March 26, 2012

The Crowfield Curse

By Pat Walsh
Rating: 4 1/4 stars


In the year 1348, after losing his family in a fire, Will lives in Crowfield Abbey with the monks. He has been taken in basically as free slave labor to work for the abbey, which is made bearable only by Brother Snail, who is kind to him.  Otherwise, Will's existence is not enough food and never being warm enough.  Then one day, Will finds a creature caught in a trap that he has never seen before; it is a hobgoblin.  Will saves the strange creature, amazed that it can speak to him.  The hob becomes his friend and tells Will he has the Sight.  And this is only the beginning of the strange things that happen to Will.  A Jacobus Bone and his odd servant Shadlok come to stay at the abbey and they are looking for...something...that has been rumored to have been buried many years ago nearby.  They wish to find what they are looking for before the Unseelie King does.  Will's newfound ability involves him in their schemes, but what does a simple boy have to do with fey creatures and immortals and angels?  The medieval setting is gritty and bleak and adds a lot to the story.  A great twist on a fantasy.  Fans can follow up with the equally good Crowfield Demon.