Autumn Castle (Unabridged) [Audio Download]

The first in a unique suite of novels based upon ancient European mythology, The Autumn Castle is a luscious fairytale fantasy penned by Kim Wilkins, the writer who has been named 'Australia's new queen of the supernatural'.

In this beautifully crafted tale, Wilkins skilfully weaves together modern-day Berlin and the world of Christine Starlight - the daughter of a celebrity couple who died in the same car accident which left Christine in chronic pain - with the Germanic Brothers Grimm-esque faeryland of Ewigkreis, ruled over by the changeling princess Mayfridh.

Then Mayfridh's kingdom - along with her counsellor Eisengrimm, a shapeshifter transformed by a curse, and the obstreperous witch and royal magic-weaver Hexebart, collides with Christine's life in a Berlin artist's colony with her painter boyfriend Jude. The two women each find themselves spellbound by the much-craved opportunities the other's world offers; Christine by the potential freedom from pain and traumatic memories that Ewigkreis can provide, and Mayfridh by the sight of a world in which her senses are heightened; with more vibrant colours and delicious tasting foods.

In the middle of all this lurks the deranged billionaire Immanuel Zweigler, whose diaries form sections of the book and reveal his grand project - a sculpture formed from the bones of the species he despises most of all...faeries.

There are no other writers quite like Kim Wilkins, and certainly none who can so effortlessly interlink the modern art world and human existence with the world of the old folk tales, and in such a compelling and addictive manner (just try assuring yourself that you'll just read one chapter before going to sleep, and see how well you can stick to it!). She is a gifted creator of characters - human, non-human, good, evil or somewhere in between - and it is not difficult to form attachments to them, and to care about what becomes of them.

A delightful return to the magical mindscapes of childhood as seen through adult eyes, this is absolutely a must-read. Hexebart will find out if you haven't...

I found this book in a sale bin in supermarket. I have always had a nack for getting gems.
This is the first novel by Kim Wilkins that has come my way, but I am already looking to read all of them!
I was spellbound from the very first page...
I would recommend this to anyone who wants to spend a couple of days away from reality...fantasy interwoven with mild horror and a love story thrown into the mix...perfect for a busy mum in need of a relaxing break...

Kim Wilkins is rapidly becoming my new favourite author. The Autumn Castle is the first in her Europa Suite - a trilogy of novels based on European myth and it is sublime.

Christine Starlight lives with her artist boyfriend in Berlin, tormented both physically and mentally by the memory of the car accident that killed her parents thirteen years earlier, as well as by the disappearance of her childhood friend May Frith. She finds out that Mayfrith has been living as Queen in the faery realm of Ewikgreis and for a short period until Ewikgreis moves into Winter, both Mayfrith and Christine are able to visit each other's worlds - Mayfrith to experience the excitement of the modern world, Christine to enjoy freedom from her pain. But unaware to both of them, they are being watched by a man who hunts faeries for their bones - and he wants Mayfrith's.

This book shouldn't work. Anything referring to "faeryland" seems twee and childish, particularly nowadays with the proliferation of the genre. But Wilkins has created wonderful worlds, inspired by Germanic myths, and skillfully blends the real and fantastic. Hexebart, the crazy witch imprisoned in a well, and Eisengrimm, shapeshifter and long-suffering counsel to Queen Mayfrith are two of my favourite characters, but not all of her creations are likeable. Queen Mayfrith, arguably the heroine, is spoiled and selfish and doesn't change from this throughout the novel. But that's one of the things I like most about Wilkins' writing - her characters are fallable and real. I never warmed to Mayfrith, but likewise, I did not want her to suffer the horrible fate that the faery hunter, Mandy Z, plans for her. Mandy Z is a psychopath, but in parts, Wilkins even manages to make you feel a little sorry for him. I loved the ending, which was pure fairy tale.

This book will appeal to anyone who doesn't like their fantasy novels clearly labelled into the genre. There is a little bit of everything - love, unrequited love, revenge, guilt, horror, shapeshifters, fantasy, faeries, pain, loss - all woven together to make one of the best books I've read in a long time.