Solstice Wood

by Patricia A McKillip

Ace Hardcover; $22.95; 278 pp.

Lynn Hall has ever been an ancient bulwark against incursions from “the other:” the Fae, the Wild Hunt, the Woodland Queen.

And for over a hundred years, the Fiber Guild has met at Lynn Hall to stitch, embroider, knit and crochet. But this is not simply a pleasant way for several women to pass the time by knitting baby booties. No, these stitches bind the Fae to their otherworldly realm, sealing any bolt holes they might use at Lynn Hall to access the human world.

But, of course, threads break, small cracks appear in otherwise solid defenses and the Fae enter the world of humans, creating havoc and mystery and occasionally seeking lovers as well.

Sylvia, granddaughter to the matriarch of Lynn Hall must come home to upstate New York from across the country for the funeral of her beloved grandfather. For Sylvia this is almost a double blow, for grandfather Liam was the closest thing she had to a father. Her deceased mother never said who Sylvia’s father was and so, she grew up in Lynn Hall in ignorance. And happily ignorant as Sylvia always distanced herself from anything that smacked of the unusual.

But the Fae are stirring and the boundaries unravel and pull apart. Sylvia and her family find themselves deep in the woods and deep into magic as old truths are exposed and new ones revealed.

Again, McKillip’s lovely, lyrical way with words is outstanding here. The book is told through various characters POVs and is much more interesting for it.

This is a heartfelt tale of old magic and modern hearts. A great read. - Sue Martin