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Summary: a book of wonder intrigue and reality
Review: This is a very well written book! it takes the reader to another way of life. to the thought of a faerie world twined around this one. Matter a fact an odd way of looking at one not with all awe but good and bad. Eddi macandry is a well buit charceter with a involved life and reactions to situations that you will not expect. Read it you will love it!
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Summary: Great book but could have been better
Review: Yes, War For The Oaks is a classic of mythic fiction. It has been called by many A Holy Grail of Urban Fantasy. But does it deserve all this acclaim? I'm not so sure.I recently read War For The Oaks for the first time, since it was brought back into print last month. I found it a lovely, quick read, but nothing to try to convince all my friends to read.Let me start out by saying what I didn't like. First of all, unlike a lot of mythic fiction, such as that written by Charles de Lint and Neil Gaiman, War For The Oaks mostly lacked a deeper meaning to its story. The strongest underlying theme of this book is to not let anyone get you down and to be true to yourself, a message that is very much overdone and this book adds very little that is new or original to the idea.Second, I never felt that any of the characters were truly in danger from their enemies. There are very few real confrontations in the book and the few that are there really inspire no sense of drama. I just knew all the main characters would be fine.Third, Emma Bull has a very plain way of writing for the most part. I like my mythic fiction spiced with lyrical language and Emma Bull just does not seem to have the talent to write the way I expect for this genre. The one exception in War For The Oaks is the songs "written" and performed by Eddi McCandry. These are pretty good.And lastly on the list of things I didn't like about this book, I am really tired of run of the mill love stories, the kind where girl falls for boy she initially couldn't stand but you could tell throughout the book there was sort of a sexual tension between them. It's just way too played out and obvious. Not every story needs romance! Especially the over-done type.Now, there are things I liked about this book. First off, Emma Bull's portrayal of the courts and characters of Faerie are almost exactly how I would imagine them myself. I could actually believe that she spoke to magickal creatures and interviewed them about their history, customs, likes and dislikes, and so on. The descriptions of Faerie hospitality and obligation especially ring true.Also, to contradict somewhat a comment I made earlier in this review, Emma Bull DOES have a knack for dialogue and making each character have his or her own way of speaking. This somewhat makes up for her otherwise plain writing style.I also enjoyed the way the characters interacted with each other, verbally and non-verbally. It gives them a sense of life that added to my enjoyment of the book.Also, the ending of the book is pretty much perfect and very "in-character" for the traditions of Faerie.All in all, this is a very fun read and I do recommend it. Just don't expect any deep insights into life, myth, or magick within its pages. If you read it and like it, I also recommend Jack Of Kinrowan, by Charles de Lint, or anything by Charles de Lint for that matter.
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Summary: One of the first and best urban fantasies--superb.
Review: Beauty and terror walk among us, for those with the eyes to see.Eddi, a musician and songwriter in Minneapolis, is out of work when her band breaks up. Little does she know that her artistry on the stage attracts otherwordly attention--for the Fey are not just children's stories. Minneapolis is becoming a battleground for two fairy courts, but the war is masked by illusion. Eddi, with her shining talent gets involved against her will, and nothing will ever be the same again. Mixing music, romance, fear and courage; and showing the fairy culture--so alien and yet so familiar--the fantasy is the best work of Ms. Bull. A number of urban fantasies have followed this book's steps; but none have matched the combination of intensely human characters with the exotic attraction and danger of the Fey. The setting, Minneapolis, is here as attractive a setting for a fantasy as any mythical forests or mountains. Highly recommended. --inotherworlds.com
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Summary: Terrific uban fantasy
Review: Rhythm guitarist Eddi McCandry knows finally knows with this gig at Minneapolis' University Bar the band stinks and her former lover Stuart Kline has no talent. She realizes it is time to move on by leaving Stuart and InKline Plain for another rock and roll band, but one that plays music that came after the end of the Eisenhower administration. While Eddi suffers, the Seelie Court of Faerie select her as their human champion in the war with the Unseelie. To protect her, the Seelie send her a bodyguard. He is a large black male who turns into a nasty looking canine when danger arises. However, as Eddi adapts to having a guitar in two realms, her side is filled with dissension and treachery while the enemy wants to eliminate the mortal threat to their immortality. WAR FOR THE OAKS is a reprint of a Reagan era cult classic and no bull, the story line holds up as a superb example of urban fantasy. The tale is fast-paced and Eddi's humor lightens the tension just enough so that it lightens but does not overwhelm the plot. The story hooks the audience from the start because Eddi is a fabulous lead character and the range of Faerie persona seem real yet bizarre and exotic so that author Emma Bull avoids the pitfall of "Earthenizing" the race. Do You Believe In Magic? The answer is yes if you have read this wild ride through the Twin Cities. Harriet Klausner
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Summary: Elfland meets the Twin Cities
Review: As a former Minneapolitan, this book made me homesick for a place that I had only seen out of the corner of my eye while I was living there (now I want to go back to a place that almost was). The characters are wonderful and are like many musicians I have known, who always seemed a little fey anyway. This is a fast paced, romantic story on real streets with one of the best heros (Edy) I know. I wished for a sequel that never came (The Adventures of Edy and the Fey?). That's a sign of a good book, it leaves you asking for more. Why is it out of print? Well, I bought, at last count, 10 copies to give to my friends and family, wish I could buy more because I'm not lending my last copy to anyone!
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Summary: Definitely on the Top Ten List
Review: One of my all-time favorite books. Emma Bull is brilliant in her use of language, in her descriptions of music and its power, and in her skillful infusion of magic into the ordinary until her characters -- and the reader -- can't quite tell where the edges of reality stop and something new begins to overlap. The story draws the initially-reluctant heroine, Eddi, into a desperate war that involves both the mortal and faerie worlds, and she ultimately finds that she is one of the mortals on whom the outcome rests. Add some excellent rock and roll, a morphing phouka, The Queen of Air and Darkness, motorcycles -- it's original, quirky, humorous, and nothing like anything else out there. The whole thing is a ravishing good read. I highly recommend it.
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Summary: A Magical and Musical Literary Jewel
Review: This is an absolutely fabulous book about a rock giutarist, Eddi McCandry, who discovers that the world of Faerie is alive and kicking outside of novels and fairy tales. However, it turns out that very few of the Faeries are the benevolent, sugar-coated creatures seen in children's stories. I can't imagine what a wonderful book like this is doing out of print, or why more people haven't heard of Emma Bull, whose books are always in arm's reach for me.
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Summary: This is a classic to read again & again
Review: This book was just amazing! It grabbed my attention and wouldn't let go, just like the faerie music grabs ones feet and won't let you stop dancing. The characters were so realistic, and had depth that's not often found, set against a backdrop so skillfully painted, I feel like I've been there.
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Summary: Fantastic
Review: Find the book--there are many copies out in the used book stores. Bring it home. Put on on STYX and read . . .
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Summary: Imaginative urban fantasy!!!
Review: I first read this book from the public library, and I had to order it from the bookstore. I enjoyed the way Willy is breathtakingly described as the perfect romantic hero! Very visual! But my favorite part was when Eddi and the Phouka were hiding in the creek. I could almost hear that sigh of regret. This book really hit all my senses. I could really imagine the tastes, sounds, textures, smells, scenes. This urban fantasy is a very delightful departure from the usual witches and swordfights, but this book has these elements as well. May I end with another round of gloating because I have a copy!!!!!!
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