Paper Moons & Prose: The Scald Crow (Beyond the Faerie Rath Book 1) By Hanna Park

Book Review: 5 Stars

I have always had a deep appreciation for stories rooted in folklore, magic, and the unseen forces that shape our lives, so The Scald Crow immediately captured my attention—and it more than lived up to it. What makes this novel stand out is not only its dark, mythological edge, but the way it weaves that magic so seamlessly into the relationships at its core. It feels both intimate and expansive, grounded in emotion yet touched by something otherworldly.

At the heart of the story are four broken individuals—Calla, Colm, Saoirse, and Ciarán—each carrying their own pain, secrets, and unresolved pasts. What I found particularly compelling is how their lives are intertwined through love, loss, and fate. These relationships are not simple or idealised; they are messy, raw, and deeply human. Whether it is romantic, familial, or rooted in memory, every connection feels meaningful and adds weight to the story.

Colm and Calla’s relationship, in particular, stood out to me. There is an undeniable pull between them that goes beyond attraction—it feels inevitable, almost fated. Yet at the same time, it is complicated by fear, secrecy, and the unknown. Their dynamic is intense and sensual, but also layered with tension, making it feel both beautiful and dangerous.

Saoirse’s storyline adds another emotional depth, especially in how it explores grief and the inability to let go. Her connection to love—both lost and lingering—feels incredibly poignant, and I found her perspective grounding amidst the darker, more supernatural elements.

The magical and mythical aspects of the novel are equally captivating. The presence of witchcraft, intuition, and spiritual guidance—particularly through symbols like crystals—adds a really rich layer to the story, especially when inexperience with these forces leads to devastating consequences. Alongside this, the darker faerie lore brings an unsettling edge, reminding the reader that magic is not always kind or forgiving.

What I appreciated most is how the novel balances these elements. The mythology does not overshadow the relationships, and the relationships do not diminish the magic—instead, they strengthen one another. Love, in all its forms, becomes the thread that ties everything together, even as the characters are pulled towards forces beyond their control.

This is the kind of story that quietly gets under your skin. It doesn’t rely on grand twists or spectacle, but instead builds something far more lasting—an emotional pull that stays with you. By the end, you’re left not just thinking about what happened, but about what it meant, and how easily the line between love, loss, and something darker can blur.

This book is a beautifully haunting read that ends on a cliff-hanger. I cannot wait to read book 2.

About the book

The Blurb

Calla left her life behind, haunted by a curse she cannot control. She seeks refuge in the land of a thousand hellos, Ireland, for a fresh start—a place where no one knows who or what she is.

Colm fled from Clonmara seven long years ago, but now it’s his father’s birthday, and the clan has gathered to celebrate the ould one. Each day brings back the memories that ruined him.

Saoirse dwells in the shadows of a lost love, unwilling to move on and unable to forget. The crystals say one thing, but the cold, hard truth tells another.

Ciarán walked away from the woman he loved for the fun, for the craic. He didn’t realize that one rash decision would impact the lives of so many, least of all his own.

Four broken hearts, brought together by the thread of love.

Universal Buy Link:

https://books2read.com/u/mBkyKy

Hanna Park

I began my writing career in the pre-dawn of a winter morning while my husband snored like a train. We could call my husband the catalyst. If it weren’t for him, I would never have gone to the kitchen to make a pot of coffee, feed the cat, and sit on the loveseat in front of the fire. It was there, in those moments of wondrous quiet, that I did something I had never thought possible. I opened my laptop, and while the coffee went cold, I wrote a story. My husband had no idea that these sojourns to the loveseat in front of the fire would become a daily occurrence, that writing would become an obsession, but the cat knew. She knows everything.

I write stories that make you laugh, make you cry, and make you love. Thank you, friends, for reading!

In the beginning, there was an empty page.

I am a writer who lives in Muskoka, Canada, with a husband who snores, a hungry cat, and an almost perfect canine––he’s an adorable little shit.

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