Rating: 
Summary: Engaging, light romp but a classic?
Review: The previous reviewers seem to really enjoy this book, and I found it a quick, easy read. However, I don't agree that it's a classic, or great writing. In this review, I'll try not to give away the story, as I believe many readers will continue to enjoy it, but I have to mention that the tale is full of inconsistencies that not only detract from the credibility of the story but also distract from the reading of the book. For example, a pivotal character is injured on the right side. Then for two-thirds of the book, it's the left side. Then in Chap 17 it reverts again to the right side. There are similar errors throughout which I won't itemize, but they constantly niggle, like a sliver or a papercut that breaks your concentration. They're so blatant, I'm amazed the editor(s) didn't catch them. The story is an odd mix of genres that puzzled me even though I'm quite tolerant of multi-genre art forms and experimental works. It suggests a fantasy book at the beginning, then turns into a detective story which isn't especially original then reverts back to a fantasy story right at the very end. The fantasy is alluded to throughout the story, but in a sort of irrelevant, unconvincing way. It should have formed a stronger warp to the fabric of the tale rather than being a fringe tacked on at the beginning and the end. I read this book because I was growing tired of books in which the male characters get to have all the lead roles and exciting adventures and the female characters get left behind or relegated to being not much more than the love interest, a situation common to many science fiction/fantasy books. I was hungry for stories with good strong female characters and my friend recommended this one. Alas, it didn't satisfy me in that respect either. It's basically another book in which women are victims and the man is the strong, wise Prince Charming who rescues them. Classic fiction? I don't think so. An enjoyable tale for those who love to read? Sure, it satisfies that niche and probably also would be a delight to younger readers who may not be as distracted by technical inaccuracies as those of us who have been reading for a long time. Will I read the sequel? Probably, because I like the main character, but were it not for the potential and intrique of that character, I would look elsewhere.
Rating:
Summary: Engaging, light romp but a classic?
Review: The previous reviewers seem to really enjoy this book, and I found it a quick, easy read. However, I don't agree that it's a classic, or great writing. In this review, I'll try not to give away the story, as I believe many readers will continue to enjoy it, but I have to mention that the tale is full of inconsistencies that not only detract from the credibility of the story but also distract from the reading of the book. For example, a pivotal character is injured on the right side. Then for two-thirds of the book, it's the left side. Then in Chap 17 it reverts again to the right side. There are similar errors throughout which I won't itemize, but they constantly niggle, like a sliver or a papercut that breaks your concentration. They're so blatant, I'm amazed the editor(s) didn't catch them. The story is an odd mix of genres that puzzled me even though I'm quite tolerant of multi-genre art forms and experimental works. It suggests a fantasy book at the beginning, then turns into a detective story which isn't especially original then reverts back to a fantasy story right at the very end. The fantasy is alluded to throughout the story, but in a sort of irrelevant, unconvincing way. It should have formed a stronger warp to the fabric of the tale rather than being a fringe tacked on at the beginning and the end. I read this book because I was growing tired of books in which the male characters get to have all the lead roles and exciting adventures and the female characters get left behind or relegated to being not much more than the love interest, a situation common to many science fiction/fantasy books. I was hungry for stories with good strong female characters and my friend recommended this one. Alas, it didn't satisfy me in that respect either. It's basically another book in which women are victims and the man is the strong, wise Prince Charming who rescues them. Classic fiction? I don't think so. An enjoyable tale for those who love to read? Sure, it satisfies that niche and probably also would be a delight to younger readers who may not be as distracted by technical inaccuracies as those of us who have been reading for a long time. Will I read the sequel? Probably, because I like the main character, but were it not for the potential and intrique of that character, I would look elsewhere.
Rating: 
Summary: I wish I'd written it.
Review: This book is magical. If I had written it I would consider myself a success. Of course, perfection is hard to top -- Twisting the Rope doesn't has the same characters but not the same enchantment. With virtuoso verbal "slight of hand" tricks the mystery remains to the end, but you become a believer.
Rating:
Summary: A different kind of romance/suspense story
Review: This is a deceptively slender book. In it Ms. MacAvoy convincingly ties together such unlikely elements as Zen Buddhism, Celtic music, computer programming, and the bonds of family. The heroine arrives in California at exactly the right time to change the lives of a surprising assortment of people, including an elderly dragon. Specifically a Chinese imperial dragon. If you relish the unique, I highly recommend both this book and it's
creator. I also recommend the sequel 'Twisting the Rope'
Rating:
Summary: A mythical romance
Review: This is a story anyone could fall for. It's just delightful. At first glance it seems to be a fantasy novel, then you think it might be a hard-boiled detective story, but in reality it is a love story. It is fairly typical of MacAvoy's work, all of which is superb.
You will find the main characters a little out of the ordinary. On the one hand we have a, middle aged musician, worried Mother and on the other we have a centuries old Chinese dragon transformed into approximately human form.
That's as far as I am willing to go into the details. Suffice to say that it is a quirky, delightful and warm story from a writer who knows and thoroughly enjoys the business of writing. And if you love this book, as I know you will, you may also want to try the sequel "Twisting the Rope".
Rating:
Summary: Great for people who don't normally read fantasy
Review: This is a sublime little book. I normally don't go for books that contain a lot of internal dialog. But, this book is like a perfectly crafted little jewel. Don't mistake it for something that would only appeal to people who read fantasy books. I'm so happy to see this back in print.
Rating:
Summary: Great for people who don't normally read fantasy
Review: This is a sublime little book. I normally don't go for books that contain a lot of internal dialog. But, this book is like a perfectly crafted little jewel. Don't mistake it for something that would only appeal to people who read fantasy books. I'm so happy to see this back in print.
Rating:
Summary: A Forgotten Treasure
Review: This is one of the books I share with people I really like. It very nearly defies description. The closest I can come is to say that I know magic when I see it, and this is magic. Mayland Long is an enigmatic oriental gentleman who just might be the human incarnation of a Chinese Dragon. Martha MacNamara is a fiftyish woman who plays fiddle in an Irish jig band, and she just may be the Zen master that Mayland Long has been waiting for. Together, they unravel a mystery that makes San Francisco of the nineteen-eighties seem as sinister and magical as any land ever depicted in a fantasy novel. Tea With the Black Dragon was written twenty years ago, so the computer technology is severely dated, but that doesn't really detract from the story. If you're anything like me, you'll be so swept up in this book that you won't notice anyway.
Jeff Edwards, author of "Torpedo: A Surface Warfare Thriller"
Rating:
Summary: Captivating, warm, literate; a spry and nimble wit
Review: This was the first book by Roberta MacAvoy I read. I was charmed! She is one of the few authors that have sent me to bookstores to find the rest of their works. Her stories (esp of Ireland/Connemarra), are so true to character and setting that easily accept the fantasy elements she introduces. Somehow she makes you see the mystery and wonder of everyday life. I wish there were more.
Rating:
Summary: This is an absolutely engrossing book
Review: Well, after seeing how the average rating of a book can be draggged down by one bad review, I decided I'd better do my part to bring it up again. There have been a very few books I've ever read that were just so engrossing that I began reading and didn't come up for air until I was done. I found the characters very engaging, and was very impressed with how well MacAvoy pulled off a book in a genre most people don't even know exist: magic realism. In this case, it's a fantasy that isn't set in a fantasy world. You don't see too many of those, let alone done so well.
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