Review: Fablehouse by E.L. Norry

Fablehouse is a stunning story of connection, friendship and belonging set in the 1950s, blending magic, history and Arthurian legend:  an unforgettable quest adventure that completely captivated me.

Heather has been sent to Fablehouse, a home for the unwanted ‘Brown Babies’ born to relationships between African-American GIs and white British women during the Second World War.  When out wandering, she finds a cairn which makes her feel at peace; however, she suffers a racist attack by some of the local village children.  She is rescued by three other children who are living at Fablehouse:  Arlene, Nat and Lloyd and it is not long before they form a close friendship, despite Heather’s initial reluctance for fear of being hurt.  When the children find a stranger at the cairn who needs their help, they bring him to Fablehouse, determined to help him discover who he is and where he has come from …

And so begins the most incredible adventure as the children discover that Pal is none other than Palamedes – a Saracen knight from Arthurian legend – who has been tasked with guarding the magical doorway between the fae and human world – a doorway that has been opened, allowing the fae to take children from Fablehouse, and replace them with changelings …  Can Heather and her three friends (the Roamers) fulfil their quest to rescue the children, and close the doorway before the fae wreak havoc on the human world? 

I really enjoyed this enthralling adventure which is both poignant and heart-warming.  I didn’t know of the history of ‘Brown Babies’, but it is clear from the story that many were rejected by society, making it difficult for mothers to keep them, leading to many being sent to homes.  Growing up, I loved reading stories of the Knights of the Round Table, so I loved the blending of Arthurian legends and the fae with both the 1950s setting and Fae Feld.  This is a story that builds to an exciting crescendo as Heather and her friends battle a terrible foe intent on dominion over the human and fae world:  the danger and tension is palpable as the Roamers fight for both fae and humans, finding strength in each other when it is most needed.

Heather and her friends are wonderful characters who form a strong friendship which gives them the strength to face danger and overcome difficulties.  My heart ached for these children as they faced hatred and cruelty from others but, despite this, they show incredible resilience, courage and self-belief as they work together to save their friends and home.  Whilst Heather has an inner core of anger which she unleashes when she needs to protect her friends, she is also an empathetic young girl who understands what it is to be abandoned, to be treated unfairly and to need a true home. 

This is a magical, enchanting story of friendship, self-acceptance and belonging, highly recommended for readers of 9+.