Tithe by Holly Black, and…

I’m not sure if I’ve read it twice, or three times.

For awhile, I was cycling through my book purchases and donating heavily, rather than simply accumulating. I also gave my neighbor like the full set of all the Laurell K. Hamilton Anita Blake books. Don’t know if I would ever have reread those, but I had a good time finding used copies online and getting them in the mail.

I suspect I may gave owned Tithe in the past, but I know I also checked it out from the library, too. Either way, I recently bought it (possibly, again), because it’s my favorite out of this particular series. I’ve been allowing myself to rebuild a modest book collection, once more.

Holly Black is brilliant. I love how she envisions Faerie.

Kay felt intensely relatable for me. I considered mentioning her as an example of a fictional character I would like to be. She’s spunky and clever and wild. But she also witnesses her close friend go through some nastiness at the hands of cruel fey, and has to grapple with losing her place among humanity.

At least, I don’t recall her ever glamoring herself post-unveiling of her true identity, long enough and well enough to go back home. I suppose her “home” would feel rather irrelevant after all of her adventures.

Not to mention Roiben. *LE SWOON*

I just found a gorgeous rendering of him on what looks to be a fan-created WIKI relating to the series, and other pieces by the same author.

Gonna see if I can at least link to the page about him, tho fair warning, it does contain spoilers for the books.

https://modernfaerietales.fandom.com/wiki/Roiben

Hopefully that works? Wouldn’t let me embed the link, but I think that’s good enough, for the curious.

OH but if I am permitted an equally-as-loved example (if for very different reasons), I would add Lost Souls, by the writer formerly known as Poppy Z. Brite, now William Joseph Martin. His older works I think are still marketed under the Brite “brand.”

I recently treated myself to an ebook of Lost Souls and fell in love with it all over again. Sometimes, something feels “gritty” or “hardcore” when you are young then loses its edge, as you mature.

Not so, Lost Souls. If anything, it was even darker than I remembered. But beautifully so.

Some of the most magical scenes occur in New Orleans, and it very much feels like a twisted love letter to the city. I haven’t been, but I’m fascinated from a distance and hope to visit, myself, eventually.

I also picked up an ebook of some of the “Brite” era short stories, with comparable themes. Haven’t cracked that one open yet but am really looking forward to it!

So, yeah. Those are my choices. Highly recommended, but maybe check into trigger warnings before trying out Lost Souls.