On the Horizon – and put away childish things (Adrian Tchaikovsky)

Ahoy there me mateys!  I received an eArc of this fantasy novel through NetGalley in exchange for me honest musings . . .

Title: and put away childish things
Author: Adrian Tchaikovsky
Publisher: Rebellion / Solaris
Publication Date: Next Tuesday!!! (e-book)
ISBN: 978-1786188793
Source:  NetGalley

This was a fun take on what happens if a popular children’s book series is based on a real place.  And what happens if that real place actually sucks?  Harry Bodie finds out when he ends up in Underhill – the “imaginary” land his grandmother wrote about.  I enjoyed this read even if I did not like Harry as a character.  He is an arrogant person who I wasn’t really cheering for even if I wanted a happier story for Underhill’s inhabitants.  I did, however, like all of the nods to Narnia which is a place I visited over and over again in my imagination as a child.  The characters and Underhill didn’t feel completely fleshed out but that could be because of the short length.  I loved the dark tone and appreciated the ending.  Not the author’s best but I am glad I read it.  Arrr!

Side note: The publisher lists this book as being part of the “Terrible Worlds” series and is listed as destination 3.  I have read the other two and these can certainly be read as standalones.  I would read more of these types of novellas.

Goodreads has this to say about the novel:

All roads lead to Underhill, where it’s always winter, and never nice.

Harry Bodie has a famous grandmother, who wrote beloved children’s books set in the delightful world of Underhill. Harry himself is a failing kids’ TV presenter whose every attempt to advance his career ends in self-sabotage. His family history seems to be nothing but an impediment.

An impediment… or worse. What if Underhill is real? What if it has been waiting decades for a promised child to visit? What if it isn’t delightful at all? And what if its denizens have run out of patience and are taking matters into their own hands?

To visit the author’s website go to:
Adrian Tchaikovsky – Author

To buy the novella visit:
and put away childish things – Book

To add to Goodreads go to:
Yer Ports for Plunder List

Previous Log Entries for this Author

walking to aldebaran (On the Horizon – Sci-Fi eArc)
made things (Shiver me Timbers – Sci-Fi)
one day this will all be yours (On the Horizon – Sci-Fi eArc)
firewalkers (Captain’s Log – Sci-Fi)
elder race (Shiver me Timbers – Sci-Fi)
city of last chances (On the Horizon – Fantasy eArc)

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