Rating: 
Summary: This new author shows definate promise.
Review: A story of government intrigue follows a young woman as she proceeds to save the kingdom and discover herself at the same time. Kerr creates a stuning new world as the background for this lovely book. This is a must read! You will hear more about this author!
Rating:
Summary: Original, delightful, and complete!
Review: Actually, all of those things (original, delightful, and complete) have been said by other reviewers, but they're the three qualities I admired the most. This book is lighthearted without being cutesy and saccharine as so many fantasies are, and yet it has some very serious, thoughtful issues and real characterization (magic, for example, is based on a system that's kind of like reading Virginia Woolf's theories about how certain qualities are rigidly set by society as masculine and feminine and how they have to interact to form complete individuals or artists) I don't agree that the writing of this book is like Patricia Wrede's, or Barbara Hambly's, or Anne McCaffrey's, or like the writing of anyone else in particular (well, okay, maybe Martha Wells at her best). Kerr shows a wonderful blend of wisdom, emotional maturity, and craftsmanship that I think deserves to stand on its own. I'm looking forward to buying and reading Wild Swans.
Rating:
Summary: Delightful fantasy
Review: Emerald House Rising is a delightful and original work of fantasy. All the characters are "just right". Their dialogue and interaction is believable. The story moves along briskly and comes to a satisfying conclusion. Peg Kerr's writing and style reminds me of Patricia Wrede and Robin McKinley. I'll certainly buy any future books she writes (and hopefully she'll make some more that are set in this interesting world).
Rating: 
Summary: Bright new talent emerges!
Review: Emerald House Rising is a new book by a brand new author. The book was very enjoyable. Though Kerr is obviously a first-time novelist, she does a wonderful job of entertaining. Her world is complex and intriguing. I look forward to her next novel, especially if it is in the same universe
Rating:
Summary: Brillantly Cut!! Truly has 57 diffrent facets
Review: I absolutely LOVED this book. It is a perfect fantasy. All it lacks is a dragon or two to round it off, but I, not being the brillant author that Peg Kerr is, can't find a place to put them. You have wizards, magicains, tradesmen, Lords, Ladies, the wonderful mystery, suprizing detail, the art of the jeweler (I am a metalsmith, myself), and Magic in all of its facets. I look forward to more books like this one.Thank you for your time.
Rating:
Summary: One of the Best books ever!
Review: I loved Emerald house rising, so much in fact, it started me as a gemcutter (I'm glad for all that geometry now!) It was fun, not trite, but beautiful and sweet. Better than most of those books dubbed 'classics', Emerald House Rising gives a complete view of a different world. Worthy of Richard Adam's caliber. I only wish I oculd talk to Peg Kerr sometime, it was so good!
Rating:
Summary: Something different..
Review: I picked up this book at a college book store about 5 years ago. What amazed me was the unique way Ms. Kerr looks at magic, and to be honest, government. A government whose noble houses are named for precious gemstones, completely against magic, yet gemstones link magic together. The "whodunit" element is there, as Jena, the protagonist, has to overcome a very patriarchal, magic-condemning society to rescue her partner.I was caught up in the vivid descriptions of the characters, and the settings positively shine. You can almost see the small room Jena lives in for a time, or the vivid colors of the Diadem (ruling body).. truly a must have book.
Rating:
Summary: Something different..
Review: I picked up this book at a college book store about 5 years ago. What amazed me was the unique way Ms. Kerr looks at magic, and to be honest, government. A government whose noble houses are named for precious gemstones, completely against magic, yet gemstones link magic together. The "whodunit" element is there, as Jena, the protagonist, has to overcome a very patriarchal, magic-condemning society to rescue her partner. I was caught up in the vivid descriptions of the characters, and the settings positively shine. You can almost see the small room Jena lives in for a time, or the vivid colors of the Diadem (ruling body).. truly a must have book.
Rating:
Summary: Emerald House Rising brings out new facets in Fantasy
Review: If you thought that you knew everything about magicians, wizards, or magic gemstones -- think again. In this tantalizing first novel by Peg Kerr, you will enjoy fantasy at its best will all of the magic, intrigue, and character complexity worthy of any reader's perusal. This one will be following quickly in the footsteps of McCaffrey and Eddings. Don't wait to find out. You will NOT be disappointed
Rating:
Summary: A unique fantasy government and an engaging heroine
Review: Jena Gemcutter thinks she knows what she wants out of life--to marry Bram Tailor, to become a master gemcutter, to make her father happy. Then she meets a stranger with a ring only she can see, and strange things start happening. She learns she can do magic. She has strange visions and dizzy spells. She discovers she feels trapped in her life. And suddenly only someone who can use magic--someone like Jena--can save the entire Diadem from treachery. Kerr's detailed world provides a strong backbone for this exciting fantasy. The kingdom is ruled by the Diamond, whose council (the Diadem) is made up of six other noble houses. Every year, the Diadem house which holds Heirship for the Diamond rotates. This year it is Ruby, but next year it will be Topaz. I've never seen a government system like this in all the fantasy novels I've read, and I found it to be a refreshingly different system. Jena and Kestrienne are easily the most engaging characters in this book. Jena is the viewpoint character, and it's exciting to watch her discover who she really is and what she really wants. Kestrienne becomes Jena's mentor, as a noble lady who is also an adept. Lord Morgon is an interesting character, though he really doesn't get the development he deserves. Lady Vianne is another exceptional character, a woman of poise, character, and personality. Kerr gives lavish attention to descriptions, but at times the narrative skips days or weeks at a time -- this gave me slight pause, but all-in-all, I found the book to be entirely satisfactory. I only wish there were a sequel!
|
