Review: Reflections of Lilje Damselfly (Folk with a Disregard for Convention #1) by Natalie Kelda

Synopsis:

Rating: /10

When a mysterious ailment refuses to leave water nymph Lilje, her father sends her to a human spa retreat. Lilje quickly discovers she has a lot to learn about human nature and culture when she accidentally scandalises the Edwardian spa guests by showing up undressed.

In hope of relieving her chronic pain and fatigue, she tries her best to fit in and silence her ability to speak with the elements, plants, and animals around her. But when the secret of her heritage is revealed and Lilje falls in love with a human, she faces a difficult choice. Give up everything she thought she was, or live forever in pain and regret of what could have been.

Review:

What happens when a chronically ill water nymph is forced to masquerade as human in order to heal? Set in early 1900s England, this was a very enjoyable historical fantasy, split between Lilje’s pond/forest home and an English spa frequented by the British nobility.

Lilje has little knowledge of humans and their societal norms when she arrives at the spa, and there’s a steep learning curve. Between that and her constant pain, she struggles to fit in with the other guests. But she has two allies: Veronica, the spa’s owner, and Melanie (Mel), who works in the resort’s kitchens. Veronica knows who Lilje really is, but Mel doesn’t. Lilje’s father (also a water nymph), visits her when he can, be it’s difficult for him to leave his home waters for long.

I really enjoyed the worldbuilding of this book. It isn’t a huge amount, as it’s set in a version of our world, but there’s enough to understand the water nymphs’ hidden society. It’s enough to make the story feel magical, and to convey the longing Lilje feels when she’s “trapped” at the spa and unable to connect with nature as she normally would. (And as someone who swims multiple times a week, being denied the water would be torture. I empathize with Lilje there!)

The romance element is secondary to Lilje’s healing process, and I liked that it wasn’t the spicy variety that so often finds its way into romantic fantasy (I’m not a fan of spice and will skim past it, so this was perfect for me.) And that ending! It was emotional—but absolutely perfect for this story.

This was a fantastic read.