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The Bluebell King's Ball

Fae of the Desolation, Book 2

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Book 2 of Fae of the Desolation

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Pub Date 31 Jul 2026 | Archive Date 21 Aug 2026


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Description

Perfect for fans of Ella Enchanted and Margaret Rogerson’s An Enchantment of Ravens, The Bluebell King’s Ball is a standalone, no-spice Cinderella retelling that will take you on a lush journey through Faery, where humans and fae live side by side. Careful not to leave your heart somewhere in the spring or autumnlands…


A human maiden with no past. A desperate faery prince with a badly-worded bargain. And a beautiful ball scented with bluebells and painted with blood.

Va Malla has spent all her life in the Wild Tangle, caring for her beloved fae sister and brother. Until the day Prince Ignis arrives to whisk her into a world she never realized existed outside her manor.

Ignis has searched every obscure corner of Faery for a maiden just like Va Malla—human, about eighteen, uncertain origin. But nothing short of a poorly-thought-out faery bargain will pry the stubborn maiden from the place she’s always known.

As Va Malla travels across the autumnlands with Ignis, her reality breaks apart, piece by piece. Her home, her family, even her name, was all a cruel illusion. All she can cling to is the prince’s promise of a ball in Bluebell Ruin. Ignis believes she could be the lost princess stolen from the Bluebell King long ago. If Va Malla can evade Faery’s monsters and make it to the springlands, she has a chance of claiming not just the crown of a princess, but the love of a father she’s never known.

Fighting his fae nature, Ignis has to handle the human with care. Faery is dangerous, and the girl is ignorant from years spent only in the Wild Tangle. Beautiful though she is, beauty in Faery is as common as poison and just as deadly. He has to fulfill an old faerytale, one that love can never be part of, if the world is to ever survive.

But the world he’s trying to save can be just as cruel as his wicked brother.

And the pages of some faerytales are stained with tears.


Each book in the FAE OF THE DESOLATION series follows a different main character, a desperate human who finds herself entangled with powerful fae royalty. The series can be read as standalone novels with their own HEAs, but is best read in series order to follow the overarching storyline of saving the world of Faery from a heartless king bent on its destruction.

Perfect for fans of Ella Enchanted and Margaret Rogerson’s An Enchantment of Ravens, The Bluebell King’s Ball is a standalone, no-spice Cinderella retelling that will take you on a lush journey...


Available Editions

ISBN 9798180401205
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Average rating from 14 members


Featured Reviews

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The Bluebell King's Ball by Sera Saint is a sweet and enchanting Cinderella retelling filled with fae magic, romance, and fairy-tale charm. Sera Saint created a lovely atmosphere that felt whimsical and magical while giving the classic story a fresh fantasy twist. I really enjoyed the focus on the emotional connection between the characters and the gentle development of the romance. This is a wonderful choice for readers who prefer a clean, no-spice romantasy that highlights trust, kindness, and finding someone who truly appreciates you. I also appreciated how the fae elements added mystery and charm, and the story had the comforting feel of a classic fairy tale while still offering something new. Overall, The Bluebell King's Ball was a beautiful, heartwarming read for fans of Cinderella retellings, sweet romance, and magical worlds.

I received an ARC copy from NetGalley. Thank you for giving me the chance to read this novel and share my honest review of the novel!

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This book completely charmed me from the very beginning. The magical atmosphere, engaging characters, and beautifully crafted setting made it feel like stepping into a fairy tale.

I especially loved the relationships between the characters and how naturally they developed throughout the story. Combined with excellent pacing and immersive writing, this made for a wonderfully cozy fantasy that I thoroughly enjoyed.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an advance review copy

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I thoroughly enjoyed this novel. It was long-ish, lots going on, but still paced wonderfully. I read it in a day. At first I wasn’t sure I could appreciate the writing style, but it quickly became enjoyable as I grew to understand the charter. Both of the MCs were fun personalities and their differences made the story even more interesting. It’s funny how so many of the Disney princess stories are intertwined here. I can see the inspiration, yet the plot was entirely unique.

Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC. Even though this was book 2, I didn’t feel that I missed out on anything and wouldn’t have known had the series order not been revealed at the end. I now want to read the first book as well. I long for the two sisters to be reunited. If that’s a possibility. But I believe it is, because it must be.

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Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for an ARC in exchange of an honest review!
A Cinderella retelling that lingers. I expected a cozy Ella Enchanted vibe and came out with a full-blown Faery hangover instead. The Bluebell King's Ball hits that sweet spot between whimsical and wicked. Va Malla makes such a compelling lead because she starts with almost nothing to hold onto — a name that isn't hers, a family that was never real, a home built on illusion. Watching that reality unravel and her figuring it all out across the autumnlands is unsettling in the best way. And Ignis! I wasn't ready for how conflicted I'd feel about him — a prince bound by a bargain he clearly regrets, working overtime to keep his fae instincts in check around a girl he's meant to deliver, not fall for. The tension is delicious which suits the fairytale tone perfectly. The worldbuilding is gorgeous. The ending had me clutching my chest. Some faerytales really do end in tears, and this one earns every single one.

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