Fairyloot Adult #31: September 2024
Never before have I received my Fairyloot Adult so early in the month, not even ten days after I paid for it! It was clearly ready in their warehouse very early. Does this mean it will be a less developed edition than what we are used to? Of course not!
The theme for September was Power Struggles and promised a book of forgotten gods, myths, magic and political intrigue.
This featured book was The Gods Below by Andrea Stewart
Hakara is not willing to pay such a price. Desperate to protect herself, and her sister Rasha, she flees her homeland for the safety of a neighbouring kingdom. But tragedy strikes when they’re separated, and Hakara is forced to abandon Rasha to an unknown fate.
Yet when Hakara discovers she can channel the power of the magical gems, she’s invited to join a clandestine plot to destroy the God Pact. To win Hakara to their cause, the conspirators reveal a startling secret: Rasha is alive – and they can help rescue her.
But only if Hakara goes to war against a god.
I recognize author Andrea Stewart from the beloved The Bone Shard Daughter, which I haven’t read yet, but is on my TBR.
This first book in a new series also sounds interesting. Somehow it also reminds me of Daughter of Smoke & Bone by Laini Taylor, which I really enjoyed reading. Hopefully this one is just as good!
The dust jacket of this Fairyloot edition features the same illustration of fighting snakes as the standard edition, but of course with a Fairyloot colour treatment. Where the original exudes more darkness and keeps the snakes in a realistic colour, Fairyloot embraces the fantasy element of the magical gems, by giving it a jewel-like glow. Gorgeous, but I’m always partial to purple.
On the other side, we get an alternative cover with an illustration of what I suspect are the two sisters, done by @gracezhuart. I really like the style and the illustration, although I’m usually not a fan of distinct characters on the cover. So I’m glad they kept this one as an “alternative”. I also like that this illustration goes in a completely different direction with the colour palette.
Overall, I have to say that this illustration strengthens my association with Daughter of Smoke & Bone even more and increases my interest in the book.
Underneath the dust jacket, Fairyloot fully embraced the gemstone theme and I think it’s a really beautiful design. I swear the illustration actually glows. The illustration and accompanying silver foil design was created by @blanca.design, Fairyloot’s in-house artist, and she did an absolutely fantastic job!
The same theme was continued for the decoration of the book block, but by a different artist @alyesasworld. This illustration also brings all the elements together: the snakes, the jewels, the rich glow and colours. Beautiful!
The two endpapers were also illustrated, again by @gracezhuart. Seriously I can’t stop comparing it to Daughter of Smoke & Bone, even though none of these characters have blue hair, lol. I blame the male angel and the female with horns.
These illustrations are absolutely gorgeous by the way. I find the way they play with light in these drawings – but actually in this entire book design – breathtakingly beautiful. The way the sun shines through the wings or filters in between the leaves of the trees, wow. What talent.
The book also comes with a bound-in letter from the author with a digital signature.
Once again a superior edition by Fairyloot. They keep surpassing themselves! So I am very happy with this edition and this book, which I was interested in anyway. So super happy that I have a special edition of it! Hopefully this one will also live up to expectations in terms of content.
Cheers,
Charlotte
