Faylinn: The Cup of Sidhe is a novel that not only tells about the quest to save Isabelle, it is also about strengthening the bond and love between them as siblings and facing the reality of who they are.

One of the core aspects of the book was the differences that brought Thomas and his sister, Libby, together. While Thomas is an emotional boy who despite fears is determined to save his sister, Libby is different; she is considered a strategist who is both quick-witted and at the same time resourceful. Their differing strengths made them a balanced duo for the mission because while Thomas is fueled with determination, Libby deals with the problems.

Another core aspect was the bond between the siblings. I noticed that both siblings were united by the love they had for Isabelle. For Thomas, saving his baby sister was his only priority and a way of lifting the spirit of helplessness he was feeling. And for Libby, she saw it as a responsibility to take care of her brother while they both tried to save Isabelle. As they progressed, their bond strengthened, and soon they came to the realization that it wasn't just about rescuing Isabelle but also learning that they needed each other to fulfill the mission.

Aside from the bonding of the siblings, the pacing of the book was another aspect that I found very engaging. The pacing was balanced. At the beginning, the story takes off at a quick start and ends with a twist, which kept me hooked. As I read along, I noticed that the author did not waste time by explaining words like “Faylinn” or the others; rather, Salten revealed the meaning of the words to me in bits as I read about Thomas and Libby's journey through it. This was really nice, as I ended up understanding what “Faylinn” meant while keeping the momentum going.

Also, there was an alternating transverse between the action and breath. For instance, after an action such as coming across a creature, Thomas and Libby get short moments where they regroup or plan their way through. These moments were usually calm, and most times, reflective.

Lastly, the characters came across various creatures, from mermaids to Sidhe and others. This variation added creativity to the story while also preventing the mission and plot from feeling repetitive. One aspect I sincerely appreciated was the world-building. Salten made the story feel mythological by extracting mythical creatures from both Irish and Celtic mythology. However, it did not stop there. The author also recreated these creatures in the story so that they feel real and unique. For instance, one of the words used is “Sidhe,” which is actually pronounced as “shee,” and they are powerful mythical beings known for both their alluring and dangerous characteristics, which are also found in ancient Irish legends. By weaving these creatures into the story, the author makes the book grounded in real folklore, which makes it stand out among other fairy tales.

My final feeling about the novel is that it is more than just a magical adventure story, but it is also one that will resonate with various readers regardless of their age. It is a mythologically-infused plot with balanced pacing, rich world-building, and characters that display love even when their bond is tested.  Faylinn: The Cup of Sidhe is a middle grade fantasy book that I would recommend to middle grade readers and young teens. Adults who enjoy YA fantasy or those who grew up reading or listening to fairy tales would love this. Teachers searching for adventurous books for their students, as well as parents searching for books to read to their children, can also enjoy the story.