Reviewed by Sadonna
TITLE: Farview
SERIES: Greynox to the Sea
AUTHOR: Kim Fielding
PUBLISHER: Tin Box Books
LENGTH: 268 pages
RELEASE DATE: June 10, 2021
BLURB:
Ravaged by a horrific experience, Oliver Webb flees the smog-bound city of Greynox for a quiet seaside village and the inheritance he’s never seen: a cottage called Farview. He discovers clear skies, friendly imps, and a charming storyteller named Felix Corbyn.
With help from Felix’s tales, Oliver learns surprising secrets about his family history and discovers what home really means. But with Felix cursed, Oliver growing deathly ill, and an obligation in Greynox hanging heavy around his neck, it seems that not even wizards can save the day.
Still, as Felix knows, stories are the best truths and the most powerful magic. Perhaps the right words might yet conjure a chance for happiness.
REVIEW:
Note: While technically the second book in this series, it works perfectly well as a standalone. However I heartily recommend the first book because it’s so good and also for insight into some of the characters who appear later in the book.
Oliver Webb has spent his entire life in Greynox. But after a terrible event there, he leaves the city to head to the seaside village of Croftwell. There his mother, who he does not even remember as she died when he was a toddler, has left him his inheritance – a cottage called Farview. He’s never left the city and despite his increasing illness, he wishes to spend whatever time he has someplace better than Greynox and with few options, he’s off on the journey.
Once Oliver has arrived in Greynox, he makes his way to a pub, has a delicious dinner and meets one Felix Corbyn – who invites himself to dinner with Oliver in return for telling him a story 🙂 Seems that storytelling is Felix’s primary talent. Oliver is attracted to the lovely Felix, but he needs to make his way to the cottage he’s inherited. It’s a slow trip in the dark and he finds the purportedly haunted cottage in a bit of a mess as no one has lived there in some time. When Felix offers to help him get the place in shape for a fee (and more stories), Oliver takes him up on it. The distraction and the help proves to make much shorter work of getting the lovely and cozy cottage put to rights. However, Oliver discovers that Felix has a bit of a curse and that magic goes wrong around him – nearly resulting in disaster! Oliver is at first angry, but then he is sympathetic to Felix’s affliction – especially when he comes to know how it has affected Felix’s life. And he continues to be captivated and charmed by Felix.
Unfortunately the issue that Oliver thought he’d left behind in Greynox makes it’s way to Croftwell after a fashion. By this time, Felix and Oliver have grown quite close. Oliver can no longer hide his encroaching illness from Felix. He also has a vision and realizes he has to do what he can to make things right – even if it costs him time with Felix. He’s adamant about traveling back to Greynox alone and doing what he can to make sure justice is served despite Felix begging him not to go. Lives hang in the balance – and not just our heroes!
Oh how do I love this story. Let me count the ways. I swear that Kim Fielding can write anything. Fantasy, contemporary, historical, urban fantasy, horror, you name it, she can make you love the story, the world and the characters. Never is that more evident than in this lovely tale of Oliver and Felix – with a lot of absolutely delightful secondary characters along the way. Oliver has never felt like he belonged. His upbringing wasn’t affectionate and he’s figure out a way to get by and put some money aside for a quiet retirement. When he arrives in Croftwell his first interaction with Felix gives us some idea of where this story will go – but the twists and turns, the secrets and connections are so varied and wonderfully entertaining and surprising. Felix’s gifts as a storyteller keep Oliver and the reader on their toes the entire time. Oliver’s realization of what he needs to do to set things right just make us love him all the more – even if there is a chance that Felix will be left alone. The slow burn and push-pull of their relationship is sweet 🙂 Oliver has never been able to openly be with a man before, but he’s beginning to realize that in Croftwell, nobody will think any differently of him. Felix has never had anybody to call his own. He’s a free spirit and his “curse” tends to make him unwelcome long term. The fact that Oliver loves him gives him renewed strength and courage.
The many lovely secondary characters of this story really make it shine. Whether it’s Felix’s numerous family members, ghosts who encourage, a local wizard, solicitor or pub owner, all are beautifully rendered. They are full-fledged characters in their own right – and I’d love to read a story about any one of them 🙂 We do see the MCs from the first book again also – a real treat for readers of that book, although it’s not necessary to have read it to appreciate those characters (I highly recommend it on its own merits however 😉 ). Without all these folks, Oliver and Felix would be doomed and the help they give is absolutely required. There are also new and exciting parts and places to this world that we also get a glimpse of that just add to the depth of the story. The family history and the revelations of the ties to the past and the cottage for Oliver and for Felix and the unusual path to their HEA are just so well done. I enjoyed every single word of this story. Highly recommended!
RATING: 
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