January 23, 2012
This deft sequel to Of Blood and Honey, set in 1977 Ireland, follows half-fey Liam Kelly in his continuing struggles. He longs to convince the Church that fairies are not devils, and to learn about his long-lost father and his people. He’s also trying to come to terms with his metaphorical demons, including his guilt over his wife’s death and the damage he did as a member of the Irish Republican Army, his addiction to heroin, and the shame of being raped in prison. Liam’s allies, from old friends Father Murray and Frankie to chance-met fae-punks, are believable and sympathetic. The action sequences are so fast-paced and his hauntings are so vivid that readers will scarcely notice that most of the book takes place in Liam’s head. Though the magical side of things once again goes largely unexplained, tantalizing glimpses into the fae world and Liam’s growing self-acceptance hint that later installments may step further into the Twilight. Agent: Joe Monti, Barry Goldblatt Literary.
April 15, 2012
As the son of a human mother and a shape-shifting member of the Fianna Fey, Liam Kelly walks a thin line between the world of mortals and that of the Fey. As a Catholic and former member of the Provisional IRA, he is wanted by both the Royal Ulster Constabulary and his former comrades. Now, in a spirit of cooperation between the Fey and the Catholic Church, Liam has agreed to place himself in the hands of the church to prove that the Fey are not demons like the Fallen. Set in 1977 during the Troubles in Northern Ireland, Leicht's sequel to Of Blood and Honey follows the fortunes of a young man caught between worlds who struggles to do the best he can despite his past sins. VERDICT Leicht's characters are sympathetically drawn and believable, embodying the complex interplay of religion, politics, and mythology that permeates Irish culture. Fans of Charles de Lint, Seanan McGuire, and Kevin Hearne should look forward to another strong entry in the opus of fantasy devoted to the Fey.
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