The Summer Palace

A Midlife Fairy Tale

By: Kristen Painter

Narrated by: B.J. Harrison

Newly crowned queen of the Radiant fae, Sparrow “Ro” Meadowcroft has two goals. First, to show her fae subjects that despite growing up in the mortal realm, she plans to honor all the customs and practices of her new world. Second, to reunite the Radiant fae with the Grym fae. Or at least broker peace between the two estranged kingdoms.

She intends to do both of those by returning to the Summer Palace, an old tradition that once brought both kingdoms and their rulers together for a time of relaxation and fellowship. She’s invited Queen Anyka, too, the woman who rules the Grym.

Ro hopes the neutral ground of Willow Hall will provide them with a fresh start and a chance at diplomacy, but the old palace holds dark secrets that could mean the end of the Radiant fae. Or a new day for the Grym.

Can Ro win Anyka over or has too much blood already been spilled? And why does Willow Hall seem like the start of more trouble? All Ro knows for sure is that magic abounds in the Summer Palace. And not all of it’s good.

©2023 Kristen Painter (P)2023 Kristen Painter

I think this one was better than the first.

I really enjoy the characters in this series. I like the idea of being able to move back and forth between worlds. The story is really interesting and funny. I like that. The narration was really very well done.

The Summer Palace

The Summer Palace by Kristen Painter
2nd book in the Midlife Fairy retelling. Paranormal women’s fiction. Cliffhanger.
Who is the “good” and “bad” queen? Do they have a reason to be who they are? Can they get over past history and change the lives and path of their kingdoms?

Sparrow “Ro” Meadowcroft wants to show her new kingdom that she is the right leader and will improve their lives. She decides to go to the Summer Palace with a group of her fae subjects and then hopefully broker peace with Queen Anyka of the Grym fae.
Not everyone is as optimistic as Ro.

🎧 I alternated between an ebook and audiobook. The narration is done by B J Harrison who does all the books by this author. The performance is wonderful with emotions clearly heard. I love being able to replay a chapter if I’ve missed something or want to clarify a point. Of course you ca do that as well with a ebook but with the audio you get the emotions and clear pronunciation of those fae names! 🤣 I do find this narrator to be a bit slow so listened to this at a slightly higher speed than my usual 1.5.

Entertaining and clearly not yet the end of the series.
4.5

Hoping for more

Ro and her family are certainly engaging. I hope the next in the series comes out soon.

Terrific story

So happy to return back to Ro's story!!
New to her role as Queen of the Radiant fae, Ro decides to return to old traditions and opens up the the summer palace. A mystery soon unfolds and I loved reading along as clues and ancient history were revealed. Terrific new addition to this series and the audio narration is excellent!!
Highly recommend!

Never Disappoints!!

Got hooked on the first book and binge listened to this one! Can’t wait for Book 3.