Book Reviews and More: Trickster Noir - Cedar Sanderson

Monday 9 September 2024

Trickster Noir - Cedar Sanderson - Pixie for Hire Book 2

Tricketer Noir

Pixie for Hire Book 2

Book 2 of Underhill

Cedar Sanderson

Stonycroft Publishing

ISBN 9780615920436

ASIN B00GZ9SKSE

Trickster Noir - Cedar Sanderson - Pixie for Hire Book 2

This is the twentieth volume by Sanderson that I have read. I first encountered the works of Cedar in Cracked: An Anthology of Eggsellent Chicken Stories, and after reading her piece there knew I had to track down and read more from her pen. I had picked up, book 1, Pixie Noir, a while ago but had not got around to reading it, recently when Sanderson rebranded these books with new covers, I finally read book 1, a while ago, but had not got around to reading it. It was my loss for not reading these books sooner. When Sanderson rebranded the series with new covers in 2024, I was far more intrigued and started reading book 1 right away. I loved the new cover so much, I even returned my original eBook and bought it again to have the new cover, and I picked up the trilogy with the new covers, before even reading this one. It was well worth the read, and my loss that I had not read it when I first picked it up.

The description of this volume states:

“After the battle of Tower Baelfire ended, Lom lay dying. Bella was tasked with not only the job she never wanted, but the one she did. Could she keep Lom alive long enough for him to come to the rescue when their kingdom needed them?

And what did Raven, mysterious trickster spirit and honorary uncle to Bella, want with them? If the threat was big enough to have the trickster worried, Bella knew she needed to have Lom at her side. Underhill might look like a soap-bubble kingdom, but Bella and Lom knew there was a gritty underside. Why else would fairyland need a dark man like Lom willing to carry a big gun and be the Pixie for Hire?”

This was another incredible read from Sanderson’s masterful pen. It is an wonderful story of triumph after a tragedy and almost all is believed to be lost. Lom has even more to be worked through and overcome in this second volume in the series. I have clear ideas where the story goes from here and I look forward to finding out if I am correct!

The characters are incredibly well written. Lom and Bella, again, just wow. Watching them find their place in this new adventure, engaged, Bella the consort to the king. Lom without any magic. It is written in such a way that you become completely enthralled in the story. You will find it near impossible to put the book down. The pace is a mix of hurry up and wait, but once the action begins oh my what action! This time they must battle trolls, a dragon, even a legend come to life. And let’s not forget Baba Yaga’s house. This story is an excellent second instalment in the trilogy and leaves you wanting more!

I have been greatly impressed with all of Sanderson’s writing that I have read to date, and have very much enjoyed her recently works published under the name of Lilania Begley. The quick way I would describe this volume and series is Epic fantasy meets Mike Hammer or Spenser novels! A hard working gal trying to get a job done, a job no one else could likely do, and what a beautiful dame she is. She is a dame with great power, strength of character and brilliant mind. And Lom side-lined from the last battle, feeble of body, and after an overheard conversation doubting of mind, but some time with Raven’s uncle might just do the trick.. It was so very hard to put down. Sanderson spin on folk tales, fairy tales, and native legends, woven into the noir mystery and she creates a masterfully written story. It is an epic adventure where myths and legends come to life both above and Underhill. I can easily recommend this novel and series they are great reads.

Books by Cedar Sanderson:

Snow in Her Eyes

Lab Gremlins

Warp Resonance

The Dwarf's Dryad

One-Eyed Dragon

Memories of the Abyss

Little Red-Hood and the Wolf-man

The Violet Mouse

Stargazer

The Eternity Symbiote

Plant Life