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Last Stand in Lychford
(Lychford #5)
by
Celestial beings and human witches clash for the future of the human and fairy worlds in this exciting conclusion to the Witches of Lychford series
There are changes in the air, both in Lychford and in the land of fairy.
The magical protections previously employed by the town are gone, and the forces of darkness are closing in – both figuratively and literally.
Can Autumn and ...more
There are changes in the air, both in Lychford and in the land of fairy.
The magical protections previously employed by the town are gone, and the forces of darkness are closing in – both figuratively and literally.
Can Autumn and ...more
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Start your review of Last Stand in Lychford (Lychford, #5)
I really enjoyed this series about a priest, a New Ager and a hedge witch in a modernish Brexit Britain town on the borders of fairyland. That said, this installment didn't quite land for me. It may be because I'm in a reading slump, but the plot felt a bit...unfocused, maybe, or insufficiently grounded, with an awful lot of things being set up and happening quite quickly so I didn't feel the impact. Lots of great ideas, vivid, and I really enjoy the characters and voice, so don't know, maybe I'
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I loved the set-up and the sense of threat, I thought the climax with the boss was a bit contrived, but there is - as always - much to love about this final Lychford novella. As with any good teller of fairytales, Cornell understand that beginnings are vital to endings, making all the past novellas relevant in the big showdown over the borders.
Huge themes, much tongue in cheek, a great sacrifice, and at the very end Cornell proves he can still surprise me and make me cry. Because Lizzie. Thank ...more
Huge themes, much tongue in cheek, a great sacrifice, and at the very end Cornell proves he can still surprise me and make me cry. Because Lizzie. Thank ...more
This series has remained strong from the first book. Cornell has created a cool world with rules that make sense, characters that feel real, and conflicts that matter. I enjoyed the new characters and dynamics presented in this fifth novella. It was a quick and satisfying read. I would recommend this series to any fans of magic or strong female casts.
Nov 28, 2020
Alex Sarll
added it
Over the course of four books, three mismatched women defended the little Cotswolds town of Lychford from the strange forces on its borders. Now one of the three is dead, and the whole town (or very nearly) knows the supernatural is real. News to which they respond in what would already have been a very believably British fashion, and feels even more so after eight months of pandemic and with Brexit looming: they wish whoever's responsible would sort it out, because after all they do pay their r
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Great wrap up to the Lychford series of novellas. A little less violent than some of the earlier books, more focus on the strong female characters and them finally calling bollocks on all the manipulation and other bs. Really enjoyed Autumn’s growth in this book and her time with the fairy king.
Fun series from one of my favorite authors. Smart, funny, weird, scary, and above all, well written.
Fun series from one of my favorite authors. Smart, funny, weird, scary, and above all, well written.
The final Lychford novella was a fantastic end to the series. Seeing the witches confront the dangers threatening the village was wonderful, and the new characters were a great addition. It still feels a bit bittersweet after what happened in the previous installment, but the resolution here left me grinning.
This originally appeared at The Irresponsible Reader.
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WHAT'S LAST STAND IN LYCHFORD ABOUT?
When I talked about the last book, The Lights Go Out in Lychford , I said:
And it picks up right from that point—Lychford has seen plenty of trouble and conflict the last few years, but this time, it's for all the marbles.
It's not ...more
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WHAT'S LAST STAND IN LYCHFORD ABOUT?
When I talked about the last book, The Lights Go Out in Lychford , I said:
The conclusion was simply fantastic and heart-wrenching—with a last line that will drive you to the online bookstore of your choice to try to order the conclusion immediately.
And it picks up right from that point—Lychford has seen plenty of trouble and conflict the last few years, but this time, it's for all the marbles.
It's not ...more
This is the last of Paul Cornell Lychford novellas and between them they form one continuous story. In other words, don't start here, but do seek out the whole lot and enjoy.
With Judith gone, it's up to Autumn (magic shop owner) and Lizzie (vicar) to save the sleepy Cotswold town of Lychford from an incursion of enemy magic which will not only destroy the town, but the universe as well. Right then... better not muck it up, ladies. The enemy intends to destroy all borders between worlds to the de ...more
With Judith gone, it's up to Autumn (magic shop owner) and Lizzie (vicar) to save the sleepy Cotswold town of Lychford from an incursion of enemy magic which will not only destroy the town, but the universe as well. Right then... better not muck it up, ladies. The enemy intends to destroy all borders between worlds to the de ...more
Nov 24, 2020
Artur Nowrot
added it
A great ending to the series, which offers an incisive look at the desires that animated the vote for Brexit in England, and that animate similar phenomena in other parts of the world.
If there are any downsides, I'd say it's that the main plot overshadows the personal plotlines of the characters. Zoya is delightful in her bluntness, and her relationship with Jas is plainly informed by the author's own experiences and it shows. But Lizzie's plot, as much as it's a very welcome addition to the cha ...more
If there are any downsides, I'd say it's that the main plot overshadows the personal plotlines of the characters. Zoya is delightful in her bluntness, and her relationship with Jas is plainly informed by the author's own experiences and it shows. But Lizzie's plot, as much as it's a very welcome addition to the cha ...more
2.5 stars - rounded up because feeling generous
Well ... stuff happened, and the story came to an end, but that's about all that I feel I can say about it right now.
I feel like this novella series peaked somewhere about the second book and I've carried on reading mostly out of habit. It took me far too long to get through what is really quite a short read. I just wasn't feeling any impetus for the story, nor any particular connection to the characters - who seemed a pale reflection of the versio ...more
Well ... stuff happened, and the story came to an end, but that's about all that I feel I can say about it right now.
I feel like this novella series peaked somewhere about the second book and I've carried on reading mostly out of habit. It took me far too long to get through what is really quite a short read. I just wasn't feeling any impetus for the story, nor any particular connection to the characters - who seemed a pale reflection of the versio ...more
Dec 16, 2020
Felicia J.
rated it
really liked it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
tor-com-novellas
A solid conclusion to the Lychford series. The stakes could not have been higher (literally 25 minutes from the end of the world). I especially loved the humor in this one, and I continued to appreciate what Cornell has to say about the complexities of human beings and how they make sense of the world. The solution to the problem of warring realities was unexpected, but so delightfully British. I also liked some surprising character developments. I want to re-read the entire series again to see
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The Lychford books come to what appears to be a conclusion in this short novella. Lychford is under siege from an enemy from outside this world which threatens our reality, and Autumn (the magic shop owner) and Lizzie (the CoE vicar) must work together to protect the people of the town and multiple realities. Don't read this if you haven't read the originals; this is a straightforward plot, and the reader will only get the most out of it if they've read the other books. It's a satisfying conclus
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I'm sorry to say this is the last of Paul Cornell's Lychford series. Paul Cornell is a great writer with a strong imagination and a great sense of character writing. This is a very good story, but not the best one of the series. perhaps the need to wrap it up and his self imposed requirement to keep to short imposed too much a constraint at the end of the day.
One thing I will say that, in this series, especially, Paul's political and social beliefs are always close to the surface of the story an ...more
One thing I will say that, in this series, especially, Paul's political and social beliefs are always close to the surface of the story an ...more
A very satisfying conclusion to the series, though it felt just a little rushed or maybe perfunctory in places. Even so, the tale holds up to the introduction of new characters, and the world-building remains wildly inventive. I also very much enjoyed the resolution of all of Lizzie’s internal conflicts.
A fairly swift and satisfying read. I feel that it's not quite up to the same standard as the first three books though - the wry and satirical humour of those books doesn't quite seem to be present in four and five. That said, the latest two books are certainly more dramatic. For me the jury is out on whether that is necessarily an improvement.
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The fifth and final novella in the Lychford cycle completes the story beautifully. Just before I finished the last one, I thought it was a pretty terrific end for the series. And then the epilogue happened, and the waiting began. This is an even better ending.
5 stars. Perfect end to this series! I'm sad to see it come to an end because I loved these novellas so much, but this was a great climax. I think Lizzie was my favourite character overall, though I wish we could've had more time with Zoya. Please someone make this series a BBC show??
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I'm not entierly sure what to say about this book. It has some interesting scenes and events, but I kept asking myself ''why'' for the main plot, and never actually got an answer!
All in all, I did like it, but not sure I'll be giving it a reread any time soon. ...more
All in all, I did like it, but not sure I'll be giving it a reread any time soon. ...more
Disappointing
I've enjoyed this series up until this last book, but seemed a bit scrappy, not written as well as I know the author to be capable of. Some of the descriptions are a bit 'trippy'. I persevered to the end because after reading the series I wanted to know the ending. 😕 ...more
I've enjoyed this series up until this last book, but seemed a bit scrappy, not written as well as I know the author to be capable of. Some of the descriptions are a bit 'trippy'. I persevered to the end because after reading the series I wanted to know the ending. 😕 ...more
Another wonderful novella in this series. Highly recommended.
That was a very fitting end to the series. Loved it!
Great end to a great series.
A fun cozy fantasy read. I’ve enjoyed this series and I’ll miss all the characters(especially Judith) but it ended just right.
A fun cozy fantasy read. I’ve enjoyed this series and I’ll miss all the characters(especially Judith) but it ended just right.
Quite a good end to a highly enjoyable series. Continue to enjoy the subtle and not so subtle Brexit references and themes.
Good fun
A satisfying conclusion to an enjoyable series with well earned rewards for the characters and a slightly unexpected but very fitting resolution to the overarching problem.
A satisfying conclusion to an enjoyable series with well earned rewards for the characters and a slightly unexpected but very fitting resolution to the overarching problem.
I absolutely blew through this one because it kept moving from the first page and didn't stop. Perfectly paced, and a very satisfying conclusion to the Lychford series.
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A good conclusion to the Lychford story.
Very good!
I’ve enjoyed this series. This was good ending to the series with all the pieces coming together. I hope the author writes more supernatural stories soon.
I’ve enjoyed this series. This was good ending to the series with all the pieces coming together. I hope the author writes more supernatural stories soon.
Absolutely enjoyable and satisfying conclusion to the seires.
Fantastic conclusion to a wonderful urban fantasy series that builds to a thrilling and satisfying climax ‘battle’. The characters truly make this series incredible!
Book 5 of 5 so it's the end! Luckily, the book is great and a fitting end for these characters.
(no spoilers here) ...more
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Paul Cornell is a British writer of science fiction and fantasy prose, comics and television. He's been Hugo Award-nominated for all three media, and has won the BSFA Award for his short fiction, and the Eagle Award for his comics. He's the writer of Saucer Country for Vertigo, Demon Knights for DC, and has written for the Doctor Who TV series. His new urban fantasy novel is London Falling, out fr
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