When Justin’s beloved thesis advisor dies suddenly, it’s up
to Justin to clear out his office- which is packed ceiling to floor with books,
papers, tchotchkes, and boxes. One box proves to hold a short reel of ancient
celluloid film. Curious, he takes it to a friend who works with such things,
and they get to see what is on it. A woman sprouts wings and flies away- and
the advisor has written on the reel “This is real”. So when Justin’s new
advisor tells him that his proposed thesis is unacceptable to him, he decides
to take a chance that researching the film will provide something unique enough
to suit the advisor.
Some research tells Justin and his girlfriend, Veronica,
that the film was shot in Appalachia, in a spot where an entire town
disappeared instantaneously. They decide to head there to see what they can
find. The tiny town of Needsville, the closest place to where Sadieville once
stood, seems welcoming. A guide to where the film was shot is even provided to
them.
The POV alternates between Justin & Veronica, and
Sadieville before it vanished, so we get to know more than they do, but we
still don’t know it all until their guide takes them to where the entrance to
the Sadieville mine used to be. What they find there could not only change their
lives, but the lives of everyone in Needsville.
When I requested this book, I didn’t realize that it was the
end of a series of books about the Needsville area and the people there, the
Tufa, but the story does manage to stand on its own. The author has managed to
create a wonderful sense of place- the Appalachias have become a place I would
love to see- and also a good sense of the Tufa as a people, despite not
spending much time with any single one of them. I loved the combination of
small town humanness mixed with Celtic fairie lore; the story presents a big
question to the Tufa; do they want to stay in our world, or go back to fairie?
What about their friends and lovers, and children? It’s a complex issue. Four
and half stars.
The above is an affiliate link. If you click through and buy something- anything- from Amazon, they will give me a few cents.
I received a copy of this book free from Net Galley in return for an unbiased review
Neither of these things influenced my review.
One to look for. Might even go back to the series beginniing
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