Regency Magic Faerie Tales Series by Eliza Prokopovits

Eliza Prokopovits

Her Fae Secret by Eliza Prokopovits (2023)  4/5 stars 
Regency Magic Faerie Tales, Book 1 

Eleanor and her two sisters, Anne and Sophie, have been secretly going to Faerie for years, dancing weekly at the Faerie Queen's ball.  Now, they are being introduced to Society, and the difficulty of visiting Faerie while in London attending other social events is adding stress to Eleanor -- most particularly when it forces her to deceive former Naval magician James Weston, the man who is quickly becoming important to her.

This was a delightful fantasy taking place during the Regency period in an alternate reality in which magic is practiced, and even acceptable as an accomplishment for young ladies alongside music and drawing. The romance is light and gentle, the world intriguing, and the Regency feel generally well done. Prokopovits has blended strains of "The Twelve Dancing Princesses" and the Regency romance genre into her original plot and made an enjoyable and charming story.  I look forward to reading more in the series. 

The Beast's Magician by Eliza Prokopovits (2023)  4/5 stars 

Regency Magic Faerie Tales, Book 2

Eight years ago, the Duke of Harborough was magically transformed into a beast and has lived as a recluse ever since.  Isabelle, a young woman with skill in magic, is planning for her future by looking for work as a governess, though she's not keen on children.  Harborough hires Isabelle to perform household magic to help his staff and to catalog his library.  They become friends and despite his frightening appearance, Isabelle finds herself falling in love with the man inside the fur.

In this alternate Regency England, magic is a skill that is acceptable for young women, and I love how Prokopovits explains it and utilizes it in her plot.  The characters were delightful and the plot charming.  I wasn't fully satisfied with how Isabelle was hired, it felt rushed and not fully explained, but once past that small hiccup, I thoroughly enjoyed the rest of the book.

  

Her Forgotten Sea by Eliza Prokopovits (2023)  4/5 stars 

Regency Magic Faerie Tales, Book 3

Arielle is a mermaid who has become fascinated by land and humans.  She is given a chance to become a human, at a sacrifice, for a year and a day -- permanently if she marries her true love before that time.  Arielle is found and "adopted" by the elderly Lady Priscilla Farley and her niece, who proceed to introduce her to Brighton society, where she hopes to find true love.

This sweet retelling of "The Little Mermaid" happens in an alternate Regency England where fairies and mermaids exist, though unbeknownst to most of the humans, and where magic is practiced in the drawing rooms and universities.  Arielle is a likable character and I enjoyed her history as a mermaid, her life as a human, and her gentle romance.  I did feel her acceptance by the Farleys happened unreasonably quickly; I would have liked to see them grow to love and accept her, instead of the instant way it happened. There is very little magic in this one, which I missed, but Arielle's love of books in general and Jane Austen in particular was such fun that it almost made up for it.  Overall, though, I definitely enjoying novel and look forward to reading more of the series.  

    

Her Cursed Apple by Eliza Prokopovits (2024)  4/5 stars 

Regency Magic Faerie Tales, Book 4

Bianca and Winston live on adjoining estates and have been friends since childhood.  As their friendship grows into more, Bianca's life becomes endangered and she must disappear from the world she knows before she falls victim to a fatal curse.

This is an engaging retelling of "Snow White", taking place in a magical Regency England.  I love the alternate universe that Prokipovits has created, and enjoyed the characters and plot of this story immensely.  Like the previous books of the series, it's fun, sweet, and entertaining.  Bianca's story is a bit more complex that the others, and as such, is my favorite so far.

Her Enchanted Tower  by Eliza Prokopovits (2024)  4/5 stars 

Regency Magic Faerie Tales, Book 5

Kate has spent her life in a Norman tower, living with Mama and, since the age of twelve, seeing no others people at all, living magically sealed within the confines of her home and garden.  When Henry stumbles upon her, he becomes intrigued, then attracted, then deeply in love.  Kate reciprocates his feelings, but when Mama discovers what she views as Kate's betrayal, Kate is magically kept captive.  Henry and his sister are determined to rescue Kate, but at a loss as to how to do so.

This is a retelling of "Rapunzel", taking place in an alternate Regency England where magic, curses, and Faeries are as real as the Season in London.  It's not as deep as some of the other books in this series, but is is sweet, fun, and still enjoyable.  Prokopovits has created an engaging and interesting magical world which makes a strong backdrop for retold fairy tales.  I am finding this series delightful.

Her Accidental Frog  by Eliza Prokopovits (2024)  4/5 stars 

Regency Magic Faerie Tales, Book 6

Hannah finds a frog who tells her he's a cursed human.  The magic prevents him from telling her who he is, so little does she know that he's her brother's best friend, Nathaniel -- the man she's loved since she was a child.  

Like the others in this series, it is set in an alternate Regency England where magic is practiced and acceptable.  The main characters are so likable and their friendship so sweet, that I found this book an absolute delight.  Prokopovits writes well, and the plot is fun and enjoyable, if light.  I enjoyed it -- and the rest -- a good deal and look forward to the publication of another of these Regency fairy tales.