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Fairy Ring #1
Shards of Janderelle
Fourteen-year-old Livy’s best friends just happen to be fairies.
With them, she defeats snow monsters and discovers lost treasure, running wild through her apartment complex. Game after endless game. That’s how it works with fairies. They might be illusions, but they helped her cope when her father walked out, leaving her to care for her drug-addicted mother alone.
Then Child Protective Services swoops in, sending Livy to live with her father, but that doesn’t stop the fairies from tagging along. The illusions that helped her in the past now cause nothing but trouble—preluding fires in chemistry and sword fights in gym. It isn’t any wonder her stepmother thinks she’s crazy, maybe even on drugs like her mother. Forced into therapy, Livy tries to conform to her new life. But when the military precision of her stepmother’s household becomes too much, she crosses the fairy ring to a dream world where her imagination can run free again.
Her scars transfer from one world to the other. So does a death. With her family ready to have her committed, Livy must unravel the truth behind her so-called schizophrenic delusions before they take another life—hers.
Fairy Ring: Shards of Janderelle is a darkly humorous and magical tale with elements of A Monster Calls (Patrick Ness), Calvin: A Novel (Martine Leavitt), and other young adult stories that blend the borders of contemporary fantasy and psychology.
It explores teenage/family drama, mental illness, and a fantasy world that might be too good to be true.
Clean Read. References to mental illness, substance abuse, and other more serious issues. Recommended for young adults and teens twelve and up.
Other Books by Jacque Stevens:
Stone Bearers:
0. The Stone Bearers (2016)
0.5. The Frog’s Princess (2016)
1. The Queen’s Opal (Coming 2017)
2. The Queen’s Gift (Coming 2018)
3. The Queen’s Heir (Coming 2018)
Please Note: The Queen’s Opal is Book One. The Stone Bearers is a standalone novel that can be read before or after the full series.
The short story, The Frog’s Princess, can also be read in any order. Find it in The Fantastic Worlds Anthology (2016) or have a free digital copy delivered to you after signing up for my email list at sjacquebooks.com. Those on my email list will receive monthly emails with updates on deals, review opportunities for new releases, and other exclusive content.
Fairy Ring:
1. Fairy Ring: Shards of Janderelle (2017)
2. Fairy Ring: Changeling of Janderelle (Coming 2018)
Others:
Winter Falls: A Tale of the Snow Queen (2017)
Depths: A Tale of the Little Mermaid (Coming 2018)
With them, she defeats snow monsters and discovers lost treasure, running wild through her apartment complex. Game after endless game. That’s how it works with fairies. They might be illusions, but they helped her cope when her father walked out, leaving her to care for her drug-addicted mother alone.
Then Child Protective Services swoops in, sending Livy to live with her father, but that doesn’t stop the fairies from tagging along. The illusions that helped her in the past now cause nothing but trouble—preluding fires in chemistry and sword fights in gym. It isn’t any wonder her stepmother thinks she’s crazy, maybe even on drugs like her mother. Forced into therapy, Livy tries to conform to her new life. But when the military precision of her stepmother’s household becomes too much, she crosses the fairy ring to a dream world where her imagination can run free again.
Her scars transfer from one world to the other. So does a death. With her family ready to have her committed, Livy must unravel the truth behind her so-called schizophrenic delusions before they take another life—hers.
Fairy Ring: Shards of Janderelle is a darkly humorous and magical tale with elements of A Monster Calls (Patrick Ness), Calvin: A Novel (Martine Leavitt), and other young adult stories that blend the borders of contemporary fantasy and psychology.
It explores teenage/family drama, mental illness, and a fantasy world that might be too good to be true.
Clean Read. References to mental illness, substance abuse, and other more serious issues. Recommended for young adults and teens twelve and up.
Other Books by Jacque Stevens:
Stone Bearers:
0. The Stone Bearers (2016)
0.5. The Frog’s Princess (2016)
1. The Queen’s Opal (Coming 2017)
2. The Queen’s Gift (Coming 2018)
3. The Queen’s Heir (Coming 2018)
Please Note: The Queen’s Opal is Book One. The Stone Bearers is a standalone novel that can be read before or after the full series.
The short story, The Frog’s Princess, can also be read in any order. Find it in The Fantastic Worlds Anthology (2016) or have a free digital copy delivered to you after signing up for my email list at sjacquebooks.com. Those on my email list will receive monthly emails with updates on deals, review opportunities for new releases, and other exclusive content.
Fairy Ring:
1. Fairy Ring: Shards of Janderelle (2017)
2. Fairy Ring: Changeling of Janderelle (Coming 2018)
Others:
Winter Falls: A Tale of the Snow Queen (2017)
Depths: A Tale of the Little Mermaid (Coming 2018)
- GenresFantasyEbooksYoung Adult
296 pages, Paperback
First published September 5, 2017
9 people are currently reading
981 people want to read
About the author
Jacque Stevens
40 books225 followersJacque Stevens wrote her first novel as a stress relief activity during nursing school. Now, as a USA-Today Bestselling Author, she has taken a step back from nursing so she can spend all her time writing stories filled with elves, fairies, and all things awesome. She also is a freelance editor.
Jacque lives in Arizona. New friends, enemies, and wandering visitors from cyberspace can contact Jacque here: sjacquebooks.com or sjacquebooks(at)gmail.com.
Sign up for the newsletter to get a free short story and other extras.
Jacque lives in Arizona. New friends, enemies, and wandering visitors from cyberspace can contact Jacque here: sjacquebooks.com or sjacquebooks(at)gmail.com.
Sign up for the newsletter to get a free short story and other extras.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
August 26, 2017
Fairy Ring: Shards of Janderelle (Fairy Ring #1) by Jacque Stevens is a book I requested and the review is voluntary. I thought this was going to be a fantasy book but instead the only fantasy is in the poor girls head. Some, not all, spoilers ahead.
She grew up with a drunk and drug abusive mother that took her out of school because she missed too much school and "homeschooled' her. The girl can't do any of the things other kids can do in school or out of. She has been very neglected mentally and physically. She lives in an imaginary world. Does she do it to cope or does she have a more serious mental disorder? Child protective services finally steps in and takes her to her father and his new family. They are a normal family but the girl thinks they are overbearing. She starts taking mushrooms to cope and go the the land of fairies to see the fairy prince.
It is a story of learning to grow up, trust, overcome, love, and so much more. I did find it boring in many parts, slow, and very uninteresting in areas. Other areas I enjoyed and found very emotional. Overall an okay read but nothing I would consider reading again because I barely made it through once. 2.5 rounding up to 3 stars
She grew up with a drunk and drug abusive mother that took her out of school because she missed too much school and "homeschooled' her. The girl can't do any of the things other kids can do in school or out of. She has been very neglected mentally and physically. She lives in an imaginary world. Does she do it to cope or does she have a more serious mental disorder? Child protective services finally steps in and takes her to her father and his new family. They are a normal family but the girl thinks they are overbearing. She starts taking mushrooms to cope and go the the land of fairies to see the fairy prince.
It is a story of learning to grow up, trust, overcome, love, and so much more. I did find it boring in many parts, slow, and very uninteresting in areas. Other areas I enjoyed and found very emotional. Overall an okay read but nothing I would consider reading again because I barely made it through once. 2.5 rounding up to 3 stars
March 24, 2018
An interesting and confusing teen story about mental illness & Faeries. When I first read this book I gave it 4/5 stars but the more I thought about it- it was only a 3/5 star book for me. I read this book quickly and there's things that are just frustrating about this story. You can't tell what's real and what isn't. Are the fairies real or are they a coping mechanism or just part of Livy's mental illness? I would have liked things to be clearer for better understanding for the reader.
Livy is young when she starts seeing faeries. Her mother is abusive and an addict which causes Livy to be homeschooled. Finally the authorities step in and take her to live with her biological father and his wife. They have a "normal" family and don't know how to deal with Livy. They think her fairies are mental illness and consider having her committed. Livy decides she wants to try to fit into their mold but the fairies don't want to lose their hold on her. Are the faeries real or are they made up to help her through her abuse? Does she really have mental illness and how can she really know?
I won this digital book through a Goodreads giveaway. I have given a fair and honest review in exchange.
Livy is young when she starts seeing faeries. Her mother is abusive and an addict which causes Livy to be homeschooled. Finally the authorities step in and take her to live with her biological father and his wife. They have a "normal" family and don't know how to deal with Livy. They think her fairies are mental illness and consider having her committed. Livy decides she wants to try to fit into their mold but the fairies don't want to lose their hold on her. Are the faeries real or are they made up to help her through her abuse? Does she really have mental illness and how can she really know?
I won this digital book through a Goodreads giveaway. I have given a fair and honest review in exchange.
November 25, 2020
The phrase of "Be careful of what you wished for" came to mind when I read Fairy Ring and Livy didn't realized that until it was almost too late. Be cautious on what you wished because the out-come of it may be the opposite of what you want and she figured it out before her time ran out.
January 4, 2021
I won this book in a goodreads drawing.
A girl from an abusive background sees fairies, and begins to live in a fantasy world. Social workers come around and send her to a more normal family. She misses the fairies, and takes mushrooms to see them again. Is she mentally ill due to her childhood or some chemical imbalance? Nature or nurture?
A girl from an abusive background sees fairies, and begins to live in a fantasy world. Social workers come around and send her to a more normal family. She misses the fairies, and takes mushrooms to see them again. Is she mentally ill due to her childhood or some chemical imbalance? Nature or nurture?
February 20, 2018
I give the book 3.5/5 fairies.
I got this from ebooksforreview.com. I have read a few books from the same author and I have enjoyed her stories. So, when I saw this up for review, I signed up.
This story reminds me of superstitious stories here in my country about people being taken by supernatural creatures. Once that person eats the food served by these creatures, s/he will never be able to go back to the human world. In this story, personal effects or belongings of that said person brought to the world of the fairies will grant her the privilege of staying with them forever. No more pains and aches of this human world.
This story is about a fourteen-year old girl named Livy who had to grew up being responsible for her mother. Her mother is a drug addict which resulted to her father leaving them, taking along with him Livy's brother. Livy grew up having two fairies for best friends. Livy was more comfortable fighting imaginary monsters and going off into fantastic adventures with her two best friends. Until, Child Protective Services took her and decided that she live with her father.
This story tackles the borders between reality and the imagined. It mixes psychology and fantasy thereby blurring the lines separating the two. Like the two characters in this story--Livy and Kaito. These two teenagers seemed to be suffering from mental illness but to them there exist another reality. A world where Kaito is a prince and Livy is a princess, in a land where the human problems and worries do not exist. A place where these two could just be themselves. No one calls them weird or crazy.
What I really liked about the story is the emphasis on family and love. Whatever mental illness or psychological issue anyone is going through, love and care from the family helps a lot in making that person overcome it. In this story, Livy came to realize that the person she hated the most was actually the one who was fighting so hard for her--her stepmother. Realizing she is getting all the concern, care, and love from that one person she thought who never even cared because they were not related. With that knowledge, Livy found the strength to fight the monsters that exist in her head and decided she wants to live in the real world instead of the imagined one. Life in the real world is not easy but as long as she got her dad, her brother and her step-mother, she will be alright.
I think we all can relate to Livy and Kaito. At one point, especially when were younger, we have imaginary friends and a magical place we transport ourselves to when life confuses us and is not making any sense for our young minds. But escapism is like applying a band aid to a pestering wound. It never heals it. Unless we find the courage to face our problems and tackle them head on, that is the only time we can truly get rid of them.
I give the book 3.5/5 fairies. The story relates how it's so easy and comfortable to get lost into a fairy world just so we can escape from our problems. Like the Livy and Kaito, being in fairy land is much better because in the real world, they feel like outcasts and their problems were weighing them down with nobody to support them. Nobody cares about them. No one will miss them. And just like everything that ails in the world, friends and family make our burdens easier to bear. Just like the saying-- "a problem shared becomes lighter". When we share our worries, they do not really get solved but it makes us feel better knowing someone is there to hear us out. Sometimes, all we need is just a listening ear to boost our spirits. And like all psychological problems, unwavering support and love from the family helps a lot in giving someone suffering from these issues the motivation, strength and courage to face their demons.
Love so unconditional, it had never seemed real.
I feared the real world, because all this time it was the only thing that ever mattered to me. The only thing I wanted. Whatever my shard was, it couldn't be confined to one person or object, even symbolically. I wanted all of it.
- Jacque Stevens, Fairy Ring: Shards of Janderelle -
Thank you, Kathy of ebooksforreview.com for the copy.
I got this from ebooksforreview.com. I have read a few books from the same author and I have enjoyed her stories. So, when I saw this up for review, I signed up.
This story reminds me of superstitious stories here in my country about people being taken by supernatural creatures. Once that person eats the food served by these creatures, s/he will never be able to go back to the human world. In this story, personal effects or belongings of that said person brought to the world of the fairies will grant her the privilege of staying with them forever. No more pains and aches of this human world.
This story is about a fourteen-year old girl named Livy who had to grew up being responsible for her mother. Her mother is a drug addict which resulted to her father leaving them, taking along with him Livy's brother. Livy grew up having two fairies for best friends. Livy was more comfortable fighting imaginary monsters and going off into fantastic adventures with her two best friends. Until, Child Protective Services took her and decided that she live with her father.
This story tackles the borders between reality and the imagined. It mixes psychology and fantasy thereby blurring the lines separating the two. Like the two characters in this story--Livy and Kaito. These two teenagers seemed to be suffering from mental illness but to them there exist another reality. A world where Kaito is a prince and Livy is a princess, in a land where the human problems and worries do not exist. A place where these two could just be themselves. No one calls them weird or crazy.
What I really liked about the story is the emphasis on family and love. Whatever mental illness or psychological issue anyone is going through, love and care from the family helps a lot in making that person overcome it. In this story, Livy came to realize that the person she hated the most was actually the one who was fighting so hard for her--her stepmother. Realizing she is getting all the concern, care, and love from that one person she thought who never even cared because they were not related. With that knowledge, Livy found the strength to fight the monsters that exist in her head and decided she wants to live in the real world instead of the imagined one. Life in the real world is not easy but as long as she got her dad, her brother and her step-mother, she will be alright.
I think we all can relate to Livy and Kaito. At one point, especially when were younger, we have imaginary friends and a magical place we transport ourselves to when life confuses us and is not making any sense for our young minds. But escapism is like applying a band aid to a pestering wound. It never heals it. Unless we find the courage to face our problems and tackle them head on, that is the only time we can truly get rid of them.
I give the book 3.5/5 fairies. The story relates how it's so easy and comfortable to get lost into a fairy world just so we can escape from our problems. Like the Livy and Kaito, being in fairy land is much better because in the real world, they feel like outcasts and their problems were weighing them down with nobody to support them. Nobody cares about them. No one will miss them. And just like everything that ails in the world, friends and family make our burdens easier to bear. Just like the saying-- "a problem shared becomes lighter". When we share our worries, they do not really get solved but it makes us feel better knowing someone is there to hear us out. Sometimes, all we need is just a listening ear to boost our spirits. And like all psychological problems, unwavering support and love from the family helps a lot in giving someone suffering from these issues the motivation, strength and courage to face their demons.
Love so unconditional, it had never seemed real.
I feared the real world, because all this time it was the only thing that ever mattered to me. The only thing I wanted. Whatever my shard was, it couldn't be confined to one person or object, even symbolically. I wanted all of it.
- Jacque Stevens, Fairy Ring: Shards of Janderelle -
Thank you, Kathy of ebooksforreview.com for the copy.
December 12, 2017
Fairy Ring is a book about trust, mental illness, and family. It’s one girl’s struggle to discern between reality and fantasy, and to find her place within the two.
Despite seeming like a book of fairies and adventures, Fairy Ring tackles heavy issues. Livy is a fourteen year old girl taken away from her mother who is abusive and negligent. Yet, in spite of the conditions, Livy is angered that her only source of familiarity and comfort is replaced with a cold family who she believes doesn’t want her. Her only source of comfort is the fairies and the fantasy land of Jarendelle. Though there are moments when Livy does try to fit in, she still out rightly hates her new family. Her fear of being left out makes her resist her situation.
The line between fantasy and reality is blurred in this story; the author does not in any way tell us what is real and what isn’t. It is left up to us to decide that. Livy’s situation is a struggle that some can relate to. The need to escape into a fantasy world, even if it is deemed unhealthy for us, is more tempting than trying to live within the real world. This is the contrast between Livy and Kaito. We’re sort of looking at the outcome of two different choices.
Fairy Ring is a book that is fitting for both children and adults. I think adult readers will appreciate the simple tone Jacque Stevens takes on with Fairy Ring as she moves our character from hate to grief to acceptance to change. And younger readers may even relate to the loneliness Livy feels; in a way I believe following Livy on her journey can help those struggling analyze their own emotions.
I’d love to see this book be introduced in a group reading and listen to each person’s interpretation of the story as they discuss it. Fairy Ring is a book that I believe many should take the time to read.
I received an ARC at no cost from the author in exchange for an honest review. Follow me at Camillea Reads and on IG: biblio.khaleesi for more bookish adventures.
Despite seeming like a book of fairies and adventures, Fairy Ring tackles heavy issues. Livy is a fourteen year old girl taken away from her mother who is abusive and negligent. Yet, in spite of the conditions, Livy is angered that her only source of familiarity and comfort is replaced with a cold family who she believes doesn’t want her. Her only source of comfort is the fairies and the fantasy land of Jarendelle. Though there are moments when Livy does try to fit in, she still out rightly hates her new family. Her fear of being left out makes her resist her situation.
The line between fantasy and reality is blurred in this story; the author does not in any way tell us what is real and what isn’t. It is left up to us to decide that. Livy’s situation is a struggle that some can relate to. The need to escape into a fantasy world, even if it is deemed unhealthy for us, is more tempting than trying to live within the real world. This is the contrast between Livy and Kaito. We’re sort of looking at the outcome of two different choices.
Fairy Ring is a book that is fitting for both children and adults. I think adult readers will appreciate the simple tone Jacque Stevens takes on with Fairy Ring as she moves our character from hate to grief to acceptance to change. And younger readers may even relate to the loneliness Livy feels; in a way I believe following Livy on her journey can help those struggling analyze their own emotions.
I’d love to see this book be introduced in a group reading and listen to each person’s interpretation of the story as they discuss it. Fairy Ring is a book that I believe many should take the time to read.
I received an ARC at no cost from the author in exchange for an honest review. Follow me at Camillea Reads and on IG: biblio.khaleesi for more bookish adventures.
October 21, 2018
This story got me. I love a good psychological study and this one was one.
Livy was six when the fairies entered her world of arguing parents, offering a way to escape.
I was quite surprised when she was suddenly 14 and still away with the fairies. Especially as she was aware of her situation, the real world, aware that she had to take care of her mother and the bills.
I loved the fact that she was trying to get away from her illusions. It's not easy coming into an intact family with a father who still has his issues. He took her brother with him when he left but not her. It probably wasn't easy for him either as he was a user for a while after, before he stayed clean and got together with Renee.
It would have been easier for Livy to just hate her stepmother, rebel against all, refuse to go to school etc but she even wanted to do it without the fairies. Of course all beginnings are hard and old habits don't change easily, so the fairies took over again in great moments of stress (at the counsellor, in chemistry).
And then suddenly the story was changing, things were discovered and everything got more sinister. And you don't know anymore if the fairies are real or not.
A fantastic read, I haven't been so captivated in a story since ages. There isn't a huge amount of suspense but the brilliant change from schizophrenic to maybe truly real surprised me.
I am not sure how a younger reader would catch the whole fairy escape/personal development of the story. For me, it was a great psychological case study ... Or maybe a brilliant fantasy.
I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving a free copy.
Livy was six when the fairies entered her world of arguing parents, offering a way to escape.
I was quite surprised when she was suddenly 14 and still away with the fairies. Especially as she was aware of her situation, the real world, aware that she had to take care of her mother and the bills.
I loved the fact that she was trying to get away from her illusions. It's not easy coming into an intact family with a father who still has his issues. He took her brother with him when he left but not her. It probably wasn't easy for him either as he was a user for a while after, before he stayed clean and got together with Renee.
It would have been easier for Livy to just hate her stepmother, rebel against all, refuse to go to school etc but she even wanted to do it without the fairies. Of course all beginnings are hard and old habits don't change easily, so the fairies took over again in great moments of stress (at the counsellor, in chemistry).
And then suddenly the story was changing, things were discovered and everything got more sinister. And you don't know anymore if the fairies are real or not.
A fantastic read, I haven't been so captivated in a story since ages. There isn't a huge amount of suspense but the brilliant change from schizophrenic to maybe truly real surprised me.
I am not sure how a younger reader would catch the whole fairy escape/personal development of the story. For me, it was a great psychological case study ... Or maybe a brilliant fantasy.
I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving a free copy.
January 2, 2019
The line between fantasy and reality is often blurred for those suffering from mental illness. This book pulls the reader into that world through masterful plot twists which make the reader question what is real and what isn't in the content of the story. Livy made friends with fairies when she was 6 years old and dealing with her parents' divorce and her mother's subsequent drug addiction and parade of boyfriends. Left on her own, the fairies guide her through a rich world of adventures in which she never loses. As she grows older, the fairies remain and the 'imaginary friends' of childhood, which can be easily dismissed by adults, become pivotal in her mental illness diagnosis. She is pulled from the world as she knows it and placed into the world of her father and stepmother. Its a world of order, cleanliness and social acceptance; a world Livy has never known.
Going to school becomes a challenge and all her mishaps are blamed on the fairies, but they also have logical real world explanations. When what happens during her forays to Janderelle begins to carry into the 'real' world, Livy starts to look a little deeper into what is actually happening. A prince is a fellow mental ward patient, a hero dies in both worlds, an 'evil stepmother' becomes a captive in both a hospital and Janderelle. What is real and what isn't?
I enjoyed this book and while the confusion caused by the crossover of worlds was a bit disturbing for me, it seems that that was exactly what the author wanted: for the reader to feel the confusion that those suffering from mental illness feel in their everyday lives.
Going to school becomes a challenge and all her mishaps are blamed on the fairies, but they also have logical real world explanations. When what happens during her forays to Janderelle begins to carry into the 'real' world, Livy starts to look a little deeper into what is actually happening. A prince is a fellow mental ward patient, a hero dies in both worlds, an 'evil stepmother' becomes a captive in both a hospital and Janderelle. What is real and what isn't?
I enjoyed this book and while the confusion caused by the crossover of worlds was a bit disturbing for me, it seems that that was exactly what the author wanted: for the reader to feel the confusion that those suffering from mental illness feel in their everyday lives.
October 15, 2017
this is one amazing author. I have read several of her books and I have read every single one always loving them. She creates this amazing world in each of her books and it just pulls you in and you cant stop reading them.
This is a wonderful empathetic adventure, following the way Livy copes with her hard life. It's great to see how Livy grows up, learns to stand up for herself, and learns to see outside of herself to help others. There are some tough ideas (divorce, mental illness, suspicion of drug use) that are covered, but they are handled with care. Even though they are pretty weighty topics, I feel this is a great book for teens to be introduced to the idea that some of their peers might be struggling with some hard things in life.
This book is extremely well written, to the extent that the reader often wonders what is reality and what is fantasy and if the fantasy is really fantasy. It is also the type of book that makes you dwell on it long after it is finished. It highlights important issues and would be a great bookclub book for teenagers.
5 stars
August 13, 2019
Not quite what i imagined it to be . Not a fantasy book. Still well written about how a young girl copes with her life at home.
October 16, 2017
Imagine a world where you could escape to when life seems to be heading down a path that you do not enjoy. Livy at a young age is introduced to fairies and a fairy land that helped her especially when her parents divorced. Her mom decided to "homeschool" her but her mom also has a drinking and drug problem. Life seemed to be moving along until Child Protective Services arrives at their doorstep and removes Livy from her mom's and she has to move in with her dad and step mom. Livy is not fond of her stepmother and the parenting style at their house and often escapes to her fairy land or does she? One might question is this true magical realism or a mental breakdown!
Stevens did a fantastic job in world building. I could often imagine exactly what was happening and felt a lot of compassion for Livy. I was captivated from the beginning and could not wait to see how this story ended. This book does contain several trigger issues that are discussed throughout this book. Livy's life is turned upside down when her parents divorced but shortly after moving into her dads house things begin to change. Stevens does a great job with character development. Livy truly is a strong young lady who learns to stand up for herself and learns to overcome and love. Stevens creative writing certainly shows and I totally enjoyed reading Fairy Ring. This was my first time reading a book by Jacque Stevens and can't wait to read other books.
I did receive this book for an honest review.
Stevens did a fantastic job in world building. I could often imagine exactly what was happening and felt a lot of compassion for Livy. I was captivated from the beginning and could not wait to see how this story ended. This book does contain several trigger issues that are discussed throughout this book. Livy's life is turned upside down when her parents divorced but shortly after moving into her dads house things begin to change. Stevens does a great job with character development. Livy truly is a strong young lady who learns to stand up for herself and learns to overcome and love. Stevens creative writing certainly shows and I totally enjoyed reading Fairy Ring. This was my first time reading a book by Jacque Stevens and can't wait to read other books.
I did receive this book for an honest review.
October 12, 2017
When Livy is young, she starts interacting with fairies, which helps her deal with her parents. Later on, after her parents have divorced, her mother decides to pull Livy out of school to homeschool her. Sadly, her mother spends more time drunk than taking care of Livy. But Livy has her fairy friends for company. That is until Child Protective Services are called in and Livy is taken to her father’s home.
Her step-mother Renee worries about Livy and is afraid that she is on drugs like her mother and tries to shape her into an adult. Livy doesn’t want to have any of this and escapes to Fairy Land which makes others think she has mental problems. Is she really imaging all of this or is there some reality to this?
This was an interesting story. I felt bad for Livy, she has grown up in such a rough/horrible way. Her only escape is her fairy friends that keep playing with her when she is taken to her father’s new family. Although they care for Livy, she is having a hard time adjusting and keeps escaping to the Fairy Land. But is she really escaping or is she having serious mental problems?
It was hard reading about Livy at times, I felt so bad for her and hoped things would turn out for the best. I liked how everything came together at the end. This is a great story and one worth reading.
I received Fairy Ring: Shards of Janderelle from eBooks for Review for free. This has in no way influenced my opinion of this book.
Her step-mother Renee worries about Livy and is afraid that she is on drugs like her mother and tries to shape her into an adult. Livy doesn’t want to have any of this and escapes to Fairy Land which makes others think she has mental problems. Is she really imaging all of this or is there some reality to this?
This was an interesting story. I felt bad for Livy, she has grown up in such a rough/horrible way. Her only escape is her fairy friends that keep playing with her when she is taken to her father’s new family. Although they care for Livy, she is having a hard time adjusting and keeps escaping to the Fairy Land. But is she really escaping or is she having serious mental problems?
It was hard reading about Livy at times, I felt so bad for her and hoped things would turn out for the best. I liked how everything came together at the end. This is a great story and one worth reading.
I received Fairy Ring: Shards of Janderelle from eBooks for Review for free. This has in no way influenced my opinion of this book.
August 23, 2017
I was given this book before it was published in return for a review. The story involves all those tales about fairies and fairy rings. The story is about Livy who started talking and playing with the fairies at an early age. They were her outlet to her parents fights. We fast forward to Livy's teen years when she is removed from her mother's house and place with her father and his second wife and family. Stepmom Renee is very worried about her but tries hard to mold Livy into a respectable young woman. The only problem is that Livy doesn't want to be molded. Shes still playing with the fairies and this makes her behavior appear to others as mental problems (schizophrenia). And she's met someone in Fairy land--- a prince and the fairies begin to talk about bonding with the prince in order to fix the light in their world stolen by the trolls. It's an interesting tale. I wasn't sure as I started reading whether I'd like it. Fairies AND TROLLS? As I got further I enjoyed how it all came together and I always love happy endings!
February 19, 2018
I recieved this book via a goodreads giveaway.
Fairy Ring puts you through a ringer.
A mix of real world mental Illness and fantastic excapes that deal with trust and family.
Livy has seen the fairies since she was a little girl. They have been her only constant in life where her dad left and took her brother at age 7, and mom is a druggie mess who gas men in and out of her life.
But she was coping. Or so she thought.
CPS gets called and now her life is moving at a hundred miles an hour.
New town, new family, new school, a brother and father she doesnt recognise and the fairies are making everything so much harder.
So she excapes at night to Janderelle. The fairies place where she meets the prince Kaito and his guard Gabe. But life in Janderelle isnt all that great either.
Fairy Ring puts you through a ringer.
A mix of real world mental Illness and fantastic excapes that deal with trust and family.
Livy has seen the fairies since she was a little girl. They have been her only constant in life where her dad left and took her brother at age 7, and mom is a druggie mess who gas men in and out of her life.
But she was coping. Or so she thought.
CPS gets called and now her life is moving at a hundred miles an hour.
New town, new family, new school, a brother and father she doesnt recognise and the fairies are making everything so much harder.
So she excapes at night to Janderelle. The fairies place where she meets the prince Kaito and his guard Gabe. But life in Janderelle isnt all that great either.
September 26, 2017
This book discusses issues of self harm, drug and alcohol use and abuse.
I would say that this book is aimed at teenagers. It is a wonderful mix of fantasy and reality. Libby is torn between reality and a fantasy world.
This book is extremely well written, to the extent that the reader often wonders what is reality and what is fantasy and if the fantasy is really fantasy. It is also the type of book that makes you dwell on it long after it is finished. It highlights important issues and would be a great bookclub book for teenagers.
Thank you to ebooks for review for providing me with the opportunity to read and review this book.
I would say that this book is aimed at teenagers. It is a wonderful mix of fantasy and reality. Libby is torn between reality and a fantasy world.
This book is extremely well written, to the extent that the reader often wonders what is reality and what is fantasy and if the fantasy is really fantasy. It is also the type of book that makes you dwell on it long after it is finished. It highlights important issues and would be a great bookclub book for teenagers.
Thank you to ebooks for review for providing me with the opportunity to read and review this book.
October 11, 2017
FAIRY RING IS A GREAT BOOK FOR YOUNG ADULTS OR ADULTS. LIVY IS A 14 YEAR-OLD GIRL WHO HAD TO BE THE ADULT DUE TO HER MOMS DRINKING. HER PARENTS GOT A DIVORCE WHEN SHE WAS YOUNG AND SHE WAS WISHING SHE HAD FRIENDS. HER FAIRY GODMOTHER FAYE APPEARS ALONG WITH ANOTHER FAIRY NAMED PAN. THEY PLAY GAMES WITH HER AND ENTERTAIN HER FOR YEARS. WHEN CSU COMES AND TAKES HER AWAY AND HER DAD AND HIS NEW FAMILY TAKE HER IN SHE TRIES TO FIT INTO THE NORMAL TEEN MOLD. SHE IS WILLING TO TRY BUT THE FAIRIES DONT WANT HER TO BECAUSE THEY DONT WANT HER TO GROW UP AND LEAVE THEM. THIS IS A VERY ENTERTAINING BOOK.
March 15, 2018
Interesting story and characters. I thoroughly enjoy Jacque Steven's writing style. Revealing more of the fairy characters as the story progressed was well done and kept the reader engaged and vested. You can tell the author put her nursing experience to good use in developing the protagonist (Livy) as she's examined and cross-examined in the "real world." I get a little weary of the teenage outcast trope who faces nothing but bullying from peers, but the story was well written and engaging enough for me to still thoroughly enjoy. An excellent job. I look forward to reading book 2. I received this book as a promotional giveaway.
October 3, 2017
This was a good book. I think everyone has his or her own fantasy land. When things go wrong, most people have a desire to change and fix everything. When that’s not possible we can retreat within ourselves to create a new life – a fake life, something totally made up. We do this to make ourselves happy or to get through some really tough times. But, sometimes we have to realize that we can’t fix everything – but we can fix ourselves. Once we are better, that is when we can start helping others and really make a difference.
January 12, 2018
Found this book intriguing. The premise that fairies helped Livy to deal with her unfortunate home life, is very clever. The story was heartbreaking and yet heartwarming. I read this paperback and then passed it onto my granddaughter. She also loves the story. Looking forward to reading other books by this author. Recommend this book to fantasy lovers who love a solid story as well as a happy ending.
October 14, 2017
I received this book free with the intention to review, this didn't effect my opinion of the book.
This book kept me thinking the entire time, my mind never wandered from this book until I finished it! The characters seemed well thought and almost lifelike. Follow fifteen year old Livy as she struggles with reality, in search of a better reality. Which world will she choose her own or that of those she loves?
This book kept me thinking the entire time, my mind never wandered from this book until I finished it! The characters seemed well thought and almost lifelike. Follow fifteen year old Livy as she struggles with reality, in search of a better reality. Which world will she choose her own or that of those she loves?
March 29, 2018
Ok, this is just a a “quickie” review. Unfortunately, I’m in a hospital and asked my husband to post this since I don’t have the time or ability right now to do better - even though the book definitely deserves it.
Bottom line: five stars. This was one wonderfully fun novel and definitely recommended. It had just what I wanted and was well written and with a great plot and great cast of characters.
Bottom line: five stars. This was one wonderfully fun novel and definitely recommended. It had just what I wanted and was well written and with a great plot and great cast of characters.
August 9, 2017
Extremely interesting story about Livy who has fairies as friends when her parents divorce. When she's sent to live with her Dad and stepmother, the fairies go along. Bad things happen and they want to commit her. Deals with issues of mental illness and more. Totally different type of story.
November 26, 2017
A surprising mix of hard social issues intermingled with fantasy. The ending was a little confusing, like what happened to Grace and how things "really" played out with Kaito, but a good read. Looking forward to more from Jacque!
December 9, 2017
Not your typical fairy tale. Unique twists. A ride through the mind and coping mechanisims of a lost child.
May 5, 2018
3.5/5 stars
I received a free ebook review copy of this book but was under no obligation to post a positive review
Like most of the times, when I read a book by a new-to-me author I like going back for more. This is the case with Jacque Stevens.
Earlier this year I read Winter Falls: A Tale of the Snow Queen by Stevens, and fell in love with her ability to weave mental health stories into great fantasy settings. So when I heard about Fairy Ring I jumped at the chance to see if the magic could be repeated again.
Unfortunately, this time everything was there but it didn't captivate me as I wanted it to.
The story revolves around Livy, a teenager who has been abandoned by her father as a child and was left to live with her drug-addicted mother. Over the years Livy has had to deal with a lot of tough circumstances that life threw at her, including, but not limited to, being pulled out of school, having to fend for food, finding money to pay bills and so much more.
The only thing that helped her find some positivity in her life were the fairies that kept her company and played games with her.
Livy grew used to this life, so it is no surprise that we see her shocked and heartbroken when Child Protective Services take her from her mother and place her with her long-gone father and older brother; who have formed a new family with a new woman-Renee- and her child.
Here she isn't free to roam and rule her life on her own, all of her newfound family, with Renee at their helm, hover over her; this makes Livy's two realities collide with each other.
I really don't know I feel about the story. I found it hard to connect to any character and I never could understand if it was fully fantasy or not. This time I couldn't combine the fantasy aspects of Livy's reality with her real-world life. Maybe it was intentional and maybe the point of the story just passed over me. I wouldn't know, but I still enjoyed the writing style and kept reading in order to see if things would come clear at some time.
I would say that I think that the book is aimed more towards pre-teens and teenagers than it is for me. Maybe if I had read it when I was younger I would have liked it better. But either way, it was an important story to tell and I am glad I read it.
I would like to thank Kathy from ebooksforreview for providing me with a copy of the book to review.
I received a free ebook review copy of this book but was under no obligation to post a positive review
Like most of the times, when I read a book by a new-to-me author I like going back for more. This is the case with Jacque Stevens.
Earlier this year I read Winter Falls: A Tale of the Snow Queen by Stevens, and fell in love with her ability to weave mental health stories into great fantasy settings. So when I heard about Fairy Ring I jumped at the chance to see if the magic could be repeated again.
Unfortunately, this time everything was there but it didn't captivate me as I wanted it to.
The story revolves around Livy, a teenager who has been abandoned by her father as a child and was left to live with her drug-addicted mother. Over the years Livy has had to deal with a lot of tough circumstances that life threw at her, including, but not limited to, being pulled out of school, having to fend for food, finding money to pay bills and so much more.
The only thing that helped her find some positivity in her life were the fairies that kept her company and played games with her.
Livy grew used to this life, so it is no surprise that we see her shocked and heartbroken when Child Protective Services take her from her mother and place her with her long-gone father and older brother; who have formed a new family with a new woman-Renee- and her child.
Here she isn't free to roam and rule her life on her own, all of her newfound family, with Renee at their helm, hover over her; this makes Livy's two realities collide with each other.
I really don't know I feel about the story. I found it hard to connect to any character and I never could understand if it was fully fantasy or not. This time I couldn't combine the fantasy aspects of Livy's reality with her real-world life. Maybe it was intentional and maybe the point of the story just passed over me. I wouldn't know, but I still enjoyed the writing style and kept reading in order to see if things would come clear at some time.
I would say that I think that the book is aimed more towards pre-teens and teenagers than it is for me. Maybe if I had read it when I was younger I would have liked it better. But either way, it was an important story to tell and I am glad I read it.
I would like to thank Kathy from ebooksforreview for providing me with a copy of the book to review.
October 15, 2017
I received a free copy of this book for the purpose of providing an honest review.
I have mixed feelings about this book. I liked it, but I am unsure what to think at the same time. I will say that it is fairly well written and I can’t recall finding any typos, so that is a good thing since I’ve often found rather jarring typos in ebooks. The author seems fairly knowledgeable her topics of choice.
The story provides an interesting blend of fairyland and psychosis. It near immediately it becomes difficult to determine how much of what the main character sees is in her head and how much is not. Early on, you start to question how distorted her thoughts really are which made me curious to keep reading.
However, I think the amount of which is given away in just the synopsis might be where the problem lies. The majority of the story consists of the events that lead to her being committed to a psychiatric ward which happened in the last third of the book. It was also a little slow up until that part because we knew that was coming, which meant the climax of the book and the real meat and unknown adventure in the plot happened after she was there. Of course, learning what she goes through is an adventure that is supposed to build up to that point, but we already knew that everything she goes through will end up going wrong/badly because why else would she eventually be committed? And in knowing that, some of the things that happen end up feeling expected to the point which I felt, "Of course it did." That being said, I was still eager to find out how it all puzzled together, which is what kept me reading.
In the end, I was left with a bunch of questions still. Wondering how this or that made any kind of sense. I see on Amazon it's labeled as Book One. There's a chance I will read the second book to see if it clears up the questions I still have. But the fairy world was adequately detailed, and her adventures in school were relatable. Overall it had a uniquely creative plot which was still an interesting read, though I don't know that I'd read it a second time.
I have mixed feelings about this book. I liked it, but I am unsure what to think at the same time. I will say that it is fairly well written and I can’t recall finding any typos, so that is a good thing since I’ve often found rather jarring typos in ebooks. The author seems fairly knowledgeable her topics of choice.
The story provides an interesting blend of fairyland and psychosis. It near immediately it becomes difficult to determine how much of what the main character sees is in her head and how much is not. Early on, you start to question how distorted her thoughts really are which made me curious to keep reading.
However, I think the amount of which is given away in just the synopsis might be where the problem lies. The majority of the story consists of the events that lead to her being committed to a psychiatric ward which happened in the last third of the book. It was also a little slow up until that part because we knew that was coming, which meant the climax of the book and the real meat and unknown adventure in the plot happened after she was there. Of course, learning what she goes through is an adventure that is supposed to build up to that point, but we already knew that everything she goes through will end up going wrong/badly because why else would she eventually be committed? And in knowing that, some of the things that happen end up feeling expected to the point which I felt, "Of course it did." That being said, I was still eager to find out how it all puzzled together, which is what kept me reading.
In the end, I was left with a bunch of questions still. Wondering how this or that made any kind of sense. I see on Amazon it's labeled as Book One. There's a chance I will read the second book to see if it clears up the questions I still have. But the fairy world was adequately detailed, and her adventures in school were relatable. Overall it had a uniquely creative plot which was still an interesting read, though I don't know that I'd read it a second time.
March 24, 2018
I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway a few months back, but just got around to reading it. Going into it, I had read some of the reviews, so I knew that this book wasn't necessarily a fantasy. The fantasy elements are in the Fairy World created by the main character, Livy, as a means of escape and acceptance.
I struggled with this book as it seemed to drag along and then the ending was rushed. Another problem I had was that I didn't like any of the characters except maybe Kaito for a bit. Livy's fairy friends, Faye and Pan, who have been with her since she was seven are the epitome of a Disney fairy, and not to be trusted. Never trust a fairy! So, if they are a figment of Livy's imagination, it is she that can't be trusted and she who causes destruction and harm.
As stated before, the ending was rushed as well as unbelievable. Albeit, the story was about imagination and escapism, I don't necessarily feel that Livy suffered from mental illness. She was however in need of help and learning healthy coping mechanisms. I'm not going to go into many spoilers, but if Livy, was placed into the mental ward it is highly unlikely that she would be released within a couple days with no evaluation by psychiatric professionals.
I appreciate the free copy and I'm not necessarily saying that this is a bad book, it just wasn't for me.
I struggled with this book as it seemed to drag along and then the ending was rushed. Another problem I had was that I didn't like any of the characters except maybe Kaito for a bit. Livy's fairy friends, Faye and Pan, who have been with her since she was seven are the epitome of a Disney fairy, and not to be trusted. Never trust a fairy! So, if they are a figment of Livy's imagination, it is she that can't be trusted and she who causes destruction and harm.
As stated before, the ending was rushed as well as unbelievable. Albeit, the story was about imagination and escapism, I don't necessarily feel that Livy suffered from mental illness. She was however in need of help and learning healthy coping mechanisms. I'm not going to go into many spoilers, but if Livy, was placed into the mental ward it is highly unlikely that she would be released within a couple days with no evaluation by psychiatric professionals.
I appreciate the free copy and I'm not necessarily saying that this is a bad book, it just wasn't for me.
November 24, 2018
I received a free copy of this book from Hidden Gems in exchange for an unbiased review.
Fairy Ring is the story of a confused teenaged girl who is caught between an unpleasant real-world and a fairy land where she could be a hero.
This book and the story had a lot of potential, but it started very slowly and was kind of confusing, but maybe that was the point. It was difficult to discern what was real and what was imaginary, and even after reading the epilogue, it was still unclear. But again, perhaps that what the author intended. I liked that the story gave the backgrounds of the characters comes to better understand their decisions. It would have been nice to have more action throughout the book, not just the last 1/4. It took me several weeks to finish because it never kept my attention for more than a few minutes at a time and I struggled to keep picking it up again. But I muddled through and made it to the end. I liked the conclusion, but it does leave a lot of unanswered questions, which I don't like. But I think k it is a set up for a sequel.
Overall, a 2.5 rounded to 3. I doubt I would read any more if it becomes a series.
Fairy Ring is the story of a confused teenaged girl who is caught between an unpleasant real-world and a fairy land where she could be a hero.
This book and the story had a lot of potential, but it started very slowly and was kind of confusing, but maybe that was the point. It was difficult to discern what was real and what was imaginary, and even after reading the epilogue, it was still unclear. But again, perhaps that what the author intended. I liked that the story gave the backgrounds of the characters comes to better understand their decisions. It would have been nice to have more action throughout the book, not just the last 1/4. It took me several weeks to finish because it never kept my attention for more than a few minutes at a time and I struggled to keep picking it up again. But I muddled through and made it to the end. I liked the conclusion, but it does leave a lot of unanswered questions, which I don't like. But I think k it is a set up for a sequel.
Overall, a 2.5 rounded to 3. I doubt I would read any more if it becomes a series.
October 14, 2017
The cover makes you think it's written for ages 9-12, but the content is for older teens or adults. It has drug use, talk of bi-sexuality, cutting, and sexting. I couldn't tell throughout the book if the mc was schizophrenic or really saw fairies. I think I figured it out by the end, but I'm not 100% sure. The idea behind the story line is brilliant and well written. The content just wasn't for me. It was slow moving. It didn't pick up for me until half way through. I thought many times about not finishing it. It was confusing, but it makes you think about how things that happen in life are all according to perspective. Renee thought she was helping. Livy thought Renee was trying to mold her into something she wasn't. I think communication and honest sharing of feelings would have gone a long way. Not as good as her other books. I wouldn't read it again and wouldn't recommend it to others. I received this book in exchange for an honest review.
October 26, 2018
Livy is a young girl when she begins seeing fairies and their illusions. She escapes her hard life with her drug-addicted mother through games she plays with the fairies.
One day she’s caught by CPS and shipped off to live with her remarried sober father. The fairy games continue as she transitions from homeschooling to public school, becoming dangerous during a science class.
However, some of the details from the fairy world seem to leak into reality, versus he other way around. What is real? What is not?
It was just okay. I expected to really enjoy the book but didn’t. Livy is far too passive considering the upbringing she had at multiple points, the plot felt convoluted in a weird way at times, and the ending left something to be desired.
I received a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.
One day she’s caught by CPS and shipped off to live with her remarried sober father. The fairy games continue as she transitions from homeschooling to public school, becoming dangerous during a science class.
However, some of the details from the fairy world seem to leak into reality, versus he other way around. What is real? What is not?
It was just okay. I expected to really enjoy the book but didn’t. Livy is far too passive considering the upbringing she had at multiple points, the plot felt convoluted in a weird way at times, and the ending left something to be desired.
I received a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.
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