What if a high-tech computer game opened a gateway to the treacherous Realm of Faerie?For fans of computer games and fairy tales alike – dive into the bestselling world of Feyland in these eleven stories from award-winning and bestselling authors. Ranging from the poignant to the gritty, the clever to the deeply thoughtful, these tales bring to life a near-future reality where immersive gaming … immersive gaming enfolds the player, and dangerous magic is only a pixel away…
Featuring clever Cat Sidhe, hardcore hackers, malicious fey, and heroes and heroines rising to the challenge, both in-game and out. The adventure begins now~
WOLF HUNT – Phaedra Weldon
THE BLACK RABBIT – Joseph Robert Lewis
TO CATCH A HOBGOBLIN – Eric Kent Edstrom
WHITE LILY – Harrison Kayne
GETTING GOOD – Brigid Collins
THROUGH THE TRAPDOOR – Marilyn Peake
THE GATES OF GOLD MOUNTAIN – Jon Frater
WORK BOOTS – Caroline A. Gill
THE FEY BARD – Roz Marshall
EMMA: A FEYLAND DRYAD – Deb Logan
THE BUG IN THE DARK COURT – Anthea Sharp
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Here’s a good way to tell of you’ve got a “sure thing” on an anthology: take the number of authors who you’ve read and consistently produced books you’ve loved; multiply that number by .99 then see if the total exceeds the price. Feyland Tales Volume 1 definitely passed that test for me, as I know any story by Anthea Sharp, Eric K. Edstrom, Roz Marshall or Marilyn Peake is bound to be excellent. I also love the setting of the Feyland stories, which to me are the perfect example of what’s now called LitRPG – and is ambrosia to me as a lifetime gamer (starting back when D&D was virtually all a gamer had) who married a gamer and now has two near adult gamer kids. I’ve read two of the novels in this collection already. The first was Anthea Sharp’s contribution, which seems only fair since she’s the inventor of Feyland. The Bug in the Dark Court is a great side story about what really happened when Tam’s brother Peter (aka Bug) was stolen by the faeries (though notwithstanding that description it actually works pretty well as a standalone). Well done, as with all her stories, this was a fun jaunt. The other one I’ve read (so far) is To Catch a Hobgoblin by Eric Kent Edstrom. It was superb. It is effectively a side story in the Feyland stories’ universe but works perfectly as a stand-alone for those who haven’t read the books. The leads here, Ashley (Ash) and Fasster are a great couple in the making and the story raises some neat ideas about how a player’s actual “real world” physical self is (or isn’t) impacted by what happens to that player’s in-game character. Perfectly written this is a wonderfully cool and fun read.
It would be best to read Feyland: The Complete Series first for a greater appreciation of the story’s world and to recognize some of the characters, including appearances by the Dark Queen, the Wild Hunt, Puck, Bard Thomes, and the Feyguard.
Wolf Hunt by Phaedra Weldon is a great story. An afternoon of fun gaming online turns dark and sinister as Taylor Nakamura enters Feyland and confronts the Wild Hunt. She manages to rescue a victim of the Dark Queen with the help of Puck and the Feyguard and gets a tender kiss as a reward, plus the satisfaction of completing her first quest.
The Black Rabbit – Joseph Robert Lewis starts with the King of the Cat Sith and Siobhan, a curious banshee, having a conversation. Jaclyn Rabbit, the White Mage, tells them something is wrong with the world and seeks asylum. Apparently from Kevin, a mortal, who soon joins them. The Wild Hunt scents Kevin and swoops in for the kill. What happens then is a miracle, magic, or technology beyond our knowledge. Siobhan has more than enough excitement for the day. A great story.
To Catch a Hobgoblin by Eric Kent Edstrom is about Fasster and Ashley pursuing a hobgoblin horse thief and finding more than they expect. They get more than they bargained for when they caught up with him. This was a sweet romance and an epic adventure finding support in each other as they fight hobgoblins and a dragon.
White Lily by Harrison Kayne is a story about Eve and Kyle, who are friends and partners in Feyland but have not met in the “real” world. Eve is invited to a dance by a mysterious fae who has dark designs on her. How he entices her and she is freed from his spell is a story of true friendship and courage.
Getting Good by Brigid Collins is the story of how Stelli partnered with her grandmother after being dumped by her friends to defeat the false Wild Hunt and get her life force back. Lots of excitement, but also a lesson learned that a game should be fun, not work.
Through the Trapdoor by Marilyn Peake follows the adventures of Zoe as she tries to rescue her friend Ella from Feyland. With the help of some hackers who coded a secret mod, she ventures into Feyland and with the help of the faerie Nissa and the hackers, rescues the life force of other teens who had been captured by the witch.
The Gates of Gold Mountain by Jon Frater tells of Sabine, a mortal, working with Jonny Wonderful to close the gates to and from Feyland and Cothram Forest. The Gold Mountain Gate is the last one. Darryl in her woodshop class is an enigma. They manage to finish their quest with some help from an unexpected source.
Work Boots by Caroline A. Gill is the story of an ex-soldier looking for a purpose in life. In Feyland, he gets help and advice from Puck and the Cheshire Cat. Back in the mortal world, he meets his fated mate; but they must leave. Why and how they arrive in Feyland and are allowed to stay is a beautiful, touching story.
The Fey Bard by Roz Marshall is how Andy looked for the Bard’s Challenge in Feyland but found romance waiting under his nose. A nice, romantic story.
Emma – A Feyland Dryad by Deb Logan is a wonderful story showing the promise of FullD immersion for people with handicaps. Emma is completely paralyzed until she enters Feyland, where she can walk, talk, run, and dance. A very short story that hopefully has sequels.
The Bug in the Dark Court by Anthea Sharp is a companion story to Feyland Book 3. It gives a glimpse of Bug’s kidnapping and subsequent adventures in the Dark Court from Bug’s point of view. Although he is uncomfortable with the Queen and her minions, he stays with Bard Thomas, and makes music with him, three faeries, and Furze, much to the annoyance of the Dark Court. He is scheduled to be sacrificed if the Feyguard can’t save him.