book 3 of 4 for the Once Upon a Time II Challenge
I just finished this book in one great gulp over the last 24 hours (in between the minding of my three children, two nieces, making a batch of cookies and some home made pizza etc etc). It was fantastic. McKinley is a master of fantasy writing - the characters never felt forced, I believed in her magic and the world she created for me. Harry is an exceptional heroine - I always love following the path of a predestined heroine, watching them learn and grow into their strengths. She was an interesting mix of characteristics from the two worlds she bridged between and the climax (don't want to spoil it for you) seemed to fit her ability to fill in the spaces between two diverse peoples. I was glad I had already read The Hero and the Crown, so the history of this world was familiar territory to me.
The romance was sufficient to keep it interesting - I always need a little romance in my fantasy books. The battle scenes were engaging and purposeful but not too long (the battle scenes are probably my least favorite part) and the ending gave me enough after-story that I didn't feel shut out or dying to know more. It left me completely full and thrilled with the ride.
3 comments:
You are certainly not alone in wanting romance in your fantasy books. By and large I prefer to have a little romance in whatever genre of fiction I am reading. Guess I'm just a sap that way. I haven't see this cover for this book but I really like it. I hope to read some McKinley sometime soon so that I can get rid of my 'haven't read Robin McKinley' stigma! :) This sounds like a wonderful place to start.
I keep hearing about this everywhere! it seems to be a classic and I didn't know it! But know that I own it it's only a matter of time till I read, and I expect it's going to be great!
This was my first McKinley book and I loved it. I just finished "Beauty" and have "The Hero and the Crown" and several others on the shelf. Her books are just so much fun to read. Thanks for your review.
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