Book Review: The Cartographer from Greenwood by Lisa Maria König

Genre(s): Cozy Fantasy / Novella

Book Synopsis:

In a stormy night, a strange elf stumbles through the doors of Lord Aeglas’ manor in Snowcreek. He is injured and it is not his love for drawing maps that has driven him out of his home for many years. Will he learn that he has to fight for what is dear to him or will he continue his travels and avoid the arguments awaiting him at home?

Review:

The Cartographer from Greenwood is a low-stakes story of healing, unexpected friendship, and gathering the courage to face one’s past. It’s a relatively short, novella-length story, perfect for an afternoon spent reading.

Most of the tale is from Aeglas’ perspective. He is the lord of Snowcreek (it’s revealed midway through that his title is more akin to king for his people.) Aeglas is a kind-hearted soul. He’s a healer by trade, and never turns away someone in need, no matter their background.

Which is good news for the other main character, Soread. Soread is a young cartographer who gets caught in a wicked storm and injures his leg severely. He winds up at Aeglas’ door by chance, but he is then able to get the treatment his leg needs. (All of this happens in the first chapter, so there is plenty more to the story.) Soread has a somewhat prickly personality; he’s unused to the company of other people, and it shows a number of times in how he reacts.

The writing style reminded me a bit of Tolkien; some things were described in minute detail, and the characters’ personalities were portrayed more by their actions/dialogue than by their inner thoughts. Unlike Tolkien, this was a very low-stakes, cozy tale with almost no magic to speak of (though the characters are elves.)

There is a sequel, but I thought The Cartographer from Greenwood ended at a point that it could be considered a standalone.

Author’s Amazon Page: Lisa König