A Curse of Krakens, by Kevin Hearne (Del Rey)
This is the third installment in Kevin Hearne’s “The Seven
Kennings” series, and it’s structured like the others, alternating third-person
present-day narrative with first-person narratives of various characters
involved in the overall story arc. It takes place in a complex, nuanced world,
a “huge canvas” with different cultures, alliances, personalities, and pieces
of the larger plot. It’s a little hard to follow as an entry to the series or
if it’s been awhile since you read it, but I found that by relaxing into the various
stories, the overall picture emerged.
Some of the narratives (channeled through a bard) felt like
sitting down with old friends and savoring the details of their lives. Often,
the stories would overlap, told from different viewpoints. Each character came
to the same set of events from their own unique history and culture. My
favorites remained Pen, a sort of tree guardian, and Abhi, who speaks to
animals.
It’s a long, leisurely read sure to please fans of the
series.
First of all, this is a physically gorgeous book with
illustrated borders very much like medieval books. It’s a prequel to Jonathan
Strange & Mr Norrell, set 700 years in the past. Northern England has
been conquered by a fairy host, and the city of Durham is surrounded by a
mysterious, eerie wood. Ranulf, Bishop of Durham, determines to negotiate for
the city’s freedom. That is, if he can find someone to talk to. When he eventually
finds the leader of the fairy host, he encounters an adolescent human boy who is
unable to speak any human language.
The plot is straightforward and the language is understated,
inviting the reader to make connections and fill in the gaps, as it were. To
me, these qualities added to the charm of this book. It can be enjoyed without
having read Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell, and would make a lovely gift
for a fantasy reader.
Note: This book will be released on October 20, 2026
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