by John Crowley
First published 2000
Pierce Moffett has left New York behind for the quiet Faraway Hills, where he hopes to write history but finds something far stranger. Magic seeps into his ordinary days, connecting him to forces that have shaped the world for centuries. Nearby, Rosie Rasmussen struggles with her daughter Samantha's seizures while uncovering secrets from her uncle's past. Pierce's lover Rose Ryder joins a cult that promises to banish her demons. The calendar moves toward winter solstice, and the boundary between living and dead grows thin. Stories of Renaissance figures John Dee and Giordano Bruno echo through present events, as if history repeats itself in these peaceful hills. An ancient conflict stirs to life, demanding that Pierce, Rosie, Samantha, and Rose choose sides. Hidden powers emerge as the final battle approaches.
Genres: historical-fiction, mystery, fantasy, magical-realism
Vibes: atmospheric, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: chosen-one, found-family
Setting: Faraway Hills, New York
Period: Renaissance, Winter Solstice
464 pages · Hardcover · Bantam
Content warnings: violence