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Bedlam's Bard #1
Knight of Ghosts and Shadows
Half a millennium after being driven from Europe and settling in southern California, a band of elves places their hopes on a single human being, who must rescue them from a dark oppressor. Reissue.
344 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published June 1, 1990
21 people are currently reading
2050 people want to read
About the author
Mercedes Lackey
427Ìýbooks9,353ÌýfollowersMercedes entered this world on June 24, 1950, in Chicago, had a normal childhood and graduated from Purdue University in 1972. During the late 70's she worked as an artist's model and then went into the computer programming field, ending up with American Airlines in Tulsa, Oklahoma. In addition to her fantasy writing, she has written lyrics for and recorded nearly fifty songs for Firebird Arts & Music, a small recording company specializing in science fiction folk music.
"I'm a storyteller; that's what I see as 'my job'. My stories come out of my characters; how those characters would react to the given situation. Maybe that's why I get letters from readers as young as thirteen and as old as sixty-odd. One of the reasons I write song lyrics is because I see songs as a kind of 'story pill' -- they reduce a story to the barest essentials or encapsulate a particular crucial moment in time. I frequently will write a lyric when I am attempting to get to the heart of a crucial scene; I find that when I have done so, the scene has become absolutely clear in my mind, and I can write exactly what I wanted to say. Another reason is because of the kind of novels I am writing: that is, fantasy, set in an other-world semi-medieval atmosphere. Music is very important to medieval peoples; bards are the chief newsbringers. When I write the 'folk music' of these peoples, I am enriching my whole world, whether I actually use the song in the text or not.
"I began writing out of boredom; I continue out of addiction. I can't 'not' write, and as a result I have no social life! I began writing fantasy because I love it, but I try to construct my fantasy worlds with all the care of a 'high-tech' science fiction writer. I apply the principle of TANSTAAFL ['There ain't no such thing as free lunch', credited to Robert Heinlein) to magic, for instance; in my worlds, magic is paid for, and the cost to the magician is frequently a high one. I try to keep my world as solid and real as possible; people deal with stubborn pumps, bugs in the porridge, and love-lives that refuse to become untangled, right along with invading armies and evil magicians. And I try to make all of my characters, even the 'evil magicians,' something more than flat stereotypes. Even evil magicians get up in the night and look for cookies, sometimes.
"I suppose that in everything I write I try to expound the creed I gave my character Diana Tregarde in Burning Water:
"There's no such thing as 'one, true way'; the only answers worth having are the ones you find for yourself; leave the world better than you found it. Love, freedom, and the chance to do some good -- they're the things worth living and dying for, and if you aren't willing to die for the things worth living for, you might as well turn in your membership in the human race."
Also writes as Misty Lackey
"I'm a storyteller; that's what I see as 'my job'. My stories come out of my characters; how those characters would react to the given situation. Maybe that's why I get letters from readers as young as thirteen and as old as sixty-odd. One of the reasons I write song lyrics is because I see songs as a kind of 'story pill' -- they reduce a story to the barest essentials or encapsulate a particular crucial moment in time. I frequently will write a lyric when I am attempting to get to the heart of a crucial scene; I find that when I have done so, the scene has become absolutely clear in my mind, and I can write exactly what I wanted to say. Another reason is because of the kind of novels I am writing: that is, fantasy, set in an other-world semi-medieval atmosphere. Music is very important to medieval peoples; bards are the chief newsbringers. When I write the 'folk music' of these peoples, I am enriching my whole world, whether I actually use the song in the text or not.
"I began writing out of boredom; I continue out of addiction. I can't 'not' write, and as a result I have no social life! I began writing fantasy because I love it, but I try to construct my fantasy worlds with all the care of a 'high-tech' science fiction writer. I apply the principle of TANSTAAFL ['There ain't no such thing as free lunch', credited to Robert Heinlein) to magic, for instance; in my worlds, magic is paid for, and the cost to the magician is frequently a high one. I try to keep my world as solid and real as possible; people deal with stubborn pumps, bugs in the porridge, and love-lives that refuse to become untangled, right along with invading armies and evil magicians. And I try to make all of my characters, even the 'evil magicians,' something more than flat stereotypes. Even evil magicians get up in the night and look for cookies, sometimes.
"I suppose that in everything I write I try to expound the creed I gave my character Diana Tregarde in Burning Water:
"There's no such thing as 'one, true way'; the only answers worth having are the ones you find for yourself; leave the world better than you found it. Love, freedom, and the chance to do some good -- they're the things worth living and dying for, and if you aren't willing to die for the things worth living for, you might as well turn in your membership in the human race."
Also writes as Misty Lackey
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews
June 13, 2018
This was one of my very first polyamorous reads. Lackey wrote urban fantasy before it was cool, and did it with her usual charm and aplomb. Want your elves in LA and bumming about the Renaissance Faire? Then this book if for you. The romance elements are light, but they are there, and this book may have the most romantic happy ever after ever scribbled.
I never really got into the rest of the series, but this one has been on my shelf for years and I sill revisit it. It may in part have to do with the ending. All life should be that romantic. And that sexy.
I never really got into the rest of the series, but this one has been on my shelf for years and I sill revisit it. It may in part have to do with the ending. All life should be that romantic. And that sexy.
September 3, 2010
Beautiful music and elves hopped up on caffeine, what's not to love? It is especially good if you happen to be aware of the REAL machinations that went on trying to save the Agoura Faire site [and yes, they lost] which Lackey so admirably spins into a tale of magic and elves...
Read in order.
Contains some m/m so if that's a problem for you stay away...
Bedlam's Bard
1. Knight of Ghosts and Shadows (1990) (with Ellen Guon)
2. Summoned to Tourney (1992) (with Ellen Guon)
4. Beyond World's End (2000) (with Rosemary Edghill)
5. Spirits White as Lightning (2001) (with Rosemary Edghill)
6. Mad Maudlin (2003) (with Rosemary Edghill)
7. Music to My Sorrow (2005) (with Rosemary Edghill)
Ellen Guon the co-author also has Bedlam Boyz (1993) which ties into this series.
Read in order.
Contains some m/m so if that's a problem for you stay away...
Bedlam's Bard
1. Knight of Ghosts and Shadows (1990) (with Ellen Guon)
2. Summoned to Tourney (1992) (with Ellen Guon)
4. Beyond World's End (2000) (with Rosemary Edghill)
5. Spirits White as Lightning (2001) (with Rosemary Edghill)
6. Mad Maudlin (2003) (with Rosemary Edghill)
7. Music to My Sorrow (2005) (with Rosemary Edghill)
Ellen Guon the co-author also has Bedlam Boyz (1993) which ties into this series.
December 10, 2010
One of my most favored memories and my introduction into the genre of Urban Fantasy. Mercedes Lackey and Ellen Guon weave a wonderful web of Elves in the modern day world. The character development is extremely well done, but the plot is left a littl thread-bare in places. Not to worry though, as it seems that this novel is more about exploring the characters than it is about exploring a setting in a story. The characters of Eric, Beth, and Kory are well worked, and their feelings on all sorts of subjects is explored in great detail. This is one of my favorite all-time books. Give it a whirl!
February 27, 2019
I don't understand this book.
Eric is the most unreliable and weak willed protagonist ever.
It doesn't matter if he has a 'good heart'. When you willing abandon your allies and friends for some 'coochie ' and allow the world that you know it to be destroyed, what is the point of you. Eric did the work of the bad guys: by doing absolutely nothing.
Oh yes, Eric is suppose to be a Bard, somehow having the power in his music to transform into magic to save a dying race of elves. His clear opponents are an elvish traitor and his half-breed beautiful daughter, Rita, from sucking creativity and civility from the world. But Eric is a drunk, living his gypsy heart broken life, doesn't want any obligations, playing his music at street fairs and street corners with the emotional maturity of a teenage girl.
Yet still, this is suppose to be our hero.
He runs into the arms of his enemy when Beth, his friend, falls in love with the refugee elf. And the traitor elves win, destroys the nexus, draining the magic of the elves, abandons the love of his life and puts himself into an external dream state WILLINGLY because of his scorned love.
Worst yet, is his love for 'Beth'. There are people dying and your apartment is destoyed!!! But if 'Beth' doesn't want him, Eric will leave the elves to their fate. His friend is literally dying. Wait, if he does die in Beth's arm then Eric will now have a chance to be with her after the genocide of the elvish people. He's worst than a selfish hormonal teenage girl. He can't see anything except himself. I don't really see any ANY redeeming qualities in this character especially for all those people: Rita, the immature elf and Beth are willing to die for him.
Eric is selfish, petty, little, emotionally stunted and immature and somehow we are told because he sings really good, he's a hero.
Right.
Eric is the most unreliable and weak willed protagonist ever.
It doesn't matter if he has a 'good heart'. When you willing abandon your allies and friends for some 'coochie ' and allow the world that you know it to be destroyed, what is the point of you. Eric did the work of the bad guys: by doing absolutely nothing.
Oh yes, Eric is suppose to be a Bard, somehow having the power in his music to transform into magic to save a dying race of elves. His clear opponents are an elvish traitor and his half-breed beautiful daughter, Rita, from sucking creativity and civility from the world. But Eric is a drunk, living his gypsy heart broken life, doesn't want any obligations, playing his music at street fairs and street corners with the emotional maturity of a teenage girl.
Yet still, this is suppose to be our hero.
He runs into the arms of his enemy when Beth, his friend, falls in love with the refugee elf. And the traitor elves win, destroys the nexus, draining the magic of the elves, abandons the love of his life and puts himself into an external dream state WILLINGLY because of his scorned love.
Worst yet, is his love for 'Beth'. There are people dying and your apartment is destoyed!!! But if 'Beth' doesn't want him, Eric will leave the elves to their fate. His friend is literally dying. Wait, if he does die in Beth's arm then Eric will now have a chance to be with her after the genocide of the elvish people. He's worst than a selfish hormonal teenage girl. He can't see anything except himself. I don't really see any ANY redeeming qualities in this character especially for all those people: Rita, the immature elf and Beth are willing to die for him.
Eric is selfish, petty, little, emotionally stunted and immature and somehow we are told because he sings really good, he's a hero.
Right.
June 3, 2020
OH, Oh, oh...how does she do this? Again...Could. Not. Put. It. Down.
February 14, 2025
This story has a great premise. I love urban fantasy like this that feels so... Unused? Fresh? It's pre-most of the popular UF and never felt too derivative on those regards.
We know Lackey loves her bards, her elves, and finding a way to being them both into the same world. This is no exception. The premise does feel a bit trite: looming capitalism destroying the environment, people's native habitat, and culture. Wrap that up by an evil villain caricature and it's all very 90s.
But this book does have charm. It filters through especially when there's deeply moving musical moments. Or when the characters all feel attraction for each other and decide "hey, let's be a thruple instead". It's not enough, which is probably a sign that this is one of Lackey's early works, but it's got enough to hint at more to come.
On the flip side (to be real 90s for a moment) the plot is really boring. Like really really boring. It probably felt fresh and new when it was published, but now it's all I can do to stop my eyes from glazing over. The characters are okay. The male MC is a bit too much of a bubbling fool to care for. The women are sad empty husks. The other POV characters feel like they're just there for plot reasons.
Is it a great book? Not at all. But it does have some moments that hint at Lackey's successful future as a writer.
We know Lackey loves her bards, her elves, and finding a way to being them both into the same world. This is no exception. The premise does feel a bit trite: looming capitalism destroying the environment, people's native habitat, and culture. Wrap that up by an evil villain caricature and it's all very 90s.
But this book does have charm. It filters through especially when there's deeply moving musical moments. Or when the characters all feel attraction for each other and decide "hey, let's be a thruple instead". It's not enough, which is probably a sign that this is one of Lackey's early works, but it's got enough to hint at more to come.
On the flip side (to be real 90s for a moment) the plot is really boring. Like really really boring. It probably felt fresh and new when it was published, but now it's all I can do to stop my eyes from glazing over. The characters are okay. The male MC is a bit too much of a bubbling fool to care for. The women are sad empty husks. The other POV characters feel like they're just there for plot reasons.
Is it a great book? Not at all. But it does have some moments that hint at Lackey's successful future as a writer.
September 17, 2020
A very enjoyable dungeons and dragon book by an Science fiction writer: lackey.
February 24, 2025
I think the story was good. Unfortunately, I listened to this first book of the series via audible & the narrator was less than I would have wished for. His voices, character voices, and presentation of the story were often so distracting that he pulled me out of the story, or was just annoying to listen to.
I’ve long loved Mercedes Lackey, so the narrator’s performance was a big disappointment. IF I read the other books in this series, it will likely be in hard copy or kindle, as I’m not subjecting myself to that narrator again.
I’ve long loved Mercedes Lackey, so the narrator’s performance was a big disappointment. IF I read the other books in this series, it will likely be in hard copy or kindle, as I’m not subjecting myself to that narrator again.
August 19, 2010
This was a very good book in that it was written well, exciting, had good development of characters, a wonderful plot, and interesting ideas. Both Elves and humans have magic, with music being the medium of choice, as others (the Bardic Voices books) of Mercedes Lackey's books also have as a grand aspect of their worlds.
However, I personally did not like it anywhere near as much as I might have because of the triangle that developed by the end of the book between the three main characters. Also, some might very well not like it because of the lifestyle choices of the main character, Eric, who has rejected a more traditional and stable lifestyle of a regular job to be able to move around and play wherever he wants; he greatly enjoys this, and it works out well for him, but it may not for most outside of a book. That part lifestyle most likely was to have been meant by the as fun, and it certainly makes the book more adventureous. The main problem I had was with the characters' intimate lives. Eric has had several girlfriends with whom he lived, but more so Eric, Kory, and Beth (the three main characters, the first two male and the last female) all realize by the end of the book that they love each other in a more than a friendship kind of way, deciding to stay together and travel with each other, and presumably to be partners and live together. (This is not meant as anything against those with such choices; it mearly is something that may make some people (including me) to be less disposed to like the book).
Barring this, it was indeed an exciting story, with interesting magic and characters, engaging, and with much interplay within a few of the characters, and some unsuspected twists.
However, I personally did not like it anywhere near as much as I might have because of the triangle that developed by the end of the book between the three main characters. Also, some might very well not like it because of the lifestyle choices of the main character, Eric, who has rejected a more traditional and stable lifestyle of a regular job to be able to move around and play wherever he wants; he greatly enjoys this, and it works out well for him, but it may not for most outside of a book. That part lifestyle most likely was to have been meant by the as fun, and it certainly makes the book more adventureous. The main problem I had was with the characters' intimate lives. Eric has had several girlfriends with whom he lived, but more so Eric, Kory, and Beth (the three main characters, the first two male and the last female) all realize by the end of the book that they love each other in a more than a friendship kind of way, deciding to stay together and travel with each other, and presumably to be partners and live together. (This is not meant as anything against those with such choices; it mearly is something that may make some people (including me) to be less disposed to like the book).
Barring this, it was indeed an exciting story, with interesting magic and characters, engaging, and with much interplay within a few of the characters, and some unsuspected twists.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 31, 2015
I decided to read because someone recommended it for containing a canon OT3, and yes, it is a very pleasing book on that level. On every other level... oh my god, you guys, this book is so early 90s. Or maybe I should say so Mercedes Lackey? I haven't read enough of her books to judge. But it contains an abundance of Celtic music, Renaissance fairs, street kids (in the 'oh, I make a living busking for money' sense), elves in leather jackets, normal human beings inexplicably wandering around LA in cloaks and scarlet boots, names that sound like bad Tolkien rip-offs, battles with evil sorcerers that involve people throwing balls of magic at each other like a video game, and jazz flute. (Which I try to take seriously, because I am a mature adult, but c'mon jazz flute.)
On the other hand, it is a sweet, charming book with a lovely central relationship. It's absolutely the opposite of grimdark fantasy, and sometimes that's exactly what you need. Eric is working at a Renaissance fair, mourning the loss of his girlfriend and the upcoming loss of his job, since the land the fair is held on has been bought by developers. He accidentally awakens an elf named Korendil with his music, who recognizes Eric as a Bard, the only one with the power to save all the elves in LA. Meanwhile, Beth, a fellow musician, turns out to also be a witch. Together the three of them fight the evil elf and his half-human daughter who are trying to destroy the magic that powers LA's creativity.
On the other hand, it is a sweet, charming book with a lovely central relationship. It's absolutely the opposite of grimdark fantasy, and sometimes that's exactly what you need. Eric is working at a Renaissance fair, mourning the loss of his girlfriend and the upcoming loss of his job, since the land the fair is held on has been bought by developers. He accidentally awakens an elf named Korendil with his music, who recognizes Eric as a Bard, the only one with the power to save all the elves in LA. Meanwhile, Beth, a fellow musician, turns out to also be a witch. Together the three of them fight the evil elf and his half-human daughter who are trying to destroy the magic that powers LA's creativity.
April 16, 2020
Had to stop reading out of shear boredom. The main character is consistently and constantly talking to himself, as are other characters...entire pages are full of this italicized internal dialogue - boring.
Also the shock of characters having to deal with the fact that Elves are real gets old after the first time it happens. Guess what, I'm reading this because I know it's urban fantasy/magick realism...having to remind me on every page how fantastic or horrible Elves being true is grating and a touch insulting - boring.
Honestly this type of writing is present throughout this entire series...I won't be trying to read (or re-read) any more of them.
Also the shock of characters having to deal with the fact that Elves are real gets old after the first time it happens. Guess what, I'm reading this because I know it's urban fantasy/magick realism...having to remind me on every page how fantastic or horrible Elves being true is grating and a touch insulting - boring.
Honestly this type of writing is present throughout this entire series...I won't be trying to read (or re-read) any more of them.
May 28, 2020
Despite the triumph of good over evil, the love triangle working out, and the use of magical music, I am still left feeling vaguely dissatisfied. Eric, the MC, behaves stupidly way too often, and to everyone’s detriment. Probably half the book is italicized inner monologue. Great characters are introduced and abandoned, or killed off. There are so many cool, unusual elements that get crowded out by Eric’s flakiness, the slew of thoughts from everybody, and the sudden, bloody deaths. I don’t really know what to make of it...
March 2, 2014
ELVES IN L.A.?It would explain a lot, wouldn't it?In fact, half a millennium ago, when the elves were driven from Europe they came to -- where else?Southern California. Happy at first, they fell on hard times after one of their number tried to force the rest to be his vassals. Now it's up to one poor human to save them if he can. A knight in shining armor he's not, but he's their last hope, their
February 6, 2017
I was really looking forward to this, but it was awful.
January 31, 2022
While I recognize that these days much of urban fantasy is in the Dresden Files mode of neonoir mystery with magic powers, the Bedlam's Bard series is great example of the kind of urban fantasy I really enjoy. It's a world with magical music and elves, and it just feels much more like a hopeful magic version of reality that I would actually want to live in. Even if it does have it's share of conflict and evil to deal with.
The series begins with Eric Banyon, wandering Ren Faire busker, getting dumped by his girlfriend, and accidentally freeing an elf knight from imprisonment with his depressed flute playing. In a plot that feels very 90s, it turns out that the Ren Faire is also home to a magical nexus that keeps the elves of LA alive and is also why Hollywood and so many creatives reside there. But an evil land developer elf plans to bulldoze the site and destroy the nexus, condemning the local elf population to a slow lingering death of magic starvation. Yes, kids, it's a teen movie "put on a show to save the community center" plot but with elves and the ability to say fuck.
Or at least it seems that way at first, as Korendil the elf does his best to convince Eric and his friend Beth that elves are real and the pending destruction of the Faire site will do more than put them out of a job. But in a nice twist on the standard formula, they actually fail and things don't go quite as planned. See, Perenor, the evil elf land developer (it's like something out of the zaniest episode of Scooby-Doo!) has a sexy half human daughter who seduces Eric and in classic elf fashion, messes with his time senses. Eric thinks it's only been a couple of nights, but when he escapes her clutches it turns out it's been months and everybody has failed. The Faire is gone, and magic in LA is dying. Now we'll all be subjected to crappy robotic movies and terrible music - insert joke about that media property you hate.
I really like that Eric messed up, because it makes perfect sense for his character. It's not exactly that he's afraid of commitment, but that he doesn't like being tied down. He quit Julliard and it's clear that ever since he's bounced around without any long term plans. Plus, given the sort of people he hangs out with, it's pretty reasonable for him to think the whole elves thing in BS, at least until the magic starts happening. After all, any Ren Faire worth the name has at least one or two stalls selling elf ears. I also like this part of the plot because at first I thought it might be the sort of story where Eric gets a glimpse of a bad future and is able to use magic to go back and fix things. But no, just like in real life, the only way is to move forward and find a new magical elf grove.
While some aspects of the final conflict feel a little less climactic than they could be, I generally really enjoyed this book. Eric, Kory, and Beth are great characters, and I appreciate that they all have reasons for being mad at each other at various points. Yes, things would be straightened out if they just sat down and talked like sensible people, but it's reasonable for that to not happen when dealing with a TV producer, a late 20s slacker guy, and an immortal elf. Plus in the end they realize they all love each other, and not just in a best friends way. It's pretty cool to see an early 90s novel involve a poly relationship. (Though I don't remember it being as much a thing in the two books I've read previously, so I'm curious about what happens there.)
I was also bugged a bit by the fact that Elizabet and Kayla show up for only a handful of pages near the end, making me feel like I kinda wasted my time reading the Kayla prequel novel. But oh well, at least that gave me my recommended dose of drug dealing elves to go with this book's land developer elf.
I loved reading the middle two books of this series back in college, and I'm glad I'm finally getting around to reading the whole series. Really, I just wish I hadn't waited this long - and by the end, I'm sure I'll be wishing there's more than six books.
The series begins with Eric Banyon, wandering Ren Faire busker, getting dumped by his girlfriend, and accidentally freeing an elf knight from imprisonment with his depressed flute playing. In a plot that feels very 90s, it turns out that the Ren Faire is also home to a magical nexus that keeps the elves of LA alive and is also why Hollywood and so many creatives reside there. But an evil land developer elf plans to bulldoze the site and destroy the nexus, condemning the local elf population to a slow lingering death of magic starvation. Yes, kids, it's a teen movie "put on a show to save the community center" plot but with elves and the ability to say fuck.
Or at least it seems that way at first, as Korendil the elf does his best to convince Eric and his friend Beth that elves are real and the pending destruction of the Faire site will do more than put them out of a job. But in a nice twist on the standard formula, they actually fail and things don't go quite as planned. See, Perenor, the evil elf land developer (it's like something out of the zaniest episode of Scooby-Doo!) has a sexy half human daughter who seduces Eric and in classic elf fashion, messes with his time senses. Eric thinks it's only been a couple of nights, but when he escapes her clutches it turns out it's been months and everybody has failed. The Faire is gone, and magic in LA is dying. Now we'll all be subjected to crappy robotic movies and terrible music - insert joke about that media property you hate.
I really like that Eric messed up, because it makes perfect sense for his character. It's not exactly that he's afraid of commitment, but that he doesn't like being tied down. He quit Julliard and it's clear that ever since he's bounced around without any long term plans. Plus, given the sort of people he hangs out with, it's pretty reasonable for him to think the whole elves thing in BS, at least until the magic starts happening. After all, any Ren Faire worth the name has at least one or two stalls selling elf ears. I also like this part of the plot because at first I thought it might be the sort of story where Eric gets a glimpse of a bad future and is able to use magic to go back and fix things. But no, just like in real life, the only way is to move forward and find a new magical elf grove.
While some aspects of the final conflict feel a little less climactic than they could be, I generally really enjoyed this book. Eric, Kory, and Beth are great characters, and I appreciate that they all have reasons for being mad at each other at various points. Yes, things would be straightened out if they just sat down and talked like sensible people, but it's reasonable for that to not happen when dealing with a TV producer, a late 20s slacker guy, and an immortal elf. Plus in the end they realize they all love each other, and not just in a best friends way. It's pretty cool to see an early 90s novel involve a poly relationship. (Though I don't remember it being as much a thing in the two books I've read previously, so I'm curious about what happens there.)
I was also bugged a bit by the fact that Elizabet and Kayla show up for only a handful of pages near the end, making me feel like I kinda wasted my time reading the Kayla prequel novel. But oh well, at least that gave me my recommended dose of drug dealing elves to go with this book's land developer elf.
I loved reading the middle two books of this series back in college, and I'm glad I'm finally getting around to reading the whole series. Really, I just wish I hadn't waited this long - and by the end, I'm sure I'll be wishing there's more than six books.
May 20, 2022
I read this book for the first time a long time ago. I don't remember exactly when, but I think in the early 2000s range. Really the only thing I remembered about it was a Renaissance festival, a hero who played the flute, elves, and a vague sort of poly-amorous thing.
As it turns out, that's basically the whole book, ha!
This is a relatively short book with a relatively basic plot: bad guy wants magic for himself, good guy has to learn his abilities and save magic for the elves. It was actually nice after reading a couple of longer books before this to find something that was not quite as involved but was still a satisfying novel length. It's a very easy and enjoyable read with one very big exception - and that's the incredibly overwhelming amount of italicized internal thoughts from whatever POV character we're with in a given scene. Sometimes they take up half a page, I swear. I think it's just an older writing style (god, the '90s is "older" now...*shudder*) that has largely fallen out of favor, but MAN does it feel egregious even in that.
Oh and, okay, the "romance" is a bit insta-lovey, but not terrible. For a short book like this, I thought it was fine, especially since it's a sub plot. But I'm very curious to see how things develop in later books, as I don't remember if I read past book one the first time I read this.
Probably actually 3.5 stars rounded up, but I could be talked into 4 stars simply because I enjoy the idea of elves in L.A.
As it turns out, that's basically the whole book, ha!
This is a relatively short book with a relatively basic plot: bad guy wants magic for himself, good guy has to learn his abilities and save magic for the elves. It was actually nice after reading a couple of longer books before this to find something that was not quite as involved but was still a satisfying novel length. It's a very easy and enjoyable read with one very big exception - and that's the incredibly overwhelming amount of italicized internal thoughts from whatever POV character we're with in a given scene. Sometimes they take up half a page, I swear. I think it's just an older writing style (god, the '90s is "older" now...*shudder*) that has largely fallen out of favor, but MAN does it feel egregious even in that.
Oh and, okay, the "romance" is a bit insta-lovey, but not terrible. For a short book like this, I thought it was fine, especially since it's a sub plot. But I'm very curious to see how things develop in later books, as I don't remember if I read past book one the first time I read this.
Probably actually 3.5 stars rounded up, but I could be talked into 4 stars simply because I enjoy the idea of elves in L.A.
February 19, 2025
I adored Mercedes Lackey when I was in high school, and this was one I never quite got around to. But since I had it on my shelf and had been meaning to revisit Lackey...well, here I found myself. And...it's fine? Amusing? I'm not familiar with Ellen Guon, but I have to think she may have had a heavier hand in this one, as it's nothing that would have driven me to pick up more work by the author. The plot is a bit too simple, and also too simply resolved. It actually feels like romantic angst takes up far too much space, and is somehow both overly casual and over-the-top, to the extent that it sometimes feels like all of the main characters are just horny teenagers. That sounds flippant, but then again, the book itself is rather flippant. There are also endless, endless italics. So much of this book is spent in italicized first-person thought! I wish an editor had pointed out that the authors could either have gotten the same content across without pages upon pages of italics or else changed to first person, and either option would have been better. I don't know. The whole thing felt rather sit-com-like in an odd way, and while it had its moments and I enjoyed the focus on music, it wasn't my cup of tea.
I'm anxious to try Lackey again, as I'd been meaning to do before picking this up. But I won't be continuing with this series or dipping into anything else Guon has written.
I'm anxious to try Lackey again, as I'd been meaning to do before picking this up. But I won't be continuing with this series or dipping into anything else Guon has written.
February 9, 2025
Kevin R. Free is a super fun narrator with great energy, and he’s why this didn’t end up a DNF for me. So definitely get the Audible version if you’re interested in this one.
The premise (Eric Banyon is a free-spirit flautist in L.A. who accidentally awakens dormant elven spirits, reigniting a war to save good magic), is amazing but the prose and incessant inner monologuing is beyond pretentious. Also there’s a few connected love triangles going on that are…cringeworthy at best. And all that is a bummer because I enjoyed quite a lot of this…but you’ve gotta slog through a lot of dreck. The idea that music is magic (and vice-versa) is an interesting concept, as is the idea that while elves can handle booze and drugs, it’s caffeine that really dopes them up.
What I don’t understand is how the female characters devolved by the end, as they were so strong and then it’s like a handsome smile is their kryptonite. Also they introduced a character in the last chapter (instead of developing established characters), which is a “kiss of death� for me whenever I read a book. There’s some great battles near the end and while the ending does set up a sequel…I will sadly not be consuming it.
The premise (Eric Banyon is a free-spirit flautist in L.A. who accidentally awakens dormant elven spirits, reigniting a war to save good magic), is amazing but the prose and incessant inner monologuing is beyond pretentious. Also there’s a few connected love triangles going on that are…cringeworthy at best. And all that is a bummer because I enjoyed quite a lot of this…but you’ve gotta slog through a lot of dreck. The idea that music is magic (and vice-versa) is an interesting concept, as is the idea that while elves can handle booze and drugs, it’s caffeine that really dopes them up.
What I don’t understand is how the female characters devolved by the end, as they were so strong and then it’s like a handsome smile is their kryptonite. Also they introduced a character in the last chapter (instead of developing established characters), which is a “kiss of death� for me whenever I read a book. There’s some great battles near the end and while the ending does set up a sequel…I will sadly not be consuming it.
September 23, 2018
Living in an apt building, other tenants leave books and stuff in the lobby as giveaways. I remembered enjoying Mercedes Lackey books a number of years ago, so grabbed a couple.
My reading preferences are clearly changing as I age. I don't mean this in a judgmental way. I just prefer intelligent books that make me think now. Don't get me wrong, I certainly appreciate the comfort of an escapist light book. And I did finish this, and haven't decided if I'll continue. I liked hearing the world of being a musician working at Ren Faires, and the characters had something more to them than just being beautiful and talented and magical. But you know, I get tired of those descriptions.
What I did love, though, was the surprise bisexuality and attempt at creating a threesome between the characters. The tentativeness and nervousness but awakening and magic was wonderful.
My reading preferences are clearly changing as I age. I don't mean this in a judgmental way. I just prefer intelligent books that make me think now. Don't get me wrong, I certainly appreciate the comfort of an escapist light book. And I did finish this, and haven't decided if I'll continue. I liked hearing the world of being a musician working at Ren Faires, and the characters had something more to them than just being beautiful and talented and magical. But you know, I get tired of those descriptions.
What I did love, though, was the surprise bisexuality and attempt at creating a threesome between the characters. The tentativeness and nervousness but awakening and magic was wonderful.
March 5, 2023
Fun and interesting read. It was kind of slow at times, and the romance sub-plot was a little formulaic with 3rd act misunderstanding and break up. However, she added enough twists and interesting characters and settings to keep me interested. I was surprised by the swearing though. I've never seen any foul language in her books before. Admittedly I also have never read any of her books set in modern day. I am interested enough in the series to keep going to see what happens to these characters.
May 22, 2024
It is a nice book about a man who has to save the magic from disappearing from LA. In the process he has to accept that he is the only one strong enough (denial, which is very relatable). It was a nice twist that he, initially, fails to 'save' his (new) elven friends, but eventually manages to undo his mistake. I also really liked the rather unconventional ending regarding the love relationships between the main characters.
September 24, 2023
This was better than I thought it would be, though it is very late 80s/early 90s fantasy. I'm a sucker for magical music, though, and it gets bonus points for having a triad in it, especially for the time that it was published.
Read
June 22, 2019Dnf
July 11, 2020
Two awesome writers create a believable urban magical fantasy. Well worth the read!
October 1, 2021
It did a few interesting things, but the main character was soooooo goddamn annoying.
March 30, 2022
I like the storyline, but had a hard time empathizing with the main character - very immature and whiney. Hopefully the rest of the series is better.
June 17, 2023
I usually like Mercedes Lackey, but not this one. Too much stupid internal self-doubting dialog.
July 13, 2023
This set was my introduction to urban fantasy many years ago. I still recommend it as a fun YA read
December 15, 2023
This was a reread of a book I loved as a kid. Very 90s. Still enjoyable enough. Eric is v dim. I didn't quite like Beth or Cory this Tim's around though.
April 6, 2024
A product of its time (1990)
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