An update on a very old post! (As this site goes back twenty years now!) –t.
Fairies, or the Fae, have multiple sources within mythology, and come in a vast range of shapes and sizes, from small pixie-type creatures to human-sized ones, from fair to ugly, to human in guise, to demonic-looking.
Fairies can come with wings or without them, or can choose to display them or not.
There are seal fairies, tree fairies, flower fairies, brownies, and more.
And this buffet of fae species existed even before popular fiction authors began to add to the list.
When it comes to the purpose and work of fairies, then the range again explodes. Some fairies have specific tasks in life: Tooth fairies are one example.
Other fairies move outside human affairs and never mingle, managing their own complex worlds while barely hiding their disdain for humans.
There are fairies who steal children, others who simply steal objects, some who seem bent merely on causing mischief.
Fairies sometimes spend their time doing good: caring for trees and flowers, or animals, or certain humans assigned to them.
And fairies are also good at making war and fighting, when they need to.
Some fairies are seen as essentially harmless and playful, while at the other end of the scale, some fairies can be considered generally malevolent towards humans and far more powerful. These fairies, when roused, make very bad enemies, especially with their good fighting skills.
No matter what type of fairy, however, they all have a common trait: All fairies have supernatural abilities. The types and degree of these powers are dictated by the author, but no fairy goes without at least some magical power.
The vast number and types of fairies to be found in fiction shows how popular they are among readers. Authors keep inventing new twists on old variations and coming up with something unique to delight readers all over again.
I’ve never written about the fae in any of my paranormal or fantasy books…at least, not as Tracy Cooper-Posey. 😉 Under one of my pen names, I have two entire series that feature the fae, among other magical creatures.
Do you have a favourite romance series that features the fae or fairies? What is the most unusual portrayal of fairies that you’ve seen in fiction? Comment below so that other readers can check out your recommendations!
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I am obsessed with fae stories. One of the stories I like is by my author friend Anna Applegate. She has taken a break from writing the series but I love her take on the fae in her Curse of the Fae. I am hoping she finds her way back. And there’s of course ACOTAR. I like the characters but I think SJM does a huge disservice to the side characters and doesn’t handle the love aspect properly. I write fae stories too.
Thanks for commenting, Jennifer;
For everyone who isn’t as familiar with the romance world, or the fae in particular, ACOTAR is A Court of Thorns and Roses, by Sarah J. Maas.
t.