Book Review
Nov. 21st, 2023 07:36 pmThe Bell at Sealey Head
Patricia A. McKillip
This short fantasy novel concerns the small port community of Sealey Head and the fairy tale playing out alongside them. Almost everyone in the twon hears a mysterious bell ring every day at sundown. Crumbling and ancient, Aislinn House stands above the town, now home to a dying old woman and her remaining servants. However, as the maid Emma is all too aware, the doors of the house sometimes open to an enchanted castle containing a young princess, Ysabo, and a squadron of knights. When a mysterious, scholarly stranger arrives in town, the secrets of the house, the bell, and the castle begin to unravel.
This very cozy, beautiful story runs two charming stories in parallel. The first is that of the town's inhabitants and their romances and relationships. The second is that of the enchanted castle and the magic therein. The way McKillip connects the two is subtle and lovely, and the outcomes of everyone's stories are satisfying yet feel like they will continue in interesting ways after the book ends.
Patricia A. McKillip
This short fantasy novel concerns the small port community of Sealey Head and the fairy tale playing out alongside them. Almost everyone in the twon hears a mysterious bell ring every day at sundown. Crumbling and ancient, Aislinn House stands above the town, now home to a dying old woman and her remaining servants. However, as the maid Emma is all too aware, the doors of the house sometimes open to an enchanted castle containing a young princess, Ysabo, and a squadron of knights. When a mysterious, scholarly stranger arrives in town, the secrets of the house, the bell, and the castle begin to unravel.
This very cozy, beautiful story runs two charming stories in parallel. The first is that of the town's inhabitants and their romances and relationships. The second is that of the enchanted castle and the magic therein. The way McKillip connects the two is subtle and lovely, and the outcomes of everyone's stories are satisfying yet feel like they will continue in interesting ways after the book ends.