The Crowfield Curse by Pat Walsh
Mar. 27th, 2010 01:38 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
quippeThe Blurb On The Back:
Will knows a secret.
Somewhere in the forest, behind the abbey where he lives, is a grave.
And beneath the snow lies something he thought could never die.
But Will is not alone in knowing the truth about the Crowfield Curse.
Hidden in the dusk, someone else is watching ...
It’s 1347 and William is an orphan boy who lives in Crowfield Abbey and works for the monks. While collecting firewood in the nearby woods, he finds a hob (a kind of faerie) caught in a trap and frees him. The hob’s leg is badly injured and so Will takes him to his friend, Brother Snail, a herbalist in the abbey and who agrees to look after the hob (now nicknamed Walter) until he’s healed. While recuperating, Walter reveals that he knows a secret about Crowfield and the curse that’s said to exist in nearby woods – a secret that becomes difficult to keep secret when the Abbey receives two guests – Jacobus Bone and his mysterious servant, Shadlok – who seem intent on solving the mystery of the curse for themselves. Soon William and Walter find themselves the subject of a great deal of interest – interest that could threaten their lives.
Walsh’s debut novel is a beguiling historical fantasy that makes excellent and unique use of faerie folklore to produce a story that goes beyond the power struggle of the Seelie and Unseelie Courts, which are all too common with this subject matter. There is a good feel for the time, with the publisher having included a useful glossary of terms at the back for those objects no longer in common use.
Will is a likeable hero – kind, determined he’s not without fear at the events that occur around him, but he has the courage to face them down. Similarly, Walter the hob is a wonderful creation – curious and oddly childlike, his innocent questions about Will’s life and the monks’ beliefs force Will to examine his own life and what he believes. Although Bone and Shadlok have less page time, the dour Shadlok in particular adds a sinister aspect to the story.
There are some dark scenes within the story – one in particular where pig lovers may want to look away. However there’s also a lot of charm and wit and warmth. Happily, the ending leaves the way open for a sequel and I would definitely want to read more.
The Verdict:
Shortlisted for the Times Children’s Fiction Competition, this is a charming historical fantasy that makes good use of faerie folk lore and weaves an interesting story. Definitely one to check out.
Will knows a secret.
Somewhere in the forest, behind the abbey where he lives, is a grave.
And beneath the snow lies something he thought could never die.
But Will is not alone in knowing the truth about the Crowfield Curse.
Hidden in the dusk, someone else is watching ...
It’s 1347 and William is an orphan boy who lives in Crowfield Abbey and works for the monks. While collecting firewood in the nearby woods, he finds a hob (a kind of faerie) caught in a trap and frees him. The hob’s leg is badly injured and so Will takes him to his friend, Brother Snail, a herbalist in the abbey and who agrees to look after the hob (now nicknamed Walter) until he’s healed. While recuperating, Walter reveals that he knows a secret about Crowfield and the curse that’s said to exist in nearby woods – a secret that becomes difficult to keep secret when the Abbey receives two guests – Jacobus Bone and his mysterious servant, Shadlok – who seem intent on solving the mystery of the curse for themselves. Soon William and Walter find themselves the subject of a great deal of interest – interest that could threaten their lives.
Walsh’s debut novel is a beguiling historical fantasy that makes excellent and unique use of faerie folklore to produce a story that goes beyond the power struggle of the Seelie and Unseelie Courts, which are all too common with this subject matter. There is a good feel for the time, with the publisher having included a useful glossary of terms at the back for those objects no longer in common use.
Will is a likeable hero – kind, determined he’s not without fear at the events that occur around him, but he has the courage to face them down. Similarly, Walter the hob is a wonderful creation – curious and oddly childlike, his innocent questions about Will’s life and the monks’ beliefs force Will to examine his own life and what he believes. Although Bone and Shadlok have less page time, the dour Shadlok in particular adds a sinister aspect to the story.
There are some dark scenes within the story – one in particular where pig lovers may want to look away. However there’s also a lot of charm and wit and warmth. Happily, the ending leaves the way open for a sequel and I would definitely want to read more.
The Verdict:
Shortlisted for the Times Children’s Fiction Competition, this is a charming historical fantasy that makes good use of faerie folk lore and weaves an interesting story. Definitely one to check out.
