Stephanie S. reviewed on 7/24/2011

This is a fabulous debut novel set in Derry in Northern Ireland in the 1970s, in which both the Fey (faeries) and the Fallen (fallen angels) battle against the backdrop of the battles between Catholics and Protestants, loyalists and nationalists, Irish and British, while a secret order battles against all supernatural creatures. Liam is a Catholic swept up in a riot and arrested by the British, beginning a strange journey towards self-knowledge; he also carries the shame of knowing his mother's husband is not his father. The town of Derry presumes his father is a hated Protestant, but Liam's heritage begins to show in odd ways as he gets older and faces unrelenting discrimination and persecution.

I cannot recommend this book highly enough (especially since I read it on Kindle and can't trade my copy). This is a keeper for me, urban fantasy at its best, with a hidden world just beneath ours that shines through to those who can see, with world-building that is consistent, and that uses Irish Catholic culture and history, as well as Irish myths and legends, to great effect. Caution: not for the faint of heart. Contains random, personal, and terrorist violence.

Back to all reviews by this member
Back to Book Reviews
Back to Book Details