Tim Bannock

A twist on the myths of Merlin creating an all new fantasy world! The Hunt for the Hollower is a unique twist on the myth of Merlin: an entire fantasy world is created as a setting for Merlin's seventh generation descendants to venture forth on a quest that will change them forever. What I love the most about this book is that central conceit: this isn't like a Harry Potter or one of the countless "modern descendant of Arthurian myths" where we see a real-world setting invaded by the fantastical, but rather an entirely new - but still quite familiar! - fantasy world in which Arthurian myth is the foundation. It makes the discoveries and adventures throughout the book feel more unique and unexpected, and it grounds the fantasy in a way that ends up making more whimsical and humorous, but no less poignant by the end. Because the part I love second-most is just that: this isn't a story that is only whimsical or fantastic or lighthearted, but rather it's an epic quest that has significant heart at its center. Themes of friendship (and occasionally betrayal) abound, which is perhaps not unexpected at all in Arthurian myth, but much more powerful and constant are the themes of loneliness even among the people you care about, as well as family (specifically siblings) placed in jeopardy. The book never strays into territory that's too dark for its audience, but it most certainly is not shy about the lows the characters go through when they find themselves missing their loved ones, or their relationships in tatters due to misconceptions or questionable loyalties. And when it reaches its emotional crescendos, Hunt for the Hollower is just as heartfelt and wears its joys, losses, and everything in between on its sleeve. The book is never missing an emotional heart in any chapter. And what did I love third-most? Well, that would be the incredible cast of side characters, many of which are animals. Some of which are magical familiars, some of which are whimsical hybrid beasts, but a few of which are just run-of-the-mill animals that find themselves wrapped up in the heroic journey of our protagonists, Merlynda, Neci, and Batu. Fang is my absolute favorite, and that he gets little point-of-view asides it just makes the book absolutely sing. I've read a lot of the "Arthurian myth but set in a different time and place" books and some are great and a whole lot of them aren't. This is one that is great. There's so many moments that are playful, so many that are impassioned, and all of which are cleverly written.