It sounded like the voice of the magma under the earth’s crust, and it picked up the whole song and rolled it forward like water exploding out of a breaking dam. It began as if the Rocky Mountains had begun to walk. Then, in precisely the right place, the bass came in. I had to use youtube a lot to help me with the song references because I didn’t know any of them! David Bowie, Joan Jett, Prince, Kim Carnes… You can definitely feel that it was written in the 80’s.īut even if you don’t know the music, you can still enjoy the writing.

Some of the best-written scenes are music scenes. In fact, music is a key element in the story, not just a background addition. That’s when I realise that this book was as much about music as it was about fairy wars. The story for me started to get interesting when Eddi, following the Phouka’s advice, decides to start a new band. Likely, she has her friend Carla, who smokes like a chimney, but is always there when she needs her. So now she is stuck with a Phouka who can change into a dog and looks like Prince, while her band has just fallen apart and her boyfriend has decided to act like a complete idiot. Someone has already chosen for her, and nothing she does or says can get rid of him. Eddi doesn’t have much choice in the matter. That’s what the Phouka tells Eddi, after having moved into her house and declared himself her bodyguard. Without, they wouldn’t be able to kill each other, while a human presence would allow the spilling of blood on both parts. The Seelie and the Unseelie Court are about to start their seasonal field battles, but they need a human to do it. This is the story of the singer and musician Eddi and how, one night, she finds herself unwillingly thrown in between a fairy war. But once you’re in it you would never want to get out.

It took off slowly, because despite the great start, it takes a while to get into the story. It sounded good, it looked good, it was recommended by Neil Gaiman.

War for the oaks by emma bull