Shadow Play (Fey Creations, #4)

by A R Miller

[Terri M. LeBlanc]

When I read Disenchanted, the first book in the Fey Creations series, I was enchanted with the location (Iowa), Keely’s search for who/what she is and her love for caffeine (specifically coffee and Doctor Pepper). The first book had a straightforward murder mystery plus the secrets around Keely’s powers. The book was enjoyable and a quick read.

I finally decided to finish reading the books in the series that are currently available. I read them back-to-back. As I progressed through the story, I became more comfortable with the Norse mythology which provides the source for Fey Creations’ world. It was also helpful that Miller began to provide more context the foreign words I struggled with in book one and character backgrounds as the story moved along.

Unfortunately, The Fey Creations series is falling short for me after four books. While I adore the characters, multiple pop culture references and the need to mainline caffeine on a bad day, not much happened in books two, three and four. There is no overarching mystery or big baddie that brings the characters together. Three new possible baddies are introduced—one in each book—but their story goes nowhere and is brushed under the rug. Stasia Athory intrigued me the most (for reasons that could be considered a spoiler so I won’t share). But nothing happened. Keely makes so little progress with her powers, finding Vereinen and discovering her true purpose that by the end of book four I was astonished I had actually read three distinct books.

Does this mean that I’ll stop reading the Fey Creations series? Well, I still enjoy the characters and the books are quick enjoyable reads—bubble gum books. But I’m certain my enjoyment of the series will not last much longer if there is no forward momentum with Keely’s powers or more conflict to progress each book forward.
This review was originally posted on Second Run Reviews