Wisp of a Thing

A Novel of the Tufa, Book 2

By: Alex Bledsoe

Narrated by: Stefan Rudnicki

Audie Award Winner, Fantasy, 2014

Alex Bledsoe’s The Hum and the Shiver was named one of the best fiction books of 2011 by Kirkus Reviews. Now Bledsoe returns to the isolated ridges and hollows of the Smoky Mountains to spin an equally enchanting tale of music and magic older than the hills.

Touched by a very public tragedy, musician Rob Quillen comes to Cloud County, Tennessee, in search of a song that might ease his aching heart. All he knows of the mysterious and reclusive Tufa is what he has read on the Internet: They are an enigmatic clan of swarthy, black-haired mountain people whose historical roots are lost in myth and controversy. Some say that when the first white settlers came to the Appalachians centuries ago, they found the Tufa already there. Others hint that Tufa blood brings special gifts.

Rob finds both music and mystery in the mountains: close-lipped locals guard their secrets, even as Rob gets caught up in a subtle power struggle he can’t begin to comprehend. A vacationing wife goes missing, raising suspicions of foul play. And a strange feral girl runs wild in the woods, howling in the night like a lost spirit.

Change is coming to Cloud County, and only the night wind knows what part Rob will play when the last leaf falls from the Widow’s Tree - and a timeless curse must at last be broken.

©2013 Alex Bledsoe; 2013 Blackstone Audio

Unbelievable!

I could not stop listening to this, it was amazing and beautiful! I’d can’t wait to read the rest!

Original

There are plenty of ‘Fairies in modern times’ books out there these days, but this series takes things in unexpected directions. The story is good, the characters and situations are well thought out, and the reading is excellent.

How have I not read these sooner?!?

great series. original urban fantasy (in a back-woods sorta way). Bledsoe doesn't hammer you with the details of the magic system, but rather s/he let's it emerge slowly and organically as s/he tells fantastic interwoven tales of rich characters. it makes think a bit of Winesberg Ohio if Anderson had an inclination for the fey.

Wasn’t That Something?

I’ve not read anything like it. Fanciful and interesting. I could easily follow the story. It was compelling.

Tufa is Colorfully Rich and Deep

I Love this second in the Tufa novels. Wisp of a Thing is written from the perspective of an outsider in the closed and isolated Appalachian community of Needville, Tennessee who, when he first arrives is closed and isolated in his own grief. Music, magic, mystery and ancient Appalachian legends twine through the novel.

I wasn’t disappointed, this novel is better than the first. As colorfully rich, deep and three dimensional as the Richard Dadd oil painting referred to in this story.

Read by one of my favorite narrators Stefan Rudniki with his smooth dark chocolate voice brings this tale alive.

Fantastical Hillbilly Fairies

Once again, this author paints a masterpiece. Think of how much you loved bedtime stories and fairytales when you were a child. Think of your fondest memories of them. This is your chance to experience that and more as an adult in one written for an adult. The Tufa are every day people like you and I. Their stories are made up of good times and bad times. They live a hard life in the mountains of Tennessee. As the drama unfolds, we see they are much more than what appears to your average human. Their town, Needsville, can only be found by Tufa or those that the night wind sees worthy. And when the Tufa gather to play music, magic happens.

I loved this book. We see a lot of Bliss in it. Not so much of Mandalay. This story plays a big part in explaining Rockhouse’s life why he is like he is. Although he has always been an evil constant, I couldn’t help but feel a little bad for him because, after all, he was once such a powerful creature. I guess it would be more fitting to say I pity him now. There were also some really funny parts. I loved how someone called them all a bunch of hillbilly fairies. 🧚‍♂️

If you like audiobooks, you will love this one. The narrator is to die for. I hope he does more of the series. I have both the book and the audiobook and will be enjoying them again soon.

Wonderful

Wonderful in every sense of the word. At times, ominous. At times, asounding. At times, hilarious. Beautiful, sexy, jaw dropping, quotable, fun. Oh, and it's not so far as you can't drive there.

I'm a big Alex Bledsoe fan

Would you consider the audio edition of Wisp of a Thing to be better than the print version?

Never read the print version. I got "The Hum and The Shiver" in Sept. of 2009 it was the first book in the series and I was hooked. The characters are dark and mysterious. As soon as I saw this I got it at once, and finished in two days. Mr. Bledsoe is an awesome writer, I have several of his series, all are different and they never disappoint. I have never listened or read anything like this and I was hooked from the very first few moments. Some characters from the first book which you might want to listen to first,but I think it can stand alone. .

Who was your favorite character and why?

Rob Quillin, he is an outsider coming to the home of the Tufa, to search for a song to ease his broken heart.

What does Stefan Rudnicki bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Stefan Rudniki, is a wonderful narrator. I've listened to him narrate many books and series. He gets into the characters and emotions. You can always tell which character is speaking when he narrates.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

There were many extreme reactions, when you're dealing with cruelty, meanness, hate, and goodness, hope and love on the other side. It is an emotional roller coaster with lots of twists and turns in the story.

Any additional comments?

I hope it doesn't take Alex Bledsoe 4 years to write the next book in the series. I'd love to know what happened after Rob leaves Tennessee. What changes in the Tufa, if any were made. So much I'd really love to know.

Worldbuilding gives a solid second book

I enjoyed this second novel because of the various characters that make a community. The Tufa have their own culture along that attempts to be separate within the modern world. This story is not main character led but a ensemble cast living and balancing two traditions.

great world

This world is amazing the characters are astonishing. I love every word. Can't wait to read more