It was also nice to see a different take on the Fae. Sometimes, you really need to turn your brain off and just have a good time. It set the expectations of Urban Fantasy pretty high when it comes to entertainment value, but kept the literary pretensions out of the mix. It’s a fun, pretty indulgent, fairy tale come to life. I also appreciate that The War for the Oaks isn’t trying to be anything it isn’t. Dialogue was solid throughout, and though the ending was a little cliched, it probably wasn’t in 1987. I loved every minute with this story and felt that the setting development of Minneapolis was very well done. But, it was no less engrossing because of it. There was a slightly racially insensitive moment in which Eddi “pulls at the corners of her eyes to see what she’d look like if she were Chinese” that was mostly jarring because why did that line make it through editing? And dear lord the clothes. The lack of cell phones really stood out to me, because there were a few situations Eddi found herself in that only happened because she couldn’t contact someone unless she was home or used a payphone. Released in 1987, it’s older than I am, and you can definitely tell. I was worried about this book holding up over the years. He’s a trickster, adorable, witty as all get out, and posted up at Eddi’s apartment until further notice to protect her from their enemies, the Unseelie Court. The Phouka is a Fae who looks like Prince by day and can turn to a dog at will. So, the Seelie Court sends a literal guard dog.

And she will be a target, no matter her opinions on the matter. With her on the battlefield the Fae will be rendered mortal, and their wounds will be deadly.

The Seelie Court has selected her to be their bound mortal. But a terrifying encounter with fairy tale creatures on the midnight streets of Minneapolis leaves Eddi caught up in a war she knew nothing about. So she leaves the band, and him, taking the drummer with her.īreaking up is hard to do, so it was already a rough night. Too drunk to play his parts, and too busy pissing off bar managers to get their shitty band another gig. The War for the Oaks won the Locus Magazine award for Best First Novel in 1988, and I can definitely see why.Įddi McCandry is sick of her boyfriend and frontman Stuart. First stop on my Urban Fantasy tour is the book that’s credited with spearheading the genre.

War for the oaks