Book Reviews and More: Dragon Noir - Cedar Sanderson

Dragon Noir

Pixie for Hire Book 3

Book 2 of Underhill

Cedar Sanderson

Stonycroft Publishing

ISBN 9780692418376

ASIN B00VB2YHN2

Dragon Noir - Cedar Sanderson - Pixie for Hire Book 3

This is the 32 time I have read a volume by Sanderson, not counting her contributions to anthologies. I first encountered the works of Cedar in Cracked: An Anthology of Eggsellent Chicken Stories, and after reading her piece there knew I had to track down and read more from her pen. I had picked up, book 1, Pixie Noir, a while ago but had not got around to reading it, recently when Sanderson rebranded these books with new covers, I finally read book 1, a while ago, but had not got around to reading it. It was my loss for not reading these books sooner. When Sanderson rebranded the series with new covers in 2024, I was far more intrigued and started reading book 1 right away. I loved the new covers so much, I even returned my original eBook and bought it again to have the new cover, and I picked up the trilogy with the new covers, before even reading this one. It was well worth the read, and my loss that I had not read it when I first picked it up. And before reading this third in the series a new story release, Following Trouble, which is another Underhill story!

The description of this volume states:

“The pixie with the gun has come home to see his princess crowned a queen and live in peace. But nothing is ever easy for Lom. A gruesome discovery on his doorstep interrupts their plans and sends Lom off on a mission to save not one, but two worlds. It's personal this time and the stakes are higher than ever before. With friends falling and the enemy gathering, Bella and Lom must conquer the worst fears and monsters Underhill can conjure. Failure is not on the agenda.”

About the author we are informed:

“Cedar Sanderson was born an Air Force brat in Nebraska and spent her childhood en route to new duty stations. Her formative years after her father left the Air Force were spent being home-schooled on the Alaskan frontier. She removed to the "more urban" climes of New Hampshire at the beginning of high school. She has had the usual eclectic range of jobs for Fantasy/ SF authors, ranging from Comedy Magician to Apprentice Shepherdess. She counts the latter as more useful in controlling her four children and First Reader. Her fascination with science dates to her early childhood spent with her grandmother on the Oregon coast studying the flora and fauna and learning to prepare a meal from what she could glean from a tidal pool. This lead to a lifelong interest in science, cooking, and herbalism.”

This was another amazing read from Sanderson’s masterful pen. It is a wonderful story of triumph but not without much risk and even war between the high and low courts. Lom has even more work to do and call in favours and friends from both high and low places. After reading the second I stated: “I have clear ideas where the story goes from here and I look forward to finding out if I am correct!” I was indeed correct in a lot but the way it came about was excellent writing.

The characters are incredibly well written. Lom and Bella, again, just wow. Watching them find their place in this new situation. Both of them coming into full bloom. Bella expecting their first child. An encounter with a long lost grandmother. And that mythical library, oh what a role it will play.

It is written in such a way that you become completely enthralled in the story. You will find it nearly impossible to put the book down. The pace is a mix of hurry up and wait, but once the action begins oh my; what action! This time they must a vengeful ex who has been planning for decades. An evil from above that has been brought low and is being used to turn things upside down. And allies old and new coming to join forces. This story is an excellent third instalment in the trilogy and leaves you wanting more! Fortunately as mention another volume with these characters has since been release.

I have been impressed with all of Sanderson’s writing that I have read to date, and have very much enjoyed her recently works published under the name of Lilania Begley. The quick way I would describe this volume and series is Epic fantasy meets Mike Hammer or Spenser for Hire, with a mix of Martin Brigg’s craziness and planning mixed in! A hard working gal trying to get a job done, a job no one else could likely do, and what a beautiful dame she is. She is a lady with great power, strength of character and brilliant mind. And more than just a few surprises. It was so very hard to put down. Sanderson spin on folk tales, fairy tales, and native legends, woven into the noir mystery and she creates a masterfully written story. It is an epic adventure where myths and legends come to life both above and Underhill. I can easily recommend this novel and series they are great reads.

Books by Cedar Sanderson:

Lab Gremlins

Warp Resonance

The Dwarf's Dryad

One-Eyed Dragon

Memories of the Abyss

Little Red-Hood and the Wolf-man

The Violet Mouse

Stargazer

The Eternity Symbiote

Plant Life

Sugar Skull