Owl King – at a glance
The School Reading Lists’ five word review: Darkly enchanting sisterhood saves faeries.
YA book title: Owl King.
YA author: Bex Hogan.
Genre: Fantasy/Romance.
Published by: Zephyr.
ISBN: 9781035912681.
Recommended for children aged: 12+ year-olds.
First published: Hardback October 2024.
This YA book is ideal for: young adult readers who enjoy fairy tales, folklore, dark fantasy, magical challenges and stories about familial loyalty.
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Our review:
When Lyla and Ilsette are summoned to the court of the Owl King, they are aware of the perils and dangers of the tormented and powerful ruler of the faery realm, especially Ilsette, who hides a secret which further threatens her safety. However, neither sister was expecting the sinister, predatory King to claim Lyla as his new bride.
Ilsette, in her devotion to her sister, now in mortal danger, embarks on a compelling journey through multiple faery realms, meeting talking magpies, shadow faeries and courts with two moons and scarlet stars. Her quest involves travelling between magical domains, stealing powerful artefacts, and making morally complex choices about whether saving one person is worth potentially destroying peace between kingdoms. As a half-faery, she is reliant upon her wit rather than power, facing numerous magical challenges and court deceptions, defying the inevitable prejudice her heritage commands.
Meanwhile, Lyla bewitches the king with her stories, but time is running out, adding urgency as her sister tries to survive through storytelling. Short fairy tales are scattered throughout the book that connect to the sisters’ journey, giving it an authentic fairy tale feel, enriched with classic folklore.
Our verdict:
This is perfect for 12+ year old readers who crave atmospheric fantasy without excessive romance and action. Hogan creates a genuinely unsettling villain in the Owl King while celebrating the power of sisterhood and clever thinking over magical strength. It’s a book that feels like reading an old fairy tale but with a modern heart and deeper meaning.
Many thanks to Zephyr for the review copy.
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