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The Fairy Bargains of Prospect Hill
On Prospect Hill, you can get nearly anything you want from the Fae—if you know how to ask and if you can pay the price.
There is no magic on Prospect Hill—or anywhere else, for that matter. But just on the other side of the veil is the world of the Fae, and all their magic. Generations ago, the first farmers on Prospect Hill learned to bargain small trades to make their lives a little easier—a bit of glass to find something lost, a cup of milk for better layers in the chicken coop.
Much of that old wisdom has been lost as the riverboats gave way to the rail lines and the farmers took work at the copper works and the cotton mill. Alaine Fairborn’s family, however, was always superstitious, and she still hums the rhymes to find her lost shoe and ensure dry weather on her sister Delphine’s wedding day.
But when Delphine confides her new husband is not the man she thought he was, Alaine will stop at nothing to help her sister escape his abuse. Small bargains buy them time, but the progress of locomotives and factories hasn’t given way to equitable laws for women. A major bargain is needed, but the price for sweeping change may be more than they’re willing to pay.
There is no magic on Prospect Hill—or anywhere else, for that matter. But just on the other side of the veil is the world of the Fae, and all their magic. Generations ago, the first farmers on Prospect Hill learned to bargain small trades to make their lives a little easier—a bit of glass to find something lost, a cup of milk for better layers in the chicken coop.
Much of that old wisdom has been lost as the riverboats gave way to the rail lines and the farmers took work at the copper works and the cotton mill. Alaine Fairborn’s family, however, was always superstitious, and she still hums the rhymes to find her lost shoe and ensure dry weather on her sister Delphine’s wedding day.
But when Delphine confides her new husband is not the man she thought he was, Alaine will stop at nothing to help her sister escape his abuse. Small bargains buy them time, but the progress of locomotives and factories hasn’t given way to equitable laws for women. A major bargain is needed, but the price for sweeping change may be more than they’re willing to pay.
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First published March 28, 2023
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April 10, 2023
It’s a strange mix, isn’t it? Agriculture, industrialization, feminism, and the Fae.
At least, it struck me as an odd combo when I started reading Rowenna Miller’s latest novel, The Fairy Bargains of Prospect Hill. Set in the early 1900s, it’s the story of Alaine and Delphine, two sisters who, while growing up on Prospect Hill, learn the way of bargaining with the Fae. Now grown, and as farms make way for factories and the women’s suffrage movement gains ground, the sisters hold onto the old ways of fairy bargaining, using it to improve their lives in small ways. Until Delphine finds that she needs to escape her marriage and a much larger bargain is needed, and the sisters are forced to pay a price that neither is willing to pay.
So yes, farming and feminism and faeries (That’s a lot of Fs!) at first seemed out of sorts. But as the pages turned and I delved deeper into the story, Miller won me over with the history and fairy tale aura of it all. My initial reservations disappeared like … well, like magic. (Ms. Miller, do I smell a fairy bargain?)
The Fairy Bargains of Prospect Hill truly is an enchanting historical fantasy and a powerful tale of sisterhood. I was taken with Alaine and Delphine both and loved the way Miller weaves fairy folk magic into history. Her writing is lovely, too, and only served to cast me further under her spell.
The story does require a bit of patience, however, as it is slow to take off. But stay with it – your perseverance will be richly rewarded. I promise you this.
My sincerest appreciation to Rowenna Miller, Redhook Books, and NetGalley for the digital review copy. All opinions included herein are my own.
At least, it struck me as an odd combo when I started reading Rowenna Miller’s latest novel, The Fairy Bargains of Prospect Hill. Set in the early 1900s, it’s the story of Alaine and Delphine, two sisters who, while growing up on Prospect Hill, learn the way of bargaining with the Fae. Now grown, and as farms make way for factories and the women’s suffrage movement gains ground, the sisters hold onto the old ways of fairy bargaining, using it to improve their lives in small ways. Until Delphine finds that she needs to escape her marriage and a much larger bargain is needed, and the sisters are forced to pay a price that neither is willing to pay.
So yes, farming and feminism and faeries (That’s a lot of Fs!) at first seemed out of sorts. But as the pages turned and I delved deeper into the story, Miller won me over with the history and fairy tale aura of it all. My initial reservations disappeared like … well, like magic. (Ms. Miller, do I smell a fairy bargain?)
The Fairy Bargains of Prospect Hill truly is an enchanting historical fantasy and a powerful tale of sisterhood. I was taken with Alaine and Delphine both and loved the way Miller weaves fairy folk magic into history. Her writing is lovely, too, and only served to cast me further under her spell.
The story does require a bit of patience, however, as it is slow to take off. But stay with it – your perseverance will be richly rewarded. I promise you this.
My sincerest appreciation to Rowenna Miller, Redhook Books, and NetGalley for the digital review copy. All opinions included herein are my own.
February 27, 2023
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No one may tell me for no one knows...The names of the Fae, the names that they chose
It's only been a year or so since I have gotten into reading fantasy and it's because of books like this that I decided to do so. The beautiful writing hooked me. There was such a feeling of time and place, even though neither is mentioned, that takes talent. I knew the location was the midwest in the early twentieth century. And then there is The Fae, oh my word, Rowenna Miller had so many details and made it sound so lovely and scary at the same time.
The relationship between sisters Alaine and Delphine is a highlight of the book, they both take advantage of the fairy bargains but it is Alaine who uses them to save her cherished farm and beloved sister. There were a lot of touchy issues throughout the book such as spousal abuse, women's rights and classism. It was surreal reading about them as we still have these issues in the modern world.
I admit that the book was a tad slow to start, but don't let that deter you from continuing to read, it is very important to the story and when the pace picks up it is well worth the wait. All in all a magical read that I found enchanting. I must also mention the gorgeous cover, it perfectly matches the beauty that is inside the book.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the Advance Readers Copy.
No one may tell me for no one knows...The names of the Fae, the names that they chose
It's only been a year or so since I have gotten into reading fantasy and it's because of books like this that I decided to do so. The beautiful writing hooked me. There was such a feeling of time and place, even though neither is mentioned, that takes talent. I knew the location was the midwest in the early twentieth century. And then there is The Fae, oh my word, Rowenna Miller had so many details and made it sound so lovely and scary at the same time.
The relationship between sisters Alaine and Delphine is a highlight of the book, they both take advantage of the fairy bargains but it is Alaine who uses them to save her cherished farm and beloved sister. There were a lot of touchy issues throughout the book such as spousal abuse, women's rights and classism. It was surreal reading about them as we still have these issues in the modern world.
I admit that the book was a tad slow to start, but don't let that deter you from continuing to read, it is very important to the story and when the pace picks up it is well worth the wait. All in all a magical read that I found enchanting. I must also mention the gorgeous cover, it perfectly matches the beauty that is inside the book.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the Advance Readers Copy.
March 21, 2023
The Fairy Bargains of Prospect Hill is a magical story of two sisters who would do anything for each other.
Decades ago, the Fairborn family struck a bargain with the fae granting them ownership of acres of land on Prospect Hill. Today, the family still resides there, taking care of their farm.
Delphine is about to marry into a wealthy and influential family and will soon depart from Prospect Hill.
Alaine and her husband, Jack, never intend to leave their home on the hill. While Delphine prepares for her future, Alaine quietly struggles to keep the farm afloat, making increasingly risky bargains with the fae to pay the bills.
Shortly after the wedding, Delphine realizes her husband is not the man she thought he was. And Alaine will go to great lengths to keep her sister safe.
This book is a magical, lyrically written feminist fantasy. It follows Delphine and Alaine’s perspectives.
It discusses domestic abuse, women’s suffrage, and classism.
While the writing was beautiful, it was a good way through the book before the plot took off. And while I don’t need to relate to characters, something about the writing style made me feel distant from the characters.
If you like fae stories, then you’ll probably enjoy this one. It goes over familiar lore about the fair folk, but effortlessly keeps it intriguing and even a bit frightening.
3.5
Thank you to Redhook for sending me a physical arc in exchange for an honest review.
https://booksandwheels.com
Decades ago, the Fairborn family struck a bargain with the fae granting them ownership of acres of land on Prospect Hill. Today, the family still resides there, taking care of their farm.
Delphine is about to marry into a wealthy and influential family and will soon depart from Prospect Hill.
Alaine and her husband, Jack, never intend to leave their home on the hill. While Delphine prepares for her future, Alaine quietly struggles to keep the farm afloat, making increasingly risky bargains with the fae to pay the bills.
Shortly after the wedding, Delphine realizes her husband is not the man she thought he was. And Alaine will go to great lengths to keep her sister safe.
This book is a magical, lyrically written feminist fantasy. It follows Delphine and Alaine’s perspectives.
It discusses domestic abuse, women’s suffrage, and classism.
While the writing was beautiful, it was a good way through the book before the plot took off. And while I don’t need to relate to characters, something about the writing style made me feel distant from the characters.
If you like fae stories, then you’ll probably enjoy this one. It goes over familiar lore about the fair folk, but effortlessly keeps it intriguing and even a bit frightening.
3.5
Thank you to Redhook for sending me a physical arc in exchange for an honest review.
https://booksandwheels.com
June 19, 2024
As a young reader, I simply adored fairy tales. Happy endings delivered by sweet fairy godmothers and similar beings. As I got older, I began to read darker fairy tales where sacrifice and life lessons are served up along with mostly happy endings.
The adult me still enjoys a good tale involving the Fae and otherworldly magic. And this book, which has a bit of a slow start, appealed to me from the beginning.
However, as two sisters bargain for more than they realize, the story drew me in and held me entranced until the ending. Lessons learned. Sacrifices acknowledged. A fairy tale for adults. Delightful for this reader.
(Reviewed 8/27/23)
The adult me still enjoys a good tale involving the Fae and otherworldly magic. And this book, which has a bit of a slow start, appealed to me from the beginning.
However, as two sisters bargain for more than they realize, the story drew me in and held me entranced until the ending. Lessons learned. Sacrifices acknowledged. A fairy tale for adults. Delightful for this reader.
(Reviewed 8/27/23)
March 4, 2023
2.5/5 stars DNF’d at 22%
Digital ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for honest review.
I thought this would be a cozy historical fantasy and instead I got a boring, predictable “save-the-farm” story that just so happened to mention fairies. I wanted to DNF earlier, but decided to keep going. After reading some reviews here that confirmed my suspicions about the plot (is it really a spoiler if you saw it all coming?), and finding out I’d have to read over 200 pages to get any momentum from this story, and then read 200 more, I decided I did not want to further waste my time.
Is this book poorly written? On a technical level no. I found the characters’ motivations to be understandable. Delphine and Alaine’s insecurities, love, and misunderstandings were intriguing. Rarely do you see characters who make the attempt to be self aware, yet still so human.
However, I found the pacing and plotting to be poorly done. Idk why the wedding needed 7 chapters of buildup when we don’t even get to see it from Delphine’s point of view. This should be an emotionally charged day for her, but we only see Alaine’s POV.
The slowness of everything became even more infuriating when having to sit through multiple pages of how women were treated in the late 1800’s / early 1900’s. I understand it’s a historical fantasy, but if the only fantasy is the fairies and they’re not really involved in the plot until halfway through, then I’m just left with an underbaked historical fiction.
It feels like the narrative is trying to make a commentary on women’s oppression in society; but the lack of nuance, intersectional incorporation, and the mustache twirling of those antagonistic to women/our main characters left me with nothing new, and nothing done better than things I’ve already read. There could also be a commentary on capitalism, capitalists, industry, etc. but once again I was only provided with shallow observations.
This book seems to want to be an intimate character study of our two sisters, but its observations of their lives are so flat and empty, and the sisters so single minded that it just feels like a waste of time.
Digital ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for honest review.
I thought this would be a cozy historical fantasy and instead I got a boring, predictable “save-the-farm” story that just so happened to mention fairies. I wanted to DNF earlier, but decided to keep going. After reading some reviews here that confirmed my suspicions about the plot (is it really a spoiler if you saw it all coming?), and finding out I’d have to read over 200 pages to get any momentum from this story, and then read 200 more, I decided I did not want to further waste my time.
Is this book poorly written? On a technical level no. I found the characters’ motivations to be understandable. Delphine and Alaine’s insecurities, love, and misunderstandings were intriguing. Rarely do you see characters who make the attempt to be self aware, yet still so human.
However, I found the pacing and plotting to be poorly done. Idk why the wedding needed 7 chapters of buildup when we don’t even get to see it from Delphine’s point of view. This should be an emotionally charged day for her, but we only see Alaine’s POV.
The slowness of everything became even more infuriating when having to sit through multiple pages of how women were treated in the late 1800’s / early 1900’s. I understand it’s a historical fantasy, but if the only fantasy is the fairies and they’re not really involved in the plot until halfway through, then I’m just left with an underbaked historical fiction.
It feels like the narrative is trying to make a commentary on women’s oppression in society; but the lack of nuance, intersectional incorporation, and the mustache twirling of those antagonistic to women/our main characters left me with nothing new, and nothing done better than things I’ve already read. There could also be a commentary on capitalism, capitalists, industry, etc. but once again I was only provided with shallow observations.
This book seems to want to be an intimate character study of our two sisters, but its observations of their lives are so flat and empty, and the sisters so single minded that it just feels like a waste of time.
April 9, 2023
I have mixed feelings about The Fairy Bargains of Prospect Hill. It’s a unique story with an interesting blend of historical fiction and fantasy, and the premise is intriguing. However, the plot fell flat for me, and the characters’ actions were very frustrating.
The sisters are the focus of the novel, and the chapters alternate between them. The dual perspectives offer glimpses into both of their lives and the very different directions they take from each other. I liked the sibling relationship. Elaine and Delphine have such a strong connection, so much so that they make really foolish decisions to help each other. Even when they’re apart, even when they’re mad at each other, that connection never really wanes. The strong themes of sisterhood and the fight for autonomy are my favorite part of the novel.
I also liked the relationship between Elaine and her husband. He is such a stable presence in their lives, which contrasts well with the chaos and instability that surrounds them, including worries about their livelihood, abusive spouses, faerie bargains gone awry, and more.
Two-thirds of the way through the book, the story takes a sharp turn, which leads us to a world I wish was explored more. It was so fascinating, as was the lore and magic on the farm, but it felt disjointed from the rest of the story because it is so abrupt and different in flow and development from the rest of the story. Also, the sisters constantly make poor decisions which frustrated me. Have you ever read “The Monkey’s Paw” by W.W. Jacobs? If so, then you know there are a million ways in which wishes can go wrong. Some of these characters need to learn from their rash decisions, but instead, they make more and more mistakes before admitting that what you wish for isn’t always what you get.
The plot also focused on some difficult subjects, including domestic abuse, gender inequality, sexism, economic insecurity, and more. There are a few darker parts that might prove triggering to some readers, so I would definitely recommend checking out the content warnings before reading.
Overall, that was an ok read for me. It’s a unique story with an interesting premise and strong messages about redemption, family, and the lengths people are willing to go to for power, influence, or those they love. Special thanks to Orbit Books for gifting me a copy. All thoughts are my own.
The sisters are the focus of the novel, and the chapters alternate between them. The dual perspectives offer glimpses into both of their lives and the very different directions they take from each other. I liked the sibling relationship. Elaine and Delphine have such a strong connection, so much so that they make really foolish decisions to help each other. Even when they’re apart, even when they’re mad at each other, that connection never really wanes. The strong themes of sisterhood and the fight for autonomy are my favorite part of the novel.
I also liked the relationship between Elaine and her husband. He is such a stable presence in their lives, which contrasts well with the chaos and instability that surrounds them, including worries about their livelihood, abusive spouses, faerie bargains gone awry, and more.
Two-thirds of the way through the book, the story takes a sharp turn, which leads us to a world I wish was explored more. It was so fascinating, as was the lore and magic on the farm, but it felt disjointed from the rest of the story because it is so abrupt and different in flow and development from the rest of the story. Also, the sisters constantly make poor decisions which frustrated me. Have you ever read “The Monkey’s Paw” by W.W. Jacobs? If so, then you know there are a million ways in which wishes can go wrong. Some of these characters need to learn from their rash decisions, but instead, they make more and more mistakes before admitting that what you wish for isn’t always what you get.
The plot also focused on some difficult subjects, including domestic abuse, gender inequality, sexism, economic insecurity, and more. There are a few darker parts that might prove triggering to some readers, so I would definitely recommend checking out the content warnings before reading.
Overall, that was an ok read for me. It’s a unique story with an interesting premise and strong messages about redemption, family, and the lengths people are willing to go to for power, influence, or those they love. Special thanks to Orbit Books for gifting me a copy. All thoughts are my own.
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January 18, 2023
Oh. Oh yes. THIS.
I mean, it goes exactly how you think it's going to go, and it does it very well.
Full RTC.
I received an ARC from the publisher
I mean, it goes exactly how you think it's going to go, and it does it very well.
Full RTC.
I received an ARC from the publisher
Read
August 5, 2023DNF 50%
In the mood for more magic and less abusive husbands.
In the mood for more magic and less abusive husbands.
May 31, 2025
Don't let the cover fool you, which I made the mistake of doing. But after finishing this novel, I have absolutely zero regrets.
The novel starts out in a historical setting, I think around early 1900s in the US, but it's never really specified (though there are obvious context clues such as early motorcars, the suffragette movement, etc.) I wasn't expecting a deep dive into historical fiction and honestly I think it worked out well in this case! Other readers might wish for a more fantasy aspect with the Fae, but I'd recommend to keep on reading. It might surprise you.
The fairy magic was believable in a folk magic context due to the MCs' (Alaine and Delphine) multigenerational family-oriented setting and the history of oral tradition passed down through their families. If you've grown up with traditional folktales, old wives' tales, etc., then you can definitely relate to the MCs.
It took me a while to finish because the pacing was an issue. Without going into any spoilers, I really liked the latter half of the story. If that section would've occurred slightly earlier in the novel, then I think more readers would be able to hold their attention.
I'll admit, I thought this might've been a DNF for me, but I loved how the tension kept growing and growing. That drew me to keep on reading just to find out how high the stakes would go. And I'm glad I kept on reading!
Thank you to Redhook Books and NetGalley for this arc.
The novel starts out in a historical setting, I think around early 1900s in the US, but it's never really specified (though there are obvious context clues such as early motorcars, the suffragette movement, etc.) I wasn't expecting a deep dive into historical fiction and honestly I think it worked out well in this case! Other readers might wish for a more fantasy aspect with the Fae, but I'd recommend to keep on reading. It might surprise you.
The fairy magic was believable in a folk magic context due to the MCs' (Alaine and Delphine) multigenerational family-oriented setting and the history of oral tradition passed down through their families. If you've grown up with traditional folktales, old wives' tales, etc., then you can definitely relate to the MCs.
It took me a while to finish because the pacing was an issue. Without going into any spoilers, I really liked the latter half of the story. If that section would've occurred slightly earlier in the novel, then I think more readers would be able to hold their attention.
I'll admit, I thought this might've been a DNF for me, but I loved how the tension kept growing and growing. That drew me to keep on reading just to find out how high the stakes would go. And I'm glad I kept on reading!
Thank you to Redhook Books and NetGalley for this arc.
Read
August 30, 2023I really enjoyed this one! Such a delightful twist.
December 17, 2024
Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of
The Fairy Bargains of Prospect Hill.
I love stories about the Fae, so I was looking forward to reading this.
Sadly, this didn't work for me, which is disappointing since the author can write.
She describes Prospect Hill as both a beautiful yet dangerous place to live, a place to respect and be wary of, not unlike the Fae world.
I also enjoyed the folklore and rules of bargaining with the Fae, as well as how these stories are handed down through the generations.
My issue was how the narrative dragged.
It was incredibly sloooooow.
I appreciate exposition as much as the next person but there's a lot of filler nonsense to get through; several chapters leading up to Del's wedding, the bargains Alaine makes as her financial woes increase, the disappearance of Alaine's daughter, Emily.
I don't need to know every little thing that's going to happen before the wedding; what everyone is wearing, what the dresses look like, etc.
There's no urgency or excitement; no suspense since you know how terrible Del's husband is and where their relationship will end up.
As a sister, I was looking forward to a story about sisters, but character development for Alaine and Del was lacking.
I didn't like Alaine or Del. I wasn't unsympathetic to Del's predicament but I didn't care for either of them.
I get why Del wanted to make a bargain but Alaine's bargains began to get bigger and more self serving, as she wanted desperately for certain events to go her way, which I get.
But her reasons for making these bargains are also incredibly selfish and foolish.
And it's not like she doesn't know what she's doing is bad.
If she was a child or a teenager, I could let it go.
But she's grown up with stories of the Fae, her own grandfather was gifted his land as a fairy bargain, Alaine knows not to ask for things she can't bear to part with, and the Fae are tricky.
My favorite parts were with the Fae, but this was painfully, agonizingly boring.
I skimmed most of the chapters.
I love stories about the Fae, so I was looking forward to reading this.
Sadly, this didn't work for me, which is disappointing since the author can write.
She describes Prospect Hill as both a beautiful yet dangerous place to live, a place to respect and be wary of, not unlike the Fae world.
I also enjoyed the folklore and rules of bargaining with the Fae, as well as how these stories are handed down through the generations.
My issue was how the narrative dragged.
It was incredibly sloooooow.
I appreciate exposition as much as the next person but there's a lot of filler nonsense to get through; several chapters leading up to Del's wedding, the bargains Alaine makes as her financial woes increase, the disappearance of Alaine's daughter, Emily.
I don't need to know every little thing that's going to happen before the wedding; what everyone is wearing, what the dresses look like, etc.
There's no urgency or excitement; no suspense since you know how terrible Del's husband is and where their relationship will end up.
As a sister, I was looking forward to a story about sisters, but character development for Alaine and Del was lacking.
I didn't like Alaine or Del. I wasn't unsympathetic to Del's predicament but I didn't care for either of them.
I get why Del wanted to make a bargain but Alaine's bargains began to get bigger and more self serving, as she wanted desperately for certain events to go her way, which I get.
But her reasons for making these bargains are also incredibly selfish and foolish.
And it's not like she doesn't know what she's doing is bad.
If she was a child or a teenager, I could let it go.
But she's grown up with stories of the Fae, her own grandfather was gifted his land as a fairy bargain, Alaine knows not to ask for things she can't bear to part with, and the Fae are tricky.
My favorite parts were with the Fae, but this was painfully, agonizingly boring.
I skimmed most of the chapters.
November 20, 2023
”I thought if I just kept on, I’d eventually get somewhere. But if you choose the wrong path, you’re not going to end up where you wanted to go by charging ahead, are you? You have to stop and turn around sometimes, even if it’s not easy.”
The women in The Fairy Bargains of Prospect Hill are tough and not easily put down. Thank goodness for that as they live in a time of extreme patriarchy and have to fight for every single small gain they get. The characters and premise that Rowena Miller gives us is brilliant.
Miller has a way with words that always captivated me early on. Sadly it didn’t hold throughout the novel. There is a lull about halfway through, about 75 pages, that felt too repetitive and boring. There didn’t seem to be a large need to show every single bargain made at that point. Thus, sadly when we got to the real fairy interactions portion of the novel it had lost its hold on me. I still enjoyed the last portion and the intricate bargaining with the fairies; but not near as much as I felt I should have.
Miller has not written a plethora of books. This is really only her second world (as her debut was a fantasy trilogy) so perhaps the refinement I desire will come in future stories. I would certainly read another novel by Miller, as I do think she has a true talent in writing. It just may be that a more stringent editor is needed to slice out those repetitive sections that do not serve to move the plot forward.
The women in The Fairy Bargains of Prospect Hill are tough and not easily put down. Thank goodness for that as they live in a time of extreme patriarchy and have to fight for every single small gain they get. The characters and premise that Rowena Miller gives us is brilliant.
Miller has a way with words that always captivated me early on. Sadly it didn’t hold throughout the novel. There is a lull about halfway through, about 75 pages, that felt too repetitive and boring. There didn’t seem to be a large need to show every single bargain made at that point. Thus, sadly when we got to the real fairy interactions portion of the novel it had lost its hold on me. I still enjoyed the last portion and the intricate bargaining with the fairies; but not near as much as I felt I should have.
Miller has not written a plethora of books. This is really only her second world (as her debut was a fantasy trilogy) so perhaps the refinement I desire will come in future stories. I would certainly read another novel by Miller, as I do think she has a true talent in writing. It just may be that a more stringent editor is needed to slice out those repetitive sections that do not serve to move the plot forward.
September 11, 2024
Cozy and cute. Similar vibes to practical magic.
March 31, 2023
I’ve said it dozens of times before: You have to be a truly exceptional writer to get away with a book that includes absolutely nothing we haven’t seen before, lest the reader be left feeling like they’ve just wasted their time re-reading several books they have already read.
Unfortunately such is the case here. Fairy fantasies aren’t exactly rare, yet we see many authors find a way to put their own spin on the standard tropes of the subgenre. Miller is fine as a writer, but given that there’s nothing at all here that is new to the topic, she would have had to be unusually exceptional to make up for the lack of originality.
The book drags a lot and is slow even by non action driven Fantasy standards, has little atmosphere, and hauls us along on the same disappointing journey into Faerie that we’ve been on many times before.
And while I liked Alaine and some of the secondary characters well enough, I was surprised to see someone like Delphine feature so prominently, particularly as a POV character. Though she gets braver (and I suppose more likable) in the end, as narrative dictates she must, she’s still a weak character with little to no appeal to a modern female reader. I’m always happy to see characters grow and evolve, but there has to be some appeal there to start with.
Loads to choose from in the fairy fantasy subgenre. Skip this one and pick one of the many other excellent novels on the topic.
*I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.*
Unfortunately such is the case here. Fairy fantasies aren’t exactly rare, yet we see many authors find a way to put their own spin on the standard tropes of the subgenre. Miller is fine as a writer, but given that there’s nothing at all here that is new to the topic, she would have had to be unusually exceptional to make up for the lack of originality.
The book drags a lot and is slow even by non action driven Fantasy standards, has little atmosphere, and hauls us along on the same disappointing journey into Faerie that we’ve been on many times before.
And while I liked Alaine and some of the secondary characters well enough, I was surprised to see someone like Delphine feature so prominently, particularly as a POV character. Though she gets braver (and I suppose more likable) in the end, as narrative dictates she must, she’s still a weak character with little to no appeal to a modern female reader. I’m always happy to see characters grow and evolve, but there has to be some appeal there to start with.
Loads to choose from in the fairy fantasy subgenre. Skip this one and pick one of the many other excellent novels on the topic.
*I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.*
November 15, 2025
Blending historical fantasy with small town folklore, this book tells a quiet, almost cozy, tale that still has extremely high personal stakes. Alaine and Delphine are sisters who, despite differing approaches to life and love, share an incredible bond. Though they're each flawed, it's easy to root for them.
The side characters are sadly less compelling. Delphine's husband is cartoonish. Alaine's is a doormat. They don't meaningfully develop, even though the first half of the book moves at a slow pace, leaving ample time to flesh out minor side characters. The slow start only serves to make the direction of the story extremely obvious. The predictable final act is thankfully not super drawn out like the rest of the book, but it does mean there's a change of pace that's a little jarring.
Overall it's not my favorite. It's lacking in substance at times, and the intimate hyperfocus on the sisters means too many other threads go underexplored. I'd still absolutely recommend The Fairy Bargains of Prospect Hill to those interested in atmospherically rich books about womanhood and fairies. It's an enjoyable enough read to pass the time, and I tore through it easily.
The side characters are sadly less compelling. Delphine's husband is cartoonish. Alaine's is a doormat. They don't meaningfully develop, even though the first half of the book moves at a slow pace, leaving ample time to flesh out minor side characters. The slow start only serves to make the direction of the story extremely obvious. The predictable final act is thankfully not super drawn out like the rest of the book, but it does mean there's a change of pace that's a little jarring.
Overall it's not my favorite. It's lacking in substance at times, and the intimate hyperfocus on the sisters means too many other threads go underexplored. I'd still absolutely recommend The Fairy Bargains of Prospect Hill to those interested in atmospherically rich books about womanhood and fairies. It's an enjoyable enough read to pass the time, and I tore through it easily.
Want to read
May 11, 2021Yes, yes, YES!! Fairy bargains? I’m there every 👏 single 👏 time 👏 with my card. Take my money.
May 9, 2023
skim read
February 9, 2023
For more of my reviews, check out my blog.
Thank you to Netgalley and Redhook for providing an ARC copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
Oh, I am so disappointed by this book. You all know how much I love Fae stories, and unfortunately, this one just did not work for me. Though, it really wasn’t the Fae part of this book that bothered me. It was literally the main two characters — Delphine and Alaine. But we’ll get to them in just a second. I have some more complaints I want aired first.
First of all, the first…half? of this book? is a total slog. It is so slow — you are basically dragged along for no reason. I think some major editing could have maybe saved most of this book, but it’s too late now. Almost nothing really happens until about 50% of the way in, and then the story finally kicks off. Ugh. I wanted to like this book so much. I love stories about the fae — bargains, trickery, and general magic all included. All of that is present here, but it’s told in such a roundabout, slow way that I almost found myself DNFing this book more than once. I hate to say that. I really do — there was so much potential here that is disappointing that it just wasn’t used.
Delphine and Alaine are sisters that grew up together on the orchard that their grandfather bargained for from the fae. They grow up knowing about the fae, about the set-in-stone bargains they can use to tweak the luck of the world to get things they want or need. Alaine wants to be seen as capable of running the orchard on her own. Delphine wants to marry into society and be seen as important that way. This much I followed, this was fine.
But then they — mostly Alaine — start sticking their noses into things they shouldn’t. Alaine starts bargaining for bigger and bigger things, starts trying to really change things, rather than tweak, and well, soon enough she bargains for something she shouldn’t. The entire book I found myself basically screaming at Leslie and Julie. No, that’s a lie, we were all screaming at each other! None of us liked what we were reading, and all of us knew this was going to end badly. Delphine at least had a good reason for her bargains. She marries a rich, powerful man only to discover that he’s horrible and abusive. (The abuse we see on page is — she gets slapped, pushed into a wall, and her arm held very tightly.) She wants out of her marriage, so she tries to bargain. Makes sense.
But guys. Guys. I didn’t like either of these characters. They both are extremely selfish. They’re both unlikable. They both make stupid decision after stupid decision. And we’re left to follow as the consequences of these decisions make themselves known. Fortunately, this book does end in a way that I at least tolerated. I don’t want to spoil anything, but ugh. This entire book was underwhelming. I’m rating this three stars simply, because the time spent in Fae was interesting.
Thank you to my friends, Leslie and Julie, who buddy read this with me! I really enjoyed having you both to scream at. It made this experience much, much more fun.
Thank you to Netgalley and Redhook for providing an ARC copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
Oh, I am so disappointed by this book. You all know how much I love Fae stories, and unfortunately, this one just did not work for me. Though, it really wasn’t the Fae part of this book that bothered me. It was literally the main two characters — Delphine and Alaine. But we’ll get to them in just a second. I have some more complaints I want aired first.
First of all, the first…half? of this book? is a total slog. It is so slow — you are basically dragged along for no reason. I think some major editing could have maybe saved most of this book, but it’s too late now. Almost nothing really happens until about 50% of the way in, and then the story finally kicks off. Ugh. I wanted to like this book so much. I love stories about the fae — bargains, trickery, and general magic all included. All of that is present here, but it’s told in such a roundabout, slow way that I almost found myself DNFing this book more than once. I hate to say that. I really do — there was so much potential here that is disappointing that it just wasn’t used.
Delphine and Alaine are sisters that grew up together on the orchard that their grandfather bargained for from the fae. They grow up knowing about the fae, about the set-in-stone bargains they can use to tweak the luck of the world to get things they want or need. Alaine wants to be seen as capable of running the orchard on her own. Delphine wants to marry into society and be seen as important that way. This much I followed, this was fine.
But then they — mostly Alaine — start sticking their noses into things they shouldn’t. Alaine starts bargaining for bigger and bigger things, starts trying to really change things, rather than tweak, and well, soon enough she bargains for something she shouldn’t. The entire book I found myself basically screaming at Leslie and Julie. No, that’s a lie, we were all screaming at each other! None of us liked what we were reading, and all of us knew this was going to end badly. Delphine at least had a good reason for her bargains. She marries a rich, powerful man only to discover that he’s horrible and abusive. (The abuse we see on page is — she gets slapped, pushed into a wall, and her arm held very tightly.) She wants out of her marriage, so she tries to bargain. Makes sense.
But guys. Guys. I didn’t like either of these characters. They both are extremely selfish. They’re both unlikable. They both make stupid decision after stupid decision. And we’re left to follow as the consequences of these decisions make themselves known. Fortunately, this book does end in a way that I at least tolerated. I don’t want to spoil anything, but ugh. This entire book was underwhelming. I’m rating this three stars simply, because the time spent in Fae was interesting.
Thank you to my friends, Leslie and Julie, who buddy read this with me! I really enjoyed having you both to scream at. It made this experience much, much more fun.
did-not-finish
November 23, 2024Was expecting fairies and forests, not sisterly relationships, rural living, and financially strained farms. DNF before 100 pages because I don't care.
April 24, 2023
The nitty-gritty: A lively tale combining family drama and otherworldly fairies, I enjoyed Rowenna Miller's writing style and her take on the fae.
The Fairy Bargains of Prospect Hill was a surprise in many ways. I expected a whimsical historical fantasy, and yes, there are definite moments of whimsy. But the story also deals with some serious subjects, like spousal abuse and the consequences of marrying the wrong person. I also liked the way the author portrayed the fae, which was different from other fairy stories I’ve read. Overall, I thought this was a very good mix of family drama and magical elements, and you can’t beat the heartwarming ending.
The story takes place in the early 1920s. Alaine and Delphine are sisters, living on Prospect Hill, a large plot of land that has been in the family for decades. Alaine lives with her husband Jack and their daughter Emily, and her passion is running the family orchard. When the story begins, Delphine is about to be married to a rich man named Pierce Grafton, and Alaine is sad because her sister will be leaving her childhood home to move to the city, where Pierce runs a glassworks company with his father. Alaine can never imagine leaving Prospect Hill herself, a magical place where humans and fairies live in harmony with each other. As children, the girls were taught by their grandmother Lilibeth how to make fairy bargains, small favors granted by the fae in exchange for trinkets like a scrap of silk cloth or thread, or even something as mundane as parchment paper.
Lilibeth instilled in the girls that bargains are not to be made lightly, though, and she warned them of asking for too much. But the orchard isn’t doing well, and so Alaine decides to ask the fairies for a good harvest in order to avoid financial trouble. But after a successful bargain, Alaine sees other things that need fixing, and her bargains become bigger—and more dangerous. And when Delphine needs help, Alaine finds herself in a little too deep with the fae, tangled up in a bargain that can only bring heartache.
I was fascinated by the idea of fairy bargains, but it was hard to watch Alaine and Delphine become obsessed with getting their heart’s desire. Alaine makes a rather big bargain, for an exceptional crop of cherries and apples in order to save the business, but once she achieves that goal, she can’t stop herself from asking for more—and more. Bargaining is like a drug for her, and even when Jack starts noticing that she’s meddling with things she shouldn’t be, she keeps finding new ways to get what she wants. The reader knows what’s coming, it’s not really a big secret, but eventually the “ask” becomes way too big, and the fairy ends up tricking the girls and taking something precious to them. I wanted to yell at the sisters to stop making bargains, but of course we wouldn’t have a story if they did.
In the midst of all of the magical bargains, we follow Delphine as a new bride, trying to integrate herself into a new home and lifestyle. She’s hoping to make friends quickly and find a purpose in her marriage, but no one is thrilled with Pierce’s choice of a “country” wife, and they rudely snub her. Pierce is too caught up in his glassworks business and political aspirations to spend time with his new wife, so Delphine’s vision of a loving partnership begins to fade. When she makes some social mistakes, Pierce turns mean, and Delphine realizes she’s made a terrible mistake. Some scenes were tough to read, it was so frustrating to see how hard it was for women during the early 1900s. Pierce expects his wife to dedicate her life to his career, even though she longs to become an artist. And as for divorce, it was rare and scandalous at that time, and not something entered into lightly. I loved that Alaine’s life is completely different. She manages the family orchard and even becomes president of the local Agricultural Society, and luckily she has a caring husband who supports her interests.
And lest you think I’ve forgotten about the fairies, well never fear! It takes a while, but about two thirds into the story, the focus abruptly shifts to the realm of the fae, as one of the characters must cross over in order to, well, you’ll have to read the book to find out. We finally get to see the fairies on the other side of the bargains Alaine and Delphine have been making, and Miller infuses her fairy lore with some interesting ideas that I haven’t seen done before. Miller’s fairies are otherworldly and menacing, but there’s also a vulnerability and delicacy to them that I loved. This is the section where the tension really builds, as the stakes are considerably higher, and although I suspected we would get a happy ending, there were definitely some moments that tested that belief.
The author adds snippets of children’s rhymes and traditional fairy bargains at the beginning of each chapter, which was a perfect way to set the tone, adding that bit of whimsy I was talking about, although some of the rhymes also come across as slightly ominous. I also loved the ending, which brings everything full circle. This was my first book by Rowenna Miller, and I look forward to reading more of her work.
Big thanks to the publisher for providing a review copy.
The Fairy Bargains of Prospect Hill was a surprise in many ways. I expected a whimsical historical fantasy, and yes, there are definite moments of whimsy. But the story also deals with some serious subjects, like spousal abuse and the consequences of marrying the wrong person. I also liked the way the author portrayed the fae, which was different from other fairy stories I’ve read. Overall, I thought this was a very good mix of family drama and magical elements, and you can’t beat the heartwarming ending.
The story takes place in the early 1920s. Alaine and Delphine are sisters, living on Prospect Hill, a large plot of land that has been in the family for decades. Alaine lives with her husband Jack and their daughter Emily, and her passion is running the family orchard. When the story begins, Delphine is about to be married to a rich man named Pierce Grafton, and Alaine is sad because her sister will be leaving her childhood home to move to the city, where Pierce runs a glassworks company with his father. Alaine can never imagine leaving Prospect Hill herself, a magical place where humans and fairies live in harmony with each other. As children, the girls were taught by their grandmother Lilibeth how to make fairy bargains, small favors granted by the fae in exchange for trinkets like a scrap of silk cloth or thread, or even something as mundane as parchment paper.
Lilibeth instilled in the girls that bargains are not to be made lightly, though, and she warned them of asking for too much. But the orchard isn’t doing well, and so Alaine decides to ask the fairies for a good harvest in order to avoid financial trouble. But after a successful bargain, Alaine sees other things that need fixing, and her bargains become bigger—and more dangerous. And when Delphine needs help, Alaine finds herself in a little too deep with the fae, tangled up in a bargain that can only bring heartache.
I was fascinated by the idea of fairy bargains, but it was hard to watch Alaine and Delphine become obsessed with getting their heart’s desire. Alaine makes a rather big bargain, for an exceptional crop of cherries and apples in order to save the business, but once she achieves that goal, she can’t stop herself from asking for more—and more. Bargaining is like a drug for her, and even when Jack starts noticing that she’s meddling with things she shouldn’t be, she keeps finding new ways to get what she wants. The reader knows what’s coming, it’s not really a big secret, but eventually the “ask” becomes way too big, and the fairy ends up tricking the girls and taking something precious to them. I wanted to yell at the sisters to stop making bargains, but of course we wouldn’t have a story if they did.
In the midst of all of the magical bargains, we follow Delphine as a new bride, trying to integrate herself into a new home and lifestyle. She’s hoping to make friends quickly and find a purpose in her marriage, but no one is thrilled with Pierce’s choice of a “country” wife, and they rudely snub her. Pierce is too caught up in his glassworks business and political aspirations to spend time with his new wife, so Delphine’s vision of a loving partnership begins to fade. When she makes some social mistakes, Pierce turns mean, and Delphine realizes she’s made a terrible mistake. Some scenes were tough to read, it was so frustrating to see how hard it was for women during the early 1900s. Pierce expects his wife to dedicate her life to his career, even though she longs to become an artist. And as for divorce, it was rare and scandalous at that time, and not something entered into lightly. I loved that Alaine’s life is completely different. She manages the family orchard and even becomes president of the local Agricultural Society, and luckily she has a caring husband who supports her interests.
And lest you think I’ve forgotten about the fairies, well never fear! It takes a while, but about two thirds into the story, the focus abruptly shifts to the realm of the fae, as one of the characters must cross over in order to, well, you’ll have to read the book to find out. We finally get to see the fairies on the other side of the bargains Alaine and Delphine have been making, and Miller infuses her fairy lore with some interesting ideas that I haven’t seen done before. Miller’s fairies are otherworldly and menacing, but there’s also a vulnerability and delicacy to them that I loved. This is the section where the tension really builds, as the stakes are considerably higher, and although I suspected we would get a happy ending, there were definitely some moments that tested that belief.
The author adds snippets of children’s rhymes and traditional fairy bargains at the beginning of each chapter, which was a perfect way to set the tone, adding that bit of whimsy I was talking about, although some of the rhymes also come across as slightly ominous. I also loved the ending, which brings everything full circle. This was my first book by Rowenna Miller, and I look forward to reading more of her work.
Big thanks to the publisher for providing a review copy.
November 27, 2022
Second 5 star book in two days. I just finished The Fairy Bargains of Prospect Hill by Rowena Miller, pubbed by Orbit and out in March 2023. It’s about sisterhood, deals with the fair folk, and what people will do to protect what’s important to them. I loved everything about this book, the characters, the language, and most of all the sense of wonder in the world.
March 6, 2023
Are you looking for the story of two small-town American sisters at the turn of the 20th century? What if we told you that it's also a story of the Fae, without fated mates or prophecies or internecine politics? Alaine and Delphine are two sisters who grew up in Prospect Hill. Their family farm was earned in a "fairy bargain" two generations ago, and they were raised to consider minor bargains - red ribbons for sunny days, pearl buttons for finding a lost shoe - as everyday occurrences. As the book opens, Delphine is getting married and Alaine is facing financial trouble on the farm.
The book builds slowly. Delphine gradually realizes that the man she married with the help of her fairy bargains might not be the fairy tale prince she imagined. Alaine is able to stave off foreclosure on her farm with the help of more serious fairy bargains. As the sisters' lives grow apart, they seem to purposely misunderstand each other, and how they can help. The book slowly builds to the climax of a "traditional" fairy bargain. On the one hand, the experience of reading the book is like the apologue of the boiling frog: you don't realize how serious the trouble is until you're in it. On the other hand, the slow movement of the book can make you wish there was more narrative momentum.
We ended up appreciating the progressive build more upon reflection than in the moment. Looking back, this is an adult exploration of the Fae, without flashy magic or wild romance. We recommend it for people who enjoy gaslamp fantasy with slightly lower stakes than saving the world.
This objective review is based on a complimentary copy of the novel.
The book builds slowly. Delphine gradually realizes that the man she married with the help of her fairy bargains might not be the fairy tale prince she imagined. Alaine is able to stave off foreclosure on her farm with the help of more serious fairy bargains. As the sisters' lives grow apart, they seem to purposely misunderstand each other, and how they can help. The book slowly builds to the climax of a "traditional" fairy bargain. On the one hand, the experience of reading the book is like the apologue of the boiling frog: you don't realize how serious the trouble is until you're in it. On the other hand, the slow movement of the book can make you wish there was more narrative momentum.
We ended up appreciating the progressive build more upon reflection than in the moment. Looking back, this is an adult exploration of the Fae, without flashy magic or wild romance. We recommend it for people who enjoy gaslamp fantasy with slightly lower stakes than saving the world.
This objective review is based on a complimentary copy of the novel.
January 29, 2023
Initial thoughts: the first half of this book was rough. Not poorly written by any means, but content-wise, due to the abuse mentioned in the synopsis, it was hard to read. Overall very slow, depressing, and hopeless which felt like it would never end and made it difficult for me to keep reading. However, at about 50% or shortly after, the book finally started moving and things picked up (in more ways than one) and it turned into a proper fantasy adventure, which I very much enjoyed. Happy endings for everyone!
April 14, 2024
This book seemed like it would be right up my alley, but it really wasn't. I don't mind a story that has a slow burn and getting to know the people and places involved. But this didn't seem like world building as much as it was getting to know they same things about the same people over and over. I didn't feel closer to the sisters whose stories we are hearing - I knew some of their thoughts and actions, but I wasn't sure how much I cared. I definitely didn't feel I knew the daughter or husband too well - just the basic outlines of the husband being a really good man (same as the grandad) and the daughter was...also there. The fiancée/husband also got drawn in mostly broad strokes. The Great Aunt got a little more personality and it seems there were some interesting stories in the family's past that we only find out when it's needed to move the plot forward, even if Imogene hints at some troubles. We also meet a side character called Ida that seems like she might spice up the story a bit, but she shows up a few times and never stays for long, before getting shoved aside for the rest of the book. We meet some characters from the Agricultural Society, but they weren't really necessary - they offer a tiny bit of a roadblock. It took a really long time and a bunch of repeated stupid decisions for the story to get going. The book's title implies there are fairies, as does the family history - but it sure takes long enough for them to play much part in anything.
I liked a few of the ideas in the book, but I just generally didn't enjoy reading it. I felt like I was waiting to get to the good stuff for almost the entire book. And then it wasn't much of a payoff. Clearly other people enjoyed it, so I guess I just don't mesh with this author well. In the back of the book was a first chapter of another book, by another author that said 'if you like this book, try this one'. And I wasn't sure I liked this book all that well - but I did go ahead and mark that other book after reading the chapter. Perhaps that author will be more my speed.
I liked a few of the ideas in the book, but I just generally didn't enjoy reading it. I felt like I was waiting to get to the good stuff for almost the entire book. And then it wasn't much of a payoff. Clearly other people enjoyed it, so I guess I just don't mesh with this author well. In the back of the book was a first chapter of another book, by another author that said 'if you like this book, try this one'. And I wasn't sure I liked this book all that well - but I did go ahead and mark that other book after reading the chapter. Perhaps that author will be more my speed.
April 3, 2023
THE FAIRY BARGAINS OF PROSPECT HILL by Rowenna Miller is an enchanting tale that blends folklore, fantasy, and mystery. Set in a world where the Fae exist just beyond the veil, the story follows Alaine Fairborn and her sister Delphine, who use their knowledge of small bargains with the Fae to buy themselves favours. Bargaining with Fae can be tricky and can cost more than you are ready to pay.
Miller's writing is beautifully descriptive, evoking a strong sense of place and character. The author skillfully weaves together the mundane and the magical, making the fantastical elements feel grounded in reality. Alaine and Delphine are compelling protagonists who demonstrate strength, resilience, and love for one another. The book's pace was sluggish at first, but picked up in the second half, becoming more engaging and compelling. THE FAIRY BARGAINS OF PROSPECT HILL will appeal to fans of fairy tales, fantasy, and historical fiction.
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May 25, 2023
The family relationships in this are so well done.
Review to come. I was given a review copy by the publisher
Review to come. I was given a review copy by the publisher
April 10, 2023
Когато за мен 2023 година започна с Emily Wilde's Encyclopedia of Faeiries на Heather Fawcett, нямах представа, че отново ще се срещна с темата за феите. Този път в The Fairy Bargains of Prospect Hill на Rowenna Miller. И онова, което в детството ми беше увлекателно убеждение, че под листата на ягодите и сред цветовете набожура в градината живеят малки вълшебни същества, по - късно се насочи като интерес към Ирландските легенди за народа на феите. Сега съм повече от щастлива да се отдавам на любопитството за съществуването на магически същества чрез книги като Irish Fairy and Folk Tales, Poems of the Irish People, Emily Wilde's Encyclopedia of Faeiries или Fairy Bargains of Prospect Hill.
Новелата на Rowenna Miller е пълна с фолклорни препратки. От детски песнички, през сказания о�� възрастни хора до стихове като “The Stolen Child " на Уилям Бътлър Йейтс , всичко насочва към убеждението, че малките горски хора съществат. И че всички сделки, които хората от край време сключват с тях, обикновено са изгодни и за двете страни. Освен в случаите, когато не са.
Случаи на неправилно желание, неточно спазарена сделка, опит за измама или прекаляване с исканията могат да обърнат съдбата. Тогава цената, която хората се налага да платят, е твърде висока. И носи съжаление до края на живота.
Като не си сигурен в това, което правиш, по - добре не се захващай! Или внимавай какво си пожелаваш, защото не можеш да му платиш цената! А когато искаш нещо, трябва да знаеш, че може да се сбъдне! Това и други народни истини, които сме чували неведнъж от възрастни хора, са на всяка страница в The Fairy Bargains of Prospect Hill. Книга, пълна с реалността на ежедневието ни и с отчаяните методи, до които прибягваме в стремежа си да си измолим късмет там, където обикновеното трудолюбие и упоритост не са достатъчни. Много преди да се появи религията, хората са вярвали в онова, което влияе на съществуванието им. А именно природните сили. И сега, 2000 години след раждането на Христос, в самата си същност човечеството е езичник. Все още прави пеперуди за дъжд, все още бере билки по росата, закача пелин и орехови клонки по вратите в Русалската седмица и се бои от феи, весталки, самодиви и русалки. Непознатата сила на природата, която може да е щедра, любезна, но и жестока и непредвидима, все още ни владее. И след още 2000 години паленето на свещи пред икони в църквата няма да ни спре да вярваме в духовете, закрилящи дома ни и във феите при липата, от които можем да измолим помощ срещу нещо свое. Защото ако не вярваме във вълшебства, няма да можем да живеем в реалността!
* " The laws of Fae won’t break the laws of Man, but the laws of Man may bend to Fae."
—Folk saying
Новелата на Rowenna Miller е пълна с фолклорни препратки. От детски песнички, през сказания о�� възрастни хора до стихове като “The Stolen Child " на Уилям Бътлър Йейтс , всичко насочва към убеждението, че малките горски хора съществат. И че всички сделки, които хората от край време сключват с тях, обикновено са изгодни и за двете страни. Освен в случаите, когато не са.
Случаи на неправилно желание, неточно спазарена сделка, опит за измама или прекаляване с исканията могат да обърнат съдбата. Тогава цената, която хората се налага да платят, е твърде висока. И носи съжаление до края на живота.
Като не си сигурен в това, което правиш, по - добре не се захващай! Или внимавай какво си пожелаваш, защото не можеш да му платиш цената! А когато искаш нещо, трябва да знаеш, че може да се сбъдне! Това и други народни истини, които сме чували неведнъж от възрастни хора, са на всяка страница в The Fairy Bargains of Prospect Hill. Книга, пълна с реалността на ежедневието ни и с отчаяните методи, до които прибягваме в стремежа си да си измолим късмет там, където обикновеното трудолюбие и упоритост не са достатъчни. Много преди да се появи религията, хората са вярвали в онова, което влияе на съществуванието им. А именно природните сили. И сега, 2000 години след раждането на Христос, в самата си същност човечеството е езичник. Все още прави пеперуди за дъжд, все още бере билки по росата, закача пелин и орехови клонки по вратите в Русалската седмица и се бои от феи, весталки, самодиви и русалки. Непознатата сила на природата, която може да е щедра, любезна, но и жестока и непредвидима, все още ни владее. И след още 2000 години паленето на свещи пред икони в църквата няма да ни спре да вярваме в духовете, закрилящи дома ни и във феите при липата, от които можем да измолим помощ срещу нещо свое. Защото ако не вярваме във вълшебства, няма да можем да живеем в реалността!
* " The laws of Fae won’t break the laws of Man, but the laws of Man may bend to Fae."
—Folk saying
November 8, 2023
How can you make a book about bargaining with faes boring? Instead we got agriculture, blatant feminism and badly dealt domestic abuse.
there are some spoilers in my review if you actually care to read this book!
This book is 400 pages long; the first 200 pages is the blurb, the next 100 pages is the sisters trying to get rid of the man by making a deal with the fae and making things worse, the last 100 pages is the most boring rescue mission of all time. (I still think the way she rescued the girl made no sense whatsoever.)
I am actually offended by the fae origins here. I also don't understand how these sisters can be the heroes since they literally messed everything up (even messed up the fae realm). And she has the nerve to get mad when the fae accuse her. (How dare the proper lady be the villain instead of the fae woman?? The audacity of these fae folk)
Poor Jack. He was the only sensible character here but he is turned into a very minor side character since this is supposed to be a Feminist book and men should support the heroine while never questioning her choices because that's what real men do. (this man's kid was kidnapped by the fae because of her wife and sister in law and he doesn't even question it.) And why not throw into a F/F kiss since this is a Feminist book?
I am trying so hard to find something I enjoyed so I don't give this book a 1 star rating but unfortunately, I didn't even like the writing style. It was too wordy, and the pacing was so freaking slow.
This book is for people who love historical fiction but want a bit of magic.
I'll just go and reread Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries to cleanse my brain.
there are some spoilers in my review if you actually care to read this book!
This book is 400 pages long; the first 200 pages is the blurb, the next 100 pages is the sisters trying to get rid of the man by making a deal with the fae and making things worse, the last 100 pages is the most boring rescue mission of all time. (I still think the way she rescued the girl made no sense whatsoever.)
I am actually offended by the fae origins here. I also don't understand how these sisters can be the heroes since they literally messed everything up (even messed up the fae realm). And she has the nerve to get mad when the fae accuse her. (How dare the proper lady be the villain instead of the fae woman?? The audacity of these fae folk)
Poor Jack. He was the only sensible character here but he is turned into a very minor side character since this is supposed to be a Feminist book and men should support the heroine while never questioning her choices because that's what real men do. (this man's kid was kidnapped by the fae because of her wife and sister in law and he doesn't even question it.) And why not throw into a F/F kiss since this is a Feminist book?
I am trying so hard to find something I enjoyed so I don't give this book a 1 star rating but unfortunately, I didn't even like the writing style. It was too wordy, and the pacing was so freaking slow.
This book is for people who love historical fiction but want a bit of magic.
I'll just go and reread Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries to cleanse my brain.
March 26, 2023
DNF around 15%
I normally try to give books more of a chance but I was bored to tears and could feel this sending me to a reading slump. I looked at other reviews to see how much of a slow build up this had and I just can’t keep going.
Thanks Netgalley and Redhook Books for providing this ARC to me.
I normally try to give books more of a chance but I was bored to tears and could feel this sending me to a reading slump. I looked at other reviews to see how much of a slow build up this had and I just can’t keep going.
Thanks Netgalley and Redhook Books for providing this ARC to me.
May 9, 2023
There's something odd, and a little frightening about the woods bordering the lands on Prospect Hill. The land of the Fae borders the human world here, and for years, the farmers on Prospect Hill have made small trades, or bargains, with the Fae to ensure anything from luck in a meeting to a good harvest.
As time passed and life became more mechanized, fewer people believed in the bargains. Alaine and her younger sister Delphine still do, however, though Alaine is the regular maker of bargains with the Fae to ensure the plentiful harvests from the family's orchard every year, while Delphine looks to the possibility of a different life off the farm, in the town of Perry's Landing as the wife of an influential man.
Both sisters are very different. Alaine is down to earth and totally practical, with full responsibility for the family's orchard business. She also decides to run for the position of president of an agricultural society, something welcomed by some of the members, and hated by others. Alaine feels that she can manage everything through hard work, and just the right bargain with the Fae to nudge situations in her favour.
Delphine, on the other hand, is artistic, a bit of a dreamer, and eager to leave her rustic background behind her, and looks forward to becoming a vital part of the Perry's Landing's wealthy set. She still maintains a connection to her Prospect Hill legacy after moving, in that she, too, makes small, regular bargains with the Fae to ensure some small measure of control in her marriage, even before she discovers that her marriage is utterly wrong for her. Delphine's mother-in-law and sister-in-law look down on her farming origins, and her husband sees her as only useful for arranging gatherings for his business and political dealings. Then, Delphine realizes that her husband is actually abusive, which she attempts to conceal from Alaine, which fails.
Alaine decides that a fairy bargain is the way to handle Delphine's situation, and things go predictably wrong. Alaine sees her previous small bargains and desired results as successes, and arrogantly believes she can control the terms of whatever bigger bargains she makes. Things start to go wrong, then something terrible happens, requiring both sisters to reassess their assumptions about themselves, each other, and the bargains they've been blithely making for years.
Rowenna Miller takes her time at the book's outset to lay the groundwork for the sisters' lives and dreams, so that one has a clear idea of what is at stake when Alaine begins relying increasingly on a supernatural fix to all problems. When things begin going off the rails, we feel for both women, and appreciate how complicated and loving their relationship is, thanks to Miller's careful character development. It's what makes this book so engaging. It's also pretty dark in parts; i.e., when Delphine decides to deal with the outcome of a bargain gone bad. We get a harrowing trip into a dead landscape, full of heartless and frightening beings, and get a better understanding of the connection between Prospect Hill and the Fae's world.
This is a richly textured and enchanting book, and well worth the read.
Thank you to Netgalley and to Redhook Books for this ARC in exchange for my review.
As time passed and life became more mechanized, fewer people believed in the bargains. Alaine and her younger sister Delphine still do, however, though Alaine is the regular maker of bargains with the Fae to ensure the plentiful harvests from the family's orchard every year, while Delphine looks to the possibility of a different life off the farm, in the town of Perry's Landing as the wife of an influential man.
Both sisters are very different. Alaine is down to earth and totally practical, with full responsibility for the family's orchard business. She also decides to run for the position of president of an agricultural society, something welcomed by some of the members, and hated by others. Alaine feels that she can manage everything through hard work, and just the right bargain with the Fae to nudge situations in her favour.
Delphine, on the other hand, is artistic, a bit of a dreamer, and eager to leave her rustic background behind her, and looks forward to becoming a vital part of the Perry's Landing's wealthy set. She still maintains a connection to her Prospect Hill legacy after moving, in that she, too, makes small, regular bargains with the Fae to ensure some small measure of control in her marriage, even before she discovers that her marriage is utterly wrong for her. Delphine's mother-in-law and sister-in-law look down on her farming origins, and her husband sees her as only useful for arranging gatherings for his business and political dealings. Then, Delphine realizes that her husband is actually abusive, which she attempts to conceal from Alaine, which fails.
Alaine decides that a fairy bargain is the way to handle Delphine's situation, and things go predictably wrong. Alaine sees her previous small bargains and desired results as successes, and arrogantly believes she can control the terms of whatever bigger bargains she makes. Things start to go wrong, then something terrible happens, requiring both sisters to reassess their assumptions about themselves, each other, and the bargains they've been blithely making for years.
Rowenna Miller takes her time at the book's outset to lay the groundwork for the sisters' lives and dreams, so that one has a clear idea of what is at stake when Alaine begins relying increasingly on a supernatural fix to all problems. When things begin going off the rails, we feel for both women, and appreciate how complicated and loving their relationship is, thanks to Miller's careful character development. It's what makes this book so engaging. It's also pretty dark in parts; i.e., when Delphine decides to deal with the outcome of a bargain gone bad. We get a harrowing trip into a dead landscape, full of heartless and frightening beings, and get a better understanding of the connection between Prospect Hill and the Fae's world.
This is a richly textured and enchanting book, and well worth the read.
Thank you to Netgalley and to Redhook Books for this ARC in exchange for my review.
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