For the reader grappling with difficult choices and the consequences of their desires, this fantasy adventure explores the true cost of beauty and power.
A parent might reach for this book when their teen is captivated by seemingly perfect lives on social media or is struggling with the idea that what looks beautiful isn't always good. This dark fantasy follows seventeen-year-old Jenny as she's pulled into the dangerous and alluring world of the Fae to rescue the brother who vanished there seven years prior. The story explores the high cost of desire and the deceptive nature of beauty, wrapped in a thrilling adventure. It's a perfect choice for teens who love mythology and complex moral questions, prompting them to think critically about temptation, sacrifice, and the strength found in embracing human imperfection.
Features a developing romance with some kissing and emotional intensity.
Sensitive Topics
The book deals metaphorically with loss, grief, and the danger of escapism. The Fae world represents the alluring but hollow promise of a perfect life, free from human pain. The resolution is hopeful but realistic: freedom and humanity are hard-won and require sacrifice. The story's foundation is secular, built upon classic European folklore (particularly Irish and Germanic mythology).
Ideal Reader
A teen, 13 to 16, who loves atmospheric, dark folklore and mythology, similar to Holly Black or Melissa Albert. This reader is thoughtful, perhaps feels like an outsider, and is beginning to understand that appearances can be deceiving. They are ready for a story that values inner strength over superficial perfection and explores morally gray situations.
Parent Prep
Parents should know this is a dark fairy tale, not a whimsical one. The Fae are predatory, and some scenes involving the Erlking's hunt and the soulless, trapped humans can be unsettling. The book can be read cold, but framing it as a story about how "true beauty isn't always what you see on the surface" can be helpful context. A parent notices their teen is intensely focused on achieving a certain look, following influencers with seemingly perfect lives, or expressing a desire to escape the pressures of their own reality. The child might say something like, "I wish I could just live in a fantasy world," or express frustration with the complexities of real relationships.
Age Experience
A younger reader (12-13) will likely connect most with the adventure plot, the romantic subplot, and the scary monsters. They'll experience it as a thrilling fantasy quest. An older teen (14-16) is more likely to appreciate the deeper thematic layers about the nature of beauty, the cost of desire, and the commentary on escapism. They will see the Fae's treachery as a metaphor for real-world temptations.
What Makes It Special
While many YA books feature Fae, this one stands out for its lyrical, atmospheric prose and its deep roots in authentic folklore. Instead of focusing on epic wars, it's a more intimate, psychological story about one girl's resilience against powerful temptation. Its unique strength is the focused, nuanced exploration of beauty as a trap.
Read plot summary
Seven years after her brother Tom disappeared in the woods, seventeen-year-old Jenny still searches for him. She is drawn into the otherworldly realm of the Fae, a place of mesmerizing beauty and profound danger where time flows differently. There, she finds Tom, but he is trapped, slowly losing his humanity to the Gentry's allure. To free him, Jenny must navigate a treacherous court, make dangerous bargains with the formidable Erlking, and survive the constant threats of a world that wants to consume her, all while resisting the temptation to stay forever.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
Discussion Prompts
1
The Gentry offer beauty and a life without pain, but at the cost of memory and humanity. Why do you think characters like Tom are so easily tempted by this? Do you think it is a fair trade?
2
Jenny makes several difficult bargains to navigate the Fae world and save her brother. Which bargain did you find the most treacherous, and do you think she ultimately made the right choices?
3
The title is 'The Treachery of Beautiful Things.' How do characters like the Erlking or places like the Fae court embody this idea? Can you think of things in our own world that can be similarly treacherous?
4
Jack is a complicated character who exists between the human and Fae worlds. Did you trust him? Why do you think he helps Jenny, and what does his story say about belonging?
