I once saw “The Fox and the Dryad” described as “a romantic comedy with body horror”, and I wholeheartedly agree.
This was the first Kellen Graves book I’ve ever read, and it did not disappoint. I can tell you, honestly, that this book stands on its own. It takes the time to explain the key terms of the world without - I’m guessing - boring the returning readers, and it has a very useful list of words at the end of it. This means that: no, you don’t have to read the rest of the Rowan Blood series to understand the story.
The plot is gripping, the pacing is perfect, and the tension is through the roof.
“The Fox and the Dryad” tells the story of Mal and Briar, a fey lord that hates dancing and a dancer that hates fey. Malric left dance behind him in an attempt to free himself from his mother, and Briar is the poor soul that replaced him. They do not have a good time.
As they try their best to get Briar free from the fey deal they impulsively made - preferably without compromising Malric’s escape from the house he grew up in - they start getting closer. The bickering turns into something else. But Malric can’t tell Briar - sweet, feisty Briar, who hates the fey with every bit of their soul - that he’s one of them. He’s the reason for Briar’s suffering, and it kills him.
The characters are well-rounded, with their own very-well defined personalities and peculiarities. Warm and funny and creepy, the characterization makes you instantly fall in love with both of them. Or at least care for their well-being. This makes for a deliciously addictive story and, even during the soft, slow parts, makes you need to know what happens next.
“The Fox and the Dryad” is a great book as a whole, but two things really stood out for me: the tension and the body horror.
The tension, the wait, the anticipation. It’s so well written I was cold-sweating through half of the story. Time is running out, things are happening one after the other, and you can’t help but doubt, and wonder “what if they don’t make it?”. It’s soul-destroying, in the best way.
As for the body horror aspect, I’m not the biggest fan of it - in general. I spent full chapters cringing because of it but, at the end of the day, it just adds so much to the story. It’s graphic and gory and nightmare-inducing, but it just makes the ending that much more satisfying.
This book has it all: spice, pretty ballerinas, deals with the devil (high fey), smug assholes that think owning branded clothing makes them special (looking at Mal), creepy fox masks, mommy issues, amazing familial bonds, several types of magic that work alongside each other but in completely different ways, and a lot of dancing. And, of course, Briar’s huge, enormous size kink.
It’s a relatively quick read, enjoyable, with a satisfying ending, and great relationship development throughout. It’s sad, it’s sexy, it’s terrifying, and it’s also something I think everyone who likes fantasy (set in modern times) should pick up.
As a plus, it has a fully queer main cast. Briar uses he/they pronouns interchangeably throughout the story, and it’s never a problem. Gender non-conforming fey are just a thing. Mal is just... horny. He doesn't discriminate.
I gave this book a very positive 4,75★ rating, and will definitely be picking up other books by Kellen Graves (for example, the other books in the Rowan Blood series, but only when the last one comes out and I make sure the ending doesn't leave me emotionally obliterated. Kellen's books are sexy and magical, but they are also extremely angsty.)
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