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Summary: Childhood Nostalga
Review: I loved this book when I was a child, and even though I am an adult now, it still hasn't lost its charm. I have always loved the character of Aerin and I believe I always will. She was a great role model for a child as willful and spirited as I was. She made me proud to be a woman, and I hope my daughter will read this book someday and feel the same way.
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Summary: A very entertaining read.
Review: Like some other readers, I just have to keep coming back to this book; I usually read it and The Blue Sword about once a year (usually shortly after I finish rereading the Anne of Green Gables books or Lloyd Alexander's Prydain Chronicles). McKinley's non-chronological arrangement of events does make the first read a little confusing but it's worth it; once you know the general outline of the story it's a great read, so stick with it. There are dark parts of the book, certainly, but dark isn't always bad and it can be thrilling. The Hero and the Crown isn't meant (I think) to be the Great American Novel. It's an adventure story with some heart and some brain and a heroine who discovers strength she didn't know she possessed, and it's always entertaining. Highly recommended, as is The Blue Sword. I didn't care for Deerskin and am impatiently awaiting McKinley's next book in the series.
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Summary: I ADORE this book!
Review: I'm going to have to say this is one of my favorite books of all time. I read it years ago when I was like 8 or 9 and it's stuck with me ever since. I am constantly remembering bits and pieces of it and it's partner, The Blue Sword. I say, "Definitely a good buy!!" It truly creates a very different paradigm that sticks with you for a long time.
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Summary: GrEaT!
Review: Not only was it imaginative, but the discriptions in the book was great. It's a wonderful book... exciting... a Must Read Book!
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Summary: This book was wonderful!
Review: This book was a wonderful, heartstopping book. It really makes a person feel like they are in the story. people who understand this book and have good sense of imagination, you will love this story. The author has a way of making you feel the character's emotions and about how the character feels about the others in the book. Read It!
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Summary: Not TOO bad, I guess.
Review: I first read this prequel to The Hero and the Crown in the fourth grade, and finished the book with a feeling of dread and fear. The part where the dead dragon talks to Aerin stuck with me forever, and long after the title of the novel vanished from my mind I still had little half-nightmares about that scene. Then, in maybe nineth or tenth grade, I picked up a copy and reread the whole thing. Hmmm. Having despised The Blue Sword story and disliked Rose Daughter and very nearly hated Deerskin, I must say that this is probably my favorite McKinley book, aside from Beauty. This is not saying much. But there must be SOMETHING good about McKinley's books, or I would not keep on reading them. Ms. McKinley has a wonderful writing style and all of her novels are quiet and thoughtful, with a touch of sadness in even the sweetest books. However, I have a hard time actually LIKING any of her characters, and a hard time worrying that everything won't be all right in the end, either. I have the usual complaints about The Blue Sword, but there is something I liked about Aerin this time, when she wasn't busy annoying the hell out of me, and I liked the man she eventually married much more than I liked Aerin herself. Her lover the mage basically annoyed me too, and so did Aerin's horse, but still... something struck me. Plus, I loved the dragon. The part of the story that once gave me nightmares now gave me thrills. Interesting way to do it. I don't think I've ever read anything like that dragon-on-the-wall scene before. Altogether, not a wonderful book, but it had a little something (je ne sais quois!!) that the others don't have, so I'm begrudgingly giving this one three stars. Yay.
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Summary: AWFUL!!!
Review: This book was very depressing and very dark. It was sad throughout and nothing impressed me. I have read other books by Robin McKinley and have found that almost all have a pessimistic twist to them. I have read many books in many different genres by many different authors and I absolutely refuse to read any more books written by her than the ones I already did. This is not a good read and you're wasting your money.
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Summary: A great add to your home library!I
Review: A great book to fall into. My husband brought it to me to read, three days later I finished it. I especially loved the relationship between Aerin and Tor. It was very realistic, having having horses of my own. I still reread parts of it to my children. I recomend it as a must read if you like herions, faithful friends no matter what form the come in, dragons and and good clean adventure.
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Summary: Not the Best by all Means
Review: I'm an eleven year old and I've been reading since age four and adult-level books since second grade. I read the entire Redwall series in a span of four months when I was eight. Now I personally love fantasy but I've picked up this book a few times to read but have set it back down after the first fifty or so pages because it was just too confusing and slow to start. This year I had no choice about reading it because I had to use it for a book report. Now I'm not saying it's totally bad, it does have its high points, but it is in my opinion extremely boring and confusing and tedious. Not exactly the type of book that I'd go around saying how wonderful it was by all means. I don't think this was a very good book and I don't know how some people can stand it. Although Mrs. McKinley does do a very good job writing her stories I think I'd suggest trying something a tad bit faster-paced and less confusing.
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Summary: This book is sooooooooooooooooo cool!!!
Review: I love this book. the characters are believable, the setting intriguing, and the plot suspensful. this is one of my fave books.i recommend it to anyone who enjoys fantasy.
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