Thistlemarsh

Set in the aftermath of WWI, in a world where Faeries are known but thought to have abandoned England, Corrigan’s quaint historical fantasy debut offers a gentle love story. Mouse Dunne is the inheritor of Faerie-blessed Thistlemarsh Hall, but her hateful uncle has left some conditions. To keep the house, Mouse must either marry or completely renovate the crumbling manor within the month. If she doesn’t, the entire inheritance goes to her awful cousin, Carlyle. Desperate to provide for her disabled brother, Mouse makes an ill-advised deal with a Faerie, Thornwood, who shocks her by appearing on the property. He agrees to use his magic to restore Thistlemarsh to its former glory. As the two work together, a soft and sweet romance takes root. Despite their diametrically opposed worldviews, Mouse and Thornwood go from entertaining disagreements to slowly earned respect. The duo’s dynamic keeps the novel afloat, even when their investigation into the estate’s magic underwhelms, suffering from a few too many convenient turns. A sense of isolation, stemming from a lack of interaction with the surrounding town of Tithe, makes the world of the novel feel somewhat limited and flat but gives the small cast more time to shine. H.G. Parry and Heather Fawcett fans should take a chance on this one. Agent: Sarah Landis, Sterling Lord Literistic. (Apr.)