Scan barcode
A review by pilebythebed
Brightfall by Jaime Lee Moyer
3.0
Jaime Lee Moyer revisits the story of Robin Hood in her new novel Brightfall. Set twelve years after the events that are commonly known from the folk tales, Brightfall takes a more fantastical approach to the material and is also a murder mystery of sorts, a combination that Moyer manages to slip easily into the setting.
The book opens with Marian, who lives with her two children in the heart of Sherwood Forest receiving some devastating news. Will Scarlett is dead from mysterious causes. This is just one of many deaths of the gang that used to run with them (the Merry Men), deaths that include the young son of their old compatriot, John . Abbot Tuck suspects sourcery and Marian being a witch, her believes that she can help investigate. On her way to see him, Marian pauses to commune with the Fae, seeking their protection for her children. And when she arrives she is partnered with her estranged husband Robin, who years before had sought an annulment of their marriage and took himself to a monastery.
As Marian and Robin start to investigate the deaths they find evidence of dangerous magic associated with the fairy folk. The pair pick up travelling companions as they go including the consort of the fairy queen, a former soldier, a dog and a fox. All of these are needed as they face off against a range of mythical creatures (griffins, grindylows) and evil magic in their search for the killers.
By focussing on Marian, Moyer gives a new twist and insight into the original Robin Hood story without rehashing it or slavishly following it. The biggest problem with this book is the character of Robin – moody, rude and unhelpful despite the threat to his family and old friends. While this, and his history with Marian, is eventually explained, it is a tough trip to get there.
Brightfall is an interesting mix of genres. Historical, traditional fantasy with a hint of murder mystery thrown in. The fantasy elements fundamentally confound the mystery elements. Once the fae character, who can see glimpses of the future, is introduced it feels like the die is cast. He constantly makes suggestions, who should join them and where they should go, because of this power, which drive the plot forward. He also, as it turns out, knows exactly what is going on but feels it is better if Marian works it out for herself. So that much of the middle section of the book becomes Marian’s journey of discovery of information that other characters she is travelling with knew all along, which makes it feel a little frustrating in retrospect.
By playing with a well known folk tale and twists it in new and interesting directions through fantastical folk elements, Brightfall is generally an effective and original fantasy.
The book opens with Marian, who lives with her two children in the heart of Sherwood Forest receiving some devastating news. Will Scarlett is dead from mysterious causes. This is just one of many deaths of the gang that used to run with them (the Merry Men), deaths that include the young son of their old compatriot, John . Abbot Tuck suspects sourcery and Marian being a witch, her believes that she can help investigate. On her way to see him, Marian pauses to commune with the Fae, seeking their protection for her children. And when she arrives she is partnered with her estranged husband Robin, who years before had sought an annulment of their marriage and took himself to a monastery.
As Marian and Robin start to investigate the deaths they find evidence of dangerous magic associated with the fairy folk. The pair pick up travelling companions as they go including the consort of the fairy queen, a former soldier, a dog and a fox. All of these are needed as they face off against a range of mythical creatures (griffins, grindylows) and evil magic in their search for the killers.
By focussing on Marian, Moyer gives a new twist and insight into the original Robin Hood story without rehashing it or slavishly following it. The biggest problem with this book is the character of Robin – moody, rude and unhelpful despite the threat to his family and old friends. While this, and his history with Marian, is eventually explained, it is a tough trip to get there.
Brightfall is an interesting mix of genres. Historical, traditional fantasy with a hint of murder mystery thrown in. The fantasy elements fundamentally confound the mystery elements. Once the fae character, who can see glimpses of the future, is introduced it feels like the die is cast. He constantly makes suggestions, who should join them and where they should go, because of this power, which drive the plot forward. He also, as it turns out, knows exactly what is going on but feels it is better if Marian works it out for herself. So that much of the middle section of the book becomes Marian’s journey of discovery of information that other characters she is travelling with knew all along, which makes it feel a little frustrating in retrospect.
By playing with a well known folk tale and twists it in new and interesting directions through fantastical folk elements, Brightfall is generally an effective and original fantasy.