Valiant (novel)
| Industry | Publishing |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | New York City , United States |
| Products | Books, young adult novels |
Valiant: A Modern Tale of Faerie, authored by Holly Black, is a young adult urban fantasy novel released in 2005 through Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, aimed at audiences aged "14 and older". This book serves as the follow-up to Black's initial novel, Tithe (2002), and is the second installment in the Modern Tale of Faerie trilogy (2002–2007).
While the setting of Tithe is predominantly the Jersey Shore, Valiant shifts its backdrop to New York City. Both novels exist within the same fictional realm, yet Valiant stands on its own as an independent narrative. In a 2006 interview, Black mentioned that Valiant loosely connects to Tithe, with a direct sequel titled Ironside planned to continue from Tithe.
Valiant was honored with the first-ever Andre Norton Award recognizing the best U.S. science fiction or fantasy young adult novel, an accolade bestowed by the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America (SFFWA). Additionally, it was shortlisted for the Mythopoeic Awards in children’s literature, following in the footsteps of its predecessor, Tithe.
Plot summary
Valerie Russell, a high school student, discovers her mother’s infidelity and decides to flee to New York City. There, she becomes part of a group of teenage squatters—Lolli, Dave, and Luis—and earns the nickname "Prince Valiant" after assisting a drag performer. She learns about their dealings with Ravus, a troll dwelling beneath a bridge who crafts "Never," a substance enabling exiled faeries to resist iron and usable by humans as a magical narcotic.
Introduced to "Nevermore" by Lolli and Dave, Val falls into addiction. Initially intimidating, Ravus becomes her swordsmanship instructor and gradually builds trust with her. Meanwhile, several exiles from the Seelie court suffer poisoning, with suspicion falling on Ravus.
When Val’s friend Ruth arrives to bring her back home, Val agrees but insists on locating Ravus first. During this quest, she meets Mabry, who admits to murdering several faeries and accuses Val of theft before escaping. Using a magical harp embedded with victims’ hair, Val and Ruth uncover Mabry’s crimes and her role in Ravus’ exile.
They then find Dave impersonating Luis while under the influence of Mabry’s poisoned Never. After Dave collapses, Ruth rushes him to the hospital while Val and Luis search for Ravus. They discover that Mabry has extracted Ravus’ heart; to preserve him, Val turns Ravus into stone.
Val confronts Mabry in combat wielding Ravus’ glass sword. Opting to fight without using Never’s assistance, she triumphs and restores Ravus’ heart. Ravus equips Luis with tools necessary to heal his brother. Val and Ravus confess their love for one another.
Deciding to abandon street life, Val returns home with Ruth but maintains her relationship with Ravus. She plans to attend college in New York to remain close to him. Her existence stabilizes except for having a faerie boyfriend she cannot reveal to her mother.
Characters
- Valerie "Val" Russell – The central character who runs away after uncovering her mother’s affair with her boyfriend Tom. She shaves her head and joins three homeless youths—Dave, Lolli, and Luis—residing in an abandoned train station. Introduced to the faery drug Nevermore, Val becomes addicted and entangled in the hidden connections between homeless teens and faeries. Midway through the story, she learns sword fighting from Ravus, a local troll healer, with whom she falls in love.
- Ruth – Val’s lesbian best friend who was aware of Tom and Val’s mother’s relationship. She tracks down Val weeks after her disappearance and refuses to leave without her.
- Tom – Val’s former boyfriend whose affair with her mother triggers Val’s decision to run away.
- Ms. Russell – Val’s mother, divorced from her father. Despite questionable choices, she genuinely cares for Val and is deeply concerned when Val goes missing.
- "Sketchy" Dave – The younger brother of Luis and an addict of Nevermore. Self-centered and untrustworthy, Dave strikes a bargain with Mabry to frame Ravus for poisoning faeries in exchange for detaining Luis and more drugs. He harbors feelings for Lolli but resents his brother due to her affections.
- Lollipop (Lolli) – One of the homeless teens characterized by faded aqua blue hair. She loves Luis despite his lack of reciprocal feelings. Self-serving and addicted to Nevermore, Lolli is responsible for introducing Val to the drug and discovering its magical properties.
- Luis – Older brother of Dave endowed with the Sight who lives in fear of faeries. Sporting iron piercings as protection and blind in one eye from a childhood faerie attack, he is the most dependable among the homeless teens and supports his troubled brother despite resentment. He previously made a deal with Ravus for healing Dave in exchange for aid with deliveries.
- Ravus – A young troll healer serving urban faeries by producing medicine that alleviates their iron sickness. After being accused of poisoning several faeries following their deaths post-treatment, Ravus self-exiles after losing a fatal duel with his closest friend. He instructs Val in swordsmanship and eventually falls in love with her.
- Mabry – A half-goat fey responsible for sabotaging Ravus’ friend’s armor during their duel leading to his death. Banished alongside Ravus, she seeks vengeance by framing him for poisoning faeries.
The characters introduced in Valiant do not appear in Tithe. However, Roiben and Kaye from Tithe make cameo appearances here, while Silarial and Nicnevin are referenced by Mabry.
External links
- Valiant on Holly Black's official website (blackholly.com)
- Valiant: A Modern Tale of Faerie available on Amazon