What do you think?
Rate this book
Lychford #4
The Lights Go Out in Lychford
Be careful what you wish for…
The continuing tale in the award-nominated Witches of Lychford series, described by Seanan McGuire as “Beautifully written, perfectly cruel and ultimately kind”.
The borders of Lychford are crumbling. Other realities threaten to seep into the otherwise quiet village, and the resident wise woman is struggling to remain wise. The local magic shop owner and the local priest are having troubles of their own.
And a mysterious stranger is on hand to offer a solution to everyone’s problems. No cost, no strings (she says).
But as everyone knows, free wishes from strangers rarely come without a price…
The continuing tale in the award-nominated Witches of Lychford series, described by Seanan McGuire as “Beautifully written, perfectly cruel and ultimately kind”.
The borders of Lychford are crumbling. Other realities threaten to seep into the otherwise quiet village, and the resident wise woman is struggling to remain wise. The local magic shop owner and the local priest are having troubles of their own.
And a mysterious stranger is on hand to offer a solution to everyone’s problems. No cost, no strings (she says).
But as everyone knows, free wishes from strangers rarely come without a price…
162 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 19, 2019
67 people are currently reading
644 people want to read
About the author
Paul Cornell
617 books1,503 followersPaul Cornell is a British writer of science fiction and fantasy prose, comics and television. He's been Hugo Award-nominated for all three media, and has won the BSFA Award for his short fiction, and the Eagle Award for his comics. He's the writer of Saucer Country for Vertigo, Demon Knights for DC, and has written for the Doctor Who TV series. His new urban fantasy novel is London Falling, out from Tor on December 6th.
via Wikipedia @ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Cor...
via Wikipedia @ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Cor...
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 106 reviews
Read
November 21, 2019Another in the very strong series about three women guarding the magical borders in a small English town. Often extremely funny, with good banter and an extremely likeable Bechdel-shattering female friendship at its heart. I'm enjoying what Tor is doing with novella series a lot. This instalment has a slightly Pratchett feel in terms of his more serious themes, though with contemporary setting, which I am all for, and there's a lovely sinister/absurd small town Englishness to it. Looking forward to the next.
November 24, 2019
I don't know if the magic went out of this book for me, or if I'm just reading it in the wrong frame of mind - plenty of other, positive, reviews would suggest the latter - but something about this book just felt a little flat for me.
It might just be that it was too short - it's a huge piece of the story, but it felt shorter than some of the other novellas in the series. As a result, we never quite settled into the story with any of the characters we follow; there's so many moments that should have been heartwrenching, but instead - I don't know, I felt like I knew where we were going, we got there, then we moved on. A tickbox instead of a moment.
Oh, and quick spoiler to nitpick
Definitely not a bad book here by any means - thus the three stars, because I did like it. But for an otherwise amazing series, it's a low point for me.
It might just be that it was too short - it's a huge piece of the story, but it felt shorter than some of the other novellas in the series. As a result, we never quite settled into the story with any of the characters we follow; there's so many moments that should have been heartwrenching, but instead - I don't know, I felt like I knew where we were going, we got there, then we moved on. A tickbox instead of a moment.
Oh, and quick spoiler to nitpick
Definitely not a bad book here by any means - thus the three stars, because I did like it. But for an otherwise amazing series, it's a low point for me.
June 4, 2021
Maybe I'm weird but this next book in the Lychford series worked better for me than all the prior ones. It was twisty and turny the way that fairy tales are while being utterly aware of what it was doing.
Plus, it really had that evil busybody vibe which I love to hate. So on a purely visceral level, I really liked the results of this novel.
The losses, well. Not so nice. But it was both expected, even if not in that particular way, and it was pretty glorious, so it's definitely a bonus.
Plus, it really had that evil busybody vibe which I love to hate. So on a purely visceral level, I really liked the results of this novel.
The losses, well. Not so nice. But it was both expected, even if not in that particular way, and it was pretty glorious, so it's definitely a bonus.
June 3, 2021
Well, OF COURSE all the stories warning us about what to wish for (and how) weren't written without there being a reason!
Judith is getting worse. The dementia has reached a point where she had to hand over the mantle to Autumn already. So she is the hedge witch / wise woman of Lychford now.
As usual, something weird is happening in the little town. It must have something to do with a festival that is to take place soon so Autumn and Lizzy go investigate. Finding the being responsible isn't the problem ... finding a solution is. Especially without Judith's knowledge and experience.
Add to that the fact that despite what we had been told at the end of the previous volume, the faeries aren't actually the problem. Something/someone is smart enough to simply pit their species against the humans so they can then move in when we have taken each other out. And the end of human reality might be closer than anyone had expected.
Oh, and one of the Kardashians might have been killed in here to fulfill a wish. BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
I knew there'd only be 5 books but how and how quickly the shit hit the fan was still a bit of a surprise. It was also astonishingly easy. Of course, that is not entirely true - it took several steps, most of which have to do with the events from the previous books (interwoven in a pretty nice way to come together in a knot now).
Reading about Judith still was the hardest. Not only but also because I've seen relatives go down the dementia path and it isn't pretty. The author had a very nice and realistic way of describing it with magical terms sometimes.
But I liked Autumn coming into her own and learning as she went, learning the hard way (she deserved that sometimes), but also some of her "new" approaches to problems.
Only one more story to go - the big conflic/resolution - and I'll continue right away.
Judith is getting worse. The dementia has reached a point where she had to hand over the mantle to Autumn already. So she is the hedge witch / wise woman of Lychford now.
As usual, something weird is happening in the little town. It must have something to do with a festival that is to take place soon so Autumn and Lizzy go investigate. Finding the being responsible isn't the problem ... finding a solution is. Especially without Judith's knowledge and experience.
Add to that the fact that despite what we had been told at the end of the previous volume, the faeries aren't actually the problem. Something/someone is smart enough to simply pit their species against the humans so they can then move in when we have taken each other out. And the end of human reality might be closer than anyone had expected.
Oh, and one of the Kardashians might have been killed in here to fulfill a wish. BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
I knew there'd only be 5 books but how and how quickly the shit hit the fan was still a bit of a surprise. It was also astonishingly easy. Of course, that is not entirely true - it took several steps, most of which have to do with the events from the previous books (interwoven in a pretty nice way to come together in a knot now).
Reading about Judith still was the hardest. Not only but also because I've seen relatives go down the dementia path and it isn't pretty. The author had a very nice and realistic way of describing it with magical terms sometimes.
But I liked Autumn coming into her own and learning as she went, learning the hard way (she deserved that sometimes), but also some of her "new" approaches to problems.
Only one more story to go - the big conflic/resolution - and I'll continue right away.
May 23, 2020
Good as always
These are excellent in terms of urban fantasy with a touch English town life. Highly recommended to all my good read friends.
These are excellent in terms of urban fantasy with a touch English town life. Highly recommended to all my good read friends.
May 18, 2020
Wise woman Judith, apprentice Autumn, and reverend Lizzie deal with an intruder who promises to grant wishes (but of course, there's a price).
I loved the first book of this series, really liked the second, and wasn't wowed by the third. This fourth book was a bit more enjoyable (though 'enjoyable' is an odd word to use when most of the story is Judith struggling with her advancing senility). While trying to figure out why the first and second seemed so much better to me, I realized that the real pull of this series is the relationship and interactions among the three strong female leads. In this one, Judith is mostly separate from Autumn and Lizzie and it diminished some of the charm for me.
The ending did set up a lot of new directions the author could go in the next book in the series. I'll read it, but I won't be in a rush to get there.
I loved the first book of this series, really liked the second, and wasn't wowed by the third. This fourth book was a bit more enjoyable (though 'enjoyable' is an odd word to use when most of the story is Judith struggling with her advancing senility). While trying to figure out why the first and second seemed so much better to me, I realized that the real pull of this series is the relationship and interactions among the three strong female leads. In this one, Judith is mostly separate from Autumn and Lizzie and it diminished some of the charm for me.
The ending did set up a lot of new directions the author could go in the next book in the series. I'll read it, but I won't be in a rush to get there.
October 17, 2022
Review to come
November 13, 2021
My heart! Oh my god, that was so much. My heart is broken, but omg, I love this series so much. And I'm so glad that even though A Big Thing happened, it was definitely setting up for the next book. I'm interested to see where the author will take the series after The Big Thing.
This book was really thoughtful and emotionally driven, much like the others. It's a little more narrowly focused than the last book (we focus back in on Lychford after opening up the world a little bit to include Brexit themes in the last one). But just because it zooms back in doesn't mean it lost the emotional weight and practical consequences from the last one. It was a quiet, almost anxious story, gearing up for a big change. It was loving and sad and I really appreciate the author's careful handling of a sad bit in a larger story about love and friendship and responsibility.
It was really good. I'm glad the series isn't over. But I will be mourning for a bit.
This book was really thoughtful and emotionally driven, much like the others. It's a little more narrowly focused than the last book (we focus back in on Lychford after opening up the world a little bit to include Brexit themes in the last one). But just because it zooms back in doesn't mean it lost the emotional weight and practical consequences from the last one. It was a quiet, almost anxious story, gearing up for a big change. It was loving and sad and I really appreciate the author's careful handling of a sad bit in a larger story about love and friendship and responsibility.
It was really good. I'm glad the series isn't over. But I will be mourning for a bit.
September 18, 2024
I loved this. I was worried I would not remember what was going on, because it has been so long since I read the other books in the series. Cornell does a great job of bringing the audience up to speed without feeling like it is being overly expository. This chapter in the story of the three Lychford witches adds new dimensions to the dynamics of the characters, the town, and the world of magic. Plus it ends in a way to setup some big things to come. Definitely a series that continues to deliver with each release.
November 21, 2019
Oh wow, this is good. The depiction of Judith's angry frailty as she struggles against her dementia, trying to save the world from genuine eldritch horrors (finally, a chance to use that phrase!) is powerful. Seeing Autumn mature into her role is also very good. (And the W.I. is fun. I should recommend it to some W.I. women of my acquaintance.)
Attempting to possess my soul in patience till the next one, which will be late 2020.
Attempting to possess my soul in patience till the next one, which will be late 2020.
November 25, 2019
Absolutely wonderful, and devastating. I love this series, I loved this book, I laughed and cried all the way through it. Reading this gave me the same warm and welcome feeling as curling up on my best friend's couch and sharing a bottle of wine with her as we tell each other about our week--it's a deep, meaningful comfort, though not necessarily one that comes easy.
The majority of this book deals with Judith and her worsening dementia, which was really heart-wrenching and painful for me to get through, what with my fears about my future and worries about my grandmother. Still, I thought it was really well developed, even if the ending left me gutted. I could have used a bit more of Autumn in this (to be fair, she's obviously my favorite, so I am certainly a little biased), but I really liked the way that her confidence and skill in magic is growing, but not without cost--which is a huge refrain in this book and series. Power requires sacrifice, and magic is little more than a balancing act between the two. I'm also a huge fan of the way Autumn's relationship with Luke is handled, how it's still sort of tenuous and uncertain on both their parts, which feels much more authentic to me than the simple "now they're dating and everything's totally fine!" that tends to happen with novellas of such a short length. I'm glad that it's taking so much time.
There also wasn't a whole lot of Lizzie in this book, either, but I think the rest of the series has been a little vicar-heavy (and, personally, now that she seems much less prone to questioning her faith, I'm really not as invested in her as a character, but I know that's just my own biases speaking and not a criticism of how she's written), and what there was of her was really, really solid. I loved the discussion she has with Shaun, and the difficult balance she tries to draw between professionalism and her affection for Judith. I loved that she's still very clearly struggling with her grief. Time and again, I am just blown away by how well Paul Cornell writes women--to the point that I keep forgetting this series is written by a man, which I think is some of the highest praise I can offer.
The majority of this book deals with Judith and her worsening dementia, which was really heart-wrenching and painful for me to get through, what with my fears about my future and worries about my grandmother. Still, I thought it was really well developed, even if the ending left me gutted. I could have used a bit more of Autumn in this (to be fair, she's obviously my favorite, so I am certainly a little biased), but I really liked the way that her confidence and skill in magic is growing, but not without cost--which is a huge refrain in this book and series. Power requires sacrifice, and magic is little more than a balancing act between the two. I'm also a huge fan of the way Autumn's relationship with Luke is handled, how it's still sort of tenuous and uncertain on both their parts, which feels much more authentic to me than the simple "now they're dating and everything's totally fine!" that tends to happen with novellas of such a short length. I'm glad that it's taking so much time.
There also wasn't a whole lot of Lizzie in this book, either, but I think the rest of the series has been a little vicar-heavy (and, personally, now that she seems much less prone to questioning her faith, I'm really not as invested in her as a character, but I know that's just my own biases speaking and not a criticism of how she's written), and what there was of her was really, really solid. I loved the discussion she has with Shaun, and the difficult balance she tries to draw between professionalism and her affection for Judith. I loved that she's still very clearly struggling with her grief. Time and again, I am just blown away by how well Paul Cornell writes women--to the point that I keep forgetting this series is written by a man, which I think is some of the highest praise I can offer.
Read
November 20, 2019The small English town of Lychford sits on the border with various unearthly realms, the line between them held by three women. Except one of the three did the defences some damage whilst having a bad time in the previous book, and now Judith, the oldest, most ornery but also most powerful of them, is losing her mind. Cornell lost his own mother to dementia recently, and the sections following Judith's wandering, decaying thoughts are painful reading. But he's too good a writer to just splurge his own suffering on to the page; as the book reminds us early on, magic is where metaphor becomes literal, and there's a deliberate and deft ambiguity over how much of the timeslippage and visitations from the dead is a brain playing tricks, how much is supernatural, and whether those can even be considered distinct categories. But lest that make it all too harrowing, there's also lighter material drawn from life, in which the organising committee for one of the village festivals gets an ever so English variation on the temptation of Faust, and what one can only hope is a non-autobiographical slapstick strand centred on a mystical jab to the nethers of one unlucky supporting character. But as per the implication of the title, even the lighter elements don't stay that way for long. It's a powerful read, always held in harness by Cornell's sure grasp of the symmetry and the price of magic, his way with finding novel yet intuitively right ways to describe unearthly powers. A worthy book in which to see my name on a minor character (I won a competition).
September 20, 2020
Another excellent novella, the right length for the story.
Not recommended as a standalone, as it builds on the previous stories.
This one combines humour, magic, a little terror, and a very accurate depiction of the effects of dementia, deftly mixed into the plot.
It dragged a bit in the middle for me, but picked up nicely and romped to a strong conclusion.
This is an experienced writer, comfortable at his writing desk and flourishing his skills.
I've greatly admired some of Cornell's work, and detested at least one, so I am eager to see what he'll do next. Including Lychford #5.
Not recommended as a standalone, as it builds on the previous stories.
This one combines humour, magic, a little terror, and a very accurate depiction of the effects of dementia, deftly mixed into the plot.
It dragged a bit in the middle for me, but picked up nicely and romped to a strong conclusion.
This is an experienced writer, comfortable at his writing desk and flourishing his skills.
I've greatly admired some of Cornell's work, and detested at least one, so I am eager to see what he'll do next. Including Lychford #5.
September 6, 2024
Estaba leyendo y no estaba seguro de si este seria el ultimo libro. Y por fortuna queda otro mas.
Estoy disfrutando esas pequeñas historias, porque Cornell se ha dedicado a contar una historia más grande a base de pequeñas historias que funcionaban bien por si mismas, pero estaban sentando las bases para un gran final. Podría ser perfectamente una miniserie de la BBC de toque sobrenatural, la verdad.
Estoy disfrutando esas pequeñas historias, porque Cornell se ha dedicado a contar una historia más grande a base de pequeñas historias que funcionaban bien por si mismas, pero estaban sentando las bases para un gran final. Podría ser perfectamente una miniserie de la BBC de toque sobrenatural, la verdad.
May 19, 2022
This won't be particularly helpful to those new to the series but this is the best book in it. Not that it's recommended that you read the books out of sequence.
I'm not inspired to advocate reading them. I doubt anyone loves the series enough to do that (or hates it enough to dissuade others).
I'm not inspired to advocate reading them. I doubt anyone loves the series enough to do that (or hates it enough to dissuade others).
January 9, 2020
Another truly great short book in a fantastic series. My recollection is of the last book is muddled: There was racism and the faeries invade somehow, or something?, and I think that was the weak one in the series. But this one starts with Autumn detecting evil near Luke's balls, and ends with the witches foiling an evil scheme of Ironic Punishments. It's a minor act for the great forces of darkness to bring upon us, but it's funny and it leaves more books in the series to present the ultimate battle between ancient and human. And there's non-profit drama, which I can relate to.
Judith has dementia and her point of view is painful. I love her and it hurt. Well done, and well presented.
Am going to sit here and twist my handkerchief until the next book comes out. Godspeed, Paul Cornell.
Judith has dementia and her point of view is painful. I love her and it hurt. Well done, and well presented.
Am going to sit here and twist my handkerchief until the next book comes out. Godspeed, Paul Cornell.
October 21, 2020
Both heartbreaking and breathtaking in profoundly human ways, this novella feels like an ending but offers new beginnings. I can't say more without spoiling it. Suffice it to say it's phenomenal!
December 5, 2020
Dark and uplifting rural fantasy novella - very good.
April 21, 2020
love this series, love this world
November 28, 2020
REREAD 2020
Rereading this before listening to the last book. Which turned out to be smart, because I didn't remember how this book ended at all! And I have to admit that I have some trouble with Finn's-ARC through this series. It felt thrown in there a bit willy-nilly.
Keeping the original rating.
-------------------------------------------------
I found this book to be better than the last one, so I am really glad that I gave it a chance. Unfortunatly, it wasn't by much.
The best part was Judith's story, and how it was shown. It made me feel a lot, because Alzheimers runs in my family. I don't remember anyone being that back and forth, but everyone reacts differently and dementia is different than Alzheimers again. Either way, it was a strong read.
The rest of the story...
It was ok, but felt a lot like filler. I like how it ended, and am of course curious about what will happen in the next book because of it, but I'm not really feeling the urge to get my hands on it like with many other books.
Original rating: 3/5 stars
Rereading this before listening to the last book. Which turned out to be smart, because I didn't remember how this book ended at all! And I have to admit that I have some trouble with Finn's-ARC through this series. It felt thrown in there a bit willy-nilly.
Keeping the original rating.
-------------------------------------------------
I found this book to be better than the last one, so I am really glad that I gave it a chance. Unfortunatly, it wasn't by much.
The best part was Judith's story, and how it was shown. It made me feel a lot, because Alzheimers runs in my family. I don't remember anyone being that back and forth, but everyone reacts differently and dementia is different than Alzheimers again. Either way, it was a strong read.
The rest of the story...
It was ok, but felt a lot like filler. I like how it ended, and am of course curious about what will happen in the next book because of it, but I'm not really feeling the urge to get my hands on it like with many other books.
Original rating: 3/5 stars
March 21, 2020
Trouble is brewing Lychford yet again. Judith's dementia is getting worse, and Autumn is still hiding from her last mistake that almost wiped their small village off the map. A woman going by the name of Maitland has started making a lot of promises that she couldn't possibly keep.
The fourth installment of this series was just as compelling as the first three. It was difficult to put down because of the supernatural nature and because of Judith deteriorating mind. I found myself worrying about her as if she were my own grandmother.
The fourth installment of this series was just as compelling as the first three. It was difficult to put down because of the supernatural nature and because of Judith deteriorating mind. I found myself worrying about her as if she were my own grandmother.
September 11, 2024
A rather bittersweet tale this time, with the events of the previous story having unfortunate consequences in this one. Part of this were hard to read, due to , but we also had some fantastically funny lines and scenes. I'm looking forward to seeing what will happen in the final novella.
December 2, 2019
I think Paul gets better with each book. Dementia and pettiness feature strongly here, both themes being well executed. Most enjoyable.
September 30, 2021
Reading The Lights Go Out in Lychford made me realise something about this series of novellas as a whole. While I have praised Paul Cornell for the way he creates atmosphere, for the chilling feel of autumn in Witches of Lychford and winter in The Lost Child of Lychford, by book 4 I am definitely reading these stories for the characters and their story rather than the atmosphere. Which is still there, still creepy, but feels less evident, less emphasised, than in books 1 and 2.
So here in book 4 we see our heroes dealing with the fallout from book 3, A Long Day in Lychford. Autumn is trying to learn more about magic so that she can correct her past mistakes. Judith is suffering, and may have made a mistake of her own. Lizzy is trying to sort out Judith's future with Judith's son. A supernatural crisis appears, which must be solved. More sacrifices are made.
The details of the story did make me think that this would have worked as a final novella, with a few loose ends. I'm glad it isn't, and think it is well set up for a final novella that gives a sense of how things will continue after the conclusion of the stories. I like that kind of ending. I did, for the first time, wish that this was a novel-length story, that we had more time with Autumn and Luke, or that Lizzy had her own subplot. The flip side of this is that I also found book 4 to be the first one that felt kind of like a television show episode, even though I do think these novellas do things as literature that television couldn't do.
So here in book 4 we see our heroes dealing with the fallout from book 3, A Long Day in Lychford. Autumn is trying to learn more about magic so that she can correct her past mistakes. Judith is suffering, and may have made a mistake of her own. Lizzy is trying to sort out Judith's future with Judith's son. A supernatural crisis appears, which must be solved. More sacrifices are made.
The details of the story did make me think that this would have worked as a final novella, with a few loose ends. I'm glad it isn't, and think it is well set up for a final novella that gives a sense of how things will continue after the conclusion of the stories. I like that kind of ending. I did, for the first time, wish that this was a novel-length story, that we had more time with Autumn and Luke, or that Lizzy had her own subplot. The flip side of this is that I also found book 4 to be the first one that felt kind of like a television show episode, even though I do think these novellas do things as literature that television couldn't do.
December 1, 2019
This is the fourth of Paul Cornell's Lychford novellas featuring Lizzie, the Anglican vicar, Judith Mawson, elderly hedge witch and wise-woman and Autumn, her apprentice wise woman and magic-shop owner. The three of them keep Lychford free of magical threats. The not-so-sleepy village lies on a confluence between magical worlds, and threats seem to come out of nowere. Judith, always a little 'odd' has Alzheimers. She has moments of clarity but also moments of confusion. Her son, Shaun, who knows about his mum's magic, is contemplating putting her in a home, but for the moment is waiting to see how things develop. When Autumn figures out that there's a magical threat and she and Lizzie track it down to a woman named Mailtalnd Picton who is offering 'wishes' with all the potential damage they can do if carried out literally.. With Judith only intermittently helpful, they think they've discovered what Picton is and neutralised her, but the threat much more than they thought, and might even change reality itself. In the end it's Judith who is the key. I love these novellas. There's a delightful interplay between the three main characters. I admit I had to brush away a tear or two at the end, but there's every indication that there will be more Lychford books. Good!
January 8, 2020
My first book read in 2020! I was highly anticipating this fourth instalment to Paul Cornell's Lychford series, which I would probably say at this point is my favourite series right now, and it did not disappoint at all! I originally bought when it first came out in November but was in a bad reading slump at the time so decided to pick it up in January to start my reading this year. I love these novellas because they are super short (roughly 200 pages each) but they pack a lot into each story. These characters are so beautiful and relatable and there was definitely a heavy dose of heartbreaking moments in this story which got me very emotional because I have become so attached to the characters at this point. I am also very excited that Paul may be writing a 5th instalment to the series or at least that is what the ending suggests...I am really hoping this is the case and I can't wait to read the next book. This series never fails to be charming, magical, and heartwarming. Love everything about it.
August 15, 2021
THE LIGHTS GO OUT IN LYCHFORD is the 4th entry in Paul Cornell’s urban fantasy novella series about witches in small-town England. It’s got essentially the same cast as the last few novellas, and it basically picks up with the story where A LONG DAY IN LYCHFORD left off — which is good, because LONG DAY felt like it stopped a few chapters short of a satisfying ending. LIGHTS GO OUT also suffers from the same pacing issue that plagued LONG DAY, but it sticks the ending better.
Part of that is due to Cornell’s use of foreshadowing, but part of it is because LONG DAY prepared readers with the understanding that these stories were going to become less stand-alone as the series continued.
One of the best aspects of this story is how it portrays dementia. I’ve seen a mentally sharp person fade away with this disorder, and I have to admit that a lot of what Cornell portrays here feels familiar. It’s also nice to see someone suffering from dementia portrayed as something more than a victim.
Overall, what does THE LIGHTS GO OUT IN LYCHFORD offer? Good character development for all of the main characters, a pleasantly fantastical version of the real world, and a plot that builds up to the main conflict quite nicely. Unfortunately, the climax feels a bit rushed, but the ending sets up the next (and final) volume in this series in a way that the reader is eager to continue.
Part of that is due to Cornell’s use of foreshadowing, but part of it is because LONG DAY prepared readers with the understanding that these stories were going to become less stand-alone as the series continued.
One of the best aspects of this story is how it portrays dementia. I’ve seen a mentally sharp person fade away with this disorder, and I have to admit that a lot of what Cornell portrays here feels familiar. It’s also nice to see someone suffering from dementia portrayed as something more than a victim.
Overall, what does THE LIGHTS GO OUT IN LYCHFORD offer? Good character development for all of the main characters, a pleasantly fantastical version of the real world, and a plot that builds up to the main conflict quite nicely. Unfortunately, the climax feels a bit rushed, but the ending sets up the next (and final) volume in this series in a way that the reader is eager to continue.
November 25, 2019
The fourth Lychford novella is, to my mind, the best one so far. Which is high praise, as the previous three have been very good to excellent. The third one, A Long Day In Lychford was a difficult read, as it was all about the fracturing of UK society in the past few years, as well as creating the conditions leading to this one. Our three heroines start this one at their lowest point in the series. Full of self doubt, besieged by health issues, fearing and creating isolation. This book is about dealing with those fractures, and healing not just their relationships but the town itself.
If it weren't for the very end, I could have accepted this one as an excellent conclusion to the series. But that's where Cornell dangles an undeniable hook, one that should be addressed in the next novella, which as I understand it WILL be the final one in the series. Looking forward to it!
If it weren't for the very end, I could have accepted this one as an excellent conclusion to the series. But that's where Cornell dangles an undeniable hook, one that should be addressed in the next novella, which as I understand it WILL be the final one in the series. Looking forward to it!
April 28, 2025
https://fromtheheartofeurope.eu/the-lights-go-out-in-lychford-by-paul-cornell/
This is the fourth book in the Lychford series, where once again the village is under attack from hostile magical forces and the three women who have become the central characters of the series have to try and stop it. It’s lyrically done, with the old world’s natural crumbling being given extra momentum by the external threat; characters float in and out of different stages of awareness – there’s a sympathetic portrayal of dementia – and it all comes across beautifully. Quite a short book but it packs a lot into its 162 pages.
This is the fourth book in the Lychford series, where once again the village is under attack from hostile magical forces and the three women who have become the central characters of the series have to try and stop it. It’s lyrically done, with the old world’s natural crumbling being given extra momentum by the external threat; characters float in and out of different stages of awareness – there’s a sympathetic portrayal of dementia – and it all comes across beautifully. Quite a short book but it packs a lot into its 162 pages.
March 29, 2020
After the last book, I was a little worried about this series, looks like I was wrong. The sub text is dialled down, and it's all a little more straightforward. There's a new threat to the peace of the village, but it may just be down to Autumn and Lizzie. After the events of the earlier books, it looks like Judith is in no state to help.
It is a fairly sympathetic look at the process of how dementia takes away some of what makes a person who they are, along with how it affects those around them.
The ending, is both heartbreaking and hopeful, and it certainly looks like there will be a book 5
It is a fairly sympathetic look at the process of how dementia takes away some of what makes a person who they are, along with how it affects those around them.
The ending, is both heartbreaking and hopeful, and it certainly looks like there will be a book 5
Displaying 1 - 30 of 106 reviews