Faerie Wars is the first book in The Faerie Wars Chronicles by Herbie Brennan. When I started this book some of the scenes were familiar, but I don’t think I read the full novel before.
Faerie Wars was a treat to read. It starts off with hero Henry Atherton recognizing that his parents are having problems and suspecting his Dad of an affair. Although the family troubles are a background note to the series and frame some of Henry’s choices, they are not a key part of the plot and Henry’s family are side characters.
Characters are Grand
The important characters are Henry, his eccentric employer Mr. Fogarty, the Faery crown prince Pyrgus and princess Blue, the Purple Emperor and several wonderfully rotten villains. The villains don’t have many redeeming qualities – in fact none – but they are not cardboard cutouts either. You understand what motivates them (money and power), their goals (power, money and survival) and although the depth of wickedness is stunning, it is reasonable for characters who value power and money above everything.
Faerie Wars could have been a classic coming-of-age story. All three young characters, Henry, Pyrgus and Blue, grow during the novel and Henry develops the backbone to assert himself with his parents and creepy sister. But this too is a side note, a secondary plot, and does not detract from the serious story.
The heart of Faerie Wars is how the Purple Emperor can keep his realm together and overcome deep divisions between faeries of the dark and faeries of the light. War looms. The faeries live in the Purple Empire in an analogue world to Earth. They are human. The two sides have different religions, eyes and the dark faeries have a far greater tolerance for demons and a propensity to seek power and money.
Plot Moves and Captures Interest
Pyrgus needs to take refuge in the Analogue World (our Earth) but someone sabotages the portal. Pyrgus ends up in Mr. Fogarty’s backyard, with wings and about 6 inches tall. Henry rescues Pyrgus from Mr. Fogarty’s cat. When Pyrgus reverts to his natural shape and size the two boys help Mr. Fogarty (former particle physicist and bank robber) build a portal from our side. Unfortuately Pyrgus is impatient and instead of waiting for Mr. Fogarty to test the portal, he plunges in and ends up in the other analogue world, Hael.
Demons live in Hael and seek entrance to Faerie world or Earth to wreak destruction and misery. Their leader is Beleth who captures Pyrgus and devises a tormenting death for him. Henry manages to rescue Pyrgus with help from Blue.
Highly Recommend
Faerie Wars is fun and fast to read. The characters are sympathetic and interesting. I even found myself hoping a few of the lesser villains would survive another book, despite their vile actions and nasty attitudes.
Faerie Wars is listed as YA Fiction. I would categorize it as a book that younger people could enjoy for the plot and characters, which adults would enjoy too. We adults also realize the the Purple Emperor faces a real dilemma, one that we face in our world too, and that adds depth to the story that we enjoy.
4 Stars.
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