I have never partied on Halloween. Sure, we would go trick-or-treating as children, but once I outgrew it, Halloween was for family—horror movies, hearty autumnal food, and, of course, leaving an offering for the Sidhe.
I say ‘of course’, but such is the reality of being raised with a moderately superstitious Scottish woman. Samhain is a celebration, but it’s also a time to remind the kids of a very important lesson—DO NOT FUCK ABOUT WITH FAIRIES.
So I salt my entrances. I leave out a bowl of milk and honey. I give a very carefully worded greeting to any entities that may be listening. And I don’t fuck about with them. I don’t think I appreciated how much I had internalized this superstition until the rise of romantasy and the many, many fae romances. And I just can’t.
I did try though! I wanted to understand and have an open heart and mind. So I started, as many a romantasy enthusiast does, with ACOTAR. I got partway through the first book when my head snapped up and brother, did I ever understand.
Hey, this is fairy propaganda!
You can’t trick me, malevolent sidhe who incepted SJM into writing a story to lure fantasy girlies to stand in fairy rings. I’m onto you.
I know what you’re thinking: Wow, Gael, you’re so correct and cool and probably have great hair. Wrong on all counts, but superstitions die hard. Also my hair is quite trash right now, so I don’t even have that going for me. Naturally, I had to tell my mom about the book and before I could finish, what did she say?
“What the fuck is this, fairy propaganda?”
I rest my case.
And look, if you love your fae romantasy, that’s fine. But I implore you from the bottom of my heart, do not stand in any fairy rings. And please, just don’t fuck about with fairies.
Until next time, travelers,
Gael Romer
P.S. One of my favourite books is The Call by Peadar Ó Guilín, and part of that is because he really captures just how terrifying the fae can be. It’s an absolute horror show and it is fantastic. Strong recommend.