Interesting. A slow-burning rural fantasy (as opposed to an urban fantasy) centring on four half-sisters, their various lovers (ghostly and alive), their dead grandfather and their missing mother.

Set in rural Somerset (the mystical Avalon), all four sisters meet for the first time in several years at the family home, Mooncote Manor. Strange things happen as a comet approaches, and they find out what happened to their mother and bring her home.

I found it quite a slow read - not a story to canter through, more something to read a bit at a time. It was also more or less real time. The format took a bit of getting used to: each chapter was from the PoV of a different sister which made for some disconnects - leaving one sister on a metaphorical cliff edge and jumping to another.

Recommended.

Delightful start to a anew fantasy series. Four sisters and their missing mother interact with fantasy creatures. Wonderfully written. ( )

https://nwhyte.livejournal.com/3646632.html

A spooky story of four sisters looking for their mysteriously vanished mother, and the West Country home that some have left and some have not. Various bits of magic occur, including the Behenian stars, a bit of astronomical lore that I had completely forgotten, if I ever knew. Extra marks for several gratuitous Doctor Who references. I really loved it. ( )

This is a marvelous understated contemporary fantasy from an author whose previous works of SF I was already somewhat familiar with, having read and enjoyed Banner of Souls, Bloodmind and Darkland amongst others.

It's a modern tale of a set of sisters and a mysterious and missing mother, in a corner of rural Britain where the spirits of place are real and the hauntology of British folklore is close to or just beyond surface reality. A comet is approaching and something stranger than usual is happening in their unusual world as the sisters come to the conclusion that they need to try to find their mother as a matter of urgency.

Within the first few pages I knew i was in good hands as I realised the writing was reminding me so very strongly of the late Graham Joyce in its tone and approach and its careful layering of the fantastical elements present.

The ensemble cast - the sisters and their family and associates, even the antagonists - also were reminiscent of Keith Roberts work in some of his gentler fantasies and contemporary works (Kaeti & Company, The Road to Paradise etc.). It's an ensemble cast I'd like to meet again.

Highly recommended.

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This is a wonderful, magical story of 4 fallow sisters each one following what they believe in their hearts.

BEE is the practical one who is still living in the family home. She has met an unconventional bf that her sisters aren’t aware of yet.
STELLA is a DJ who has vowed never to return home to Mooncote after a fight with Bee, until something happens
SERENA is a single mother and a fashion designer. She is unsure of her long term bf Ben, a rock singer and son of a family friend
LUNA is the youngest who is head strong and free spirited. She lives out of a horse drawn van while following the Gypsy Switch: route of horse fairs that spans the length of the country
Alys, the sisters’ mother is a former Vogue cover model who disappeared a year ago.

Ned Dark who is love with Bee is beyond this world. Who he is and how long he has been around will amaze you.
The sisters know the Comet is due and coming soon. They each hear something from star spirits about the Comet coming. They may get answers about their mom.

This book has wonder, horror, love in every form and a sense of family no matter how strange
When I was nearing finishing this read, I loved how family unity came into play. The question is, did the sisters find their mother or not? Just read this book and go along with the ride ( )