Summers at Castle Auburn

Rating:
Summary: An Exellent Feel Good Book
Review: Shinn wonderfully combines an almost-romance with a number of complicated sub-plots in this book. It starts out with Corie, the illegitimate daughter of a noble, visitng Castle Auburn, home of her sister Elisandra. Corie, along with nearly all the girls in the kindgdom, is infatuated with her sister's betrothed, Prince Bryan...who is in reality an obnoxious, self-centered, spoiled teenager who cares little for others and for the world around him. It's frustrating, yet so realistic, how Corie can't seem to see the his bad qualities through the gleam of his splendour. As Corie grows, her eyes are "opened" to both Bryan's personality, as well as numerous plots being made within the castle walls. Corie finds herself struggling with her two identities - a noble lady of good lineage, despite her illegitimacy, and the apprentice to the wise woman of a small town. Corie's ways with herbs and medicines help her not only aid others, but also give her the opportunities make new friends, no matter how unlikely they seem. For the first time, Corie begins to doubt others and their actions. A constant argument she has within herself concerns the enslavement of the aliora; fey, man-like creatures who live in their own magical land but have been captured and sold for high prices. They are always wanted due to their magic and ability to send a feeling of calm to almost anyone.
Corie, however, does not appear to be the usual female heroin...you know, the one who learns how to fight and stands up for herseslf and proves to the world that she is equal to any man. No, instead, Corie is the type of heroin who influences others, whether its through her friendship, advice, or actions. While she does do things her own way and cares little for what others, especially nobles, think, she does not go out of her way to prove herself equal, which is a reliefe from the normal fantasy books of this sort.
This is an amazing fantasy book. The story is so enveloping, and the ending so satisfying, the second you finish reading it, you feel the urge to pick it up and start from the beginning again. The more times you read it, the more you begin to see all the different subtle hints that lead to the conclusion at the end. You will never get bored of it.

Rating:
Summary: Gentle romantic fantasy
Review: Shinn moves no mountains with this tale; don't expect an exotically original setting, as her science fiction novels tend toward, or even especially nontraditional characters. Coriel, the protagonist, is the illegitimate child of a nobleman, and consequently is always seeking a firm foothold in both the court (where she spends her summers) and her village. Shinn no doubt knows that the latter would hold little interest--even though it is there that Coriel has an active role as healer and herbalist--and the story concentrates on Coriel's life with the nobility.

She begins as a girl on a hunt for fey-like creatures: aliora, who are utterly benign even when captured and forced to serve humans. Although the tragedy of their slavery is addressed, it is the men with whom she rides that _Summers at Castle Auburn_ is truly about. She adores Prince Bryan, although he is betrothed to her beloved half-sister, but comes to realize ugly truths about him later on. But her relationships with Kent, the son of the regent, and Roderick, a guardsman, only grow with time.

The story moves fairly predictably toward a satisfactory but uninspiring happy ending. At heart, this book is a court romance, and those who need something more, like the mystery in _Wrapt in Crystal_ or the world-shaking tensions of the Samaria trilogy probably shouldn't seek this one out. It is, however, more complex than _The Shape-changer's Wife_.

Shinn captures the voice of Coriel both as a girl and a woman with her usual deft writing, which is this book's strongest recommendation. I did enjoy reading the rich prose, but those expecting the depth of her other books may be somewhat disappointed. Pick it up in a serene mood, and you'll end in the same.

Rating:
Summary: A treat
Review: I picked up this book because I like Ms. Shinn's Samaria series so much, and I was not disappointed. This book is delightful. Another reviewer said it was fluff, and better suited for a thirteen year old niece. Well, I'm twenty and my sister is eighteen and we both thoroughly enjoyed it. This story perhaps lacks the scope of some of Ms. Shinn's novels, but it is thoroughly entertaining and I would definitely recommend it!

Rating:
Summary: Lighten up, people!
Review: An adult fairy-tale is hard to come by, but Sharon Shinn manages a beautiful one in rare style. It's hard to find the collection of magic, castles, princes and princesses, alongside a hard-hitting plot and strong characters; however, this book fulfils them.

Coriel is the ... daughter of a nobleman and a wise woman (who seduced him with magic) who spends nine months out of every year with her healer grandmother, learning how to be a wise woman as well. But every summer she travels to beautiful Castle Auburn, to be with her uncle Jaxom and lovely half-sister Elisandra. She rapidly falls in crush with the handsome Prince Bryan, unable to yet see what a self-absorbed bratling he is.

A few years pass, and as Cory ages and matures, she sees that all is not sweet and peaceful at Castle Auburn. The elven aliora (who are sweet, gentle, kind, etc) are enslaved by the noblemen as servants, tied to the human world rather than their unspeakably beautiful otherworld. And Bryan is not the wonderful prince she was infatuated with — he is cruel, irresponsible, narcissistic, arrogant, and sires at least one illegitimate baby over the course of the book.

Surrounding Bryan are more mature noblemen who don't want to be ruled by a brat prince, but are not ready to do anything. Jaxom takes sudden and unexpected actions. Elisandra must choose between happiness and duty, and Cory must consult her heart and morals after Bryan takes horrifying action against an aliora servant. Love, death, treachery and political intrigue lace the beautiful prose and entrancing background of "Castle Auburn."

I liked Coriel. Rarely do books have genuinely human heroines, and her overwrought teen thoughts (such as her melodramatic statement when Bryan kisses her forehead) are in tune with infatuation. However, I felt her awakening to the aliora's plight was a bit too quick, and her siding with them a bit too complete (her willingness to see Jaxom as a monster, etc). I wish Jaxom had been a bit more explored, given the mysterious actions going on. Elisandra's rigid road of duty -- and the results -- were pretty emotionally jerky but made sense later on.

Though billed as an adult fantasy, this is perfectly all right to let a teen read. There is some tasteful discussion of sex (in terms of illegitimate offspring and a wedding), not much violence, and no profanity worse than "damn." There is some talk of suicide/murder and moral debates on enslavement, however.

Nevertheless, flaws or not, this book has a magical atmosphere that is worthy of an aliora.

Rating:
Summary: Love it Love it Love it!!!
Review: Wow, is all I can say. Royal doesn't do it justice. Beautiful doesn't describe it. Read this, you won't regret it.

Rating:
Summary: I picked this up on a whim in the middle-school readers
Review: section of the library (I think it was misfiled - it's definitely more 'young adult') and at first I kind of rolled my eyes at it's cheesiness but pretty soon I was engrossed, and I loved it!! It was really a perfect fairy tale, and I'm sad to be finished with it. It had a very satisfying ending though. I'm really happy because it's one of those cases where the main character finally thinks the way you always tell yourself you'd think in these kinds of books, instead of being infuriating. It reminded me of the movie 'Pirates of the Caribbean' (which I loved!), in that it's schmaltzy and predictable but has all the romance and adventure you could want.

Rating:
Summary: A great first impression
Review: This book made an awsome first impression on me. It was the first book by Sharon Shin i had read and i loved it

There was suspense but only a minute part of it was mystery. I'm one of those people who by the 2nd page is trying to predict what will happen in the end. and at first i thought it was going to really easy and predictable. NOTHING happened the way i thought it would and NOTHING was what it originaly seemed.

A great book for anyone who loves fantasy. i found sharon shinn's writting was a lot like Robin McKinley and Tamora Pierce so if you like them this is the book for you@

Rating:
Summary: Magic and suspense around every turn
Review: This was the first book I've read by Sharon Shinn, and it was fantastic! At first you begin to loath Corie for swooning and "sucking up" to the Prince. Every time Kent snaps at him, you feel like whooping with joy =D The book is filled with curiousity, sadness, and just plain suspense. No, it's not like those horror novels that people go mad about; it's more of a suspenseful fantasy. Of course, after Kent's prosposal to Elisandra, I certainly felt like killing him...but it all turns out well in the end, and is enjoyable for all fantasy-lovers.

Also, if you enjoy this book, others I would recommend would be "Crown Duel" and "Court Duel" by Sherwood Smith. Both of the author's writing styles are quite similar, and perhaps you'll enjoy those two just as much as "Summers at Castle Auburn".

Rating:
Summary: When your living in a fairy tale
Review: I can't point out all the things that makes this book good, it's a package kind of deal. However, if you like clear cut villans and heroes, grand adventures and quests - then this book is not for you. Summers at Castle Auburn is a realistic fantasy world where the main character, Corie, grows up yet has an interesting ability to be in the middle of things. If you are still interested but find the back of the book not enought to make you read on, take a chance - you won't regret it.

Corie, or Lady Coriel, is a character with flaws. She's proud, head-strong, and thinks she knows everything. Yet she is lovabley in her independence. She finds herself in a position that allows her to visit her beloved half-sister, Elisandra, for part of the year and live like a noble. Naïve, she enjoys her time at Castle Auburn and feels secure in her place there. Her only worries consist of her "nanny" Greta, Elisandra's mother, and her rival apprentice in her home village. Any other troubles are eased away in the care of the mysterious Alora - servants to any who can afford them. She even enjoys a crush on the prince and heir, Bryn.

But people grow, and childlike perceptions fall away revealing what has always been there for anyone with eyes to see. In a fit of self-discovery she tries to come to terms with this new world.

Rating:
Summary: An Excellent Read!
Review: This is a non-complicated fantasy and a sweet romance rolled in one. This is one of those stories that aren't corny AT ALL. In fact, this is one of those books where it isn't like, "she had never felt so deeply, superbly in love before." Instead of love at first sight like most books, it gives time for the characters to know each other. The heroine herself is just so sweet and caring that you can't help but care about what happens to her. However, she's not perfect which makes her that much more realistic.

As much as I hate to admit it, the heroine is a bit ignorant. Since it's written in a first person point of view, everything is so much more mysterious (ex. you don't even know who she's gonna end up with until the end) Also, there are other subplots like the comforting aliora, who are enslaved against their will. And to spice things up, the main character is a bastard child who knows about herbs, potions, etc.

With a cast of rich characters, you can't help but get immersed into Corie's (the protagonist) world. However, I think of this more of a YA book than an adult one. Oh well, still doesn't disrrupt the fact that this is a book to read and re-read. A MUST read...