“Drowned Country” by Emily Tesh

Here’s to show how very trivial it is for me to rate things. I enjoyed Drowned Country much more than I did Silver in the Wood, but I gave Silver in the Wood a half star higher rating than Drowned Country. Why? Because Drowned Country felt like a 3 star and Silver in the Wood felt like a 3.5 star…? Basically, not much reason at all. Anyway…

Genre:

Fantasy

Series:

Greenhollow, book 2

Pub:

August 18, 2020

Goodreads summary:

Drowned Country is the the stunning sequel to Silver in the Wood, Emily Tesh’s lush, folkloric debut. This second volume of the Greenhollow duology once again invites readers to lose themselves in the story of Henry and Tobias, and the magic of a myth they’ve always known.

Even the Wild Man of Greenhollow can’t ignore a summons from his mother, when that mother is the indomitable Adela Silver, practical folklorist. Henry Silver does not relish what he’ll find in the grimy seaside town of Rothport, where once the ancient wood extended before it was drowned beneath the sea―a missing girl, a monster on the loose, or, worst of all, Tobias Finch, who loves him. (Goodreads)

My thoughts:

So some time has passed since Silver became the new Wild Man of Greenhollow, releasing Tobias from his duties. Since then, the two had blissful, romantic moments together at Greenhollow Hall until something occurred that broke their romantic union apart. Silver remained at Greenhollow Hall turning it into a wreak, and Tobias went off with Mrs. Silver helping her on her hunts.

One day, Mrs. Silver returns to Greenhollow Hall seeking her son’s help on a mission…and also to draw him out of his exaggerated sulk. A vampire in the “grimy seaside town of Rothport” abducted a young woman, and Mrs. Silver and Tobias are trying to get her back but need Silver’s help to do so. Still sulking, Silver decides to help save the girl, who he later realizes doesn’t need saving, and meets a creature he thought never exist.

Part of the reason why I enjoyed Drowned Country more than Silver in the Wood is because it’s so chatty. It’s told from Silver’s perspective, so it has a lot more to say because Silver (well, everyone else) talks much more than Tobias.

Silver in the Wood was silent, pensive, and brooding, much like Tobias at the time. It was a good read, but I certainly was more entertained by Silver’s voice and his observations, especially about his mom in relation to him, such as how he’d apparently oversold the impression to his mother that he’s feeble and unable to lift anything heavier than a dictionary, lol. He’s so sarcastic — another reason why I enjoyed reading from his perspective.

Again the story is heavily atmospheric and I liked the writing. The characters visit the fairy realm and although I was hoping for a more spectacular fairy world because it’s something I always hope for, the barren landscape piqued my curiosity and the reason for its barreness was interesting.

The characters, of course, were great. Tobias spoke a bit more than he did in Silver in the Wood (lol, j/k) and although sometimes Silver irked me because of his pompous attitude and selfishness, which being caretaker of the Wood seems to enhance, I liked him too. As for Mrs. Silver… I need a book about her. (Sure her name is Adela Silver, but I feel compelled to always refer to her as Mrs. Silver, to always be aware of the respect she is due.) So yes, a story about Mrs. Silver’s younger years roaming around the country hunting fantastical beings and maybe even a story of Mrs. Silver having to live in a house with her pompous son, Silver, his strong and silent companion, Tobias, and the ever-curious, ever-questioning newcomer, Maud Lindhurst… I’d like a story about Maud learning from Mrs. Silver and hunting too. Basically, I want more stories. 😊

There’s much potential for the Greenhollow duology to extend to more novellas. I like Tesh’s writing and love how atmospheric her stories are. I just sink into them, into Greenhollow, whenever I start reading. I’ll certainly be on the look-out for whatever Tesh drops next.

Overall: ★★★☆☆

Another atmospheric installment of the Greenhollow duology in which the Wild Man of Greenhollow is reprimanded by his mother for sulking so long. Lol! Sike! Not really. Anyway, it’s a good read and I recommend it.

P.S.:

Bramble is one of my fav characters. I wonder what a story from her POV would be like.

Buy | Borrow | Bypass

It’s worth trying.

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