May 3rd, 2023
High Fantasy Reads, Part II
Welcome in warmer weather with books that inspire adventure!The Name of the Wind (Kingkiller Chronicle #1)by Patrick Rothfuss
In Patrick Rothfuss’ The Name of the Wind, Kvothe, the main character, retells the story of his life to a weary traveler. He begins with his childhood, weaving the tale of his life in a troupe of traveling players into his time spent as an orphan trying to survive in a crime-ridden city. He then moves the story to narrate his time spent at a legendary magic school, where he gets into all sorts of crazy trouble. It gives full Hogwarts vibes, but so much darker and cooler. Kvothe’s life is full of crazy, wonderful, and at times heart-wrenching stories; which one will be your favorite?The Name of the Wind had me hooked from the very beginning. This novel is a beautifully written and high-action coming-of-age story that explores themes of grief, belonging, and power. The writing feels almost poetic for much of the book, but is still easily read and extremely entertaining. Kvothe’s life experiences from childhood to young adult to early adulthood run the gambit of fantastical, magical, and intense. To add to this already wonderful book, it is the first in a trilogy that is yet to be finished! The second one is already out, but the third one is on its way—now is a great time to hop into this series!
—Syd Morgan, Books Editor
Daughter of the Forest (The Sevenwaters Series #1)by Juliet Marillier
Sorcha is the youngest of Lord Colum of Sevenwaters’ seven children. The lady of the house died giving birth to her, but the mother-shaped hole in her heart is almost filled by the closeness Sorcha shares with her six older brothers. Until Lord Colum remarries, that is, as emotionally remote single fathers in fantasy fairy tales are wont to do. Lady Oonagh, the new stepmother, wants Lord Colum’s love—and money—for herself. And naturally, being a powerful sorceress, she casts a devastating curse on the lord’s sons, turning them into swans, though she fails to catch his daughter in her magical snare. As Sorcha hides in the forest and watches the last of her family lift off into the sky, she knows she must seek the help of the queen of the Fair Folk.The Lady of the Forest provides a ray of hope, but it requires an unimaginable sacrifice: Sorcha must weave six shirts out of stinging nettles, casting them upon her brothers only once all six are finished so they can return to human form. But she cannot utter a single word until she has completed her task, or her beloved siblings will remain in swan form forever. The Lady can’t counter Oonagh’s curse, but she manages to temper it enough that the brothers are able to visit Sorcha twice a year, becoming human again for a day each time, which soothes her sadness though she cannot speak with them. But when a band of soldiers interrupts her painful task while seeking a lost comrade, she’s carried along in their wake, unable to protest. She plots her escape, but her plans become even more complicated as the weeks pass due to her budding feelings for their leader Hugh of Harrowfield—and the fact that Lady Oonagh still wants her transformed or dead. Daughter of the Forest is based on “The Six Swans” by the Brothers Grimm, itself a retelling of the German fairy tale of the same name and the Irish myth “The Children of Lir.” But it’s also so much more. Gorgeous writing, stunning high-fantasy settings, and a tale brimming with emotion made this one of my favorite reads when I was in my 20s. The slow-burn romance subplot is a lovely bonus. One important caveat: Marillier turns her gift for crafting immersive settings that activate all five senses toward depicting a few harrowing scenes of violence, including a brutal sexual assault. If you’re okay with giving it a go anyway, and perhaps skimming or skipping anything that feels like too much, you’ll be rewarded with lyrical writing and an achingly beautiful story. It is the first in a six-book series, but the ending feels complete enough that it can be read as a standalone.
Sorcha is the youngest of Lord Colum of Sevenwaters’ seven children. The lady of the house died giving birth to her, but the mother-shaped hole in her heart is almost filled by the closeness Sorcha shares with her six older brothers. Until Lord Colum remarries, that is, as emotionally remote single fathers in fantasy fairy tales are wont to do. Lady Oonagh, the new stepmother, wants Lord Colum’s love—and money—for herself. And naturally, being a powerful sorceress, she casts a devastating curse on the lord’s sons, turning them into swans, though she fails to catch his daughter in her magical snare. As Sorcha hides in the forest and watches the last of her family lift off into the sky, she knows she must seek the help of the queen of the Fair Folk.The Lady of the Forest provides a ray of hope, but it requires an unimaginable sacrifice: Sorcha must weave six shirts out of stinging nettles, casting them upon her brothers only once all six are finished so they can return to human form. But she cannot utter a single word until she has completed her task, or her beloved siblings will remain in swan form forever. The Lady can’t counter Oonagh’s curse, but she manages to temper it enough that the brothers are able to visit Sorcha twice a year, becoming human again for a day each time, which soothes her sadness though she cannot speak with them. But when a band of soldiers interrupts her painful task while seeking a lost comrade, she’s carried along in their wake, unable to protest. She plots her escape, but her plans become even more complicated as the weeks pass due to her budding feelings for their leader Hugh of Harrowfield—and the fact that Lady Oonagh still wants her transformed or dead. Daughter of the Forest is based on “The Six Swans” by the Brothers Grimm, itself a retelling of the German fairy tale of the same name and the Irish myth “The Children of Lir.” But it’s also so much more. Gorgeous writing, stunning high-fantasy settings, and a tale brimming with emotion made this one of my favorite reads when I was in my 20s. The slow-burn romance subplot is a lovely bonus. One important caveat: Marillier turns her gift for crafting immersive settings that activate all five senses toward depicting a few harrowing scenes of violence, including a brutal sexual assault. If you’re okay with giving it a go anyway, and perhaps skimming or skipping anything that feels like too much, you’ll be rewarded with lyrical writing and an achingly beautiful story. It is the first in a six-book series, but the ending feels complete enough that it can be read as a standalone. —Tracy Fernandez Rysavy, Driftwood Advisor