Lysbeth Haywood has always been fascinated by the stories of Faye. Many ships in the course of their voyages have chanced upon Faye ships. However, only one person has been fortunate enough to step onto the Faye land. Lord Alder Haywood’s ancient letter describing their ways left Lysbeth yearning for a chance to meet them. Yet, when a Lord presents Evyn, a captured Faye, in the hope of winning her hand, she realizes there is more to them than she had ever imagined. Her brother, Isaac, insists on tormenting Evyn to demonstrate his power. His cruelty unleashes a chain of events that would soon change the course of both Lysbeth's and Erruwyn’s lives. Strung, by Roske, recounts their unforgettable story.

In this genre-defying novel, science fiction and fantasy merge with romance, the laws of physics with emotions. Roske, who tells this story, is none other than the chronicler of the ‘People’ whom the humans describe as Faye. Under this skilled writing, a new world emerges before readers’ eyes. Their people’s way of life is vastly different from ours as they believe in complete harmony between the mind and nature. Each page brings a new revelation and exposes a new secret about their ability to modulate inanimate objects with sound. The vivid imagery, enhanced by the eye-catching illustrations sprinkled throughout the text, immediately captivates readers. Roske plays with readers’ emotions. Strung resembles a musical composition, varying in tempo, alternating between jarring crescendos fraught with tension and soothing sections of respite. I believe this book would also be perfect as an audiobook.

Strung, by Roske, is a fantasy novel featuring a young woman’s hopeful dream of someday meeting a Faye. Lysbeth had many men vying for her hand in marriage. Earl Dorsit persisted until she decided if he could bring her a Faye, then she would consider marriage. To her shock, he delivered Evyn, a Faye. Her brother Lord Issac was not impressed. Evyn was unable to speak but as he showed attention to Lysbeth, Dorsit became angry and attempted to interfere. Evyn knocked his arm away. Lord Issac decided Evyn needed to be molded into society and sent him to the barbaric Warden Wescott. War breaks out and Lysbeth pins for Evyn. Six months later, the once beautiful Evyn returns as a timid, gaunt creature that refuses to meet her eyes. Through the talents of writing and drawing, Lysbeth learns of the cruelty that Evyn endured. She earns his trust, and what he speaks of results in changing Lysbeth’s view of her role in life.

I fell in love with the beautiful portrayal of Evyn and the way he told of where Faye lived. Strung is written as though it is a song played by an orchestra. Roske gave vivid imagery of every character’s personality. Jaques is a hilarious drunken duke whose defiance of social decorum tends to be somewhat beguiling. Strong-willed Corah, Lysbeth’s younger sister, seems to be oblivious to her obvious rudeness. Lysbeth and Evyn's attraction to one another was overwhelming, and I kept wanting to tell Lysbeth to quit hiding her feelings. Everyone felt the tension, and their attempts to compel her to act seemed to fall on deaf ears. At the end of the book, there is a glossary of the different terms used by Evyn, which was helpful to fully understand what he said. The end of the story left me pining for more, as the cliffhanger ending has me hoping to obtain the sequel. If you like a slow-burn romance, exceptional fantasy characters, and suspenseful novels, then Strung is the book for you.