The Green Man's Gift

Green Man #5

by Juliet E. McKenna

A teenage boy has turned up in Snowdonia, barely conscious and babbling about beautiful women and fairy feasts. The authorities blame magic mushrooms. The wise women say different and they want dryad’s son, Daniel Mackmain, to investigate. He needs to watch his step in the mountains. Those who live in the hollow hills mask their secrets and intentions with sly half-truths.

Far from the woods he knows, Dan needs help from the allies he has made in past adventures. But he's a loner at heart. As the true power of his adversary becomes clear, he must decide if he's willing to see those he cares for put themselves in danger.

A modern fantasy rooted in the ancient myths and folklore of the British Isles.

Genres: Fantasy, Urban Fantasy, Fiction, British Literature

324 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 6, 2022

About the author

Juliet E McKenna is a British fantasy author living in the Cotswolds, UK. Loving history, myth and other worlds since she first learned to read, she has written fifteen epic fantasy novels so far. Her debut, The Thief’s Gamble, began The Tales of Einarinn in 1999, followed by The Aldabreshin Compass sequence, The Chronicles of the Lescari Revolution, and The Hadrumal Crisis trilogy. The Green Man’s Heir was her first modern fantasy inspired by British folklore in 2018. The Green Man’s Quarry in 2023 was the sixth title in this ongoing series and won the BSFA Award for Best Novel. The seventh book, in 2024, is The Green Man’s War.

Her 2023 novel The Cleaving is a female-centred retelling of the story of King Arthur, while her shorter fiction includes forays into dark fantasy, steampunk and science fiction. She promotes SF&Fantasy by reviewing, by blogging on book trade issues, attending conventions and teaching creative writing. She has served as a judge for the James White Award, the Aeon Award, the Arthur C Clarke Award and the World Fantasy Awards. In 2015 she received the British Fantasy Society’s Karl Edward Wagner Award. As J M Alvey, she has written historical murder mysteries set in ancient Greece.

Who’s to say what will come next?

Learn more about all of this at julietemckenna.com and on Twitter @JulietEMcKenna

Reviews

[K.J. Charles]

Another immensely enjoyable instalment in the rural-fantasy series. This is kind of...think Jack Reacher but with heart and magic. Big taciturn hero (who is in this case a dryad's son) and narrates in a low-affect, heavily detailed-oriented way; a bit of a drifter who takes on terrifying bad guysin order to do the right thing. It is immensely satisfying.

Here we have a Welsh setting for a Queen under the Hill/fairy abduction case, some properly sinister magic, and an intriguing hint that Dan might have more power than he realises, boding well for the next book. /rubs hands/ I enjoyed it enormously.

I had an ARC from the publisher, which came exactly when I needed to kick me out of an imminent reading slump.

[Runalong · Rating 5 out of 5]

Possibly the best yet in an already impressive series. This time a tale in the Welsh countryside with the introduction of the fae feels both spooky and epic. I really enjoyed this and also feel this series can now go in any direction it wants. Strongly recommended and this is not a bad jumping on point either

Full review - https://www.runalongtheshelves.net/bl...

[Jacey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was delighted to receive an advance copy of this book for review. I've loved all the previous Green Man books featuring Daniel Macmain, the son of a normal human man and a dryad mother. Dan, as befits his heritage, is a big, strong bloke who works sympathetically with wood, and who can see supernatural entities invisible to normal human eyes. His girlfriend, Fin, is a swan maiden and he regularly interacts with a couple of dryads who inhabit the Blithehurst estate where he works. In the first book in this series, Dan is a loner, working on building sites and moving on regularly so no one ever notices he's different, but now he's got a permanent home, and a network of friends which includes his boss at Blithehurst, the aforementioned Swan Maidens, and some wise women. The Green Man pops up from time to time to point Dan to a supernatural problem that needs fixing. This time young men are going missing in North Wales. One has turned up traumatised, after weeks, when he thinks he's only been gone for days. A beautiful young folk singer seems to be involved and Dan goes to Snowdonia to investigate. This leads him into the realm of the scary fairy and some shapechanging creatures of Welsh legend. Juliet McKenna knows her folklore and knows her characters. Dan may look like a thug (which he uses to his advantage on occasions), but he's thoughtful and resourceful. Highly recommended. You could start here, but I recommend you do yourself a favour and read the whole lot in order.

[Carro · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series has really settled into its stride, and another episode of Dan Mackmain, the dryad's son and trying to earn a living when there are demands from the supernatural world that he should fix things now - with things often being on the vague or cryptic side. He and the other people he has met over the series are always worth meeting again. McKenna as ever weaves the folklore into the story, without it being an exposition or a burden, and she has a very keen skill in describing the countryside and the feel of it, in good weather and bad.

[BrokenMnemonic · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very nice to see this series visiting north Wales.

[Ben Jeapes · Rating 5 out of 5]

The series of Green Man novels goes from strength to strength, bringing a modern fantastical sensibility to traditional folk tales and things that go bump in the night. In each novel Dan Mackmain's half-dryad heritage sees him taking on a different variety of beastie, often in a different part of the British Isles: this time around he is in north Wales. He is not a tedious cracker of one-liners but there is humour (the chief antagonist is never known by anything more definite than "the scary fairy") that never gets in the way of the steadily building tension, the sudden bursts of horror and the unexpected twists and setbacks.

It's also worth noting that the series shows actual development. At the start, Dan was a loner but he has steadily been accruing allies until in this one he can call on whole network of fae beings at a key moment. Hopefully it won't turn into a kind of Fairies Assemble.

[Barbara Wendell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another outstanding Installment

Although I pre ordered this when that became a possibility, I didn’t rush to read it immediately. I knew that if I did I would just be longing for the next book—and I sincerely hope there is a next book. I want to see the narrator’s powers blossom. I want to know what he gets up to.

One of the most attractive aspects of the narrator is that he is a human, with human foibles and weaknesses. He doesn’t go in as an all powerful invincible being. He makes mistakes and he painfully learns from them. I’m not going to discuss the story because I don’t want to spoil it for anyone. Suffice to say that I will be impatiently awaiting the next volume.

[Misha Herwin · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great blend of myth, magic and real life, as Daniel is asked to solve the mystery of why young men are going missing in the Welsh mountains. With his dryad blood, on his mother's side, he has a unique insight into the Faerie world and with the help of wise women, his girlfriend Finn and her family of shape changers he will have to face the power of the Queen under the hill.
Loved this book. The twists and turns kept me hooked right to the end and I look forward to reading more of the series.

[ARR62 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Scary Fairy!

What happens when the world changes but the fairies don't? Nothing good.
I love this series and so far Ms. McKenna has kept it fresh, relatable, and ever intriguing. Dan is more than usually pigheaded in this book (which is saying something) and gets to deal with the consequences. The hint that he's capable of more sounds like more fun is in store, yay!
If you like you're fantasy this world related with a bit of romance to spice the action and terror, you're in for a treat. Enjoy!

[RDax Adams · Rating 5 out of 5]

The fifth in the Wonderful Green Man series. You really need to read them all to get full enjoyment, but they can be read alone. The use of English myths and legends in a modern setting is unique and is a great antidote to all those urban fantasies set in yet another generic American city. The main character is appealing and actually doubts himself, a rare occurrence with fantasy heroes. Get a copy and get away from the real world for a few hours; you won't regret it.

[Alicia · Rating 4 out of 5]

https://wordnerdy.blogspot.com/2023/1...

In this volume, our protagonist is off to Wales to investigate a supernatural being who is seducing/kidnapping/torturing young men. I really liked the folklore aspects of this one and found it more engaging than some of the others. Great new and returning characters, and as always I learned a fair amount about woodworking and home repair. The next book comes out in a week and I will definitely be reading it. A-.

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another enjoyable adventure with Dan

Devoured this one in 3 days. I really enjoy this series and loving how its world seems to be expanding with the inclusion of recurring characters. I like the blend of modern and fantasy and enjoyed the take on Welsh folklore in this book. The only downside is having to wait for the next instalment!

[Martin Owton · Rating 5 out of 5]

This latest in the Green Man's series is a bit more of an ensemble piece. Dan is still the view point character but has rather more help than previous books reflecting how a network of folk attuned to the hidden world has developed over the series. Every bit as well-researched and well-paced as the previous books, my only complaint is that it was over too soon.

[Bel · Rating 4 out of 5]

There's something just so comforting about these books, even when there's serious peril (and claustrophobia! I couldn't have dealt with that!). I think it's partly because Dan is such a fundamentally good guy, as well as the overly detailed writing that makes one feel like one is enjoying every meal and drink with him. Each volume is reliably good, and the overarching plot is developing nicely.

[Mon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really love this series. It's so obscure and there aren't many readers but I love that there's so many of them and the author keeps writing.

It's so cosy and comforting with the endless cups of tea and going into great detail about pub meals and Welsh countryside. Plus - five books in and we finally got to meet an actual (scary) faerie!

[Wendy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely cracking read. Didn't want to stop, beautifully paced. Every time I think I've solved the plot, there's a twist, a tweak, that's so well done and character driven that I can't help but be enthralled all over again.

[Darrel Melvin · Rating 5 out of 5]

another excellent story

I eagerly look forward to each new book in the Green Man’s series.

The Green man’s Gift brings the story into Wales and introduces new characters in a world with increasing depth.

When do we get to read the next One?

[Anne Barwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series with its mix of mythology and contemporary. Dan, the MC, is an interesting character. I like how things don't usually go easily for him when dealing with supernatural foes, and how he's building a supporting cast around him.

[Carrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful as usual

I sincerely hope there will be more in this series! I enjoyed this installment very much , as I have all the rest. If you are looking for Urban Fantasy with dryads , swan maidens, and more, this is for you.

[Dan Carey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think one reason I usually tire quickly of series is that it seems to me that the main characters become static. But in this case, McKenna consistently keeps thing fresh. I count that among the reasons I continue to enjoy the series and to look forward to the next book.

[Simon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Recent Reads: The Green Man's Gift. The fifth of Juliet E McKenna's rural fantasies brings Dan to the mountains of North Wales, where the fae are playing with mortal lives. Together with his growing band of allies, Dan will need to go deep into the slate mines to protect both mortals and spirits.

[Michael Cheater · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just gets better.

Each time I read one of these books I think that this can't be topped and then with the next book I'm proved wrong. Long may they continue.

[Melanie Richards · Rating 5 out of 5]

the green man giveth

Entirely up to scratch. There is something about these books which give me a real sense of place to ground the magical events.

[Sam Worby · Rating 3 out of 5]

As ever, a pretty enjoyable read.

[Sarah Clifton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love these books!

[Aisling Mcsweeney · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book and tried to read it slowly, but I couldn't stop reading. Highly recommended.

[dee~]

Just noticed this was already the fifth book in the series. Will rate it, once I read the previous books.

[Cynthia Joy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Highly recommended for fans of urban fantasy and/or Charles de Lint.

[Clare · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series just gets better!

[Ay · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am pleased to have discovered this author and this series. Bounced right onto the next book.