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The East Witch
Anna's rescue training kicked in when she tripped over the injured elf. Getting him home? No problem. Getting herself home again? That's going to be a little more complicated. Trapped Underhill, in the land of the fae, Anna has to remember everything she knows about fairy tales. Not the sweet happy the stories where Baba Yaga boils you alive and giants grind your bones for bread. Her skills as a hunter and her good manners might be all that keep her alive. At least, if she can keep the Wild Hunt at bay!
- GenresFantasy
268 pages, Paperback
Published January 17, 2021
89 people are currently reading
6 people want to read
About the author
Cedar Sanderson
130 books62 followersAuthor, illustrator, perennially inquisitive. Urban fantasy with pixies, cozy supernatural sleuthing, & sci-fi twists. Books & art at http://cedarwrites.com
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
February 2, 2021
This is the fourth volume by Sanderson that I have read. I first encountered the works of Cedar in Cracked: An Anthology of Eggsellent Chicken Stories, and after reading her piece there knew I had to track down and read something else from her pen. And I have been impressed with each of them. To date this is the longest I have read by her, and I would classify it as Epic fantasy! It was a book that was incredibly hard to put down. Sanderson has drawn from many folk tales, fairy tales, and native legends to create this masterful story. It is an epic adventure where myths and legends come to life Underhill.
This is the story of Anna and the story of Ivan. But not the story of them in a relationship. Anna is a human hunting guide. When she stumbles, literally stumbles over an elf caught in a bear trap she does what instinct tells her to. She saves the elf. Her next task is to get him home safe. But getting herself home seems a much more elusive task. And she is now trapped Underhill. A place with creatures she knows from legends and stories. And a world and politics she does not understand.
Both Ivan and Anna have adventures, together and separate. They are both seeking to help the other. And both want to do what is right. But in a land with Baba Yaga prepping for war. One Queen missing and another dead. And both the High and low courts in disarray how much can a young elf and a human hunter do?
Can Anna remember enough of the tales from her world to help her navigate he way in this one? Will her manners be enough to help her gain an edge and maybe even some allies. Can her past training with her grandfather and her brothers help her in a land where the rules are different? To find out you will need to read this story.
And what about Ivan, can a young elf, redeem himself from a failed task? Can he recover from trying to take a shortcut? Can he live up to his blood oath?
The greatest strength of this story is the characters. Of course, you will be rooting for Anna and Ivan. But what about some of the others we encounter? The jaeger, the leader of the Wild Hunt, the leshy Algyr and his sister Alaadi And many others. And who could forget the raven. The story itself is written with a unique pace. The story speeds up and slows down several times. And whenever one of these shifts takes place, make sure to pay special attention.
The story reads in part like a Narnian Adventure, and in part like a side story if Tolkien had ever crossed over characters from our world. Though there is a murder, and also much conniving, mischief, and planned mayhem, even for all of that it is a good clean story. And a girl just wanting to get home, but maybe home is where the heart belongs.
This is an excellent read and I highly recommend it. A perfect mingling of high adventure, legends, and myths in an epic tale.
Read the review on my blog Book Reviews and More and reviews of other books by Cedar Sanderson.
This is the story of Anna and the story of Ivan. But not the story of them in a relationship. Anna is a human hunting guide. When she stumbles, literally stumbles over an elf caught in a bear trap she does what instinct tells her to. She saves the elf. Her next task is to get him home safe. But getting herself home seems a much more elusive task. And she is now trapped Underhill. A place with creatures she knows from legends and stories. And a world and politics she does not understand.
Both Ivan and Anna have adventures, together and separate. They are both seeking to help the other. And both want to do what is right. But in a land with Baba Yaga prepping for war. One Queen missing and another dead. And both the High and low courts in disarray how much can a young elf and a human hunter do?
Can Anna remember enough of the tales from her world to help her navigate he way in this one? Will her manners be enough to help her gain an edge and maybe even some allies. Can her past training with her grandfather and her brothers help her in a land where the rules are different? To find out you will need to read this story.
And what about Ivan, can a young elf, redeem himself from a failed task? Can he recover from trying to take a shortcut? Can he live up to his blood oath?
The greatest strength of this story is the characters. Of course, you will be rooting for Anna and Ivan. But what about some of the others we encounter? The jaeger, the leader of the Wild Hunt, the leshy Algyr and his sister Alaadi And many others. And who could forget the raven. The story itself is written with a unique pace. The story speeds up and slows down several times. And whenever one of these shifts takes place, make sure to pay special attention.
The story reads in part like a Narnian Adventure, and in part like a side story if Tolkien had ever crossed over characters from our world. Though there is a murder, and also much conniving, mischief, and planned mayhem, even for all of that it is a good clean story. And a girl just wanting to get home, but maybe home is where the heart belongs.
This is an excellent read and I highly recommend it. A perfect mingling of high adventure, legends, and myths in an epic tale.
Read the review on my blog Book Reviews and More and reviews of other books by Cedar Sanderson.
January 2, 2021
Really engrossing fairy tale in the Pixie Noir setting!
I really enjoyed the skillful interweaving of Slavic and Alaskan mythology, mixed well into the Underhill setting of the Pixie Noir books. Although I don't think that you would have to read that trilogy before this book, it would help to better understand the setting. The characters are well rounded and interesting, very three-dimensional. I also enjoyed the pacing and the details, and it also helps to answer some questions about things from the original trilogy. I'm very much hoping for a continuation of this story in a sequel!
I really enjoyed the skillful interweaving of Slavic and Alaskan mythology, mixed well into the Underhill setting of the Pixie Noir books. Although I don't think that you would have to read that trilogy before this book, it would help to better understand the setting. The characters are well rounded and interesting, very three-dimensional. I also enjoyed the pacing and the details, and it also helps to answer some questions about things from the original trilogy. I'm very much hoping for a continuation of this story in a sequel!
September 4, 2025
what wonderful new characters
I do enjoy Lom and Bella. I am thrilled to have 2 new humans to cheer for in Underhill, Anna and Jaeger. I am enthralled with the way Ms. Sanderson weaves multiple myths and legends together into a cohesive story.
I hate writing these because I am never sure what to write. This is a must read series for anyone who likes urban fantasy
I do enjoy Lom and Bella. I am thrilled to have 2 new humans to cheer for in Underhill, Anna and Jaeger. I am enthralled with the way Ms. Sanderson weaves multiple myths and legends together into a cohesive story.
I hate writing these because I am never sure what to write. This is a must read series for anyone who likes urban fantasy
December 31, 2020
Fun story from beginning to end, with loads of twists and turns long the way, populated with wonderful characters, full of action and mayhem, littered with mythology and fantasy. And nicely done so the story is complete when it reaches THE END.
January 22, 2021
I enjoyed this book’s different slant on Fae and other mythic landscapes. I had not known some of the rules Cedar revealed to us in the book. Excellent.
February 1, 2021
Incredibly Detailed
Wow on the details on Russian Lore!
Good story that’s a fun and enjoyable read. Excellent writing, character development, and lots of action.
Wow on the details on Russian Lore!
Good story that’s a fun and enjoyable read. Excellent writing, character development, and lots of action.
February 9, 2021
Very enjoyable
I have read other books by this author so I am happy to have found this series.
I enjoyed the characters a lot and I am interested in seeing where this one leads.
I have read other books by this author so I am happy to have found this series.
I enjoyed the characters a lot and I am interested in seeing where this one leads.
April 9, 2021
Only was able to manage a few chapters with such a cardboard main character. I was interested in experiencing this author's work. They may have other works that are great. This one...not so much.
June 27, 2021
Excellent!!
Good read, really enjoyed it. Characters seemed real and good action. Got to hurry, I need to get to church
Good read, really enjoyed it. Characters seemed real and good action. Got to hurry, I need to get to church
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews