Uptown Oracle Reads… The Forgotten Beasts of Eld

Sybel has grown up with only her father’s teachings and the forgotten beasts of eld. When one day a baby is given into her care, she must learn to love and care for him. When Coren returns years later for the boy, Sybel’s world is turned around all over again.

The Forgotten Beasts of Eld has a multitude of wonderful characters. Sybel has her flaws, but these make her seem more human rather than a bad person. I love the love between Tam and Sybel and how Sybel let’s him go to be with his father. Coren is a wonderful character although I’m still unsure of the love story aspect of the book. I loved the histories we get of each of the forgotten beasts as it brings a bit more to who they are.

McKillip is wonderful at world building. The mountain of Eld, Sirle and Mondor are all written so differently yet beautifully. Especially the white house on the mountain that, although it doesn’t change itself, feels differently as people come and go. The differences between the house and the house in Sirle are also drastically written. I loved how by the end of the book there’s a very clear notion of where feels like ‘home’ for Sybel.

McKillip’s writing style is almost poetical in places. Because of this, in even the longest of sentences you’re still hooked. It also resonates a lot with the songs about the beasts within the world. These beasts are ferocious, beautiful, and magical. I loved how they were described throughout the book. The way magic was talked about and how it was explained kept my imagination open.

I received The Forgotten Beasts of Eld* by Patricia A. McKillip as an e-book from the publisher via Netgalley. This is an unbiased and honest review.