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The Lord of Stariel

Stariel, Book 1

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The Lord of Stariel

By: AJ Lancaster
Narrated by: Finty Williams
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About this listen

The Lord of Stariel is dead. Long live the Lord of Stariel. Whoever that is.

Everyone knows who the magical estate will choose for its next ruler. Or do they? Will it be the lord’s eldest son, who he despised? His favourite nephew, with the strongest magical land-sense? His scandalous daughter, who ran away from home years ago to study illusion?

Hetta knows it won’t be her, and she’s glad of it. Returning home for her father’s funeral, all Hetta has to do is survive the family drama and avoid entanglements with irritatingly attractive local men until the Choosing. Then she can leave. But whoever Stariel chooses will have bigger problems than eccentric relatives to deal with.

Winged, beautifully deadly problems.

For the first time in centuries, the fae are returning to the Mortal Realm, and only the Lord of Stariel can keep the estate safe. In theory.

The Lord of Stariel is the first book in the Stariel quartet.

©2020 AJ Lancaster (P)2020 Podium Audio Epic Epic Fantasy Fantasy Fiction Historical Magic Feel-Good
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Was surprised by how much I enjoyed this easy listening story. I liked that didn't have weak and insipid female characters and the action scenes weren't all fantastical. would listen to.more in the series. Got this from the free audible books section but it is a pleasant introduction to books I might like.

thoroughly enjoyable

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3.5/4 rounded up to 4

While real life is crazy and horrid and unpredictable this was a lovely read! It was cosy (some reviewers have said twee but I guess it depends if you see that as a positive or a negative whether you'll enjoy this).

There was some interesting world building - mainly different to have a story involving fae having 1. A slightly later historical basis (some reviews have said Edwardian, I felt it was maybe 20s, but there's definitely a Downton Abbey feel) and 2. Magic in the human world aside from and seperate to any fairy antics. There are still elements to the world I'm not sure of, but hope to learn more of in the next books.

The characters were fairly well rounded, but again with room to find out more about certain family members as you move through the series. Always a plus of a large family ensemble.

I did find most of the twists predictable but that didn't take away from my enjoyment of the characters finding out & deciding what to do.

I found it a bit of a shame that in a fantasy world where the land magic of the location is NOT patriarchal (anyone can become Lord of Stariel), we still were dealing with "normal" issues of misogyny, homophobia, and I'm sure we would deal with racism but there weren't any non-white characters *sigh*. There's so much scope with fantasy and yes it was a bit disappointing.

Overall, for a free listen on audible this was enjoyable and well performed.

Cosy, light listen

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I came across this book while looking for something else and I’m glad I did! I’m hooked .

The narrator is brilliant and engaging .

Can’t wait to start book 2

Brilliant

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A very intriguing first instalment. Fun story, fantastic narration and I’m looking forward to reading more in the series.

Fun and fast-paced

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Magical goings on in a family estate. Charming without ever really gaining any substance. Very much the set up for future stories.

Childlike

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