War for the Oaks - Emma Bull

Rating: 4
Read for: TBR challenge

Another book that seemed to have passed me by, this was given to me by a bookloving friend who after I gave him The Book of Lost Things, thought it would be right up my alley. How right he was.

War for the Oaks is an odd book that seems to have joined if not begun the urban fantasy category of books. The story of a rock musician who becomes embroiled in the battle between the two realms of Faerie, whilst attempting to reorganise her own shambles of a life. War for the Oaks is most definitely set in the modern day, in Minneapolis nonetheless, with rock music pervading every chapter.

Eddi McCandry quits her rock band and breaks up with her boyfriend, only to discover that she has been chosen to act as mortal overseer of the battle between the Faerie Seelie and Unseelie Courts. Until the battle commences, Eddi is assigned the phouka, a shapeshifting prankster faerie, as her bodyguard, to keep her safe from the evil Unseelie Court and its ruler, the Queen of Air and Darkness. Eddi finds the phouka insufferable and more than once it occurs to her to flee him and his protection, leaving behind the responsibilities of her role in the battle. But it becomes clear that the phouka has other motives for his involvement in Eddi's life.

While awaiting the battle, Eddie forms another band with her best friend and drummer, Carla, and meets the quiet Hedge, and the mysterious Willy Silver who she finds herself irresistably drawn to. The theme of music runs throughout the story and becomes vital in the final battle between the Courts. The phouka is probably my favourite character. Annoying yet chivalrous, deadly and seductive, you can never really guess what he will do next.

I did not love this book from the start, it took me a while to sink into the story. Bull's writing is not dazzling, but she has a musician's gift with words, evocative and intense, slowly drawing you into this little world she has created. I would be interested to hear her music. But what I loved most about this book is all the nods to British Folklore: phouka, glaistig, brownie and redcaps. The Seelie and Unseelie Courts are Faerie as I remember from folklore, but transported into the modern world of the United States. The meld of the two is not seemless, and I was left with many questions, but it is most definitely an entertaining and gripping story. I'll certainly never look at a rock gig the same way ever again!

Other blog reviews:
Valentina's Room