The Swan’s Daughter by Roshani Chokshi “Hush Manor was built upon clouds.” Demelza lives in this castle as the youngest daughter of both a powerful wizard and a veritas swan. “Veritas swans were breathtakingly beautiful women” who told the truth and could compel others to as well. But they also have a tragic weakness. Once…
Tag: patricia mckillip
“Winter Rose” Book Discussion and Apple Blackberry Pie Bites Recipe
Winter Rose by Patricia A. McKillip “I walked through a storm and fell asleep in an empty house; when I woke there was a dead man beside me…” Two sisters are preparing for harvest to end and winter to arrive, one is engaged to a farmer, and one is as wild as the autumn winds…
“The Changeling Sea” Book Discussion and Blue Moon Orange Cupcakes
The Changeling Sea by Patricia McKillip Periwinkle’s father disappeared in his little row boat out to sea, an event which also caused her mother to lose both heart and mind to the sea. Though only a maid at the local inn, Peri decides to try hexing the sea using what she remembers from the elderly…
Smoke and Mirrors: A jack-in-the-box, trolls, vampires, and twisted fairytales
Neil Gaiman’s Smoke and Mirrors is a book of short stories written over the course of several decades, and the stories, while all carrying some element of sci fi, also span various genres from horror, to romance, to corrupted manipulations of childhood fairy tales and figures. In only 100 words, Gaiman obliterates our childhood perceptions…
“Wonders of the Invisible World” Book Discussion and Apple Cider Scones with Cider-Infused Strawberries Recipe
Wonders of the Invisible World: a kelpie, an undine, and 12 dancing princesses A time traveler with angel’s wings sent to manipulate the past, a kelpie: part-horse river creature who carries women on its back and drowns them in the deep water, a haunted wood where the young boy in a long-dead family invites a…
“Alphabet of Thorn” Book Discussion and Strawberry Oat Scones Recipe
Alphabet of Thorn by Patricia McKillip On a seaside cliff near a castle which houses the kingdom’s library, a baby girl was left to be raised by the old librarians. The girl’s name was Nepenthe. While translating a book whose language was written in fish and similar tokens, when she is told of an ancient…