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Hell and High Water
Meet the baddest belles of London city.
They were known as the fatales, once.
Investigators and spies; killers and thieves; con artists and vigilantes — they fought fire with fire, did what had to be done, to make things right.
Until the mission that broke them.
Many decades later, the fatales have scattered to the winds.
Fionn's the queen of London haute couture. Thetai's the star of the power metal scene. And Daix? Could be anything. Anywhere.
It'll take a lot to bring them back together.
When a model goes missing from a catwalk show, Fionn's frantic. The girl was a friend — and a fellow selkie. And she won't be the last to vanish.
To catch the monster responsible, Fionn needs backup. It's time for the fatales to reunite, but can they get it together after eighty years apart?
And will it be enough to face down an old enemy straight out of their murky, half-forgotten past?
Three fabulous fae banter and brawl their way through a re-imagined, modern-day London — fighting crime, forging friendships and causing havoc. With style. Perfectly tailored for fans of urban fantasy and Charlie’s Angels!
Tai was still swimming like a brick. 'Don’t fight with the water,' I told her. 'Try to go with the flow.'
Tai snorted. 'Fi, please. I fight with everything.'
They were known as the fatales, once.
Investigators and spies; killers and thieves; con artists and vigilantes — they fought fire with fire, did what had to be done, to make things right.
Until the mission that broke them.
Many decades later, the fatales have scattered to the winds.
Fionn's the queen of London haute couture. Thetai's the star of the power metal scene. And Daix? Could be anything. Anywhere.
It'll take a lot to bring them back together.
When a model goes missing from a catwalk show, Fionn's frantic. The girl was a friend — and a fellow selkie. And she won't be the last to vanish.
To catch the monster responsible, Fionn needs backup. It's time for the fatales to reunite, but can they get it together after eighty years apart?
And will it be enough to face down an old enemy straight out of their murky, half-forgotten past?
Three fabulous fae banter and brawl their way through a re-imagined, modern-day London — fighting crime, forging friendships and causing havoc. With style. Perfectly tailored for fans of urban fantasy and Charlie’s Angels!
Tai was still swimming like a brick. 'Don’t fight with the water,' I told her. 'Try to go with the flow.'
Tai snorted. 'Fi, please. I fight with everything.'
- GenresFantasyUrban FantasyFae
233 pages, Paperback
First published December 21, 2020
26 people are currently reading
56 people want to read
About the author
Charlotte E. English
76 books350 followersEnglish both by name and nationality, Charlotte hasn’t permitted emigration to the Netherlands to change her essential Britishness. She writes colourful fantasy novels over copious quantities of tea, and rarely misses an opportunity to apologise for something. Spanning the spectrum from light to dark, her works include the Draykon Series, Modern Magick, The Malykant Mysteries and the Tales of Aylfenhame.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
December 21, 2020
Fionn, Tai, and Daix, along with a missing member were the Fatales decades ago. A self-appointed foursome (they’re missing a member), best friends all, they fought cruelty and lawlessness in the fae world. They were admired, feared and hated for their success, depending on the point of view. But something went wrong that last mission, and that something tore them apart.
Years later, immersed in their own lives and quietly missing each other, women in their lives start disappearing. All those gone are selkies, as is Fionn. Is Fionn a target? Is it just a coincidence that the missing are all selkies? The problem seems bigger than any one of the remaining Fatales can solve on their own – but can they ever trust each other enough to work together again?
I’ve read a lot of books this year and this is one of the few that clearly stands out. I loved the characters (Daix- oh my!), loved how the author slowly caught us up on their backstory, weaving it through the seams of the ongoing mystery. The story is a bit unusual for this author, edgy and dark at times, but so intriguing and well done. This one caused a book hangover and I’ll need the next book in the series to get over it!
Years later, immersed in their own lives and quietly missing each other, women in their lives start disappearing. All those gone are selkies, as is Fionn. Is Fionn a target? Is it just a coincidence that the missing are all selkies? The problem seems bigger than any one of the remaining Fatales can solve on their own – but can they ever trust each other enough to work together again?
I’ve read a lot of books this year and this is one of the few that clearly stands out. I loved the characters (Daix- oh my!), loved how the author slowly caught us up on their backstory, weaving it through the seams of the ongoing mystery. The story is a bit unusual for this author, edgy and dark at times, but so intriguing and well done. This one caused a book hangover and I’ll need the next book in the series to get over it!
June 20, 2023
I love this author's books! This is the fourth of her series' I've read books from and if you like paranormal fiction with strong female characters and exciting, suspenseful plots, I highly recommend Charlotte English's books!
This book I found a little different for the author. It was great paranormal world-building, and it certainly has the strong, capable (and funny, despite the seriousness of what's going on - another thing I love about this author) female characters. In fact it has three very different strong female characters in Fionn, Tai and Daix, and I loved all of them!
The plot was also exciting, dramatic and suspenseful with plenty of action and some surprises along the way.
What was different for me for this book was that the tone and the events felt a bit darker than I'm used to with this author. That is not a criticism, just an acknowledgement that this one goes in a slightly darker direction. Still, I really enjoyed this book and will definitely look out for the next installment of this series to see what happens next.
This book I found a little different for the author. It was great paranormal world-building, and it certainly has the strong, capable (and funny, despite the seriousness of what's going on - another thing I love about this author) female characters. In fact it has three very different strong female characters in Fionn, Tai and Daix, and I loved all of them!
The plot was also exciting, dramatic and suspenseful with plenty of action and some surprises along the way.
What was different for me for this book was that the tone and the events felt a bit darker than I'm used to with this author. That is not a criticism, just an acknowledgement that this one goes in a slightly darker direction. Still, I really enjoyed this book and will definitely look out for the next installment of this series to see what happens next.
December 28, 2020
Charlotte E English is one of my favourite authors, because she manages to deliver a delicious mix of humour and fantasy, without getting too grim or angsty. This one has a bit more darkness than usual, but it is well leavened with banter, wit, and warmth, so I sped my way through it.
Also, it has selkies! These selkies are integrated into modern London, but they are still very beautiful, with hidden depths and powers. I loved the glamourous aspects of the world, with high fashion and the music scene intermingled with supernatural haunts and settings. And the mainstay of the book is the deep and abiding (but troubled) friendship between three supernaturals. Each are a wonderful character in their own right, but I have to say that Daix made me laugh the most.
Hell and Highwater is Charlotte E English at the top of her game. If you haven't read her yet, this is a great place to start.
Also, it has selkies! These selkies are integrated into modern London, but they are still very beautiful, with hidden depths and powers. I loved the glamourous aspects of the world, with high fashion and the music scene intermingled with supernatural haunts and settings. And the mainstay of the book is the deep and abiding (but troubled) friendship between three supernaturals. Each are a wonderful character in their own right, but I have to say that Daix made me laugh the most.
Hell and Highwater is Charlotte E English at the top of her game. If you haven't read her yet, this is a great place to start.
December 22, 2020
The first-person narrative switches back and forth between the two main characters. The action is fast and dark and utterly believable. The same could be said about the characters. Very well done, as expected. Highly recommended.
January 15, 2021
The newest "thing" from Charlotte English, Fae Fatales: Hell and High Water, is dark and glitzy, with a fast start that sucks you in from the very beginning. The characters are Flawed and Backstoried (my favorite kind!!) and that backstory is part of the mystery unraveling in this book. The dialogue is fast paced, quirky and witty, and the plot speeds along at a good clop.
Two of my favorite things about Ms. English's books are her descriptions of various otherworldly locales – always mysterious and bewitching; and her subtle integration of Fae culture into the story. I used to read a *lot* of fairy/faerie tales as a kid. I was always really interested in all the rules present in those worlds. Rules that seemed arbitrary, but which were really rigid. Like all of Ms. English's books that deal with the Fae (which is most of them, in one form or another!) this one is excellent on both mysterious locale and keeping with the lore of traditional faerie tales.
This book had a ton of Fae types I wasn't familiar with, which was fun. I hope someday Charlotte English makes a little guide to all the Fae races which appear in her various books (Spriggans, Trolls, Slaugh, Selkies... etc.) It would be a great read.
Witty dialogue, mysterious and haunting descriptions, and badass snarky female characters made this a really fun, quick read.
Two of my favorite things about Ms. English's books are her descriptions of various otherworldly locales – always mysterious and bewitching; and her subtle integration of Fae culture into the story. I used to read a *lot* of fairy/faerie tales as a kid. I was always really interested in all the rules present in those worlds. Rules that seemed arbitrary, but which were really rigid. Like all of Ms. English's books that deal with the Fae (which is most of them, in one form or another!) this one is excellent on both mysterious locale and keeping with the lore of traditional faerie tales.
This book had a ton of Fae types I wasn't familiar with, which was fun. I hope someday Charlotte English makes a little guide to all the Fae races which appear in her various books (Spriggans, Trolls, Slaugh, Selkies... etc.) It would be a great read.
Witty dialogue, mysterious and haunting descriptions, and badass snarky female characters made this a really fun, quick read.
July 1, 2022
Urban fantasy and mystery with plenty of action, some humor, a touch of grit, and no gore. I had forgotten just how much I enjoy Charlotte English's writing.
My only complaint is the characters were just a touch flat. Not too bad, but I couldn't always tell which character was telling the story with the alternating POV writing, sometimes characters did things that were supposed to be surprising, but I didn't have enough of a sense of the character to be surprised. OR it's entirely possible it's merely because I was so sleep deprived I couldn't think straight, and wasn't a problem with the author's writing. It certainly did not stop me from enjoying the story.
My other complaint is I wish there were a second story with these characters. This one was fun!
Content: Occasional strong language
My only complaint is the characters were just a touch flat. Not too bad, but I couldn't always tell which character was telling the story with the alternating POV writing, sometimes characters did things that were supposed to be surprising, but I didn't have enough of a sense of the character to be surprised. OR it's entirely possible it's merely because I was so sleep deprived I couldn't think straight, and wasn't a problem with the author's writing. It certainly did not stop me from enjoying the story.
My other complaint is I wish there were a second story with these characters. This one was fun!
Content: Occasional strong language
July 6, 2025
In this alternate version of London, a group of fae band together to find and rescue a group of missing selkies. Once, this threesome could do almost anything as a team, but they haven’t seen each other for eighty years. Can they do this?
This novel’s magical world is fascinating, but also grim and treacherous. The complicated friendship between the three fae muddles their investigation. They’ve forgotten much of their former craft, and the world has changed dramatically since their last adventure. All of this makes for an intriguing situation as the trio struggles to solve the mystery.
On the lighter side, the dialogue is fun and witty. Tai, a siren, and Daix, a demon, can liven up any scene with their laughably inappropriate reactions to almost anything. And even the minor characters are worth getting to know.
Definitely worth reading!
This novel’s magical world is fascinating, but also grim and treacherous. The complicated friendship between the three fae muddles their investigation. They’ve forgotten much of their former craft, and the world has changed dramatically since their last adventure. All of this makes for an intriguing situation as the trio struggles to solve the mystery.
On the lighter side, the dialogue is fun and witty. Tai, a siren, and Daix, a demon, can liven up any scene with their laughably inappropriate reactions to almost anything. And even the minor characters are worth getting to know.
Definitely worth reading!
June 19, 2021
Supernatural mystery set in contemporary UK
Fionn, Tai, and Daix were partners known as the fatales. They were the supernatural crime busters for the fae until a tragedy caused the group to disband. Selkies , including one working for Fionn, and Tai's roommate disappear. The fatales must band together to solve this mystery before Fionn, one of the selkies, is taken.
I wasn't sure I would like a contemporary mystery, but Charlotte English writes a good mystery with many supernatural beings living unnoticed in modern England. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and will be on the look out for the next fatales story.
Fionn, Tai, and Daix were partners known as the fatales. They were the supernatural crime busters for the fae until a tragedy caused the group to disband. Selkies , including one working for Fionn, and Tai's roommate disappear. The fatales must band together to solve this mystery before Fionn, one of the selkies, is taken.
I wasn't sure I would like a contemporary mystery, but Charlotte English writes a good mystery with many supernatural beings living unnoticed in modern England. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and will be on the look out for the next fatales story.
January 1, 2021
Whee!
I first read Charlotte English series Drakon, which I enjoyed very much. I've read other of her books since then and also enjoyed them. I just surfaced from reading her latest, Hell and High Water, WOW and WHEE! The lady can write! I loved this, the sass, the snark, I can't wait for the next outing in this series!
I first read Charlotte English series Drakon, which I enjoyed very much. I've read other of her books since then and also enjoyed them. I just surfaced from reading her latest, Hell and High Water, WOW and WHEE! The lady can write! I loved this, the sass, the snark, I can't wait for the next outing in this series!
November 21, 2022
While I enjoyed the writing and the cheeky humour a lot, the story was too unbelievable: unplanned, unfocused and fumbling actions of our protagonists, followed by an improbably resolved show-down.
I like her others books, some a lot, but I won’t continue with this series.
I like her others books, some a lot, but I won’t continue with this series.
June 3, 2023
Loved the characters, though I'd definitely like to spend more time with them, and the magic system (if you can call it that), and the descriptions and the banter. I feel like I'd like to go deeper into the characters' histories and feelings, but I guess that's what the sequels are for.
December 25, 2020
Great characters, an intriguing world with so much history, and a story full of twists and turns.
November 22, 2024
I absolutely loved that this story was one about three femme fatales, I mean, fae fatales. Meeting up after almost one hundred years apart. With all sorts of tragedies and secrets in their past. Not only was this a story about solving the murders and protecting the fae of New York. But it was also about unravelling the why and the how of the breakup of the fae fatales in the past. It meant that, with these two storylines unfolding, it was incredibly difficult to put this book down and be, you know, a responsible adult.
Even though I guessed who the evil mastermind of this series was, it was still a brilliant reveal. And, even if I had already guessed what was coming, I couldn’t predict just how that reveal and motivation would go. It was very fun to read about, and all of the hints that English dropped throughout made it a ridiculously fun adventure. Plus, even if I didn’t actually agree with the villain’s motives, I did actually understand how that level of anger could manifest.
I loved that, even though this was a story featuring three femme fatales, it was only written from the point of view of two. Fionn and Tai are great voices which give different perspectives on the occurrences of the book. And, although I would have loved to know a little bit more of what Dax thought. She’s kind of insane, so I liked having the lens of the two more sane characters within the trio. Plus, it gave a bit more context to how different characters have dealt with the same level of nonsense.
Honestly, I mostly just want to read more about Dax in future adventures (I’m hoping that there are going to be more adventures). She seems to be the most balanced of the trio, even if she’s definitely a bit of a nutter. Plus, the friendship between the two, that has lasted a lot of nonsense, is incredibly beautiful. Particularly how Fionn and Tai are always there to support one another. Even when they weren’t actually talking.
Hell and High Water is a bit of a who-dunnit mystery. A bit of paranormal fantasy. And a whole lot of fun. It was an unforgettably enjoyable adventure, and there’s a reason that I really love the fact that I have a number of English books filling my shelves and my TBR.
Even though I guessed who the evil mastermind of this series was, it was still a brilliant reveal. And, even if I had already guessed what was coming, I couldn’t predict just how that reveal and motivation would go. It was very fun to read about, and all of the hints that English dropped throughout made it a ridiculously fun adventure. Plus, even if I didn’t actually agree with the villain’s motives, I did actually understand how that level of anger could manifest.
I loved that, even though this was a story featuring three femme fatales, it was only written from the point of view of two. Fionn and Tai are great voices which give different perspectives on the occurrences of the book. And, although I would have loved to know a little bit more of what Dax thought. She’s kind of insane, so I liked having the lens of the two more sane characters within the trio. Plus, it gave a bit more context to how different characters have dealt with the same level of nonsense.
Honestly, I mostly just want to read more about Dax in future adventures (I’m hoping that there are going to be more adventures). She seems to be the most balanced of the trio, even if she’s definitely a bit of a nutter. Plus, the friendship between the two, that has lasted a lot of nonsense, is incredibly beautiful. Particularly how Fionn and Tai are always there to support one another. Even when they weren’t actually talking.
Hell and High Water is a bit of a who-dunnit mystery. A bit of paranormal fantasy. And a whole lot of fun. It was an unforgettably enjoyable adventure, and there’s a reason that I really love the fact that I have a number of English books filling my shelves and my TBR.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews