May’s Result – The Forgotten Beasts of Eld by Patricia McKillip
This is the third McKillip book that I’ve read. Previously, I read one short story collection (Dreams of Distant Shores) and one novel (In the Forests of Serre). McKillips’ trademark is her ethereal, fairy tale-esque style. If you’ve never experienced it, here is a sample:
Her white brows knit a little. She called Ter, then remembered he had gone, so she took Cyrin out with her and a fiery torch that set the deep snow ablaze about her. The flakes fell in huge, great wheels of intricate crystal that vanished in the torch flame. A man stood cloaked, hooded at the gates, his horse behind him. She moved the torch to light his face behind the bars and beneath the hood his hair flamed.
The way she describes ordinary people, their thoughts and actions, just feels magical to me. The prose may not be as ornate as some by other fantasy writers I love, yet it strikes a chord with me. While The Forests of Serre went too far (so atmospheric that even I couldn’t really grasp or enjoy the story), I found The Forgotten Beasts of Eld strikes a much better balance for my tastes. I cared for protagonist Sybel and those who she cares for. McKillips has a knack for telling grand, epic tales in a personal and close way through the eyes of one or two characters – even when those characters (like protagonist Sybel) hold immense power.
I’m very pleased this book won the most votes back in May. If you enjoy McKillip’s books, I would love to hear which of her works you recommend I try next.
September’s Selection
September’s theme is spooky middle grade. Autumn is settling in where I am. It seems likely I won’t get to the chosen book til October anyway. I sorted my to-read-middle-grade shelf by number of ratings, highest to lowest, then picked four spooky titles. For one reason or another, I’ve mentioned these books on the blog in the past. (I know because I had the cover images uploaded already, haha.) So I think they are all good candidates for this feature!
- Small Spaces by Katherine Arden (10,319 ratings)
- Nightbooks by J.A. White (2,967 ratings)
- Took: A Ghost Story by Mary Dowling Hahn (6,621 ratings)
- A Curious Tale of In-Between by Lauren DeStefano (1,857 ratings)
Which book should I read in September? Vote on the poll below or by leaving a comment on this post. (I can’t tell who voted on Twitter, so if you’re really keen you can vote in the comments AND on Twitter ;P) Voting closes on Friday 18 September.
📚🤔✔️ New post! Which spooky #MGLit should I read next? https://t.co/wARn4do26w
— Jenna (@fallingletters) September 12, 2020
The mckilipp is waiting for me since forever. Let’s see when I‘ll make it.
Someday, hopefully! I think you’ll find she’s worth a read. 😉
She is! I‘ve read her Riddlemaster trilogy some 35 years ago – but only remember that I liked it then.
I have been a fervent fan of McKillip since 1982, when I read the Riddlemaster Trilogy. I have loved and reread it lots ever since…one of my favorite standalones is Alphabet of Thorns.
Thanks for the recommendations! Riddlemaster is on my radar. I’ll have to add Alphabet of Thorns.
I haven’t read any but I’ll vote for Nightbooks, it sounds terrific!
I did read a couple chapters from it maybe a year ago – it was very promising! Thanks for voting.
Oh Small Spaces! I’m curious to hear your thoughts on that one.
Thanks for voting! I’ve tried Small Spaces a couple times before but haven’t been in the mood. Maybe this will be the push I need to get through it…