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Summary: EXCERPTS FROM PUBLISHED REVIEWS
Review: ENCHANTRESS FROM THE STARS was a 1971 Newbery Honor Book and winner of the 1990 Phoenix Award, given annually by the Children's Literature Association "from the perspective of time" to a book published 20 years prior to the award date. (Though because of these honors I'm sometimes known as a writer for children, it is the only one of my novels of interest to readers below high school age; the others are intended for older teens and adults.) Please e-mail me or visit my Web site to be placed on my mailing list for any news about the future availability of this book. Here are some excerpts from published reviews: "...[A] rich work of science fiction that suggests some interesting philosophical questions for thoughtful young readers." Best Books for Young Adults 1970, Booklist, 1 April 1971 "...[R]eaders will find fascinating symbolism--and philosophical parallels to what they may have observed or thought. The book is completely absorbing and should have a wider appear than much science fiction." Horn Book, April 1970 "...[A]n original and charming exercise of one of fiction's finest prerogatives, getting into other skins and seeing through (literally) alien eyes.... Girls who like their fantasy realistic, or an aspect of magic to their realism, should enjoy this one." Ursula LeGuin, New York Times Book Review, 3 May 1970 "...[A] serious and thought-provoking novel, not SF for the sake of electronic gadgetry.... Combined with this is an adolescent love-story that is no romantic nonsense; it is realistic and moving. The story is full of drama and suspense, and is very well written. Other science fiction stories [for young people] recently published seem all to pale in comparison." Times Literary Supplement, London, 20 September 1974 "Of all the scientific speculations explored in fiction, perhaps the most stimulating are those that deal with some form of future politics.... Sylvia Engdahl has given us a new masterpiece in this line with Enchantress from the Stars. It is an extraordinarily ingenious novel with a fascinating sexual undercurrent." Sunday Telegraph, London, 1 September 1974 "Sylvia Engdahl's Enchantress from the Stars is a ... sophisticated book: a book about people, not gadgets or lizardoids.... The huge themes of love, respect for individuals and for cultures in all their diversity, colonialism, the responsibilities of power, and the effect of self-confidence on our ability to do things, are subtly embodied in the action. This is a fascinating novel, likely to appeal to a thoughtful 14 or 15 year old rather than to younger readers." The Teacher, London, 4 April 1975 "Enchantress from the Stars ... retains its vitality more than twenty years after its publication. The complex consideration of the ability of myth and science to provide explanation and meaning retains its relevance as the notion of the universe expands." Kathy Piehl, "The Peril and Power of Love in Sylvia Louise Engdahl's Enchantress from the Stars" in The Phoenix Award, Alethea Helbig and Agnes Perkins, eds,. Scarecrow Press, 1996.
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Summary: an evergreen classic
Review: A beautifully rendered novel with high intelligence, captivating character, and cosmic soul. In many ways, Sylvia Engdahl's writings are the logical successors to Heinlein's derring-do tales of gifted individuals making a difference in human exploration of other worlds. But Engdahl's pace is more leisurely, reflective, and the tapestry she weaves may well outlast Heinlein's. Here, she introduces Elana, with a very special mission.... (For further exploits of Elana, and a crucially important argument for the necessity of space exploration right now, see Engdahl's The Far Side of Evil...)
Although Elana is young, this is a novel for adults of all ages.
Rating:
Summary: an evergreen classic
Review: A beautifully rendered novel with high intelligence, captivating character, and cosmic soul. In many ways, Sylvia Engdahl's writings are the logical successors to Heinlein's derring-do tales of gifted individuals making a difference in human exploration of other worlds. But Engdahl's pace is more leisurely, reflective, and the tapestry she weaves may well outlast Heinlein's. Here, she introduces Elana, with a very special mission.... (For further exploits of Elana, and a crucially important argument for the necessity of space exploration right now, see Engdahl's The Far Side of Evil...)
Although Elana is young, this is a novel for adults of all ages.
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Summary: Why Isn't This Book More Popular?
Review: A friend of mine recomended this book to me, and since he is a sci-fi buff, I expected little. How wrong I was. Three worlds, all on different levels, colide on the small, earth-like planet of Andrecia. Elana, the main character, is from the highest ranking of the three. When she arrives on Andrecia, she doesn't expect much. But, like me, she is proved wrong. Sylvia Engdahl writes a dramatic play of characters all on different levels, but very much the same.
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Summary: Excellent and Well-done
Review: A jewel among books, Engdahl indeed do a fantastic job while writing her story. She combined three different viewpoints with three completely different styles of writing a put it together in such a way that everything flowed perfectly together. This book, set on the planet Andrecia, tells about a girl who comes from a society more advanced than our own. She finds out a Youngling planet, one that is less advanced than our own, is in trouble and her father and best friend/eventual marriage partner is going down there to try and remedy the situation. She sneaks with them, discovers real love and the horrors that people experience everyday, and how to cope with them. It completely changes her view on life in such a realisitic amazing way. If you want to read a fantasy book that is not all fun and happiness, although the major portion of the book is, and is fantastic and marvellous and wonderful, I suggest you buy this book. Engdahl herself is very responsive. I wrote her a letter telling her how much I loved her book, and I had a response the next day. Trust me, buy it.
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Summary: Nice to see things from different perspectives...
Review: Elana is part of a highly advanced society, but they keep themselves secret to all societies below them- at whatever cost. During a mission to save a Youngling planet from another that is more advanced than it, Elana comes along, but she isn't a full-fleged Agent yet. Elana ends up working with her father and the boy she is to marry, as she helps try to perserve the planet with a native's help. What is science to Elana is "magic" to the people of this planet. We see things from Elana's viewpoint, the viewpoint of the invading society, and the viewpoint of the planet that is being invaded, who all have very different ways of thinking. Sometimes I felt the plot went off course talking about "responsibility" but otherwise, pretty interesting stuff.
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Summary: Enchantress From The Stars
Review: Enchantress From The Stars by Sylvia Louise Engdahl was simply wonderful. It's perfect for a reader who likes fantasy, mystery, and mystical adventures. You'll dream about being in a remote planet until you finish this book. It takes you away from all the day's problems, and puts you in the story. It acually feels like you're in the story traveling though space, not knowing what will happen next. What more could you ask for? Adventure, fantasy mixed into one great book. You have to read Enchantress From The Stars by Sylvia Louise Engdahl. It's wonderful.
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Summary: enchantress from the stars
Review: fresh new approach to the age old questions about our own possible beginings, I was in awe of the simplicty of the idea and how this could indeed be how things began and history turns into legend
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Summary: Please reprint!
Review: I enjoyed this book a lot. The idea that there are other inhabited planets out there, with peoples more advanced than us; its fascinating. I bought the book because it was mentioned in a recommendation book called 'Geat Books for Girl's',but had a hard time getting hold of a copy. It was worth the trouble, though. Definitely wish the publisher would have it reprinted. 'Far Side of Evil', another book by this author, is also great. But beware:'Planet Girded Suns' and 'Tools for Tomorrow' are dry, dry facts, not sci-fi!
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Summary: Echoes of Star Trek and "The Faerie Queene"
Review: I got this book out from the library based on the reviews it had received, and I was not disappointed. I love both science fiction and fantasy, and this book was a mix of both. The Oath that the people from the Federation must take, which is very much like Star Trek's "Prime Directive," fascinated me because they take it so much more seriously than Captain Kirk ever did. The Dragon-slaying part of the book strongly echoed Spencer's "The Faerie Queen," casting Elana as the Queen and Georyn as her faithful knight. Overall I thought it was wonderful, partly because it fully explored themes that most science fiction barely touches on.
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