Book Review: Reflections of Lilje Damselfly by Natalie Kelda

[ID: a book with an illustration cover of a black haired woman with pale skin dressed in a blue dress made of waves surrounded by an Art Noveau style frame of lily pads, fish, and blue Celtic knots. In a green frame black text reads “Reflections of Lilje Damselfly Natalia Kelda”. The book sits on top of loose book pages on a gray wooden floor surrounded by fake greenery and fake white roses. A blue and white teacup with a white rose inside sits to the right next to a brown fossilized sea shell. Book page confetti is spread across the floor.]

Thank you to @NatalieKelda for an early copy of her fantasy novella REFLECTIONS OF LILJE DAMSELFLY, out now!

Lilje Damselfly is a water nymph most at home in her pond, communing with the natural world. But when she begins to experience mysterious, unrelenting chronic pain and fatigue, Lilje must travel to the human world in search of relief.

At a spa in Edwardian Britain, Lilje finds herself baffled by human conventions and longing for her previous life. But as time goes on, she learns more about her heritage and even falls in love with a human. She’s left with a difficult choice: give up everything she thought she was or live forever in regret…

I was completely absorbed by this short novella following the journey of a chronically ill water nymph! Lilje is such a relatable protagonist and her grief over losing her magic is actually the perfect depiction of real chronic illness. I really identified with her grief and longing to the point that it brought me to tears.

This novella is short but encompasses a lot of emotion, romance, and grief. Don’t worry, there’s no magical cures in this story, just the realistic depiction of chronic illness. I really loved seeing Lilje come into her own and find love. I just wish the book was a tiny bit longer to give full scope to the intriguing world-building!

REFLECTIONS OF LILJE DAMSELFLY is available now! Check out the author’s page for lots of extra goodies!