Plum Duff

Greenwing & Dart #6

by Victoria Goddard

Magic is out of fashion.
Except, obviously, at Winterturn.

Winterturn in Ragnor Bella is a holiday for family, feasting, and a few religious festivities.

Jemis Greenwing and Mr. Dart are both quite ready for a quiet week or two after their adventures going to and coming home from Orio City. Jemis in particular is looking forward to the first Winterturn spent with his father since he was a child.

Then the fairy fox shows up.

Wild magic. Family secrets. Gifts from unknown admirers. Sainthood. And that's before the pageant.

Genres: Fantasy, Fiction, Mystery, Magic, Dragons, High Fantasy, Science Fiction Fantasy

288 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 21, 2021

About the author

I walked across England in 2013, fulfilling a long-held dream. I'm currently the sexton of an Anglican church in Nova Scotia, which means I am keeper of the keys and opener of doors (and shutter-off of alarms). I have a PhD in medieval studies from the University of Toronto, looking at poetry and philosophy in the works of Dante and Boethius -- both the poetry and the philosophy come into my stories a great deal (and occasionally the Dante and the Boethius).

I like writing about the ordinary lives of magical people on the other side of the looking glass ... and the extraordinary deeds of ordinary folk, too. Three of my favourite authors are Patricia McKillip (especially 'The Riddle-Master of Hed' trilogy and 'The Bell at Sealy Head'), Connie Willis ('Bellwether' and 'To Say Nothing of the Dog,' which latter would make my top-ten books on a desert island), and Lois McMaster Bujold ('The Curse of Chalion' and its sequels).

Reviews

[Rdar · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read the Greenwing & Dart series in quick succession over the past month, so I had come to recognize and appreciate how different books draw on different narrative tropes and styles. This one is set during the Winter Solstice holiday season, and the plot is based on that, but it's much much more than a "your favourite characters celebrate xmas-ish cozy Holiday Special." - More like a Doctor Who holiday special adventure, rather than sitcom special or "heartwarming made-for-tv xmas movie." Argh, I can't find the right words here.

With its winter solstice riddles, quests, strange apparitions, traditions, and gifts, this reminded me somewhat of "The Dark Is Rising" in very good ways, although it been over three decades and a concussion or two since since I read that so I can't be sure or specific.

I appreciated how woven into the plot the "N days of Giftmas" theme was, the domestic traditions and the spiritual, that it was whimsical and deadly serious in balance.

This wasn't a book in which circumstances changed obviously and drastically in ways that would make headlines in New Salon, but it still felt like what happened was deeply important to those involved, relationships continued to grow and reveal without feeling forced, and the understanding of mythology/reality continued to deepen in very satisfying ways.

It feels like we're taking a moment for catching our breath and getting our feet under ourselves, building up to a series-climax, and it feels that this book weaves in a lot of setup for that, yet manages to be a very satisfying read in itself. I want to know what happens next, but I don't feel like I'm being forced to wait on the cliffhanger of an incomplete story.

Shortly after finishing this, I happened to read a different book set in a snowy setting leading up to winter solstice, which failed to convince me that the author has actually lived with snow the way their characters do in the book - it was particularly jarring compared to how realistic and relatable "life with snow" is depicted by Victoria Goddard in "Love-in-a-mist" and "Plum Duff", how much axial tilt actually matters in such a climate (how long "the longest night" actually is and how short the days feel, how daily life and travel is affected from season to season based on the length of days and not just weather), how long it takes to dig out from a blizzard, how bright (yet not too bright) moonlight on snow is, and the nature of slush. (My own Canadian basis of comparison: I'm from Newfoundland, living in PEI.)

I also liked the knitting accuracy, as I have come across some suspension-of-disbelief failures in other books about that recently, too, although that's not nearly as important and as central to this plot as the nature of winter. I appreciated it anyway, as I am often knitting while reading!

[Alexa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book felt like a bit of a break after the dangers and adventures of the last two! *pointed look* Well. If only one life-threatening situation counts as a break? Or perhaps two. ANYWAY this was a calmer book and all the more lovely for it. There was family bonding time! Knitting! Holiday festivities! Our best boy Jemis has grown considerably over the last several books, which is good considering the size, stakes, and scope of the dangers awaiting him. I am very, very eagerly awaiting the next installment in this series. (What am I supposed to do in the meantime???? ;-;)

[Marjorie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was thinking 3.5 stars, but since I blazed through all 6 1/2 books in the series in 8 days, they must have been engrossing and fun to read, and that's at least a 4. As promised, they deliver magic and derring-do, friendship and character development, and humor, in pleasing proportions. My only quibble is, the world is so British, from its mythology to its society to its landscapes and food, even to the appearance of the characters - blue-eyed redheads abound. Not that there's anything wrong with the world; it's well-built and interesting and beautifully written; I just feel like I've been in a lot of similar places before. One the many delights of Goddard's Hands of the Emperor and its series is the freshness of the settings: both the Palace and the Vangevaye-ve keep presenting details that make me rethink my mental images of them.

In the later books the two series begin intertwining in interesting ways, and since both of them seem decidedly unfinished, I look forward with pleasure to whatever comes next.

[Kiwi Carlisle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautiful book that will appeal to fans of Susan Cooper. It’s very moving in places, but features the same mischief and puzzles as earlier books. I hope that more of the same will be coming our way. There are strong hints of more adventures for the intrepid pair. I want to read them!

[Mimi Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love having Jemis and Dart back home!

Lots of movement on the personal front, with Jemis and Dart’s friendship, both of them coming into their own, but also broadly with the villagers. So many wonderful scenes between characters - the gift-giving throughout topping it off!

Otherwise this book introduced a lot of fantasy and story elements for the future - between the Good Neighbors (the Fae), the Lord, saints, many new riddles, and more.

It’s been a few years since this book came out, and I can see why the author claims much needs to be carefully plotted out for the entire series before continuing. Many factions and conflicts have been introduced (the political struggle between cartels and the Lady of Alinor, reclamation of magic in society, the missing Lord, the Fae, the struggle with the Dark Cult, Jemis’s beloved revolutions,…) It will be quite a feat to fit it all together - not to mention the weaving of other series in this world, where at least a few characters from here feature more prominently.

So, I will try to be patient! It’s been quite a ride, discovering so many stories by this author to love.

[Robbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yet more set-up for something bigger. There's less of a coherent story to this and the ending is much less an actual ending of any kind than to the previous novel. There's also a lot of effort to more explicitly tie this in with some of the other novels; going beyond the mere hints that were dropped before. It's pretty much just more moving characters into place and having Greenwing and Dart come into their strengths and abilities as they might apply to the grand fight that is simmering in the background of these stories. It doesn't resolve anything that's already been brought up, but adds a few more mysteries and potential subquests to the increasingly byzantine background plot. Though it is fun to read, I can't help but wish that the author had written longer books and did a traditional trilogy to play out the overarching plot or at least had given this one a plot that went beyond Jemis wandering around discovering things about himself and those around him.

[Eric · Rating 4 out of 5]

Things continue to heat up for Mr. Greenwing and Mr. Dart. Goddard adds even more lore to legends of "The Lady" and her comrades. Riddle after riddle, Mr. Greenwing is seeing his future task. Time for him to rally allies.

According to Goddard's FAQ page, book seven of this series may see a release this year. From Mr. Dart's prospective, ten books may be necessary to complete the saga. As I've mentioned before, Goddard has a lot of tales in the works. No end in sight for any of the current crop yet. Not to worry, though, each tale has good closure and there is background provided in each book to keep the reader current.

Story telling at its finest.

[Kate Turner · Rating 4 out of 5]

the highest compliment i can give this book is that it reminds me of the dark is rising. it's a christmas story (in the way of fantasy soltice-inflected stories that are really about christmas) and also a story about ancient and malicious fairies, and about midwinter, and about holly keeping the dark out. there is a fox with mysterious pronouncements and fairy food and the wild hunt, not to mention the setup for the series to move to an entirely new stage of things, all of which i am really, really excited for. loved this one, rocketed through it as much as i did the rest, and i cannot wait to see what happens next (though i suspect some detours along the way as goddard swerves a little to write about cliopher and the red company).

[Alicia · Rating 4 out of 5]

https://wordnerdy.blogspot.com/2021/1...
https://wordnerdy.blogspot.com/2023/0...

As usual, Goddard totally subverts my expectations of where she’s going with this series, as most of the plot here involves Greenwing and Dart getting ready to celebrate their winter holidays with their families and friends. But the stakes are raised yet again! Along the way we get more insight into their religion, several kittens are named, a unicorn gets a sweater, there are a lot of hugs, and I can’t wait to see what happens next. A/A-.

[Olosta · Rating 5 out of 5]

Started with a weakish 4, ended in a strong 5. I'm so looking forward to the next volume!!

[Claire · Rating 5 out of 5]

Still the most gorgeous cozy read but the stakes are getting higher. The long game is becoming clear.

[Blind Mapmaker · Rating 5 out of 5]

5.0 Volume 6 really was everything I could have asked for. Things are finally coming together and I am coming to terms with the fact that this is the craziest mash-up of cosy, political intrigue, friendship, supernatural powers and making the world safe(r). Victoria Goddard really manages to put it all together in a pleasing way. It certainly makes up for all the rough edges in some of the previous volumes. I like how the feel of the individual books match the state of mind of the protagonist. Really well done.

[Tanya · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was coming to have some understanding of why I might be afflicted by everything always happening to me. Part of it was surely my longstanding friendship with Mr Dart, whose magic would be seeking ways out into the world.
And part of it was apparently because I'd been cursed by a fairy whom my mother had for whatever reason not invited to my christening. [loc. 676]

Winterturn in notoriously dull Ragnor Bella: snow is falling, greenery is gathered, and solstice traditions that keep the dark at bay are, perhaps, rather less metaphorical than usual. Plum Duff feels more ... epic, perhaps, than earlier novels in the Greenwing and Dart series. There is a lost god; there are several saints; the Hunter in the Green appears (and this one is definitely a divinity, not a cosplayer); there are visions of the legendary past, and a siege by the powers of darkness. Also, Jemis is literally a fairytale princess.

I did enjoy this, but not quite as much as the cosier, more mannerist novels earlier in the series. Jemis is still solving puzzles, of course (I especially liked the scene where he diffidently mentions to Mrs Etaris that he's guessed her secret identity) and Mr Dart is finally opening up about his magic and the events of the summer. The Gentry, or the Good Neighbours, or whatever you want to call them, are seldom seen but very much present in this novel: in stories about Jemis' christening, in Mr Dart's two-tailed fox friend, in the gifts of live birds left for Jemis, and in the siege of the Lady's chapel on the longest night. There is an increasingly important religious aspect to these novels. Plum Duff explores faith, spiritual experience, and the simplicity of grace: again, I'm reminded of Bujold's Five Gods, and Penric's personal relationship with his god.

And now, woe! I have run out of Greenwing and Dart... the seventh novel is due soon, though. Meanwhile, I have a little list of as-yet-unresolved plot threads, and am noticing that several relate to middle-aged women not being where they're supposed to be. Ingrid, Flora, Magistra Bellamy ...

NOVEMBER 2025:

.. it had been said -- it had been believed -- that much of the old, deep magic of Alinor before the coming of the Empire was gone.
The Fall of the Empire had made it clear that that magic was only quiescent... [Plum Duff, loc. 126]

Reread, because (as per the final line of my February 2023 review of Plum Duff) the seventh book in the series really is due soon... I note that on first reading, I found this wintry novel, full of solstice cheer and ancient traditions and the threat of the Dark, less enjoyable than the 'cosier, more mannerist' novels that preceded it. I do think it feels as though the scope of the story is expanding rapidly: but given the miracles and wonders of the previous pair of novels, that makes more sense to me this time around. And I'm more intrigued than before by the two-tailed fox, the hints of the Good Neighbours, and the penalty Mr Dart has paid for his stone arm.

[Joe Kessler · Rating 2 out of 5]

This series had been steadily improving, but this sixth volume -- the latest so far, barring a few spinoff short stories I haven't read yet -- feels like a step backwards for me. It is big on atmospheric winter comfort and overall cozy fantasy vibes, which is certainly author Victoria Goddard's forte, but there aren't enough stakes in any of the proceedings. That same writer's The Hands of the Emperor remains one of my all-time favorite books, so my complaint isn't precisely that nothing especially dramatic happens in this title or that the plot is too slow, both of which could be fairly lodged against that longer tome as well: it's that we aren't provided answers to the major questions that are posed, and there doesn't seem to be anything particularly driving the characters at this point. It's a noteworthy departure from the murder mystery that shapes the previous installment or the jailbreak in the one preceding that, to pick two relevant examples. And speaking of those earlier releases, we still don't know the location of Mrs. Dart (a matter raised in the latter) or Hope's given name (from the former), which are outstanding items this story completely neglects to address. It doesn't even satisfy its own riddles -- a mystical fox warns the protagonist early on to beware the false hunter, the false lover, and the false friend, and yet only the first of those incidents comes to pass before the end.

I do generally like the residents of Ragnor Bella and enjoy spending time with them. I loved Jemis finally putting together the clues behind Mrs. Etaris's true identity here, not to mention getting official permission to court the person he wants to. But the novel mostly consists of that hero being told things or else just thinking hard and then intuiting them, and its entire penultimate chapter involves his friends and family sitting around a hearthfire giving solstice presents to one another. Sadly, I need a little more bite out of my fiction than that.

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[Becca · Rating 4 out of 5]

Parts of this one are completely adorable, but it felt like the main plot didn't start until halfway through and then didn't resolve at all. Is she setting up for more books? I hope so! I want to make it at least as far as the scene in The Return of Fitzroy Angursell, which I think is at the next midsummer assizes.

I also need to mention that Jemis is clearly a more confident knitter than me-- he's willing to cast on a sweater in an unconventional shape without doing a lot of math first.

2023 reread: I liked this more on a reread, but I'm still miffed that all of the plans from book 5 seem to be coming to naught. Changing rating from 3 to 4 stars.

[Raj · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book picks up literally minutes after the last one ends, with Jemis and the gang picking up his grandmother's carriage from Master Boring's house to go home. However, before he gets there, he has yet another "encounter". Thankfully, this one is just a chat with the Wild Saint of the Arguty Forest before they get home, deposit the Darts and Hope, who came with them, at their home before Jemis returns to his.

This book mostly concerns Alinor's version of the winter holidays, and the various things that go on around then. We see the Wild Hunt trying to get at Jemis, we see a two-tailed fox with mysterious warnings, and the Hunter in the Green giving exposition on a new area of the mythology of the world that nobody knows about (or, at least, is able to remember).

Yet more questions and mysteries are thrown into the already expansive lists without getting much in the way of answers, which is starting to get a bit frustrating. With the scope of what's going on, I'm starting to wonder if Goddard has bitten off more than she can chew with this (at least without making the last few books in the series the size of The Hands of the Emperor).

This is the first book in the series where another of Jemis' classmates from university doesn't appear, which I'm sort of glad about, because it's been straining credulity with the regularity of meeting folk he knows. Also, there's quite enough going on without introducing yet more new strands.

Still, lots seems to be happening - the politics threads are starting to pull together a bit now, as the Lady is able to turn her attention to Orio City, but there's still an awful lot more to go. Honestly, I was finding the recaps of events in previous books a bit annoying, but I'd been reading them all in a chunk. I suspect by the time the next book comes around, I'll be glad of it.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Actual rating: 4.0

Finally, a moment for the characters to settle for literally a second to reflect on the wild shit that's happened the past (in world) month or two! This was SUCH a relief to read when I realized Jemis was finally taking a moment to talk about what's happened to him with the most important people in his life. I'd been waiting since WJ for him to finally get a chance to hang out with (character redacted) in a not life or death scenario, and luckily that only happened once this entire book, and it was resolved relatively fast. The long awaited conversation with Mrs. Etaris was also immensely satisfying. Above all, it started the previous book but this one really, FINALLY, solidified Mr. Dart being the secondary protagonist of the series for me, and it only took some really fun and satisfying feywild mystery shenanigans for it to happen. All the interactions with the god and fey creatures reminded me of parts I enjoyed the most in ROFA and ATFOTS, and it's wonderful to see Goddard finally coming into this series with the confidence and joy I could read in those, my favorite books by her I've read so far. I'm excited to start reading books outside G&D while I wait for book 7.

[Diantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm starting to sound like a broken record in this series, but I loved this one! It was not quite as action-packed as the previous ones, allowing a bit more time for reconnecting, reflecting and revelations. And with those three, it has everything. The reveal of Mrs Etaris (I am so fascinated by this character and am almost sad we discovered who she is... though there is much more to uncover), Jemis' spiritual journey, his joy in reuniting with his father, learning about his history and appreciating his community. And (accurately represented) knitting! And a unicorn! And knitting FOR a unicorn! And all of this set during the fantasy version of Christmas, which I personally have never felt a huge connection to, but this book made me want to love it. Honestly, this book felt like a warm hug.

[Nicole Luiken · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book right up until the end which kind of fizzled out. I'm quite puzzled, honestly. Perhaps the book got too long and had to be cut in half? Only one of the three warnings from the fox had yet come to pass and Jemis seemed on the brink of figuring out something important. I did like what happened at the end it just didn't feel like an "end"--there's nothing like the high action scenes of Whiskeyjack or Black Currant Fool. Perhaps it's just that this is more of a middle series book where the author is setting up dominoes she intends to knock down later. Anyhow I'm very intrigued by the intimation that Jemis (after his brush with death in book four) may now be a saint, and will be waiting for the next book in the series.

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely Christmassy entry in the Greenwing and Dart series. This is currently the last book out, which is good because though I enjoy these books I probably need a break in order to appreciate them properly.

This one was really nice and cosy, I liked the wintery feeling and the return to Ragnor Bella and the bookshop. I really loved the plays on the 12 Days of Christmas throughout the story, and I'm glad we're finally getting to see a little glimpse of the fairy world in the woods nearby. I definitely preferred the faster pace of the earliest books and could do without the very long digressions about religion, but it's still really enjoyable and I'll definitely pick up the next one when it comes out.

[Rosemary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely a Christmas novel, so odd to read in July but also as comforting as knitting a sweater for a unicorn. Most of Mr. Greenwing's friends have gathered for the Winterturn festivities, a few lingering questions raised by earlier adventures are answered, but mostly this is a much needed rest before his next adventures begin. For Mr. Greenwing and Mr. Dart now know who they are and (almost) what they are, and are ready to save the world. Just as soon as they finish charades by the fire, exchanging gifts, and eating a flaming plum duff. Oh, and dressing the unicorn in a cozy striped sweater.

[Fernanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

esse foi o livro mais calmo pro jemis e ainda assim teve muita insanidade pro coitado, até no descanso ele não tem descanso

mas preciso urgente saber quando vou ter mais greenwing & dart pois além de todas as outras coisas a ser resolvidas, esse livro introduziu o conflito principal e quero saber mais

e muito feliz que finalmente devolveram a caneta do jemis

"I stared at him. He met my eyes, quietly confident and fearless. No, not fearless. But with the absolute certainty that he could hold that line because we could hold the circle."

[Rhode PVD · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is more vibe than adventure. It’s midwinter with all the fables, mysteries and sense of magic (along with real magic) that brings. I skimmed portions, as Jemis is doing a lot of thinking about poems, history and geographies, we don’t have the knowledge to fully follow. But I thoroughly enjoyed the vibe anyway.

Note: this doesn’t end like a final book in a series. It feels like a middle book, a restorative pause before the adventure picks backup again.

[Amelia]

I have been reading this series for the past month and a half, and I'm not sure what I'm going to do next!.

I really enjoyed it, but it's quirky, and kind of oddly paced. Normally, a series of this length would cover years, but this one happens over the course of about four months, which meant that I didn't want to pause at all between books.

Anyway, I think I need to take a break and read something else for a little bit before diving into the next Victoria Goddard series!

[Amelia · Rating 5 out of 5]

And this is why I can't quit Victoria Goddard's books. I really did not enjoy the previous instalment, but she's immediately back in excellent form here. Mr Dart is acting like himself again after the last book's incomprehensible personality transplant, we're back in Ragnor Bella with the core cast of characters, mysteries are abounding, there's a baby unicorn. We're slooooowly starting to link up with the Hands Of The Emperor timeline. And most important of all: more time with Mrs Etaris <3

[Maja · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this world and these characters, even if this again is largely exposition. It seems like this series is drawing closer and closer to one final big battle, but at what pace is anyone's guess. I really wish I just knew how many books it's going to be, because it would make it easier to expect installments like this, who do not resolve anything but only open up the mystery further.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely superb. The plot was quiet this time, a slow working through and weaving together of where it will lead us next. And gave us, the reader and the characters, a chance to process some of the emotional beats from the past few books. I adored this one and I'm absolutely bereft I don't have another one to read immediately.

[Jennybeast · Rating 5 out of 5]

Aaaaaaaah! This series! It just keeps following such a weird and winding road. I love it. It continues for a while in the general unfolding of a potential revolution.... and then it all goes religious, and I love it -- both the fey aspects and the strange new quest that seems to be coming. Love it, love it, love it. Very much a cozy winter traditions and joyful celebration of relationships.

[Sharondblk · Rating 4 out of 5]

This can't be the last book in series. It just can't. It raises more questions, answers few of them and we need the chance to see Ballory become a big unicorn.As a knitter I got extra enjoyment from this book for the wonderful knitting descriptions. I just need some of the threads to start coming together, rather than more and more being added.

[Lucy Cummin · Rating 4 out of 5]

From his experience in Orio prison, Jemis, Mr. Greenwing is changed, and he learns gradually how much so. And Perry, Mr. Dart in the previous book also has come into his own. They have a lot to learn, but they discover how much support they do have. The larger context of the story unfolds . . .
****