Owl King
Book 2 in the Faery Realms series
by Bex Hogan
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Pub Date 9 Oct 2025 | Archive Date 10 Oct 2025
Head of Zeus | Zephyr
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Description
'An elegant, dreamy tale steeped in folklore' Irish Times on Nettle
A dark, captivating 12+/YA tale of deception and survival, set in the same faery world as Nettle.
Long ago, kings and queens of the faery realms exchanged talismans with one another to maintain harmony in their world. The Stag King gave up a shard of antler, the Owl King a feather, the Minnow Queen a shimmering, silver scale. But the Owl King has grown restless, and his kingdom has become dangerous as he feeds off the magic of others. Always he hunts for a new bride to sustain him.
When devoted sisters, Ilsette and Lyla, are summoned to court, the Owl King’s eye soon falls on the beautiful Lyla. Determined to save her sister from a terrible fate, Ilsette sets out on a quest to find the prized feather and change the balance of power.
Lyla bewitches the king with her stories, but time is running out. Meanwhile, Ilsette’s search leads her to a realm with two moons and scarlet stars. Here she must trick King Locryn into revealing the feather’s secret whereabouts, so that she can steal it. She’s befriended by a strange magpie and two shadow faeries, but all the while, she faces an impossible truth – to save her sister, she must destroy peace among the realms.
Available Editions
EDITION | Hardcover |
ISBN | 9781035912681 |
PRICE | £14.99 (GBP) |
PAGES | 304 |
Links
Available on NetGalley
Featured Reviews

Owl King by Bex Hogan is that perfect book you'll want to read on a cozy afternoon! I rated it 5 stars because I couldn't put it down for a second.

I really enjoyed Owl King.It’s the kind of book that pulls you into a world that feels both strange and fascinating, without overcomplicating things. The story follows two sisters, Ilsette and Lyla, who end up in the Owl King’s court—he’s powerful, mysterious, and not exactly someone you can trust. When Lyla is taken, Ilsette has to step up and try to rescue her, which leads to a lot of unpredictable fae magic and challenges.
The sister relationship was one of my favorite parts. It felt real and gave the story some heart. There’s also a magpie sidekick who was surprisingly fun and added a nice bit of humor. The pacing was steady, and I was curious to see where things would go next the whole way through.What I loved most was the blend of dark fairy tale elements with a heartfelt exploration of sisterhood and sacrifice. Ilsette's determination and Lyla's resilience made me root for them every step of the way. The prose is lyrical, painting vivid images of a world where magic is as beautiful as it is dangerous.
If you like fantasy that’s easy to get into, has a cool mix of magic and danger, and focuses on strong characters (without being too dark or too light), I’d say give this one a try. Definitely looking forward to the next book.
*thank you to netgalley and the publisher for an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*

Wonderful whimsical fairy tale.
We follow Ilsette as she tries to save her sister from the Owl King. It is beautifully written, with fairytales intertwined with Ilsette and Lylas story. It was so easy to read as it flowed like a song. The setting was magical and mystical it was just lovely to read. A proper old fashioned fairytale told in such a wonderful way.
The characters were mysterious and it was so nice to see Nettle again. I couldn’t put it down and I really hope there is more in the series.

I LOVED Owl King by Bex Hogan ❤️💙💚🧡💜
Meeting new characters and visiting new realms in this amazing fantasy world
The lengths someone will go to try and help save someone they love no matter how dangerous that could be made my heart feel full
This brilliant sequel to Nettle is out in
October

Ilsette’s journey to rescue her sister from the enigmatic Owl King is a captivating tale woven with threads of classic fairytales and lyrical prose. The writing is enchanting—graceful and melodic, like a story passed down through generations. The world feels steeped in magic and mystery, evoking that timeless fairytale atmosphere that’s both comforting and haunting.
The characters carry a quiet depth, each cloaked in a touch of wonder, and it was such a delight to see Nettle make an appearance again. I was completely absorbed. I genuinely couldn’t put it down. Here's hoping this is just the beginning of a longer series, because I’m not ready to leave this world behind.
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