Margaret Weis & Tracy Hickman: Dragons of Autumn Twilight

Dragons of Autumn Twilight: A
Fantasy; fiction
Dragonlance Chronicles #1


Lifelong friends, they went their separate ways. Now they are together again, though each holds secrets from the others in his heart. They speak of a world shadowed with rumors of war. They speak of tales of strange monsters, creatures of myth, creatures of legend. They do not speak of their secrets. Not then. Not until a sorrowful woman, who bears a magic crystal staff, draws the companions deeper into the shadows, forever changing their lives and shaping the fate of the world. No one expected them to be heroes. Least of all, themselves.
(back cover)



It's sad that fantasy and sci-fi books have such a bad rep because I think if written well, such stories are super fun to read. Besides, I don't discriminate: if the book tells a good story, I read!

The citizens of Krynn believe that their True Gods have abandoned them and in the True Gods' place, rises the Seekers and a group of friends are out to set right all the wrongs. This includes creepy Raistlin with hour-glass shaped eyes, the noble half-elf Tanis, the silly Tas, and the grumpy but fierce dwarf, Flint.

In pursuing this journey, they struggle with questions of honor, of love, of doing the right versus the wrong.. they go up and down mountains, meet elves, fight the evil draconian and reptilian Seekers, and essentially takes you through four hundred and something pages of adventure.

Apparently, the Dragonlance Chronicles inspired 90+ books to create this magical world of dragons. I don't think I'll read all ninety books just yet, but I do plan on reading the other three in this series.

Hooray for fantastical reads!

Shannon Hale: The Goose Girl

The Goose Girl: A
Anidori-Kiladra Talianna Isilee, Crown Princess of Kildenree

In reading my second book for the Herding Cats book challenge, I chose to read The Goose Girl. Hale based Anidori’s story off of Grimm’s fairy tale of the princess who must be the goose girl before she is able to be princess.

In the land of Kilendree and Bayern, there are people who have the ability to speak to animals, nature, and/or are people-speakers (those who are really good at talking with other people). Anidori is born without knowing her true talent (“She was born with a word on her tongue, a word she could not taste…”) but she is loves and develops a close relationship with animals, able to communicate with her beloved horse, Falada.

She is an awkward girl, shy around people and is really comfortable around animals. When her father passes away and her mother sets up an arranged marriage for her with the prince of Bayern, Anidori is angry, but chooses to comply.

It’s on her journey to Bayern where there are betrayals, adventures, running-and-screaming, and action. It’s also through this journey, and the process of righting what has been turned upside down that Anidori is able to become a stronger woman, a changed person. It involves geese, trickery, stories, and some love-sighs.

I hate to be so vague, but I hate spoilers even more… and where’s the fun in reading a story where you already know the twists and turns?

I was impressed with this story and I feel like many teens would enjoy reading this fictional, fantastical twist to the original Grimm’s tale. Her characters come to life in the story and the reader is able to root on the good guys and boo the bad ones. I especially liked the ending and the way that Anidori is able to stand up for herself and finally, speak that unspoken word on her tongue.

Do give it a try – it’s a very fast, light, and enjoyable read.

Robin McKinley: Deerskin

Deerskin: B-
Lissla Lissar

Fiction

Heir to her late mother's legendary beauty, Princess Lissar becomes the victim of her grief-maddened father's desire. Fleeing her home, she seeks solace and solitude in a great forest--and discovers a magic that leads her toward healing and justice. Loosely based on "Donkeyskin," an obscure fairy tale by Charles Perrault, this story of a young woman's survival and recovery is both a classic hero's journey-tale and a parable for modern times. (amazon)

This is, by far, the most interesting read of the month and is essentially a story of a woman’s strength and the path of healing from one of the gravest hurt a woman can experience.

Lissla unfortunately inherits her mother’s famed beauty and to her horror, her father goes mad after the death of her mother. When he transfers that insanity on Lissla, she and her dog flee. It is with time and the help of the magical Lady of the Moon, the moon goddess, that she is able to recuperate.

When she travels to another kingdom, she meets Prince Ossin who shares her love of dogs. He doesn’t realize it, but he is the one who provided Lissla with her beloved dog, Ash, years before. Lissla falls in love with him when she realizes he doesn’t care about rumors, gossip, and looks, and that he genuinely respects for who she is.

Problems arise when Lissla is unable to talk to Ossin about her past…

Ms. McKinley’s writing is melodic and very lyrical, but a little superfluous. She writes in metaphors and analogies, something that I had to get accustomed to. I wouldn’t say that her writing is fabulous or that the actual happenings of the book pulls readers in; more than anything, I would say that Lissla’s journey in overcoming her pain is what compels the reader to finish the story.

If I had been able to decode Ms. McKinley’s writing style a little easier, I would have enjoyed the read much more, but because the writing style and tone of the book wasn’t my cup of tea, I give this read a B-.