Rating: 
Summary: not bad but not that good either
Review: This is an inoffensive story, the people are nice, the setting is pleasant, the romantic pairs love each other, etc. But there really wasn't a whole lot of suspense. I gradually just sort of stopped picking up the book, as I hadn't developed any curiosity about what would happen, and the last third of the book didn't get read at all.
Rating:
Summary: Half-hearted magic scheme
Review: This is far from the worst book I have ever read, but it seems like a lackluster magic-concept. There was no explanation for WHY magic users worked through colors and shapes. Lacking any explanation of the mechanics of that, the concept just seemed... goofy. It felt like the author was thinking, "I need a new method of working magic...oh yeah, colors!" I understand that the main character, Chime, didn't really have a head for magical theory, but that doesn't mean the reader isn't interested. Are the shapes just a technique for the magic user to structure their powers? Are the colors symbolic of certain gifts? It just wasn't well explained or (apparently) well thought out. Beyond the hokey magic scheme, the romance was readable. It was interesting to have a main character who isn't the brightest crayon in the pack, knows it, but works with what she has.
Rating: 
Summary: Magical
Review: This is one of the best books I have read in a while. If you like a little romance and magic. You'll love the book.
Rating: 
Summary: Certainly charming..
Review: This was a pleasant read, with interesting heroines/heros, nice, country atmosphere, unique & original concept of magic playing on shapes, and nice internal conficts.
Although the text didn't strain or suspend, it was a very enjoyable read. Not up there with the classics, but a good story nonetheless. Great read for anyone who appreciates reading fantasy/romance and doesn't nitpick a story apart.
Rating:
Summary: epic romantic fantasy
Review: When the King and his retinue came to Jacob's Vale searching for mages, Chine tried to hide since she didn't want to leave the family orchard and go to Castle Suncroft. Della No-Cozen, the mage-mistress immediately saw how much power she had and persuaded her to come to the castle to learn how to use her abilities properly. The king's nephew and heir, Prince Muller is expected to marry Chine, but he doesn't want to wed anyone nor become king. Chine also doesn't want to be queen and the thought of marrying the prince is ludicrous until she comes to know him. Muller quickly falls in love with his betrothed but Della finds Iris, another mage more powerful than Chine and Iris locates Javid the king's grandson thought to have died fourteen years ago. Muller and Chine are both chagrined and happy to realize they won't be monarchs but they still have a very important role to play in the kingdom. King Varquelle of Harsdown plans to invade and annex the land of Aronsdale with the help of his powerful mage, Anvil and it will take the special powers of Chine and Muller to stop them if they can learn to control their magic. Readers will love this epic romantic fantasy that reads like an adult fairy tale. There are two couples who must overcome many obstacles before they can admit their love for one another and it is fascinating watching them slowly mature into heroic figures to be admired. This is a very different kind of work than Catherine Asara's science fiction novels involving the Skalian Empire, but this novel is just as engrossing and enthralling. Harriet Klausner
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