Staff Pick
A bobble here, for fair weather. A trinket there, to find something lost. These bargains are simple; these bargains are safe. But when the family orchard is on the brink of insolvency, when the fabric of society is on the cusp of upheaval, when the safety of your dearest loved one is on the line — how do you articulate what you truly need? And where the fae are concerned, how can you be certain you can bear the price? I was enchanted and startled by this fairy tale from beginning to end. Set against a backdrop of industrial excess, labor conflict, and women’s suffrage, Rowenna Miller has crafted a story whose themes are as timeless as the fae themselves. Recommended By Brandon S., Powells.com
Synopses & Reviews
"A deftly spun tale of folklore and sisterhood, of fairy bargains and family bonds." ― Rebecca Ross
On Prospect Hill, you can get nearly anything you want from the Fae — if you know how to ask and if you can pay the price.
There is no magic on Prospect Hill — or anywhere else, for that matter. But just on the other side of the veil is the world of the Fae. Generations ago, the first farmers on Prospect Hill learned to bargain small trades to make their lives a little easier — a bit of glass to find something lost, a cup of milk for better layers in the chicken coop.
Much of that old wisdom was lost as the riverboats gave way to the rail lines and the farmers took work at mills and factories. Alaine Fairborn's family, however, was always superstitious, and she still hums the rhymes to find a lost shoe and to ensure dry weather on her sister's wedding day.
When Delphine confides her new husband is not the man she thought he was, Alaine will stop at nothing to help her sister escape him. Small bargains buy them time, but a major one is needed. Yet, the price for true freedom may be more than they're willing to pay.
Praise for The Fairy Bargains of Prospect Hill:
"A warm-hearted yet fierce fairy tale around the bonds of sisterhood." ― H. G. Parry
"Brimming with folk magic and delightfully sinister hidden worlds. Truly enchanting." ― Leslye Penelope
"A beautifully written tale of feminine power, sisterly devotion, and magic as old as the hills themselves." ― Louisa Morgan
For more from Rowenna Miller, check out:
The Unraveled Kingdom
Torn
Fray
Rule
Review
"A cozy, atmospheric historical fantasy." — Paste Magazine
Review
"Miller seamlessly blends historical fiction and fantasy to create this enchanting tale of two sisters. The book is awash in period details as well as a vivid fantasy world, but Miller never loses sight of the sisters' relationship that sits at the heart of the story." — Booklist
Review
"A bold story of sisterhood, societal expectations, and the lengths women may be willing to travel for love and freedom. Fans of Alix E. Harrow's The Once and Future Witches will find this fierce and folkloric tale a terrific read." — Library Journal
About the Author
Rowenna Miller lives in the Midwest with her husband and daughters, as well as several cats, two goats, and an ever-growing flock of chickens. When she isn't inventing fantasy worlds, she teaches writing, trespasses while hiking, and gets into trouble with her sewing machine.