357 pages – Ya fantasy/romance – standalone
3 minute review read
Why I Picked Up This Book
I was in a Waterstones in Glasgow back in December 2025, in the area for an Amy MacDonald concert, when I discovered the most brilliant curved nook of YA. I was delighted, and nearly spent all my money on a hardback copy of The Same Backward As Forward by Jennifer Lynn Barnes. The cover of this book was facing outwards, as they do with some newer books in Waterstones, and it caught my eye. I’ll admit I guessed it would be more romance than plot, and that Habren Faire would be the fae, male protagonist. Still, I looked to the back cover, and my assumptions were dispelled. It seemed fun, and I’m a sucker for some Holly Black-esque fantasy, so I proceeded to buy it, then read it two months later, because I have a TBR longer than the Great Wall of China. The following review is what happened!
The Review
I’ll start with my one negative to get it out of the way. Take a look at the book’s cover. I don’t really like it, for many reasons. Looking at that cover, would you expect a book with extraordinary personal journeys for each character? A totally clean, mutual-beneficiaries-to-nearly-almost-lovers-to-enemies-to-eventual-lovers rollercoaster? A kind of ending that leaves you so hopeful, but not with any definite ‘happy ending’ by traditional standards? The kind of climax that left me crying and over the moon at the same time? I certainly didn’t. (also the two people on the cover look nothing like the character descriptions, trust me)
Despite the previously mentioned rollercoaster and a mission to rid Eu Gwlad (Fairyland) from a horrific disease, there are still beautiful moments, the POV reflecting on aging, small lives, and her place in the world which seemingly didn’t care or want her. I loved this book. So much. Hence the review, as I felt like a bit of a rave…
Its set in Wales – all the chapter titles are in Welsh with translations! And the Tylwyth Teg (the faeries) are all based on traditional Welsh folklore!!! I’m not Welsh but I’m still super excited!
Have I mentioned that its set in the early nineteenth-century? Well I have now. Another thing I liked about this book was (this is gonna sound like spoilers but it’s found out in the fifth chapter and it’s really not plot important) the main characters reaction to her sisters choice of Teg. Her sister plans to spend her freshly won immortality with a female mermaid, and, of course the main character is confused at first. She’s from the nineteenth century; she didn’t know that two women being together was even possible – quote “but that’s… just what you do. You marry a man.” but as soon as she sees that the mermaid loves her sister in every way she could hope for for said sister, she accepts Morgen like she was anyone. I don’t know exactly why I like that so much, but I guess it’s just saying that first reactions can be hard for the other person or different to your real feelings, but as soon as you can adjust, process the information, you can give your actual opinion.
I highly recommend this book – its got fun humour, great complex characters and a stunning plot, all of which comes together to being something worth staying up reading till irresponsibly late, and then letting stay with you for days.
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