Rating: 
Summary: I'm Glad to say I'm Beating Myself Up
Review: For years, now, I have refused to read this book. I would have read anything by McKillip, one of my favorite authors, except this book. I thought the idea was silly, and unoriginal. Not ot mention I loathe books with babies and/or young children in them, for various reasons. I was, and still am, tired of the "talking animals which are under command of a man/usually strong female" idea. But, on a whim, I saw one copy in a bookstore, so I picked it up.
Boy was I wrong. From the very first chapter, I couldn't put it down. I should have known-it's McKillip. Nothing I've read by her has been anything less than exceptional, and almost incomparable, in a sense. The Forgotten Beasts of Eld is no different. And, to my surprise, I came to really like the character of Tam, the young boy, which SYbel the cold but very likeable protagonist. Those two, plus Coren, Drede, and Maelga make up the list of the main characters-who are all believable, and very fleshed out.
The story flows along quite nicely, however unpredictable it may be. McKillip deals with the talking animals in a way that wasn't annoying, or cliche, either. I came to really like them-Gyld the dragon, Moriah the cat, and Gules Lyon the..lion especially.
If you ever had any doubts about buying this book, let me tell you-get over them, and read. I put it off for much too long. Don't make the same mistake. You can clearly see why this woman won the World Fantasy Award.
Rating:
Summary: Great book!
Review: Patricia McKillip is in many ways a wonderful author and every bit as good as recent bestselling authors like Robert Stanek and JK Rowling. If you are intrigued by mystical and magical books this book is for you. In this wonderful book 16-year old Sybel must return to the world of men and care for a strangers baby.
Rating:
Summary: Favorite book
Review: I first read this book over twenty years ago and have pretty much read it once a year since then. It's a gorgeous book with well rounded characters that you can actually believe. I also love that you can sympathize even with the bad guy - you don't like him, but you do sympathize with him. I have several copies of this book and loan it out quite a bit...everyone I've ever loaned it to has loved it. It's well worth reading.
Rating:
Summary: Rock Out
Review: This novel is great, because it has a protagonist who isn't always honest, or pure, or even nice. It's refreshing, and great, because Sybel is someone who, even with so many faults, eventually figures out that what's important in life is what's unselfish, and ultimately decides to live that way. What a message for all of us to follow! I like the way McKillip writes, how she can reveal and describe so much with only a few words. Stream of consciousness elements work really well in this novel too. She manages to bring you into the depths of the characters' souls, which is helpful because most of the characters are animals :). Anyway, very enjoyable book, touching and thought-provoking. I highly recommend.
Rating: 
Summary: A book like Key Lime Pie.
Review: I loved the book. I enjoyed the tantalyzing peeks I got inside the animal minds the most. I have probably loaned or given away 2 dozen copies to friends. Those who read it enjoyed it. My take on the theme of the book is that revenge leads to hate, which damages the souls ability to be fearless. Hate seems to lead to other evils as well such as dishonesty. I would recommend reading this book whenever you have a taste for something light and sweet.
Rating:
Summary: Lyrically beautiful
Review: Not truly a "coming of age" story, but it has a similar type of theme. A woman who becomes more than she was. McKillip writes with a near-lyric quality. Truly an enjoyable book.
|
