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Fae and Crystal Thorns #1

Flame and Crystal Thorns

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She vowed she’d never return to Faerie…
But vows were made to be broken.

As a human girl, Chloe is perfectly happy being back in the mortal realm where she belongs. She's even become the town apothecary. When a fae from her past shows up begging her to return to Faerie, she utterly refuses.

But then she finds out an angry group of mortals are using iron to hold an entire castle full of fae hostage. And of course, the hostages include Chloe's older sister and her sister's beloved.

Reluctantly, Chloe packs a bag for what is supposed to be a short trip to Faerie.

But the mortals are more powerful than she expected. To fuel them, they have weapons, flames, and revenge. They won't stop until they control every court in Faerie.

With the help of a new and mysterious magic and a too-handsome-for-his-own-good fae companion, Chloe has to save Faerie before her sister and the other fae are killed.

350 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 3, 2022

223 people are currently reading
5819 people want to read

About the author

Kay L. Moody

35 books861 followers
Kay L. Moody is the YA fantasy author of COURT OF BITTER THORN and THE ELEMENTS OF THE CROWN. Her books feature rich world building, slow burn romance, mythical creatures, and twisty plots.

As a lover of strong female characters, books, and the color pink, she enjoys diving into magical worlds where characters can overcome even their darkest struggles. She lives in the western United States with her husband and four sons. Connect with Kay directly when you follow her on social media @kaylmoody

Visit her website to learn more.
www.KayLMoody.com

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 275 reviews
Profile Image for Maeghan 🦋 HIATUS on & off.
549 reviews513 followers
January 22, 2024
Started on a strong note - it grabbed my attention and I thought it’d have a higher rating. But then I completely lost interest… some things were just so convenient

We follow a human girl Chloe whose more of a lover than a fighter (which is a change from what I usually read) and an apothecary in the mortal world. Quintus (a fae man) comes along in the first few chapters and tells her that the fae realm needs her (she previously lived there with her family) because the humans in Faerie gathered iron and are using it to take control over the realm (Chloe has a sister there).
We then learn that Quintus and her had a thing in faerie - and that he got her to participate in a war - where she fainted. I thought we’d get more about that but halfway through the book I looked online and that’s when I learned that this is a fantasy series within a fantasy series- but can be read without reading anything prior. That being said - I probably would’ve enjoyed this more if I had read the other series

I’m honestly very bummed out 😅. I’ve always known that I was picky on YA reads but I’m starting to think that maybe they’re not for me at all anymore
Profile Image for Helena (helenareadsxx).
219 reviews228 followers
April 28, 2022
I received an ARC of Flame and Crystal Thorns from Kay L Moody in exchange for an honest review. I am not the biggest lover of most Fantasy books and am picky in my selection but I really enjoyed this book. The cliffhanger was great, and the relationship between Chloe and Quintus was really well executed. I can't wait to read the rest of this series. Flame and Crystal Thorns is available on May 10th, please do go pick up a copy, it is well worth it!
Profile Image for Julie - One Book More.
1,314 reviews231 followers
May 2, 2022
Flame and Crystal Thorns is a suspenseful, and entertaining YA fantasy filled with danger, intrigue, and an epic enemies-to-lovers romance! This series is a spin-off of Moody’s The Fae of Bitter Thorn series, though you don’t have to read the original books to understand this one. The story follows Chloe, a young woman perfectly happy to never return to Faerie again after the dangerous, frightening, and life-threatening events of the past, not to mention the betrayal of someone unexpected. However, Chloe learns that a group of mortals threatens her sister and the other fae, and she may be the only one who can save them. With a frustrating and annoyingly handsome fae from her past, Chloe returns to Faerie intent on saving her sister and the others and finding a cure for an unusual illness plaguing the humans in her town.

Every time Kay L. Moody comes out with a new book, I do a little happy dance. I love her writing, which immerses you so easily into the story. Moody is such a great storyteller! The worlds this author creates are vivid and unique, the characters are brilliant, and the author’s writing style really captivates me. I started reading Moody’s YA fantasies in 2020 and have been hooked ever since.

Chloe’s such a fantastic character! A skilled apothecary, Chloe always puts others’ needs before her own. She is so selfless and caring, and her love of reading and learning is very relatable. I also love that, like Moody’s other protagonists, Chloe is not without her faults, yet she owns them, faces them, and grows. She learns a lot about herself as she fights to help others, and her journey, both physical and emotional, is compelling.

“Why did she want to strangle him and kiss him all at the same time?”

And the relationship between Chloe and Quintus is AMAZING! Quintus is more mysterious than Chloe, and he isn’t as open as Chloe. His actions, on the other hand, often show exactly how he’s feeling. He and Chloe have so much chemistry, and their banter is soooo good! The way they snip and gripe and antagonize each other but are still so drawn to each other – ugh, I just love it. It’s like they don’t want to have feelings for each other, but they do. It makes for a lot of angst and tension between the two, and I’m eager to see how their slow-burning romance plays out.

The intrigue, action, excitement, and morally gray secondary characters are other elements of the story that stood out for me. This is the type of story that you lose yourself in to the point that you stay up until the early hours of the morning reading the book in its entirety and wake up the next day with no regrets. And by you, I mean me. lol I mean, I wasn’t happy the next morning when my kids got up extra early, but it was totally worth it!! And the ending!!! After that cliffhanger, I can’t wait to find out what happens next! Special thanks to Kay L. Moody for providing me with a copy of the book. All thoughts are my own.
Profile Image for Kirsty Hendry.
58 reviews80 followers
September 30, 2022
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I've read and loved all of the books in the original series The Fae of Bitter Thorn, so I was really excited to read this and it did not disappoint.

Cant wait to read the next installment and see what Kay has in store for Chloe and Quintus!
Profile Image for Cheyenne Mcdonald.
644 reviews33 followers
April 7, 2022
I stayed up all night reading this book because I could not put it down.

Flame and Crystal Thorns is everything I had hoped it would be. Romance, fantasy, bravery, and cleverness all rolled up into a fantastic story. The ending will make you want for more! Kay L. Moody truly never disappoints. I seriously can’t wait to see where she takes this story. The new love interest has me swooning!

If you haven’t already, I highly suggest reading “The Fae of Bitter Thorn” series. Flame and Crystal Thorn is a spin off from this series, so it’ll help you understand the characters and this Fae world even more!
Profile Image for Chasing Silhouettes.
210 reviews26 followers
May 18, 2025
Chloe was in the mortal world now, having turned her back on Faerie. She was an apothecary, and there was a sickness spreading amongst her fellow mortals. But she was out of one fae ingredient to make the remedying poultice, and a substitute ingredient was scarce in winter. A fae from the past, Quintus, comes unannounced, asking for her help to save Faerie, but she does not want to return to that realm... Except she isn't given a choice. Now, to get back to the mortal realm to save her family and people, she has to help the fae. To do so and to survive, she'll need to get over her fears.

This was a quick read, but after finishing it, I was left with mixed feelings. There were elements that grasped my attention, but also parts where I felt a little confused or as if there were detail gaps. There wasn't really a strong romance or burn or falling hard, at least not within this book. The story had potential, but I still feel a little detached toward it. It, of course, is open-ended and continues into the next book. Not sure this series is for me, though, so my journey with Chloe and Quintus will likely end here.

Copy courtesy or BookSirens. Voluntary Review.
Profile Image for Sara Lawson.
654 reviews58 followers
April 7, 2022
I thought I loved Elora, but Chloe is perfection! I don't know how Kay Moody does it, but her books get better and better as she creates new scenarios for her characters to extricate themselves from.

Chloe never wanted to return to Faerie. Her sister and brother-in-law could visit her as much as they wanted to, but she was content to stay in the mortal world where she was known for her skills as an apothecary. Besides, Faerie was dangerous. It was her sister who was good at fighting and protecting others. Chloe froze when it was time to act. Best to play it safe. So when the fae she hated most in both worlds came to ask her for help in saving Faerie, there was nothing to consider. Her sister was clearly the best person for the job. Until she wasn't.

Filled with rapid speed twists and turns, unexpected consequences, smart-mouth humans and fae, and all the trickery we have come to expect in Faerie, Chloe, who has always put others before herself, must decide what matters most, who she can save, and if she will survive any of it. It's a thrilling adventure!

I received an ARC from the author and have reviewed it willingly because it was exceptional. And as always with Kay's books, I lost a bit of sleep because I simply needed to know what happened next!
Profile Image for Kay Moody.
Author 35 books861 followers
Read
May 23, 2022
I wanted to pop in and let everyone know, the eBook version of Flame and Crystal Thorns is currently on sale for only 99 cents! The sale ends in a few days, so grab it soon. I hope you enjoy it! 🙂
Profile Image for Ayla Eddy.
148 reviews5 followers
May 11, 2022
Chloe has returned to the mortal world and sworn to stay away from Faerie. It has been a number of years since she left it behind, however she still uses protection against them. She full well knows the dangers of the Fae. With a stolen book she became the town apothecary to occupy her time until a face from her past shows up. Quintus, a Fae, has come to the mortal world to bring Chloe back to Faerie. He is adamant that she is the only one who can save his world. A mortal that is familiar with their ways. Humans are attacking with iron and her sister is in danger. Can she save her sister and the whole of Faerie?

A new story to dive into that sends the reader into the realm of the Fae. Unlike other stories it reveals that children born of mortal and fae are born as either full fae or full human. It was an interesting difference that I enjoyed while reading this story. I also enjoyed our main character’s attitude about wanting to remain in the mortal world with her own kind. The complex desire to be in a magical world yet knowing you don’t belong there is admirable in Chloe.

I am fully invested in this cast of characters and cannot wait to continue the series.
Profile Image for Zara.
289 reviews
April 7, 2022
I've read the Fae of Bitter Thorn series already, and Kay L Moody brought me right back to the world of Faerie with this book. Her writing is great for people who read a chapter at a time and then come back to the story later on - even though that's not really my reading style, I loved the action and plot. Also, I am thrilled that the book-reading, everyone-healing younger sister of the previous series' main character gets her own story! Can't wait for the second book in the series to come out!
Profile Image for Rachel Emily.
4,436 reviews379 followers
May 11, 2022
“Food should always come first, except *maybe* when it’s up against books.”

Ok y’all. I loved Chloe so much. She’s a bit of a mess, she’s headstrong, can hold her own against the Fae, and I really enjoyed reading about her.

Chloe lives in the human world but is very familiar with the Fae. She doesn’t want to go back, but finds that she must when Quintus re-appears in her life. Humans are getting sick in her world and the fae are in trouble in his, so she must go back to help save both. So going into this, I didn’t know that this was a spin-off from a previous series, but for the most part it was very easy to jump in and get to reading.

I’m a big fan of yearning and when an author can write a single POV and we still can tell that the other character has feels and is yearning? Yahtzee! Chloe and Quintus had a great connection, lots of spark to their dialogue and interactions, and I’m so hooked and invested in them as a couple.

One thing I love about fae fantasy are the nuances to spoken language and how things are interpreted - what is a favor, a promise, a vow, how the fae can't lie, and so on. I think the author did a great job with this. I loved Chloe and Quintus getting reacquainted with each other and having to work together. I love all the subtleties to how Quintus might actually be feeling.

The last 50 pages were a rollercoaster ride and I don't want to give anything away, so I will just say - I NEED book two lol and I can't wait to read more!

Thank you to MTMC Tours and the author for sending me a copy to read and review and post for. All thoughts are my own.
Profile Image for Brinley.
1,218 reviews74 followers
May 13, 2022
I'm so sad, I didn't love this one. I've been seeing Moody's books everywhere, and I've been desperate to pick one up. Although I liked parts of this one, it had some serious flaws as a whole.

One of the huge flaws was my fault though. I haven't read any of Moody's other books. So I was missing all of the history and info regarding Elora. I spent most of the book confused, and although I caught up eventually, it still hindered the experience.

Other than that, there really weren't any "issues". I didn't love the romance, but it had some swoonworthy moments. I didn't love the characters, but they could be endearing. It wasn't my type of book, but I'll definitely be picking up Moody's other books.
Profile Image for Ashley Clark.
732 reviews18 followers
January 1, 2023
I really enjoyed this book. This is my first book by Kay I will definitely be reading more. If you love books with Fae and humans then you will love this book. The characters are great. The setting is also great. The book and the characters are also in her other series A Court of Bitter Thorn. Chloe is in the human realm being an Apothecary in her town. Quintus comes to the human realm to take Chloe with him back to Faerie. They are in trouble and need her a human to help them. Her sister is trapped there by other humans. They are trying to take over Faerie. Chloe and Quintus travel to Faerie. They Encounter lots of obstacles along the way. Will Chloe and Quintus save Faerie? Read the book to find out.
Profile Image for Jaime.
132 reviews2 followers
March 29, 2024
As an apothecary, Chloe knows she's helping and doing good for her village, but an old friend comes from a faerie realm to tell her that her sister and brother-in-law and their entire court are trapped in their palace by vengeful mortals burning flames of iron, and they cannot escape. Though she vowed never to return, Chloe finds herself roped into returning to faerie so she can save her village from a dangerous disease.

I found Chloe an enjoyable protagonist to follow. I liked the slow-burn romance that takes place between her and Quintus, and I enjoyed the glimpses we were treated to of the land of Faerie and the idea of a mortal being able to inherit magic.

I felt the mortals as antagonists were maybe not quite as believable as I would have liked them to be. They all seem easily manipulated and led by two people that are blatantly evil, and when this gets pointed out, they just sort of shrug and keep going along with the evil plans without question. I would enjoy knowing what's going to happen next in this series, and I think I would really like to read the Bitter Thorn series that led up to this, so I probably will check out the previous and subsequent books, and recommend the series to my friend who loves fantasy and especially fae romances, like me. Thank you to Marten Press, Kay Moody, and BookSirens for the free advanced copy. This is a voluntary review and all opinions expressed are my own.
Profile Image for Malischa Nijenhuis.
1,207 reviews31 followers
April 12, 2022
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

i really enjoyed this book. and im in need of a physical book copy. its not my first read of kay l moody ive read other books including the fae of bitter thorn series and The Elements of Kamdaria series. if you love fae and human you should read fea of bitter thorn series but also fae and crystal thorns!!
here in this book are some characters of fae of bitter thorn series you see back in this book. you follow Chloe and Quintus on there adventure.

But will Chloe and Quintus save fearie? you should all read it :P
Profile Image for Angel Lederhause.
480 reviews35 followers
May 10, 2022
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. This is a spin off from court of bitter thorn. it follows Elora's sister Chloe. I love this world of Faerie. There's adventure and hope and a whole lot of something. I truly can't wait to dive into book 2 to see what happens.
Profile Image for Andrea Morgan -Bookaholic Sisters blog.
447 reviews32 followers
March 27, 2022
Flame and crystal thorns captures the readers imagination right from the start in an exciting and at times heart stopping story full of mesmerising magic, death and destruction and a romance to make you swoon.

Kay L Moody's writing flows beautifully across the pages and the world building and character development is fantastic, seeing how chloe's strength bloomed from the beginning to how it ends was fantastic..... talking of end, what is that ending 😱

I loved everything about this book and I'm so excited to see how the story progresses, if your a lover of epic fantasy romance then this is a definite must read.💜
Profile Image for Emmie King.
58 reviews3 followers
May 10, 2022
If you’re looking for an adventurous read filled with sparks and magic this book is for you!!!

This book was amazing just like every other Kay L Moody book I’ve read. It was everything I’d hoped for and more.

The lessons Chloe learns throughout the book are relatable and realistic. I’ve always been amazed at Moody’s ability to create worlds that seem so real, and this book is no different. I connected with Chloe just as much as I connected with Elora in the Fae of Bitter Thorn series.
Profile Image for Valia Lind.
Author 65 books449 followers
July 26, 2022
I adore this book! Take a trip back to Faery in this fantasy adventure! I loved the characters, the setting, the romance! Ah, I'm so in love. I can't wait for the next book!
Profile Image for Annette.
3,787 reviews176 followers
May 19, 2022
The Fae and I have a love-hate relationship. It's hard to explain why. In a way they are intriguing, interesting, the kind of anti-heroes I like. They're charming, but selfish. They're intelligent, but always have a trick ready. They're the heroes in their own stories, and the villains in so many others. But, I never really had the kinda connection with them I have with for example vampires. However, this story sounded nice and when I saw it available on BookSirens I decided to give it a go!

And let me start this review with stating that I love the heroine in this series! Don't get me wrong, I know that we need ladies capable of fighting with swords and pistols and fists, but not all strong heroines need to be fighters. This heroine clearly wasn't one. However, she was brave, she was willing to do what's best for others and she had a good head on her shoulders which she used to compensate for her lack of fighting skills.

I also really loved our heroine's personal journey from the person she used to be to the person she could be. In a way she reminds me a lot of myself. I always feel guilty I didn't do enough, am not a good friend, are not as selfless as I should be. I'm slowly trying to learn the lesson our heroine does learn during this story, but I still have a long way to go. And so has our heroine. I therefore can't wait to meet the person she'll become in the next books in the series.

I have to admit that the plot was a little less my thing. Mostly because I felt like something was missing and it's hard to put into words what. Although I was never bored and never doubting continuing this book, I also think that apart from the personal journey of our heroine nothing much has happened. And normally I don't mind that, but in this case I would have loved the main plot to be a little more present and a little more complicated.

However, I will for sure also pick up the next book! (And maybe even the previous series set in this world!)
Profile Image for Demi.
371 reviews27 followers
May 2, 2022
This was such a fun read!
I loved Chloe's character. She's relatable, and just felt so real. I always enjoyed Chloe's character in the Fae of Bitter Thorn series, so I couldn't wait to read a book where she is the main character.
Chloe's not the usual brave and fearless heroine, that can pick up a sword and protect herself. She's terrible in a fight, and freezes up without a second thought, but all that being said, she's smart and witty, and can do just about anything, as long as it doesn't involve any physical altercations.
I love the world of Faerie that Kay creates, there's just so much depth to it, and there's always little surprises around the corner. It's unpredictable, and it makes it even more exciting to read.
I'm excited for this series. I can't wait for more of Chloe in the next book to come!


Thank you Book Sirens, and Kay L Moody for allowing me to read this as an ARC. This is my honest review.
Profile Image for Desiree.
251 reviews19 followers
June 2, 2022
Chloe has acclimated back into the human world after being in Fairy for a while. She is the village apothecary and does her utmost to heal all who are injured or sick. When some of the villagers come down with an illness that she can't cure without using Fairy elements, she becomes very concerned. Then a Fae from her past, Quintus, shows up asking for her help to save other Fae from humans who are poisoning Fairy with iron. They quickly figure out that the illness in the village is connected to the poisoning of Fairy. Can they work together to save Fairy and thus the villagers in time?

I enjoy this author's books because they write Fae characters well. I haven't read the series that this spins off from, but I will. Chloe seemed a little on the frail side of being able to deal with conflict. I appreciated reading about how she deals with it and finding out why she responds in the way she does. I look forward to finding out more in the next books!
Profile Image for Erica Fish.
992 reviews2 followers
May 25, 2022
This is a Young Adult genre story, This is not my first story from this author. I love reading her works because of her story-telling abilities. She has the uncanny way of grabbing me from the first page until the last word of the book. Her characters are fully developed and complex in nature. This book is no different. In this book, Chloe loves being in the mortal world and not so much in the Fae world. She is a healer and likes the normal pace of the world. Unlike her sister, who loves adventure and the Fae world. Chloe has found out that there is humans holding her sister and other Fae by iron to hold the Fae world hostage. Will Chloe go and help her sister and the other Fae? Will she accept this adventure? I highly recommend this book to seek out the answer to these questions and more.
Profile Image for Jules Herbert.
620 reviews10 followers
May 30, 2022
Wow just Wow!! This is the first book I have read by this amazingly talented author and I know it most definitely won't be my last! I was totally hooked from the very start by the creatively written storyline, the wonderful characters and the imagery it all came together to create in my mind. I personally can't wait to read more in this series but also from this author. To have finally found a series I can share with my daughters is a fantastic feeling and I know they are going to love it as much as I do. The best thing I can do for you is say run don't walk and grab a copy of this book now! Get to reading all about Chloe and Quintus because you will not regret a single moment!!
Profile Image for Marie  Reed.
Author 5 books79 followers
April 23, 2022
This was darker than I expected with Chloe as the lead. I had no idea how they were going to complete their goals in just one book (or at least the most time-sensitive one--even though time doesn't exist) and it kept me up until I finished the whole book.

And those last couple chapters!! I don't have words.

I wish I could pick up the next book now, but unfortunately it still lives in Kay's head. Thankfully I do have a whole series of hers I haven't read yet, so I have something to hold me over.
Profile Image for Rachel Moss.
582 reviews7 followers
May 20, 2022
This was a great read! I know there was another series before this one, and I do feel like I would understand Faerie and the characters a little bit more if I had of read if first, however I didn't feel like I missed much in regards to past events with this novel. The writing was phenomenal, and the story telling was magnificent. I was so easily pulled into this story and finished it fairly quickly. I could imagine everything in this book and felt like I was really there. I absolutely loved this book and can't wait for the next installment!
Profile Image for Sarah | Retro Girl Reads.
1,611 reviews92 followers
November 24, 2023
I thought that “Flame and Crystal Thorns,” the first book in Kay L. Moody’s Fae and Crystal Thorns series, was a really amazing way to start a new series! The world building was wonderful, and I loved how unique Moody’s version of a Fae land, aka Faerie, was. I was really intrigued by Chloe, the heroine, because she was clever and resourceful and kindhearted. I also really wanted to know more about Quintus, her Fae traveling companion. I thought that the concept of a Fae land that had been taken over by mortals was incredibly interesting, as well. I will definitely be continuing this series!
Profile Image for Katie Buckingham.
639 reviews7 followers
April 30, 2022
Fun new spin off to the Bitter Thorn series! This one focuses on Chloe, Elora's sister that still lives in the mortal realm. She is not a fighter and does not want to be in fairie. Quintus says only Chloe can save fairie but that can't be true. Of course Chloe is selfless and must try to save her sister since that is what she thinks is right. She will face mortal humans who are trying to kill all Fae. Will she find her fighting spirit? This is totally a PG YA book. Great for younger readers who still like a light romance and action scenes!
Profile Image for Debbie Eyre.
5,842 reviews115 followers
May 10, 2022
This new spin off series is absolutely amazing. The storyline hooks you from the get go and the world building finishes you off and does not let go. Chloe is our heroine and is smart and strong and never wanted to go back to Faerie but we all know best laid plans and all that. Fae are in danger including Chloe’s sister so back into danger she goes with a little help. With twists and turns and surprises galore, new magic and a hot handsome fae, this is turning out to be one heck of an adventure and I cannot wait to see where it goes next.
Profile Image for Britt.
503 reviews84 followers
May 14, 2022
I quite enjoyed this read.
It’s a slow burn, like almost no romance until the end but the story and fun characters make up for that. As someone who mostly reads romance, I didn’t even mind that this is heavier on the fantasy side.

Chloe is a human living in the mortal realm but when a handsome fae shows up from her past saying she is needed to save Faerie, she must return there to save her sister and the realm from destruction.

I don’t want to give anything away but I highly recommend this book if you are looking for a fantasy adventure with fun characters and good-looking fae with unique abilities. It is the first book in a series and I’m anxiously awaiting the next book!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 275 reviews

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