Title: Fairies Sorcery and the Greek Gods
Author: Donald R. Richter
Publisher: Aspire Publishing Hub, LLC
ISBN: 978-1960758538
Pages: 392
Genre: Fantasy
Reviewed by: Lee Brown
Hollywood Book Reviews
Fantasy fiction has always been popular but in recent years, thanks to the success of such television shows as ‘The Rings Of Power’ and ‘House Of The Dragon,’ more people than ever before are seeking out authors who can replicate the experiences they gained while binge-watching something fantastical on the small screen. One such author is Donald R. Richter, whose book Fairies Sorcery and the Greek Gods is an entertaining read that tells the story of Jack, a man who God has chosen to save the world from a ruthless race of blue fairies and a gallery of dastardly demigods from Greek mythology. Jack doesn’t tackle these foes alone as he’s joined by a red and a green fairy (creatures of a friendlier persuasion than the dreadful blues) and a human companion named Andre.
Fairies Sorcery and the Greek Gods is part of a book series that began with Fairies, Sorcery and the Devil. You don’t necessarily need to read that latter title before this second entry as we are brought up to speed on what happened in that novel before this one begins. However, it might still be in your best interests to read the first book to learn more about how Jack got his powers and how he came to meet the aforementioned characters that he shares his adventures with.
I previously mentioned The Rings of Power but Fairies Sorcery and the Greek Gods is more comparable to ‘Carnival Row’ and ‘His Dark Materials’ than that Tolkien-inspired series, as it’s a fantasy tale that takes place in the human world rather than an otherworldly setting. It’s exciting stuff, moving at a breathless pace around the globe, at least until Jack and company slow down to check Google Earth to find out the location of the next part of their mission. The Internet’s favorite place finder isn’t the only thing that grounds the story in reality as not only does Jack regularly stop to eat at familiar restaurants but he occasionally uses the toilet too – scenes that remind us Jack is human, despite the magical powers he has been handed and his Benjamin Button-like ability to age backwards.
Fans of Greek mythology will get a lot from this book as many famous characters from those tales of yore, including Medusa, Zeus and Poseidon, are given a mention. There are also references to a vast array of other famous figures, including King Arthur, Mary the Mother of Jesus, and Baba Yaga (a fearsome character from Slavik folklore) who are also interwoven into the story. How all these characters slot together in Richter’s epic tale of good vs evil is for you to find out as you progress through this wondrous page-turner.
Fairies Sorcery and the Greek Gods is a spellbinding work of fiction, packed with details about legends past and filled with a gallery of extraordinary characters of both the mortal and the immortal kind. Donald R. Richter has a fabulous imagination that comes to life on the page. So, if you’re looking for your next fix of fantasy, I highly recommend this enchanting tale and the other books that form a part of his intoxicating adventure series.