Qwyrk

Qwyrk is having a bad day; several, in fact. One of the Shadow folk tasked with keeping an eye on humanity, she’s ready for a well-earned break in Yorkshire, but now she’s (literally) run into a girl, Jilly, who just saw something quite supernatural and truly awful happen in her town.

As Qwyrk tries to unravel the mystery, layers of villainy are exposed, and she’s stuck with an assortment of unlikely folk that she’d rather not have “helping” her. Together, they confront ancient magic, medieval conspiracies, and the possible end of the world (that again?). It’s not the holiday Qwyrk was hoping for!

Qwyrk is the first in a series of four novels about the adventures of a group of misfits at the edge of reality in modern northern England, a world of shadows, Nighttime Nasties, sorcery, intergalactic councils, tacky nightclub attire, an abundance of sarcasm, and even elves…

though they are a bit silly.

Published by Thousand Acres, an imprint of Armin Lear Press.

Order now from your beloved local bookstore, or your favorite online vendor below,
or maybe just ask the Nighttime Nasties to pilfer a copy and give it to you…
on second thought, please don’t do that!

“I liked this book a great deal! Charming and funny, the characters are delightful, and it’s scary exactly where it should be. I wouldn’t have missed it for anything.”

~ Peter S. Beagle, author of The Last Unicorn

“Qwyrk, by Tim Rayborn, is, for starters, delightfully… quirky. Rayborn’s ear for culture is as good as his ear for music, and his fantasy romp through a small British town has some of the same wacky flavor we find in the mythic send-ups written by Tom Holt/K.J. Parker. Rayborn’s elves may be updated, but human nature remains the same. As Qwyrk herself tells Jilly, her kind visit our world ‘To give children a little nudge when they need it… and sometimes remind adults of what they’ve been missing.’ In times when we all need distraction, here is a tale to take your mind off your troubles for a while.”

~ Diana L. Paxson, author of Sword of Avalon

“It’s a quest, it’s a lark that romps through human and magical worlds alike, and it’s a whimsical and delightful story set in Northern England. Qwyrk is engaging, endearing, and unpredictable in its human and magical relationships and conundrums. Fans of fantasy who enjoy magical realism injected into the everyday milieu of Britain will relish the nature of Qwyrk, first in a projected series of stories about misfits and the sometimes-hilarious mishaps that evolve from seemingly good intentions.”

~ Donovan’s Literary Services/Midwest Book Review

“Bringing the familiar modern world together with the fantastic and mythical in a smart and witty way, Qwyrk is a delightful foray into magical realism. Fans of Pratchett, Gaiman, Beagle, and de Lint will absolutely feel at home in this story! Rayborn takes figures from traditional folklore and gives them a wonderfully fresh and believable update. You’ll be hooked right away on both the human and magical characters – they’re engaging and familiar in such a way that you simply must know what happens next. Strong and capable female characters, the challenges of negotiating magic in a world that’s largely forgotten it, effective world-building, and a good dose of sarcasm all make this book such a fun read. I can’t wait to read more about the further adventures of Qwyrk!”

~ Laura Tempest Zakroff, author of Sigil Witchery and Weave the Liminal

“You will never look at a rose bush the same way again! A fun romp through a modern English fairy encounter, written with a light heart, a clever mind, and a wicked sense of humour. Enjoy!”

~ Elizabeth Kerner, author of Song in the Silence

“A beautifully written, engaging, and mesmerizing YA Fantasy and LGBTQ-Supernatural tale, author Tim Rayborn’s “QWYRK” is a must-read first entry into a brand new, modern-day fairy tale series. The action and mythology really helped to bring this narrative to life, and the characters kept the reader invested as the villain and hero rose to light. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy of this incredible read today!”

~ Anthony Avina