This book has been on my list for a while now, as research for my own writing. I was talking with Roger at Magus Books, and asked him if he knew of any books similar to my "Demonslayer's Handbook" - an urban fantasy set in modern-day Minneapolis. He suggested Emma Bull's "War for the Oaks". (Careful, the Wikipedia entry is laden with spoilers.

Emma Bull writes in the introduction of "War for the Oaks" that she doesn't read author's introductions until after she's finished the book. After reading her own introduction, I would agree. I wish I hadn't read her introduction before reading the story. Sadly, I cannot tell you why without spoiling the book for you. You can choose whether or not to learn from my mistake, and I'll try to judge the book without any bias from the intro.

"War for the Oaks" is deeply steeped in Minneapolis, and in music. Emma Bull's taste in music is great, she constantly drops band names and song references throughout the story. Same with locations; you won't forget the story takes place here in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis/St. Paul. The story bounces around to some of the best locations in town.

"War for the Oaks" is heavily steeped in the 80's. Fashions that are laughable today are considered quite stylish for the time period when the story took place. Jean jackets with turned-up collars, and high-tops? Yikes. Been there, worn that, stole back the pix and burned them. It made me realize that unless you want your story tied down to a specific time period, you should be less specific with your fashion descriptions. But, "War for the Oaks" nails the fashions of the 80s perfectly.

The story revolves around the main character, Eddi McCandry, but thankfully is not told in first person. Eddi is chosen as a magical saviour in an upcoming war and assigned a Faerie bodyguard. In the first half of the book, the "War" is only a minor backdrop; shadowed by the relationships and band drama surrounding Eddi. She resigns herself to her fate as the chosen one, and goes about constructing a new band amidst shifting relationships, and coming to terms with the bodyguard who won't leave her side. The second half of the story gets more involved with the actual war, some of which spills into the real world, and climaxes with a classic showdown/duel of Good Vs Evil at First Avenue!

Emma Bull does a great job of making the other-world characters feel other-worldly. Their method of speech is proper Victorian, and their manners and customs are notably different than that of humans.

As far as *research* goes, I'm glad I read "War for the Oaks". It was enlightening to see how another author approaches shifting between different realities, and descriptions of Minneapolis areas. Her writings on band politics and technology are accurate, which makes sense, since Emma Bull was in a local band or two.

As far as *entertainment* goes, "War for the Oaks" is a good story for those who want a Disney faerie tale crossed with 1980's Minneapolis urban fantasy.

Art Is Resistance
-Zero

Labels: Book Review