"Absolutely captivating, the history and fascination with the dark side of fairies is examined, exploring age old folklore right through to our modern romantasy tales."
This book called out to my very being, as historian Sarah Clegg delves into the true darkness sitting behind fairy myths and stories. I am a book collector of all things fae and absolutely delight in fiction and non fiction appearances of these ambiguous beings.
The timeline at the start of this book is fascinating, starting in 3000BC and working forwards through the centuries detailing manuscripts, texts, novels, witch hunts, trials, and rebellions. Twelve chapters then explore types of fairies and various locations in Europe where stories of fairies have run riot.
Sarah Clegg fully understands the pull of the world of the fairy, remembering a time as a child when she visited the Fairy Kirk on the Yorkshire Moors: “I’m far from the first person to have been both afraid of and beguiled by fairies: that ambiguity, that tension between beauty and terror, has been one of the most important aspects of fairies since they started to appear in folklore from the early Middle Ages on”.
She routes and roots the first three chapters in this book in the origins of fairies, then takes us with her on a year long journey visiting various fairy sites. She also offers a trigger warning, with discussions of rape, child abuse, ableism and murder taking place.
As well as the older history of the fairy, we also visit modern tales too, with the author commenting: “The next generation of children will grow up with a healthy suspicion of the fae as well as an appreciation of their wonders”. As she finishes, she pleads for us to read new as well as old stories, as she feels that folklore has to shift and adapt otherwise it will die. Chosen as a LoveReading Star Book and Liz Pick of the Month, Perilous Enchantments explores and examines as it captivates and delights.
We often think of them as tiny, glittering creatures fluttering about in pastel tulle, but fairies haven't always been so benign. Here, historian Sarah Clegg explores the true history of fairies, and the menace and ambiguity that always lurks within the shimmering fantasy.
| Primary Genre | History |
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We often think of them as tiny, glittering creatures fluttering about in pastel tulle, but fairies haven't always been so benign. Here, historian Sarah Clegg explores the true history of fairies, and the menace and ambiguity that always lurks within the shimmering fantasy.
Perilous Enchantment features in the following genres: Liz Robinson's Picks of the Month, Recommendations, Star Books, Gift Books, History, Nature and the natural world: general interest, General and world history, Mythical creatures: Fairies, elves and similar folk, Folklore studies / Study of myth (mythology), Social and cultural history
Hardback. £17.09, down from the £18.99 cover price. Pre-order. 8th October 2026.
Perilous Enchantment was written by Sarah Clegg and published by Granta Books an imprint of Granta Publications
Perilous Enchantment has 352 pages
£17.09, reduced from £18.99. Pre-order. 8th October 2026.
