FAELORA

by Shantay Noel

304 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 3, 2026

Reviews

[book babe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Faelora has been the best read of 2026. This story has helped me more than any self-help book. The novel explores uncomfortable truths that many authors shy away from. It was written beautifully, it spoke to my heart & soul. I loved the cliffhanger & am looking forward to book 2!

This novel explored the repercussions of child abuse, forced assimilation / immigration, genocide, history erasure, gender roles, & societal expectations. It was nothing short of awe inspiring watching Syrene rise after each event, it may have been painful, but she survived it all. It was such a great reminder that we all can be resilient & rise back up after our world seemingly burned to the ground.

CON: The structuring was inconvenient, the book was written in parts instead of chapters divided by *** for scene changes & that threw me a bit. I wish there was a page for name pronunciations, I definitely struggled with them & was not confident in google’s pronunciations. I also wish a few topics were further explained in book 1 more because I was confused on genetics - but the author did say more information & clarity would be revealed in book 2.

My wish for the readers is to learn, grow, & continue to rise from the ashes.

——————
Personal thoughts / extended review:
As a survivor of child abuse, this book was incredibly accurate in the way feelings & events are described. I felt seen, validated, & soothed. This novel provided an opportunity to become more compassionate, introspective, & experience life through the lenses of someone like me. It was a beautiful experience & allowed me to have compassion for this character that ultimately led me to having & accepting compassion for myself.

I completed a lot of journaling throughout the book drawing parallels from the fictitious novel to our current reality. This book pushed me to consider what the US has done to survivors of abuse (lack of resources, justice, & empathy. The expectation that abuse is our fault; we asked for it, we should have dressed differently, we should have been more obedient, etc. Then the pressure & shame of remaining silent as not everyone will believe your story.), the gender roles still prevalent in society (the push for women to be stay at home moms, that women cook / clean, the resistance to women excelling in employment, the expectation that the best thing to happen to us would be engagement/marriage, and that we should be flattered when getting unwanted attention.), the consequences of erasure of history (US government is taking things from slavery down from our museums, text books, & learning curriculum), the crimes committed against Indigenous people during settlement & injustice that continues to happen today, our hurdles and red tape for refugees/immigrates who seek shelter here.

The way this book was written was nothing short of beautiful. It reminded me of classic literature in the way sentences were formed, ideas that were presented, & the language used. The author used figurative language exceptionally well! The story didn’t feel like “fluff”, the metaphors / similes / personification brought so much depth to the story.

Grab water, a blanket, tissues, & be prepared to have to heart ripped out then put back together!

[Tara Cotten · Rating 5 out of 5]

Faelora is a beautifully written and imaginative story that immediately draws you into its world. Shantay Noel creates vivid imagery and an enchanting atmosphere that makes the setting feel almost magical and alive. The storytelling flows smoothly, and the emotional depth of the characters adds a meaningful layer that keeps you invested from beginning to end.
What I especially appreciated was the creativity and care put into the details — it’s clear the author poured heart into building this universe. The book feels immersive, heartfelt, and original, making it a wonderful read for anyone who enjoys fantasy with strong emotional undertones.
I’m excited to see where this story goes next and would absolutely recommend it to readers looking for something unique and captivating.

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a must READ book! I'm sure some of us will be able to relate to some of the characters referenced in this book...The characters as well as the magical place this book is based on, is one of my favorite eras, "Mystical Renaissance" or so it feels/seems to me :). It felt as though the author searched deep down inside their soul and was pretty brave to not only to speak on childhood trauma as well as the brutality of being betrayed by the same people who claimed to Love her. The ones who were supposed to protect and defend her.

[Jose · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book that you don't want to put down as the story line "EVERYONE" can relate. It's like I'm reading about myself and attempting to understand why thing happened to me but how one overcomes their demons and fights through life itself. It left me wanting to read more, this book to me has captured so many rooted feelings of anger, sorrow and victories in my own mind. You have to read to understand - Great book!!

[Isabel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just finished this magical adventure. Definitely a book I couldn’t put down. Sometimes it takes me a little longer to finish books, but I was hooked from start to finish! The storytelling is beautiful. It captures what the characters are feeling in the moment so well. Those feelings resonate through the book because at times I felt myself holding back tears, laughing and full of suspense. I feel like this book has everything. It’s dark, edgy and absolutely beautiful to see what she goes through and still rises through all the horrible things that she had went through. It was very inspirational as well.

[Haske · Rating 5 out of 5]

The tension between loyalty and survival kept me hooked. Syrene’s transformation isn’t just magical it’s emotional and psychological. Watching her confront a legacy others tried to erase is powerful storytelling.
A bold, dark debut.
FAELORA stands out because it doesn’t shy away from the cost of power. Magic here feels ancient and dangerous, not convenient. Syrene’s journey is both heartbreaking and triumphant. Highly recommend for fans of darker fantasy.

such a great Book

[Alice Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

An unforgettable dark fantasy debut.
FAELORA delivers everything I love about gothic fantasy, secrets, bloodlines, and a heroine who refuses to disappear. Syrene’s journey from overlooked survivor to powerful reckoning is gripping and emotionally charged. The Cinderella undertones feel fresh and dangerous rather than whimsical. Absolutely stunning.

Recommended by sarah

[Dorothy Henderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Resilience as power, brilliantly done. This isn’t a fairytale about rescue. It’s about survival. The darker tone, the buried truths, the tension around Syrene’s awakening magic, it all feels intentional and layered. I couldn’t put it down. If you enjoy elemental fantasy with real stakes, this is it.

Recommended by Sarah

[Nicki · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was beautiful and heartbreaking, I had a similar life. I connected to Syrene on so many levels, I think others who grew up the same way will see themselves in her. The book gives hope to the ones who feel lost and do not see a way out but there is and will be.

[Simth · Rating 4 out of 5]

The atmosphere alone deserves five stars. FAELORA feels like walking through a crumbling kingdom filled with whispers and danger. Syrene’s bloodline mystery pulled me in immediately, and the slow reveal of her power was incredibly satisfying.

[Diana Isabella · Rating 5 out of 5]

This isn’t glass slippers and ballrooms, this is survival, violence, and legacy. Syrene isn’t waiting to be chosen; she’s becoming something the world can’t ignore. The tension of being hunted while awakening to ancient magic made every chapter intense

[Ella · Rating 5 out of 5]

What struck me most was how personal Syrene’s struggle felt. Her existence being something “never meant to matter” adds emotional depth to the larger fantasy stakes. The themes of erased history and inherited power are handled so well

[Belinda · Rating 5 out of 5]

BEST READ OF FEB SO FAR.
From the very first page, there’s a sense of something ancient and dangerous stirring beneath the surface. The worldbuilding is rich without being overwhelming. Syrene’s awakening feels earned, not rushed. I’m already hoping for more from this world.

[Lily Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn't expect the book to hit me like it did. It's dark and emotional in a way that feels real.

[Jessica Adams · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was hooked right away. Some parts were slow but it was hard to put down at a certain point

[Joanne Cocs · Rating 5 out of 5]

I find the story itself very interesting and the writing is very unique i never thought someone can make a book so wonderful and beautiful it really makes you think alot after reading 10 out of 10

[Lana · Rating 5 out of 5]

So good! The writing is great and incredibly descriptive, it really makes you feel like you’re a part of the world.

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Emotional roller-coaster, I cried. I laughed. I enjoyed it overall

[Haley M · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can't wait for book 2.