Interesting. A slow-burning rural fantasy (as opposed to an urban fantasy) centring on four half-sisters, their various lovers (ghostly and alive), their dead grandfather and their missing mother.

Set in rural Somerset (the mystical Avalon), all four sisters meet for the first time in several years at the family home, Mooncote Manor. Strange things happen as a comet approaches, and they find out what happened to their mother and bring her home.

I found it quite a slow read - not a story to canter through, more something to read a bit at a time. It was also more or less real time. The format took a bit of getting used to: each chapter was from the PoV of a different sister which made for some disconnects - leaving one sister on a metaphorical cliff edge and jumping to another.

Recommended.

Delightful start to a anew fantasy series. Four sisters and their missing mother interact with fantasy creatures. Wonderfully written. ( )

https://nwhyte.livejournal.com/3646632.html

A spooky story of four sisters looking for their mysteriously vanished mother, and the West Country home that some have left and some have not. Various bits of magic occur, including the Behenian stars, a bit of astronomical lore that I had completely forgotten, if I ever knew. Extra marks for several gratuitous Doctor Who references. I really loved it. ( )

This is a marvelous understated contemporary fantasy from an author whose previous works of SF I was already somewhat familiar with, having read and enjoyed Banner of Souls, Bloodmind and Darkland amongst others.

It's a modern tale of a set of sisters and a mysterious and missing mother, in a corner of rural Britain where the spirits of place are real and the hauntology of British folklore is close to or just beyond surface reality. A comet is approaching and something stranger than usual is happening in their unusual world as the sisters come to the conclusion that they need to try to find their mother as a matter of urgency.

Within the first few pages I knew i was in good hands as I realised the writing was reminding me so very strongly of the late Graham Joyce in its tone and approach and its careful layering of the fantastical elements present.

The ensemble cast - the sisters and their family and associates, even the antagonists - also were reminiscent of Keith Roberts work in some of his gentler fantasies and contemporary works (Kaeti & Company, The Road to Paradise etc.). It's an ensemble cast I'd like to meet again.

Highly recommended.

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This is the Early Reviewer Book I won in February. I really enjoyed it. It reminds me of Riley's sister series, different, equivalent, even better because it's not as glamorous.
It has charm typical of England. 4 women, 4 sisters, a missing mother, herbs, bees, talking trees... a touch of magical realism ., the ingredients for a well-upholstered story written with a warm pen.
By far the best book I ever won with ER. Highly recommended for those looking for pleasant and meaningful (holiday) literature
Lees ook: https://locusmag.com/2020/06/gary-k-wolfe-reviews-comet-weather-by-liz-williams/.... ( )