Tag Archives: shadowfell

Book Reviews – May 2026

25 May

Welcome back to SGL, friends. This month has rather been a whirlwind, hasn’t it? What with crocheting and writing in the evenings again, I didn’t read a whole lot, but I did thoroughly enjoy what I did get to read. Working through a twelve hundred page book is both enjoyable and a bit of a slow process. Let’s get to the book reviews, shall we?

Leave It To Psmith by P.G. Wodehouse (audiobook, Librivox) – originally published 1923 – Ronald Psmith travels to Blandings Castle, impersonating a poet, to aid in an outlandish plot to steal a diamond necklace. Nothing goes as intended, resulting in mistaken identities, romancing the clever Eve Halliday and ridiculous situations that PSmith must use his charm to get out of.

~For several years now, friends have told me to read Wodehouse, and somehow, I never got around to it. But when my brother-in-law started telling me about how he enjoyed this story, I knew I had to finally give it a try! So glad I did, even though next time around I do believe that I’ll read a physical copy. Wodehouse’s writing style is so different, I can’t even describe it. Some of that could be because it was written in the twenties? But it was comedic all the way through – Psmith reminded me a bit of Lord Peter Wimsey, making me want to read that series again. I did belatedly realize that it’s the fourth and final book in a series, so the sense of being expected to know characters and things right from the getgo was from that. Whoops. It was a fun story for sure, can definitely recommend for mystery, comedy readers

Shadowfell (Shadowfell #1) by Juliet Mariellier – The kingdom of Alban is a dismal place since Keldec took the throne and declared that anyone with magical abilities were to be captured and brought before him. Since her family was destroyed by his Enforcers years ago, sixteen year old Neryn is careful to hide her own canny ability – that of seeing and communicating with the Good Folk. She sets off for Shadowfell, the one place in all of Alban that she’s heard of that seeks to overthrow King Keldec’s tyrannical rule. On her journey, she’s helped by the Good Folk as well as a handsome young man named Flint, who, as time goes on, she must decide what his true motives are. As she struggles to trust her allies, Neryn must make it to Shadowfell not only for her own safety but also, perhaps, for all of Alban’s.

~If you’ve been around SGL a few years at least, you know that I adore this series. I’ve even given it its own post in 2018. I definitely enjoy the journey that Neryn takes, that of proving to herself and to her allies the traits that, if she’s who they say she is, that she must have. The slow reveal of who Flint really is and what his plans for her are. Sage is one of my favorite characters (side note, I really want to crochet her especially but others in this book too). The series is really clean, other than a short scene in the third book, but there’s nothing of concern in this first book of the series.

Sherwood by Meagan Spooner – Maid Marian’s world is turned upside down when she learns that Robin of Locksley died in the Crusades. She doesn’t know how she’ll continue on, but the people of Locksley town need protection. The Sheriff of Nottingham is extracting harsh taxes from the townsfolk, and has appointed a new Lord of Locksley – Guy of Gisborne. But Guy doesn’t just want to step into Robin’s role of Lord, but also as Marian’s fiancé’. Someone has to protect them — and with a cape and her sword, Maid Marian unintentionally steps into the role of Robin Hood.

~I have read this multiple times now and just love it. You fall for Marian as she struggles to adapt to life without Robin and how to please her father with what she thinks is the right thing to do. Guy of Gisborne is a well-developed character as well, though I can’t help but picture him as Richard Armitage after watching the BBC version of Robin Hood from 2006. Highly recommend but with a caution for teen readers – there’s one scene that makes me recommend reading it first. I skip over it entirely. Yes, I know it’s a young adult book, but… well, that’s just my recommendation.

Currently Reading:

This House Was Mine by Francis McMannus

The Way of Kings (The Stormlight Archive #1) by Brandon Sanderson (more than halfway through!)

Upon Waking by Jackie Hill Perry

Psalms : The Prayers of God’s People by Jen Wilkin et al

Thrones, Dominations by Dorothy L. Sayers and Jill Paton Walsh

Upcoming Hopefuls:

The Oath by Lars D.H. Hedbor

The Smoke by Lars D.H. Hedbor

Little Men by Louisa May Alcott

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Series Review – Shadowfell

24 Oct

As promised, a review on a new favorite series of mine! I’ve read it twice now and it’s set onto my must-own-one-day-soon list. Juliet Marillier has written twenty (!) historical fantasy novels and has won many awards. If you’ve been following SGL for any length of time, you know that Wildwood Dancing is one of my all-time favorite novels. When I first found this at the library, I was interested but nervous as my experience with fantasy was still limited to Brandon Sanderson. But, almost immediately, I was sucked into this story and never wanted to put the books down! It’s a three book series and at the end of it, you want it to continue! I really enjoyed Marillier’s descriptions of the world of Alban – the different regions/topography. But, on to a synopsis of the series!

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Photo by Niilo Isotalo on Unsplash

Shadowfell:

Left on her own at sixteen, Neryn must put to use her knowledge of keeping hidden as she evades the king’s soldiers that are hunting her down. In the kingdom of Alban, anyone with canny skills is considered an enemy, and treated accordingly. Her ability to see the Good Folk – the wee fairy-like creatures behind that rock or in that tree – is something she’s always striven to ignore, knowing exactly what the consequences are for her ‘gift’.  After being rescued from certain death by the mysterious Flint, Neryn decides to set off for a place that she’s only heard of. Shadowfell. The only place left in all of Alban that is free of the evil of King Keldec – the only place that is planning on overthrowing him. Her journey is dangerous and her helpers are the Good Folk and Flint who tell her that she is the only one who can save Alban.

Raven Flight: 

Having reached Shadowfell, Neryn can finally rest. But too soon she learns that she must leave her new rebel friends and seek out each of the four Guardians to learn how to be a Caller. To learn how to use her canny gift to call the Good Folk to help them in their battle against Keldec. To do this is to risk compromising herself and the cause but remaining at Shadowfell is impossible because her skill will mean the failure or success of their venture. Her path will take her to the four corners of Alban, far away from Flint. Her companion is the warrior Tali, whose main allegiance is to the cause.

The Caller: 

Having journeyed to the mountains of the north and the isles of the west, Neryn has learned of water and of earth, but now she has to continue her training to learn of Air from the White Lady in the freezing winter. But when the White Lady isn’t what Neryn expected, plans must change and Neryn has to make a tough decision. Stay where it’s safe, or do what she knows she must. When another threat looms against the rebellion, she must enter into Keldec’s court and watch every step, for one wrong move will mean her death – as well as the death of the rebellion. She has to make it to the moment that she’s been training for, standing up against a stronger enemy than she ever imagined.

I tried not to give too much away ( I absolutely hate it when I learn too much about a series before even reading the first book, it makes me not want to read it at all. Anyone else have that reaction?), but to give enough info so that it intrigues you and makes you want to read it. Really, you should. Even if you’re not much into fantasy fiction. The romances are so lovely and sweet, although there is a bit of delicate sexual content in them. Marillier  wrote it well and mild but I do like to share with you that it’s there so you’re aware of it if you’re going to share it with a young reader – pre-read it first so you know if it’s appropriate!

I so appreciate the moral lessons woven through each of the books and the adventures that Neryn and her band of friends (fey and human) are so engrossing. I HIGHLY recommend this series!

~Laura

 

 

~ While covering different genres, I do not read anything that has blatant sexual content. I will tell you if there is any sort of such (typically very mild and delicately put) in them and if I don’t think they’d be appropriate for young/teenage readers. ~

 

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