“Servant of Earth” by Sarah Hawley was recommended to me by a friend after my reading of “Games that Gods Play” by Abigail Owen. It was pitched to me as a Hunger Games style story but human/fae, similar to that of “Games that Gods Play”. Now, I read the “Hunger Games” series when I was in high school and I loved every traumatising moment of it, I also recently read “Games that Gods Play” and while I was a little unsure at first I did also enjoy that, but I have to say that “Servant of Earth” absolutely knocked out both of them!

First things first, there are potential spoilers so continue at your own risk!

Set in a medieval style world, our protagonist is a young human female named Kenna. She has lived in poverty her entire life, her father abandoned her, her mother died of illness, and she is considered to be a half-feral creature by all of the local human except for one, Anya, who is practically a sister to her. Every few years, the humans gather together on the border of the fae lands and send sacrifices to the fae, four women forced into the boggy swamp in an attempt to appease the fae. Most believe the stories that they will be welcomed by the fae and given amazing lives, whereas some are very sceptical, including Kenna. Anya and three others are chosen to be sent into the bog and accept their fates, but Kenna knew the harsh truth of the bog and wanted to save her friend. So she ventures in after them in an attempt to lead them to safety, instead they all die at the hands of the nasties (dark fae) and Kenna somehow makes it to the fae world.

Kenna is faced with the even harsher reality of the fae world, she is forced to become a maidservant to the heir of Earth House, one of five houses that make up the fae kingdom of Mistei ruled by a tyrant king, Osric. Kenna is forced to assist her princess in completing the six trials that, when successful, allows an adult fae to gain their full magic and immortality. While trying to stay alive, appease her mistress and moving through her grief, Kenna always seems to find herself in precarious positions that lead her being in very close proximity to danger, death and some very sexy fae princes. Kenna’s character is very forthright, she has a very strong backbone, which is something her princess lacks. Kenna helps the princess through all of the trials, technically participating in them herself, which paves the way for the end of the book.

Naturally, Kenna develops a romantic and sexual relationship with a fae prince who seems to be very curious about her and her human emotions. While he comes across as attractive and having good intentions, there is just something about him that is off. Whereas you have the darker fae prince who clearly has an element of darkness about him, there is something about his character that makes you develop a soft spot for him. Sarah Hawley definitely has a talent for writing characters with a crazy level of depth, you can’t help but feel all these emotions for her characters. She also has an amazing ability to make you feel like you are there with the characters, the way she describes the scenes and the actions taking place, is just mind blowing.

Sarah Hawley is also a Queen of twists and turns, she lays the groundwork so beautifully that you know something is going to happen but you are still so amazed by how it happened. For example, Kenna is betrayed and forced to face the fae magic that decides whether or not the fae participating in the trials are worthy of the rewards. Her princess is stripped of her magic, but Kenna is given such a gift that she is able to turn her back on her lying lover, get her revenge on the tyrant king, and save someone she thought was dead. Most of all, she is given her freedom and a home that she had never even dared to dream about.

This book was amazing, and Sarah Hawley is an absolute artist when it comes to telling a story. I highly recommend this book, and I cannot wait to read the already released sequel “Princess of Blood”.