A solid conclusion to a solid trilogy. As with the other two books, this sits firmly on the border of lyrical prose that is *almost* too purply for meA solid conclusion to a solid trilogy. As with the other two books, this sits firmly on the border of lyrical prose that is *almost* too purply for me to read. But the 'almost' is a key word. It was slow going sometimes because the writing is very poetic, but the central mysteries of the plot pulled me along, and I enjoyed most of the time I spent with the various characters. By this point in the trilogy, I also have a better sense of what's going on, and I've been able to keep track of (most of) the sprawling cast.
The biggest downer for me was the fact that we are entirely in Morgon's head for this book, even when Morgon isn't doing anything. After the second book treating us to Raederle's POV, I think I would've enjoyed this book better if it had been split between the POV of the two characters.
I feel like this trilogy would be worth a re-read sometime in the future. It's got a lot going on, both from a story and philosophical perspective, and would be worth reading it again, to explore what lies hidden beneath the surface....more
A solid middle entry in this trilogy. It gender-flips the traditional hero quest; after the destined hero Morgon goes missing at the end of the first A solid middle entry in this trilogy. It gender-flips the traditional hero quest; after the destined hero Morgon goes missing at the end of the first book, an adventuring party consisting of his little sister, his fiance, and a warrior princess who'd vowed to protect him (accompanied by her own party of female warriors) goes on a quest to track him down and try to unravel the mystery that is shaking up their land.
I'm discovering that McKillip's books vary in how gracefully the lyrical language is handled. Moon-Flash is still my favorite book by her, but while the Riddle-Master trilogy is not quite to that level, occasionally dipping into language too abstract or purple, it's solid and graceful writing for the most part. I've been enjoying them, the world she's been unveiling and the characters I've been traveling with. Definitely looking forward to picking up the last book!...more
This was a wonderful little anthology that I stumbled across in Rickert & Beagle Books. Picking it up after finishing the "Stories" anthology edited bThis was a wonderful little anthology that I stumbled across in Rickert & Beagle Books. Picking it up after finishing the "Stories" anthology edited by Neil Gaiman & Al Sarrantonio, I was struck by how much comparative breadth this collection had. Whereas "Stories" stuck mostly to a particular tone and type of story, "Elsewheres" is a mix of all types of fantasy! Short fables, humorous pieces, richly-textured sword & sorcery, early urban fantasy, dreamlike magical realism, pieces from Latin American and African writers, even poems. Some of them were contemporary pieces from when the anthology came out (in 1984), but a few of them were older works. It really captured the sheer variety and scope of the fantasy genre as a whole.
Particular favorites were Angela Carter's "The Lady of the House of Love" and Patricia McKillip's "A Matter of Music" novella, which finished off the collection. As I've said in other reviews, McKillip's style is usually a hit or miss with me, but this one was definitely a hit....more
Oh man, this book ended on such a gut-punch cliffhanger! Welp, gonna have to pick up the other books...
I enjoyed this. I had a lot of sympathy for MorOh man, this book ended on such a gut-punch cliffhanger! Welp, gonna have to pick up the other books...
I enjoyed this. I had a lot of sympathy for Morgon as a reluctant hero, being dragged literally by the scruff of his neck to a destiny he didn't ask for. The writing was lyrical and not as overwrought as, say, the Bards of Bone Plain....more
I think of this book as falling on the high end of 3 out of 5 stars. Its lyrical prose style was not as effortless and graceful as Moon-Flash (anotherI think of this book as falling on the high end of 3 out of 5 stars. Its lyrical prose style was not as effortless and graceful as Moon-Flash (another McKillip book), and in fact the writing here often felt like it was trying too hard to be poetic. The end result was prose that edged into purple territory, especially at the beginning. That seemed to taper off as the story progressed, but it was still only about halfway through that the writing started getting out of its own way and I felt really engaged by the story.
I really loved the characters, though. They were all very well fleshed out and I enjoyed spending time with them. Some of the best moments this book gave me, in fact, were in the natural interactions between characters, and not so much the lyrical descriptions....more
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