Fairy Queen by J.L. Bryan [Review]

Fairy Queen (Songs of Magic #7) by J.L Bryan
Format: ebook
Source: provided for review
Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Date read: December 13, 2023

Songs of Magic
1. Fairy Metal Thunder
2. Fairy Blues
3. Fairystruck
4. Fairyland
5. Fairyvision
6. Fairy Luck
7. Fairy Queen - Paperback | Kindle

J.L. Bryan
| Website | Amazon |

Synopsis (Goodreads):

Darkness has fallen over the enchanted, dreamlike realm of Faerie. There's figurative darkness as the ruthless Queen Mab makes war to enforce her rule over other magical Folk. There's also literal darkness as the Hauntlands grow rapidly, turning the once sunny and fun wild places into dim, spooky ruins inhabited only by a few ghost Folk and zombie cows.

Yep, things are looking dark as Aoide the Lutist, her bandmates, and the rest of the Folk face threats that could destroy their world and all who live there.

On Earth and in Faerie, the former members of the Rioting Zebras, the teen garage band that became global superstars with a little “borrowed” magic, each follow a different path. Jason, Erin, Mitch, and Dred confront personal mysteries and supernatural danger as they approach the end of the adventure they began long ago, when they first discovered magic, and it changed their lives forever.

Thoughts on Fairy Queen: It's been a while since I last dipped my toes n Faerie and spent time with Erin. Jason, and the crew (both human and otherwise), so it was a TRIP to head back in and get immersed in the balloon animals and tiny monsters and BAG BAD FAIRY QUEENS WHO ARE NOT VERY GOOD RULERS AT ALL DESPITE HOW OFTEN THEY SCREAM ABOUT HOW GREAT THEY ARE TO EVERYONE.

So. Yeah. Erin and Jason. Erin found out the truth about her heritage and faked her own death on Earth (technically she didn't fake it, but it got faked all the same) and is trying to find herself in Faerie. Except things are a little dark in faerie right now and it turns out Erin can't walk away when there's something she can do. It's actually pretty noble and all that and she steps into the role she needs to step into with good intentions, but she was very much manipulated into that position and NOT COOL, MAN. Not cool at all.

On the plus side, her cat is pretty awesome and philosophical and I dig that.

As for Jason, he's busy back on Earth trying to keep his family safe, failing in that, ending up in Faerie, meeting up with the original owners of the faerie instruments he stole, and...you know what? The guy had a lot going on. Throw in a power-hungry queen and a fae-crushing war and, well, THINGS HAPPEN.

A lot of punny word play, a not-so-fun war, rebel contingents, scheming elders, magic, mayhem, music, and a magnificently philosophical cat. Overall, it's a solid ending to a fun series.