Fearne Calloway Would Want You to Read These 10 Books

Fearne Calloway, the bardic soul of Critical Role’s Campaign 2, weaves stories with her lute, her voice, and her unwavering belief in the magic of art. If you’ve ever wondered what books her whimsical, music-driven spirit would gravitate toward, here’s a list that mirrors her love for myth, music, and the kind of stories that make your heart ache in the best way.

1. The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss

A bard’s origin story, Kvothe’s journey in The Kingkiller Chronicle is practically tailor-made for Fearne. From his tragic past to his relentless pursuit of arcane knowledge through music, this book captures the raw power of storytelling. Rothfuss’s prose sings in the same way Fearne’s ballads do—haunting, lyrical, and utterly immersive.

2. The Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern

This novel feels like a lullaby written in starlight. With its labyrinthine libraries, secret underground worlds, and a love story wrapped in riddles, it’s the kind of tale Fearne would lose herself in. The book’s emphasis on stories as living entities—shaping destinies and opening doors—mirrors her own belief in the transformative power of art.

3. The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller

A retelling of Homer’s Iliad through the lens of Achilles’ legendary bond with Patroclus, this book is a masterclass in poetic storytelling. Fearne, who values emotional truth in every note she plays, would resonate with Miller’s exploration of love, legacy, and the way stories outlive their tellers. It’s a weepy, beautiful ode to human connection—just like Fearne’s own ballads.

4. Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo

Heist stories might seem worlds away from Fearne’s melodic quests, but this crew of misfits is driven by the same sense of camaraderie and redemption. The book’s witty dialogue and richly drawn characters—especially Jesper, a sharpshooter with a secret—would remind Fearne of her fellow Luxons, proving that even the most fractured souls can create something brilliant together.

5. The Golem and the Jinni by Helene Wecker

Set in 1890s New York, this novel intertwines two mythologies—Middle Eastern and Eastern European—through a golem and a jinni navigating human frailty. Fearne, who bridges the mortal and fey worlds, would love how the book explores identity, cultural collision, and the magic hidden in everyday lives. Plus, the jinni’s fiery temper? Pure Fearne when she’s riled up.

6. The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon

Dragons, feminist heroism, and a fantasy world built on oral traditions—this standalone epic is a dragon-kin’s dream. Fearne, who channels the spirit of the forest with her magic, would appreciate the book’s themes of preservation vs. destruction and its lush, dragon-centered mythology. Bonus: The romance subplot hits harder than a bard’s hangover.

7. Deathless by Catherynne M. Valente

Russian folklore meets Soviet history in this dark, lyrical reimagining of the Marya Morevna legend. Fearne, who dances with both joy and sorrow, would admire Valente’s blend of political allegory and folkloric magic. The book’s exploration of love in the face of oppression—and its use of music as a weapon of resistance—would strike a chord with her idealistic heart.

8. The Buried Giant by Kazuo Ishiguro

Ishiguro’s meditation on memory and loss unfolds in a quasi-Arthurian landscape where a forgotten past haunts the present. Fearne, who seeks truth through her art, would connect with the characters’ struggle to reclaim their stories from a world that wants to erase them. The ethereal tone and moral ambiguity mirror her own journey of reconciling her wild fey heritage with mortal life.

9. The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Arden

The first in the Winternight Trilogy, this novel blends Slavic fairy tales with icy atmosphere and a heroine who sings to spirits. Fearne’s affinity for the mystical and her knack for charming the supernatural (see: her pact with the forest) would make this a favorite. Arden’s vivid descriptions of Vasilisa’s magical lullabies are the literary equivalent of Fearne’s signature song, The Raving Piper’s Jig.

10. The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern

Another Morgenstern masterpiece, The Night Circus is a love letter to enchantment. Its black-and-white circus filled with impossible wonders echoes Fearne’s own sense of whimsy. The book’s emphasis on sacrifice for art and the blurred line between performance and reality would speak directly to a bard who uses magic to uplift—and sometimes manipulate—those around her.

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Learn about & chat with Fearne Calloway
Dive into the books Fearne would recommend, then talk to her on HoloDream. She’ll share her own spin on these stories—and maybe even compose a ballad about your favorite.