Reviews

The Lights Go Out in Lychford by Paul Cornell

sjs's review

adventurous mysterious tense medium-paced

• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? N/A
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

glyptodonsneeze's review

5.0

Another truly great short book in a fantastic series. My recollection is of the last book is muddled: There was racism and the faeries invade somehow, or something?, and I think that was the weak one in the series. But this one starts with Autumn detecting evil near Luke's balls, and ends with the witches foiling an evil scheme of Ironic Punishments. It's a minor act for the great forces of darkness to bring upon us, but it's funny and it leaves more books in the series to present the ultimate battle between ancient and human. And there's non-profit drama, which I can relate to.

Judith has dementia and her point of view is painful. I love her and it hurt. Well done, and well presented.

Am going to sit here and twist my handkerchief until the next book comes out. Godspeed, Paul Cornell.

difelicj's review

4.0

I really enjoy this story and these characters. I think this is the final book, but there is definitely room for more with these women. I love the atmosphere of these novellas and the writing. It's very whimsical and fun.

imyril's review

adventurous emotional mysterious medium-paced

• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Dementia

mlytylr's review

5.0

love this series, love this world

duchess's review

4.0

An emotional return to Lychford! This novella instalment signals a drastic change in the town and for Lizzie, Autumn and Judith. A woman arrives in town collecting wishes, but Autumn knows that wishes made never come true the way you think...

I liked this fourth novella better than the last one, and I hope the future ones include more focus on the central friendship. This was a bit tough as it provides an intimate view of life with dementia and its associated frustrations.

What I really want is for this series to become a TV show, but for now the novellas will have to do!

kjcharles's review

Another in the very strong series about three women guarding the magical borders in a small English town. Often extremely funny, with good banter and an extremely likeable Bechdel-shattering female friendship at its heart. I'm enjoying what Tor is doing with novella series a lot. This instalment has a slightly Pratchett feel in terms of his more serious themes, though with contemporary setting, which I am all for, and there's a lovely sinister/absurd small town Englishness to it. Looking forward to the next.