Beneath the Knowe

by Anthea Sharp

Beneath the Knowe is a faerie tale featuring an ancient Celtic setting, music, and the ageless denizens of the Bright Court. Expect to encounter some creatures familiar from the Feyland books in this 30 page story.

Can music overcome fey magic?

When the chieftain’s infant son is stolen away by the fey folk of the Bright Court, Maeve Donelly journeys beneath the faerie hill to save the child. Her only weapon is a simple pennywhistle, and the music running in her bard-gifted blood…

Beneath the Knowe is a short story of 7,000 words (approx. 30 pages), originally published in the NW Independent Writers Association Anthology Thirteen.

Genres: Fantasy, Fae, Short Stories, Young Adult

26 pages, ebook

First published February 3, 2014

About the author

Growing up, Anthea Sharp spent her summers raiding the library shelves and reading, especially fantasy. She now makes her home in the Pacific Northwest, where she writes, plays the fiddle, hangs out in virtual worlds, and spends time with her small-but-good family. Contact her at antheasharp@hotmail.com, follow her on twitter, find her on facebook (http://www.facebook.com/AntheaSharp), and visit her website.

Reviews

[April · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fun short read that is loosely related to Anthea's Feyland books. We see a friendly character (Puck) from the Feyland books and visit the Bright Court. Maeve is a talented musician who's talents are overlooked/under appreciated by her family and townsfolk. When her nephew (the leaders son) is stolen away by the fey folk that give protection to their village Maeve sets out to save him with only her music to bargain with. Will she be able to succeed where the warriors have failed?

[A.L. Butcher · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a rich and lyrical short story of fairyland, glamour, one woman’s courage and magical music.

Maeve is a resourceful young woman who wants more from life than marriage to a man she barely knows, and the mundane existence of her kin. She has music within, a glorious melodic soul that yearns to be heard, but women cannot be bards. When the fairies who ‘protect’ the clan take the chieftain’s baby son, Maeve’s nephew, nothing is to be done. Such is the bargain. Eventually, the menfolk challenge the fairies, and are sent home beaten and ashamed, minus the human infant.

It takes a woman, and a magical, musical soul to challenge the great Fairy King on his own turf -Maeve, and her music. Of course, bargaining with fairies has its price.

I loved this tale, with its vibrant imagery, innocent yet determined courage and a glimpse of the power of Anthea Sharp’s writing. Although this tale is short, it is enough of a taster to want more of this author’s work. I will definitely be venturing into fairyland with Ms Sharp again.

[S M Ryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A classic tale of what happens when faerie and humankind meet. But music is better for and important to Maeve. At least I think so, being a musician.

[Madison’s Musings · Rating 3 out of 5]

Opening lines:

The wind off the white cliffs whipped Maeve Donnelly's hair about her face like ragged flicks of fire and tugged at the wooden shawl knotted around her shoulders. That same wind snatched the notes from her whistle, tearing the tune away from the hollow length of reed almost before her fingers could form the notes. Her rough brown skirts pressed against her legs, and high overhead, kestrels rode the currents. Could they hear her tune from where they floated, up there against the clouds?

This review is a bit hard to write, considering I wasn't satisfied with the ending of Beneath the Knowe, nor do I think I would recommend it. But have you read the first paragraph up above? The author's descriptions are what carried me through, as I listened to descriptions of Maeve's challenging village life and what she was willing to sacrifice for her family and people.

I may not have enjoyed the series of events in this story, but Maeve was an admirable heroine who was easy to root for. I hope that Sharp has other enjoyable tales with more pleasant endings.

[Gypsy Madden · Rating 4 out of 5]

This very short story is beautifully told with whimsical detail and plenty of fantasy and magic. The faeries have both the expected beauty and the expected mischief. The heroine is headstrong, and challenging a system that just doesn’t want to modernize and give women a say. I did love that she refused to give up on her dream. I knocked a star off not because of the shortness of the tale, but because there really wasn’t any surprise to the outcome. The missing time has become rather cliché. It’s basically a take on the Rip-Van-Winkle story. And I have heard this exact same plot done recently in a different book (though it’s irking me that I can’t find the title of the other story. I just remember it starred a young guy who everyone was convinced was a Changeling, and then when he got back from his night with the fairies, everyone saw it as proof that he was Changeling). I did like that the story was at least a bit empowering.

[Lana · Rating 5 out of 5]

A short story which takes us back to Feyland and particularly to the bright court. A tale about a changeling, puck, the bright court and a brave lass who had the gift of music but whose clan refused to recognise her as a bard just cause she is female. Maeve's sister's baby was stolen by the fae and she goes beneath the knowe to barter her music for the babe! As always life in the feyland is fantastically beautiful and enchanting as was the king of the bright court however they were tricky folk and not to be trusted as Maeve finds out upon leaving the court. Every journey must start with the closing of a door, and Maeve sets off on her new path with just a silver whistle the fae had given her and her music!! As always Anthea Sharp writes a beautiful tale about the fae which enchants readers who love anything to do with feyland!!

[Teresa Ershbock · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ever since I was little, I've loved stories about the Fair Folk. Quite often a human enters into their realm and makes a bargain...but the bargain always comes with a much greater price than the human intended.

In this case Maeve offers to play for the Bright King's court for one night in return for getting her nephew back. The bargain is accepted and she plays all night and is allowed to leave with her infant nephew. What she didn't realize is that while she was only in the Fairy Realm one night, 13 years had passed. Everyone in the village had aged but she had not which caused a lot of fear and mistrust.

I was instantly drawn into this tale and was very sad when it ended...I look forward to reading more books from this author.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is basically a well-written short story designed to stir the reader’s interest in the longer Feyland stories the author has written.

I wish it had been less of a cliff-hanger... We never do find out what happens to Maeve after she leaves her village.
That saddened me as well as the fact that she wasn’t warned about the consequences of her choice. I know the fae aren’t always known for their honesty, but they played a dirty trick on her (any more details & there’ll be spoilers!)
Perhaps I would have enjoyed it more if I’d read more books by Sharp about Feyland!

[C.A. Morley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I listened to Beneath the Knowe by Anthea Sharp on Finding Fantasy Reads, narrated by Karyne Norton. I’m impressed how such a deep story could be told in such few words. It’s about Maeve, a young woman suppressed and unappreciated by a patriarchal society. When her infant nephew is kidnapped by the Fae, she courageously goes to rescue him. I enjoyed the descriptive storytelling, especially around her flute playing. Listen (or read the story) to find out what happens to Maeve and her nephew!

[Ronel Janse van Vuuren · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enjoyable short story set in a historic Celtic world where men rule and women obey. Maeve is a strong-willed young woman who knows what she wants and is willing to do dangerous things to do the humanly right thing. After gaining much and losing things she didn’t expect, she can finally follow her music. Great worldbuilding and enchanting fae.

[Karyne Norton · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great little story that mixes music and magic. I love that it touches on the tricks of the fae while still highlighting the strength of a human girl and the love she has for a family member.

Download and read for free here: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/zum9482wcn

Listen for free here: https://www.findingfantasyreads.com/p...

[Sara Lawson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first story I've read by Anthea Sharp. It was sweet and a little heartbreaking. A girl risks everything in an attempt to reclaim her infant nephew who has been captured by the fae. And as is often the case with the fae, it doesn't go exactly as planned.

I listened to this on Karyn Norton's Finding Fantasy Reads podcast. The telling of the story was as lovely as the story itself.

[Barbara Senteney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Altho short I very much enjoyed this story of a human child who strikes a bargain with fairy folk to retrieve a child stolen . The story was complete, the characters very well defined, and kept my interest.

[MGB · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just a lovely story as the author reveals the love between a woman and her nephew. She is driven to be a musician, in spite of a rebuff by her society. Eventually she must move on to build a life of her own.

[Phi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fun short story with magical music! I've not read anything by this author yet, but I will have to put some of her other stuff on my TBR. I found this short through Finding Fantasy Reads podcast, and I'm glad I did :)

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short, Sweet, Adorable!!

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

For a novella it was well written and left me wanting more. Remember time passes differently in fey land as you will find when you read this interesting story.

[Sherry McWilliams · Rating 4 out of 5]

Received this book free for a review. This is a short, sweet story. I enjoyed it.

[Deann · Rating 3 out of 5]

Listened on Finding Fantasy Reads podcast

[Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wish it was longer it could lead to so many future stories or just a great longer version

[Heidi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this short story by Anthea Sharp! It is a quick read, but worth it. It is like reading an old myth, but it is something completely new. I love Maeve's bravery. It is a perfect story for anyone to read.

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very good short story about what it's like to follow a dream. Music has always been one of my passions.

[Teri Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Faeries be tricksey!