Rating: 
Summary: An Enrichment of the Fantasy Genre
Review: Cherryh now ranks with Emma Bull as a person with unique and wildly beautiful insight into the fey realm. The Dreaming Tree is a duology of two epic books that span four generations of men and their dealings with the Fair Folk. The pages are haunted with longing for another world, filled with tension and twistings, and, like all of Cherryh's works, show an understanding of men and of history that can only come from long, loving study. The reader may have some problems with the Celtic, Old English, and Welsh words that enrich this volume, but an appendix is provided with pronounciations and explanations for some of the lesser-known beings and places. I, of course, was most delighted that Cherryh included a pooka in her repertoire of fey things, though confused at her choice of spelling, as there are more arcane modes.Five-starred is my review, and The Dreaming Tree has been included in my top ten list. I withdraw from writing a more detailed review, as I insist to all who happen upon this writing to read it for themselves.
Rating: 
Summary: Fairy tale like...
Review: Composed of 2 books, _the Dreamstone_ and the _Tree of Sword and Jewels_ this book has undergone multiple incarnations. Done in a tone similar to McKillips' _Forgotten Beasts of Eld_ the story has a certain richness that is perfectly contained in two volumes. The characters probably could have used more detailed development but that is a minor quibble. It is definitely NOT for those who like fast pacing and detailed descriptions of battle so, the traditional sword and sorcery junkie will be left dissatisfied. On the other hand, for those who like a little more depth to their fantasy suffused with a certain melancholy then this book is for you. I read this book when I was much younger and found it a bit slow, but after some time have picked it back up and now can appreciate it better. It is slow but worth the read nonetheless. Besides, how can one resist a book where Death is an actual character with his own motives and affections? Anyway, if you are into slow melancholy toned Celtic fantasy than this is for you. Otherwise, you maybe disappointed in this work in which wizards, gory battle scenes and ludicrous love moments are absent.
Rating:
Summary: Fairy tale like...
Review: Composed of 2 books, _the Dreamstone_ and the _Tree of Sword and Jewels_ this book has undergone multiple incarnations. Done in a tone similar to McKillips' _Forgotten Beasts of Eld_ the story has a certain richness that is perfectly contained in two volumes. The characters probably could have used more detailed development but that is a minor quibble. It is definitely NOT for those who like fast pacing and detailed descriptions of battle so, the traditional sword and sorcery junkie will be left dissatisfied. On the other hand, for those who like a little more depth to their fantasy suffused with a certain melancholy then this book is for you. I read this book when I was much younger and found it a bit slow, but after some time have picked it back up and now can appreciate it better. It is slow but worth the read nonetheless. Besides, how can one resist a book where Death is an actual character with his own motives and affections? Anyway, if you are into slow melancholy toned Celtic fantasy than this is for you. Otherwise, you maybe disappointed in this work in which wizards, gory battle scenes and ludicrous love moments are absent.
Rating:
Summary: One of my top 5 fantasy books of all time
Review: Don't let someone's negative review from New Jersey put you off. If you're into anything Celtic, she has done her homework. One of the most convincing books I have ever read dealing with "the Otherworld" and its inhabitants. Finally an author who knows that elves are more than humans with long, blonde hair and pointy ears! Magnificent read. I felt like I was literally walking through the pages with Arafel and the characters. If there is an author who deals with the faery realm more convincingly than Cherryh, I don't know who it would be. If you're looking for fast-action fantasy fluff, you'll probably only make it half-way through this book. If, however, you can cope with looking up a few terms in the glossary, you'll love it. It has a richness to it that only comes from research into the mythological memories of our past. She says more in one chapter than Robert Jordan can convey in 3, 1,000 page books!! Loved it!
Rating:
Summary: a dream or was it a book ?
Review: Great story. Have "The Dreamstone" with me every where I go. Better still, I have a "dreamstone". Anyway, 't his a fabo book if you're into it. Well written, well build up - rare for "weird tales". The best since "Lord of the Ring". Sherry is good but tend to fall in to repetition, the final "Dreamstone" hasn't been written - yet. Read "The Dreamstone" in it's first edition, the "Tree of swords" - get carried away in a world that's new - or the one theat you know. 5 + *
Rating:
Summary: a dream or was it a book ?
Review: Great story. Have "The Dreamstone" with me every where I go. Better still, I have a "dreamstone". Anyway, 't his a fabo book if you're into it. Well written, well build up - rare for "weird tales". The best since "Lord of the Ring". Sherry is good but tend to fall in to repetition, the final "Dreamstone" hasn't been written - yet. Read "The Dreamstone" in it's first edition, the "Tree of swords" - get carried away in a world that's new - or the one theat you know. 5 + *
Rating:
Summary: the best(est) fairy tale ever !
Review: I bought this book 15 years ago or so and there's hardly a day that passes without me thinking about it. It's such a beautifull story, so well written, it wraps you up and never let you go again. Haunting ? yes, in a good sence.
Rating:
Summary: A haunting piece of well-researched fantasy...
Review: I read these two books years ago when I was in middle-school. It entranced me, and though I forgot it for some time, the story popped into my head the other day and I've located it. The legends and myth-lore it contains are equally as captivating as the story. I am thrilled to have remembered Arafel!
Rating:
Summary: great book!
Review: I read this book many years ago. I am glad to see it in reprint as I will be ordering this one to keep. It concerns the last of the Sidhe and her stuggle to hold her own against man. It will make you cry.
Rating: 
Summary: Not what I thought
Review: I will be the first reviewer here to give a negative review of this book. The words 'classic' on the cover misled me and my expecations were probably too high. I had a very tough time with this book, I only finished the first half before giving up on the book. The characters were not very convincing and I simply did not care about them or thier plight. Cherryh has a respectable reputation; however, I felt the book did not live up to the reputation and I was very disappointed in this book. This was the first book by Cherryh that I read, but I will try some of her other books. Don't judge this book by its cover--the cover is great, but the words inside are far less than that (IMHO).
| 
