Book Review of The Fairy Bargains of Prospect Hill by Rowenna Miller

 

Name of Book: The Fairy Bargains of Prospect Hill 

Author: Rowenna Miller 

ISBN: 9780316378475

Publisher: Redhook 

Type of book: Family, midwestern USA, Fae,  bargains, fairy world, domestic abuse, running away, divorce, marriage, farm, 1900s, sisterhood, breaking ceilings 

Year it was published: 2023 

Summary:

"A warm-hearted yet fierce fairy tale."―H. G. Parry

In the early 1900s, two sisters must navigate the magic and the dangers of the Fae in this enchanting and cozy historical fantasy about sisterhood and self-discovery.

There is no magic on Prospect Hill—or anywhere else, for that matter. But just on the other side of the veil is the world of the Fae. Generations ago, the first farmers on Prospect Hill learned to bargain small trades to make their lives a little easier—a bit of glass to find something lost, a cup of milk for better layers in the chicken coop.

Much of that old wisdom was lost as the riverboats gave way to the rail lines and the farmers took work at mills and factories. Alaine Fairborn’s family, however, was always superstitious, and she still hums the rhymes to find a lost shoe and to ensure dry weather on her sister’s wedding day.

When Delphine confides her new husband is not the man she thought he was, Alaine will stop at nothing to help her sister escape him. Small bargains buy them time, but a major one is needed. Yet, the price for true freedom may be more than they’re willing to pay.

Characters:

The two important characters are Alaine and Delphine. Alaine is a natural born leader who isn't afraid to take life by the horns so to speak. She becomes the first female Agricultural Society President and she is extremely confident and certain of her actions.. She is the eldest sister and is more interested in the family orchard than her younger sister.  Delphine is a dreamer who loves watercolors and painting and who feels as if she doesn't belong in the farming world. She desires to be more posh and to find a place of belonging. At first she lacks certainty and confidence that Alaine has in spades, but as the novel progresses, she does end up gaining it. Secondary characters would be Alaine's young daughter Emily as well as Jack, Alaine's husband, and Pierce Grafton who is Delphine's husband. Jack is steady and extremely supportive and loving of his wife, while Pierce seeks more of a doll than a woman. 

Theme:

Be careful what you wish for

Plot:

The tale is told in third person narrative from Alaine's and Delphine's points of view. The novel begins with Delphine's wedding to a wealthy man and introduces the readers to the world of Fae and magic bargains. Alaine is struggling with farm as well as making progress in being a woman in traditional masculine occupations and begins to bargain with the Fae a lot more than she was taught to. Delphine, meanwhile struggles to fit in into the wealthy society of Perrysburg and when she needs to escape her marriage, she turns to Alaine, only to find out the high cost of running away. The narrative at first is relaxed, asking the readers to get to know the setting and the two women, but towards the end it becomes a lot more tense as it introduces the fascinating world of Fae. 

Author Information:
(From goodreads)

N/A

Opinion:

First of all, extremely similar to H.G. Parry's latest release, THE MAGICIAN'S DAUGHTER. Perhaps its the writing style or the time (both novels are set in early 1900s, although this one is in America while H.G. Parry's is in England/mysterious island) and also this novel isn't about finding a true love but focuses more on familial relationships than anything else. It did take me awhile to really get into the story because the narrative took its time in introducing the readers to the characters, the magic of fairy bargains and the times. The last part of the novel is very intriguing and one can't help but wish for more novels to be set in this particular Fae world, or at least I want to know what happens to Fae. 

This was given for review

4 out of 5
(0: Stay away unless a masochist 1: Good for insomnia 2: Horrible but readable; 3: Readable and quickly forgettable, 4: Good, enjoyable 5: Buy it, keep it and never let it go.)