This book is a very strong argument as to why frequent, extended descriptions of what the characters are wearing is a bad idea: not only is it unnecessary, a lot of the time, but it makes the book feel very dated. The fact that the descriptions are of what was fashionable in the late Eighties is even worse: people actually wore that? With shoulder-pads? Oh my. Similarly: ixnay on the awful rock lyrics.

Anyway, I read War for the Oaks because I had heard so many people describe it as a classic of the genre. Liked the Phouka a lot, didn't mind Eddi overly much (she wasn't annoying, though her increasingly Mary Sue qualities made me roll my eyes just a bit as the book progressed), thought their eventual romance made things a bit too treacly. It was certainly enjoyable, and a quick read, but I don't think I'd call it a classic—perhaps more of a pioneer? I've read things by, say, Gaiman, who have taken on the same themes and roughly the same settings, and haven't left me feeling frustrated by things left hinted at or never explored. (Why the hell have two European fairy courts taken up residence in Minneapolis, of all places? What happened to the native magic of the place? Because I can't imagine it not having an existence before us white folks.) ( )

This book has been popping up on my Amazon recommendations list for probably a year now. That, combined with the fact that there's a quote on front in which Neil Gaiman states, "Emma Bull is really good" (which may seem scant praise, but is everything to a Gaiman fan), I finally decided to just go ahead and order it. After reading it, I concur with Mr. Gaiman--Emma Bull is really good. An urban fantasy set in the 1980's, Bull takes full advantage of the time period by showcasing the music and the lavish, ridiculously wonderful over-the-top 1980's clothing (really, other than perhaps the Glam Rock period of the 1970's, there's no other time period in which a story such as this would work to such effect). Eddi is a musician chosen by the fey to be the mortal who will bring death to the battlefield in the Seelie Court's battle against the Unseelie Court (who will bring darkness and gloom to the city should they triumph). Bull draws heavily on the folktales of Ireland and Scotland and her faeries are wonderful creatures--seldom completely good or evil, but always looking to bend events to their favor with no regard to the consequences brought upon others. My favorites include Hairy Meg (a brownie from Scotland who brought her thick brogue and cantankerous temper with her) and the hilariously mischievous phouka who serves as Eddi's bodyguard. You can practically see these faeries as they may have been imagined by Jim Henson or Brian Froud. Overall, my only criticism is that the ending seemed a little anticlimatic (it did seem a little too easy to defeat the Queen of Air and Darkness) and shifts in time periods weren't always made clear. Other than that, an excellent book. ( )

I really enjoyed this novel. I could barely stop laughing when I first started it. The humor in it is simply hilarious and even as the book gets more serious there is still some cheek to the dialogue. I really loved the plot and the characters. The music involved simply drew me in and I almost wish I could play guitar so I could relate a little more to the main character. Absolutely fantastic urban fantasy novel. ( )

Another book that seemed to have passed me by, this was given to me by a bookloving friend who after I gave him The Book of Lost Things, thought it would be right up my alley. How right he was.

War for the Oaks is an odd book that seems to have joined if not begun the urban fantasy category of books. The story of a rock musician who becomes embroiled in the battle between the two realms of Faerie, whilst attempting to reorganise her own shambles of a life. War for the Oaks is most definitely set in the modern day, in Minneapolis nonetheless, with rock music pervading every chapter.

Eddi McCandry quits her rock band and breaks up with her boyfriend, only to discover that she has been chosen to act as mortal overseer of the battle between the Faerie Seelie and Unseelie Courts. Until the battle commences, Eddi is assigned the phouka, a shapeshifting prankster faerie, as her bodyguard, to keep her safe from the evil Unseelie Court and its ruler, the Queen of Air and Darkness. Eddi finds the phouka insufferable and more than once it occurs to her to flee him and his protection, leaving behind the responsibilities of her role in the battle. But it becomes clear that the phouka has other motives for his involvement in Eddi's life.

While awaiting the battle, Eddie forms another band with her best friend and drummer, Carla, and meets the quiet Hedge, and the mysterious Willy Silver who she finds herself irresistably drawn to. The theme of music runs throughout the story and becomes vital in the final battle between the Courts. The phouka is probably my favourite character. Annoying yet chivalrous, deadly and seductive, you can never really guess what he will do next.

I did not love this book from the start, it took me a while to sink into the story. Bull's writing is not dazzling, but she has a musician's gift with words, evocative and intense, slowly drawing you into this little world she has created. I would be interested to hear her music. But what I loved most about this book is all the nods to British Folklore: phouka, glaistig, brownie and redcaps. The Seelie and Unseelie Courts are Faerie as I remember from folklore, but transported into the modern world of the United States. The meld of the two is not seemless, and I was left with many questions, but it is most definitely an entertaining and gripping story. I'll certainly never look at a rock gig the same way ever again! ( )

I just read "Any Given Doomsday" by Lori Handeland. It made me ache to re-read Bull's "War for the Oaks". "War For The Oaks" is such a wonderfully creative and passionate novel. If I could suggest anything to Handeland before she writes any sequels to "Doomsday", please pick up copy of Bull's "War for the Oaks". ( )