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Tales of Aylfenhame #4
Mr Drake and My Lady Silver
An alternative cover edition for this ASIN can be found here.
‘Twas Winter Solstice – very almost Christmas – when some strange events came to pass…’
Lincoln, 1812. Working his fingers to the bone in his drunken father’s pastry shop, Phineas Drake can only dream of a better life. And dream he does, for naught else awaits this baker’s boy but a life of drudgery, and want.
But things are about to change, and forever. Delivering plum-cakes in the dark of a winter’s dawn, he sees a mysterious lady darting through the snow — alone, and in trouble. She is no dream; what can he do but follow?
She’s a vision out of a fairytale: My Lady Silver, beautiful, enigmatic – and angry. Grieving for a betrayed sister, on the trail of a traitor, Ilsevel will travel the length and breadth of England to set things right.
Caught up in the chaos of Ilsevel’s quest, Phineas is far out of his depth — or is he? For the baker’s boy is clever, and fiercely loyal. Already a force to be reckoned with, My Lady Silver’s nigh-on unstoppable with Phineas at her side. And she’ll need to be, for her quest will take her deep into the lawless depths of the Hollow Hills...
‘Twas Winter Solstice – very almost Christmas – when some strange events came to pass…’
Lincoln, 1812. Working his fingers to the bone in his drunken father’s pastry shop, Phineas Drake can only dream of a better life. And dream he does, for naught else awaits this baker’s boy but a life of drudgery, and want.
But things are about to change, and forever. Delivering plum-cakes in the dark of a winter’s dawn, he sees a mysterious lady darting through the snow — alone, and in trouble. She is no dream; what can he do but follow?
She’s a vision out of a fairytale: My Lady Silver, beautiful, enigmatic – and angry. Grieving for a betrayed sister, on the trail of a traitor, Ilsevel will travel the length and breadth of England to set things right.
Caught up in the chaos of Ilsevel’s quest, Phineas is far out of his depth — or is he? For the baker’s boy is clever, and fiercely loyal. Already a force to be reckoned with, My Lady Silver’s nigh-on unstoppable with Phineas at her side. And she’ll need to be, for her quest will take her deep into the lawless depths of the Hollow Hills...
252 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 10, 2018
131 people are currently reading
286 people want to read
About the author
Charlotte E. English
76 books352 followersEnglish both by name and nationality, Charlotte hasn’t permitted emigration to the Netherlands to change her essential Britishness. She writes colourful fantasy novels over copious quantities of tea, and rarely misses an opportunity to apologise for something. Spanning the spectrum from light to dark, her works include the Draykon Series, Modern Magick, The Malykant Mysteries and the Tales of Aylfenhame.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
May 3, 2018
When ordinary humans meet up with the folk of Aylfenhame they often find themselves not so ordinary as they thought. Such is the case with Mr. Drake, a perfectly ordinary baker who finds himself baking extraordinary delicacies for folk the likes of whom he never expected to meet. Nor did they.
Charlotte spins a delightful tale. And what's more, the plot and characters and intersecting worlds actually work. Charlotte is a writer of extraordinary craft. Fitting, that.
Each book in the Aylfenhame series is a self-contained story, so start with whichever one you like. But be warned, you will soon decide you must start again at the beginning and read them all, including the one you just read.
Charlotte spins a delightful tale. And what's more, the plot and characters and intersecting worlds actually work. Charlotte is a writer of extraordinary craft. Fitting, that.
Each book in the Aylfenhame series is a self-contained story, so start with whichever one you like. But be warned, you will soon decide you must start again at the beginning and read them all, including the one you just read.
Read
April 22, 2024DNF at 26%
I'm so bored!
I'm so bored!
May 10, 2018
Reading the 4th Alyfenhame book, "Mr. Drake and My Lady Silver," was a real pleasure. It evoked, more than its predecessors, the richly strange “otherness” of a place where fae dwell. It also calls up lots of classic faerie lore (which made me tremendously happy!), such as time passing differently between worlds, or wondrous items and delicacies far beyond the pale of the mortal world.
These treats included “Sun cake with honey core and plumberries,” requested by a pixie and actually glowing with sunlight; “cloudy starcakes with jelly pearls” which swirls with fine mist and imbued with the shimmer of starlight; and “Ice-wine with dewberry and rosy-fingered dawn.”
“ 'Ice-wine of the most delicious, my lady, the most dulcet, the most delightful! Flavoured with dewberry, and rosy-fingered dawn, is that not marvellous? Is that not genius?'
'Rosy-fingered dawn? echoed Phineas.
[...] 'Eros, goddess of the dawn, with her slender golden arms and rose-touched fingers! Positively hauling in the light every morning, [...] Some little glimmer of that unearthly radiance we have contrived to capture, and imbue into our most excellent beverage.' ”
The book begins, as all the Aylfenhame books do, with the narrator-troll Ballingumph. He is a likeable character, and a plenty good narrative device, but I do sometimes feel for those he has taken hostage! In this story, it is the dead of Winter when he pulls a traveling coach aside, and though he magicks the coach up “warm and snug,” I couldn't help but wonder if those poor souls had somewhere else they needed to be... perhaps a fire somewhere, with something to eat. No matter -- I'm sure, they, as I, were quickly pulled into the spell of the tale, and equally delighted by it.
"Mr. Drake and My Lady Silver" had echoes of both the other Aylfenhame books, but also of its distant cousin, "Gloaming." Like "Gloaming," this book begins with a rose: mysterious in its blooming, glowingly-colored and clearly other. Like "Gloaming," there is an implication that mirrors might be used for travel. And also like "Gloaming," this book is written with a wondrous-strange prose-poem quality that reminded me, often, of Peter S. Beagle's "The Last Unicorn." Throughout the reading I felt under a delicious spell.
Other wonderful parts included a thieves market that exists between worlds, a Goblin Market (which also touches on classic faerie lore!), and an interesting idea of tricking curses. There were also truly magical descriptions: individual seasons which existed, all to themselves, entirely outside of time.
“Colour bloomed all around Phineas: oak and ash and elm trees decked in cinnamon-coloured leaves, and orange, and berry-red, and bright gold. The smell of wet earth and mulch met his nose, and a low mist clung close to the ground.”
These seasons, each an individual “Hollow,” contained a certain poetic tragedy. It is the same tragedy that is found in “Mrs. Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children” and "Tuck Everlasting." That tragedy is that of existing apart from time, and utterly separate from it, while the rest of the world entirely passes you by. Ms. English captures this tragedy, without dwelling on it, and her depictions of each Hollow evoke a setting completely believable.
Mr. Drake and My Lady Silver had some old familiar faces, some surprising transformations, and connections both expected and unexpected. This 4th book wrapped up many of the mysteries spun throughout the first three Aylfenhame books. I feared for a while that this was the end (but if so, a truly lovely one!) but there were a few new problems which cropped up; thus we may still see more of the lovely Aylfenhame.
I had a few quibbles: there were some strange plot-typos which broke me out of the story (a wisp which is pocketed, then not pocketed, then brought out of a pocket again; a Mr. Tibbs spelled sometimes with one b and sometimes with two; and two sisters who variously both refer to each other as younger sister, which was initially confusing). The faerie Queen Titania is mentioned, which irritated me as this place seems more like somewhere else than the usual faerieland. And there is the common problem that I find in Ms. English's books of large swaths of dialogue without mentioning who says what, obligating one to go back and count. There is also the disappointment I have with all the Aylfenhame books: by the time the main characters have realized they love each other, their interaction is nearly over. I often wish to see them once they have had this realization.
However, those quibbles were merely that: quibbles. They did not detract from a story which felt very close to magical. Mr. Drake and My Lady Silver was enchanting, well written, and a feast for the senses. It evoked a lush, beautiful, dangerous world -- which is everything a fae book could hope to be. The characters were believable and entertaining. Overall, the book was both delighting and delightful, and I was very happy to read it. As Ilsevel says early on, I had “fallen in love with the pretty thing, of course. They all did, these starry-eyed human-folk”...
These treats included “Sun cake with honey core and plumberries,” requested by a pixie and actually glowing with sunlight; “cloudy starcakes with jelly pearls” which swirls with fine mist and imbued with the shimmer of starlight; and “Ice-wine with dewberry and rosy-fingered dawn.”
“ 'Ice-wine of the most delicious, my lady, the most dulcet, the most delightful! Flavoured with dewberry, and rosy-fingered dawn, is that not marvellous? Is that not genius?'
'Rosy-fingered dawn? echoed Phineas.
[...] 'Eros, goddess of the dawn, with her slender golden arms and rose-touched fingers! Positively hauling in the light every morning, [...] Some little glimmer of that unearthly radiance we have contrived to capture, and imbue into our most excellent beverage.' ”
The book begins, as all the Aylfenhame books do, with the narrator-troll Ballingumph. He is a likeable character, and a plenty good narrative device, but I do sometimes feel for those he has taken hostage! In this story, it is the dead of Winter when he pulls a traveling coach aside, and though he magicks the coach up “warm and snug,” I couldn't help but wonder if those poor souls had somewhere else they needed to be... perhaps a fire somewhere, with something to eat. No matter -- I'm sure, they, as I, were quickly pulled into the spell of the tale, and equally delighted by it.
"Mr. Drake and My Lady Silver" had echoes of both the other Aylfenhame books, but also of its distant cousin, "Gloaming." Like "Gloaming," this book begins with a rose: mysterious in its blooming, glowingly-colored and clearly other. Like "Gloaming," there is an implication that mirrors might be used for travel. And also like "Gloaming," this book is written with a wondrous-strange prose-poem quality that reminded me, often, of Peter S. Beagle's "The Last Unicorn." Throughout the reading I felt under a delicious spell.
Other wonderful parts included a thieves market that exists between worlds, a Goblin Market (which also touches on classic faerie lore!), and an interesting idea of tricking curses. There were also truly magical descriptions: individual seasons which existed, all to themselves, entirely outside of time.
“Colour bloomed all around Phineas: oak and ash and elm trees decked in cinnamon-coloured leaves, and orange, and berry-red, and bright gold. The smell of wet earth and mulch met his nose, and a low mist clung close to the ground.”
These seasons, each an individual “Hollow,” contained a certain poetic tragedy. It is the same tragedy that is found in “Mrs. Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children” and "Tuck Everlasting." That tragedy is that of existing apart from time, and utterly separate from it, while the rest of the world entirely passes you by. Ms. English captures this tragedy, without dwelling on it, and her depictions of each Hollow evoke a setting completely believable.
Mr. Drake and My Lady Silver had some old familiar faces, some surprising transformations, and connections both expected and unexpected. This 4th book wrapped up many of the mysteries spun throughout the first three Aylfenhame books. I feared for a while that this was the end (but if so, a truly lovely one!) but there were a few new problems which cropped up; thus we may still see more of the lovely Aylfenhame.
I had a few quibbles: there were some strange plot-typos which broke me out of the story (a wisp which is pocketed, then not pocketed, then brought out of a pocket again; a Mr. Tibbs spelled sometimes with one b and sometimes with two; and two sisters who variously both refer to each other as younger sister, which was initially confusing). The faerie Queen Titania is mentioned, which irritated me as this place seems more like somewhere else than the usual faerieland. And there is the common problem that I find in Ms. English's books of large swaths of dialogue without mentioning who says what, obligating one to go back and count. There is also the disappointment I have with all the Aylfenhame books: by the time the main characters have realized they love each other, their interaction is nearly over. I often wish to see them once they have had this realization.
However, those quibbles were merely that: quibbles. They did not detract from a story which felt very close to magical. Mr. Drake and My Lady Silver was enchanting, well written, and a feast for the senses. It evoked a lush, beautiful, dangerous world -- which is everything a fae book could hope to be. The characters were believable and entertaining. Overall, the book was both delighting and delightful, and I was very happy to read it. As Ilsevel says early on, I had “fallen in love with the pretty thing, of course. They all did, these starry-eyed human-folk”...
May 10, 2018
Reading the 4th Alyfenhame book, "Mr. Drake and My Lady Silver," was a real pleasure. It evoked, more than its predecessors, the richly strange “otherness” of a place where fae dwell. It also calls up lots of classic faerie lore (which made me tremendously happy!), such as time passing differently between worlds, or wondrous items and delicacies far beyond the pale of the mortal world.
These treats included “Sun cake with honey core and plumberries,” requested by a pixie and actually glowing with sunlight; “cloudy starcakes with jelly pearls” which swirls with fine mist and imbued with the shimmer of starlight; and “Ice-wine with dewberry and rosy-fingered dawn.”
“ 'Ice-wine of the most delicious, my lady, the most dulcet, the most delightful! Flavoured with dewberry, and rosy-fingered dawn, is that not marvellous? Is that not genius?'
'Rosy-fingered dawn? echoed Phineas.
[...] 'Eros, goddess of the dawn, with her slender golden arms and rose-touched fingers! Positively hauling in the light every morning, [...] Some little glimmer of that unearthly radiance we have contrived to capture, and imbue into our most excellent beverage.' ”
The book begins, as all the Aylfenhame books do, with the narrator-troll Ballingumph. He is a likeable character, and a plenty good narrative device, but I do sometimes feel for those he has taken hostage! In this story, it is the dead of Winter when he pulls a traveling coach aside, and though he magicks the coach up “warm and snug,” I couldn't help but wonder if those poor souls had somewhere else they needed to be... perhaps a fire somewhere, with something to eat. No matter -- I'm sure, they, as I, were quickly pulled into the spell of the tale, and equally delighted by it.
"Mr. Drake and My Lady Silver" had echoes of both the other Aylfenhame books, but also of its distant cousin, "Gloaming." Like "Gloaming," this book begins with a rose: mysterious in its blooming, glowingly-colored and clearly other. Like "Gloaming," there is an implication that mirrors might be used for travel. And also like "Gloaming," this book is written with a wondrous-strange prose-poem quality that reminded me, often, of Peter S. Beagle's "The Last Unicorn." Throughout the reading I felt under a delicious spell.
Other wonderful parts included a thieves market that exists between worlds, a Goblin Market (which also touches on classic faerie lore!), and an interesting idea of tricking curses. There were also truly magical descriptions: individual seasons which existed, all to themselves, entirely outside of time.
“Colour bloomed all around Phineas: oak and ash and elm trees decked in cinnamon-coloured leaves, and orange, and berry-red, and bright gold. The smell of wet earth and mulch met his nose, and a low mist clung close to the ground.”
These seasons, each an individual “Hollow,” contained a certain poetic tragedy. It is the same tragedy that is found in “Mrs. Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children” and "Tuck Everlasting." That tragedy is that of existing apart from time, and utterly separate from it, while the rest of the world entirely passes you by. Ms. English captures this tragedy, without dwelling on it, and her depictions of each Hollow evoke a setting completely believable.
Mr. Drake and My Lady Silver had some old familiar faces, some surprising transformations, and connections both expected and unexpected. This 4th book wrapped up many of the mysteries spun throughout the first three Aylfenhame books. I feared for a while that this was the end (but if so, a truly lovely one!) but there were a few new problems which cropped up; thus we may still see more of the lovely Aylfenhame.
I had a few quibbles: there were some strange plot-typos which broke me out of the story (a wisp which is pocketed, then not pocketed, then brought out of a pocket again; a Mr. Tibbs spelled sometimes with one b and sometimes with two; and two sisters who variously both refer to each other as younger sister, which was initially confusing). The faerie Queen Titania is mentioned, which irritated me as this place seems more like somewhere else than the usual faerieland. And there is the common problem that I find in Ms. English's books of large swaths of dialogue without mentioning who says what, obligating one to go back and count. There is also the disappointment I have with all the Aylfenhame books: by the time the main characters have realized they love each other, their interaction is nearly over. I often wish to see them once they have had this realization.
However, those quibbles were merely that: quibbles. They did not detract from a story which felt very close to magical. Mr. Drake and My Lady Silver was enchanting, well written, and a feast for the senses. It evoked a lush, beautiful, dangerous world -- which is everything a fae book could hope to be. The characters were believable and entertaining. Overall, the book was both delighting and delightful, and I was very happy to read it. As Ilsevel says early on, I had “fallen in love with the pretty thing, of course. They all did, these starry-eyed human-folk”...
These treats included “Sun cake with honey core and plumberries,” requested by a pixie and actually glowing with sunlight; “cloudy starcakes with jelly pearls” which swirls with fine mist and imbued with the shimmer of starlight; and “Ice-wine with dewberry and rosy-fingered dawn.”
“ 'Ice-wine of the most delicious, my lady, the most dulcet, the most delightful! Flavoured with dewberry, and rosy-fingered dawn, is that not marvellous? Is that not genius?'
'Rosy-fingered dawn? echoed Phineas.
[...] 'Eros, goddess of the dawn, with her slender golden arms and rose-touched fingers! Positively hauling in the light every morning, [...] Some little glimmer of that unearthly radiance we have contrived to capture, and imbue into our most excellent beverage.' ”
The book begins, as all the Aylfenhame books do, with the narrator-troll Ballingumph. He is a likeable character, and a plenty good narrative device, but I do sometimes feel for those he has taken hostage! In this story, it is the dead of Winter when he pulls a traveling coach aside, and though he magicks the coach up “warm and snug,” I couldn't help but wonder if those poor souls had somewhere else they needed to be... perhaps a fire somewhere, with something to eat. No matter -- I'm sure, they, as I, were quickly pulled into the spell of the tale, and equally delighted by it.
"Mr. Drake and My Lady Silver" had echoes of both the other Aylfenhame books, but also of its distant cousin, "Gloaming." Like "Gloaming," this book begins with a rose: mysterious in its blooming, glowingly-colored and clearly other. Like "Gloaming," there is an implication that mirrors might be used for travel. And also like "Gloaming," this book is written with a wondrous-strange prose-poem quality that reminded me, often, of Peter S. Beagle's "The Last Unicorn." Throughout the reading I felt under a delicious spell.
Other wonderful parts included a thieves market that exists between worlds, a Goblin Market (which also touches on classic faerie lore!), and an interesting idea of tricking curses. There were also truly magical descriptions: individual seasons which existed, all to themselves, entirely outside of time.
“Colour bloomed all around Phineas: oak and ash and elm trees decked in cinnamon-coloured leaves, and orange, and berry-red, and bright gold. The smell of wet earth and mulch met his nose, and a low mist clung close to the ground.”
These seasons, each an individual “Hollow,” contained a certain poetic tragedy. It is the same tragedy that is found in “Mrs. Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children” and "Tuck Everlasting." That tragedy is that of existing apart from time, and utterly separate from it, while the rest of the world entirely passes you by. Ms. English captures this tragedy, without dwelling on it, and her depictions of each Hollow evoke a setting completely believable.
Mr. Drake and My Lady Silver had some old familiar faces, some surprising transformations, and connections both expected and unexpected. This 4th book wrapped up many of the mysteries spun throughout the first three Aylfenhame books. I feared for a while that this was the end (but if so, a truly lovely one!) but there were a few new problems which cropped up; thus we may still see more of the lovely Aylfenhame.
I had a few quibbles: there were some strange plot-typos which broke me out of the story (a wisp which is pocketed, then not pocketed, then brought out of a pocket again; a Mr. Tibbs spelled sometimes with one b and sometimes with two; and two sisters who variously both refer to each other as younger sister, which was initially confusing). The faerie Queen Titania is mentioned, which irritated me as this place seems more like somewhere else than the usual faerieland. And there is the common problem that I find in Ms. English's books of large swaths of dialogue without mentioning who says what, obligating one to go back and count. There is also the disappointment I have with all the Aylfenhame books: by the time the main characters have realized they love each other, their interaction is nearly over. I often wish to see them once they have had this realization.
However, those quibbles were merely that: quibbles. They did not detract from a story which felt very close to magical. Mr. Drake and My Lady Silver was enchanting, well written, and a feast for the senses. It evoked a lush, beautiful, dangerous world -- which is everything a fae book could hope to be. The characters were believable and entertaining. Overall, the book was both delighting and delightful, and I was very happy to read it. As Ilsevel says early on, I had “fallen in love with the pretty thing, of course. They all did, these starry-eyed human-folk”...
January 13, 2024
MY RATING GUIDE: 4.5 Solid Stars. MR DRAKE AND MY LADY SILVER is bk 4 in Charlotte English’s Faerie Tale/Fantasy series. The world building is wonderful and the story unique and delightful. This is a very fine adventure!
1= dnf/What was that?; 2= Nope, not for me; 3= This was okay/cute; 3.5= I enjoyed it; 4= I LIKED THIS A LOT!; 5= I Loved it, it was great! (I seldom give 5 Stars).
Tales of Alyfenhame,bk4.
Christmas is approaching in the small town of Lincolnshire, England, early 1800’s. This begins a period of a few days when Alyfenfolk can pass more easily from Alyfenhame to England, and Vice versa (for those who know their way).
Phineas Drake, 23 and the hard-working son of the local baker, is both loyal and clever. He is out delivering his last batch of pastries when he notices a lovely Lady of Silver. Illsevel, she says is her name, runs through the snow without a coat, a hat, gloves or even shoes. Concerned for her welfare, Phineas chases her down. Once he begins to question her, Illsevel soon has him agreeing to join her in her quest. She hopes to replace the long lost queen, and her twin sister, back upon her thrown.
Comments ~
1) MR DRAKE AND MY LADY SILVER reminds me of a fairy tale adventure - one that might be enjoyed by YAs through adults. It contains an adventure in a fantastical land with unusual creatures and persons, eventually ending with a sweet and much deserved HEA.
2) I liked both MCs, Phineas with his quiet strength, loyalty, cleverness, courage when pressed and Illsevel with her easy acceptance of others (of lesser rank or type), humility, resilience, hopefulness and loyalty.
3) MR DRAKE AND THE SILVER LADY includes a few simple yet fine drawings descriptive of the story’s events and characters. I find the cover art on the books of this series particularly eye-catching, as well. The cover art was what originally caught my attention.
4) MR DRAKE AND MY LADY SILVER contains no graphic or dark violence. Rather, this is an adventure story. No strong language is used, nor are there any scenes of intimacy. IMO, MDAMLS could be appropriate for readers younger than adult - adult who enjoy fantasy, adventure novels along the vein of Princess Bride (movie).
READER CAUTIONS - IMO suitable for YA readers.
1= dnf/What was that?; 2= Nope, not for me; 3= This was okay/cute; 3.5= I enjoyed it; 4= I LIKED THIS A LOT!; 5= I Loved it, it was great! (I seldom give 5 Stars).
Tales of Alyfenhame,bk4.
Christmas is approaching in the small town of Lincolnshire, England, early 1800’s. This begins a period of a few days when Alyfenfolk can pass more easily from Alyfenhame to England, and Vice versa (for those who know their way).
Phineas Drake, 23 and the hard-working son of the local baker, is both loyal and clever. He is out delivering his last batch of pastries when he notices a lovely Lady of Silver. Illsevel, she says is her name, runs through the snow without a coat, a hat, gloves or even shoes. Concerned for her welfare, Phineas chases her down. Once he begins to question her, Illsevel soon has him agreeing to join her in her quest. She hopes to replace the long lost queen, and her twin sister, back upon her thrown.
Comments ~
1) MR DRAKE AND MY LADY SILVER reminds me of a fairy tale adventure - one that might be enjoyed by YAs through adults. It contains an adventure in a fantastical land with unusual creatures and persons, eventually ending with a sweet and much deserved HEA.
2) I liked both MCs, Phineas with his quiet strength, loyalty, cleverness, courage when pressed and Illsevel with her easy acceptance of others (of lesser rank or type), humility, resilience, hopefulness and loyalty.
3) MR DRAKE AND THE SILVER LADY includes a few simple yet fine drawings descriptive of the story’s events and characters. I find the cover art on the books of this series particularly eye-catching, as well. The cover art was what originally caught my attention.
4) MR DRAKE AND MY LADY SILVER contains no graphic or dark violence. Rather, this is an adventure story. No strong language is used, nor are there any scenes of intimacy. IMO, MDAMLS could be appropriate for readers younger than adult - adult who enjoy fantasy, adventure novels along the vein of Princess Bride (movie).
READER CAUTIONS - IMO suitable for YA readers.
September 16, 2024
I wasn't aware this was a series when I picked it up, but as the book works almost entirely well as a standalone it didn't matter.
Phineas Drake, the son of a baker (mostly the baker at this point), sees a strange woman running through the snow early in the morning. He follows after her and is caught up in a long-running plot (part of the first books in the series) to take over a magical realm that borders his own (fairies). Not gifted with any magical abilities, Phineas uses his brains and earnestness to work alongside the mysterious woman (a fairy princess, no less) to try to restore the proper queen back to her throne. The fact that she's currently a large cat is just another detail they have to work through.
This is a fast, easy read with characters that seem true to themselves and to the story in which they are placed. I'm not necessarily a fan of the troll/narrator/Greek chorus aspect in here, but it's not badly done and doesn't detract. The action is steady but subtle, which I definitely appreciate. The ending, while not entirely happy, is a happy one and is satisfying.
This is definitely on the high side of 4 (more like 4 1/2), but I can't give this 5 because it doesn't meet my "would read it again" criteria. Even so, this is definitely a nice, fun, easy read and even if you don't read the entire series (I won't, but many other readers have and have loved it) you won't be disappointed in this one book.
Phineas Drake, the son of a baker (mostly the baker at this point), sees a strange woman running through the snow early in the morning. He follows after her and is caught up in a long-running plot (part of the first books in the series) to take over a magical realm that borders his own (fairies). Not gifted with any magical abilities, Phineas uses his brains and earnestness to work alongside the mysterious woman (a fairy princess, no less) to try to restore the proper queen back to her throne. The fact that she's currently a large cat is just another detail they have to work through.
This is a fast, easy read with characters that seem true to themselves and to the story in which they are placed. I'm not necessarily a fan of the troll/narrator/Greek chorus aspect in here, but it's not badly done and doesn't detract. The action is steady but subtle, which I definitely appreciate. The ending, while not entirely happy, is a happy one and is satisfying.
This is definitely on the high side of 4 (more like 4 1/2), but I can't give this 5 because it doesn't meet my "would read it again" criteria. Even so, this is definitely a nice, fun, easy read and even if you don't read the entire series (I won't, but many other readers have and have loved it) you won't be disappointed in this one book.
January 9, 2025
Let me start by saying that I have only vague memories of ever having tried one or two other books in this series, but I was by no means lost in this book. It stands alone very well, even as it included references to other stories' characters and presumably their plots.
And what a heart-warming story this one was, with characters who brought all their strengths to solving the problems set before them, and whose weaknesses were completely understandable and likewise tackled in their turn in developmentally believable ways. The MMC is an absolute sweetheart with more strength than he realizes, and the FMC is a powerhouse of growing goodness.
Also, Bix made herself my favorite character the moment she determined that the princess of Cake travelled in company of one far superior. xD
Clean content in terms of language, violence, and romance. The overarching story of the series isn't completely resolved by the end of this book, but everything that matters to this installment does get wrapped up satisfactorily.
And what a heart-warming story this one was, with characters who brought all their strengths to solving the problems set before them, and whose weaknesses were completely understandable and likewise tackled in their turn in developmentally believable ways. The MMC is an absolute sweetheart with more strength than he realizes, and the FMC is a powerhouse of growing goodness.
Also, Bix made herself my favorite character the moment she determined that the princess of Cake travelled in company of one far superior. xD
Clean content in terms of language, violence, and romance. The overarching story of the series isn't completely resolved by the end of this book, but everything that matters to this installment does get wrapped up satisfactorily.
December 29, 2023
A really enjoyable book in the Aylfenhame series. The series is about a fairy land adjacent to Lincolnshire, England. The two realms are linked by an obscure bridge guarded by a troll, who is the story teller. A human baker thinks he is aiding a damsel in distress only to find out that she is a fairy princess. The two work together to try to rescue her sister, the fairy queen, to enable her to resume the throne and prevent fairy land collapsing in disarray. Although there are references to events in previous books which make it slightly preferable to read them in order, it is still enjoyable read on it own.
May 19, 2020
I adored this entire series. I came upon the 3rd book first and was able to jump right in with no problems understanding what was going on. So the books do stand alone, but are so much better as a series. After then reading books 1 and 2, I was able to move on to this, the 4th, Mr. Drake and My Lady Silver. I thought the 3rd book was my favorite, but this one proved a very close competitor. English crafts a whimsical world within a fast paced, plot driven story. I read these one right after the other and could hardly put them down. Really beautiful, lyrical writing.
September 23, 2023
I only read this book in the series and had no problem treating it as a stand alone story and a delightful fairy tale it is too. I love the way the people of England mix with Aylfenhame and vice versa and how the lack of magic among the humans is not seen as a problem as they have other qualities so Phineas is able to help Ilsevel and is treated as an equal by Balligumph due to his quick mind, imagination and his readiness to accept the situation and adapt to it. It had to have a happy ending and it didn't disappoint.
May 12, 2018
This book is wonderful! I like the characters, the world building and the plot. The story moves along really well and I found that I cared about the characters. Charlotte English's Tales of Aylfenhame just keep getting better and better. You don't have to read the first 3 books in the series to enjoy this one, but do yourself a favor and pick them up. The stories are a delight and they'll give you some background on some of the characters in this book.
April 20, 2020
I love this series. This one was lighter on romance and high on adventure, which worked wonderfully. Finally, learn more about all those hints of darkness! There are still a lot of things I want to know, but I loved teasing out the story of Aylfenhame's royalty. Phineas Drake might be my favorite hero of them all, and the settings were as always amazing. I also appreciate that you don't necessarily need to read the series in order, but that they each stand alone as well.
December 19, 2020
A heartwarming tale of magic
An enchanting tale full of atmosphere. The scene of the bakery in Lincoln at Christmas was wonderfully festive and bakers boy Phineas was a likeable ordinary character thrown into a magical quest as he meets Lady Silver who is trying to find her lost sister the Queen of Aylfenhame. Their journey through magical lands reminded me of Alice in Wonderland.
An enchanting tale full of atmosphere. The scene of the bakery in Lincoln at Christmas was wonderfully festive and bakers boy Phineas was a likeable ordinary character thrown into a magical quest as he meets Lady Silver who is trying to find her lost sister the Queen of Aylfenhame. Their journey through magical lands reminded me of Alice in Wonderland.
June 7, 2022
So cute! Sugary sweet entertainment. The characterisation in these novels is really improving. As the author puts it, these stories are "literary comfort food." Too true. A lot of the story is left open, so it's a shame that Charlotte English seems to have set this series on hold! This series grew on me slowly, and it wasn't until the last book that I realized how much I'd miss them. Now, I can't believe it might be over!
February 12, 2024
A good story, well told and entertaining. The Aylfenhame world is very rich and creative, and the author does well in picturing it enterainingly. The characters are (mr Drake, The Silver Lady, etc) are credible and attract some degree of empathy from the reader.
The only weak point is that the story is not very involving. There is little suspense and almost no anticipation required from the reader. As such, I don't think I will read more in this series.
The only weak point is that the story is not very involving. There is little suspense and almost no anticipation required from the reader. As such, I don't think I will read more in this series.
January 6, 2025
Fiction / Fantasy / Romance / Magic / Historical Fiction / Historical Fantasy / Mystery / Clean
⭐⭐⭐.5 / 5
It is always a little uncomfortable when fae worlds meet human worlds. This had moments of brilliance, but there were also moments when I questioned why I continued reading. I found the world-building interesting and well done. Overall, I would suggest it to anyone who likes a clean, sweet fantasy read.
⭐⭐⭐.5 / 5
It is always a little uncomfortable when fae worlds meet human worlds. This had moments of brilliance, but there were also moments when I questioned why I continued reading. I found the world-building interesting and well done. Overall, I would suggest it to anyone who likes a clean, sweet fantasy read.
August 30, 2018
A little bit of a dip in appeal after the third book, but still a delight. In terms of series story this one was meatier than its predecessors. However, I always prefer character story—so in that regard I felt it fell flat compared to the couples in the others.
I heartily await the next book and more answers, most of all—more of these characters I adore!
I heartily await the next book and more answers, most of all—more of these characters I adore!
December 14, 2019
3.5 stars
English has been sprinkling lore all throughout this series and I didn't even realise. All the little lore threads have been picked up in this instalment and it answers quite a lot - though it also raises some more.
Drake is quite sweet and their developing chemistry is believable, I thought.
English has been sprinkling lore all throughout this series and I didn't even realise. All the little lore threads have been picked up in this instalment and it answers quite a lot - though it also raises some more.
Drake is quite sweet and their developing chemistry is believable, I thought.
December 2, 2023
Still on a fairytale kick and this sweet quest matched with licorice allsorts makes a cozy afternoon read. Mr. Drake is a baker's boy (because every good fairytale needs cake) who runs into a mysterious young lady out in the cold without a warm coat. This leads to quests and visits under the hill and into fields far from home. The illustrations add to the old-fashioned charm.
January 12, 2024
I really enjoyed this book. There was a lot of adventure and the two main characters Phineas and Isleva spent a large part of the book together which made their romance much more relatable. It was really good to get some of the answers from the previous books and for all the stories to come together. I wish there were more stories. It seemed like it could have gone on.
October 24, 2020
Clean fantasy
A fun and fantastic story that can be read alone but so much richer with the others in the series.
Wonderful characters and story with mystery and drama too.
It is not my usual genre but really enjoyed reading this story and series very much!
A fun and fantastic story that can be read alone but so much richer with the others in the series.
Wonderful characters and story with mystery and drama too.
It is not my usual genre but really enjoyed reading this story and series very much!
April 21, 2021
A grand adventure
A grand adventure searching for people and personal belongings of the supposedly lost queen? Mr. Drake a shy intelligent young baker and Lady Silver the queen’s twin sister travel to in between worlds and time
A grand adventure searching for people and personal belongings of the supposedly lost queen? Mr. Drake a shy intelligent young baker and Lady Silver the queen’s twin sister travel to in between worlds and time
July 26, 2022
glorious fun
Although this is the fourth installment of the tales of aylfenhame, it is essentially a stand alone story of Phineas, a baker, and an elven lady who undertake a quest to free her sisters. While readers of the other stories will recognize some characters, it us an interesting unique story full of twists and quests
Although this is the fourth installment of the tales of aylfenhame, it is essentially a stand alone story of Phineas, a baker, and an elven lady who undertake a quest to free her sisters. While readers of the other stories will recognize some characters, it us an interesting unique story full of twists and quests
January 20, 2024
I have never read any of the other Tales of Aylfenhame, so didn't know what to expect. It was a good story, but a bit drawn out in places and I found myself speed reading parts of it to get through. It's a good fantasy book for those that like the genre.
May 30, 2024
fairy’s and enchantments galore
There are fairies, troll, shadows, royalty, riddles, and spells to abandon in this tale. The evil that lurks, controls the countryside but there is hope.
There are fairies, troll, shadows, royalty, riddles, and spells to abandon in this tale. The evil that lurks, controls the countryside but there is hope.
May 31, 2024
I liked this story. I have read an earlier novel by this author before so knew I was likely to enjoy this. I did feel that the ending was a little rushed though, but I still liked the whole story.
I would be happy to read more from this author if I come across her work.
I would be happy to read more from this author if I come across her work.
May 21, 2020
Another enchanting installment of the tales of Aylefenhame. Highly recommended.
July 28, 2020
Thoroughly enjoyable
Another wonderful addition to the series. I look forward to what is to come in future stories of Aylfenhame. My new favourite place to escape to.
Another wonderful addition to the series. I look forward to what is to come in future stories of Aylfenhame. My new favourite place to escape to.
May 16, 2024
Really quite magical and charming. A few blackhearts but mostly good souls.
October 9, 2025
Cute. Sweet. Great book.
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