Natalie Kelda

@nataliekelda

I'm an author of (space) fantasy and Viking age historical fiction. ESL speaker, biologist, Danish. she/her

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Natalie Kelda@nataliekelda· 20d

I've been mulling over this review for over 2 months (mostly just procrastinating because how do you write a review for a book that's so good??) I'm *almost* caught up now with my review backlog! (don't remind me I need to crosspost I *know*)

Goodreads review for Sistah Samurai: I've been struggling to write a review for a while because this book is so many things (all of which can be summed up as "simply awesome") it's quite difficult to capture properly in a review.

It's wild and slightly kooky, it unapologetically mixing genres, eras, worlds even and it just works perfectly! I don't understand how it all comes together so well but it's abundantly clear that Obey is a phenomenal author from page one.

In a fairly short novella Obey manages to pack in so many emotions and themes, the story will make you laugh out loud one minute and pause and just sit and think about life and time and what are we all actually doing in the next minute.

I listened to the audiobook and it was, hands down, the best-produced audiobook I've ever listened to. there isn't even a radio play that comes close for me. Just an absolute blast all the way through. Seriously, just read it already, you won't regret it!

Natalie Kelda@nataliekelda· 25d

I think I might actually catch up on my review backlog?! Another 3 to go and I still have 3-4 weeks of drafting my WIP left (in which time I'll only be reading non-fiction). Anyway, I loved this book, you should read it!

Goodreads review of Love Lethal, Death Devine: After reading Dark Woods, Deep Water I immediately added this one to my tbr and I was not disappointed! The tone and vibes are different in this one but I'd still argue it's somewhere within the gothic fantasy umbrella although it does have somewhat more brightness and hope within it than Dark Woods, Deep Water.

The time warping we experienced to a lesser degree in DW, DW was a lot more intrumental in the plot of this one but it made for a very interesting concept and at least when going in blid having not read any reviews or the blurb, it made for a fun and unexpected read.

Liana is easy to love, I had found myself hopign to learn more about her already from the tiny remarks in DW, DW so having her as the main POV here alongside Melia who was a lot harder for me to sympathise with even though she had been given one hell of a rubbish lot in life.

There were a lot of twists and turns throughout keeping you guessing with it all being well foreshadowed and the final solutions fell into place at the right time for me.

Natalie Kelda@nataliekelda· 25d

I really want to hit 40 sign ups before the first round of ARCs go out next week 🥹 Sapphic gothic romance anybody? 250 pages of yearning, North Yorkshire coal mining setting, a cute cat, lots of (human) death, despair, grief and some light punching of a creepy dude who absolutely deserves it.

Screenshot of google form showing 37 responses.

Natalie Kelda@nataliekelda· 27d

I finally got back to reviewing my backlog! (By scheduling an IG review post for myself next week so I have to get the last ones written before then 🤣) Really loved this one, perfect for readers who enjoy gothic and folk horror!

Goodreads review by Natalie for Dark Woods, Deep Water, review text: Loved this dark, folkloric gothic fantasy/horror! I listened to the audiobook which was excellent and I feel like it helped create the right mood and vibes for me.

This is not a story for people who want constant up front action, it's what can be expected from a gothic folk horror, full of rich descriptions and a slowly increasing sense of dread and despair encroaching from all directions. The opening sets the tone well so I reckon if the first few chapters don't reel you in, then this book probably won't land for you.

But if you're like me and desperately search out slower stories where the prose and characters are allowed room to breathe and develop alongside the action and more tense scenes, then this is the perfect read. I'm altogether exhausted by the current fashion of writing everything fast paced, snappy, quick. As if even our books read for enjoyment need to fall into the weird obsession with speed and "productivity" our (western) society can't let got of. This book is the perfect antidote to that and I adore if because of it.

Natalie Kelda@nataliekelda· Jul 5

Tried some new (to me) canva tricks and apps. Not sure if I actually like it but hey, new skill acquired at least! Remember that Reflections of Lilje Damselfly has a wonderful audiobook available on audible and applebooks 💜

Graphic with white wave lines and a book cover bevisible between the lines and text cut out at the top spelling out "healing". The focal point is an art nouveau drawing of a woman wearing a waterdress with two fish by her feet.

Natalie Kelda@nataliekelda· Jul 3

It's Disability Pride month so what better timing to pick up my book about a chronically ill water nymph who goes to an Edwardian spa for treatments? A little while ago I had energy enough to go down to the riverside and I brought Lilje along with me so she could sit by the water's edge with me 🥰

Book settled on a smooth rock with a buttercup flower beside it. The book has a cover in an art nouveau style with the title: Reflections of Lilje Damselfly by Natalie Kelda and features a woman holding a water lily in one hand. She’s dressed in a blue water dress with water swirling around her arm and the hand that doesn’t hold the lily. Beneath her feet are two fish. Around the woman is a set of circles with the top half lined with water lilies and their lily pads. Around the scene is a swirling pattern in 3 tones of blue.

Natalie Kelda@nataliekelda· Jun 29

Finally droppping some more from my review backlog! I think I only have 4 reviews left to catch up on now. Please clap 😅 This one was a lot of fun if you enjoy well-researched Norse Mythology inspired horror-fantasy!

Goodreads review for Hotel Fen, review text: I've had the audiobook on my tbr for FOREVER and finally got around to it and wish I'd read it sooner to be honest! It's a fun, relatively short novel and while it's book 1 in a series, I think it works well enough on its own(although there is some setup for future books towards the end/epilogue).

It had a slightly unusual style in that the POV didn't seem to be strictly third person but it wasn't quite omniscient either. I suspect this might bother some people but it actually read like a translated Scandinavian story because this POV style is fairly common (at least in Danish and form my limited experience with Swedish novels some use this POV style as well). Since the book focuses so much on Norse mythology, it felt fitting with such a POV style in my opinion and I really enjoyed that aspect.

The story is engaging and unfolds at a great pace, there's always something new to keep you guessing and "turning the page"(listening to another few minutes in my case) and I thought the characterisation was well done too.

The Norse Mythology felt well-researched and I can be a bit of a snob with that so extra kudos.

Natalie Kelda@nataliekelda· Jun 26

Tart the cat! He is the only character I will guarantee 100% safety for in this one 😅

Natalie Kelda@nataliekelda· Jun 26

It finally happened! And would you look at that average?! To think that a story created from a place of such a struggle with chronic illness and disability have brought joy to so many people is incredible to me. If you haven't read it yet, what are you waiting for? It's available in all formats!

Goodreads book page screenshot for Reflections of Lilje Damselfly with the star ratings and reviews highlighted. The average is 4.47 out of 100 ratings and 80 reviews.

Natalie Kelda@nataliekelda· Jun 25

📣 ARC READERS 📣 Behold, a meme to make you sign up for my sapphic gothic romance book pretty please! (Also, it has a cute cat) ARC Signup link: forms.gle/EXJTBZfXdpaS... 💙📚

car sales man meme but on top of the car is a book titled The Turbulent Appearance of Brise Collier by Natalie Kelda. Text at the top of the meme: *slaps book* this one fits so much trauma

Natalie Kelda@nataliekelda· Jun 25

🎉COVER REVEAL🎉 Today I have the pleasure of sharing the cover for @timmckay52.bsky.social's sequel, The Light of Mezzara! Who doesn't love a giant fiery bird?! The book drops August 25th Cover illustration by Joe Requeza Cover design/typography by Rachel Bostwick

Graphic with black text top and bottom and a book in the centre. Text from top: cover reveal! Dream at thy peril, for nightmares lie on the edge of hope. The book is titles The Light of Mezzara by T.J. McKay and features a person holding up a fiery sword in from of a giant flaming bird. The ground under the bird is on fire.

Natalie Kelda@nataliekelda· Jun 22

Look at this. Just terrible. The entire book is full of this awful, lyrical, purple prose! (This is sarcasm, this is my book)

Graphic with black text: Reflections of Lilje Damselfly. I gathered the droplets in his wake. A hint of stiffness remained in my joints. Weaving the water around me, I clad myself in a shimmering, ever-flowing robe. I called on the reedmaces, the lily buds and early marsh marigolds for a splash of sun-yellow. It was too early for much else. It had been a long and tough winter. In high summer, I could wear my most beloved flowers. A crown of purple irises and white frogbit with fragile water violets. Wreaths of buttercups, flowering rush, red campions, and scabious for the bodice. Ragged robins and meadowsweet for the skirt and train. Cow parsley, water soldiers and cuckoo flowers interspersed for variety, and all held together by drops of gentle water.

Natalie Kelda@nataliekelda· Jun 21

Barry cat: screams and presses his "walkies" button 50 times in a row Me: it's hot outside Barry: hots the "walkies" button again Me: *sigh* alright Barry the moment we get outside:

Black and white cat in a turquoise harness lying on a windowsill.

The same black and white cat looking back at the camera.

Natalie Kelda@nataliekelda· Jun 19

Look at this incredible art I was gifted! simply_i_like_it(on IG) captured Mejse and Susan so perfectly 😍 The Windfall of Mejse Oakwood is a cosy historical fantasy about a grumpy, genderfluid wood nymph who tries to chase off a widow but starts to find her endearing instead.

Drawing of two characters looking at one another and holding hands. To the left is a woman with greying brown hair who is wearing a softly lavender purple Victorian dress. To the right is a person with long deer-like ears and forest green hair wearing a shirt and breeches. The person to the right is holding the woman's chin with their right hand.

Natalie Kelda@nataliekelda· Jun 16

I got a beautiful review today and that means Lilje is SO CLOSE to hitting 80 reviews/100 ratings on goodreads. 1 week left until her first birthday. Will she manage to get that last review and 2 more ratings before then?

Reflections of Lilje Damselfly goodreads screenshot with 98 ratings and 79 reviews highlighted.

Natalie Kelda@nataliekelda· Jun 12

📣COVER REVEAL📣 'We are but one web, navigating the tapestry of lies.' I have the honour of helping share the cover for @timwolffauthor.bsky.social's upcoming book! Pre-orders are live and knowing some of Timothy's other works, I'm confident this one will be excellent! Preorder: a.co/07BU9V0x

Graphic with orange background, pale yellow text and a book in the centre. Text above and below the book: cover reveal. Out July 31. The book is titles Requiem of Dice by Timothy Wolff and it features an armoured night skeleton at the top with two people at a game table below.

Natalie Kelda@nataliekelda· Jun 11

Look at this incredible artwork! This is Crowfoot, Lilje Damselfly's father - an ancient water nymph painted in acrylics on canvas by the super talented @cblansdell It's the most beautiful piece I've ever commissioned and I can't wait to put it on my wall so I can admire it daily!

Painting of an androgynous man standing hip-deep in a forest pond. There's a golden light shining through the trees behind him and he's raised one arm with a sheet of water cascading over the arm and a bubble of water is formed in his raised hand. The other hand holds brooklime flowers against his heart. Water lilies dot the pond surface around him and his long hair goes from black near the roots to green where it floats around him in the water.

Natalie Kelda@nataliekelda· Jun 11

I have my own personal gargoyle to scare off the anti-queers.

Black and white photo of a Black and white cat having a big yawn while sitting on the edge of a narrow side table.

The same photo in colours of a Black and white cat having a big yawn while sitting on the edge of a narrow side table.

Natalie Kelda@nataliekelda· Jun 10

Would you read a gothic historical romantasy with this cover? Well, you're in luck as you can sign up to get an ARC today! (that's a free early reader copy!) 📚 💙 ARC Signup link: forms.gle/EXJTBZfXdpaS...

Book cover in an art nouveau style with the title: The Turbulent Appearance of Brise Collier by Natalie Kelda and features two women in dynamic poses, one at the top right is reaching down towards the other at the bottom left who’s reaching up towards the flying woman. The flying woman has white-blonde hair and is wrapped in a partially sheer robe in pale blues and pinks. The woman falling at the bottom left wears Georgian clothes in dark earthy colours and has brown hair. Behind them is a winter-barren tree with lumps of snow on the branches. Blue swirls move between the tree’s branches.

Natalie Kelda@nataliekelda· Jun 9

Look what arrived today! I now have winter and spring. Next year I'll add summer and autumn 🤩

Wooden picture frame with a white mount and an art nouveau style art print with the title: The Turbulent Appearance of Brise Collier by Natalie Kelda and features two women in dynamic poses, one at the top right is reaching down towards the other at the bottom left who’s reaching up towards the flying woman. The flying woman has white-blonde hair and is wrapped in a partially sheer robe in pale blues and pinks. The woman falling at the bottom left wears Georgian clothes in dark earthy colours and has brown hair. Behind them is a winter-barren tree with lumps of snow on the branches. Blue swirls move between the tree’s branches. The scene is framed in dusty pink and on the outside of the frame a tabby cat is sitting in the bottom left corner looking up at the scene.

Two wooden picture frames hanging on a white wall with art nouveau style artworks inside. To the left is the wintry scene titled The Turbulent Appearance of Brise Collier which shows two women in dynamic poses. To the right is a more spring-ljke art piece titled Reflections of Lilje Damselfly and features a woman wearing a water dress and holding a water lily in one hand.

Natalie Kelda@nataliekelda· Jun 8

BEHOLD! Sapphics punching a creep - now animated! My first ever animation. Is it rough? Yes. Am I proud of absolutely destroying my chronic pain riddled hands over this? Also yes(odd maybe, but that 3rd frame alone was worth it 🤣) ARC SIGN UPS OPEN NOW!!! forms.gle/EXJTBZfXdpaS...

Natalie Kelda@nataliekelda· Jun 8

My body feels like it's dying but 3 more people signed up overnight taking the total to 16!!! Sapphic gothic historical fantasy anyone? I need ARC readers pretty please 🥺 📚 💙

Natalie Kelda@nataliekelda· Jun 7

We're up to 11 sign ups! My delulu goal is 100 though so we're just 1/10 of the way there. Do you read sapphic romance? How about gothic historical fantasy? Sign up and you get: Only one bed bi 4b bi sapphics punching misogynists yearning bucketloads of trauma hurt/comfort and one very cute cat

Oliver Twist meme with a boy with an empty bowl. White text top and bottom: please mx, may I have some more. Arc readers for my sapphic gothic book

Natalie Kelda@nataliekelda· Jun 7

ARC readers wanted! No account is too small, if you enjoy reading and reviewing books this is your chance! When a 19th century female coal miner rescues an air sprite stuck in a human's body, they can't deny their attraction to one another. Out Oct 27th! Signup link: forms.gle/EXJTBZfXdpaS... 📚💙

Graphic with black text and a book in the centre on a white, snowy background. Text: above and below book Gothic Historical Fantasy. Arc applications open. Text to the left of book: bi 4 bi. Trauma, lots of it. Sapphic yearning. Punch the patriachy. Text to the right of book: touch her and die. Only one bed. The cat is the star. Hurt/comfort. The cover of the book is in an art nouveau style and has the title: The Turbulent Appearance of Brise Collier by Natalie Kelda and features two women in dynamic poses, one at the top right is reaching down towards the other at the bottom left who’s reaching up towards the flying woman.

Natalie Kelda@nataliekelda· Jun 6

I turned the cover into an art print! Gothic historical fantasy When a 19th century female coal miner rescues an air sprite stuck in a human's body, they can't deny their attraction to one another. Out October 27th. ARC signup: forms.gle/EXJTBZfXdpaS... 💙📚

Book cover artwortk in an art nouveau style with the title: The Turbulent Appearance of Brise Collier by Natalie Kelda and features two women in dynamic poses, one at the top right is reaching down towards the other at the bottom left who’s reaching up towards the flying woman. The flying woman has white-blonde hair and is wrapped in a partially sheer robe in pale blues and pinks. The woman falling at the bottom left wears Georgian clothes in dark earthy colours and has brown hair. Behind them is a winter-barren tree with lumps of snow on the branches. Blue swirls move between the tree’s branches. The scene is framed in dusty pink and on the outside of the frame a tabby cat is sitting in the bottom left corner looking up at the scene.

Natalie Kelda@nataliekelda· Jun 5

Someone send all the sapphic readers of gothic historical/low fantasy my way!! I'm in need of ARC readers. When a 19th century female coal miner rescues an air sprite stuck in a human's body, they can't deny their attraction to one another. forms.gle/EXJTBZfXdpaS...

Graphic with black text and arrows around a tablet with a book cover. The cover is in an art nouveau style and has the title: The Turbulent Appearance of Brise Collier by Natalie Kelda and features two women in dynamic poses, one at the top right is reaching down towards the other at the bottom left who’s reaching up towards the flying woman. The text around the tablet from top clockwise: Gothic historical fantasy. Let’s punch the patriachy. Trauma, so much trauma. The cat is the real star. Never take advice from a water nymph. Sapphics expertly yearning for 200+ pages. The wind listens. Bi 4 bi

Graphic with black text and 2 digital illustrations. Text: The Turbulent Appearance of Brise Collier. Touch her and die. Yearning. Bi 4 Bi. They save eachother. Hurt/Comfort. Only one bed. Gothic Historical Fantasy. Lefthand illustration shows a snowy scene with a woman in 18th century clothing. She has brown hair that's pinned up and her skirt and bodice is brown while her aprol and shawl are dark grey. She holds a metal bucket. Righthand illustration is of a white haired woman dancing barefooted in a snow flurry. She wears a long dark brown skirt and tan shirt both of which have an early nineteenth century look.

Natalie Kelda@nataliekelda· Jun 5

Now that my cover reveal is over with I'm going to be insufferable about my queer historical tandalone series. I have one you can read right now and another you can sign up to read from late July! Sapphic historical fantasy anyone? Grab a book and sign up for an ARC!

Graphic with black text and arrows around a tablet with a book cover. The cover is in an art nouveau style and has the title: Reflections of Lilje Damselfly by Natalie Kelda and features a woman holding a water lily in one hand. She wears a blue water dress and two fish are beneath her feet while swirling blue patterns frame the scene. The text around the tablet from top clockwise: Cosy historical fantasy. Why is the cypress hedge so upset?? Chronically ill MC. Sapphic. Scandalising Edwardians is as easy as walking around naked. A pony named Pete. Staring at crumbs in beards is rude, apparently. Water nymph out of water.

Natalie Kelda@nataliekelda· Jun 4

And here's the full spread and silly trope chart! Arc Signup link: forms.gle/EXJTBZfXdpaS... Universal link: books2read.com/u/4E6kOA Website: nataliekelda.co.uk/brise-collier Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/book/show/25...

Book cover showing back and front in an art nouveau style. Front cover title: The Turbulent Appearance of Brise Collier by Natalie Kelda and features two women in dynamic poses, one at the top right is reaching down towards the other at the bottom left who’s reaching up towards the flying woman. The flying woman has white-blonde hair and is wrapped in a partially sheer robe in pale blues and pinks. The woman falling at the bottom left wears Georgian clothes in dark earthy colours and has brown hair. Behind them is a winter-barren tree with lumps of snow on the branches. Blue swirls move between the tree’s branches. Back cover shows a tabby cat and a large wicker basket full of coal.

Natalie Kelda@nataliekelda· Jun 4

📢COVER REVEAL📢 It's finally here! 40 hours of work and some very sore hands but I'm SO proud of how this cover turned out! 19th century sapphic coal miner rescues an air sprite stuck in a human's body. Out October 27th. Pre-orders and ARC sign up is open now! Links below due to space! 💙📚

Natalie Kelda@nataliekelda· Jun 3

I'm 2 reviews from 80 total on goodreads(and just 4 ratings from 100!!!) It would be pretty cool if I hit that before this book turns 1 year old in 20 days. It's a cosy little book about a chronically ill water nymph. It's sapphic too, perfect for a pride month read!