Anthea Sharp

Jennet was a character that I fell in love with instantly. She is a girl who loves video games, has a great sense of competition, and is just tough enough without being overbearing. Strong in the face of danger, Jennet is my kind of girl. I'll admit that I absolutely loved both Jennet and Tam in this story. They meshed perfectly as a duo, playing off strengths and weaknesses. Their stories were both built up beautifully alone, but it was when they came together that Feyland shined.

I had show more never heard the story of Tam Lin before reading Feyland, but of course I had to research it once I was finished. Sharp has taken an age old fairy story and turned it into something that pulses with new life. Ready for a confession? I'm a gamer. A total nerd who loves MMO immersion and the story lines that come along with it. However I can honestly say that even if you aren't into the video game scene, the world that Anthea Sharp builds for her characters will easily come to life for you anyway. Her writing is fluid, easy to read, and definitely something that you'll be able to get lost in.

Feyland definitely isn't hurting in the action department either. I personally think that this is one of the more perfectly paced stories that I've read lately. In fact I actually read this book straight through from beginning to end, simply because there just wasn't a good place to stop. I needed to know what happened to Jennet and Tam. That's how invested I was in their fight to save themselves, and ultimately all of humanity.

If you enjoy fantasy stories, with a bit of science fiction thrown in, this is a read to pick up! I adored it and recommend Feyland wholeheartedly. I desperately hope that there is more in store for Jennet and Tam. I can't wait! show less

You might not know it to look at me, but I'm a gamer. I love especially the games where I enter a fantasy world and can explore and go where I want. I would love to be able to enter some of my games for real. At least that was what I used to think. Feyland: The Dark Realm, by Anthea Sharp will make me think twice about what I wish for.
Teen girl Jennett is living any gamer's dream-her father is a wealthy game developer in this futuristic novel set in our world, and Jennett has access to state show more of the art games that haven't even been released. After entering Feyland and losing a Boss fight with the Dark Queen, Jennett realizes that it isn't just a game. The Dark Queen takes her spoils in the form of a part of Jenett's soul. After Jennett leaves the game, she is seriously ill and needs to be hospitalized. She does come home, and knows that she must find a way to get that piece of herself back from the Dark Queen before she is completely sucked dry. When she re-enters the game, she can only get far enough in to be told that she won't be able to do it alone. She must find herself a champion to enter the game with her and defeat the Dark Queen.
She and her father have just moved and she decides to attend the local high school so that she can stay near the game, at her father's home. It is there that she knows she must find her champion and searches for the top gamer in the school. Enter Tam Lin, the dark brooding hero (I have a soft spot for dark brooding heroes-what is it about them, anyway?). He is the top gamer, but is a complicated person with a lot of home issues. The lure of being able to try the top unreleased games proves too tempting for Tam and he enters Feyland with Jennett. Eventually he finds out that the game is real. Apparently, mankind has done such a bang up job of destroying the environment, that gone are the fairie rings, the circles of standing stones (like Stonehenge), and other places that the very real creatures of fairieland have always used to enter our world. They had to find a new way in, and they did-video games. But they want to do more than just enter our world. They want to open a gateway between our world and theirs, and it doesn't look too good for humans if they are able to pull it off. Tam soon realizes that he needs to save not just Jennett, but our whole world from Feyland-and now the Dark Queen wants him as a sacrifice.
This is one of those books that had me laying awake at night thinking about it. I really loved the character Tam. Forced to grow up too soon by a mentally ill mother, he unfailingly takes care of his little brother Bug (who is an adorable character). They live in the worst part of town where bad things can happen to you if you don't know your way around (and even if you do), and Tam always performs admirably, always does the right thing. When Jennett needs him, he's there, and in the end willingly makes an unthinkable sacrifice in order to save her. We all want one of those guys, right? I think that's why books are so full of them, but they never get tiresome. I liked Jennett, too. she's a toughie, an excellent gamer (admirable quality in anyone, but particularly in a female), and she learns many lessons during the story that we should all take to heart. She too makes an incredible sacrifice at the end-but I don't want to say too much-I want you to read it yourself!
I think it's a great YA novel and a take on fantasy unlike anything I have ever seen. I usually don't like fantasy, probably because I can't find a way to relate to it. But here-ah, the games! Now that, I get. I think it's a very unique idea to make the game turn out to be real, and this was well done and well written. I would recommend it to anyone who is a fan of YA fantasy or paranormal. I hope that in the next books we get to see Bug being more involved, and I'm sure the fey of Feyland are not done with Jenett, Tam , or our world. show less

When Jennet Carter decides to hack into her father's sim-game (Feyland) she has no idea that she would actually be opening a gateway to the Realm of Faerie. Moving through each level, encountering its levels and completing its quests becomes ever more treacherous as the final battle approaches. As Jennet faces off against the Dark Queen of Fearie, she begins to realize that there may be more at stake than the outcome of a game.

The author, Anthea Sharp, does an extraordinary job making show more high-tech gaming and magic collide as the story begins to unfold. The characters are well written and the relationship, between Jennet and her father, is believable.

I enjoyed this brief introduction and look forward to reading the rest of the series. show less

Feyland: The dark Realm is an interesting updated take of an old Scottish folktale called Tam Lin, and it had me on the edge of my seat throughout the story. Needless to say it was very hard to put the book down. I’m not too familiar with gaming, but the way the story is woven together, you really do not need to be a gamer to enjoy it or follow it. Another plus is that while this is the first of a trilogy the end of the book only leaves you wanting to experience more adventures in Feyland show more and not with a cliff hanger ending.
I believe gamers and urban fantasy enthusiasts will enjoy this book. And while it does have a touch of romance, even the male gender will be able to identify with the characters and not get mushed out.
With all that said I’m looking forward to reading the next adventure in Feyland. show less