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The Pixie Chronicles #2
Chicory Up
Exiled from Pixie and deprived of almost all her Pixie magic, Thistle Down had made a life for herself with the help of Desdemona “Dusty” Carrick and her brother Dick. But trouble was brewing among all the Pixie tribes, fueled by Haywood Wheatland, a half-Pixie/half-Faery, who was determined to seize control of The Ten Acre Wood for the Faeries.
Thistle, Dick, Dusty, and her fiancé, Police Sergeant Chase Norton, thought the threat to Skene Falls and The Ten Acre Wood had ended with Haywood’s arrest, but they were wrong. The Pixie tribes were preparing for war, and only an inexperienced Pixie named Chicory was taking a stand. And even if he could convince Thistle and her new family to help him, it might already be too late.
Thistle, Dick, Dusty, and her fiancé, Police Sergeant Chase Norton, thought the threat to Skene Falls and The Ten Acre Wood had ended with Haywood’s arrest, but they were wrong. The Pixie tribes were preparing for war, and only an inexperienced Pixie named Chicory was taking a stand. And even if he could convince Thistle and her new family to help him, it might already be too late.
- GenresFantasy
304 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published May 1, 2012
About the author
Irene Radford
135 books137 followersAlso uses C.F. Bentley, Phyllis Irene Radford, Julia Verne St. John, Rachel Atwood, Phyllis Ames, P. Irene Radford and P.R. Frost.
Irene has been writing stories ever since she figured out what a pencil was for. Combining a love for Medieval history and a fascination with paranormal, Irene concentrated on fantasy writing.
In her spare time, Irene enjoys lacemaking and is a long time member of an international guild. Check out THE LONELIEST MAGICIAN, The Dragon Nimbus #3 for an exploration of her favorite obsession. A piece of magic lace is the obvious patch for a dragon wing. She has published numerous magazine articles about the history and technique of lacemaking as well as self publishing two lacemaker's fairy tales with lace patterns that can be made up to illustrate the stories. When she isn't writing or making lace she enjoys exploring the back roads and many museums of the Pacific Northwest.
For many years Irene was active in Ballet du Lac, a semi-pro ballet company. She taught ballet to youngsters in her local community school program. At the same time she led a Cub Scout pack and frequently found her home the preferred playground in the neighborhood for many more children than she thought possible.
Irene has held many full and part time jobs from Insurance underwriter to assistant curator of a museum to clerk in a fabric store. Writing is now her “day job.”
Two years ago, Irene took up fencing as research for GUARDIAN OF THE FREEDOM, Merlin’s Descendants #5. She figured one quarter would give her some vocabulary and a feel for a weapon in her hand. But that wasn’t enough to write realistic battles on the Ottoman frontier or convincing duels. So she signed up for another quarter. And another. Now she’s addicted and needs to add fencing to more of her books and let her subjects range further afield.
A native Oregonian living in Oregon, Irene is a member of an endangered species. As a service brat, she lived in a number of cities throughout the country until returning to Oregon in time to graduate from Tigard High School. She earned a B.A. in history from Lewis and Clark College, where she met her husband, Tim. Historical research has remained a lifelong passion and finally became a part of her job with the historical fantasy series Merlin’s Descendants.
Irene and her husband currently make their home in Welches, Oregon where they share their back yard with deer, coyotes, bear (check the pictures), raccoons and too many bird species to mention.
Irene has been writing stories ever since she figured out what a pencil was for. Combining a love for Medieval history and a fascination with paranormal, Irene concentrated on fantasy writing.
In her spare time, Irene enjoys lacemaking and is a long time member of an international guild. Check out THE LONELIEST MAGICIAN, The Dragon Nimbus #3 for an exploration of her favorite obsession. A piece of magic lace is the obvious patch for a dragon wing. She has published numerous magazine articles about the history and technique of lacemaking as well as self publishing two lacemaker's fairy tales with lace patterns that can be made up to illustrate the stories. When she isn't writing or making lace she enjoys exploring the back roads and many museums of the Pacific Northwest.
For many years Irene was active in Ballet du Lac, a semi-pro ballet company. She taught ballet to youngsters in her local community school program. At the same time she led a Cub Scout pack and frequently found her home the preferred playground in the neighborhood for many more children than she thought possible.
Irene has held many full and part time jobs from Insurance underwriter to assistant curator of a museum to clerk in a fabric store. Writing is now her “day job.”
Two years ago, Irene took up fencing as research for GUARDIAN OF THE FREEDOM, Merlin’s Descendants #5. She figured one quarter would give her some vocabulary and a feel for a weapon in her hand. But that wasn’t enough to write realistic battles on the Ottoman frontier or convincing duels. So she signed up for another quarter. And another. Now she’s addicted and needs to add fencing to more of her books and let her subjects range further afield.
A native Oregonian living in Oregon, Irene is a member of an endangered species. As a service brat, she lived in a number of cities throughout the country until returning to Oregon in time to graduate from Tigard High School. She earned a B.A. in history from Lewis and Clark College, where she met her husband, Tim. Historical research has remained a lifelong passion and finally became a part of her job with the historical fantasy series Merlin’s Descendants.
Irene and her husband currently make their home in Welches, Oregon where they share their back yard with deer, coyotes, bear (check the pictures), raccoons and too many bird species to mention.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
January 16, 2021
Book Review: Chicory Up: The Pixie Chronicles (2020) Irene Radford
Reviewed by: Patricia M. Muhammad, January 2021
Originally published on LibraryThing: https://www.librarything.com/work/122...
NOTE: I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review.
*CONTAINS SPOILERS*
Two worlds exist, one that of Faeries and another of Pixies. Their tradition is steeped in Celtic and British lore but have become a mainstay in contemporary American fiction as well. Author Irene Radford crafts a tale in which these magical beings do not live alone. These small creatures actually live and tarry daily among the human world. Traditionally, Pixies and Faeries were once considered characters of fables populated in bedtime stories for children. Radford changes the dynamic of the reader's expectation, combining whimsy with the hard lives of humans in the American northwest. The author skillfully describes the fickle nature of these creatures through dialogue, combat and throughout the course of their normal activity. Implied is the likely parallel of their natural character with that of human children; curious and easily able to perceive matters at a superficial level.
Within these two worlds exist a war. The Faeries and Pixies have long been in conflict with one another. Though they have magical powers which they only appear to use on each other; their small lives crossover into that of the humans—in more than one way. (*spoiler alert* for this paragraph): Take for instance the character Thistle, once a Pixie, she now appears in human form due to a curse, losing her power and wings. It is not clearly stated whether this disability will ever be lifted, but for most of the book she engages in the everyday endeavours of an actual human. Thistle works, adopts or at least is able to deduce human notions with traditions of being a Pixie and she accepts the proposal of a human, Benedict. Radford further blurs the world of the magical creatures and human beings as one character, Haywood is part Faery. Centrally important to both human and winged creatures alike is an area known as Ten Acre Wood. Pixies and Faeries primarily establish their lives throughout this area by erecting habitats within trees and flowers. Many in this small town do not know of them, yet these small creatures rely on the kindness of those humans who are aware—and some of their own cunning. Their nearly undetectable stature allows for them to spy on the humans and report to the others whom they trust will use it to help another person. Other times they use the information to their advantage. The Pixies' toil is rewarded with permission to have a habitat within a resident's yard or gardens. Yet the nature of their tarry causes them to further curate the lands of their newfound homes which also benefits their human hosts.
The author subtly depicts hierarchy and class which seems to be the foundation of both worlds. For instance, among a pivotal Pixie tribe is a queen who has authority to banish those who displease her though not judiciously. Dialogue indicates that Pixies divided themselves into tribes, describing garden varieties, woodland sorts and those of the valley. Some believing they are more civilized than the other Pixies. However, an undergirding theme resonates among these creatures—they are all better than Faeries whom they considered prone to violence. However, the human world is much more bleak. Radford juxtaposes the imminent war between Faeries and Pixies with the everyday crimes which plague American society such as arson and the abduction of children. Yet, some of the mischief among the magical creatures morphs into conflict with their human counterparts as well. Most of the main characters are either law enforcement or somehow support social work throughout the town. Their work is to help others. Pixies primarily help a child in peril if called upon. The humans rely on reports, eyewitness accounts, and most importantly the spying eyes of the lesser known Pixies. The reader may make a cursory presumption that the lives of human appear more complicated than those of Pixies or Faeries. This town has to address teen betrayals which lead to resentful revenge of adults, weddings and strained parent-child relationships. However, this is not too unlike what the creatures' of earthen abodes experience. The author refers to their weddings as "mating flights", hostilities appears to be a constant between Pixies and Faeries and strained relationships lead to the creation of new tribes and the shatter of a Pixie rulership. In addition, the author discusses the importance of lineage whether it be a Pixie and Faerie who unusually mate or the realization of a bastard human child whohas now become a runaway and found herself in a hideaway room of a home in this small town.
This is not a book of pure fantasy. The author displays a clever imagination with the use of fantastical characters that tend to mirror those of the mundane. Whether human, Pixie, or Faerie, Radford has the ability to clearly portray each of their personalities. The creatures seem to be human in their jest or conflict while the humans would revel in the ability to simply fly away from their everyday problems or the people they perceive who are the source of them.
Chicory Up is a work of fiction in which Radford interweaves traditional mythical characters with human ones, yet still manages to keep their daily manner of living and culture distinctively separate from one another. It is a nod to European lore which heavily contrasts with the plagues of everyday human society. The author feeds both the child-like curiosity and wonder in adults while providing a contemporary story of human characters who in some ways have yet to still grow up.
Reviewed by: Patricia M. Muhammad, January 2021
Originally published on LibraryThing: https://www.librarything.com/work/122...
NOTE: I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review.
*CONTAINS SPOILERS*
Two worlds exist, one that of Faeries and another of Pixies. Their tradition is steeped in Celtic and British lore but have become a mainstay in contemporary American fiction as well. Author Irene Radford crafts a tale in which these magical beings do not live alone. These small creatures actually live and tarry daily among the human world. Traditionally, Pixies and Faeries were once considered characters of fables populated in bedtime stories for children. Radford changes the dynamic of the reader's expectation, combining whimsy with the hard lives of humans in the American northwest. The author skillfully describes the fickle nature of these creatures through dialogue, combat and throughout the course of their normal activity. Implied is the likely parallel of their natural character with that of human children; curious and easily able to perceive matters at a superficial level.
Within these two worlds exist a war. The Faeries and Pixies have long been in conflict with one another. Though they have magical powers which they only appear to use on each other; their small lives crossover into that of the humans—in more than one way. (*spoiler alert* for this paragraph): Take for instance the character Thistle, once a Pixie, she now appears in human form due to a curse, losing her power and wings. It is not clearly stated whether this disability will ever be lifted, but for most of the book she engages in the everyday endeavours of an actual human. Thistle works, adopts or at least is able to deduce human notions with traditions of being a Pixie and she accepts the proposal of a human, Benedict. Radford further blurs the world of the magical creatures and human beings as one character, Haywood is part Faery. Centrally important to both human and winged creatures alike is an area known as Ten Acre Wood. Pixies and Faeries primarily establish their lives throughout this area by erecting habitats within trees and flowers. Many in this small town do not know of them, yet these small creatures rely on the kindness of those humans who are aware—and some of their own cunning. Their nearly undetectable stature allows for them to spy on the humans and report to the others whom they trust will use it to help another person. Other times they use the information to their advantage. The Pixies' toil is rewarded with permission to have a habitat within a resident's yard or gardens. Yet the nature of their tarry causes them to further curate the lands of their newfound homes which also benefits their human hosts.
The author subtly depicts hierarchy and class which seems to be the foundation of both worlds. For instance, among a pivotal Pixie tribe is a queen who has authority to banish those who displease her though not judiciously. Dialogue indicates that Pixies divided themselves into tribes, describing garden varieties, woodland sorts and those of the valley. Some believing they are more civilized than the other Pixies. However, an undergirding theme resonates among these creatures—they are all better than Faeries whom they considered prone to violence. However, the human world is much more bleak. Radford juxtaposes the imminent war between Faeries and Pixies with the everyday crimes which plague American society such as arson and the abduction of children. Yet, some of the mischief among the magical creatures morphs into conflict with their human counterparts as well. Most of the main characters are either law enforcement or somehow support social work throughout the town. Their work is to help others. Pixies primarily help a child in peril if called upon. The humans rely on reports, eyewitness accounts, and most importantly the spying eyes of the lesser known Pixies. The reader may make a cursory presumption that the lives of human appear more complicated than those of Pixies or Faeries. This town has to address teen betrayals which lead to resentful revenge of adults, weddings and strained parent-child relationships. However, this is not too unlike what the creatures' of earthen abodes experience. The author refers to their weddings as "mating flights", hostilities appears to be a constant between Pixies and Faeries and strained relationships lead to the creation of new tribes and the shatter of a Pixie rulership. In addition, the author discusses the importance of lineage whether it be a Pixie and Faerie who unusually mate or the realization of a bastard human child whohas now become a runaway and found herself in a hideaway room of a home in this small town.
This is not a book of pure fantasy. The author displays a clever imagination with the use of fantastical characters that tend to mirror those of the mundane. Whether human, Pixie, or Faerie, Radford has the ability to clearly portray each of their personalities. The creatures seem to be human in their jest or conflict while the humans would revel in the ability to simply fly away from their everyday problems or the people they perceive who are the source of them.
Chicory Up is a work of fiction in which Radford interweaves traditional mythical characters with human ones, yet still manages to keep their daily manner of living and culture distinctively separate from one another. It is a nod to European lore which heavily contrasts with the plagues of everyday human society. The author feeds both the child-like curiosity and wonder in adults while providing a contemporary story of human characters who in some ways have yet to still grow up.
February 20, 2013
This is the sequel to "Thistle Down". While some Pixies are ready to go to war, and in fact are attacking other Pixies and even humans, Thistle Down (who was exiled in the previous book) and her human friends try to right the wrong. Desdemona "Dusty" and her brother Dick, Carrick along with Police Sergeant Chase Norton attempt to help Thistle Down stop the war started by half-Pixie/half-Faery. Chickory Up who has been happily living in Mable's garden also tries to stop it.
I loved this series. It was fun to read, and fun to imagine that there really are Pixies living among us.
I loved this series. It was fun to read, and fun to imagine that there really are Pixies living among us.
September 24, 2015
Easy reading fun book. Recommended for young adults and preteens (and all y'all who believe in Pixies)
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews