Book Review: Reflections of Lilje Damselfly by Natalie Kelda

This is expected to be published 23 June 2025. 

When a mysterious ailment refuses to leave water nymph Lilje, her father sends her to a human spa retreat. Lilje quickly discovers she has a lot to learn about human nature and culture when she accidentally scandalises the Edwardian spa guests by showing up undressed.

In hope of relieving her chronic pain and fatigue, she tries her best to fit in and silence her ability to speak with the elements, plants, and animals around her. But when the secret of her heritage is revealed and Lilje falls in love with a human, she faces a difficult choice. Give up everything she thought she was, or live forever in pain and regret of what could have been.

Reflections of Lilje Damselfly is a short standalone novel set in a magical version of early 20th century England.

I LOVED this story. It's rare that you get to find fantasy that's not medieval, so for me, reading an Edwardian story set in a spa was such a treat. Writers, please take note. We do not need swords and castles. You can have castles, but people lived in them all the way up to, well, even now. You can stretch your imagination. And the costumes are SO much nicer the later you go. I’m doing you a favour here.

I want to see 17th, 18th, and 19th century fantasy. And all the alt stuff. As you were. Send it to me please and thank you. Anyway.

I loved the depiction of Lilje the nymph, and the glorious descriptions of the landscape and nature. I felt that the chronic illness and love interest were built beautifully, and I would love to read more about Lilje's parents and earlier life! Now for me, Mel stole my heart. The texture of her voice, and her own agency, was perfect. I love that her humanness did not weigh her down, so to speak, in the company of all those nymphs. How she did not work it out sooner I do not know but regardless.

This is a Sapphic romance, and I was also excited to see that. Natalie handled the class distinction that would have been in place beautifully, and her dialects were ON POINT. As a historian, that kind of tiny detail makes me so happy.

Natalie is an excellent writer, and she's produced something even lovelier than that gorgeous cover. I recommend.