Blood of the Fey

Morgana Trilogy #1

by Alessa Ellefson

Morgan Pendragon just wants a normal life. But on her last year at a Swiss boarding school, one of her classmates is found mysteriously dead. Before she knows it, Morgan's called home to Wisconsin, for the first time in her life.

There, not only does she have to deal with her crazy-weird family, but she's forced to attend a strange school set in a magical world under Lake Winnebago. To make matters worse, she must train with the others to become Knights of the Round Table and fight in a secret, millennia-old war against the Fey--fallen angels with unimaginable powers who'd do anything to destroy humans. And if that wasn't enough, she must do the impossible: learn to make friends.

As the world is falling apart, Morgan must adapt to her new reality before she either goes nuts... or finds herself dead.

Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult, Magic, Arthurian, Mythology, Fae, Fiction

450 pages, Paperback

First published May 24, 2013

About the author

Ogre killer, witch subduer, bookkeeper for the Gnomes Of Terrible Hirsuteness Society, and Fairy documentarist, Alessa uses any spare time she has to write her accounts of the Fey kingdom before her memories can be wiped clean.

Curse of the Fey is the final installment in the Morgana Trilogy, a young adult fantasy series based on the memoirs of Morgan Pendragon that were relayed through the goodwill and resilience of pigeon messengers (a true feat in dragon- and harpy-infested skies).

Alessa is also the author and illustrator of the Mighty Pax's Misadventures children's book series, which currently includes A Christmas Tail, the Big Booboo, and Attack of the Fluffbutts! It is inspired by her dog Pax, the French bulldog with a heart of gold, who loves to snore away next to her while she works.

To keep up to date with her activities and latest investigative forays into the magical realms, check out her website!

Reviews

[Alessa Ellefson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I know. I'm cheating, it's my own book. But I've looked at it for moons and moons and moons, and I'm still not tired of it! I think that's a good sign... *keeping fingers crossed*

[Gergana]

Blood of the Fey is what happens when you mix Harry Potter with Arthur and The knights of the Round table. Is it a bad thing - not necessarily. Did I enjoy it - HELL YEAH! I could hardly put the book down after the first 20%.

+

So what do we have:

1. A school for magic-wielding knights who train to fight against fairies and monsters from around the world.
2. A sassy and highly-entertaining protagonist who is also one of the most relatable characters I've read recently.
3. A writing style that reminds me of the first time I discovered J.K.Rowling - I loved it!
4. No boring romance, no love-triangles, no teen-angst, no special snowflakes, no YA cliches.

The Story:

The Story is set in our modern-day world, but with one exception - there are knights who dedicate their lives to protect the unsuspecting humanity from fairies! No, not the cute, fluffy stuff you see in Peter Pan and Victorian drawings, and no, neither are they the sexy boyfriend material you read about in YA literature. These fairies are the monsters that our ancestors used to scare children with.

We follow Morgan, a 17 year old girl with a passion for...plants?, who has lived in Switzerland, away from her parents, for most of her life. One night, she stumbles upon the dead body of one of her classmates and before she knows it, she's back to her family estate in Wisconsin, enrolled in a new school as a ...freshman (although she's almost 18 -talk about standing out) and she's the only person who has no idea what the HELL is going on!

Did I mention that the school is hidden beneath a lake? Or that students study subjects such as Magical Creatures, Sword Fighting, Herbology, etc.? Or that they train to use elementals to fight against fairies? Oh, and let's not forget that Morgan's little brother, Arthur, is the most popular and influential person around while she has a severe problem trying to appear sane.

What I loved

-Like I mentioned above, this book was a pure pleasure (for the most part). I loved Miss Ellefson's world-building, it was like watching one of those Animes where high-school students are supposed to be super cool and school is almost like an organization with a hierarchy of its own and a purpose above just education.

-The characters were nothing mind-blowingly special, but they made me laugh! Arthur was my favorite, always appearing collected, serious and too-perfect-to-be-true, but occasionally showing his caring side and even his weaknesses to his older sister. Morgan, the protagonist, was hilarious for the most part and super proactive (a quality I value highly in YA books).

Harry Potter similarities

-They are quite a few, I'm afraid. Some of the characters reminded me a lot of the Weasly twins, Hermione, Professor Dumbledore etc., but not to the point where it would bother me. The school and subjects was another element that I found too reminiscent of Hogwarts, but I actually quite enjoyed reading something similar to my favorite series of all time.

The problems

I started noticing them almost towards the end, which is a pity because I was on the verge of not only giving this book five stars, but also including it in my favorites shelf.

First problem is - the story gets kind of repetitive and frustrating. Morgan gets in trouble, Arthur saves her only to betray her thrust later on. And Morgan isn't exactly the brightest person out there, she manages to make an even bigger mess in 90% of her confrontations.

Predictability - I knew who the villain was way before the middle. The "plot twist" at the end was pretty obvious too.

A lot of unresolved questions - where is the plague coming from, who is the voice in Morgan's head, why do some fairies want to protect her and others harm her, what's going on in Puck's head?

Conclusion:

Will I read the sequel? YES! Despite the problems, I found Blood of the Fey to be super fun and addictive!
Will I reread this book? Maybe, if I enjoy the sequels just as much or even more.
Will I buy a Hardcover? Probably not.
Will I recommend to friends? I think I already did. I can't guarantee this book is for everyone though.

[Krystal · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG! WOW! What a book. I completely devoured this book. I could not tear my eyes from the pages. I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough. The main character Morgan is awesome. She is funny, sarcastic and smart. It’s was really easy to relate to her. She couldn’t stay out of trouble to save her life. She had now problem following the rule well maybe a little, Trouble always seen to find her no matter how hard she tries not to get into any. All the other characters were great. I was so happy when Morgan punches that girl in the face. I usually don’t like my heroines to be the damsel in distress type but it was ok with Morgan because she didn’t know what was going on. But she didn’t have a problem standing on her own two feet when the time came. This book was a big mystery. I was right there with Morgan not knowing what the hell was going on. The world that Alessa was freaking awesome, Can you imagine going to a school that’s under a lake. When you look up into the sky from the school you don’t see clouds or starts you see fish swimming, how cool is that. OMG what an ending I did not see that coming. I so can’t wait to read the next book. if you haven’t read this book yet you need to. Go get it NOW you will not be disappointed

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

Blood of the Fey is definitely one of the best books I have ever read. It is so refreshing and filled with imagination that most books released these days truly lack. The book is a perfect balance of fantasy mixed with the well known Arthurian Legends. This is one of those books that you just cannot put down once you have started reading it... a true page turner!

The main character, Morgan, is easy to relate to and is so much fun to follow due to her sarcastic personality and uncanny ability to get into trouble. What's really awesome is you get so drawn into the book that you feel like you are walking along with Morgan while she is discovering a whole new world and what an amazing world this is! The author's imagination is unbelievably amazing. This whole new world that Morgan discovers is filled with amazing creatures (Fey people) as well as places and things that will get your imagination flowing. I do hope this book is made into a movie some day because it would be an incredible sight!

What I love most about this story is that it is not predictable. It WILL keep you guessing the whole time and you will be amazed by the ending! I honestly cannot wait for the next two in the series because I am DYING to know what happens next. This book is a breath of fresh air that will keep you entertained and on the edge of your seat throughout the entire thing! I haven't been this excited about a book in a long time and definitely recommend it to everyone!

[Patrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think that this book was really good I liked the character Morgan Pendragon. I like the her strength and her courage to be able to deal with all the people that dont like her. I like the fact that it is a book about that has to deal with the Knights of the Round table.

I also like that the story was different from the ones that I have recently read. I also Liked the character Puck I thought that he was really funny. I also felt bad for Bri and Owen and what Happened to Owen.

I have to say that I spent most of the book wondering why everyone was mean to Morgan Pendragon and why her own parents were so cold to her. I did not expect the answer that came at the end of the book.

I can not wait til the next one comes out!!

[Rasma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Harry Potter move over for there is a new kid in town! In this new thrilling fantasy it is unlike any book I have ever read before! The book was heart stopping all the way through and the end was especially surprising! The book looks long, but in truth it tells a great story of Morgan the girl who wishes she were just invisible and her crazy family! Magic school has never been so magical as it is in this book I just hope no one tries to jump in any lakes looking for this place! Each time I picked up this book it was hard to put down! I can hardly wait for the next book in the series! Morgan is a girl after my own heart! Thank you for a great read!

[Cori · Rating 5 out of 5]

Life has been busy for me lately and although I've recently attempted to read many a book, none have been able to keep my attention. As a lifelong avid book reader this has been rather disturbing for me as reading is one of my favorite hobbies. I purchased "Blood of the Fey" from Amazon and was instantly transfixed. Alessa is an amazing storyteller and "Blood of the Fey" will keep your rapt attention! I found myself itching to find as many spare moments as possible to read. I finished this book over a weekend. My only complaint is that the book wasn't longer. I want more! I can't wait for the next two books in the trilogy as well as any future stories from this talented Freshman author.

[Joy Whiteside · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. WOW.

The world that has been created bringing the legend of Arthur and the Knights of the round table and combining with modern times, is wonderful. The characters are loveable.

The story kept me on the edge of the seat and it was very hard to put the book down to do other things.

I cannot wait to read the next book and see what happens in the continuation of this story.

Alessia Ellefson is an excellent storyteller and I look forward to more books from her.

[Catherine Conley · Rating 2 out of 5]

Let me preface my review by saying I love Arthurian legend stories, both traditional, contemporary, and influenced by, and I was excited by the title and premise of this one. I really wanted to like it. However, I found this book annoying after the first chapter or two. The premise of a contemporary underground Knights of the Round Table protecting the world from the Fey is good. However, the characterizations fall far short. Morgan is ostensibly a smart girl, but she never seems to learn anything about herself or her surroundings. Time and again, she expects different reactions from people than what they've ever given her before. And she never asks the the right questions. Most of her questions are one form or another of "why me?" When she goes to the secret school for knights, she refuses to believe anything anyone tells her about knights, fairies, and powers despite her classes and first hand knowledge. As she sees more, she seems to learn less. She continues to react as if none of it is real, and then is astonished by the results. She continues to flout the rules and regulations and takes them as a personal affront, and then is angry beyond thought when she is discovered. Had this happened once or twice and then had she learned to modify her behavior even just a little bit, her character would have been more believable and sympathetic. And the way her friends and enemies seem to know all about her but share nothing with her is unrealistic. For example, her nemesis Daniel would surely throw her Fey connection in her face if indeed everyone knows as Irene contends. Her good friends Jack and Bri tell her almost nothing, and I still don't know why Keva would hang out with them after the first few moments when everyone would have had to realize that Morgan and Arthur do not have the best relationship. And then they all pretty much disappear from the narrative, and Morgan, who is not supposed to be on her own at all, goes off alone again and again to face the worst demon on her own--one she, who believes nothing she is told about the school, foretells returning yet the learned professors and knights cannot see the signs of. And the "twist" that is held back until the very end is no surprise at all, especially given the title. Morgan should gradually figure out her ancestry instead of continually whining that people don't like her and life is unfair.

Ultimately, the book was unsatisfying. There are too many gaps, inconsistencies, or unbelievable instances (and I do not mean fairies, power, or magic). I will not continue with the series.

[Jason Remple · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ellefson draws inspiration from familiar legend and weaves it with her own sometimes oddball but always endearing sense of adventure and humor for an exciting tale of mayhem and magic. Morgan is the black sheep of the cast and draws derision from all but a few. Despite her good intentions and heroic feats the hole she finds herself in keeps getting deeper. Her struggle makes her relatable to anyone who's ever picked their name out of hushed whispering around high school lockers and turned to see pointing and snickering. These treatments get her down but never out and through the repeated picking-ups and dusting-offs Morgan gains a defiance that hints at greatness to come.

The only disappointment is that the book ends before Morgan comes in to her own. But really, can you fault an author for selling you three books instead of one?

[Mel · Rating 1 out of 5]

I wish I'd read this faster so I could have gotten my money back for it. Or that I'd returned it sooner, when it was clear I really wasn't going to like it.

Everyone is so so mean to poor, innocent Morgan, who just wants everyone to stop being mean and explain things to her. But since no one does, she just keeps doing things she's been warned not to, getting other people hurt, and running away instead of talking like an almost adult. This is so juvenile it was painful to read.

[Deanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

My mom won this book in a giveaway. I wasn't sure what to expect, but it turned out to be a great book! I'll admit, I don't exactly LOVE any of the characters...but they were good characters, it was well written and kept me interested. I'm excited to read the next book!

[Anjanet · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this story to be fairly intriguing, coupled with pretty good writing. I know it is YA, but it isn't sappy YA or even immature YA.

Looking forward to the next one.

[Rasa Ievkalne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I actually liked it a lot. It has its problems- like it is extremely confusing world building in the beginning and a lot of events don't make proper sense. However, it does start to pull somewhat together after half a book and it holds interest to finish . I do wish heroine had a better backbone and stood up for herself, but the way she is written, her inaction makes sense. Actually, heroines actions are the only definite to make full sense, mostly because the story is from her POV and we get to know how and why is she doing anything. I can't say I mutch like anyone else, but there are definitely a lot of distinctive personalities and each play a role in the story.
So why 4 stars? Because this is a type of book I will gladly read again after some time have passed, especially if I have a foreknowledge of how this world works,what are the goals of characters and reasoning behind a lot of events. This is a type of book that may be more enjoyable on second read.

Writing is good, authors use of language is excellent, even if I wish there was less glossary to look up, but even if you don't, you can gleen the meaning from context.

Off to the next book!

[Leila · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting

This story was interesting. It kept me curious enough to finish the tale but not interested enough to want to read the next. Truly the core of this story is very fascinating in the sense that some of the "facts" about the Fae are twisted yet similar enough to be believable. The issue? I didn't care the the way the story was told. Pacing was stilted, characters' personality traits shifted often in unbelievable ways, and the structure felt somewhat unfinished as if it needed another trip to the editor. Not a bad story but one that is just not for me.

[Els · Rating 4 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book! Thank you, Alessa, for having shared this wonderful tale out of your imagination! You may think I'm a bit biased because I know the author. Having met her in person a couple of months ago only added to the delight of getting to know the fantasy genre that is entirely new to me, but also of rediscovering the Arthurian legend in a whole new and modern light.

"Blood of the Fey" is the first in a series of three fantasy novels following the personal woes and downright adolescent struggles of 17 year old Morgan Pendragon, half-sister to the younger Arthur, a knight and president of KORT (Knights of the Round Table). After having to leave her boarding school in Switzerland following the mysterious death of one of her class mates, Morgan is forced to attend a secondary school set under lake Winnebago. Dubbed a freshman, she discovers the existance of a whole new parallel world: cast out angels or Fey living among, but mostly at a distance in the nearby forest from the school who pose a latant, but nonetheless constant threat to people and take all kind of forms: clurichauns, fairies, centaurs,hobgoblins, cats, dogs, but also human. To protect the human race, students are trained to fight with knives, swords and to conjure up magical power from oghams, the essence of a Fey entrapped in stones (http://alessasadversaria.blogspot.be/...). This last manipulation is called "elemental manipulation". If a Fey is cut off from its ogham, it loses its power and consequently dies. Not al students become knights, however. The KORT has 12 knights and Arthur is their president. Other students become pages, the lowest in rank, or squires.

Obviously, because she's hasn't been brought up in their world and because she's older than her fellow class mates, Morgan is not accepted by most and even terrorized by some, including Arthur's fiancee Jennifer. She does manage to make a few friends and gradually this strange new world and her personal history unfold before her.

I think the author did a great job rewriting and modernizing one of the Anglosaxon history's most famous legends. She created a multi-layered fantasy novel that reads like a television series thanks to the vivid and dynamic dialogues and the colourful characters. Morgan is depicted as a lone wolf, a rebel and an outcast who always had to rely on herself, but who learns to open to a few and even almost risks her own life to save others. It's impossible not to sympathize with her.

The greatest force of the author is that she didn't draw her characters black and white or turned them into a walking cliché. She made them just as ambiguous as the world they're surrounded by. Her forte lies in the colourful, imaginative world she created along with the people in them.

The only small downside to the story is the plot unfolding in one of the last chapters where a close friend and servant of the family does not turn out to be who he pretended to be. I felt that scene was a bit too rapidly unfolding, much like an Angela Lansbury in "Murder she wrote" when all the pieces suddenly fall into place at the end of every episode. I felt it was a bit written in a rush. There should have been earlier clues from the beginning. It all fell a bit out of the air.

Also, some of the fighting scenes could have been more dynamic by elaborating on them and perhaps using shorter sentences or more dynamic verbs or adverbs.

Nonetheless, I couldn't tear my eyes away from the novel, eager to read the next chapter! After the Morgana trilogy, I'll be sure to read more fantasy novels. A great accomplishment for a first published novel!

[Kindle25 · Rating 1 out of 5]

I'm freakingly pissed off as how Morgan was treated all throughout the book. The bullies were all relentless in their pursuit of her and there seems to be no respite for her. And then upon learning the truth in the end, there still seems to be no happy moment for her. I'm so angry with the unfairness of it all.

At first I really liked the concept of this book and can't seem to put it down. But then my slowly my anger began to build-up with all the continuous barrage of insults and bullying and unfairness Morgan experiences everywhere. Until now that I've finished it, I'm still simmering with anger at all the characters in the book that dares to treat Morgan like she's dirt! If this is the author's goal, the she most definitely succeeded in pissing me off.

[Mimi · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNFed at 17%. I should get a medal for getting this far, to be honest.

Now, I could write a whole review of these 17% I have read, but I'll only say one thing besides the fact that this is simply poorly written (and the abuse of Catholic theology and faith really bothered me): I don't believe that an MC who uses Saint Goerge's balls as an exclamation deserves a single minute of my time. I've given her about an hour and it only got worse, so, here we go. My first DNF in three months. Telling you, don't waste your precious time.

→0 stars

[Laura · Rating 2 out of 5]

I liked the originality of the story line but it is clearly a young adult book. None of the characters exhibit much if any maturity. Honestly they act very childishly and feel vaguely trope-ish. Morgan's "friends" at school aren't really even friends and there is no connection or understanding between characters. So while the book was okay it definitely felt like I was only reading a first or second draft of a story.

[Robert Toliver · Rating 1 out of 5]

I was very disappointed

The whole book is basically a girl who is repeatedly called stupid, retarted, as well as others degrading terms. I've never wanted to finish a book so fast because it was bad. Severely disappointed.

[Zoe · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book when I was a) going through a very heavy state of writers block and b) in that point in time where you have absolutely nothing to read because you finished a god series and you feel nothing could equal to that. I got this book as a present, and at first I threw it aside and read other books. Then I eventually got so bored, and decided to read it. I LOVED IT. I finished it before bed that night, having only started it around noon.

When I finished this book, I didn’t have the second in my possession. I wouldn’t be able to get it for about three days. For those three days, my heart aches. I longed to “be with” the characters, to know what was happening.

That’s what I hate about a great book. You get so latched onto the characters that you’re going to really miss them when they’re gone. That’s why I envy the writers, who always have them stuck in their head.

Anywho, the main character is so unpredictable, which is what made me like the book. I started only liking the plot, and then I got drawn in. Where other books immediately make the main character special, Morgan seemed to be just really out of place. Others may instantly be super good at fighting, or join KORT immediately and stand out, but I liked how realistic it was that Morgan just couldn’t fight very well.

Overall, this series is addicting, and I love it. Cannot WAIT for the last book.

[Courtney Chase · Rating 2 out of 5]

Just... bad. The only reason I kept reading is bc I’m the type who has to see how it ends no matter HOW bad the story is. The plot is pretty basic and predictable, which isn’t the worst part. It’s just so terribly written... poor character development, overly dramatic, terrible dialogue. I can’t tell if the reader is SUPPOSED to hate the main character, or if it’s just THAT poorly written, bc I hate her. Her thought processes are simplistic and impulsive to the point that she just seems like an idiot. It *might* seem plausible if the character were 10 or 11? But at 17 you’d expect more thought. Then the world - which is usually my favorite part of any fantasy or sci-fi - is again, just poorly thought out and developed. Plus, a number of grammatical and language errors that any basic editor should have caught. I’m honestly not sure how this got published... It feel like the first attempt at a novel that your aunt or neighbor makes you read for feedback.

[Cecilia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Morgan le Fay has always been one of my favorite characters in Arthurian legends. In any legends, period. While her portrayal in Blood of the Fey strays far from the classics, I can gladly say this novel didn't disappoint. Though predictable, it was a very entertaining read, with its fair share of action, conflict, and (couldn't miss this part) that characteristic anger teenagers harbor against the world. In her case, justified, but then having it any other way wouldn't make for a good story, would it?

[Marj · Rating 3 out of 5]

a very long and frustrating read ... the author made the MC reckless, hopeless and helpless all in the same time... I kept on waiting for the character to finally fight back ... but sadly I did not happen even at the end... soooo frustrating!!! ( feels like a watching a telenovela where the lead was always bullied and never fights back)... sorry I could not wait for the 2nd book for it to happen ...

Anyway... I had a very high hope starting this book ...at the very least I finished It.... but ...... :(

[Dieg · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would have rated it 5 if only the author put more emphasis on the drama (I mean the feelings behind the dramatic situation rather than the dialogue). For me it had too many crying scenes without emotional build up.
But I guess that's just my sentimental side! I often couldn't connect with the heroine's pleas. Sometimes I felt I was more enraged or sentimentally involved than her, that's why this book that could have been one of my favorites.... is not.
However the plot twists are gold.

[Elyssa · Rating 2 out of 5]

If you enjoy literary value just skip this one

This may or may not have a good story line, I just can't get beyond the immature writing to find out. I gave it an additional star because it's not completely horrible. May be good for young readers, I got to page 70.

[Maria Reyes · Rating 1 out of 5]

I really could not finish this. Morgan and the rest of the characters were getting on my nerves. No character growth at all. There was so much bulling and ignoring. no one standing up or speaking out for others.

[Kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

The main character was my least favorite character. I enjoyed the use of catholic theology in the fantasy realm. Will continue to read the rest of the trilogy.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good read

Good characters. I couldn't put it down. I'm ready for the next book! Just read it. Its young adult and perfect.

[Stephani Knight · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love it

Can i have my own puck? The fey are made to sound horrible but motgan sees the truth. Im off to number 2 book