Elf Defense

New York #2

by Friesner

Headline Books Edition.

Genres: Fantasy, Elves, Fae, Fiction, Humor, Urban Fantasy

240 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 1988

Reviews

[Ruby Hollyberry · Rating 5 out of 5]

An older fantasy, possibly hard to find nowadays, but worth it. It is absolutely hilarious. The comedic possibilities in fantasy elements like flower nymphs and unicorns have never been explored this well in my experience. I have reread it a thousand times. Never have elves seemed so down to earth and real - an excellent juxtaposition of the magical and the very ordinary.

It is the middle book in a trilogy, but each book is well able to stand alone. I love both this and the third book, Sphynxes Wild, very much. Friesner isn't one of my top favorite authors, some of her books didn't pay off for me. But when she is good she is great. That includes this trilogy as well as a short story I read years ago in Fantasy and Science Fiction Magazine that was one of the funniest and best genre short stories I've ever come across (that is saying something considering the probably six dozen anthologies in my possession). I can't find the issue anymore and don't remember the title but it was about vampires in the Country-Western music industry!!!

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lot of fun to read; fantasy in a everyday setting, and a nice change of scenery at the end. Mrs. Friesner is simply a delight! I had the opportunity to have dinner with her at a convention recently, so witty and full of energy! I've been on the lookout for her books every time I go to a bookstore!

[Yaz · Rating 4 out of 5]

A modern day fairy tale with a twist. Humorous and sassy. One of my favourite books.

[Kelsey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not the best, but not the worst...this was the first book I ever ordered used online : )

[The Anti-Mandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book gets five stars from me simply because it is the book that started me on my fantasy journey. I first read it in 1988, the year it was first published. Incidentally, I have a different edition than either of the two listed here. It is a first printing of Signet Fantasy, published by NAL Penguin and was published in March, 1988. It has a bronze/copper colored border. The author’s name is in black in the upper right hand corner on two lines. Starting about halfway down the author’s first name on the left the title starts, also on two lines. Boxed under the title is the illustration, an elf with a long reddish-gold beard in front of a window, there is a telephone on the desk(?) he is standing on him, I think to represent that the story happens in the modern world.

[Caitie · Rating 3 out of 5]

So I liked this book a lot better when I was 12, when I thought Cass was super dreamy. Now that I am aged and wise, I find everyone annoying, with the possible exceptions of Lionel and Cesare. Sigh.