Reading order
| # | Title | Published | Author | Buy on Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gnome Man’s Land | 1991 | Esther M. Friesner | Buy |
| 2 | Harpy High | 1991 | Esther M. Friesner | Buy |
| 3 | Unicorn U. | 1992 | Esther M. Friesner | Buy |
The Tim Desmond series by Esther M. Friesner is a comic urban fantasy trilogy published by Ace between 1991 and 1992. The books follow Tim Desmond as magical creatures from another dimension break through into the real world, causing increasing chaos across New York and beyond.
Gnome Man’s Land opens the series when a rip in space and time drops fantasy beings into Brooklyn. Harpy High raises the stakes with darker creatures showing up, including vampires, oni, and Baba Yaga. By Unicorn U., Tim has reached Princeton, where he has to deal with his girlfriend’s disappearance, his mother falling for a black magician, and the forces of Death and Destruction gathering in Poughkeepsie.
Friesner is known for her humorous fantasy writing, and the Tim Desmond books are a good example of her ability to mix comedy with genuine mythological depth. The trilogy blends modern urban settings with folklore from multiple traditions, keeping things funny while the plots get progressively wilder. All three books were published by Ace Books.