Oak King Holly King – Sebastian Nothwell

Shrike, the Butcher of Blackthorn, is a legendary warrior of the fae realms. When he wins a tournament in the Court of the Silver Wheel, its queen names him her Oak King – a figurehead destined to die in a ritual duel to invoke the change of seasons. Shrike is determined to survive. Even if it means he must put his heart as well as his life into a mere mortal’s hands.

Wren Lofthouse, a London clerk, has long ago resigned himself to a life of tedium and given up his fanciful dreams. When a medieval-looking brute arrives at his office to murmur of destiny, he’s inclined to think his old enemies are playing an elaborate prank. Still, he can’t help feeling intrigued by the bizarre-yet-handsome stranger and his fantastical ramblings, whose presence stirs up emotions Wren has tried to lock away in the withered husk of his heart.

As Shrike whisks Wren away to a world of Wild Hunts and arcane rites, Wren is freed from the repression of Victorian society. But both the fae and mortal realms prove treacherous to their growing bond. Wren and Shrike must fight side-by-side to see who will claim victory – Oak King or Holly King.

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Oak King Holly King by Sebastian Nothwell retells Celtic folklore into a gay romance. The Oak King, symbolizing light, defeats the Holly King, who represents darkness. The Holly King is reborn, defeats the Oak King, and the cycle continues, reflecting the changing seasons.

The story begins amidst battle. Shrike, known as Butcher, wins the tournament and is made Oak King, essentially sentenced to death by the Queen of the Silver Wheel. Not wanting to die, he seeks someone to help him defeat the Holly King. His scrying leads him to Wren Lofthouse, a London clerk.

Wren thought Shrike was an actor hired by his former friends to prank him. Skeptical but drawn to the man, he let himself be taken to the fae realms as proof that Shrike is indeed who he claims to be. Although confused as to how he, a mere clerk, could aid a fae, he and Shrike struck an alliance that blossomed into something more.

I was unfamiliar with the pagan tale of the Oak and Holly Kings and the Snow Queen, but this is the kind of story I would have devoured as a child. The retelling cast the Snow Queen as a petty monarch who took the ruling king as lover, only to callously, some even said cruelly, disregard them for the next winning king.

Some of the fae lore is familiar, such as that true names are closely guarded secrets and iron weakens the fae. The fae realm is not described in detail, but it is full of fantastical creatures who apparently love to party. Scenes of note usually happened during a chaotic gathering full of carousing fae, overflowing with wine and noisy with music.

Shrike was formerly a knave before he was crowned, a solitary creature and a man of few words who lived in Blackthorn surrounded by enchanted briar. He’s a leathersmith whose craft is highly prized in the realm. He hates the Snow Queen and avoids the court like a plague. He, however, adores his human and sticks with Wren even when the Snow Queen throws a curveball.

I love Wren! He’s pretty much smittened with Shrike from the get-go. He’s an unassuming clerk with artistic inclinations. He has to shove that under the floorboards because the world is not ready for his creations, a.k.a. manuscripts of the man love variety. He can think fast on his feet, resourceful and cunning, and always willing to help, even if the person in need is loathsome. He got himself and Shrike out of several tight spots.

The book draws on the homoeroticism of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, as well as Apollo and Patroclus. I was super amused that Wren was basically winging it, i.e., inventing magical rituals based on English folklore to aid Shrike. And they actually worked!

The story is somewhat unusual because the plot is convoluted. At the same time, it was  long and slow going with nothing much happening during the middle part, but I wasn’t bored.

I was charmed by the sweet, cozy domesticity and the slice-of-life feels when Shrike and Wren were spending time at the Blackthorn, and Shrike was showing Wren around the fae realm. These moments were tender and idyllic, like golden summer afternoons. I wanted it to last forever.

But alas, they not only had to deal with fae business, but also tricky human affairs. Wren’s boss, Mr. Grigsby’s ward, the ward’s uncle, and the ward’s fiancée all called for the lawyer’s assistance to untangle their mess. Wren had to take action on Mr. Grigsby’s behalf. This part, especially the uncle, was nasty, but it added a lot of tension and excitement to the proceedings.

Mr. Grigsby is my favorite character. At first glance, he seemed like a bumbling old man, but he’s no fool. I enjoyed the scenes when the old lawyer showed his gravitas and put idiots to shame. He’s also super kind to Wren. I’m looking forward to the next book because there’s a short story there that promises good things for this kindly old man.

I’m glad there is Book 2 because the ending is too abrupt.

Overall, Oak King Holly King is a wonderful retelling of a well-known folk tale into a gentle romance with a clever resolution to the eternal battle of the kings. Albeit languidly paced, it’s nonetheless twisty and enchanting!

Rating:
4 Stars – minor quibbles but I loved it to bits

Soundtrack: The Oak & Holly Kings
Artist: The Dolmen
Album: Winter Solstice

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