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
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
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.
i love this book!
This is a great fantasy series that not many know about, but totally worth the read of anyone into YA fantasy, or just fantasy in general. The world Croggon has created is rich and detailed, and the characters very well fleshed out.
From Amazon:
"Australian poet Alison Croggon brings an eye for sensual detail to this heroic fantasy that follows the genre's familiar formula: A humble person is caught up in extraordinary events and led (or sent) on a journey by a wise figure, only to discover eventually that he/she is destined to save the world in an ultimate confrontation between the powers of good and evil. In this case the young person is sixteen-year-old Maedra, who 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. After she has learned to read, ride a horse, and handle a sword at Innail, they set out on another dangerous trek to the prestigious city of Norloch, where Cadvan hopes to consult with his mentor Nelac to confirm his conviction that Maerad is the One who was Foretold. 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. Die-hard fantasy fans who can forgive its slow pace will enjoy this richly imagined story and look forward to its sequel, The Riddle."
Terrific book. I found it rich with detail and very believeable.
"Australian poet Alison Croggon brings an eye for sensual detail to this heroic fantasy that follows the genre's familiar formula: A humble person is caught up in extraordinary events and led (or sent) on a journey by a wise figure, only to discover eventually that he/she is destined to save the world in an ultimate confrontation between the powers of good and evil. In this case the young person is sixteen-year-old Maedra, who 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. After she has learned to read, ride a horse, and handle a sword at Innail, they set out on another dangerous trek to the prestigious city of Norloch, where Cadvan hopes to consult with his mentor Nelac to confirm his conviction that Maerad is the One who was Foretold. 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. Die-hard fantasy fans who can forgive its slow pace will enjoy this richly imagined story and look forward to its sequel, The Riddle."
Terrific book. I found it rich with detail and very believeable.
I really enjoyed this book! I'm a fan of fantasy and this has a bit of "Lord of the Rings" feel to it. Very good start to a 4 book series! I read all four and have to tell you that I think the series coulda/shoulda been wrapped up in three. I also was a bit taken by surprise when the third book was not the main character that I had come to know and like, but another character who has importance in the story. These days I have taken to reading teen fiction more! Who can resist such good clean imaginative story writing?
I'm torn about this series. The first two books were quite possibly the best books I've ever read. The main character is a strong woman with great character. The characters and plot are intriguing and I couldn't put the first two books down.
I was really disappointed when the third book had a different character as the main character. It wasn't too bad of a book, but a huge disappointment when that character wasn't the one that I loved.
Unfortunately, I found the last book to be totally disappointing. It was confusing, hard to follow and lacked any catharsis. I didn't find there was much wrap up and the conclusion just didn't make sense to me. I honestly don't know how that last book could have come from the same author.
So, if you're happy with reading a totally incredible book that doesn't really have an ending, I recommend reading this one and book two in the series. But if you won't be satisfied until you finish the series, and a bad ending would ruin the whole series for you, then perhaps just skip it all together.
I was really disappointed when the third book had a different character as the main character. It wasn't too bad of a book, but a huge disappointment when that character wasn't the one that I loved.
Unfortunately, I found the last book to be totally disappointing. It was confusing, hard to follow and lacked any catharsis. I didn't find there was much wrap up and the conclusion just didn't make sense to me. I honestly don't know how that last book could have come from the same author.
So, if you're happy with reading a totally incredible book that doesn't really have an ending, I recommend reading this one and book two in the series. But if you won't be satisfied until you finish the series, and a bad ending would ruin the whole series for you, then perhaps just skip it all together.
Thrilling, engaging, and beautifully written. It was hard to put down. The world is extensive, the magic believable, and the characters memorable and engaging. I'm tempted to keep it on my shelf, but wouldn't want to deprive anyone else of this wonderful story.
Plot seems to be JK Rowlings, map seems to be JRR Tolkien's
