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Summary: Lyrical, moving, enchanting: vintage McKillip
Review: A magical, moving, and completely original story, peopled with quirkily charming characters. Unlike most fantasy novels, this isn't about wielding swords and spells to save the world, but about the power and wonder of both magic and human relationships. Peri is a likable, offbeat heroine, and the choice she makes regarding the three men who come into her life, the magician, the prince, and the sea dragon, is believable and heartwarming. All the characters, even the most minor ones, have their own lives and agendas, bringing to life the vividly imagined setting of a fishing village on the edge of enchantment. Dialogue is sometimes poetic, sometimes funny, but always well-phrased. The balance in this book between the little moments of daily life and the beauty of magic and feeling reminded me of movies like The Secret Garden and John Sayles' The Secret of Roan Inish.
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Summary: Simply wonderful. An incredibly original concept.
Review: A wonderful tale narrated in a simple, but incredibly elegant style. Wizards, princes, witches... they are all here. Classical elements in a fantasy tale displayed in very original fashion. A captivating story, as much for its marvelous simplicity and ingenuity as for the masterful writing of its author. A veritable work of art which should be read and appreciated by any true fan of fantasy literature. Patricia McKillip has given us a great piece of work in this book, such originality is hard to come by in this field nowadays. Thank you Patricia.
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Summary: Wonderful and Magical, but a little anticlimax
Review: After all the mysterious and marvelous and occasionally sad events, I thought that the end was a bit- well, I thought I missed something. So I read it over a couple of times. And I found out I had not missed anything. The ending simply left me hanging. I wanted to know more.
And the romance between the magician and Peri is a little obtuse... You only notice in the last little few chapters of the book.
Other than that, it was a marvelous book, well written. It kept me floating, and I didn't sink below the realm of fantasy into the real world a single bit. (Pardon, that was the best analogy I could think up.) It was a fantasy world that was truly a fantasy world, and the text was appropriately dreamlike. And even though it was funny, it was funny in a good kind of way, not a way that would destroy the atmospere. I will read more of her books, and a sincerely recommend this one.
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Summary: Short but Sweet
Review: Although not the longest of books, McKillip's The Changeling Sea will make a womderful addition to your bookshelf, as it has mine.
McKillip's prose is as beautiful as ever, but considerably less dreamy, and a bit more straightforward. People who aren't used to McKillip would do well to start here; it makes a great introduction to her writing.
Peri is, to say the least, likeable. I came to feel for her, and her troubles. I admire McKillip's ability to write believable, human characters. I can say this for Kir, Lyo, the woman who work at the inn, the king and the sea dragon as well. They're all loveable characters, although I liked Peri, Kir, and the sea dragon the most. Lyo would have to be the ost comedic of the characters; I'll admit I laughed out loud a few times, which helped the story.
So if you're like me, and anxiously waiting for Od Magic to come out, The Changeling Sea is definitley worthy of being read; I've got my McKillip fix for now. For newcomers, start here, and then move on to The Forgotten Beasts of Eld, Alphabet of Thorn, Ombria in Shadow....join ussss...=D
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Summary: It's GREAT
Review: Beautifuly written, extremly fascinating. A story about a girl who lose the people she loved- the sea took her fisher father,and since that day her mother is gazing at the sea, not aware that she has a 15 years old daughter. determind to have her parents back, Peri is hexing the sea with a charm she learned from a wise woman she knew- an old woman who went out one day and never came back, not long after Peri's father had gone. worth reading!
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Summary: McKillip is a master...
Review: Despite the age reccomendations on this book (9 to 12), McKillip's story is a wonderful fairy tale for any reader, as are all of her other works.
The Changling Sea is an excellent combination of fantasy and reality - the balance of hard working villagers and magical beings from another world make this story not only enchanting, but lovely in its realism.
Fans of McKillip will of course love this story. For children and adults who have never read her: this is a great place to start.
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Summary: Elegant Enchantment
Review: Evocative, spare, masterful prose. Deceptively simple, like a watercolor painting - no wasted strokes. I've come back to it dozens of times. Lovely and satisfying, a young girl's awakening to the call of mystery, enchantment, love - and to her own possibilities of power.
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Summary: Delightful !
Review: Great book for all ages ... any sci-fi fan will appreciate this
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Summary: Best One Yet!!!
Review: I've fully read 6 of McKillip's other books and this is definitely the best one yet. It was very difficult to put down, but I made myself do it, because I didn't want the story to end. The dreamlike quality of it was appropriately intoxicating, similar to Winter Rose.
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Summary: A sea-born fairy tale
Review: It's a large story for such a slim book. I found this jewel hidden in the paperback shelves, saw the cover, and brought it home. It took me to the exact kind of fantasy I wanted. It was a classic and had it all: magic, love, adventure, tragedy, and even a bit of humor. I found the characters a little distant, but I still managed to sense their emotions. Patricia McKillip turns the sea into words and love into sentences.
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