The Lute and the Liar

Rating:
Summary: Pleasantly surprised by a Liar
Review: I just finished reading the first Harry Potter book at last. I love how easy it is to read. So when I decided to read THE LUTE AND THE LIAR by RIE SHERIDAN, I was timid because the book was written by a friend.

My fears and worries were totally unbased. While reading it, I realized the story flowed as easily as Harry Potter. It flowed so easily, in fact, I didn't even realize I was halfway through the book.

The story strikes home (being a bard myself) as we meet the thoughtful bard, Mordigan Bryre, who is a compulsive liar, until he meets a witch on the road. She offers him the chance to gain magical instrument, but to earn it, he is not allowed to lie. He goes on a quest to recover it and is beset with poverty and peril, before attaining his prize and learning a little bit more about himself.

Overall, I was very impressed. Rie's use of metaphors and similies have her own magic. And of course, the book is a classic folk story. It's almost astounding to me that something so beautiful could be written by someone I know. But lo and behold, THE LUTE AND THE LIAR is a gem of a novel that will leave you enchanted by the music that flows through the pen of Rie Sheridan.

Rating:
Summary: moving and beautiful fairy tale for adults
Review: Once upon a time a princess fell in love with an apprentice bard although she never told him what was in her heart. Mordigan Bryre never knew that princess Allysian loved him for he was too involved with his music. He is only two weeks away from getting his journeyman's certificate when his path crosses that of the witch FreiFanya causing him to be late for his music lesson with the princess.

His master kicks him out of the guild house. Dian decides to follow through on the deal he made with the witch and journeys to the Azure City to ask the wizard Talthos to make a magic flute for him. The wizard agrees if he can persuade the griffin to part with some teeth and the unicorn to give him some hair from her tail. He accomplishes the feats but the wizard reneges on the bargain. Dian travels to another city and is unfairly tossed in jail next to the cell where the Princess Allysian is kept. Together they free themselves and journey back home where Dian is prepared to make the ultimate sacrifice in the name of love.

THE LUTE AND THE LIAR is a moving and beautiful fairy tale for adults. The hero goes from being a vain and cocky liar to a honorable and trustworthy man willing to do anything to protect the woman he loves. The princess is a feisty and strong willed young woman determined to get what she wants and doesn't let anyone in her way. Rie Sheridan is a refreshing new voice in the fantasy genre.

Harriet Klausner

Rating:
Summary: moving and beautiful fairy tale for adults
Review: Once upon a time a princess fell in love with an apprentice bard although she never told him what was in her heart. Mordigan Bryre never knew that princess Allysian loved him for he was too involved with his music. He is only two weeks away from getting his journeyman's certificate when his path crosses that of the witch FreiFanya causing him to be late for his music lesson with the princess.

His master kicks him out of the guild house. Dian decides to follow through on the deal he made with the witch and journeys to the Azure City to ask the wizard Talthos to make a magic flute for him. The wizard agrees if he can persuade the griffin to part with some teeth and the unicorn to give him some hair from her tail. He accomplishes the feats but the wizard reneges on the bargain. Dian travels to another city and is unfairly tossed in jail next to the cell where the Princess Allysian is kept. Together they free themselves and journey back home where Dian is prepared to make the ultimate sacrifice in the name of love.

THE LUTE AND THE LIAR is a moving and beautiful fairy tale for adults. The hero goes from being a vain and cocky liar to a honorable and trustworthy man willing to do anything to protect the woman he loves. The princess is a feisty and strong willed young woman determined to get what she wants and doesn't let anyone in her way. Rie Sheridan is a refreshing new voice in the fantasy genre.

Harriet Klausner

Rating:
Summary: A review of The Lute and the Liar
Review: The "liar" of the title is 17-year old Mordigan Bryre, an apprentice musician whose talent is recognized by his master, Cormeyer, but whose arrogance and constant fibbing make Master Corneyer doubtful as to whether Mordigan's talents outweigh his disadvantages. Princess Allysian, to whom Mordigan gives music lessons, has no such doubts. Her 15-year old heart belongs completely to the handsome and talented Mordigan - except he doesn't know it. Hasn't a clue. Would never guess. After all, Princess Alyssian is a princess, the king's daughter, and Mordigan is - well, as he would put it, a nobody. An unknown orphan. A commoner, to say the least. A commoner who may someday be a bard, but that's as high as Mordigan's ambition flies.
These two teens are as lovable a pair of lovers as has ever been created in fiction. Lovers? Yes. But the kind of lovers who first don't realize each others' love; secondly, have an impossible time getting together; thirdly, once they get together, have a hard time staying alive long enough to even mention love, far less enjoy it happily ever after. Despite all thse complications, "Lute" is a fun read, and it certainly left me with a smile on my face.

Rating:
Summary: A review of The Lute and the Liar
Review: The "liar" of the title is 17-year old Mordigan Bryre, an apprentice musician whose talent is recognized by his master, Cormeyer, but whose arrogance and constant fibbing make Master Corneyer doubtful as to whether Mordigan's talents outweigh his disadvantages. Princess Allysian, to whom Mordigan gives music lessons, has no such doubts. Her 15-year old heart belongs completely to the handsome and talented Mordigan - except he doesn't know it. Hasn't a clue. Would never guess. After all, Princess Alyssian is a princess, the king's daughter, and Mordigan is - well, as he would put it, a nobody. An unknown orphan. A commoner, to say the least. A commoner who may someday be a bard, but that's as high as Mordigan's ambition flies.
These two teens are as lovable a pair of lovers as has ever been created in fiction. Lovers? Yes. But the kind of lovers who first don't realize each others' love; secondly, have an impossible time getting together; thirdly, once they get together, have a hard time staying alive long enough to even mention love, far less enjoy it happily ever after. Despite all thse complications, "Lute" is a fun read, and it certainly left me with a smile on my face.