Yonder & Far: The Lost Lock
There is an odd law office in 1798 Boston. The two proprietors, Mr. Yonder and Mr. Far, are even more eccentric in person than their establishment itself. Both are ostensibly lawyers but, in reality, are exiles from the land of the fae. These “traveling fellows” have been banished to the “Doldrums,” the world of mortals, for a perceived offense against a member of the royalty in their home world. Though the fae have superhuman powers, they don’t fare well physically, as the Doldrums doesn’t suit their constitution nor temperament.
Unexpectedly, a lady from their own realm visits their office soliciting their services in regaining a lock of hair from the one who had been given it. He, Mr. Wylde, is another traveling fellow out and about, like them, somewhere in the Doldrums. Thus, the lawyers become detectives in tracking down Wylde and regaining their client’s property. In addition to having special powers, it seems the fae can be, on occasion, cannibals. They must follow their quarry out to sea then down to the southern states before their mission can be achieved. There is plenty of action, conflict, and drama along the way.
I found this novel to live up well to its genre as a historical fantasy. There are unexpected twists and scenes of graphic violence. The best part for me, and I’m not 100% sure it was intended, was the humor and hilarity strewn throughout the book. Some of the scenes were so over the top, it was impossible not to laugh. None of the characters, mortal or fae, were particularly likeable, but that was no impediment to the flow of the story. Take it with a grain of salt and have fun.
