Helpful Score: 3
This is the first book in the Pellinor Quartet by Alison Croggon. It is a beautifully written story about a girl named Maerad who suddenly discovers she has magical gifts. I first read this a few years ago from the library, and enjoyed it so much I decided I had to get it for my Keeper shelf. A really good example of great heroine fantasy. Highly recommended!
Helpful Score: 3
I really enjoyed this story, the first in a 4-book series. There is a strong female protagonist and the magical theories involved are believable. There is also a pleasant Tolkien-like feel to the writing, which is enhanced by the fact that it lacks Tolkien's misogyny. The young adult writing level makes it appropriate for teens, but the plot and characters are complex enough to appeal to adults as well. The only negative I found was what seemed to be an overly-frequent mention of the main character's menstruation, but perhaps this is important to the plot later in the series -- I'm still working my way through them. Very highly recommended, particularly for teenage girls and Tolkien fans.
Helpful Score: 3
Very refreshing to read a story about bards. It was excellently written, and Maerad is a strong heroine.
Helpful Score: 1
This is a wonderful written story of fantasy, mystery, intrigue. Maedra is rescued from slavery by the Bard Cadvan. They share an exhausting journey toward Innail, one of the Bard schools and strongholds that govern the land, and Maedra grows to trust Cadvan as he reluctantly reveals his magical powers in several ambushes from evil creatures. But under duress she, too, begins to discover that she has a Gift--and more. Many other characters and creatures come into this tale, as well as mystical intimations and dreams, and lavish descriptions of landscape, food, clothes, and room furnishings. In the tradition of Tolkien, a whole history of an ancient language and culture undergirds the story, and Croggon has even provided appendices of that history, a pronunciation guide, and an invented bibliography of her sources.
It is great fantasy fiction.
It is great fantasy fiction.
Helpful Score: 1
I LOVE this book!! in all honesty i judged the the book by its cover and put off reading it until recently when i was trying to find a book i hadn't read on my bookshelf. But know i am hooked. I'm trying to get the next book off hear. For me this is one of those books that i have already piked it up and started re-reading it when i couldn't find the book i was already reading. I hope you enjoy it as much as i did.
