Audio #Review: The Ancient Fae by Terry Spear - 5 Wine Glasses

Title: The Ancient Fae 
Series: The World of Fae #4
Author: Terry Spear 
Format: Unabridged Audiobook (Paperback, 196 pages)
Published: December 10th 2011
ISBN: 1470097419
Narrated by: Jeanne Whitehouse
Length: 5 hrs and 23 mins 
Links: Goodreads | Amazon | Kindle | Audible | B&N | Nook
Source: Author
Reviewer: Linda
Rating: 5/5

Princess Ritasia misses the adventure of getting her brother and cousins out of trouble, but when the hawk fae king arrives to court her, she becomes involved in trouble nothing like she's ever faced before.

The hawk fae king, Tiernan, must find a bride, but being a tyrant king, or so his people believe, he must find a woman who would help him to change his people's view of how he and his queen shall rule.

Princess Ritasia isn't anything like what he'd envision his queen would be like. Rough and tumble, unafraid of danger, and speaking her mind, the lady might just be the one for him.

The princess believes the king is a tyrant, at least at times. But she discovers he's not all that he seems, and she wants to learn even more.

The problem is that Ritasia stumbles across an ancient queen's magical artifact and nothing will ever be the same between her people, his, and what is dug up at the ancient fae dig site.

Linda's Thoughts:
King Tiernan scowled at the mess his father had gotten him into...all because the heartless man had to die. Hawk fae kings were to immediately marry as soon as they were seated on the throne and a suitable bride could be found...

Legend had it that the queen always met an early death - ordered by the king himself, although it was said that a secret order of assassins was given the task. Why? Because two sons or a son and a daughter could fight over ruling the kingdom. Civil war could ensue. So best to ensure the queen only had one offspring. And then, she no longer was needed.

THE ANCIENT FAE by Terry Spear is simply PERFECTLY FEISTY WHIMSICAL FUN!  This highly entertaining read is the fourth installment in Terry's World of Fae series. All of the books in this series can be read as standalones containing interconnected characters.  However, I highly recommend enjoying all the books in this series as they are all fantastic!  I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this series and THE ANCIENT FAE is the best yet!   

Princess Ritasia, our heroine, is a returning favorite character. I'm so glad she got her own book! In prior installments, she's had her hands full keeping her brother and cousins out of trouble, covering for them or sometimes even partaking in their mischievousness. 

Tiernan, the hawk fae tyrant king and our hero, is a new character. He needs a queen.  The hawk fae are mysterious and not well known which is a good thing as Tiernan seeks a bride ... as legend has it that the queen is always short-lived. 

Regardless, Ritasia isn't interested in settling down with anyone, so Tiernan has an uphill battle before him to get to know her and to convince her to leave her family to become his queen. I enjoyed seeing Tiernan's protective side unearthed as he sought to protect her from not only the villains, but also her family.  Their budding romance was sweet and tumultuous.

Following please find a couple of my favorite quotes:

"She is beautiful, soft hair nearly midnight in color, large eyes nearly as dark, and ivory skin like the petals of the lily, and she wore a fragrance of jasmine. But 'tis her willfulness that I enjoyed the most. And her resourcefulness."
---

"Do not call me foolish when you know nothing of the circumstances, King Tiernan."
"Then enlighten me, my lady."
"Why? You have already pronounced judgment. No wonder you are here looking for a bride. I will tell you right now it will not be me."
He held back a smile. She truly was a challenge. "What if your mother wishes it?"
"She has said she will permit me to choose among my suitors."
He thought if he played his cards right, her mother would hasten to agree to allow her daughter to wed him. He was a king after all. Of a major kingdom. "And when she tires of you saying no?"
"I will find the right one someday."
"How many kings have offered for you?" He didn't know why the words spilled out of his mouth. He had not offered for her and had no intention of doing so before getting to know her better.
She turned and stormed off. "None. And it is my fervent desire that it shall stay that way."
He stalked after her and took her hand. Looking down at her, he said, "Why? Because you cannot wind me around your fingers like a strand of hair?"
And then in the dark, her face flushed and angry, he pulled her close and kissed her. Although he hadn't meant to. But she was just too appealing. Too defiant not to....
"Do you often kiss women like that?"
He smiled at her question. She wanted to know if she was special. "In dark ancient tunnels when the lady is a princess from another major kingdom, no."

Returning characters include Prince Deveron and Queen Irenis. Queen Irenis has always seemed to be an aloof, distant personality in past books; We see a different, more engaging, side of her herein.  We learn more about the seelie vs. unseelie fae worlds, past history of the fae and a notorious band of merry hostage-takers led by dragon fae, Duke Tully, who seem somewhat akin to Robin Hood's band.  

One of my favorite scenes occurred after Tiernan rescued Ritasia from an unintended sojourn on a high prickly hedge. Making up after a spat can be so endearing and fun!

Another favorite scene occurred when there was a seating issue at a dinner honoring King Tiernan. Here's a bit of a teaser from that scene: "You are sitting in my chair, my lord." She said the words very civilly, she thought. Although he quirked a brow and lowered his chin as if giving her one of those looks. Like really? In a way that wasn't a question. She was telling a fae king, a hawk fae king, and a guest of the dark fae, that he should be sitting in her seat? But she didn't stop there. "You may sit there if it pleases you." She pointed to Micala's seat since he was not at the meal. Her mother's mouth gaped and for once she didn't have an immediate rebuke ready for Ritasia. The king gave Ritasia such a sinister smile, she was afraid she might have gone a little too far with her first encounter with him. She quickly remembered her manners, curtseyed, though, because she wasn't wearing a gown, she thought she looked a little ridiculous, then looked back up at him.  LOL! You'll just have to read the story to find out what happens next!

The narrator continues to be Jeanne Whitehouse.  Jeanne's performance is nothing short of amazing as she does a slam-bang job of capturing the essence of each of the characters, bringing them to life - as she has with each of the books in this series. Her accents and mannerisms enhance this delightful tale. 

Terry's writing, as always, is first rate! I don't think Terry is capable of writing anything but engaging reads.  The plot is well-plotted and engaging and the world the author has created is incredible. All the characters shined!  Most were fae, how could they not?  I loved the author's descriptions of scenes, the bantering, the shenanigans and tomfoolery.  This was such an entertaining read for anyone who loves lively comical fantasies and is suitable for the very young to those young-at-heart.  It's one I would enjoy over and over again. I highly recommend it and can't wait to read the fifth book, DRAGON FAE!  If you are a looking for a gift, this series would make perfect stocking stuffers!