Think twice if…
- Content warnings: Violence, Graphic violence, Death, Abuse, Religious trauma, Captivity, Blood, Grief, Trauma, Manipulation
The Red Woman and the White Bear
by Fern A. Ellis
Book 1 in The Red Woman and the White Bear
An East of the Sun West of the Moon retelling done as a 500-page dark fae romantasy. Reluctant chosen one + vengeful Unseelie King + open-door slow burn that earns every page.
goodreads 3.98/5 468 ratings
Quick fit
Is this story right for you?
A decision-first view of the reading experience.
Length506 pages
Series statusOngoing series
Spice1/5 · Passionate / intense
PacingMedium
Story profile
What the story promises
The strongest reviewed signals about romance, fantasy, and the reading experience.
Romance promise
- Enemies to lovers
- Male/female pairing (M/F)
- Slow burn
- Low
- Passionate / intense
- The angst delivered
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- Fae prince
- Morally gray love interest (LI)
- Slow burn with late spice
- Tension finally satisfied
- Morally gray
- Tension / anticipation
- Book hangover incoming
- Dark/tortured soul
- Forbidden love
- Emotional / vulnerable intimacy
- Earned hope
- King / ruling monarch
- Captor/captive
- Possessive / claiming
- Love/hate tension
- Possessive/protective
- Tension
- Anticipation
- Longing glances
- Jealous/possessive during intimacy
Fantasy promise
- Romantasy
- Fae romance
- Royal court / palace
- High fantasy
- Fae
- Forest / wilderness
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- Fae realm / faerie courts
- Mythological
- Fairytale retelling
- Captive romance
- Soulmate/destined bond
- Hurt/comfort
- Hidden identity
Reading experience
- Third person
- Medium
- Dark
- Lush
- Heavy
- High
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- Reluctant chosen one
- Atmospheric
- Mythic
- Lyrical
- Witch/mage
- Intense
- Literary
- Prophetess/seer
- Yearning
- Dramatic
- Sacrifice / chosen to die
- Brooding
- Character-driven
- Epic
- Magical
- Haunting
- Forbidden desire
- Fae courts and politics
- Chosen one burden
- Bargain with consequences
- Reluctant royalty
- Court of shadows
- Page turner
- Morally complex
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Different because
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Book details
- Length
- 506 pages
- Language
- English
- Format
- Book