Rating: 
Summary: a fine read
Review: A light fantasy, this book is a real change of pace for LMcB; but it is still in her own style, covering the serious and sprinkling it through with light humour. An entertaining and amusing read.
Rating: 
Summary: Much better than the cover implies
Review: A quite enjoyable book. Being a fan of the Vorkosigan books, I put off reading this book out of fear that a SF author's first (and at the time only) foray into fantasy wouldn't be up to snuff. I was quite pleased to find my fears were unfounded.LMB brings a "scientific" approach to magic, which is quite refreshing compared to the average fantasy novel. While not at all all similar, it reminds me of Modessit's concept of magic (where there are systematic rules to how magic works). The book does suffer from a slight lack of character development, and there aren't too many surprises at the end. But these problems are quite small when compared to the fact that the book is just plain fun to read.
Rating:
Summary: Good, but not her best
Review: An engaging and entertaining read, but not as good as Bujold's science fiction.
Rating:
Summary: Magic, mages and the might of right
Review: Fiametta Beneforte is a metal worker, the unofficial apprentice to her father, who is also a master mage. Unfortunately, as a female although she has the talent, Fiametta is not in the ordinary run of things likely to be acknowledged as a mage herself, although she has the talent and the skill. But the usual run of things is interrupted when a diplomatic negotiation turns to betrayal and the town is subsequently under siege. Fiametta and her father escape, but her father soon dies. Thur Oches is a miner with a talent for finding things lost and for metal, plus a skill in forgery (not faking - heating and casting metal). His brother has obtained an apprenticeship under a master goldsmith and mage, Beneforte. He travels towards the town to encounter Fiametta on the way, who gives him news of the Master's death. Thur and Fiametta have a common need to return to the town, and together with the help of several monks, they work for retribution and justice, to save the town and the rest of their livelihood. It's a folk story, full of magic, evil and unusual beings in the form of the kobolds. Simple, uncomplicated story combining known Italy / Europe / religious influence with magery and fantasy. A skilful blend that results in a pleasing satisfying tale of a band of a few good people with right on their side, opposing a defined and evil threat.
Rating:
Summary: Magic, mages and the might of right
Review: Fiametta Beneforte is a metal worker, the unofficial apprentice to her father, who is also a master mage. Unfortunately, as a female although she has the talent, Fiametta is not in the ordinary run of things likely to be acknowledged as a mage herself, although she has the talent and the skill. But the usual run of things is interrupted when a diplomatic negotiation turns to betrayal and the town is subsequently under siege. Fiametta and her father escape, but her father soon dies. Thur Oches is a miner with a talent for finding things lost and for metal, plus a skill in forgery (not faking - heating and casting metal). His brother has obtained an apprenticeship under a master goldsmith and mage, Beneforte. He travels towards the town to encounter Fiametta on the way, who gives him news of the Master's death. Thur and Fiametta have a common need to return to the town, and together with the help of several monks, they work for retribution and justice, to save the town and the rest of their livelihood. It's a folk story, full of magic, evil and unusual beings in the form of the kobolds. Simple, uncomplicated story combining known Italy / Europe / religious influence with magery and fantasy. A skilful blend that results in a pleasing satisfying tale of a band of a few good people with right on their side, opposing a defined and evil threat.
Rating:
Summary: Fun, Fast Read!
Review: Fiametta Beneforte wants nothing more than to be a great mage like her father. Well, she would also like to be more beautiful and have the handsome Captain of the Guard Uri Ochs fall in love with her, but she really wants to be a master goldsmith/mage. Unfortunately, girls simply don't practice trades like men do and her father has never made her an official apprentice, though she does know quite a bit of metalworking. Her father just completed a beautiful engagement gift for the Duke of Montefoglia and Fiametta is thrilled to learn that she will be able to accompany her father to the feast where it will be presented. However, when Fiametta sees the Duke murdered by his soon to be son-in-law, Ferrante, her life suddenly changes. Prospero Beneforte, Fiametta's father, is able to get her out of the castillo and escape, but they are followed by some of Ferrante's soldiers and Prospero dies. Fiametta keeps heading to the border with her father's body, but she has no idea what she will do. Then she meets Thur Ochs, Uri's younger brother, and they contrive to return to Montefoglia and ask for Abbot Monreale's help. For, Ferrante is no ordinary soldier, he wears a spirit ring fashioned by the dark magic of Vitelli, where the spirit of his dead daughter resides and gives him power. Ferrante pursues Fiametta and steals Prospero's body to make a new, more powerful spirit ring. Fiametta is frantic to recover her father's body and have him buried in holy ground, but her face is well known in Montefoglia. So Thur goes in to the castillo as a spy to try and find out all the information that he can. There he finds much evil for, not only does the dark sorcerer Vitelli plan on making a spirit ring for Ferrante, but he plans on using Uri's spirit to make a ring for himself... The Spirit Ring is based in a quasi-medieval Italy with an interesting tangle of political and religious maneuvering among the duchies. I didn't like Fiametta at first because she is a spoiled brat, but she grew on me. I really enjoyed most of the secondary characters and Bujold's descriptions are, as always, superb. Bujold has a nice, smooth writing style and the plot was evenly paced, if a little predictable. This is a great book to give to young adults or first time readers of fantasy because there is little magic contained therein. A light, frothy, fun read!
Rating:
Summary: Fun, Fast Read!
Review: Fiametta Beneforte wants nothing more than to be a great mage like her father. Well, she would also like to be more beautiful and have the handsome Captain of the Guard Uri Ochs fall in love with her, but she really wants to be a master goldsmith/mage. Unfortunately, girls simply don't practice trades like men do and her father has never made her an official apprentice, though she does know quite a bit of metalworking. Her father just completed a beautiful engagement gift for the Duke of Montefoglia and Fiametta is thrilled to learn that she will be able to accompany her father to the feast where it will be presented. However, when Fiametta sees the Duke murdered by his soon to be son-in-law, Ferrante, her life suddenly changes. Prospero Beneforte, Fiametta's father, is able to get her out of the castillo and escape, but they are followed by some of Ferrante's soldiers and Prospero dies. Fiametta keeps heading to the border with her father's body, but she has no idea what she will do. Then she meets Thur Ochs, Uri's younger brother, and they contrive to return to Montefoglia and ask for Abbot Monreale's help. For, Ferrante is no ordinary soldier, he wears a spirit ring fashioned by the dark magic of Vitelli, where the spirit of his dead daughter resides and gives him power. Ferrante pursues Fiametta and steals Prospero's body to make a new, more powerful spirit ring. Fiametta is frantic to recover her father's body and have him buried in holy ground, but her face is well known in Montefoglia. So Thur goes in to the castillo as a spy to try and find out all the information that he can. There he finds much evil for, not only does the dark sorcerer Vitelli plan on making a spirit ring for Ferrante, but he plans on using Uri's spirit to make a ring for himself... The Spirit Ring is based in a quasi-medieval Italy with an interesting tangle of political and religious maneuvering among the duchies. I didn't like Fiametta at first because she is a spoiled brat, but she grew on me. I really enjoyed most of the secondary characters and Bujold's descriptions are, as always, superb. Bujold has a nice, smooth writing style and the plot was evenly paced, if a little predictable. This is a great book to give to young adults or first time readers of fantasy because there is little magic contained therein. A light, frothy, fun read!
Rating: 
Summary: A spectacular fantasy from the award-winning SF author
Review: From the writer of award-winning SF comes this spectacular fantasy. Set in an alternative history where magic works, this book is many things. It is a scientific exploration of magic, it is a touching romance, it is gripping battle between the forces of good and evil.
Rating:
Summary: Nice Average Fiction
Review: I am having a real problem with this one. On one hand I know it is a relatively simplistic tale, with an average story line and mediocre characters. The dialogue seems forced sometimes and a bit, well, underdone at others. So what is my problem? I really like it! I mean I had fun with this story. Even with its problems I enjoyed reading it, several times as a matter of fact. I enjoyed the interaction of the characters, the budding romance, the mixture of religion and magic. Dispassionately looking at this book it really doesn't rate anything above a 3, but if I were rating on my enjoyment alone it would easily be a 4 or maybe even a 5. This seems to be written with a younger audience in mind and should be classified as young adult or juvenile fiction. No sex, little violence and a quick read. If you like fantasy, especially young adult type of fantasy I think you will like this. Highly recommended.
Rating:
Summary: Nice Average Fiction
Review: I am having a real problem with this one. On one hand I know it is a relatively simplistic tale, with an average story line and mediocre characters. The dialogue seems forced sometimes and a bit, well, underdone at others. So what is my problem? I really like it! I mean I had fun with this story. Even with its problems I enjoyed reading it, several times as a matter of fact. I enjoyed the interaction of the characters, the budding romance, the mixture of religion and magic. Dispassionately looking at this book it really doesn't rate anything above a 3, but if I were rating on my enjoyment alone it would easily be a 4 or maybe even a 5. This seems to be written with a younger audience in mind and should be classified as young adult or juvenile fiction. No sex, little violence and a quick read. If you like fantasy, especially young adult type of fantasy I think you will like this. Highly recommended.
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