Fairie-time. The Starlight Monks. Illusionists masquerading as magicians. The Mad Princess. The Bog Maiden. The Man Whose Skin Was like Puffed Rice. Fantasy.
In the heart of autumn, Olrik, a young and ignorant orphan from a dirty little town, stumbles upon the last living fairie, who tells him that magical things will start happening to him. Soon the prince of the royal city of Pallenlyre takes him home to be a servant of the queen. Though Olrik has dreamed of living in Pallenlyre, he finds the place in turmoil-- the king is away at war, a famine plagues the city, and a power-hungry wizard (presumably a real one) claims he will rule the city by the first of spring.
As Pallenlyre fights off its magical foe, Olrik embarks on the quests for maturity, courage, peace, and a sense of home, and that very pressing but seldom mentioned quest for wonder, for a sense of awe at the world around us.
P.S: The Tales will all tie together in the end, but this is not the complete book. I'd love for you to read a few chapters and give comments. If you think you'll only read a couple, check out 5 and 9.
Chapters are from "Autumn" and "Winter." Hopefully "Early Spring" is coming soon. Enjoy.