ve never heard it before so that’s cool!
Who do you think the Fair Folk that saved Fia was?
– i’m not completely sure! i know this is a tall ask for fair folk, but hopefully someone without ulterior motives :,)
Do you trust Eala?
– so far i do…i really hope she doesn’t prove me wrong though!
What do you think of Irian?
– i’m not sure yet! he’s an interesting character, for sure.