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Lychford #1
Witches of Lychford
Traveler, Cleric, Witch.
The villagers in the sleepy hamlet of Lychford are divided. A supermarket wants to build a major branch on their border. Some welcome the employment opportunities, while some object to the modernization of the local environment.
Judith Mawson (local crank) knows the truth -- that Lychford lies on the boundary between two worlds, and that the destruction of the border will open wide the gateways to malevolent beings beyond imagination.
But if she is to have her voice heard, she's going to need the assistance of some unlikely allies...
The villagers in the sleepy hamlet of Lychford are divided. A supermarket wants to build a major branch on their border. Some welcome the employment opportunities, while some object to the modernization of the local environment.
Judith Mawson (local crank) knows the truth -- that Lychford lies on the boundary between two worlds, and that the destruction of the border will open wide the gateways to malevolent beings beyond imagination.
But if she is to have her voice heard, she's going to need the assistance of some unlikely allies...
144 pages, Paperback
First published September 8, 2015
About the author
Paul Cornell
577 books1,462 followersPaul Cornell is a British writer of science fiction and fantasy prose, comics and television. He's been Hugo Award-nominated for all three media, and has won the BSFA Award for his short fiction, and the Eagle Award for his comics. He's the writer of Saucer Country for Vertigo, Demon Knights for DC, and has written for the Doctor Who TV series. His new urban fantasy novel is London Falling, out from Tor on December 6th.
via Wikipedia @ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Cor...
via Wikipedia @ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Cor...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 683 reviews
September 9, 2018
A satisfying brief novella about three women who are just gonna stop the end of the world real quick.
January 13, 2016
You know how sometimes you’re driving around listening to the radio and a song comes on, and it’s got a catchy beat, and the lyrics are solid, and the singer has a good voice, and you’re thinking, “Hey, this isn’t bad,” but then you don’t feel anything more than kind of indifferent toward it, and you start to wonder if maybe you’re a little bit dead inside?
That’s kind of how I felt about this book. Good writing, interesting urban (suburban? village?) fantasy plot, strong female lead characters, interesting approach to magic, long-suffering undead squirrels…and, yet, my overall reaction was pretty muted.
Maybe I’m just tired. Maybe I’m just dyspeptic. Maybe I’m just pifflicated. All of the above, perhaps.
Let’s call it 3.4 stars. You may like it more than I did, given that you’re not dead inside.
That’s kind of how I felt about this book. Good writing, interesting urban (suburban? village?) fantasy plot, strong female lead characters, interesting approach to magic, long-suffering undead squirrels…and, yet, my overall reaction was pretty muted.
Maybe I’m just tired. Maybe I’m just dyspeptic. Maybe I’m just pifflicated. All of the above, perhaps.
Let’s call it 3.4 stars. You may like it more than I did, given that you’re not dead inside.
November 3, 2016
This book was a gem I found coincidentally. The cover and title just made me curious when it showed up in my news feed here on goodreads.
So, what to say about this story?
Well, it's remarkable how many layers this story has.
On the surface we have the story of three women in a small British town (for some reason I kept thinking this was set in the US) where a big supermarket chain wants to open a store. One woman is a vicar, the other is the owner of a shop and the third is an elderly and eccentric lady well-known (or should I say feared?) in town.
On the surface this is the story of magical borders, an elederly woman being aware of them and of the two other women being initiated by the elderly one so they can fight evil together.
But there is SO MUCH MORE.
We have the tragic background stories of all three women that are simply heartbreaking (the true magnitude of the last is only revealed at the very end).
We have myriads of metaphors such as and of course ...
The author has shown a lot of craftmanship here, also in how the ending came to be, which was not just another symbol of but also, simply, quite thrilling.
Frankly, I was very surprised to find so much depth in this quite short novel. And immensely pleased at the same time.
So, what to say about this story?
Well, it's remarkable how many layers this story has.
On the surface we have the story of three women in a small British town (for some reason I kept thinking this was set in the US) where a big supermarket chain wants to open a store. One woman is a vicar, the other is the owner of a shop and the third is an elderly and eccentric lady well-known (or should I say feared?) in town.
On the surface this is the story of magical borders, an elederly woman being aware of them and of the two other women being initiated by the elderly one so they can fight evil together.
But there is SO MUCH MORE.
We have the tragic background stories of all three women that are simply heartbreaking (the true magnitude of the last is only revealed at the very end).
We have myriads of metaphors such as and of course ...
The author has shown a lot of craftmanship here, also in how the ending came to be, which was not just another symbol of but also, simply, quite thrilling.
Frankly, I was very surprised to find so much depth in this quite short novel. And immensely pleased at the same time.
February 24, 2018
I started this in a fever, like Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash sang about in “Jackson” – hotter than a pepper sprout. Cool English suburban setting, attractive characters, some paranormal goings on, good writing. I was thinking this is an urban fantasy I can sink my teeth into and really buy in.
But the flavor waned and at the end of the day this is a good but not great urban fantasy with some better than average magic rules.
The idea of a magic world living parallel with us and some secret mumbo jumbo holding back trouble is an old narrative technique, still fun to read but hardly original. This reminded me of Charles De Lint but somehow this lacked his charm.
In a strange theological way this was also obliquely reminiscent of Frank E. Peretti but this is not Christian fantasy.
I liked the minimalistic, not over the top magic, made me think of Jo Walton’s understated Among Others, but again and like the comparison to de Lint, this lacked something.
Still good and I can understand someone liking this much more than I did.
But the flavor waned and at the end of the day this is a good but not great urban fantasy with some better than average magic rules.
The idea of a magic world living parallel with us and some secret mumbo jumbo holding back trouble is an old narrative technique, still fun to read but hardly original. This reminded me of Charles De Lint but somehow this lacked his charm.
In a strange theological way this was also obliquely reminiscent of Frank E. Peretti but this is not Christian fantasy.
I liked the minimalistic, not over the top magic, made me think of Jo Walton’s understated Among Others, but again and like the comparison to de Lint, this lacked something.
Still good and I can understand someone liking this much more than I did.
December 6, 2021
Esta historia es exactamente lo que a mi me gusta.
Tres brujas de protagonistas, una de sesentaytantos cascarrabias y de vuelta de todo, una pagana dueña de una tienda de magia y una "vicar" (párroco en mujer) descreída. ES QUE FAN.
De por medio tenemos a una empresa que hará lo que sea para poner su enorme supermercado en el pueblecillo inglés en el que ellas viven y eliminando de esta manera las barreras que lo separan del temible reino de las hadas.
Es muy breve, algo oscurillo y sorprendentemente cozy.
Quiero/necesito más y por suerte el segundo ya viene de camino.
***El nivel de inglés muy facilito
Tres brujas de protagonistas, una de sesentaytantos cascarrabias y de vuelta de todo, una pagana dueña de una tienda de magia y una "vicar" (párroco en mujer) descreída. ES QUE FAN.
De por medio tenemos a una empresa que hará lo que sea para poner su enorme supermercado en el pueblecillo inglés en el que ellas viven y eliminando de esta manera las barreras que lo separan del temible reino de las hadas.
Es muy breve, algo oscurillo y sorprendentemente cozy.
Quiero/necesito más y por suerte el segundo ya viene de camino.
***El nivel de inglés muy facilito
October 2, 2021
This year I decided to read three books about witches. I wanted books like this to be frightening, the more the better. So I must have been under the spell of a GR Friend's terrific review when I totally missed that this is a cozy. It turns out books featuring truly scary contemporary witches are hard to come by. The last great one I read was HEX. That was years ago, and very good. My second choice turned out also to be a cozy; this time I checked and canceled the pre-order. In the next one the witch is apparently sympathetic. So with the final book I've gotten a bit creative -- but now I'm in Lychford.
All my fault that I didn't realize just how cozy Witches of Lychford is. Judging it within the cozy genre, it was an engaging and enjoyable read. The setting. a small town in the English countryside, is comfortably familiar and intriguingly strange. Odd things are going on in Lychford. Ancient forces are leaking through. In this first in the series the fight over whether to allow the building of a big-box store is actually a proxy fight. Something more than just the unsightly corporate entity wants to get into Lychford.
The three main characters are well done. Each brings different strengths to the battle. Judith is the most fun to read, an old and mouthy witch who the townspeople consider batty at best, and so she's not believed when she warns them. Autumn is youngest, she's into and is owner of a shop that sells herbs and potions, amulets, things for spells. Lizzie has returned to her hometown as pastor of the church and it is from there she derives her power, though her faith is not presented in a heavy-handed way. Bearing in mind this is a five-part series Cornell has given us three interesting, complementary but distinct characters. Together they fight to save Lychford from varied, shadowy creatures who predate the town.
It's light as any cozy and faster-paced than some. You won't need to keep the lights on in the house but may want to stay up reading to find out how it turns out. I won't be continuing on with the series but am glad I read this. The trio gelled nicely as the book went on, the stakes were there and it's set up so there will be any number and type of beings to be overcome in four more books. What they are I don't know. I do know if that's your thing, this is your book.
All my fault that I didn't realize just how cozy Witches of Lychford is. Judging it within the cozy genre, it was an engaging and enjoyable read. The setting. a small town in the English countryside, is comfortably familiar and intriguingly strange. Odd things are going on in Lychford. Ancient forces are leaking through. In this first in the series the fight over whether to allow the building of a big-box store is actually a proxy fight. Something more than just the unsightly corporate entity wants to get into Lychford.
The three main characters are well done. Each brings different strengths to the battle. Judith is the most fun to read, an old and mouthy witch who the townspeople consider batty at best, and so she's not believed when she warns them. Autumn is youngest, she's into and is owner of a shop that sells herbs and potions, amulets, things for spells. Lizzie has returned to her hometown as pastor of the church and it is from there she derives her power, though her faith is not presented in a heavy-handed way. Bearing in mind this is a five-part series Cornell has given us three interesting, complementary but distinct characters. Together they fight to save Lychford from varied, shadowy creatures who predate the town.
It's light as any cozy and faster-paced than some. You won't need to keep the lights on in the house but may want to stay up reading to find out how it turns out. I won't be continuing on with the series but am glad I read this. The trio gelled nicely as the book went on, the stakes were there and it's set up so there will be any number and type of beings to be overcome in four more books. What they are I don't know. I do know if that's your thing, this is your book.
May 18, 2020
3.5 stars
Quaint and very pleasant with a touch of autumn chill, like a brisk stroll through the cemetery at sunset when it's just starting to drizzle. Not exactly what I expected from books with the urban fantasy label, but this was a nice surprise.
If you like charming small-town stories with a cast of oddball, neighborly characters and more magic than magical realism, give this a try.
But by "neighborly," I don't mean friendly, although I'm aware that's how most people will interpret it. What I mean is they're more like my neighbors and others I grew up with--somewhat hostile and suspicious of people they don't know, very straightforward, aren't really aware of personal boundaries or overstepping them, but caring and hilarious once you get to know 'em.
The writing is contemporary fiction loaded with trivial everyday life things--gossip, relationships, falling outs, homecomings, etc etc--but along the side, there's a heavy dose of magic and other-worldliness for those who could see it and command it.
The town itself is near the border that separates our world from the underworld, so the people here are used to strange things happening without much explanation. That's just part of the life, along with the gossips and falling outs.
Of course the big bad that threatens most small towns is a corporate entity. Here, it's a superstore that wants to build a franchise right on the border, which would destroy it and let all the evil into our world. So the good townsfolk must fend off this superstore to save their town. And a lot funny moments ensue.
The humor is what you'd expect to see from British authors--dry, deadpan, pointed. Reminds me of The Gates by John Connolly, but with adult characters and adult problems. For those unfamiliar with John Connolly, imagine Terry Pratchett's humor, but less manic and more evenly paced and with fewer details crammed in.
[...]
[...]
[...]
Cross-posted at https://covers2covers.wordpress.com/2...
Quaint and very pleasant with a touch of autumn chill, like a brisk stroll through the cemetery at sunset when it's just starting to drizzle. Not exactly what I expected from books with the urban fantasy label, but this was a nice surprise.
If you like charming small-town stories with a cast of oddball, neighborly characters and more magic than magical realism, give this a try.
But by "neighborly," I don't mean friendly, although I'm aware that's how most people will interpret it. What I mean is they're more like my neighbors and others I grew up with--somewhat hostile and suspicious of people they don't know, very straightforward, aren't really aware of personal boundaries or overstepping them, but caring and hilarious once you get to know 'em.
The writing is contemporary fiction loaded with trivial everyday life things--gossip, relationships, falling outs, homecomings, etc etc--but along the side, there's a heavy dose of magic and other-worldliness for those who could see it and command it.
The town itself is near the border that separates our world from the underworld, so the people here are used to strange things happening without much explanation. That's just part of the life, along with the gossips and falling outs.
Of course the big bad that threatens most small towns is a corporate entity. Here, it's a superstore that wants to build a franchise right on the border, which would destroy it and let all the evil into our world. So the good townsfolk must fend off this superstore to save their town. And a lot funny moments ensue.
The humor is what you'd expect to see from British authors--dry, deadpan, pointed. Reminds me of The Gates by John Connolly, but with adult characters and adult problems. For those unfamiliar with John Connolly, imagine Terry Pratchett's humor, but less manic and more evenly paced and with fewer details crammed in.
Out this way there was the lonely last pub, the Castle, which now had an angry chalkboard sign up that said “drinkers welcome” to indicate its dissatisfaction with other establishments’ fads like pub quizzes, bands, food, and, presumably, conversation.
[...]
To human beings it won’t look or feel like a war, it’ll be more like... one of those modernist paintings you lot do, if it melted. Inside all your brains. Forever.
[...]
Judith hated nostalgia. It was just the waiting room for death.
[...]
Judith realised, with horror, that they were heading over to talk to her, and couldn't find, at a quick glance, anyone else she knew well enough to get into a conversation with. There were, just occasionally, drawbacks to being a nasty old bitch.
Cross-posted at https://covers2covers.wordpress.com/2...
June 2, 2021
I've read this book before but it was just as charming the second time.
We are in the small village of Lychford, England.
It's a bit of a sleepy town and home to an accentric character or two. Such as Juditch, resident witch (no, none of the other residents believes her, of course).
One day, a huge chain supermarket is disrupting everybody's lives by sowing discord in order to build a branch office. They even want to change the entire layout of the town - supposedly to give local businesses a better chance.
But Judith knows she can't allow that. Because the ancient towns are actually protecting our reality against others. Being a recluse, however, means that she doesn't have a whole lot of sway so she needs the help of the new Reverend, Lizzy, as well as the owner of the town's "magic shop", Autumn.
This is a novella, but the author managed to draw an intricate portrait of the three women as well as of Lychford itself. Moreover, he did a splendid job of describing the passive aggressive atmosphere, the mounting tension, the desperation on both sides and how divided neighbours were and everybody's motivation (good and bad).
Moreover, I really enjoy this kind of magic and its blend with the change not even Judith can prevent, meaning that especially Autumn (while learning the old ways) has a bit of a modern outlook.
It will be very interesting to see where this trio (they hate to be called a coven) will go from here.
We are in the small village of Lychford, England.
It's a bit of a sleepy town and home to an accentric character or two. Such as Juditch, resident witch (no, none of the other residents believes her, of course).
One day, a huge chain supermarket is disrupting everybody's lives by sowing discord in order to build a branch office. They even want to change the entire layout of the town - supposedly to give local businesses a better chance.
But Judith knows she can't allow that. Because the ancient towns are actually protecting our reality against others. Being a recluse, however, means that she doesn't have a whole lot of sway so she needs the help of the new Reverend, Lizzy, as well as the owner of the town's "magic shop", Autumn.
This is a novella, but the author managed to draw an intricate portrait of the three women as well as of Lychford itself. Moreover, he did a splendid job of describing the passive aggressive atmosphere, the mounting tension, the desperation on both sides and how divided neighbours were and everybody's motivation (good and bad).
Moreover, I really enjoy this kind of magic and its blend with the change not even Judith can prevent, meaning that especially Autumn (while learning the old ways) has a bit of a modern outlook.
It will be very interesting to see where this trio (they hate to be called a coven) will go from here.
May 17, 2019
I’m a big fan of Cornell’s work on Doctor Who, both on screen and more importantly in prose.
So when the author tweeted that this novella was available for 99p as Amazon Kindle ‘Deal of the Day’, I instantly had to purchase it.
There’s a mix response from the villagers of sleep Lychford as a major supermarket chain intends to build a branch on the neighbouring border.
Not least from local witch Judith Mawson (though locals think she’s just a bit weird) as the expansion will open up the boundaries between two worlds.
Known that Cornell can write odd happenings in creepy villages really well certainly added to my enjoyment, their was a nice blend of modernisation with supernatural folklore.
A very satisfying quick read.
So when the author tweeted that this novella was available for 99p as Amazon Kindle ‘Deal of the Day’, I instantly had to purchase it.
There’s a mix response from the villagers of sleep Lychford as a major supermarket chain intends to build a branch on the neighbouring border.
Not least from local witch Judith Mawson (though locals think she’s just a bit weird) as the expansion will open up the boundaries between two worlds.
Known that Cornell can write odd happenings in creepy villages really well certainly added to my enjoyment, their was a nice blend of modernisation with supernatural folklore.
A very satisfying quick read.
June 3, 2021
Here's a bit for managing one's expectations: if you're coming in expecting to have major curses, action, and delightfully subversive prose, then look elsewhere.
If you want a small town with some fae secrets, easygoing and regular characterizations, and action on par with a major vote in the town council, with this kind of speed, then this is a book you'll love. The magic is cool but nothing flashy. The characters take the front seat.
It's light, even if it is melancholic, but it also manages to be bucolic. Well worth the read if this is what you're looking for.
If you want a small town with some fae secrets, easygoing and regular characterizations, and action on par with a major vote in the town council, with this kind of speed, then this is a book you'll love. The magic is cool but nothing flashy. The characters take the front seat.
It's light, even if it is melancholic, but it also manages to be bucolic. Well worth the read if this is what you're looking for.
August 10, 2017
This book was okay. The author juxtaposed two longtime friends- one a new age shop owner and the other a liberal Christian pastor. The small town English flavor added to the atmospherics and the author's knowledge of the theory and practice of his subject matter made for interesting moments of internal conflict. He clearly intended to portray the idea that "if things about my religion seem weird, let's go ahead and compare them to yours" and they both look equally weird. Combine that with a dose of agnostic atheism and you have the brew for the character mix.
Then we have the Sunnydale like vortex protected by elemental assisted eco warriors which is apparently the conflict. The witchcraft is less Harry Potter and more new age/spiritual which may not interest a fantasy crowd.
Overall it wasn't a bad book. I would probably read the next in the series if I didn't have other things on my to be read list that I am waiting for. 3.5 stars.
Then we have the Sunnydale like vortex protected by elemental assisted eco warriors which is apparently the conflict. The witchcraft is less Harry Potter and more new age/spiritual which may not interest a fantasy crowd.
Overall it wasn't a bad book. I would probably read the next in the series if I didn't have other things on my to be read list that I am waiting for. 3.5 stars.
September 15, 2015
I liked this novella for a number of reasons. One, it's set very close to where I live - but in a place far more likely to be host to the boundaries of good and evil than my own, more boring town. Two, all of the vicars I've met have been universally women and lovely, so I sort of enjoyed the idea of one of them taking on the forces of evil. Three, Judith. Such a cantankerous old woman, so funny. (I liked Autumn too, but despite being the saviour of the day I didn't feel like she was fleshed out in the same way as the other two, or at least I didn't connect as well with her.)
Plus, it just felt like a story I know. I work in a fading town centre in one of the few independents about. My husband works in his own shop, which his dad owns and which was started by his grandfather, so I feel a pretty deep connection with our little market town and could easily transpose that onto Lychford. But of course, it was really about the characters, and I'm impressed at how well Cornell writes these entertaining women.
Plus, it just felt like a story I know. I work in a fading town centre in one of the few independents about. My husband works in his own shop, which his dad owns and which was started by his grandfather, so I feel a pretty deep connection with our little market town and could easily transpose that onto Lychford. But of course, it was really about the characters, and I'm impressed at how well Cornell writes these entertaining women.
Read
November 9, 2015A hugely enjoyable short novel about a town on the borders of the fairy realm. The old style fairies. Tinkerbell need not apply. Sinister and scary and tense, great magic development sketched in lightly, hugely inventive. I hope the author plans to turn this into a series, because the cast of evil-tempered out-of-step wise woman, vicar losing her faith, and New Age hippy shop owner are brilliant. Very English magic here, with everyone's least favourite supermarket chain as the Big Bad. Recommended!
September 11, 2017
Read to fill the “Witches” square for 2107 Halloween Bingo.
Paul Cornell writes looming, disastrous & supernatural really, really well (see also London Falling which shares this spooky ambiance). This is a short novel—I was trying to read it while simultaneously cooking supper on Saturday evening, and I was resenting every time I had to set it down to go check on the pots on the stove!
For something so short, there is a remarkable amount of complexity. I seem to be reading a lot of fiction set in small towns recently—but they really do make the perfect setting for these tales that require people to know one another well in order for the plot line to make such good sense. The coming of a big mega-store to a city would be completely unremarkable, but it causes roiling tensions in the little village of Lychford! And few of the denizens of Lychford can see that there are malevolent supernatural intentions behind the behemoth super store.
Three unlikely women are brought together to combat the supernatural: the local cranky old lady, the new female pastor, and the owner of the pagan/occult store. The latter two have a history that they must overcome—they were besties years ago, but had a falling out that neither of them truly understood and they must sort through the misunderstandings to see if they can cooperate in the current situation.
I must say that Cornell writes women very well. I felt like I could relate to all three exceptionally well. They all are facing a loss in their lives, challenges to whichever faith they espoused, difficulties in reaching out to others. Throw into the mix some dark Fae, a favourite additive for me and give it all an only-somewhat resolved ending, and this was just what I like in my fantasy novels!
I only hope that I have what it takes to become Judith as I approach her stage in life.
Paul Cornell writes looming, disastrous & supernatural really, really well (see also London Falling which shares this spooky ambiance). This is a short novel—I was trying to read it while simultaneously cooking supper on Saturday evening, and I was resenting every time I had to set it down to go check on the pots on the stove!
For something so short, there is a remarkable amount of complexity. I seem to be reading a lot of fiction set in small towns recently—but they really do make the perfect setting for these tales that require people to know one another well in order for the plot line to make such good sense. The coming of a big mega-store to a city would be completely unremarkable, but it causes roiling tensions in the little village of Lychford! And few of the denizens of Lychford can see that there are malevolent supernatural intentions behind the behemoth super store.
Three unlikely women are brought together to combat the supernatural: the local cranky old lady, the new female pastor, and the owner of the pagan/occult store. The latter two have a history that they must overcome—they were besties years ago, but had a falling out that neither of them truly understood and they must sort through the misunderstandings to see if they can cooperate in the current situation.
I must say that Cornell writes women very well. I felt like I could relate to all three exceptionally well. They all are facing a loss in their lives, challenges to whichever faith they espoused, difficulties in reaching out to others. Throw into the mix some dark Fae, a favourite additive for me and give it all an only-somewhat resolved ending, and this was just what I like in my fantasy novels!
I only hope that I have what it takes to become Judith as I approach her stage in life.
October 2, 2018
Enchanting paranormal novella. Bewitching to read on a cozy autumn day.
The folks of the quiet town of Lychford meet to discuss the change of roads to accommodate a new supermarket moving into town. Most townspeople welcome the change of infrastructure, yet they don’t know what lies beneath their town. Old Judith Mawson does!
Lychford town lies on the boundary of two worlds. A construction of the site would open a gateway and unleash creatures from the other side.
Lizzie and Autumn are reconnecting after their friendship ebbed out. Lizzie is the new vicar in town and Autumn owns a magic shop. The two of them could not be different, yet they are working it out after not speaking for a few years. It seems they find each other again at the right time of their life. Autumn had reasons why she stayed away from Lizzie for years, and Lizzie lost her husband and still mourns his death.
Judith Mawson is the link that seals the bond. She sends the two friends into the knowledge of the old ways at the borderline to the paranormal and indoctrinates them, albeit missing the promiscuous ways in which she was indoctrinated when a young woman, to use them in the aid of protecting the town.
***
This was my first Paul Cornell novel to read, and it was lighthearted and entertaining. Perfect for the season right now. As part of a trilogy, it makes it easy to read without it being an overwhelming novel. It’s entertaining but not overbearing. More like a treat instead of a heavy meal. Lingering, sweet and short…and asking for more.
The folks of the quiet town of Lychford meet to discuss the change of roads to accommodate a new supermarket moving into town. Most townspeople welcome the change of infrastructure, yet they don’t know what lies beneath their town. Old Judith Mawson does!
Lychford town lies on the boundary of two worlds. A construction of the site would open a gateway and unleash creatures from the other side.
Lizzie and Autumn are reconnecting after their friendship ebbed out. Lizzie is the new vicar in town and Autumn owns a magic shop. The two of them could not be different, yet they are working it out after not speaking for a few years. It seems they find each other again at the right time of their life. Autumn had reasons why she stayed away from Lizzie for years, and Lizzie lost her husband and still mourns his death.
Judith Mawson is the link that seals the bond. She sends the two friends into the knowledge of the old ways at the borderline to the paranormal and indoctrinates them, albeit missing the promiscuous ways in which she was indoctrinated when a young woman, to use them in the aid of protecting the town.
***
This was my first Paul Cornell novel to read, and it was lighthearted and entertaining. Perfect for the season right now. As part of a trilogy, it makes it easy to read without it being an overwhelming novel. It’s entertaining but not overbearing. More like a treat instead of a heavy meal. Lingering, sweet and short…and asking for more.
December 1, 2015
This is one of the recently published Tor Novella range and I am very happy to say that I really enjoyed this read through and will certainly be pickin up more of these in the future because aside from the story being beautifully written and very interesting to me, the book itself is beautifully published with a wonderful mat finish and a gloss to all the lettering within. A pretty luxurious novella to be sure which I suppose makes paying almost the same as a normal sized book somewhat justifiable.
Moving on to the story and what actually is going on we are following a modern-day town called Lychford where a supermarket chain is trying to get permission to open a new store. The town is, however, largely opposed to this and there's been an ongoing debate for a while now.
We follow three main characters with small interludes from others. The first of these is Judith, the local crazy lady. Everyone thinks that because Judith is old and believes in magic she's not quite with it and so most of the time she keeps to herself but when the threat of the supermarket starts to become far more likely, she knows she needs to step in and try to educate the town about the boarders they are so close to destroying.
Next is Autumn who is a young lady and owner of a magic shop, although she says she doesn't actually believe in magic herself. She's a fairly outgoing character and had always been vibrant and fun to be friends with until she disappeared for a while and no one knew where...least of all her...
Finally we follow Lizzie who is the new Reverend at the local church and is trying to settle into her new role and forget about the tragedy in her past. She's a character who is not entirely sure that she believes what she preaches and so she's having a crisis of confidence but when she too begins to get involved in the town magic and politics everything becomes a little more important than just her problems.
I found that I actually really liked the story which was told here and the way that events and pacing were laid out. I never felt bored and I also didn't feel like it was necessary to have any more development on the story because it felt convincing and exciting enough as it was. I do think I will certainly have to check out some other work by Paul Cornell after reading this as it was truly a very good read, and I look forward to seeing what else he has out. 4*s overall.
Moving on to the story and what actually is going on we are following a modern-day town called Lychford where a supermarket chain is trying to get permission to open a new store. The town is, however, largely opposed to this and there's been an ongoing debate for a while now.
We follow three main characters with small interludes from others. The first of these is Judith, the local crazy lady. Everyone thinks that because Judith is old and believes in magic she's not quite with it and so most of the time she keeps to herself but when the threat of the supermarket starts to become far more likely, she knows she needs to step in and try to educate the town about the boarders they are so close to destroying.
Next is Autumn who is a young lady and owner of a magic shop, although she says she doesn't actually believe in magic herself. She's a fairly outgoing character and had always been vibrant and fun to be friends with until she disappeared for a while and no one knew where...least of all her...
Finally we follow Lizzie who is the new Reverend at the local church and is trying to settle into her new role and forget about the tragedy in her past. She's a character who is not entirely sure that she believes what she preaches and so she's having a crisis of confidence but when she too begins to get involved in the town magic and politics everything becomes a little more important than just her problems.
I found that I actually really liked the story which was told here and the way that events and pacing were laid out. I never felt bored and I also didn't feel like it was necessary to have any more development on the story because it felt convincing and exciting enough as it was. I do think I will certainly have to check out some other work by Paul Cornell after reading this as it was truly a very good read, and I look forward to seeing what else he has out. 4*s overall.
April 4, 2022
Oh, this was fun. It reminded me strongly of Stardew Valley with its fight against a big supermarket coming to a small village, except with witches and fae involved. I also loved Judith - cranky old ladies who have had enough of everyone's shit make the best protagonists. And unlike in many novellas, I didn't find the pacing to be too off. I will definitely try to remember to pick up the sequels, perhaps quite soon.
Enjoyment: 4/5
Execution: 4/5
More reviews on my blog, To Other Worlds.
Enjoyment: 4/5
Execution: 4/5
More reviews on my blog, To Other Worlds.
October 29, 2015
This novella has an interesting triad of characters at the centre. They’re very different, and yet they have things in common, and things to teach one another. One’s an atheist who fears she’s losing her mind; one a pastor fearing she’s losing her faith; and one a woman who would probably refuse to agree that she was afraid of anything. The personalities make quite an interesting mix!
The story itself is fairly simple, with a traditional sort of feel. A new supermarket is coming to Lychford, and the residents are split almost 50-50 on whether they want it or not. Campaigns are in full swing, both for and against. So far, so ordinary. But Judith knows there’s more to it — that the supermarket as planned will change the shape of the town, and maybe even alter the fabric of the world: Lychford is built the way it is for a particular reason.
Those are just surface details: each character has much more going on, which impacts the plot of the novella in different ways. The three main characters (who all happen to be female) are well-realised and compelling, even when one of them is cantankerous.
I didn’t love it like, say, Robert did, but I did enjoy it. It’s paced well and is just the right length — neither cut off short or stretched out too long. It was the first book I read from Tor.com’s novella line, and it was a good introduction.
Originally posted here.
The story itself is fairly simple, with a traditional sort of feel. A new supermarket is coming to Lychford, and the residents are split almost 50-50 on whether they want it or not. Campaigns are in full swing, both for and against. So far, so ordinary. But Judith knows there’s more to it — that the supermarket as planned will change the shape of the town, and maybe even alter the fabric of the world: Lychford is built the way it is for a particular reason.
Those are just surface details: each character has much more going on, which impacts the plot of the novella in different ways. The three main characters (who all happen to be female) are well-realised and compelling, even when one of them is cantankerous.
I didn’t love it like, say, Robert did, but I did enjoy it. It’s paced well and is just the right length — neither cut off short or stretched out too long. It was the first book I read from Tor.com’s novella line, and it was a good introduction.
Originally posted here.
December 8, 2016
I go way back with Paul, all the way to 1992 with 'Love and War', which is still a great book. I haven't read his new supernatural crime series, but I will get around to it. It has a big competitor with Aaronovitch's Peter Grant series.
Anyway, 'Witches of Lychford'. It's been out for a year, but the release of the second story prompted me as well as the summer holidays starting. It's only a novella, something to read on a warm early summer afternoon. Partly satirical, partly traditional and homely, but wholly fun and typically Cornell.
Three witches come together in the town of Lychford to battle a big, evil supermarket chain who intends to build a new supermarket in town, opening a portal to an evil dimension and destroying the Earth. Lizzie, a reverend, has just been assigned the parish of her old home town, and her old estranged friend, Autumn, have a confrontation. Meanwhile, Judith, an old witch, but only known as a complete and utter nutter around town, knows the supermarkets supernatural plans and wants to put a stop to it.
A nice easy read, full of whimsy and homeliness, that will make many fantasy fans happy.
Anyway, 'Witches of Lychford'. It's been out for a year, but the release of the second story prompted me as well as the summer holidays starting. It's only a novella, something to read on a warm early summer afternoon. Partly satirical, partly traditional and homely, but wholly fun and typically Cornell.
Three witches come together in the town of Lychford to battle a big, evil supermarket chain who intends to build a new supermarket in town, opening a portal to an evil dimension and destroying the Earth. Lizzie, a reverend, has just been assigned the parish of her old home town, and her old estranged friend, Autumn, have a confrontation. Meanwhile, Judith, an old witch, but only known as a complete and utter nutter around town, knows the supermarkets supernatural plans and wants to put a stop to it.
A nice easy read, full of whimsy and homeliness, that will make many fantasy fans happy.
February 21, 2024
A charming little cozy fantasy set in an English village, where ominous forces are pushing to build a large chain supermarket. The magic felt realistic, there was a tease of some sexy fae, and the multiple faiths presented in harmony was very well done.
December 23, 2019
Not bad, but not great either.
The story kind of goes like this: a big, bad supermarket chain wants to build a superstore in the small English town of Lychford, but building the store will break down the barrier between worlds and essentially cause an apocalypse.
Judith is the town's old crone, but she is actually some kind of witch (I think?) who realises she has to stop the corporate guys in order to save the world. Add into this Lizzie, the town's reverend who is having a God crisis, and Autumn, a magic store owner who believes that she has mental health issues that cause her to see and hear things. Together the three ladies must band together to save their town from an evil corporation, who has even more ulterior motives.
I think my major criticism of this book is the lack of insight into the three main characters. Because there is so much plot to get through, their inner workings and emotions are given a back seat. Lizzie is having a major crisis of faith, but within 100 pages she suddenly starts to believe in something again. A monumental moment for a character, but this just didn't seem like a natural progression for her, and it instead felt forced. Autumn believed for years that she was mad, but then she finds out faerie exists, and she just gets over it. Judith was really the only compelling character, who actually stood out, but still a lot of her history was just glossed over.
The writing was decent enough, although at times there were just too many perspectives during the same section. It would have made such a difference to focus on only one or two of them and really delve into their psychology and their motives. At best it was a nice quick read for this time of the year (when I need to make sure I get to my reading goal...) and was entertaining enough for what it was.
The story kind of goes like this: a big, bad supermarket chain wants to build a superstore in the small English town of Lychford, but building the store will break down the barrier between worlds and essentially cause an apocalypse.
Judith is the town's old crone, but she is actually some kind of witch (I think?) who realises she has to stop the corporate guys in order to save the world. Add into this Lizzie, the town's reverend who is having a God crisis, and Autumn, a magic store owner who believes that she has mental health issues that cause her to see and hear things. Together the three ladies must band together to save their town from an evil corporation, who has even more ulterior motives.
I think my major criticism of this book is the lack of insight into the three main characters. Because there is so much plot to get through, their inner workings and emotions are given a back seat. Lizzie is having a major crisis of faith, but within 100 pages she suddenly starts to believe in something again. A monumental moment for a character, but this just didn't seem like a natural progression for her, and it instead felt forced. Autumn believed for years that she was mad, but then she finds out faerie exists, and she just gets over it. Judith was really the only compelling character, who actually stood out, but still a lot of her history was just glossed over.
The writing was decent enough, although at times there were just too many perspectives during the same section. It would have made such a difference to focus on only one or two of them and really delve into their psychology and their motives. At best it was a nice quick read for this time of the year (when I need to make sure I get to my reading goal...) and was entertaining enough for what it was.
December 3, 2017
A trio of local women stand up to a commercial project that would change the magical borders of their village.
I'm intrigued by this novella - I want to find out more about the place, and the main characters, and what happens next. I like all three women characters: irritable Village crank, Magic shop owner, and Reverend whose not sure she believes. I'll be reading the next one in the series!
I'm intrigued by this novella - I want to find out more about the place, and the main characters, and what happens next. I like all three women characters: irritable Village crank, Magic shop owner, and Reverend whose not sure she believes. I'll be reading the next one in the series!
December 4, 2020
3.5 stars rounded up. Reminded me a bit of Phil Rickman’s Merry Watkins series.
October 8, 2020
A small English village is secretly the last barrier between our world and all of the demon realms—and its townspeople don't even know it. Or, alternatively: a priest, a New Age shop owner, and the local crazy old lady band together under unlikely circumstances to defeat evil.
Writing: ★★★ 1/2
Characters: ★★★★★
Pacing: ★★★
Witchy vibes: ★★★★
Judith is Lychford's local crotchety woman. She knows it, she doesn't care, and that's fine. But when the small town decides to vote on allowing a brand new megastore to disrupt the town's planned grid, Judith finds herself at the front of the action: the town can't allow the new store to be built over the streets.
Why not? Asks the town.
Now here's where Judith's position in the town really stinks. As the local loner, no one believes her when she says that Lychford is the last barrier between our world and the others. That its planned city grid was ordained hundreds of years ago and needs to be maintained. That witches, demons, faeries and more are real, and they're coming.
Yeah, it's no surprise that the town writes her off.
But Judith can't let the town make this grave mistake—the fate of England itself depends on it.
So Judith rounds up a team of unlikely women. Herself, hedge witch. The local pastor, a woman with more inner demons than an atheist. And the New Age shop owner down the street, whose encounter with a faerie years ago left her with more than a few ticks.
It's time for these three women to beat back the dark...
WOW. So, after reading a few other reviews, it seems I'm in a smaller minority here when I say that this novella was all I needed it to be. I loved how brief it was and thought the unlikely trio's relationships held the storyline together. For something so quick, this novella felt perfectly sized for its plot. I do think the pacing was slower than it could have been... but honestly, that felt like the author's conscious choice to mimic the "sleepy" aesthetic of the tiny English town untouched by modern times.
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Writing: ★★★ 1/2
Characters: ★★★★★
Pacing: ★★★
Witchy vibes: ★★★★
Judith is Lychford's local crotchety woman. She knows it, she doesn't care, and that's fine. But when the small town decides to vote on allowing a brand new megastore to disrupt the town's planned grid, Judith finds herself at the front of the action: the town can't allow the new store to be built over the streets.
Why not? Asks the town.
Now here's where Judith's position in the town really stinks. As the local loner, no one believes her when she says that Lychford is the last barrier between our world and the others. That its planned city grid was ordained hundreds of years ago and needs to be maintained. That witches, demons, faeries and more are real, and they're coming.
Yeah, it's no surprise that the town writes her off.
But Judith can't let the town make this grave mistake—the fate of England itself depends on it.
So Judith rounds up a team of unlikely women. Herself, hedge witch. The local pastor, a woman with more inner demons than an atheist. And the New Age shop owner down the street, whose encounter with a faerie years ago left her with more than a few ticks.
It's time for these three women to beat back the dark...
WOW. So, after reading a few other reviews, it seems I'm in a smaller minority here when I say that this novella was all I needed it to be. I loved how brief it was and thought the unlikely trio's relationships held the storyline together. For something so quick, this novella felt perfectly sized for its plot. I do think the pacing was slower than it could have been... but honestly, that felt like the author's conscious choice to mimic the "sleepy" aesthetic of the tiny English town untouched by modern times.
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February 15, 2022
A grumpy old hedge witch with an unhappy marriage. A grieving cleric come home to face a crisis of faith. An atheist who runs a magic shop to cling on to her sanity. If these three women can't save the bickering population of Lychford from itself - and from the demonic powers trying to bribe the town into giving them planning permission - then nobody can.
Witches of Lychford may be one of the most successful novellas I have ever read, a very English delight from start to finish, which understands that a cosy novel doesn't have to be comfortable. It stands alone perfectly well, but I look forward to further forays into this world.
4.5 stars
Full review.
Witches of Lychford may be one of the most successful novellas I have ever read, a very English delight from start to finish, which understands that a cosy novel doesn't have to be comfortable. It stands alone perfectly well, but I look forward to further forays into this world.
4.5 stars
Full review.
January 3, 2020
7,75/10
Libro entretenido, cortito y que se lee bien. Me lo he leído en dos ratos y me he quedado con ganas de más, por lo que en el futuro seguiré leyendo los siguientes.
Con respecto a la trama, estamos delante de un libro de fantasía urbana adulta en el que apenas se nos ha dejado rascar bien poco en su worldbuilding. Sabemos que hay brujas, hadas, demonios y otra clase de seres, pero de ellos conocemos bien poco, aunque lo cierto es que visto como está planteada la trama, no es necesario ese conocimiento.
Los personajes tienen cierta profundidad, supongo que en los próximos libros descubriremos más sobre ellos, y al final cumplen bien su con su rol.
Libro entretenido, cortito y que se lee bien. Me lo he leído en dos ratos y me he quedado con ganas de más, por lo que en el futuro seguiré leyendo los siguientes.
Con respecto a la trama, estamos delante de un libro de fantasía urbana adulta en el que apenas se nos ha dejado rascar bien poco en su worldbuilding. Sabemos que hay brujas, hadas, demonios y otra clase de seres, pero de ellos conocemos bien poco, aunque lo cierto es que visto como está planteada la trama, no es necesario ese conocimiento.
Los personajes tienen cierta profundidad, supongo que en los próximos libros descubriremos más sobre ellos, y al final cumplen bien su con su rol.
February 18, 2017
What a gem of a book! Great writing, characters, story line and setting.
In Lychford, something wicked this way comes and the only people who can stop it are a vicar who's lost her faith, an atheist magic shop owner who doesn't believe in magic and the town curmudgeon, Judith. Lots of funny bits, plenty of suspense and bit creepy, this is a peach of a book.
In Lychford, something wicked this way comes and the only people who can stop it are a vicar who's lost her faith, an atheist magic shop owner who doesn't believe in magic and the town curmudgeon, Judith. Lots of funny bits, plenty of suspense and bit creepy, this is a peach of a book.
September 13, 2015
Lychford is a special town which is meant to have special protectors, but for various reasons it's weak at the moment. Vulnerable to an incursion by demonic forces in the form of a supermarket chain. Standing in it's way are a local witch, the new vicar returning to the town where she grew up and her former best friend, an atheist who now runs a new age/magic shop.
Each of the women is facing grief and crises of faith that they have to overcome to protect their town, and this is done well and in line with their various beliefs and skills.
I would love to read more of these characters and I hope Cornell returns to this town. I feel he probably will given that it's based on the town where he lives, but he's a busy guy. I will say there's something about his writing that doesn't quite click with me, either here, or with his Shadow Police books or the handful of his comics that I've read, but this is by far the closest to my taste.
Each of the women is facing grief and crises of faith that they have to overcome to protect their town, and this is done well and in line with their various beliefs and skills.
I would love to read more of these characters and I hope Cornell returns to this town. I feel he probably will given that it's based on the town where he lives, but he's a busy guy. I will say there's something about his writing that doesn't quite click with me, either here, or with his Shadow Police books or the handful of his comics that I've read, but this is by far the closest to my taste.
April 6, 2016
Short but exceptionally good. Cornell has a wonderful way with language, even the crude kind. Wonderful use of the word Wankery.
The main characters in this are great and I really came to like the three of them.
A lot of development in such a short story is a credit to the author.
The story itself is very good and the couple of twists and flipping of convention make it a really interesting read.
The main characters in this are great and I really came to like the three of them.
A lot of development in such a short story is a credit to the author.
The story itself is very good and the couple of twists and flipping of convention make it a really interesting read.
September 3, 2019
Very short book!!!! I’m wondering why they didn’t combine all the books together and call it a day. So I finished this book in a couple hours. It didn’t peek my interest enough to go to the next book.
I wanted to find a witch book.... this didn’t do much for me. Couldn’t relate to the characters, didn’t explain the history behind the town and the people very well, and just left me feeling like I missed something.
There is a town with a large population of witches. They live in this particular area because it is a cross road into another world... evil world. And everyone is gearing up to go to war with the evil that is lurking for the right moment.
I wanted to find a witch book.... this didn’t do much for me. Couldn’t relate to the characters, didn’t explain the history behind the town and the people very well, and just left me feeling like I missed something.
There is a town with a large population of witches. They live in this particular area because it is a cross road into another world... evil world. And everyone is gearing up to go to war with the evil that is lurking for the right moment.
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