The Art of Charming a Changeling
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- $9.99
Publisher Description
“Endlessly delightful and wildly inventive, The Art of Charming a Changeling is cozy fantasy at its finest.”—Megan Bannen, author of The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy
A cozy slice-of-life romantic fantasy set in a Regency-inspired world where humans and fairies compete for artistic supremacy, from Sylvie Cathrall, author of A Letter to the Luminous Deep.
On her first day working in the prince’s galleries, art conservator Florrie Hyverfell discovers that the most famous portrait in the collection is not only a fake—it’s also inhabited by Vern, a fairy trapped in the forged painting.
Tracking down the stolen original is the only way for Florrie to save her job and for Vern to escape his canvas. Yet as they journey to a famed fairy museum to find the missing artwork, Florrie finds herself taking more than an art historical interest in the changeling painting’s charming inhabitant.
"A gentle, engaging story that sweeps the reader away into a magical world." —Caitlin Rozakis, author of Startup Hell
“Cathrall has painted a unique, charming world with detailed brushstrokes of romance, acceptance, and cozy warmth.” —Emily Krempholtz, author of Violet Thistlewaite Is Not a Villain Anymore
“Winsome, vibrant, and full of cozy delights.” —Courtney Floyd, author of Higher Magic
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Cathrall (A Letter to the Luminous Deep) brings her background in art history to bear on this cute, Regency-flavored fantasy romance, the first in a series. Human art conservator Florrie Hyverfell is employed by handsome human Prince Ardant to restore his collection of fae artifacts. She becomes smitten by the portrait of charming fairy Lord Vernal Mauve—only to discover, via chatting with the painting itself, that it is a magical forgery, a "changeling painting" left behind when Lord Mauve stole back the original for himself. Reporting this discovery without hard evidence would make Florrie a laughing stock, so she keeps it to herself and begins a flirtation with the painting's trapped subject, whom she calls Vern. To free him, she'll need to head into fairyland, locate the original painting, and bargain with the real Lord Mauve, Prince Ardant's ex-fiancé. Cathrall paints this world in pinks and purples, with lavish descriptions of elegant gowns and artworks adding to the atmospherics. For some, it may all feel a bit too twee, but there's no denying the cuteness of the two central relationships as Ardant re-pursues Lord Mauve and as neurodivergent Florrie and endearingly innocent Vern grow closer. It's as sweet as cotton candy. Correction: A previous version of this review misspelled the author's last name.
