The Mountain's Call (Luna)

Rating:
Summary: Vintage Judith Tarr, aka Caitlin Brennan
Review: At first I couldn't figure out why the very appealing style of this book seemed familiar; then, I realized Judith Tarr had chosen to write under a pseudonym. This story pulled me in and wouldn't let me go. It reminds me of what I consider Tarr's best: The Hound and the Falcon trilogy; Alamut; The Dagger and the Cross; and her Avaryan Rising series.

I really liked the strong female lead, Valeria, her choice of two very different men as lovers, and her independence. All the characters are fairly well-developed, although Gothard is pretty much a stock villain (doesn't have any redeeming characteristics). The concept of horses as gods bears some resemblance (a positive one!) to that in Mercedes Lackey's Valdemar books.

Wonderful mix of fantasy, magic, romance, and alternate history. I can't wait for book two of White Magic.

Rating:
Summary: The Mountain's Call
Review: Girls don't get called, but that does not prevent Valeria from hearing the call. At first, her family thinks her mad, but Valeria knows that the white steeds who rule the mountains have summoned her, so using her wits, she escapes to make the hazardous journey that will bring her into contact with the two men who will vye for her heart and shape her destiny. Kerroc befriends her then leaves her in the company of travellers where she meets the dangerous barbarian Euan. When at last she reaches the mountain, Valeria hides who she is until she passes the tests and is found out as a woman. Once more Kerroc saves her, taking her as a servant, but in time they become more, only to be ripped apart in a way that forces Valeria to appear traitorous to one man's love to save him and the empire itself.

**** The Mountain's Call is a beautiful epic, sweeping and passionate on several levels. There are familiar elements, but classic ones that always work in the hands of a master. ****

Rating:
Summary: A wonderful, intricate mind-rush
Review: I took a chance on this book based on the reviews here and on the RomanticSF website. I'm really glad I did. Having not read any Judith Tarr books I prepared to be pleasantly surprised, or at least place this in my 'to sell as a used book' pile.

Pleasantly surprised is not the half of it. From the very beginning one is drawn into an intricately shaped and wonderfully formed world where the magic of horses, power, inner strength and individuality in the face of adversity is approached from an intelligent, interesting and otherworldly viewpoint. There were times in the tale where I found myself wishing I could be Valeria for the day so I could experience this all first hand - the characters are that realistic and enjoyable to read.

At times, as non-prudish as I thought myself, the love and torture scenes were so well written and emphatically crafted into the story at such excellently timed points in the tale, that I was reminded in a positive eye-opening way that what I was reading was a very adult, but yet magical and powerful tale of fantasy - so different from some other fantasy tales, which are often de-sexed or de-clawed when it comes to the realities that some of the characters in the stories face. Don't get me wrong, this isn't pornographic or graphic in horror proportions. The 3rd person narrator just tells it like it is, but with such craftsmanship that you can't help but empathise with the characters' situation in the story. Excellently written.

Definitely a tale to read when you want to be drawn into a superbly crafted, magical, wonderfully intricate fantasy tale that will have you looking at the world quite differently when you have finished reading it. I look forward to the second book. Refreshing, interesting and a very good read. Highly recommended.

Rating:
Summary: spellbinding romantic fantasy
Review: She heard the Call of the Mountain but Valeria's mother refused to believe it because in one thousand years, only men have answered the summons. Her mother warded her so she could not use her magic but still Valeria found a way to leave her home and head for the mountain where the gods in the form of white stallions live. She travels with a caravan and among their number is Euan Rohe, a Caletanni barbarian being held hostage for the behavior of his tribe. The barbarians do not want to be part of the Aurelian Empire but for now Evan and his allies work in the shadows, getting ready to make their move.

Valeria pretends to be a boy while she takes the test to see if she can be a Rider. The Ladies call her, the stallions accept her but the men reject her once they find out she is a female even though she is the most powerful horse mage they have ever seen. First Rider Kerrec takes her under his wing but both he and Valeria are kidnapped by Euan and his allies. Valeria sacrifices herself to save Kerrec but she doesn't believe she can betray the Empire for the love of one man.

Caitlin Brennan is a fantastic world builder who creates a world where magic is an everyday occurrence. The white stallions are able to work time and fate to see the possible futures that may happen to the empire. The bond between rider and stallion is comparable to that of dragon and rider in Anne McCaffrey's Pern series. There is plenty of action and romance in this spellbinding romantic fantasy.

Harriet Klausner



Rating:
Summary: A "new" author? I think not....
Review: This book has to be written by someone we already know under a pseudonym; mastery of plot, characterization, and sheer craft show an experienced hand. "Caitlin Brennan" can write rings around most people, so don't let an "unknown" name prevent you from picking up this amazing piece of fantasy.

Buy this for anyone who is horse-crazy. Buy if for anyone who would drive a hundred miles to see a Lippizan show. Buy it for fans of good, solid world-building. Buy it for fantasy fans. Oh, don't bother with an excuse, just buy it for anyone who needs a fabulous book to read! And don't forget a couple for yourself, one to read to death and a replacement for the one you read to death.