Review: Once Was Willem by MR Carey
3 March 2025
Filed under Book Reviews
Tags: Book Reviews, book-blog, Horror, MR Carey, Once Was Willem, reading, Review
My Five Word TL:DR Review: Slow Start but Patience Rewarded
Once Was Willem was, for me, a book that took a little time to get it’s feet under the table, but once it did so it kept me utterly hooked. Such a strange yet enjoyable mediaeval fantasy horror with a truly unique voice. A sort of Frankenstein-Magnificent Seven smash up if you will.
I suppose what you need to know first of all is this is Once Was Willem’s story, which shouldn’t really be a surprise given the title. Once Was Willem is a revenant, brought back to life at the request of his parents by an unscrupulous and conniving wizard. We take a little while to get to this particular aspect of the story but once we meet Cain Caradoc – the evil wizard himself – the narrative really takes off.
OWW is of course reviled by his parents. They hadn’t really given much thought to the fact that they were bringing back to life a body that had been in the ground for almost a year, they didn’t understand that he would no longer be the Willem that they knew and loved, and if Caradoc was aware of the terrible implications, which he was, he certainly wasn’t inclined to share these thoughts but was more interested in his tithe – a sliver of Willem’s soul to feed his thirst for immortality. Willem is chased from the village by your typical angry mob bearing pitchforks and begins to find a new family living remotely in the mountains, a strange cast of characters that I loved. He begins to forget Willem although he at times hankers after his village and friends and family.
I won’t give too much away, this is your basic story of good vs evil but with some very unlikely characters picking up the slack on behalf of the poor downtrodden peasants. It’s very much a story of accepting people and literally not judging them based on appearance alone.
What I really enjoyed about this.
Set some time between the 11th and 12th century Willem tells his tale with an archaic voice that I really enjoyed and is seriously easy to get used to. This isn’t one of those stories that modernises everything including the language or prettifies the people and the landscape. Times were hard. People were oftentimes even harder. Thieves and outlaws live in the forests – temporarily at least! Life was cheap back then. And evil wizards need souls for their dastardly tinkering. So, yes, I enjoyed very much the way Willem tells his story. It’s with a straightforwardness that helps to make some of the slightly more horrible aspects readable. Lets just say I don’t think I’d like to get on the wrong side of an author who can come up with such a despicable way to create a suit or armour – or indeed a puppet without strings. Cringes.
As I said, the start meandered a little and at one point I was curious about where this was going but I’m so glad I continued, my current reading mood is very temperamental so I almost thought of putting this aside – but Carey is an author that I really like and I was so curious to see what was going to happen.
I loved the Magnificent Seven vibe. A group of misfits, coming together to help the underdog – and, essentially, save the world I suppose, because once an evil wizard has access to great power – well, they’re not known for their overwhelming sense of ‘great responsibility’.
I’m being a bit cautious with this review because I don’t want to give away too much so I’ll conclude by saying if you fancy a read that somehow manages to contain magic, folklore, Christian mythology and creative horror whilst bringing together the most unexpected found family ever – then this is the one for you. Dive in and enjoy.
I received a copy through Netgalley, courtesy of the publisher, for which my thanks. The above is my own opinion.
My rating 4 of 5 stars
Review: Greenteeth by Molly O’Neill
25 February 2025
Filed under Book Reviews
Tags: Book Review, Books, Fae, Fantasy, Greenteeth, Molly O'Neill, Review
My Five Word TL:DR Review: I practically inhaled this book
Oh my, I think my little socks have been blown off. I absolutely loved Greenteeth. I saw a lovely review for this on a blog that I’ve come to trust very much (thank you Books Bones and Buffy) and decided I had to give it a shot. I was actually trying to be careful this month but the fae elements of this really appealed to me and so I threw caution to the wind. My giddy aunt – I’m so glad I did. I mean, if I hadn’t picked this up I would have missed this perfect little nugget – I don’t suppose I’d ever know just how much I’d be missing it, but even so – I would have been gutted – even if I wasn’t aware of it. Moving swiftly on.
This is a story full of myths and magic, high and low fae, a terrible evil that must be overcome and a witch, a goblin and a Jenny (swamp or lake hag – sorry Jenny) who go on a quest. First of all, who doesn’t love a quest? Second what a great cast and; third just read this if you need a quick injection of fae trickery.
So, I’ve not heard of a Jenny Greenteeth before – although having gone away to check out some more I must have done because apparently there’s one in Pratchett’s Wee Free Men. Anyhow, Jennyies inhabit lakes and the like (they’re all called Jenny apparently), they have green skin, slimy hair and wicked teeth. They were quite possibly dreamt up as a way to scare children so that they wouldn’t wander away from home and drown. Anyway, I absolutely loved Jenny, whose bark was definitely worse than her bite. She was grumpy and curmudgeonly, although she keeps an orderly lake and a spick and span cave, and she’s become used to living by herself (her daughter having left for different waters many moons since) although she begrudgingly confesses to missing some of the characters from the story when they become absent.
The plot. Well, as the story begins Jenny is disturbed when something large is thrown into her lake and goes to investigate (perhaps it will be a nice snack) – instead, it’s a woman. Seemingly thrown into the pool by the village folk. They have something of a standoff (whilst the woman continues drowning and Jenny ponders the situation) and then Jenny whisks her off to her secret lair. An underground cave where she stashes all the goodies that end up lost or abandoned in her environment.
I don’t really want to go into everything, best that you discover the tale for yourself. Its a quick read and easy to become absorbed in.
The other characters. Temperance is the witch, a good witch I hasten to add, no dark arts here, who is determined to return to her family. She has the notion that she can cast a ‘forgetting’ spell and return home safely, however, a powerful predator has taken up residence in her sleepy little village and it’s going to take something much stronger than a hedge witch and two lower fae to dislodge it. Brackus is the travelling salesman type goblin, he can acquire anything from Kelpie hair to strange candles. He has a soft spot for Jenny and the two have a constant stream of banter in which they attempt to show how much they dislike each other but fail spectacularly.
What I loved about this. Everything. The pacing was spot on. I mean, the story pretty much gets off to an immediate start and the writing is just lovely. I really enjoyed the dialogue and the way everything unfolds in such an easy and natural way. I really liked the characters and this is so character focused which is a real must for me. Jenny is certainly not without her faults, she constantly reminds Temperance and readers that she’s a monster and not to forget it, but even so – I simply liked her.
On top of this, there’s the quest of course. Our characters travel, through the use of fae gates and roads, to the high court seeking the aid of the Fae King. There are lake giants, fae dogs and everything is eventually tied together with some lovely olde English lore.
To be honest, this felt like the perfect book at the perfect time. A coming together of the planets in perfect alignment if you will. It felt cosy but also drifted into tense territory on occasion and particularly during the concluding chapters and, well, put simply, it made me happy – which is not something to be scoffed at. I eagerly await information about what Molly O’Neill is planning next.
I received a copy through Netgalley, courtesy of the publisher, for which my thanks. The above is my own opinion.
My rating 5 of 5 shimmering stars
Review: Emily Wilde’s Compendium of Lost Tales (Emily Wilde #3) by Heather Fawcett
24 February 2025
Filed under Book Reviews
Tags: Emily Wilde #3, Emily Wilde's Compendium of Lost Tales, Heather Fawcett, Review
My Five Word TL:DR Review: Love fae? Read this series
It’s as simple as that. If you love stories of the fae and their tricksy behaviour then the Emily Wilde series created by Heather Fawcett is an absolute must read. I’ve loved every minute spent reading these three books and to be totally honest I’m sad to have reached the end of the road. Hopefully the author will come up with some more fae tales to fill the gap left by the conclusion of this series.
With the third and final instalment Fawcett fully immerses us in the fae world. Wendell has returned to his realm to reclaim his throne and Emily accompanies him to become his queen. Of course, nothing can ever be that simple, which is perhaps just as well as there would then be no story to tell. One proviso must I state before you continue. Spoilers for the first two books may lie ahead so bear that in mind before reading on. (Although I do try to avoid spoilers for the most part).
So, Wendell and Emily return to fae, for what should be a relatively simple endeavour that eventually proves anything but. It seems that Wendell’s (wicked) stepmother had one last trick up her sleeve and has placed a dreadful curse upon his long lost kingdom. The only solution is too dire to consider and eventually Emily’s research leads her to conclude that the solution may lie in old stories from the past. With this in mind she sets about to do what she does best – dig around until she uncovers something useful.
I had a lovely time with this final instalment. It was so easy to read, the characters were once again a joy to read about and Fawcett manages to create a magical fantasy world that is as fascinating as it is dangerous.
What I really loved about this.
Well, I confess that Emily and Wendell hold a special place in my heart. They’re a fantastic couple and I love the banter between the two. The author manages to inject their story with romance and humour and the relationship between the two has simply gone from strength to strength.
I love the writing and the fact that Emily tells the story through her journal. It’s definitely a style that I thoroughly enjoy and she’s managed to bring her two main characters on so well. As you might imagine, Emily has mixed feelings about returning to the land of the fae. Of course, the scholarly side of her is absolutely animated at the thought of all the material that will now be available for her studies but this competes with her more rational nature in that she is aware that this is a world full of danger, she will probably always be walking on a knife edge and on top of this she’s not absolutely convinced about this new version of Wendell – or more to the point the changes that she fears may come about, the losing of some of the ‘human’ traits he’s taken on board. Wendell is totally in love with Emily, I loved the way he tries to get his own way by any means of bribery he can come up with – along with little (or actually quite grand) gestures such as a little getaway, a cottage in the real world easily accessed by a fae door.
There is a return to many of the characters from past stories, both fae and human, and this always adds an extra level of depth to the story. And, we have a fae dog and cat – both fiercely devoted to their respective humans. I loved these two.
On top of this the conclusion is really well handled. Emily’s research plays out perfectly and the eventual finale is tense and satisfying.
I don’t think I have any criticisms at all. Perhaps there was a little less Wendell in this one and maybe the start took a wee while to gather momentum but to be fair I was totally absorbed.
I received a copy through Netgalley, courtesy of the publisher, for which my thanks. The above is my own opinion.
My rating: 4.5 of 5 wonderfully fae stars
Review: Wooing the Witch Queen (Queens of Villainy No.1) by Stephanie Burgis
20 February 2025
Filed under Book Reviews
Tags: Book Reviews, Books, Fantasy, Queens of Villainy #1, reading, Review, Stephanie Burgis, Wooing the Witch Queen
My Five Word TL:DR Review: Cosy Romantasy with Villainous Queens
What more could you possibly ask for?
I confess that cosy fantasy is a real hit for me at the moment and picking up a book by Burgis is the equivalent of a cup of tea and a big hug, her books are like snuggly comfort blankets and her writing goes from strength to strength. I had a deliciously good time with Wooing the Witch Queen.
So, this book has a dollop of romance but it’s not so gloopy that it takes over the plot. There’s an interesting world, some nasty characters trying to take over, politics, endearing critters and a lovely supporting cast. Are you not intrigued?
Saskia is the infamous titular Witch Queen. Called a monster by the uncle she finally managed to get rid of, and generally reviled beyond her own realm, she is a powerful sorceress and has cast a protective spell over the land to protect her people from being overthrown by the (evil) Archduke of Estarion. Meanwhile, she’s been on the search for a dark wizard to organise her chaotic library so when a young man appears at the castle, quite naturally, Saskia and her staff jump to the conclusion he’s here for the coveted role. Little do they know that the actual Archduke (who is little more than a figurehead who is being used and abused) has made good his escape and has turned up at her castle seeking sanctuary. Of course, he’s only too happy to have this little misunderstanding play out and takes to his new duties with gusto.
What I loved about this.
I really enjoyed the writing, it’s outrageously easy to sink into and who wouldn’t be won over by that? The characters are flawed but likable. The world has been well thought out but the details are not overbearing. We learn of the histories of both our central characters through gentle reflection rather than overbearing info dumps. The atmosphere is wonderfully cosy and being primarily set in a castle there’s a mediaeval feel that is softened considerably by the fact that most of the scenes take part in the library. I love a good library setting. Oh, and crows. And trolls, and underground tunnels.
Saskia is a great character. She is fiercely protective of those she loves and works hard to keep her lands safe. At the same time the role of Queen sits uneasily on her shoulders. She doesn’t want to schmoose and has no interest in politics and putting on a face. She’s happier in her laboratory working on concoctions – or spending time in her library, particularly since she employed a rather easy on the eye librarian. Fabian, the new librarian (aka Archduke Felix Augustus) is keeping lots of secrets, not least of which is his attraction to Saskia. Of course, if she discovers that he is really her arch enemy (even though he isn’t) he will be in grave danger – and yet he wants to come clean. He’s a gentle nerd – and who doesn’t love a gentle nerd?
Without doubt, Burgis has created two other equally fascinating characters here in the form of Saskia’s allies. Two other queens, Lorelei and Ailana, (the three have formed an alliance and are known as the Queens of Villainy – a title they are happy to nurture as it bestows upon them a rather fearsome reputation). I loved these two – their roles here are kept to a minimum as we focus mainly on Saskia/Felix but I believe that the next two books will focus on each of them in turn – which I’m really happy about.
Overall, if you’re enjoying your cosy romantasy at the moment then you should definitely pick this up. There’s a slow build romance, tension, magic, politics, trolls, fae and a library. Go, treat yourself.
I received a copy through Netgalley, courtesy of the author, for which my thanks. The above is my own opinion.
My rating 4.5 of 5 stars
Review: The Crimson Road by AG Slatter
17 February 2025
Filed under Book Reviews
Tags: AG Slatter, All the Murmuring Bones, Review, Sourdough Universe, The Briar Book of the Dead, The Crimson Road, The Path of thorns
My Five Word TL:DR Review: Six out of Five Stars
Seriously, if I could give this book more than five stars – I would.
This is my favourite so far, which is saying something considering I’ve loved everything I’ve read by this author to date. I’ve not read everything in the Sourdough Universe but this is my fourth story and it just grabbed my attention from the get go and held it for the duration. I couldn’t be more enamoured with this book even if I tried.
It’s almost like I had a cunning plan because characters from the last three books I read by AG Slatter (All The Murmuring Bones, The Path of Thorns and The Briar Book of the Dead, which were coincidentally all great reads) all conspired to put in appearances in The Crimson Road, and in fact played key roles. I loved the way these books all fed into each other, it was an absolute treat – BUT – I think that all the books by this author work as standalones so if you haven’t read the other books I mention here I really don’t think you’d struggle picking up The Crimson Road and enjoying it immensely.
The Crimson Road brings to us another winning character in the form of Violent Zennor. Violet has been in training from a very young age, her father has ensured that she has been honed into a deadly weapon to fulfil his long awaited wishes. Violet’s father passes away almost as the story begins so we don’t witness his cruel deeds but Violet shares some of her past as the story progresses and it’s easy to see that her’s was an unhappy childhood. Even with the death of her father she is still being held tight within the snare of his desires and although she hopes to escape from his final ultimatum, in the end, it doesn’t prove possible. And, so Violet sets forth on a, without doubt, impossible task.
What did I love about this book. Everything.
It’s beautifully written with chillingly delicious gothic vibes. This is a story that will finally take us into the lands where the Leech Lords reign (vampires by another name but with their own twisted lore and strange beginnings). Violet has a difficult path and in that respect the title of the book is very appropriate indeed. This is a darker story than the others but I still loved the fairytale feel spun throughout.
Slatter manages to conjure characters that you can easily form attachments to. Violet is a great character in her own right and I loved revisiting three of the women from past stories but we also have Freddie, a street urchin and pickpocket who shadows Violet at every turn. There are fae and ogres, assassins, witches and shapeshifters, twists and treachery and a thimble full of love. I simply adore this world. It’s so well explored and it just works.
I think my only problem with The Crimson Road is that it has an ‘end of’ feel to it. I sincerely hope that isn’t the case because I desperately need some more Sourdough in my life.
I received a copy through Netgalley, courtesy of the publisher, for which my thanks. The above is my own opinion.
My rating: An absolutely resounding 5 of 5 stars
Books and travelling with Lynn 