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Fae of Legacy and Lies
A POWERLESS PRIESTESS. A LEGACY OF LIES. A DORMANT MAGIC WAITING TO IGNITE.
Priestess Mary has lived a shadowed life on Avalon, silenced by her vows. Determined to awaken her dormant fae magic, she defies ancient law and ventures to the mainland of Ancient Wales—an act that shatters her world.
Exiled for her actions and cast into the hands of her manipulative, estranged father, the druid Cyrus, Mary is no longer just a priestess; she is a target. Pursued by the blood-drinking Grymadder, she faces a perilous journey where visions foreshadow war, magic is unbound, and a forbidden attraction to a dangerous warder with a shifting nature threatens the wrath of the goddesses.
Caught between meddling deities and protectors she cannot trust, Mary must stop listening to the whispers of what others expect of her—and seize the power within her own blood, taking control of her journey. This isn’t just about returning home—it’s about survival. And as an imprisoned fae tribe calls for freedom, Mary must embrace her heritage, which is her greatest weapon and deadliest curse.
For fans of the high-stakes Fae magic of Sarah J. Maas, the atmospheric intrigue of Outlander, and the mythic depths of Daughter of the Forest, this immersive, multi-book epic romance explores a dangerous world where survival comes first—and love takes the long road.
With themes of prophecy, forbidden love, and secret obsession, this epic fantasy—where Welsh whispers within the fraying mists—is an essential read for those who crave a true slow-burn foundation. This is the start of a series where origin stories expand the heart of Avalon and Arthurian lore with rich Welsh folklore, and every hidden glance and distant crossing of paths builds toward a devastatingly emotional payoff.
Ancient magic never truly dies.
It simply waits...
For someone desperate enough to wake it.
Priestess Mary has lived a shadowed life on Avalon, silenced by her vows. Determined to awaken her dormant fae magic, she defies ancient law and ventures to the mainland of Ancient Wales—an act that shatters her world.
Exiled for her actions and cast into the hands of her manipulative, estranged father, the druid Cyrus, Mary is no longer just a priestess; she is a target. Pursued by the blood-drinking Grymadder, she faces a perilous journey where visions foreshadow war, magic is unbound, and a forbidden attraction to a dangerous warder with a shifting nature threatens the wrath of the goddesses.
Caught between meddling deities and protectors she cannot trust, Mary must stop listening to the whispers of what others expect of her—and seize the power within her own blood, taking control of her journey. This isn’t just about returning home—it’s about survival. And as an imprisoned fae tribe calls for freedom, Mary must embrace her heritage, which is her greatest weapon and deadliest curse.
For fans of the high-stakes Fae magic of Sarah J. Maas, the atmospheric intrigue of Outlander, and the mythic depths of Daughter of the Forest, this immersive, multi-book epic romance explores a dangerous world where survival comes first—and love takes the long road.
With themes of prophecy, forbidden love, and secret obsession, this epic fantasy—where Welsh whispers within the fraying mists—is an essential read for those who crave a true slow-burn foundation. This is the start of a series where origin stories expand the heart of Avalon and Arthurian lore with rich Welsh folklore, and every hidden glance and distant crossing of paths builds toward a devastatingly emotional payoff.
Ancient magic never truly dies.
It simply waits...
For someone desperate enough to wake it.
428 pages, ebook
Published October 13, 2026
About the author
M.J. Azinger
3 books4 followersAward-winning author M.J. Azinger weaves immersive tales of magical folklore, destiny, and the thin, gray line between heroes and villains.
Her journey into fantasy began in her twenties upon reading The Mists of Avalon. Soon after leaving the U.S. Army, she traveled through Europe and the Middle East, falling deeply in love with Celtic folklore and the layered histories of ancient ruins, Roman conflicts, and myth. Eager to blend this passion with her B.A. in linguistics, she dove into learning Welsh, using the language to ground and shape her prose. For over twenty years, she has studied ancient mythology, shamanism, and reiki—disciplines that infuse her world-building with a powerful, authentic connection to magical realism.
M.J.’s writing is characterized by atmospheric genre-blending, intense emotional stakes, and intricate plots. Her style features strong heroines bound to ancient lore, swoon-worthy leads, morally gray characters, and deep deception. She believes the best fantasy blurs the lines between reality and mythology, conjuring the extraordinary within the ordinary of human experience.
Drawing inspiration from the medieval Welsh tales of the Mabinogion as well as the works of J.R.R. Tolkien and Jennifer L. Armentrout, she builds universally sweeping yet intimate worlds. She is the author of the anticipated Magdalene of Avalon series, which debuts with Fae of Legacy and Lies (2026).
When not battling mythical villains or meddling deities on the page, M.J. can be found combing Pacific Northwest beaches for rocks, fishing with a book in hand, or foraging in the mountains alongside her real-life hero husband and their hurricane of a Golden Retriever.
Connect with her journey, explore behind-the-scenes research, and unlock exclusive series artwork by joining her official author newsletter, at mjazinger.com/newsletter.
Her journey into fantasy began in her twenties upon reading The Mists of Avalon. Soon after leaving the U.S. Army, she traveled through Europe and the Middle East, falling deeply in love with Celtic folklore and the layered histories of ancient ruins, Roman conflicts, and myth. Eager to blend this passion with her B.A. in linguistics, she dove into learning Welsh, using the language to ground and shape her prose. For over twenty years, she has studied ancient mythology, shamanism, and reiki—disciplines that infuse her world-building with a powerful, authentic connection to magical realism.
M.J.’s writing is characterized by atmospheric genre-blending, intense emotional stakes, and intricate plots. Her style features strong heroines bound to ancient lore, swoon-worthy leads, morally gray characters, and deep deception. She believes the best fantasy blurs the lines between reality and mythology, conjuring the extraordinary within the ordinary of human experience.
Drawing inspiration from the medieval Welsh tales of the Mabinogion as well as the works of J.R.R. Tolkien and Jennifer L. Armentrout, she builds universally sweeping yet intimate worlds. She is the author of the anticipated Magdalene of Avalon series, which debuts with Fae of Legacy and Lies (2026).
When not battling mythical villains or meddling deities on the page, M.J. can be found combing Pacific Northwest beaches for rocks, fishing with a book in hand, or foraging in the mountains alongside her real-life hero husband and their hurricane of a Golden Retriever.
Connect with her journey, explore behind-the-scenes research, and unlock exclusive series artwork by joining her official author newsletter, at mjazinger.com/newsletter.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
October 13, 2026
Fae of Legacy and Lies is truly an experience. An otherworldly, intricate one. One filled with detailed world-building and character development. One set in a world you dream of, yet also fear. Because even in a world of magic, dangers lurk. Dangers of different kinds, not just those you might expect. This is a world of magic, yet filled with lies and concealed truths.
And it is up to Mary of Avalon to find not just her way forward, but also to untangle the web of deception, lies, and mysteries. Mary may have grown up sheltered, but her life has only just begun, and I can’t wait to follow her on this journey. Care to join? I promise you won't regret it.
And it is up to Mary of Avalon to find not just her way forward, but also to untangle the web of deception, lies, and mysteries. Mary may have grown up sheltered, but her life has only just begun, and I can’t wait to follow her on this journey. Care to join? I promise you won't regret it.
Review of advance copy
I am eternally grateful to M.J. Azinger for the arc copy of this book! I am so honored to be a part of the team!
This book was such an incredible adventure! I am not very familiar with Welsh mythology, but this has opened my eyes to this whole side of it that I am completely fascinated by. It's a beautiful blend of historical and fantasy, making the experience so immersive even in an unfamiliar world. The lore is so intricate and well done, I was completely riveted the whole time and I never wanted to put it down. The writing feels so gothic and ancient, it gave me chills throughout the story with different discoveries and reveals. It was absolutely beautiful and I am still captivated. And don't even get me started with all of the magic! I am a lover of elemental magic first and foremost, but we have so much more going on here. Elementals, shifters, mystical powers, with prophecy and destiny, there are so many unique things happening that work in harmony and it is just perfect. The best part is that I know this is only the beginning and we have only scratched the surface. I also wasn't expecting all of the political scheming and it really added a deeper mysterious element that still has me reeling.
I really enjoyed how balanced this was between character and plot driven. There are so many moving pieces and the multiple POVs had me completely addicted as the story unfolded. Most of the story is from Mary's POV and experiences. I absolutely adored her character. She has been choiceless for most of her life but never let it stop her. She has a resilient strength that I really enjoyed seeing and watching her grow. She is also very clever and I love seeing her mind working everything out. After being sheltered for so long it was fantastic to see her explore and learn, I can't wait to see what happens next. Talorc is still mysterious, but very protective and skilled. I look forward to learning more about him. There is so much torturous tension between these two already, the slow burn has me completely invested. Outside of the romantic tension, I also enjoyed seeing her relationship with Cyrus develop. It was a very emotionally complex battle for both of them and even more impactful since we are able to see both sides of the story (more or less). I underestimated how much I would love the ghosts in tis story. They bring a lovely bit of humor as they meddle with fate and our poor characters. The goddesses also seem to enjoy the chaos and I really can't wait to see more of everyone.
As always when I finish a book I loved, I'm left feeling a little heartbroken that it's over and now I have to wait for the next. This story delivered so much more than I was expecting and is setting up something that will be nothing short of epic. There is so much lore and world building and I loved every minute of it. This one will need a second read through with a journal to take notes and find little pieces I missed the first time, and to create more theories of what comes next. The Welsh language being added throughout really made for a more immersive experience, I will be thinking about this one for a while. I truly can't wait to see what will come next, I know that it's only going to get more intense in the next installment and I can't wait!
This book was such an incredible adventure! I am not very familiar with Welsh mythology, but this has opened my eyes to this whole side of it that I am completely fascinated by. It's a beautiful blend of historical and fantasy, making the experience so immersive even in an unfamiliar world. The lore is so intricate and well done, I was completely riveted the whole time and I never wanted to put it down. The writing feels so gothic and ancient, it gave me chills throughout the story with different discoveries and reveals. It was absolutely beautiful and I am still captivated. And don't even get me started with all of the magic! I am a lover of elemental magic first and foremost, but we have so much more going on here. Elementals, shifters, mystical powers, with prophecy and destiny, there are so many unique things happening that work in harmony and it is just perfect. The best part is that I know this is only the beginning and we have only scratched the surface. I also wasn't expecting all of the political scheming and it really added a deeper mysterious element that still has me reeling.
I really enjoyed how balanced this was between character and plot driven. There are so many moving pieces and the multiple POVs had me completely addicted as the story unfolded. Most of the story is from Mary's POV and experiences. I absolutely adored her character. She has been choiceless for most of her life but never let it stop her. She has a resilient strength that I really enjoyed seeing and watching her grow. She is also very clever and I love seeing her mind working everything out. After being sheltered for so long it was fantastic to see her explore and learn, I can't wait to see what happens next. Talorc is still mysterious, but very protective and skilled. I look forward to learning more about him. There is so much torturous tension between these two already, the slow burn has me completely invested. Outside of the romantic tension, I also enjoyed seeing her relationship with Cyrus develop. It was a very emotionally complex battle for both of them and even more impactful since we are able to see both sides of the story (more or less). I underestimated how much I would love the ghosts in tis story. They bring a lovely bit of humor as they meddle with fate and our poor characters. The goddesses also seem to enjoy the chaos and I really can't wait to see more of everyone.
As always when I finish a book I loved, I'm left feeling a little heartbroken that it's over and now I have to wait for the next. This story delivered so much more than I was expecting and is setting up something that will be nothing short of epic. There is so much lore and world building and I loved every minute of it. This one will need a second read through with a journal to take notes and find little pieces I missed the first time, and to create more theories of what comes next. The Welsh language being added throughout really made for a more immersive experience, I will be thinking about this one for a while. I truly can't wait to see what will come next, I know that it's only going to get more intense in the next installment and I can't wait!
Review of advance copy received from Author
I’m not usually drawn to historical fantasy, but this story completely pulled me in. What stood out most to me was the character development, especially Magdalene’s journey. Watching her navigate her struggles, grow through everything she faces, and slowly find her own strength made her story incredibly compelling and, at times, genuinely emotional.
The storyline has a way of drawing you in little by little, giving you time to connect with the characters and feel the weight of what they’re going through. I especially enjoyed the slow-burn romance—it develops naturally alongside the story and had me invested in seeing where it would lead.
Magdalene is a character who really stays with you. Her struggles, growth, and resilience make her journey feel meaningful rather than just being part of the adventure.
Without giving anything away, this is a story filled with emotion, challenges, growth, and characters that are easy to become invested in. If you enjoy historical fantasy with strong character arcs, an emotional storyline, and a romance that takes its time, this one is definitely worth picking up.
The storyline has a way of drawing you in little by little, giving you time to connect with the characters and feel the weight of what they’re going through. I especially enjoyed the slow-burn romance—it develops naturally alongside the story and had me invested in seeing where it would lead.
Magdalene is a character who really stays with you. Her struggles, growth, and resilience make her journey feel meaningful rather than just being part of the adventure.
Without giving anything away, this is a story filled with emotion, challenges, growth, and characters that are easy to become invested in. If you enjoy historical fantasy with strong character arcs, an emotional storyline, and a romance that takes its time, this one is definitely worth picking up.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Let’s just say there’s a lot going on in book 1 of the Magdalene of Avalon series, Fae of Legacy and Lies! Fae magic, Welsh mythology, family secrets, competing agendas, and the beginnings of a slow-burn romance all come together as our FMC Mary discovers how much of her life has been kept from her.
The premise is interesting, especially the idea of a young woman questioning everything she was raised to believe. But there are a LOT of characters and overlapping plotlines to keep straight. Between the priestesses, druids, fae clans, gods and goddesses, and everyone’s different plans for Mary, it was a bit overwhelming to me.
The romance with Talorc is very much in the beginning stages, so go into this expecting more world-building and setup than a developed love story. There are plenty of secrets still to uncover, and the cliffhanger leaves a lot open for the next book.
Many thanks to the author for the ARC to read and review.
The premise is interesting, especially the idea of a young woman questioning everything she was raised to believe. But there are a LOT of characters and overlapping plotlines to keep straight. Between the priestesses, druids, fae clans, gods and goddesses, and everyone’s different plans for Mary, it was a bit overwhelming to me.
The romance with Talorc is very much in the beginning stages, so go into this expecting more world-building and setup than a developed love story. There are plenty of secrets still to uncover, and the cliffhanger leaves a lot open for the next book.
Many thanks to the author for the ARC to read and review.
October 13, 2026
Firstly the descriptive language is brilliant and I really enjoyed the differing points of view, I love being able to experience what each character is thinking.
There is self discovery, secrets, mythological creatures, lore and relationships yet to be explored which has me super keen for book 2.
I enjoyed the characters, especially Mary (Magdalene) and I just know that Talorc is going to be a favourite of mine as well.
The mother’s conspiring and helping guide from the other side was a lovely touch that I really enjoyed as well, I feel they are a bit mischievous which adds an element of humour.
There are alot of parts to this story and I am excited to see them all uncovered as the series goes on.
I have Welsh family ties but do not know much about mythology and culture so this was a great read and has peaked my curiosity!
Thank you to M.J. Azinger for providing me with an arc copy of this book.
There is self discovery, secrets, mythological creatures, lore and relationships yet to be explored which has me super keen for book 2.
I enjoyed the characters, especially Mary (Magdalene) and I just know that Talorc is going to be a favourite of mine as well.
The mother’s conspiring and helping guide from the other side was a lovely touch that I really enjoyed as well, I feel they are a bit mischievous which adds an element of humour.
There are alot of parts to this story and I am excited to see them all uncovered as the series goes on.
I have Welsh family ties but do not know much about mythology and culture so this was a great read and has peaked my curiosity!
Thank you to M.J. Azinger for providing me with an arc copy of this book.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Firstly I'd like to thank the author for the privilege of receiving an advanced copy.
I was genuinely very excited to read this book. It ticked so many boxes of elements I am interested in such as Fae, Welsh mythology, magic, fantasy, history. I fully appreciate the level of historical and language knowledge that has been woven through the narrative. The whole premise of the book captured my interest initially. Unfortunately the writing style just really was not for me and I found it hard to connect fully with the story and characters.
I feel sad that this wasn't a book for me but I'm sure it will be the right book for other readers out there.
All thoughts and opinions are entirely my own and honestly given.
I was genuinely very excited to read this book. It ticked so many boxes of elements I am interested in such as Fae, Welsh mythology, magic, fantasy, history. I fully appreciate the level of historical and language knowledge that has been woven through the narrative. The whole premise of the book captured my interest initially. Unfortunately the writing style just really was not for me and I found it hard to connect fully with the story and characters.
I feel sad that this wasn't a book for me but I'm sure it will be the right book for other readers out there.
All thoughts and opinions are entirely my own and honestly given.
Review of advance copy received from Author
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ A Refreshing, Original Fantasy Romance You Can't Put Down!If you are tired of the same old boring fantasy tropes, this book is a breath of fresh air. It features a genuinely strong, refreshing female lead who completely drives the story. The author does a phenomenal job balancing rich world-building and deep character development with a steamy romance that keeps you hooked.What makes this story stand out is its absolute originality. The magic system is unique, and the characters are so well-written that you will fall in love with them instantly. It is magical, captivating, and a must-read for any fantasy romance fan. 5 stars!
Review of advance copy
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I wanted to love this, I was definitely interested for the fae, and romantasy aspects and that's why I chose to read it. I almost DNF, I couldn't get into it, nothing lulled me in and I just had a hard time grasping everything going on, I felt like I was just supposed to know certain things or that I missed a prequel somewhere. The romance barely there, as the haven't officially met yet in book 1 and I just couldn't connect with any of the characters or get attached. Felt all over the place to me. Very different from my usual reads, which is actually refreshing, but not my cup tea.
I wanted to love this, I was definitely interested for the fae, and romantasy aspects and that's why I chose to read it. I almost DNF, I couldn't get into it, nothing lulled me in and I just had a hard time grasping everything going on, I felt like I was just supposed to know certain things or that I missed a prequel somewhere. The romance barely there, as the haven't officially met yet in book 1 and I just couldn't connect with any of the characters or get attached. Felt all over the place to me. Very different from my usual reads, which is actually refreshing, but not my cup tea.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This book makes my pulse race and my heart sing. It has been ages since I found a new female lead I could love this much.
The story is tight, the characters engaging and I keep wanting to go back and read more.
If you are looking for a book to disappear into while sipping hot cider under a blanket this fall get this! I’m ordering the hard copies for my sisters and friends as Christmas gifts. Can’t wait!!!
The story is tight, the characters engaging and I keep wanting to go back and read more.
If you are looking for a book to disappear into while sipping hot cider under a blanket this fall get this! I’m ordering the hard copies for my sisters and friends as Christmas gifts. Can’t wait!!!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Thank you to the author for letting me read this arc!! The world building and the slow burn in this are amazing!! The mythology was a chefs kiss! I look forward to the rest of this series!!
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews