Faerie Wars

In Faerie Wars, Herbie Brennan introduces us to young Henry. Fond of his mechanical toys, quite happy with his quiet life at home, Henry has some big changes ahead that will make him see many things differently.

Henry works for old Mr. Fogarty, helping to clean up his house full of oddments and listening to his paranoid ranting about the CIA, conspiracies and UFO’s. While everyone, including Henry, thinks Mr. Fogarty to be a bit off in the head, he’s almost certainly just a harmless old man who’s good with bits of machinery and pays on time. Or is he?

After some life-changing shocks at home, Henry tries to take solace in working for the old man by clearing out the backyard near his shed. He finds more than he bargained for when he rescues what he thinks to be a butterfly from Fogarty’s cat, Hodge. What he’s found isn’t a butterfly, but a fairy. But they don’t exist, do they?

Herbie Brennan has crafted a fun, young adult adventure in which he’s hidden in plain view, quite a few simple ideals and morals. I found it refreshing to read a fun ‘fish out of water’ fantasy that takes that often used cliché to another level. Each main character goes through a bit of adapting to a new environment. The difference here is that they are all exploring a different environment. Henry must deal with the changes at home. Pyrgus the fairy is dealing with two different realms, both connected to his own but otherwise unknown. Holly, Pyrgus’ sister explores the underside of her own realm, and Mr. Fogarty has encountered a realm that he always knew was there but could never get anyone to believe in. Their various misadventures are all connected and all important. By the end of this first installment of the series, we have a steadfast group of friends brought closer by their new knowledge of their worlds and themselves.

While some readers may find certain scenes a bit disturbing, including a shotgun incident, torture and a live secret ingredient; I wouldn’t say it is too dark for young adults. I would recommend this to any Young Adult Fantasy fan and I will myself be looking out for the second in the Faerie Wars Chronicles.

The cover art is a bit misleading, showing a full sized Pyrgus with wings. The cover artist was either playing loose with the facts for art’s sake or had not been fully versed in the characters’ appearances. This is a Tor reprint of a book published originally in April of 2003.