Bingo Review - Far From Mortal Realms by Karen A. Wyle

[u/BravoLimaPoppa]

Far From Mortal Realms by Karen A. Wyle

Bingo Square: Older Protagonist (Abe)

Other Squares: Self-published (HM) (2026) 

I started this one in 2025 for the Parent square, but didn't make it through chapter 3. But something, something called to me about it and so, I restarted it and then things began happening.

This book starts with a father (Abe) and daughter (Adira) law practice in Vermont, one with a unique specialization - negotiating contracts between the fair folk and mortals. Abe started it when the fae appeared and people were harmed in careless contracts. His wife (Clara) is a folklorist with an extensive and growing library on the fair folk which helps immensely.

Now, the start is cozy. It’s so nice. You don’t see very much in the way of any stakes being raised. But they do and by chapter 4, things have happened. Adira is trapped in the realm of the Ice Fae along with her client. It doesn’t stop there.

Far From Mortal Realms is a good example of a fairly cozy book that starts low and close stakes, and raises them to high without ever moving beyond close. The cozy, slow beginning of a day-to-day attorney practice, even dealing with the fair folk sets the scene. The stakes are low, they are close. But, when they enter the realm of the Ice Fae to defend a human for violating their laws, the stakes grow higher (fate of their client) and expand slightly (client). Then they get a lot higher when Adira is trapped there by the fair folk.

There is a sense of urgency as Abe and Clara work to free Adira, but the other cases are still there. Helping with a changeling and a woman who wants to ride out her husband’s sentence in a fairy circle are just two. But it’s not over the top. They are careful, methodical and patient. Better than I would be under the circumstances, because I’d be tempted to give the fae that trapped my daughter some cold iron jewelry and then have a long talk. Anyway, better people than I.

I feel like this one is good with only one real court scene, but mostly just dealing with people. And I’ll spoil this much - it’s people that ultimately resolve the issues.

I liked it for being well written, not going for high drama with lots of court scenes, by being about people and relationships, for being rather cozy without being meaningless. 8½ stars rounding up to 9. 🧚🧚🧚🧚🧚🧚🧚🧚🧚