Steward of Song by Adam Stemple,

Steward of Song by Adam Stemple

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Stemple explores the complications of family ties in this shimmering sequel to 2005's Singer of Souls. American musician Douglas Stewart has imprisoned his former mistress, the evil but beautiful former queen Aine, and now rules the Daoine Sidhe. Douglas's sister, Bridie, a former cop, thinks he killed their grandmother and is scouring Scotland for him. Their brother, Scott, an Iraq war veteran tormented by hallucinations, is stuck caring for the baby who has mysteriously appeared on his doorstep. Fortunately, Mundoo, a mysterious Native American god, is around to provide parenting advice. When the siblings reunite in the realm of the Sidhe, Bridie and Scott must decide how much Douglas, who seems to be taking a turn for the megalomaniacal, can be trusted with his newfound power. Stemple riffs off Native American and Celtic myths with ease while skillfully depicting a world where any move can have dire consequences.



Wonderful follow up to 'Singer of Souls'. In fact this book was twice as good as the first. I read it in a day which is always a sign that a book is too good to put down. Highly recommend this fantasy novel to all.



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Singer of Souls by Adam Stemple

Singer of Souls by Adam Stemple

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Synopsis
From the son of fantasist and children’s author Jane Yolen, an assured debut novel of dark fantasy

Publishers Weekly
At the start of Stemple's wonderful fantasy debut, his first solo effort (he's collaborated with his mother, Jane Yolen, on children's music books), Douglas "Doc" Stewart, a recovering heroin addict and talented street musician, flees Minnesota for Scotland and his Grandma McLaren, who welcomes her grandson with open arms but warns, "I've buried three husbands and I'll bury you, too, if need be." Doc's subsequent success as a busker in Edinburgh strengthens his resolve to stay clean. During the Fringe arts festival, he meets a fey young woman, Aine, who gives him the gift of sight distilled in white powder he shoots into his arm. This ability to perceive the faery world puts him in grave danger after Aine is abducted by a strange priest, Father Croser, who uses his own magical sight for evil purposes. A "bogie" (or mischievous spirit) enlists Doc's assistance in rescuing Aine, but Doc soon finds himself drawn into a faeryland that's alarmingly similar to the world of addiction he thought he'd escaped forever and an erotic adventure that holds shocking consequences. Fans of Charles de Lint and Clive Barker will find much to like.



Great read. An interesting take on Fairies. Douglas was a likeable character and the storyline kept me wanting to read.

I did not care much for the ending, but am already well into the second book and I am enjoying it just as much as the first.



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