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The Elven Inquisition: A Woke Fairy Story
Elf privilege. Marginalized mermaids. Woke trolls. Pumpkin fairy reparations...
Welcome to the chaotic kingdom of Fantasmagoria, where an inquisition for absolute equity rages and the masses combat all forms of social injustice by any means necessary. Elves are burned at the stake for suggesting there is a biological difference between mermaids and goblins. Djinns are executed for granting capitalistic wishes. Vampires are tortured to death for insensitive jokes made five hundred years ago.
Finbar Finneban is a well-intentioned faun employed by the kingdom newspaper. At work, Finbar is made to censor, ensure staff diversity, and write virtuous articles on the inquisition. Problem is, Finbar resents the inquisition. He hates the victimology, identity politics, and cancellation culture. More than anything, he hates the madness of crowds. The question is: can he, and the kingdom, survive them?
The Elven Inquisition is a hilarious, thought-provoking satire on the divisive cultural and political issues plaguing modern-day society, from Fairytale Chicago author Steve Wiley.
Welcome to the chaotic kingdom of Fantasmagoria, where an inquisition for absolute equity rages and the masses combat all forms of social injustice by any means necessary. Elves are burned at the stake for suggesting there is a biological difference between mermaids and goblins. Djinns are executed for granting capitalistic wishes. Vampires are tortured to death for insensitive jokes made five hundred years ago.
Finbar Finneban is a well-intentioned faun employed by the kingdom newspaper. At work, Finbar is made to censor, ensure staff diversity, and write virtuous articles on the inquisition. Problem is, Finbar resents the inquisition. He hates the victimology, identity politics, and cancellation culture. More than anything, he hates the madness of crowds. The question is: can he, and the kingdom, survive them?
The Elven Inquisition is a hilarious, thought-provoking satire on the divisive cultural and political issues plaguing modern-day society, from Fairytale Chicago author Steve Wiley.
196 pages, Hardcover
First published October 16, 2020
50 people are currently reading
1215 people want to read
About the author
Steve Wiley
6 books91 followersSteve is a purveyor of speculative literature from Chicago. He has authored six books and his short fiction has been published everywhere from Crannog magazine in Galway, Ireland, to Papercuts Magazine in Pakistan. His most recent title, The Strange Story of the Man Who Murdered Time, will be released in March of 2026, and is now available for pre-order.
For new title release and other information, visit Steve’s author website at https://www.absurdistfiction.com/.
For new title release and other information, visit Steve’s author website at https://www.absurdistfiction.com/.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
October 16, 2020
As outrageous as it is hilarious, a book in which a leprechaun is arrested for cultural appropriation for commandeering a magic carpet while lucid dreaming, ghosts are dug out of a graveyard for gender discrimination, and the weather is racist. 2020 politics fantasized. Loved.
August 4, 2024
A quick, funny little book. Actually little. It’s about 6”x4”, and only 180 small little pages. It’s adorable!
Cuteness of the book aside, this was a funny little story about the dangers of taking “cultural sensitivity” and “wokeness” too far. It’s a bit heavy handed, but the author is not entirely wrong. I do also love the author’s Works Cited page at the end where he even gives credit to Reddit for the gay vampire joke he used. Mr. Wiley seems like he would be a funny dinner companion.
Cuteness of the book aside, this was a funny little story about the dangers of taking “cultural sensitivity” and “wokeness” too far. It’s a bit heavy handed, but the author is not entirely wrong. I do also love the author’s Works Cited page at the end where he even gives credit to Reddit for the gay vampire joke he used. Mr. Wiley seems like he would be a funny dinner companion.
November 7, 2021
Nice ironic parable, starts off great.
Trigger warning: this story is meant as an ironic reflection on the so-called 'wokeness' of social justice warriors and other extreme-leftist-minded people. It's written as a parable, a fable actually. I liked the premise, it's why I chose this book, and it actually gets off to a great start. However, about halfway through it seems to loose its focus and the story is no longer one story with one plotline, but each chapter now turns into a separate fable, with the MC as kind of a tourist in his own story. Which is a pity, for that change steals the wind from its sails, and it ends a bit dull. Expect no great ideas or moral direction to solve this problem of 'wokeness', something a good parable should have included I feel, other than let's blow the whole thing up and start over (I mean come on, that's no solution).
It also comes dangerously close to borrowing almost literal ideas or even paraphrasing Orwell's 1984 (but maybe that's only because true leftist wokeness automatically brings us some variant of 1984's dystopia...)
Narration is fine, not the greatest I've ever heard but nice enough.
Inspite of my critique above, I really did like this story and I may listen to it again in the future to see if I can figure out in even greater detail what each of the fables refers to in our world today.
~ I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review. I was not required to write a positive review and this reflects my honest opinion of the work.
Trigger warning: this story is meant as an ironic reflection on the so-called 'wokeness' of social justice warriors and other extreme-leftist-minded people. It's written as a parable, a fable actually. I liked the premise, it's why I chose this book, and it actually gets off to a great start. However, about halfway through it seems to loose its focus and the story is no longer one story with one plotline, but each chapter now turns into a separate fable, with the MC as kind of a tourist in his own story. Which is a pity, for that change steals the wind from its sails, and it ends a bit dull. Expect no great ideas or moral direction to solve this problem of 'wokeness', something a good parable should have included I feel, other than let's blow the whole thing up and start over (I mean come on, that's no solution).
It also comes dangerously close to borrowing almost literal ideas or even paraphrasing Orwell's 1984 (but maybe that's only because true leftist wokeness automatically brings us some variant of 1984's dystopia...)
Narration is fine, not the greatest I've ever heard but nice enough.
Inspite of my critique above, I really did like this story and I may listen to it again in the future to see if I can figure out in even greater detail what each of the fables refers to in our world today.
~ I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review. I was not required to write a positive review and this reflects my honest opinion of the work.
November 24, 2020
Fantasy & Fairy Realm Meets Woke Parables 18+ Read
I must warn there is a fair amount of very graphic public executions that anyone who is squeamish should probably skip this book, there's a fair amount of bad language as well as some sexual references that would make me rate this as a R / 18+ level read. Animal Farm meets fantasy and fairy realms. It really shows many of the extremes that we are dealing with today and the level of of bias in the media (social and news) and though we aren't putting people to dealth many are having their lives/careers ruined for speaking up often very publicly. The inquisition for equitability that is plaguing Fantasmagoria, shows the censorship, cancel culture, reparations and the fear and communist controls forced on the citizens. It was honestly hard for me to get through because of its graphic nature and how close he came with the parables. I good read for the older crowd fantasy and wokeful readers. The narrated did a great job and was definitely entertaining.
—I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
I must warn there is a fair amount of very graphic public executions that anyone who is squeamish should probably skip this book, there's a fair amount of bad language as well as some sexual references that would make me rate this as a R / 18+ level read. Animal Farm meets fantasy and fairy realms. It really shows many of the extremes that we are dealing with today and the level of of bias in the media (social and news) and though we aren't putting people to dealth many are having their lives/careers ruined for speaking up often very publicly. The inquisition for equitability that is plaguing Fantasmagoria, shows the censorship, cancel culture, reparations and the fear and communist controls forced on the citizens. It was honestly hard for me to get through because of its graphic nature and how close he came with the parables. I good read for the older crowd fantasy and wokeful readers. The narrated did a great job and was definitely entertaining.
—I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
August 21, 2024
A grand satire, literally and figuratively! It's formatted as a novel, but written so that each chapter forms it's own shorts story, so it's easy to read in little bits. One might even use the term Lampoon, except the Woke movement has been at work there already, adding meanings to the dictionary that weren't previously there as part of their manipulations:
Lampooned used to mean:
Any satire ridiculing or mocking a person, activity, or institution by representing its character or behavior in an exaggerated or grotesque form; the representation may be written, filmed, or performed as a live skit, and may be intended as a severe reproach, or as good-natured humor.
But now there is an additional meaning:
A personal satire in writing; usually, malicious and abusive censure written only to reproach and distress.
Note the prime difference is not in defining the action (satire) but in declaring the Intent of the speaker as malicious rather than humorous.
Learn to laugh at yourself before you try to tell me what to laugh at!
Lampooned used to mean:
Any satire ridiculing or mocking a person, activity, or institution by representing its character or behavior in an exaggerated or grotesque form; the representation may be written, filmed, or performed as a live skit, and may be intended as a severe reproach, or as good-natured humor.
But now there is an additional meaning:
A personal satire in writing; usually, malicious and abusive censure written only to reproach and distress.
Note the prime difference is not in defining the action (satire) but in declaring the Intent of the speaker as malicious rather than humorous.
Learn to laugh at yourself before you try to tell me what to laugh at!
December 13, 2022
Hilarious and full of truth. This quick read (the book is almost pocket sized) stars Finbar the Faun, employed by the Elven Standard, a tabloid newspaper. Finbar quickly sees his life diminished as society crumbles in its ongoing quest for equality.
The fantastical inquisition seems only a short step away from current events as many creatures are canceled (executed) for past aggression and newly decided laws. The characters are funny, but besides Finbar only a few stand out as interesting or important (the old man and the wizard come to mind).
A few years ago this story would not even make sense. Now it is a parallel to the absurdity of modern cancel culture.
The fantastical inquisition seems only a short step away from current events as many creatures are canceled (executed) for past aggression and newly decided laws. The characters are funny, but besides Finbar only a few stand out as interesting or important (the old man and the wizard come to mind).
A few years ago this story would not even make sense. Now it is a parallel to the absurdity of modern cancel culture.
August 10, 2023
This should be mandatory reading for all the 'Woke Warriors' out there (though I'm sure they'll be HIGHLY offended). Equality for all isn't always the best way to go about life.
I thought this was a fantastic thinly-veiled 'fairy tale' about how ridiculous some people behave and how completely out-of-control things can get when the lives of the majority are ruled by the outspoken, perpetually offended minority.
I definitely recommend this book...though keep in mind that no one cares if you're offended.
I thought this was a fantastic thinly-veiled 'fairy tale' about how ridiculous some people behave and how completely out-of-control things can get when the lives of the majority are ruled by the outspoken, perpetually offended minority.
I definitely recommend this book...though keep in mind that no one cares if you're offended.
August 8, 2024
Great read
I loved this fairy story, shows the absurdity of the woke culture, but it was also a pretty hilarious story I really enjoyed reading this and look forward to more from this author. Whether you are liberal or conservative, everyone will like and get a kick from this story, I wish I could give it 10 stars. Enjoy, and read with an open mind, you too will like it. Thanks for reading my review.
I loved this fairy story, shows the absurdity of the woke culture, but it was also a pretty hilarious story I really enjoyed reading this and look forward to more from this author. Whether you are liberal or conservative, everyone will like and get a kick from this story, I wish I could give it 10 stars. Enjoy, and read with an open mind, you too will like it. Thanks for reading my review.
September 18, 2022
An amusing fairy story as parable about wokeism. Would have been better if the initial 1/3 had focused more on story/characters and less on the political message (and if the political message had developed more organically, vs. being rammed in), but it was short and entertaining, and got better toward the end.
October 23, 2020
Sarcastic and modernized 1984 meets Lord of the Rings meets Karen. Quick and hilarious read.
March 4, 2021
A cautionary tale for social justice warriors
The Elven Inquisition is a hilarious satire of the modern social justice movement. I'm an avid promoter of social justice, which made me appreciate this book and its message. In my experience, some groups and individuals can push social justice to extremes that do more overall harm than good. This is particularly true when social justice is used to benefit a minority group by subverting others rather than addressing the causes of inequity. This story is an excellent illustration of how social justice can be co-opted and wielded as a weapon against those that threaten a supposed egalitarian society's status quo. It is smart, witty, and an excellent cautionary tale for social justice warriors everywhere. As I read, the words of Nietzsche came to mind -- "Beware that, when fighting monsters, you yourself do not become a monster."
Outside of its value as a clever satirical work, it is an excellent story as well. The overall plot and story are entertaining and engaging, and the characters were surprisingly nuanced and deep for a short book. I also enjoyed the way the author used a combination of modern fantasy and traditional folktale elements to build a unique world. Overall, it was a fun and enjoyable read (or listen). The audio version of the book was performed by Michael J. Lunney, who did an excellent job narrating the main character and projecting the book's tone and unique message.
A special thanks to Steve Wiley, Jen McDonald, and the rest of Lavender Line Press, who graciously provided me with this book at my request.
The Elven Inquisition is a hilarious satire of the modern social justice movement. I'm an avid promoter of social justice, which made me appreciate this book and its message. In my experience, some groups and individuals can push social justice to extremes that do more overall harm than good. This is particularly true when social justice is used to benefit a minority group by subverting others rather than addressing the causes of inequity. This story is an excellent illustration of how social justice can be co-opted and wielded as a weapon against those that threaten a supposed egalitarian society's status quo. It is smart, witty, and an excellent cautionary tale for social justice warriors everywhere. As I read, the words of Nietzsche came to mind -- "Beware that, when fighting monsters, you yourself do not become a monster."
Outside of its value as a clever satirical work, it is an excellent story as well. The overall plot and story are entertaining and engaging, and the characters were surprisingly nuanced and deep for a short book. I also enjoyed the way the author used a combination of modern fantasy and traditional folktale elements to build a unique world. Overall, it was a fun and enjoyable read (or listen). The audio version of the book was performed by Michael J. Lunney, who did an excellent job narrating the main character and projecting the book's tone and unique message.
A special thanks to Steve Wiley, Jen McDonald, and the rest of Lavender Line Press, who graciously provided me with this book at my request.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews