Fantasy Romance, paperback, 244pp.
I love Ms. Holly’s unapologetic, in-your-face, style of writing. Xishi Huon’s (heroine of this paranormal romantica) feelings of loneliness, and of “not belonging” are certainly easy to identify with, and her feelings are due to being forcibly separated from the only friend she knew, Corum Midarri (hero of this tale), and placed in an orphanage. Once there, the orphanage discourages the other children from befriending her— as if she was a monster.
Xishi, however, is someone everyone struggles to be— a warm, loving person who struggles to not give into her despair. It’s almost like she’s a grown-up Pollyanna. Xishi fights and stands for justice, and she is a loyal friend who does as much as she can to see her friends safe and happy. Xishi is also a person of integrity, and she will not be moved to do less than what honor demands.
Corum, like Xishi, is a force of nature to be reckoned with. He resents his mother’s interference in his life, and is uncertain of his relationship with his own father. As a result, again like Xishi, Corum is a person of integrity, and he fights to live by his own rules and refuses to be manipulated into doing less than his honor demands. Corum reminds me of most the characters that John Wayne has played in many movies— gruff on the outside, creamy marshmallow on the inside.
A most excellent read, and I look forward to reading “Fairyville” next.
