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Reviewed by Doreen Chombu for Readers' Favorite
Fairytale Apocalypse: The Verge Book 1 by Jacqueline Patricks is a dystopian fantasy that takes place in two worlds: the Verge, where magical beings reside, and the mundane world of mortals. The magic in the Verge is fading, which jeopardizes the balance between the two realms. Kagan, a Fae who has dedicated his life to protecting the Verge, faces a dilemma when Lauren, a sixteen-year-old girl from the mortal world, claims to have been sent to him to restore the magic. However, Lauren’s twin sister, Tessa, shows up and disrupts everything, triggering an apocalypse in both worlds. Six years later, the mundane world has devolved into a wasteland, filled with scavengers and lawlessness. Though six years have passed in this world, for Kagan, it has been just a day in the Verge. Arriving in the mortal realm, he uses his bond with Lauren to find her but loses her again, forcing him to work with Tessa to locate her once more. Complicating matters, Kagan suddenly experiences an overwhelming bloodlust for Tessa, which tests both his loyalty and sanity. Nevertheless, he remains determined to return to the Verge with Lauren and restore balance between the worlds. He begins to question whether he is strong enough to conquer his impulses and restore the magic of the Verge.
Fairytale Apocalypse is a unique story that combines magical, dystopian, and romantic themes. The emotional dynamics of this story will leave your head spinning. Kagan is a dedicated, dutiful character willing to follow any of the goddess Danu's instructions to safeguard the Verge. Meanwhile, Tessa will stop at nothing to protect her sister Lauren, who seeks love and aims to fulfill her destiny. Their determination and loyalty are put to the test as they navigate the trials before them. What I particularly appreciate about this story is its refusal to sugarcoat serious issues such as sexual assault, trauma, faith, and responsibility. Jacqueline Patricks addresses these themes with respect and sensitivity, adding emotional depth to the narrative. The side characters are intriguing, and their unpredictability makes the story tense and suspenseful. The story has scenes of betrayal, love triangles, scheming dark forces lurking in the background, and vindictive villains who will destroy anyone in their path. This is the first book in The Verge series, and I can’t wait to see what happens next. Overall, this is an excellent read—a must-have for anyone who enjoys stories that blend genres, offering a captivating mix of action, fantasy, and apocalyptic drama.