Riddle-Master: The Complete Trilogy

Rating:
Summary: still the favorite, after all these years...
Review: I've got an 11 year old working her way through Harry Potter - I'm just waiting for the day when I can share this trilogy with her! The first time I read it, in the late 70's, it wasn't in print and I had to scour libraries and wait excruciating months between books. Since then, I've bought several copies, given some away, and still I read it about every 2 years. I only wish she could pull another trilogy together - her other works like Atrix Wolf and Basilisk are JUST TOO SHORT in comparison!

Rating:
Summary: Love this epic series!
Review: Off the bat i will say that my only problem (and maybe it's me) was that there were certain times when i was lost reading the prose. Ms. Mckillip has a very interesting way of writing - it's beautiful but sometimes i didn't get what she was saying. Otherwise, this is an ABSOLUTE MUST READ for any fantasy/Tolkien/epic quest fan of fiction. I loved all of the characters, especially Har and Morgon. Morgon takes an amazing journey where he is transformed from a simple prince into something much much more. I loved all the magic, all the powers each major character has, the plot twists and turns, as well as the setting of the book. A great read, and i can see myself picking it up again in a couple years!

Rating:
Summary: Don't read this once -- read it over and over!
Review: What a strange, glorious story! Memorable characters, beautiful writing, and artful plot twists--nothing is quite what it appears to be! McKillip is a real wizard, and this is her masterpiece, as engrossing as it is odd. Celtic folklore enthusiasts should particularly relish touches like the Great Shout.

Rating:
Summary: "Answer the unanswered question."
Review: For centuries the ghost of King Peven has haunted his decaying castle, playing a deadly riddle-game with visitors: his crown against their lives. He has always won. Now someone has taken his crown, ignorant of the fact that with it goes the hand of Raederle, the second most beautiful women in the known world. The crown has been won by Morgon, Prince of tiny, agricultural Hed, and it's under his bed while he, his brother and sister, and Snogg Nutt the pigherder try to decide what to do with it. Suddenly riddles are gathering like storm clouds over a world scoured centuries ago by the War of the Earthmasters, powerful magical beings who once ruled, then suddenly fled the world. Where did they go? Who were they? Who are the powerful and hostile men from under the sea, and why have they suddenly come after Morgon? Most important of all, why does Morgon have three stars birthmarked on his forehead? Luckily, he's one of the Riddle-Masters and has a chance of finding the answer. Meanwhile Raederle, no shrinking violet, calls upon the powers that she is heir to through her father the King of An, as the ancient dead of An begin to rise and pursue their ancient wars, and strikes a desperate bargain with the dead to safeguard Morgon. Who is the harper named Deth? Where did the wizards go? Why doesn't the High One, source of authority and land-rule, act in some way? And who will fix the leak in poor Snogg Nutt's roof? Even if you turned into a tree and thought about it all winter you'd never figure it out. Secrets as deep as the root of a mountain, as wild as a pack of wolves, as chaotic as the pounding sea: solve them or the world plunges into horror.

Rating:
Summary: I can't believe I forgot about reading this!
Review: I loaned my set out a few years ago and just now realized that I didn't have them! This is one of the best set stories that I have ever read, and I gone through them all. Well, a lot of them. The only reason I can't give 5 stars is I haven't read a perfect book. These, however, are just sweet reading. Do yourself a favor get it now.

Rating:
Summary: Incredible
Review: This trilogy is the most intoxicating, beautiful fantasy series I have read to date. McKillip draws the world with such life-like imagery that she leaves the reader breathless. The characters, with all their love, hate, and flaws, reach out and pull us after them. Wildly imaginative, this series veers off the dull path of so many other fantasies. I can't wait to read more of her work!

Rating:
Summary: Beautiful!
Review: I rarely ever read fantasy, but with some coaxing from a friend, I decided to read this one. It was absolutely breathtaking. The characters were so well drawn that I could see and feel them in my mind clearly. The plot was vivid and intricate. I can't say enough good things about this wonderful trilogy! Great story Ms. McKillip! I can't wait to read some of her other works!

Rating:
Summary: Finally!
Review: I am so pleased that these books have been reissued in one volume--at last! For quite a while, only the first and last were in print, leaving a considerable number of people hanging, I'm sure. There is simply no other series within my (pretty extensive) readings within the fantasy genre which is so elegantly put together. Ms. McKillip's writing is wonderfully succint; if a single word were removed, the structure would fail. This holds true for the plot as well. No element is not necessary; there is no embellishment or unnecessary description, yet the characters, relationships, and world created are unfailingly complete. The plot and its twists are original and completely unsuspected, and will most likely leave you floored. Ms. McKillip's insights into human relationships and their wonderful and painful complexities, as embodied particularly in the relationships within and between Morgon, Raederle, and Deth, give this story a power I'm not sure many other fantasy novels or series accomplish. I'm tempted to say that this is a novel about people, and the creation of the world in which they live is a secondary, albeit brilliantly shining, accomplishment. The archetypal struggle between good and evil which most often characterizes fantasy novels has been simplified; what that struggle represents-- the struggle between good and evil within us all-- is described in this book, and the honesty of this gives the story a power to move you quite profoundly. Read this book simply because the story is engrossing, beautiful, and runs deep. Then go back and notice how it has changed you.

Rating:
Summary: Very good, not-run-off-the-mill fantasy
Review: This is a very good trilogy. McKillip manages to avoid the usual fantasy cliches and creates some new (at least new to me) concepts, e.g. the land-rule idea. She builds a believable world with believable characters. The story moves along nicely to a strong climax. Recommended.

Rating:
Summary: The Best Book That I Have Ever Read
Review: The Riddlemaster of Hed was the first fantasy book that I read. From there I went on to read the rest of the series. This series is absolutely fantastic. It doesn't follow the standard guidelines of a regular fantasy. Events keep happening and everything adds up to an incredible climax. This is by far the best fantasy series ever written.