Tithe: A Modern Faerie Tales 1

Tithe: A Modern Faerie Tale by Holly Black is a dark, atmospheric fantasy novel that reimagines faerie folklore in a modern, gritty setting. Blending urban fantasy with ancient myth, this compelling story introduces readers to a dangerous world where beauty and cruelty exist side by side.

Sixteen-year-old Kaye has spent most of her life on the road, traveling from city to city with her mother’s rock band. Fierce, self-reliant, and accustomed to instability, Kaye survives by trusting no one but herself. When a violent and mysterious attack forces her to return to her childhood home in New Jersey, she expects boredom and familiarity—not the unraveling of her reality.

Back in the industrial, blue-collar town she once knew, Kaye begins to notice unsettling signs that the world around her is not what it seems. Strange creatures lurk in the shadows, old memories resurface, and long-forgotten truths emerge. Kaye soon discovers that she is far more deeply connected to the faerie realm than she ever imagined.

Unwittingly, she becomes entangled in a brutal conflict between two rival faerie courts locked in an ancient struggle for power. As alliances shift and betrayals mount, Kaye is drawn into a deadly game where humans are expendable and survival is never guaranteed. Her courage, independence, and resilience are tested as she fights to reclaim control of her fate.

Holly Black’s Tithe stands out for its sharp writing, morally complex characters, and unsettling portrayal of faeries as dangerous and unpredictable beings rather than harmless sprites. The novel explores themes of identity, belonging, and transformation while maintaining a dark, suspenseful tone.

As the first book in the Modern Faerie Tales series, Tithe is a must-read for fans of young adult fantasy, urban fantasy, and twisted folklore. It offers a fresh and haunting introduction to a faerie world where magic is real, beauty is deadly, and nothing is ever as innocent as it appears.