Title: The Thorns Remain

Author: JJA Harwood

A dance with the fae will change everything.

1919. In a highland village forgotten by the world, harvest season is over and the young who remain after war and flu have ravaged the village will soon head south to make something of themselves.

Moira Jean and her friends head to the forest for a last night of laughter before parting ways. Moira Jean is being left behind. She had plans to leave once – but her lover died in France and with him, her future. The friends light a fire, sing and dance. But with every twirl about the flames, strange new dancers thread between them, music streaming from the trees.

The fae are here.

Suddenly Moira Jean finds herself all alone, her friends spirited away. The iron medal of her lost love, pinned to her dress, protected her from magic.

For the Fae feel forgotten too. Lead by the darkly handsome Lord of the Fae, they are out to make themselves known once more. Moira Jean must enter into a bargain with the Lord to save her friends – and fast, for the longer one spends with the Fae, the less like themselves they are upon return. If Moira Jean cannot save her friends before Beltine, they will be lost forever…

‘I am lord of the Land Under the Hill and I shall take what the children of men have denied me. I shall have my tribute.’

I love a historical fantasy, I love the Fae and I love a Scottish based book (it’s so magical there!) It was like I was transported to Scotland in 1919, so lush and atmospheric.

People were strong back then. All the work they had to do just to survive. I wouldn’t have been able to do it. Maybe that’s how mankind has gone wrong?

Anyway……we have Moira Jean. Her and her friends cut loose for the night and go drinking…but they aren’t alone. The Folk have arrived and with it, their Lord. When everyone goes missing apart from Moira Jean, she has to piece back together what has happened and take action!

Here’s some notes I took of my thoughts and feelings – apologies, there’s a few but really these are reasons why you should read this!

~ the time period,
~ reading about life then,
~ the descriptions of Brudonnock,
~ Moira Jean, her grief made me so sad but she was so strong,
~ Angus, how I wished he had been there,
~ Mrs Iverach, gawd love her,
~ The Dreamer, how he wanted to learn (and he needed to learn humility!)
~ The glaistig (baby moo, IYKYK!)

Wow, for me that was a long one. To get a long review out of me is a miracle. So you need to read this to experience it too!