Fairy tales, myths and legends

Sarah Underwood’s latest novel is a vampiric, sapphic reimagining of Psyche and Eros from Greek mythology.

Déanann an leabhar ealaíonta ceolmhar seo ceiliúradh, ní hamháin ar an fhiántas agus an nádúr atá thart orainn ach ar an fhéilire ársa Gaelach fosta. Is léir ó na hamhráin agus na léaráidí beoga a líonann an leabhar go raibh i bhfad níos mó ná clár ama i gceist leis an fhéilire chéanna agus go raibh saolta ár sinséar fite fuaite leis an dúlra. Má osclaíonn tú an leabhar seo, tá seans maith ann go mbeidh tú féin spreagtha droim láimhe a thabhairt don trup ar feadh seala agus do chorp agus do chroí a thumadh i lár coille mistiúla.

Following the death of her mother, Dilly moves to the small island of Ollipest to live with her Grand-Aunt Florence. Ollipest is home to practitioners of magic or, more accurately, former practitioners, the reasons for which are revealed as the story unfurls. Dilly and her new friend Callum’s efforts to help a friend reveals their own inheritance of magic and the prejudice, external and internalised, experienced by those who are ‘different’.

Magic is infused in everyday life in this fantasy adventure story in a cosy and familiar way. The reader is instantly at home amongst a raspberry blowing foghorn, flying carpet, and talking dog; so much so that when we discover that the moon is missing from the night sky, we are entirely ready to head out with Lampwick, Humphrey, and Bladderwrack to find it.

A tongue-in-cheek tale about Gwen, a blacksmith’s daughter who masquerades as a knight in the Tournament of Dragonslayers, and the Lady Isobelle whose hand in marriage (and sizeable dowry) is the prize. What starts as a daring plan to outsmart the patriarchy turns into something that neither girl bargained for – something that will change both their lives irrevocably.

The stakes are high when Lola and her fairy friend Larch discover a planned eco-pod resort that threatens the forest and fairy clan magic itself. Jealous fairy Euphorbia Splurge has cast a nasty spell which has given human’s the idea for their greedy plan. Lola’s Mum, a forest ranger, and Grandma are concerned about the plants and animals but don’t know about Lola’s friendship with Larch – although Lola’s little brother, Noah nearly reveals her secret!

This book is described as a swoon-worthy, witchy romantic fantasy, and this reviewer can confirm that this is absolutely the most fitting description. Readers follow Aurelia as she enters her debutante season as a witch, attending balls and following both the societal rules and magical rules that are set by the Council. However, a generational curse on her magic makes fitting in pretty difficult.