Re-read the first book in the series before starting on this one. Both are a bit twee for my taste; there's elements of Tinkerbell and Peter Pan (the Disney version not J M Barrie). They're an OK read, just too cutesy in story line for me. Basically, a small town in Oregon is home to various tribes to pixies; young children are introduced by older ones, but as they grow into adulthood, most forget the pixies. Some, however don't. The books tell the story of some of these adults who fight to save the town. An OK read but the two books don't stand alone; you really need to read the first book to understand the character dynamics in the second.

Book Review: Chicory Up: The Pixie Chronicles (2020) Irene Radford
Reviewed by: Patricia M. Muhammad, January 2021

*I received this ebook in exchange for an honest review

*CONTAINS SPOILERS*

Two worlds exist, one that of Faeries and another of Pixies. Their tradition is steeped in Celtic and British lore but have become a mainstay in contemporary American fiction as well. Author Irene Radford crafts a tale in which these magical beings do not live alone. These small creatures actually live and tarry daily among the human world. Traditionally, Pixies and Faeries were once considered characters of fables populated in bedtime stories for children. Radford changes the dynamic of the reader's expectation, combining whimsy with the hard lives of humans in the American northwest. The author skillfully describes the fickle nature of these creatures through dialogue, combat and throughout the course of their normal activity. Implied is the likely parallel of their natural character with that of human children; curious and easily able to perceive matters at a superficial level.

Within these two worlds exist a war. The Faeries and Pixies have long been in conflict with one another. Though they have magical powers which they only appear to use on each other; their small lives crossover into that of the humans—in more than one way. (*spoiler alert* for this paragraph): Take for instance the character Thistle, once a Pixie, she now appears in human form due to a curse, losing her power and wings. It is not clearly stated whether this disability will ever be lifted, but for most of the book she engages in the everyday endeavours of an actual human. Thistle works, adopts or at least is able to deduce human notions with traditions of being a Pixie and she accepts the proposal of a human, Benedict. Radford further blurs the world of the magical creatures and human beings as one character, Haywood is part Faery. Centrally important to both human and winged creatures alike is an area known as Ten Acre Wood. Pixies and Faeries primarily establish their lives throughout this area by erecting habitats within trees and flowers. Many in this small town do not know of them, yet these small creatures rely on the kindness of those humans who are aware—and some of their own cunning. Their nearly undetectable stature allows for them to spy on the humans and report to the others whom they trust will use it to help another person. Other times they use the information to their advantage. The Pixies' toil is rewarded with permission to have a habitat within a resident's yard or gardens. Yet the nature of their tarry causes them to further curate the lands of their newfound homes which also benefits their human hosts.

The author subtly depicts hierarchy and class which seems to be the foundation of both worlds. For instance, among a pivotal Pixie tribe is a queen who has authority to banish those who displease her though not judiciously. Dialogue indicates that Pixies divided themselves into tribes, describing garden varieties, woodland sorts and those of the valley. Some believing they are more civilized than the other Pixies. However, an undergirding theme resonates among these creatures—they are all better than Faeries whom they considered prone to violence. However, the human world is much more bleak. Radford juxtaposes the imminent war between Faeries and Pixies with the everyday crimes which plague American society such as arson and the abduction of children. Yet, some of the mischief among the magical creatures morphs into conflict with their human counterparts as well. Most of the main characters are either law enforcement or somehow support social work throughout the town. Their work is to help others. Pixies primarily help a child in peril if called upon. The humans rely on reports, eyewitness accounts, and most importantly the spying eyes of the lesser known Pixies. The reader may make a cursory presumption that the lives of human appear more complicated than those of Pixies or Faeries. This town has to address teen betrayals which lead to resentful revenge of adults, weddings and strained parent-child relationships. However, this is not too unlike what the creatures' of earthen abodes experience. The author refers to their weddings as "mating flights", hostilities appears to be a constant between Pixies and Faeries and strained relationships lead to the creation of new tribes and the shatter of a Pixie rulership. In addition, the author discusses the importance of lineage whether it be a Pixie and Faerie who unusually mate or the realization of a bastard human child whohas now become a runaway and found herself in a hideaway room of a home in this small town.

This is not a book of pure fantasy. The author displays a clever imagination with the use of fantastical characters that tend to mirror those of the mundane. Whether human, Pixie, or Faerie, Radford has the ability to clearly portray each of their personalities. The creatures seem to be human in their jest or conflict while the humans would revel in the ability to simply fly away from their everyday problems or the people they perceive who are the source of them.

Chicory Up is a work of fiction in which Radford interweaves traditional mythical characters with human ones, yet still manages to keep their daily manner of living and culture distinctively separate from one another. It is a nod to European lore which heavily contrasts with the plagues of everyday human society. The author feeds both the child-like curiosity and wonder in adults while providing a contemporary story of human characters who in some ways have yet to still grow up. ( )

I have just started reading this book. In the middle of chapter two, so far it has my attention, but identifying he characters is almost difficult. Imagining the setting is also difficult. But I keep reading to see if I can soon understand.
Word usage in the book is intermediate ( )