Monday 9 September 2024

Trickster Noir - Cedar Sanderson - Pixie for Hire Book 2

Tricketer Noir
Pixie for Hire Book 2
Book 2 of Underhill
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:
Warp Resonance
The Dwarf's Dryad
One-Eyed Dragon
Memories of the Abyss
Plant Life
Snow Angel
Inktail & Friends: A Coloring Book
Voyageur's Cap
Fairy Little Sister
Milkweed
Mindflow
Crow Moon
Zombie Maggots
Poor Gregory

The Groundskeeper Series:

Pixie for Hire Series:
Dragon Noir
Pixie for Hire: Omnibus Edition

Children of Myth Series:
Vulcan's Kittens 
The God’s Wolfling

The Tanager Series:
Jade Star
Tanager's Fledglings 

Witchward Series:
Possum Creek Massacre
… 

Illustrated by Cedar:
Something Wicked #15
Jormungandr's Venom (Fenris Unchained Book 3)
Hunted Behavior
A Time To Die
Legion

Contributed to:
The Hearts' Enchantment
Calexit- The Anthology
Supernatural Streets
Something Wicked Anthology, Vol One
Something Wicked #15
Mythic Delirium Magazine Issue 0.4
The Haunted Library Anthology: Volume 1 
But Not Broken - Hope and Healing Book 2
Postcards From Mars - Postcard Stories Book 1
Space Cowboys - Raconteur Press Anthologies Book 4
Space Cowboys 2: Electric Rodeo - Raconteur Press Anthologies Book 5
Twisted Tropes
Steam-Powered Postcards - Postcard Stories Book 2
Space Marines - Raconteur Press Anthologies Book 6
Fanta-Fly Postcards: A Micro-Fiction Collection
Postcards from Foolz: A Micro-Fiction Collection
Falcons of Malta
Space Marines 2 - Raconteur Press Anthologies Book 9
Single Servings of Liberty - Postcard Stories Book 5
Tales From The Occupation: A Fae Wars Book 4

Books as Lilania Begley:
Slice of Pie
...

Sumire Series:

Bluehills Series:

Contributed to as Lilania Begley:
He Was Dead When I got There
...


Pixie Noir - Cedar Sanderson - Pixie for Hire Book 1

Trickster Noir - Cedar Sanderson - Pixie for Hire Book 2

Dragon Noir - Cedar Sanderson - Pixie for Hire Book 3


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