fantasy

Emily Wilde’s Encyclopaedia of Faeries

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Emily Wilde’s Encyclopaedia of Faeries by Heather Fawcett

In 1909, Dr. Emily Wilde visits the (fictional) Scandinavian island country of Ljosland to do research for her encyclopaedia of faeries. Emily is interested only in faeries, and isn’t very comfortable with people. Unfortunately, she got off on the wrong foot with the Hrafnsvik village leader, and isn’t sure why. Her rented cabin is sparsely furnished, and the two meals provided daily are barely edible. Fortunately, a brownie she calls Poe bakes lovely bread after she agrees to keep a path clear of snow for him. Then her Oxford colleague Professor Wendell Bambleby arrives unexpectedly, along with two of his students, and moves into the cabin. The cabin gets more comfortable, the students chop their firewood, and the villagers like the handsome golden-haired professor. Wendell wants Emily to coauthor a paper with him, and will even help find more fae, if he can ever get up early enough to travel with her.

Hrafnsvik has a changeling, and a girl who was taken and later returned by the courtly fae. When two young women are later kidnapped by the fae, Emily has come to care for the villagers, and volunteers to search for them along with the charming and infuriating Wendell and her unusual dog Shadow. I was hoping for a cozy fantasy read when I started this book, but readers of fairy tales will expect some danger from the cold and occasionally cruel fae. The worldbuilding is very well done, and prickly Emily becomes more likable. A sequel, Emily Wilde’s Map of the Otherlands, which also features Wendell Bambleby has just been published. Books by Seanan McGuire are a good readalike, as is the Invisible Library series by Genevieve Cogman.

Brenda

The Narrow Road Between Desires

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The Narrow Road Between Desires by Patrick Rothfuss

While this is not the long-anticipated doorstopper sequel to the Wise Man’s Fear, this illustrated fantasy novella is a very enjoyable read. Set all on a Midsummer’s Day, it features Bast, a fae who lives and works at Kvothe’s inn in a small village. It’s a secret that Bast is fae rather than human, and I won’t mention what type of fae. He is very handsome, and some of the villagers think he’s lazy. He provides advice and favors for the village children and tweens who visit him at the Lightning Tree…for a price. Perhaps the price is a secret, a bunch of flowers, the location of a beehive, a couple of sticky buns, or a favor. Bast can lie, but does follow some rules. Rike needs the most help; a plan to deal with his angry father. Viette wants to keep a kitten, someone wants to learn about the fae, and a boy wants revenge on a brother who stole his sweetheart. Another girl wants to avoid a well-deserved scolding. Bast also woos a pretty lady, with help from one of the kids. He is supposed to be running an errand for Kvothe, but keeps mislaying things. By turns serious and very funny, with many black and white illustrations by the talented Nate Taylor, I didn’t want this story to end. Reading this on one of the shortest days of the year, it was lovely to be immersed in a long, warm, and sunny day.

Brenda

Two Teen Novels: Divine Rivals and Highly Suspicious & Unfairly Cute

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Divine Rivals by Rebecca Ross

I listened to the first half of this Good Reads Choice Award teen fantasy on audio, narrated by Rebecca Norfolk and Alex Wingfield, both excellent narrators, and read the rest in print a few weeks later. This is the first book in the Letters of Enchantment duology. The second, Ruthless Vows, will be published December 26, and is likely to be just as popular.

Iris Winnow, a poor teen journalist, is vying for a columnist job along with well-educated and well-dressed Roman Kitt. Forest, Iris’s brother, has enlisted in a war between two recently awakened gods. Iris types letters to Fores on a typewriter she inherited for her grandmother, hoping her mother doesn’t find and pawn it. The typewriter turns out to be linked to another typewriter, now owned by Roman, who replies to the letters using his middle name.

After Iris suffers a loss and a setback, she signs up to be a war correspondent and takes the train to a distant town, staying along with a fellow war correspondent, with a kind boardinghouse owner. The town is on high alert for human or magical attacks. Iris hopes to find news of her brother. Iris is surprised (though not the reader) when Roman follows her, now also a war correspondent, and Iris learns of their grandmothers’ connection. At Iris’s request, Roman shares stories of the gods. Once rivals, Roman and Iris quickly fall in love. A dramatic cliffhanger ending sets up the sequel. The rivals to lovers romance is believable and the characters and dark, dangerous steampunk setting are memorable. Not a happy book, but a compelling read.

Highly Suspicious and Unfairly Cute by Talia Hibbert

Black British teens Celine and Bradley were friends until a few years ago, when Bradley, an athlete, became very popular. Bradley has obsessive compulsive disorder, but it’s not presented stereotypically and most of his friends are unaware of his issues. Celine is refreshingly weird, is usually scowling, and has a popular conspiracy themed social media site. Their mothers are best friends, and are delighted when the teens both qualify for an unusual scholarship competition, which involves hiking, orienteering, and camping. Neither Celine or Bradley is outdoorsy, though they’re both capable hikers. Speaking of the title, Celine is highly suspicious, and thinks that Bradley is unfairly cute, especially his hair. They become friends again, with plenty of funny banter leading to a sweet romance. This was an entertaining and enjoyable read from an author best known for her adult rom-coms, the Brown sisters trilogy.

Brenda

Tea and Empathy

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Tea and Empathy: Tales of Rydding Village, Book 1 by Shanna Swendson

Author Shanna Swendson set out to right a cozy fantasy in a traditional setting, a welcome recent trend. She is best known for her contemporary fantasy series, Enchanted, Inc., mostly set in New York City.

While the story starts with Elwyn at a very low point, wondering if she’ll survive, it ends with her and the village of Rydding starting to thrive. Elwyn is on the run, hungry and weak. She leaves the main road for a lane leading into a forest, where she immediately feels safer, then crosses a stone bridge over a bridge to find a quiet village in the valley. Elwyn finds refuge in a vacant stone cottage with a large overgrown cottage, reminding her of a cottage she once lived in. This cottage turns out to be something magical. Elwyn, who now calls herself Wyn, meets Mair, who trades her goat milk and cheese. Soon Wyn opens a tea chop in the front room of the cottage, and later, reluctantly, does a little healing. A wounded and unconscious man appears in the village, who remembers nothing of his past when he wakes up, but is happy to help Wyn with blending herbs and tea.

Will Wyn be able to stay in the village, or will serious troubles from her recent past find her if she stays in Rydding? A very pleasant read, and I look forward to more cozy fantasy novels in this series.

The Dark Lord’s Daughter

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The Dark Lord’s Daughter by Patricia Wrede

This book is perfect for readers who enjoy cozy or lighthearted fantasy. Marketed for middle school readers, yet appealing for all ages. Kayla Jones, 14, visits the Minnesota State Fair, an annual tradition, with her adoptive mom Riki and her younger brother, Del. Suddenly they are transported to a stone circle in Zaradwin, where Kayla is called Xavrielina, the new Dark Lady.

Kayla’s tablet computer becomes her talking familiar, the castle has dragon skulls that speak, and Kayla’s aunts may not have her best interests at heart. On the positive side, her cousin and potential rival wants to be a musician while another relative loves to cook.

Kayla, aided by her familiar, her practical and protective mother, her lively younger brother, and the castle librarian, learns what her options are as a Provisional Dark Lady. Exploring the castle, learning a little magic, trying to get back home to Minnesota, and discovering if a Dark Lady really must curse or exile her rivals make for very enjoyable reading. Patricia Wrede co-authored Sorcery & Cecelia: Or The Enchanted Chocolate Pot and other teen fantasy novels as well as the very popular Dealing with Dragons and other Enchanted Forest books. I’m happy to hear that a sequel to The Dark Lord’s Daughter is planned.

Brenda

Bookshops & Bonedust

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Bookshops & Bonedust by Travis Baldree

Have you read Legends & Lattes yet? Then you’re in for a treat, and you don’t need to be a coffee drinker to enjoy it. This new novel, due out November 7, is a prequel.

Viv, an orc, is at the beginner of her career as a mercenary here. Recovering from a severe injury, Viv is stuck in the seaside village of Murk until Rackham’s Ravens return. While occasionally following the doctor’s orders, Viv is bored. So very bored. Constant questions from Gallina, a young gnome who wants to join the Ravens, doesn’t help. But Fern and her shabby bookshop do. One book, suggested by savvy readers advisor Fern, leads to others. Viv, with the help of Pitts, a poetry loving orc who hauls things, help make the bookshop more welcoming. Then there’s Maylee, a dwarf who runs the local bakery. Baldree writes so lovingly of scones and pastries in both books that you’ll want to make a quick trip to a local bakery or bake some scones, cookies, or muffins yourself.

Many cozy mysteries are set in bookstores or bakeries. I start quite a few, finish some, and am delighted by only a few. Baldree’s cozy fantasy books featuring Viv, though, are awesome. Besides an injured orc and a bookshop that needs spiffing up, there’s also a gryphet, a reclusive romance author, some sweet kisses, and a greatsword belonging to an evil necromancer. Also, a gray man, smelling of ice and death, has Viv and the local guard on high alert. What could possibly go wrong before the Ravens return? This is a charming read, well worth savoring. These books can be read in either order. More, please!

Brenda

Tales of Enchantment & Deeds of Youth

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Tales of Enchantment by Shanna Swendson and Deeds of Youth by Elizabeth Moon

I enjoy novellas and short stories by favorite authors, and it’s fun to see a new collection. This month I’ve read two new collections by fantasy authors, both of which I enjoyed. Their settings and tones are very different, though both are best enjoyed by readers already familiar with their work.

On the lighter side, cozy contemporary fantasy writer Shanna Swendson is best know for her series beginning with Enchanted, Inc., set in New York City in the mid-2000s. I’ve read two of these stories before, including the darker Paint the Town Red, but others are new novellas. There are also some author’s notes about writing the series and its setting. Katie is from a small town in Texas, and is new to Manhattan. She keeps seeing very strange happenings, and beings. She turns out to be immune to magic; spells don’t work on her and she can see through illusions and spot magical beings such as fairies and gargoyles. Owen is the very talented young wizard who’s a bit shy, while his friend Rod is very skilled with illusions. Sam is their non-human coworker. Their boss is a very famous wizard.

These novellas make for very enjoyable reading, with some humor, just a little romance, and give both some backstory to the series, and a little closure. Owen & Rod are featured in Spelling Test, set at Yale, where they’re both students and there are two rival magical societies. Sam, who works in security, is on the case in Criminal Enchantment. Katie’s grandmother gets to shine in Power Struggle, set in Texas. Now I need to go back and re-read book 9, Enchanted Ever After. Read more about the Enchanted, Inc. world at http://shannaswendson.com/blog/

Elizabeth Moon writes heroic fantasy and science fiction, and is best known for her character Paksenarrion, a sheepfarmer’s daughter who becomes a paladin. This is definitely not a safe and cozy world, but it’s wonderfully drawn, with plenty of room for more stories. This collection of short stories features children and young adults coming of age. There is generally at least one adult providing the support and guidance the young people need, but not necessarily a parent. There is often the threat of danger or dishonor. Horses feature prominently in Dream’s Quarry and The Dun Mare’s Grandchild. The adopted son of a lord learns about responsibilities in A Bad Day at Duke’s East. Another recent collection is Deeds of Honor. Read more at http://www.paksworld.com/blog/

The Frugal Wizard’s Handbook to Surviving Medieval England

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The Frugal Wizard’s Handbook for Surviving Medieval England by Brandon Sanderson

If you’re in the mood for lighter science fiction with a bit of fantasy and Norse mythology, here’s the perfect choice. A man wakes in a field with no memory of his past, his name, or how he arrived in what appears to be early medieval Britain. He meets brave Ealstan, lovely scop Sefawynn and others, and they call him Runian the aelv. Runian finds many pages of a partially burned copy of the Frugal Wizard’s Handbook, part guide and part advertisement. Runian, or John West, has traveled to another dimension, a parallel Earth. He learns that he can draw, had some police training in Seattle, he can fight and has some augmented plating in his arms, along with medical nanites. And has lost his wife Jen. John remembers an awful boss named Ulric, his former best friend Ryan Chu, and Quinn, who won their last fight.

With his enhancements, John helps Ealstan and Sefawynn repel Hordamen from the sea, and learns about Norse gods and helpful wights. Gradually John remembers more of his past, including that his best talents are lying and running away. Will John escape back to modern Seattle when he has the chance, or choose a new future for himself? An entertaining read, but one that made me think, just like Terry Pratchett. Terry Pratchett’s Long Earth series is a good readalike. My favorite book by Sanderson isn’t as well-known as his series; it’s the teen novel The Rithmatist.

Brenda