This story is a sequel to A Bad Spell in Yurt.

This is a wonderful book, lively, interesting, varied. There are at least two, maybe three storylines going on. Daimbert is trying to figure out who is creating magic creatures and letting them lose in the kingdom. A seven foot hunter shows up and starts hunting with the duchess. A wood nymph entertains Daimbert and the duchess’s wizard. A hermit may be about to lose his hermitage. Three grumpy pilgrims show up in the ancient woods. And that is just the beginning of the story.

This is a great book. The religion in it is generally very strong and well represented, as in A Bad Spell in Yurt, although the three priests from the city are not the most pious and saintly you could hope for. But God is real and saints and hermits are real. Medieval Christianity is well and fairly represented.

What is surprising about this book is that it deals with serious spiritual issues in a light hearted manner. I laughed uproariously at many scenes. While there were some heavier images, overall the work was a fast read and hilarious. I re-read this book often.

The Wood Nymph and the Cranky Saint by C. Dale Brittain

reviewed by me on a disappearing site