fantasy

Clouds & Curses

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Clouds & Curses: Tales of Rydding Village Book 3 by Shanna Swendson

Readers of cozy fantasy novels set in small villages will enjoy the Rydding Village series. In this novel, Ceri, Lady Parcells, comes back home after many years with her daughter, Lili. Ceri’s husband has died and left everything to his children from his first marriage. Ceri’s mother, Mistress Teague, is the most disliked lady in Rydding, and is a complete snob. Ceri was in love with Daryn as a teen, but her mother persuaded her to marry an older nobleman.

Ceri and Lili have an affinity for animals, and bring their cat and dog with them. Ceri can calm horses, though she doesn’t believe in magic. There is some mystery in Rydding. Lights are seen in the distant castle, but no one is ever there. The harvests the past several years seem to be cursed, with rain falling at the worst times. Wyn, the healer who runs a tea shop is slowly starting a romance with Bryn, who runs the small inn and studies magic. Mair, who runs the dairy and sells cheese, is not happy that Ceri is back in town, but Wyn, a newcomer, is more understanding. Ceri actually apologizes for her past mistakes.

Ceri meets Daryn again, and there are definite sparks. Could he still care for her after all these years? Together, the villagers try different methods to harvest the hay and wheat and save the crops. Ceri learns that she can stand up to her mother, especially concerning Lili’s future, and becomes more connected to the village. Some storylines have satisfying conclusions while others will be continued in the next Rydding Village book. The first novel is Tea and Empathy.

Brenda

To Shape a Dragon’s Breath

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To Shape a Dragon’s Breath by Moniquill Blackgoose

The First Book of Nampeshiweisit

This is the best fantasy debut I’ve read in years. 500 pages was not too long, and I eagerly await To Ride a Rising Storm, to be published this October. This novel is from 2023 and won the Andre Norton Nebula Award. Teen Anequs sees a dragon flying east from the island of Masquapaug, then finds a dragon egg. Her village gathers around the egg in celebration, and the hatchling dragon, Kasaqua, bonds with Anequs. Her brother Niquiat, working on the mainland, says that she must apply to attend the Anglish dragon academy with Anequs. No dragon has been seen in the islands for many generations. This alternate history fantasy with some steampunk elements is set in a version of the 1840s in which the Vikings rule eastern North Makeslund. The breath of a dragon can have both useful and destructive powers, so Anequs must learn skiltakraft, a combination of alchemy and chemistry. Having never attended a traditional school, she has some catching up to do.

As an indigenous islander and a girl, some of the academy staff look down on Anequs and her unpedigreed dragon. Only one other student is female, and Marta’s from a wealthy family. Anequs studies hard and speaks her mind, affecting the status quo, making connections at all levels of society. Her goal is to take her dragon and move back to the island, probably an alternate Nantucket, to use her new skills to help her village. Kasaqua, unlike dragons in books by some other writers, grows slowly and is not yet flying by the end of the book. This is listed as a readalike for the popular Empyrean series by Rebecca Yarros, beginning with Fourth Wing, but it sounds darker than To Shape a Dragon’s Breath. Moniquill Blackgoose is a member of the Seaconke Wampanoag tribe and lives in Rhode Island. Anequs is a memorable protagonist, and I loved reading about her world. Adult and teen fans of dragon fantasy books will likely enjoy.

Brenda

Spirit of the Wood

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Spirit of the Wood by Kristen Britain

It’s a lovely surprise when you find out that an author you like has a book that you’ve overlooked. This 2023 fantasy novella is a compelling read. This is not a cozy fantasy, but a more traditional epic fantasy. Britain is known for her Green Rider series, and this novella features a regular character in the series at an earlier time in her life. Laren Mapstone is assigned to take trainee Tavin Bankside on his first long ride. Tavin has recently been called to the Green Rider messenger service and is unsure of his magical gift. Inwardly, Tavin thinks of Laren as the Ice Lady, and she is mostly silent on their ride. When she is injured, Tavin and their two horses manage to get Laren to a warded waystation. A forest ranger and a hermit help him care for Laren. The hermit, who can only be found by seeking the spirit of the wood, helps Tavin control his magic, which is empathy. This appealing story is full of wonder, adventures, and danger, and includes a squirrel plus stories from the now conscious but still tart-tongued Laren. I just discovered that a new novel in the series, Falling in a Sea of Stars, will be published in September. The first book in the series is Green Rider.

Brenda

Somewhere Beyond the Sea

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Somewhere Beyond the Sea by TJ Klune

The sequel to The House in the Cerulean Sea is a satisfying read. Six magical children live with Linus and Arthur on Marsyas Island. Originally an orphanage, Linus and Arthur want to officially adopt all the children. Arthur is summoned to give testimony to DICOMY, the Department in Charge of Magical Youth, and asked about his own unhappy childhood, and his magical powers as a very magnificent phoenix. After his testimony, Arthur and Linus visit a potential new member of their family, 10-year-old David, who’s a yeti.

David likes to act, especially classic private detective scenes. He also likes to scare people, but not to hurt them. Lucy, 7, loves music, including Ella Fitzgerald and Elvis, and learns that David does as well. Lucy is developing his skills and learning what makes him calm.

Miss Harriet Marblemaw is sent to the island to investigate conditions, but is being directed by Jeanine Rowder, friend to absolutely no one on the island, including Zoë, the sprite who oversees the island and village. Themes include found family, embracing diversity, a sweet romance between Arthur and Linus, fun adventures with the kids, and the growing acceptance of the villagers for the island’s children. The magical children continue to delight. This is a sure bet for fans of The House in the Cerulean Sea.

Brenda

The Teller of Small Fortunes

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The Teller of Small Fortunes by Julie Leong

This is a delightful first novel that’s an Indie Next and a Library Reads pick. I love the book cover, which features a wagon, an Asian woman in a cloak, a cup of tea, and a cat. The book is recommended by other cozy fantasy writers, including Sangu Mandanna, Sarah Beth Durst, and Rebecca Thorne.

Tao is Shinaran, but grew up in Eshtara in her stepfather’s house. She once told a major fortune, but has resolved to tell only small fortunes. Small fortunes usually concern the near future and are about everyday happenings. She travels between villages with her mule, Laohu, telling fortunes by reading tea leaves, palms, or a set of Shinaran stones. When a large tree blocks the road, she meets Mash and Silt. Mash is a large ex-mercenary and poet while Silt is a reformed thief. A small fortune told for Mash has a huge effect, and the trio decide to travel together. Mash has been looking for his missing daughter for months.

Then apprentice baker Kina joins the found family. Kina’s pastries usually taste delicious but don’t look very appealing. She is happy to join them on the road, and they soon acquire another wagon and horse, along with a cat. The group encounters a troll and a phoenix on their travels. Tao finally sees her mother after a long separation, as well as her stepfather, and learns more about Eshtara’s Guild of Mages. This is a lovely tale that is heartwarming, a little sad, and occasionally funny. I enjoyed this story about a young woman who didn’t fit in anywhere finding her path and her people. Another book in the same world but with new characters is expected next year.

Brenda

A Letter to the Luminous Deep

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A Letter to the Luminous Deep by Sylvie Cathrall

This is a wondrous and strange story told in letters, journal entries, the equivalent of email, poems, and archives. It reads like historical fantasy, but it might not be. Most people live on or under the sea, with an archipelago of islands the only land around. Two of our characters, Sophy and her sister E. grew up in the Deep House, the only residence built deep underwater, designed by their mother, an architect. E. has anxiety and rarely leaves home. She is affronted when her artist brother arrives unannounced with his fiancée to study a structure that has appeared nearby. E. corresponds with Scholar Henery. Later Henery’s brother Vyell also corresponds with Sophy.

This marine world is described beautifully, as are scientific explorations on and far beneath the surfaces. Most of the characters are scholars, and descriptions of their colleagues and academic departments delight. Emails are known as automated posts. The language is a bit flowery, as of another era, though women are equal with men in academia and gay marriage is common. There are hints of a calamity and plenty of excitement, along with mystery, humor and some gentle romance. Book Two of The Sunken Archive is planned.

Brenda

Penric and the Bandit

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Penric and the Bandit by Lois McMaster Bujold

In this fun fantasy/adventure novella, Penric kin Jurald is on vacation, searching for an abandoned temple where there might be hidden treasure. Horse thief Roz decides to tag along with Penric to get a share of the treasure, if any. He is trying to escape from his former gang of thieves. Thievery is fine with Roz, but he doesn’t have a stomach for violence.

When Roz’s gang catches up, Penric turns out to be a tougher mark than expected, as he is a sorcerer with a demon, and also a religious scholar. The temple is extremely hard to reach and Roz has plenty of time to consider what his priorities are during a long standoff. Everyone but Penric and his demon Desdemona are disappointed with the treasure, when it’s uncovered.

I enjoyed the journey and how Penric did his best to get out of a very tricky situation. The Penric and Desdemona novellas begins with Penric’s Demon, which is also in a collection called Penric’s Progress.

Brenda

The City Beyond the Sea

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Greenwild: The City Beyond the Sea by Pari Thomson

Iffenwild is a wondrous city, part of the Marin Deep, with blue water magic. It’s only a legend to those in the Greenwild, first introduced in Greenwild: The World Behind the Door. Botanists in Amazeria are in danger, and want the Greenwilders to come with help from Iffenwild.

Daisy, the Prof, and Indigo travel to the Moonmarket and sneak onto the Nautilus, one of four theater ships headed to Iffenwild to perform for the city residents and their duchess. Also on board is Max, who’s been ill most of his life and was recently kidnapped by the Grim Reapers. Max and Daisy clash; they have similar personalities. Daisy’s cat, Napoleon, is a help and a comfort, as is Indigo’s parakeet. Daisy struggles to control her green magic, while Max is recovering his strength and secretly learning how to swim. Max, in disguise, gets a walk on role in the Nautilus company’s play, and spends time in a storeroom with a magical memory tree.

The theater, ships, water horses and the land/sea combination of Iffenwild enchant. While dark in parts, this page turning middle grade fantasy novel is a very satisfying read. The depiction and use of magic here is delightful. Some people have power with plants or water, there are magical animals, and there are magical fruits, seeds, leaves, and vines. Excellent! A sequel, The Forest in the Sky, is expected next summer.

Brenda

A Pair of Cozy Fantasy Novels

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Bread and Burglary by Shanna Swendson (Tales of Rydding Village, Book 2)

This is a lovely cozy fantasy novel set in a half-abandoned village. Baker Lucina loves her work and the small village of Rydding, but becomes anxious when the the new smith’s apprentice speaks to her in Tufanan, her native language. Also, Nico was a duke’s guard, and a past relationship with a guard led to Lucina’s fleeing Tufana after an uprising. Wyn makes her tea to help prevent nightmares.

Lucina is hoping to save enough money to send for her Nonna, who raised her and taught her to bake. Some recent thefts in the village have people suspecting Nico, the newest resident. Lucina and the smiths are the only ones not to have been targeted. Does the bread and cream Lucina leaves on her back doorstep every evening help protect her from theft? Her Nonna did the same back in Tufana, as thanks for the magic that makes the bread rise. In this sequel to Tea and Empathy, it’s nice to see the village growing slowly, and for a couple of romance to begin. I look forward to the next Rydding Village tale.

The Baker and the Bard by Fern Haught

This is a graphic novel with colorful and charming illustrations. Juniper works at Mira’s bakery. Hadley plays the flute, makes deliveries for the bakery, has a pink pet snake, and longs for adventure. Neither teen look quite human.

A large rush order for tarts made with glowing mushrooms come in to the bakery. Mira asks Juniper and Hadley to travel to the woods to gether the fungi. Of course, their quest does not go smoothly, but they make friends along the way. This includes a fey named Thistle, who has giant caterpillar friends. This is a sweet and cozy queer fantasy.

Brenda

The Lost Story

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The Lost Story by Meg Shaffer

This portal fantasy novel was inspired by C.S. Lewis’s The Chronicles of Narnia, but Shanandoah does not feel like Narnia to me. Shanandoah is a magical land that can only be reached through the Red Crow Forest in West Virginia.

Emilie is grieving for her adoptive mother then learns that she has a half-sister, Shannon, who went missing in the Red Crow Forest many years ago. Two teen boys, Jeremy and Rafe, also went missing in the forest but were found several months later. Both adults now, Rafe has no memories of these months while Jeremy searches for missing women and children.

Emilie, Jeremy, and Rafe go into the forest, and predictably, end up in Shanandoah. While delightfully magical, it’s also filled with grave dangers. Rafe learns that he put his memories into a book before leaving Shanandoah, and doesn’t remember that he and Jeremy were in love. Emilie has always found music magical. She talks a lot, especially when she’s nervous, and has a pet rat named Fritz (which I thought was sweet, as I had a pet rat named Rosemary when I was a girl). They find Emilie’s sister, who’s welcoming to everyone, even Fritz.

Shanandoah is not very much like West Virginia, and Emilie never wants to leave. But Rafe’s Mom will miss him if he stays. In this resemblance to Narnia, Rafe and Jeremy learn that if they leave, they can never return to Shanandoah, or at least not unless the storyteller (and narrator) can write them back in a sequel. An engaging and compelling read, but not a cozy fantasy. I also enjoyed the author’s earlier novel, The Wishing Game.

Brenda