Age of Myth by Michael J. Sullivan Review by Austin
This book does a fantastic job of taking the staple fantasy formula of a land inhabited by Humans and Elves and delivers a unique power struggle between the two. Humans, who are known as Rhunes, live in tight-knit tribes and worship the Elven Fhrey as gods, who live in lavish, intricate cities and are said to be masters of magic and completely immortal. Over time the Human’s worship slowly grows into a fear, as the Fhrey draw strict borders throughout the land where Humans are forbidden, lest they be killed or enslaved.
One Human, Raithe, finds himself on the wrong side of a river, and when confronted by a Fhrey decides to do the unthinkable, and attacks. Raithe finds himself looking over a dead Fhrey, something that, up until that point, was thought to be impossible amongst Humans. As word spreads through both Fhrey and Human settlements, tensions rise even further as the Fhrey scramble to maintain dominance both within their own cities and with the Humans who now know that all the stories of Fhrey immortality were just a myth.
I always think of this book as a game of chess, both sides are trying to play their own pieces right, while also trying to stay one step ahead of their opponent. Age of Myth is filled with tense moments and tough choices as societal norms are shattered. I absolutely recommend this to anyone looking for a refreshing take on the Tolkien-esque fantasy genre.
Available for check out at the library, as well as eBook on Libby.
The Welsh Girl by Peter Ho Davies *Review by Brenna*
I adored this book and was moved by the story told by Ho Davies. I always love stories set during WWII and I typically read romance, which is what initially drew me to the novel. After I began to read it though I found that I could easily relate to Esther and the idea of the Welsh concept of –cynefin–for which there is no English equivalent. It means a certain knowledge and sense of place that is passed down the matrilineal line in a flock of sheep. They always know where they belong and never leave their own turf. My maternal grandmother’s family is Welsh and I wonder sometimes if this cynefin isn’t only with sheep but with people as well. I come from a long line of strong women and there has always been an unspoken thread that has weaved each generation together from mother to daughter again and again. Being drawn to a place where there appears to be nothing holding you there but familiarity and family has also been a strong theme in my life that I believe now, after reading this book, could be a Welsh trait passed on from generations before. I felt by reading this story and immersing myself in it that I was drawn closer to my grandmother, who had at that time recently passed on, and to my own heritage as an “Evans Woman”. The story is lyrical and beautifully written and I recommend it to anyone of Welsh Heritage, readers seeking a beautifully told love story, or to those who enjoy books set during WWII.
Available for check out in regular print at the library as well as eBook on Libby.
Beartown by Fredrick Backman *Review by Caroline*
Set in a small northern town located in a place where perpetual winter encompasses its inhabitants most months of the year and the only real bright spot comes in the form of their beloved youth hockey team. Beartown Ice Hockey Club is the pride of the town. They have coaxed back a former NHL pro who grew up in their club to come home and resurrect the fledgling program as the coach. As they prepare for the upcoming National Championship game, in which they are favored to win it all and bring the town back to glory, an event takes place that scatters the townspeople in all directions as if a bomb had exploded.
As the fallout begins, the people of the town are forced to look in the mirror and determine what is really most important to them individually and as a community. How much are they willing to let those who they’ve put on a pedestal get away with? Are they willing to sacrifice their collective identity and a chance at glory in order to do what’s right and hold the guilty responsible?
This book could be set in any small, sports obsessed town in America. It explores all the great things that brings to a community as well as what is detrimental when winning is the most important thing.
Available for check out in regular print, large print, and audiobook; as well as ebook and audiobook on the Libby app. Now a HBO Max series.
The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue *Review by Zoey*
This book is currently my favorite. Victoria Schwab does an amazing job at setting the scenes that this book takes place in, there are a lot of them. The historical events that are mentioned in this book are blended into the plot in a way that keeps the reader’s attention and makes the book interesting.
In 1714, Addie LaRue is just trying to live her life without the weight of marriage, which in her old spinster age (23) is difficult. Her parents want her to get married to a newly widowed man with several kids so she won’t die alone. She’s given no choice in the matter. On the day of the wedding she runs away into the forest to pray to the old gods. She begs and pleads for someone to help her.
Someone finally answers her prayers, but his intentions are sinister. Addie makes the grave mistake of bargaining with one of the old gods to live her life as she pleases for as long as she wants. In exchange she’ll give him her soul once she’s done with it. He agrees, with one caveat, no one will ever remember who she is.
Available for check out, as well as through the Libby app as an ebook and audiobook.