MINERVA WAKES

Rating:
Summary: Very enjoyable, if a trifle formulaic
Review: Anyone who has ever felt himself drowning in all the mundane details of life can appreciate the dilemma the Kiakras face in "Minerva Wakes." They used to dream of artistic success--Darryl as a playwright, Minerva as a painter--but what with one thing and another, they've slowly let those dreams fade away. What they do not know is that the fate of another world is magically linked to those dreams, and that world is slowly dying...and some of its denizens would like to hasten its (and/or their) demise.

The story is a bit formulaic: magical kingdom put at risk, family members kidnapped, the Chosen One(s) must fight the evil demon to rescue their loved ones and Put Things Right. However, in a wryly humorous twist on on the formula, the Chosen Ones are _not_ the children who, due to their innocence and lack of adult cynicism, have little trouble Believing in the fantasy world--it's the world-weary _parents_ who must rescue the children, this time.

"Minerva Wakes" is good wish-fulfilment reading for anyone who despairs of having grown up into a world of unrelenting stress on the job, stress providing for the family, stress keeping a relationship together, and so forth, and wishes he could just leave it all behind and escape to a world where dreams really do come true. While this is not the best-written book I have ever read, the wry sense of humor with which Holly Lisle takes on everyday life makes it an amusing, whimsical, and all-in-all worthwhile read.

Rating:
Summary: Woo-hoo
Review: I absolutly love this book. I don't actually own it but I've borrowed it from the library 5 times and I really want to own it. I love the adventure, the style, the whole atmosphere of it. It's one of my favorite books. So, this isn't really a review but I just wanted to say how much I love this book.

Rating:
Summary: I enjoyed it. It's a create new concept to dimension travel
Review: I enjoyed the book. I found the story interesting and fun to read. It's a story about an average couple who got stuck in a runt in life doing what was expected and never reached out for more for fear of failing. they never lived up to protentials until their children were kidnap by monsters and they had to learn about the power they process through the magic wedding rings in order to save their children. I'm sure i don't explain very adequately. but i think it's a good story =)

Rating:
Summary: Never Mess With a Mommy!
Review: Minerva and Darryl Kiakra seem like typical hardworking parents. They've had to cut corners on their dreams to afford a house and three kids. They've out grown their youthful daydreams and become cynical in their day-to-day lives. They certainly don't believe in other worlds, legendary creatures or magic rings. But whether they believe in them or not, these things are about to slam into their lives-big time. Suddenly, their kids are stolen away to another world, Minerva is stuck in an alternate dimension, Darryl is stuck with a beer drinking dragon and both the bad guys and the good guys are out to get them. Trouble? You bet!

This whimsical, engaging romp is one of my favorite tales by Holly Lisle. Both Minerva and Darryl are appealing characters that readers can identify with and root for. There is enough humor woven in to keep this story from taking itself too seriously, and to allow the characters to remain human and endearing. Ms. Lisle's strength is really in her characters. In all her stories she manages to create people to care about and want to know more about. Without that characterization and sense of humor, this tale would be fairly pedestrian and forgettable. The basic plot elements are familiar-mystical rings, dragons, worlds in jeopardy, a reluctant hero and heroine-but Ms. Lisle manages to keep her tone fresh and compelling despite the clichéd fantasy themes. The secondary characters of the three Kiakra children and Birkwelch, the off-color ditty-singing dragon, help to round out the cast and keep the adults from taking themselves too seriously. Birkwelch is perhaps my favorite creation in this story. He's lewd and sings off-key, but he's also the best ally that the Kiakras have in their fight to save their children and themselves.

For those readers who prefer darker fantasy, this might not be your cup of tea. It's a great book for a reader to cuddle up with for a light, entertaining fantasy read. This isn't epic drama, and isn't intended to be. My main complaint with the story, and the reason I can't give it five stars, is the ending. The conclusion wraps up a little too neatly and easily, with a little too much wish fulfillment going on for me to be comfortable. I'm as in favor of a happy ending as the next reader, but I would have preferred something slightly more serious. Still, for light reading its something I certainly recommend. If you enjoy this, you might want to try SYMPATHY FOR THE DEVIL by Holly Lisle.

Happy Reading! Shanshad ^_^

Rating:
Summary: Never Mess With a Mommy!
Review: Minerva and Darryl Kiakra seem like typical hardworking parents. They've had to cut corners on their dreams to afford a house and three kids. They've out grown their youthful daydreams and become cynical in their day-to-day lives. They certainly don't believe in other worlds, legendary creatures or magic rings. But whether they believe in them or not, these things are about to slam into their lives-big time. Suddenly, their kids are stolen away to another world, Minerva is stuck in an alternate dimension, Darryl is stuck with a beer drinking dragon and both the bad guys and the good guys are out to get them. Trouble? You bet!

This whimsical, engaging romp is one of my favorite tales by Holly Lisle. Both Minerva and Darryl are appealing characters that readers can identify with and root for. There is enough humor woven in to keep this story from taking itself too seriously, and to allow the characters to remain human and endearing. Ms. Lisle's strength is really in her characters. In all her stories she manages to create people to care about and want to know more about. Without that characterization and sense of humor, this tale would be fairly pedestrian and forgettable. The basic plot elements are familiar-mystical rings, dragons, worlds in jeopardy, a reluctant hero and heroine-but Ms. Lisle manages to keep her tone fresh and compelling despite the clichéd fantasy themes. The secondary characters of the three Kiakra children and Birkwelch, the off-color ditty-singing dragon, help to round out the cast and keep the adults from taking themselves too seriously. Birkwelch is perhaps my favorite creation in this story. He's lewd and sings off-key, but he's also the best ally that the Kiakras have in their fight to save their children and themselves.

For those readers who prefer darker fantasy, this might not be your cup of tea. It's a great book for a reader to cuddle up with for a light, entertaining fantasy read. This isn't epic drama, and isn't intended to be. My main complaint with the story, and the reason I can't give it five stars, is the ending. The conclusion wraps up a little too neatly and easily, with a little too much wish fulfillment going on for me to be comfortable. I'm as in favor of a happy ending as the next reader, but I would have preferred something slightly more serious. Still, for light reading its something I certainly recommend. If you enjoy this, you might want to try SYMPATHY FOR THE DEVIL by Holly Lisle.

Happy Reading! Shanshad ^_^

Rating:
Summary: Humor, and an unusual solutions to the frustrations in life.
Review: Minerva has several problems,Dragons stealing her wheaties, Magic rings, grocery carts with flame throwers and wierds stealing her children to name only a few. Holly Lisle's sense of humor is one that any one who ever went to a grocery store can enjoy. Just rememberthe #1 universal rule of survival.... Don't mess with the mommies

Rating:
Summary: Woo-hoo
Review: Minerva Wakes is one of Holly Lisle's best. Again the characters are memorable and well developed. Birkwlech the Dragon steals the show. I loved this book, and found myself rapidly cycling between the adventure and the humor of Minerva's quest to rescue her children and the Universe in the process. Original fantasy at its best.

Rating:
Summary: Minerva is Wonderful
Review: Minerva Wakes is one of Holly Lisle's best. Again the characters are memorable and well developed. Birkwlech the Dragon steals the show. I loved this book, and found myself rapidly cycling between the adventure and the humor of Minerva's quest to rescue her children and the Universe in the process. Original fantasy at its best.

Rating:
Summary: One of Lisle's best - mixing fantasy with modern life
Review: This is my favorite type of book - mixing modern life with magic. Minerva's life has become ordinary and then she is thrown into the middle of a magical adventure that will test her to the max. It's the kind of book that reminds me of my dreams, and that I can reach for them!

Rating:
Summary: Pleasant fantasy
Review: When Minerva and Darryl Kiakra start experiencing unconventional visions, such as a dragon stealing cereal form Minerva's grocery cart, the two apparently ordinary mortals are on a roller coaster of self-discovery. When their three children are kidnapped by the personification of chaos and destruction, it's time to shake off the blinders and realize that they have a higher destiny than writing ad copy and grocery shopping. A cheerful effort that doesn't strain the reader. Waht serious or thought-provoking content there is deals with the loss of youthful ambition and the truly dismaying process of being a responsible adult. Fun; light reading that won't change your life but will cheer up a long evening.