The War for the Oaks is one of my favorite fantasy reads. I really enjoy the juxtaposition yet complimentary aspects of mundane contemporary life and the strange, alien world of the supernatural fairies that seem to lurk just out of everyday perception. I have always liked the subtle mix of the fantastical and the commonplace, and I think that Emma Bull does it very well here, marrying these contradictory themes into a cohesive (and compelling) whole. One of the earlier works in the genre of “urban fantasy,” “The War for the Oaks” (Bull’s first novel) expertly weaves together many threads into an entertaining plot; Celtic folklore, rock music, and love, all under the backdrop of a lovingly described 1980s Minneapolis.

Telling the story of down on her luck musician Eddi McCandry and her sudden and frightening introduction of the warring bands of Fey, the Seelie and the Unseelie courts who each hope to take the Twin Cities for their own side. The normally immortal beings need a mortal witness to make their battles fatal and heighten the stakes of their centuries old conflict. Bull draws heavily on Celtic folklore to really bring her fairies to life, making them feel authentically ancient and otherworldly and yet playful in their interpretations of modern life.

The characters, both mortal and fey alike are very well drawn, likeable, and believable and as much detail is put into the practice of Eddi’s band, and though I have know musical experience seemed to bring further authenticity to the work. The action however is very dated to the 1980s with its outrageous fashion and the Minneapolis Sound in music highly evident, which I personally enjoyed but others may find jarring. Some of the shifts in romantic relationships may also become a bit clichéd in certain segments, but for the most part the characters remain quite real.

In addition, Bull makes the setting of the Twin Cities into a character itself; it definitely appears to be a tribute to Minneapolis and Minnesota in general, and I really can’t think of a better city for a story like this to take place in. To me the Twin Cities, with its parks, lakes, rivers, glittering skyline and mix of cultures, seem perfect for urban fantasy and Bull utilizes this setting to the fullest, drawing in local landmarks from Minnehaha Creek to the Como Conservatory (and of course, First Avenue).

“The War for the Oaks” really works for me as one of the best depictions I’ve seen of the culture of the Twin Cities and really works in the themes of urban fantasy very well, making it almost difficult to tell when the “urban” ends and the “fantasy” begins. I highly recommend the novel to anyone interested in urban fantasy, folklore, rock music, or the Twin Cities as a setting, and though it may be a little too ‘80s for some, Bull has created a truly nice summer read.