Reviews

About the Book

Title: Striking Balance – The Peculiar Making of Beatrice Benjamin Sophia Scott Schnell Gow

Series Title: Appalachian Elementals

Number in Series: 3 (can be read as a standalone)

Author: Jeanne G’Fellers

Publisher: Mountain Gap Books

Release Date: Tuesday, July 21 2020

Length: 131,000k words

Cover Artist: Jeanne G’Fellers

Genres: Historical Dark Fantasy, Magic Realism

LGBTQ+ Identities: MC is non-binary bisexual intersex by today’s terms, other rep includes lesbian, ace, aro, gay, bi, gender-fluid, poly

Keywords/Categories: Dark Fantasy, non-binary, historical, magic, Late 18th century, American Colonial Era, Appalachia, Elementals, magic realism, fae, bisexual

Warnings: violence, discussion of past violence, deadnaming by antagonist

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/53475021-striking-balance

Synopsis

An Appalachian Elementals Historical Dark Fantasy Side Tale.

Benjamin Schnell is the possessor of secrets he wishes he could bury beneath the rich Nolichucky river flat dirt he farms alongside his dear friend, Conall. But secrets lead to lies, lead to more secrets, and all eventually come home to roost in a bed of distrust, even on the 1779 Appalachian frontier.

After Ben is injured, he realizes there are odd things happening around him that others cannot see. Corner shadows take human shapes, lightning bugs dance in broad daylight, and the farm’s strange owner, Master Gow, returns with an offer Conall cannot refuse if Ben is to live. But making a deal with Master Gow will take them deep into the mountains to where a haunted king reigns and Fire balances Water in a delicate natural friendship.

Ben must learn self-acceptance and trust if he and Conall are going to survive because there can be no secrets in the mountains, only truth.

Another rich tale from the Appalachian Elementals world focusing on complex families containing rich LGBTQIA+ characters.

Series Synopsis

Come dance with the Appalachian fey and drink a little moonshine under the full moon while you hear Earth, Air, Fire, Water, and Death share epic, heart-wrenching, love-filled, fantastic stories about families of our blood, families of our making, and magic both long ago and flowing through us now.

Purchase Links

Amazon US Kindle | Amazon: US Paperback | Mountain Gap Books | Barnes and Noble | Kobo |  Apple

Review

Appalachian Elementals is by far my favorite contemporary (mostly) series. I typically don’t read a lot of historical fiction, and historical fantasy has a tendency to primarily be based on time periods and locales I’m not interested in. But this book takes the series, fantasy in general, and historical fantasy to a whole new level. It’s fresh, different, and heavily seasoned with cultural references and perspectives. It’s exactly what I long for when I pick up a new book.

Because this is a side story within a series, I’m limited to giving somewhat vague descriptions so as to avoid spoilers. This book can definitely be read on its own and should appeal to people who primarily enjoy historical fantasy. However, I think my enjoyment was enhanced by having read the first two books and from anticipation of the next one. I highly recommend reading in order.

There are so many layers to the story. On the surface, it can be viewed as a tale of found family and a quite liberated society hidden within nonmagical society. While those things are true, they only scratch the surface. There are so many different paths the various characters are on that readers should be able to find a kindred soul somewhere on the pages.

I absolutely loved Ben and his “wildcat” ways. He’s the definition of a true hero, even when he’s overstepped or made mistakes or harbors resentment. But it was Conall to whom I was most drawn. I found myself relating hard to his journey and both his desperation for freedom and fear of what it meant. Even though the narrative is from Ben’s perspective, we still see how much Conall grows along the way. It’s handled with so much compassion, and it felt almost like giving permission for us to let go of our hangups and embrace our true selves, much like Ben does.

There’s a whole lot of queer representation on these pages. There are people of just about every sexuality and gender. Yet it doesn’t feel forced. Instead, it feels like a full society in which people who wouldn’t be welcome anywhere else have joined together. It isn’t a utopia by any stretch. There are troubles within this open society, and this is one tale of how they address them. But that’s the heart of it, really. Address them they do, in order to move forward as a family.

The real delights for me are the rowdy humor, the cast of characters (familiar and new), and all the immersive detail. This is right down to the language, regional and time-period. There’s a glossary in the back, but I chose to see how much I could glean from context because words are fun. It was a stretch at first, but soon I was under the spell of the story weaving and the language helped it all feel real.

As for the characters, I don’t want to give anything away. But every time a familiar face appeared, I literally whispered, “Yes!” This is why I recommend reading the other books first, since there’s something fun about recognizing those I’ve “met” before. I have a whole new appreciation for all of them.

Selfishly, I’m highly recommending this book because the more people read it, the more people I will have to discuss it with and unpack the layers. I want to talk about all of it, to dig into all the things I found meaningful and hear what others have to say.

For wonderful characters, a unique world, and a story I couldn’t put down, this gets 10/10 fountain pens.

Excerpt

I open my eyes to whitewashed walls and sunlight streaming through large open windows covered by gauzy curtains. This is a quiet space reminiscent of my youth. The window is wide to the afternoon air, my pillow is soft, my bed comfortable with sweetgrass, and I rest beneath the lightest of patchworks. And my shirt ‘tis cotton. Heaven. Yes, I am certain I have reached the hereafter. Perhaps I can see Mutti again and—

“Get back here ye’ fool!” I turn my head in time to see Alexandria pause before a window. Her face is flushed, and her hands are in fists at her sides. “Get back here wit’ mah pie!”

“Come get it, you flightless baggage!”

My thoughts of Heaven erode when Alexandria launches into a long line of Scots-Gaelic curses of the likes I have not heard since I left the mine. This is not the Alexandria I know and respect, not the voice of a proper lady at all. She hisses as she threatens to cut off his twiddle-diddles with her kitchen knife, cook them in the pottage, and feed them back to him.

“Return Lexy’s hard work, boy.” This is Master Gow’s voice, but ‘tis also not, higher in tone but equally powerful, and I wonder if he has a sister. “And the crust best not be broke!”

“But… ow!” I am unable to see what occurs next, but a man crosses in front of the window with a pie in his hands and something or someone I cannot see is dragging him. “Ow! King Dane, please! I am sorry, Lexy, real sorry!”

King? This woman who I suspect is related to Master Gow is named King Dane? Whatever… My cough returns, deep and fluidic, but ‘tis clearly not to be my death so I look for something to spit into.

“There’s a bucket of sawdust at your bedside, Benjamin.” Master Gow’s sister speaks from just outside the window. “I’ll be there shortly to talk with you.” Her voice turns away. “Go cut two days of wood for the main kitchen,” she tells the man who is still apologizing to Alexandria.

“But I got hides to scrape and…”

“Do it! Then scrape them hides.”

“Ow! Yes, King Dane.”

I crawl deep beneath my quilt when their voices fade. Where am I? At this point, I have no clue, but I believe I am alive. The table beside my bed is laden with bottles, jars, a fleam and cup, but there is also a mug so I sit up, examining the contents, water, before I drink.

I startle when the door to the apartment swings open. “Ah brought ye soup an’ tea.” Ceardach deposits a tray onto my lap. There’s also buttered bread on the tray, along with bacon, eggs, and a bowl of beans.

“Thank ye, but I need to…”

“Of course.” Ceardach pulls the tray away. “Th’ pot’s under th’ bed.”

I hesitate, but my need is too great so I swallow my pride, thankful when he moves to stand in the doorway with his back to me.

“Ye need tae drink more.” Ceardach returns to my side when I am abed and pushes the pot under the bed after he examines the contents. “An’ ye best get over bein’ bashful right quick. Someone will use it against ye.” He  drops the tray onto my lap, “Eat.” pulls his pipe and pouch and begins filling the bowl, watching as I take up my spoon. The food has most certainly been made under Alexandria’s watch. I can tell by the seasonings, and… I am nearing famished.

“Slow an’ steady. Let one bite settle afore th’ next.” Ceardach lights his pipe so quickly I see nothing but a flash. The outside din continually grows while I eat, but Ceardach pays it no heed. I hear hammers striking anvils, a proliferation of swearing, wood being split and stacked, the sounds of a wider community. The smells coming through the door would be enough to turn my stomach if I was not so hungry. Baking bread, multiple privies, wood, ash, dirt, burning wood, herbs, and… I smell iron and sulfur, but none of it quells my appetite to the point I cease eating.

“Am I in a town?” I shovel more into my mouth.

“Of sorts. Ye will grow accustomed tae it all.” Ceardach blows out a billow of white smoke that rings his head then drifts away. “Yer cough an’ congestion will fade in time.”

I nod and bite into my bread. My appetite must be part of my recovery, a drive for nourishment so I might heal quickly. There is another bed I have ignored until now, unmade, with blankets folded neatly at the foot. “Where am I?”

“In the kingdom.” He points to my water. “Drink.”

“But…”

“Drink first.”

I am obedient, but he tells me to empty the mug before he will speak further. “Good, now—” Ceardach raises his head. “Ah, here’s yer answer.”

I attempt to sort through all I see, but ‘tis difficult. Is this Master Gow or—

“Stop gawkin’. ‘Twill get you slapped ‘round here.”

“If not hit or cut,” adds Ceardach. “Sit, Dane. Ah will step out but stay close.”

“Aye, Ceardach, thank you.”

I see a woman’s face, a man’s work cap atop her head. “You’re still under my protection. That hasn’t changed, but the rest…” She wears trousers and a calf-length smith’s apron over a man’s red check work shirt with rolled sleeves. “You’re starin’ even longer than Conall did.” She pulls a tobacco twist from her apron pocket and bites off a piece. “Are you as tongue-tied too?”

“I…” This woman bears the same tattows as Master Gow. “No, sir, I mean, miss, I mean…”

“You’ll address me as King Dane ‘til I tell you elsewise.” My spit bucket slides across the floor to her feet. “How will you address me?”

“I…”

“Say it, Benjamin.” She spits into the bucket. “‘Tis important you know my station ‘round here.”

“Yes, King Dane.” But this is a woman. How does she warrant the title of king?

“And you never disobey your king, right, Benjamin?”

“Yes… King Dane?”

“Smart man. ‘Tis why I chose you, but I made Conall in the process, an excellent deal I am pleased we could accommodate.” King Dane seems amused by my gaping mouth. “Calm yourself. I hear your heart poundin’ from here.”

A Word from the Author

It’s Complicated: Gender, Queerness, and the

18^th Century in Striking Balance

Beatrice Benjamin Sophia Scott Schnell Gow – the name is a mouthful, but it’s one that Ben comes to embrace by the end of Striking Balance. The actual process, the journey of self-discovery and Ben’s literal staring down of Death, well, that’s what makes Striking Balance what it is, but we’re not talking about that here. No, this is about one of the larger themes within the novel, the intersection of gender, queerness and the 18^th century that makes Ben who he is.

First off, Ben, in modern terms, would identify as nonbinary, but there was no such word in the late 18^th century, so Ben is simply Ben. He is highly intelligent, often snarky, quirky, and mechanically-inclined, facets he reveals and addresses as the story progresses.

Gender identity  – nonbinary. Complication one. Check. Let’s keep going.

Ben is also intersex. (No bombshell there. If you’ve read any of my snippets or tidbits on my website you’ve come across this, and it’s unveiled in Chapter Four within the novel.) That said, given the novel’s historical setting you’ll see the term hermaphrodite used because it was the terminology of the day. In modern medical terms, Ben has the XY intersex variant complicated by a growth hormone deficiency, meaning he appears female externally but possesses malformed internal male genitalia. He was raised as a female but never physically grew past the age of ten or eleven years and never reached puberty. He’s perhaps 4’5” in height, and his childlike appearance has saved him as many times as it has endangered him by the novel’s opening.

Physical Sex – intersex. Complication two. Check. But wait. There’s more.

Ben’s also bisexual, something he links to his being intersex, but that’s probably 18^th-century logic at play more than anything. Yes, I’m calling out my own character on that thinking. I could have removed that particular line of thought from the story, but I chose not to because it’s completely understandable for the story’s time period. 1+1=2, right? Not necessarily. The intersex population is gay, lesbian, or bisexual at the same rate as the rest of humanity, but Ben needs all the self-validation he can get.

Sexual Orientation – Bisexual. Complication three. Check. Let’s keep going.

Now let’s add in late 18^th century Appalachia and the American Revolution into the mix. Frontier life was harsh, settlers were fighting the Native Americans and British alike, and the Little Ice Age was making winters exceptionally harsh.

Setting – 18^th century Southern Appalachia frontier during the American Revolution. Complication four. Check. We have now reached maximum complication velocity. Keep your arms and legs inside the ride at all times.

So how did I research LGBTQIA+ identities in late 18^th century Southern Appalachia while writing Striking Balance? Um, I tried. I truly did, but there is no mention of such identities in the historical records. There are a few mentions in other records of the time period, but I wasn’t touching such handlings for multiple reasons.

History. Let’s not repeat it.

If ever there has been a protagonist who should be jaded and angry at the beginning of a novel, it’s Ben, but he enters Striking Balance semi-content and hopeful though ready to flee at a moment’s notice because he’s been forced to do so many times before.

It’s Ben’s sense of hope and determination I want readers to latch onto as his gender identity, queerness, and the setting interweave throughout Striking Balance, and I want them to walk away with the knowledge that complications not only make us stronger, they make us who we are and, if we’re lucky, those same complications help us become better people.

Giveaway

Jeanne is giving away a $20 Amazon gift card with this tour – enter via Rafflecopter.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Direct Link: http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/b60e8d47132/?

About the Author

Born and raised in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, Science Fiction and Fantasy author Jeanne G’Fellers’ early memories include watching the original Star Trek series with their father and reading the books their librarian mother brought home. Jeanne’s writing influences include Anne McCaffrey, Ursula K. LeGuin, Octavia Butler, Isaac Asimov, and Frank Herbert.

Jeanne lives in Northeast Tennessee with their spouse and five crazy felines. Their home is tucked against a small woodland where they regularly see deer, turkeys, raccoons, and experience the magic of the natural world.

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