Review of Women of Foxwick

Blurb:

Follow five women from Foxwick in this five-story fantasy collection by Cherie Reich.

A bard will lose her head, if she doesn't find the correct notes. A dragon seer must decide whether to betray her dragons or her fair kingdom. An assassin will journey to the Shadowlands to destroy Death. Twins are selected for the Mage Game, and a princess will journey to Valdale in search of the sorceress who can save Foxwick.

My review: 
Women of Foxwick is a collection of five fantastic tales in a world of beauty, magic, and danger. In "Lady Bard," Lyrica must play the right tune to free a prince from a curse or else both of them will lose their lives. A young and kind girl named Vesta is dragged before the fearsome Queen of Wintermill to serve her destructive will in "Dragon Seer." "Lady Death" brings us into the dark world of an assassin named Umbria and her quest to kill Death himself. The twin sisters in "Mage Game" are as close as can be, and with their amateur skills, they must fight for the possibility of a better life through a challenge issued by the king. Finally, in "Magic Seeker," a princess' compassion and mysterious aunt help her to find a sorceress who might be able to save her realm.


Cherie Reich has created a rich and wonderful fantasy world with Foxwick. The people, land, and creatures are fascinating. I love how she links a few stories together, and how this collection intricately weaves with the stories in Flashes of Foxwick. Yet these can very much be enjoyed as stand-alone stories. There's never a dull moment, and each story has its own undeniable source of tension that will insure you don't stop reading. Cherie's writing is natural, poetic, and fluid, and reminds me very much of Juilet Marillier's books.


My favorite story of the bunch is "Lady Death." It begins with a sword fight and a plea to save the King's wife and child. The only way to save the woman and baby who are beyond any mortal's help is to kill Death. Umbria, the assassin and King's sister, cannot refuse him. She travels to the Shadowlands and faces the ghosts of loved ones before she meets Death himself. There's a lot of intensity and emotion packed into this short story, and I found myself holding my breath near the end. I had no idea what was going to happen. No one can kill Death, right? You'll have to read it to find out Cherie's clever twist.


I highly recommend Women of Foxwick for those of you who love fantasy, and for excellently written strong heroines.


Women of Foxwick will be released on June 26th. That's only four days away!


Until then, you can pick up A to Z Flashes of Foxwick for FREE on Amazon.


Please visit Cherie Reich's blog and say hello!