|
As a
Wand’ring Minstrel, Jimothy Redwing’s needs are simple—his
demiguitar, food, a place to sleep, and occasional
companionship. On the way to the city of Couvin, Jimothy
manages to meet all those needs at once when he encounters
traveler Ricky Lennox. Ricky gives Jimothy a ride on his
horse, shares his food, and shares a small traveler’s
cabin—and bed—with him. Once they reach the city, Ricky
gives him advice and leaves, with the promise of seeing him
again.
In the
city, Jimothy discovers a lot of things weren’t what he
thought. One of the letters he’s supposed to deliver
contains some sort of controversial information, and Ricky
is hiding a big secret from him. Can Jimothy and Ricky
manage to have a relationship despite the turmoil
surrounding them?
The Ballad of Jimothy Redwing is an enjoyable
fantasy novel. Minstrel Jimothy is a great character. He
loves his work and takes it very seriously, but he also
makes time for “fun” whenever possible. His developing
feelings for Ricky take him by surprise, but luckily he’s an
adaptable person. Ricky, who is funny, kind, and enjoys
expressing his desires in creative ways, is a good match for
Jimothy. Ricky’s secret (which I won’t reveal here) is a
pretty big deal, but it’s easy to see why he wants to hide
it at first. The intrigue that Jimothy and Ricky become
embroiled in provides suspense and kept me reading on to see
what would happen next. Secondary characters are
well-written and interesting, especially Ricky’s mother and
the innkeepers at the inn where Jimothy stays and performs.
Maia Strong also did a good job with the world- building,
providing a fascinating realm with a hint of the
paranormal. I hope she writes more books in the same
setting. I for one would definitely read them. If you like
fantasy, intrigue, and romance, you can’t go wrong with
The Ballad of Jimothy Redwing. |
