I have a treat in store for this episode of ‘For the Love of Books’, with a trilogy that reminds me of all I love about the YA fantasy genre. I anticipated enjoying the Book of Fire series, with feral people, a wild girl and hidden forests – what’s not to love? It’s all that, and so much more.
I have a real treat in store for this episode of For the Love of Books: two titles with themes of the natural world, albeit it an extraordinary natural world. The first was one of my favourite reads of 2021.
The Water Bailiff’s Daughter by Yvonne Hendrie
The Water Bailiff’s Daughter is such an unusual read and one I adored. Set against the atmospheric shores of Loch Duie on the western coast, Scottish folklore is woven into the extraordinary tale of Helena Hailstanes, part witch, part otter, part human. It’s a story of self-discovery, as Helena comes to terms with her connection to the ancient race of shape-shifting otters, a connection she shares with her father, Sam.
The extraordinary is also very much rooted in the mundane, bringing to life all the complexities of family. The writing flows with ease, concise in its descriptions that brings the place alive on the page. The dialogue draws you in to characters that left me rooting for each member of this messy, complex family that learns to pull together against the odds. Love, loyalty and mutual respect flourish and grow in this place so tangible I can almost feel the cold waters of the loch and smell the fishy aroma of an otter’s favourite meal.
Each character is on their own path of self-discovery. Sam, a man intimately connected to his otter side, chooses loyalty, forgoing natural instincts to conform for those he grows to love. Through Rose, Sam’s wife, we see the reality of a woman’s place and what she must overcome to be permitted a respectable place in the community. And the main character, Helena, is forced to navigate adolescence: destined to live a small life hidden from the wider world, she yearns for more. All this while discovering her true heritage, her otter instincts, and the truth that overshadows all else. With destinies entwined, there is a reason Helena is closely watched over by the sea witch, Megan. But nothing is predictable in the world of this extraordinary heroine.
A Natural History of Dragons by Marie Brennan
A Victorian woman, Lady Isabella Trent, defies societal conventions with her love of books, natural history and dragons. The book reads as a historical memoir, in the style of classical literature, themed around a wildlife adventure; indigenous wildlife being dragons. Reading like a travel log, written in the first person, the character voice and perspective of Lady Trent was consistent, believable, and provided a new angle that felt unique and fresh.
We first meet Isabella as a girl who collects sparklings, is a voracious reader and loves dragons. She marries a man who accepts her unconventional interests, and at 19 years old, Lady Trent ventures out on her first expedition: dragon spotting on the mountains of Vystrana.
The story is character driven and includes some interesting analogies. This is a woman who comes face to face with dragons, yet on a night of wakefulness, wandering the streets, it is men and an ‘outrage upon my honour’ she fears most. The general context of stifling sexism is well placed for the era, and dragons are Lady Trent’s escape. Her adventures perfectly depict that moment of awe when rounding a corner or emerging atop a summit, and being faced with the extraordinary sight of a dragon full flight, or stretched out across a gentle slope. These sightings, together with scientific discoveries and an in-depth analysis of dragon anatomy, were my favourite parts, in a read where dragons have never felt so real.
What are you reading?
On these dark winter evenings, with Storm Barra bringing blustering gales, it’s the perfect time to cosy up with a good read. I bring you two recommendations, currently among my favourite fantasy reads:
The Empress of Salt and Fortune, by Nghi Vo
The Empress of Salt and Fortune is a delightfully exquisite read. Set against a backdrop reminiscent of Imperial China, it tells the story of the empress In-Yo who is sent south for a political marriage. With her brothers dead, and her armies and their war mammoths defeated, she is alone in a mage-made summer exile. But this northern daughter is powerful enough to bring her enemies down. Told using layers of stories bound in culture and mythology, tenderly drawn on and richly described, I wanted to linger, and so when I finished the book I went straight back to the beginning and started again.
“Angry mothers raise daughters fierce enough to fight wolves.”
The storyteller is Rabbit, an elderly woman and former handmaiden to In-Yo, the Empress of the North. A cleric named Chih (non-binary) and their hoopoe, Almost Brilliant, are listening to the tale of The Empress of Salt and Fortune. ‘Do you understand?’ Rabbit says infrequently, as if she is speaking to the reader as much as to Chih. The tale is told in magical layers, with a unique structure and flow that challenges convention and tired tropes, and offers the reader the feel of complete immersion into the world of these heart-warming characters. Packed into 118 pages this is an epic, incandescent tale of resilience, rebellion, devastating truths and forgotten secrets. Richly-woven characters often side-lined take centre stage to deliver the tale through memory and meditation, with exquisite prose creatively told, unravelling worlds within worlds that leave you literally spellbound.
The Forgotten Beasts of Eld, by Patricia McKillip
Sixteen-year-old Sybel has grown up on Eld Mountain among a fantastic menagerie called there by wizardry. She cares nothing for humans, until a baby is brought to her to raise.
I adored this magical read with its wild mountainous setting, home to Sybel, a complex, flawed, self-critical, compassionate and brave woman. The presence of the child, Tamlorn, awakens unfamiliar emotions in her, and their relationship develops from simple care and compassion set against a complex world. Her home is the wild, and it is through her relationships with the creatures in her life, including a swan, a dragon, a lion and a boar, that we see her true nature reflected. But caring for the boy brings her into the world of men, where revenge becomes her motive no matter the cost.
A fairy tale with great emotional depth, the story tackles issues from love to abuse to blind revenge, providing a fascinating look at how our desires and fears can make or undo us. A range of human relationships are explored from the perspective of a woman who would choose no relationship at all, except for with her menagerie of beasts. Sybil’s character has realness that feels like a refreshing portrayal, one I could get behind from the start. Her personal journey is the emotional depth, revealing what it is to love, to betray, to be misunderstood, to let go, and ultimately to face yourself.
A compelling and weirdly comforting read that now ranks among my favourites.
What are you reading?
I was introduced to African Australian author, Eugen Bacon when I heard her speak at last year’s World Fantasy Convention. Thought provoking in her viewpoints, challenging in her ideas, refreshing in her insights… I was left inspired to read her work.
I often think there are two pillars we seek to accomplish as published writers. The first is to see our work in print. That moment of finally holding a copy of a book you wrote is pure joy. In my case, the writing journey takes years and many sleepless nights, especially in the planning stage. I am no stranger to scribbling ideas at 1am, getting thoughts down before they escape me, resolving those sticky plot holes. The sentences flow, some days a trickle, others a downpour, fleshing out the characters and the world, bringing it to life until it really does take on a life of its own. And just when you think you’re there, there are edits and more edits, and always more edits. So yes, years later, bound in its signature cover, holding that book for the first time is joy.
The second pillar is to discover that your story connects with readers. I love my characters and it means the world to me that others do too. It’s always wonderful to hear that these worlds I create are understood and embraced, and that a character’s hopes, dreams, struggles and aspirations touch on emotion and affect readers on a personal level. Stories have always been a form of communication, and I love to hear what messages readers take from mine.
As someone who deals in words, it can be surprisingly difficult to take a step back and give a succinct response to the common question, ‘What is the book about?’ Thank you to all those who take the time to share their thoughts. One book reviewer recently published a review of The Warder, which made my day!
‘This book was worth the wait and more. The Warder is the sequel to one of my favourite books of 2018, Return of the Mantra.’
Phew! The Warder has a different vibe to Return of the Mantra, and with that comes nerves on how it might be received. I introduce a new character, Luna, a complex girl through which hidden powers are revealed.
‘I wasn’t sure Susie would be able to increase the enthusiasm I had for her characters, and her world. However, she left me reeling after a couple of pages as I was drawn back into this African inspired fantasy. The way Susie was able to expand her world without slowing down the narrative was a masterclass in worldbuilding.’
And on Luna – ‘The development of her powers during the narrative is handled with a sensitivity I haven’t read in fantasy before.’
‘This book is a charming story of loss, love and finding yourself in the most unexpected places. It is epic fantasy with a heart that will leave you scarred, but begging for more.’
Fortunately, there will be more with Blood Gift Chronicles Book 3.
Click here for full review – The Warder
Click here for full review – Return of the Mantra
Happy Reading!
Change is afoot as Kate and I take our first tentative steps to consider moving house. It is no mean feat after 8-ish yrs of growing lovingly attached to these four walls. But change can be good, and when it is it is worth the effort.
There is another reason for this train of thought about change: it is the central premise to the books I am reading – Octavia Butler’s Earthseed series. In my opinion the books are many things, including brilliant.
It’s approaching a month since the release of The Warder, and it has been a busy, few weeks, chatting with Devon Book Club, and appearing as a guest on Sarah Ash’s blogsite. Easter weekend was spent attending a virtual SFF convention from the comfort of my writing room. Convention days go by in a flurry, with the chance to meet writers and readers, be introduced to new work, and chat through an eclectic mix of topics that exposes what a fascinating and wide-ranging genre this is. At the end we are all left tired and inspired.
A question often asked of authors, is where does inspiration for the book come from? A collage of life, the past, the future, our experiences, problems solved, problems yet to be solved… Invariably it leads me to think about the difference between lives that inspire books, and books that inspire lives. Perhaps the two categories are interwoven in a cycle of inspiration. In either case, I’m currently reading a book which offers up much needed inspiration for the times we are in: The Tao of Revolution by Chris Taylor.
As evening approaches, I imagine people discussing their resolutions for the New Year. I’m not one for resolutions. Instead I try to stick to the simple motto: keep trying to do better. In life as in writing, with practice, hopefully we improve.
