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The Shape-Changer's Wife
The ShapeChanger's Wife
Author: Sharon Shinn
The novel that launched the stellar career of Sharon Shinn--nominee for the John W. Campbell Award and author of the Samaria trilogy... — To master the fine art of wizardry, a young student seeks out the secrets of a powerful shape-changer. But he found something more valuable to possess than long-lost spells and arcane magic. Her name was Lilith...  more »
ISBN-13: 9780441002610
ISBN-10: 0441002617
Publication Date: 10/1/1995
Pages: 208
Rating:
  • Currently 3.8/5 Stars.
 71

3.8 stars, based on 71 ratings
Publisher: Ace
Book Type: Paperback
Other Versions: Hardcover
Members Wishing: 0
Reviews: Member | Amazon | Write a Review

Top Member Book Reviews

NonExistence avatar reviewed The Shape-Changer's Wife on + 239 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 8
This is a beautifully written story of love, magic and transformation reminiscent of a fairy tale. Most contemporary adult
fantasy is written on an epic scale with multiple tomes of five-hundred pages or more. It was refreshing to be able to read
the entire book in one day.

The world building is a bit sketchy, but that's the tradeoff for keeping the story simple by sticking to one main plot
and a few characters. These characters are well enough drawn to be interesting through not terribly complex. Aubrey is almost
always cheerful and kindhearted, Lilith dispassionate, and Glyrenden temperamental.

Sharon Shinn has a true gift for story telling. This slender novella is actually my most favorite of her books, for it's simple style. She never over explains, it's just charming and romantic.
reviewed The Shape-Changer's Wife on + 188 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
This book was a bit predictable - some heavy handed foreshadowing, but was an enjoyable quick read. Interesting plot and very rich prose, vivid and totally immersed in the world of the plot. Set in a kingdom where the royal courts have sorcerers. A talented young wizard apprentices with the master of a special skill - shape-changing. This was a gothic romance/fantasy. Had lots of the same elements as a traditional gothic plotline - sense of danger, setting in an isolated country mansion, class distinction, gender differences, all very similar to a typical suspense novel.
winterk423 avatar reviewed The Shape-Changer's Wife on + 4 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
Wonderful book. It felt much like a fairy tale story, not too slow, yet not too fast. There's vivid details that can put you right into the mood. It's a short read and well worth it.
reviewed The Shape-Changer's Wife on + 141 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
Short, sweet, engaging.

This little book carries you right along through a simple and highly original fairy tale constructed with hauntingly familiar story elements. Wizards, magic, romance, good, evil -- it's all there. Rather than using a cloying "fairy tale" tone, Shinn's writing style is contemporary and unpretentious. I highly recommend this novella.
reviewed The Shape-Changer's Wife on + 146 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
Original fantasy, thought provoking and human
Read All 17 Book Reviews of "The ShapeChangers Wife"

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reviewed The Shape-Changer's Wife on + 248 more book reviews
A simplistic and interesting novella on magic and magicians. Rather than a child's night time story, it is developed more for a pre-teen. Not what I expected, but still well-written.
reviewed The Shape-Changer's Wife on + 5 more book reviews
This is a fabulous book! Fortunately I could read it in one sitting ,because I couldn't put it down. Love,Obsession, all the great intensities draw you into a well spun world of sensuous texture. Just creepy enough to keep you on the edge!
reviewed The Shape-Changer's Wife on + 20 more book reviews
This is an amazing book. It answers the same problem that Peter S. Beagle himself brought up in The Last Unicorn. I can see why he was so impressed; so was I.

I cannot recommend this book highly enough. The style is spare and yet beautiful.

Very well worth your time.
doodlina avatar reviewed The Shape-Changer's Wife on + 26 more book reviews
Brilliant!
reviewed The Shape-Changer's Wife on + 1450 more book reviews
A well written and imaginative tale that earned a Locus Award for the author. The story focuses on a young talented wizard named Aubrey who journeys to study with a shape-changer, Glyrenden. He learns the spells, some with the elder wizard's help, others without. As his knowledge grows he realizes, to his horror, that those who inhabit Glyrenden's house have been changed from their original shapes. Puzzling out their original shapes, he discovers that the wizzard's wife whom he loves was once a willow tree in the king's forest. When the wizzard changes one of the king's men into a dog his control breaks and the two wizzards battle. Aubrey, a gentle man, is determined to kill the evil wizzard. The story climaxes to an interesting end that makes one smile. This is a fun and imaginative read - most deserving of the award it won.

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