Originally published in 1995 as The Merlin Chronicles, and republished in its current form in 2009, this is indeed a full-sized book of stories centering around King Arthur’s wizard Merlin. And, because Merlin is often linked to Vivian/Nimue, the Lady of the Lake, she features quite prominently in many of the stories as well. She’s […]
The Mammoth Book of Merlin – ed. Mike Ashley Read More »
Read for the 2011 YA Reading Challenge. Set just after Napoleon’s reign has come to an end, this sequel to Sorcery and Cecelia takes up where the last book left off. Cousins Kate and Cecy are now married, and along with their husbands, Thomas and James, are off to Europe for a combined honeymoon. In
The Grand Tour – Patricia C. Wrede and Caroline Stevermer Read More »
Pete was 16 when she met Jack, her older sister’s boyfriend. He could do magic, and even asked her along for help when he needed to do a particularly difficult spell. But the spell got the better of him, and he died. Or so Pete thought. Years later, Pete’s a member of the London police
Street Magic – Caitlin Kittredge Read More »
Through a Brazen Mirror takes on the familiar folk tale trope of a young woman wronged who disguises herself as a man and goes to work for the king. In this case, it’s an evil sorceress that has done the wrong – killing Elinor’s husband and baby son. And so she takes refuge at the
Through a Brazen Mirror – Delia Sherman Read More »
Read for the 2010 TBR Reading Lite Reading Challenge. This short story collection centers around dreams – either real or figurative. It’s made up of mostly fantasy stories, with a few scifi stories thrown in for good measure. My favorites included “Dreamfisher” – an interesting idea born from a throwaway comment in Herodotus’ Histories; “Marty
Perchance to Dream – ed. Denise Little Read More »
Read for the YA 2010 Reading Challenge. Arriman the Awful is the Wizard of the North, and while he thoroughly enjoys advancing the dark arts, he’s getting on in years, and realizes that he needs someone to take over from him. So, he needs a son. Which means he needs a wife. And, of course,
Which Witch? – Eva Ibbotson Read More »
Though I’m a huge fan of Mercedes Lackey’s Valdemar books, I’ve not read much of the anthologies that have come out with other authors playing around in the world of Velgarth. This is mostly driven by my having read all of the anthologies connected to Marion Zimmer Bradley’s Darkover world, which had a very uneven
Sun in Glory and other Tales of Valdemar – ed. Mercedes Lackey Read More »
Read for the LibraryThing Early Reviewers program. Sylvi is the fourth child of the king of Balsinland, a land that the humans there share with the pegasi that they found there when they discovered the country. The pegasi are fully intelligent beings with their own king and culture, but for some reason, only human magicians
Pegasus – Robin McKinley Read More »
Read for the RIP V Reading Challenge. Galina, Yakov, and Fyodor all live in Moscow, and are all broken in one way or another. For Yakov, it’s a failed marriage. For Fyodor, it’s fear – fear that has kept him living on the streets. And Galina has been hospitalized a number of times for schizophrenia.
A Secret History of Moscow – Ekaterina Sedia Read More »
Read for the RIP V Reading Challenge. Shori awakens in a cave, terribly injured, and knowing nothing of her past. Working through a haze of pain, she finds herself near a compound of buildings that was recently burned to the ground, and knows that she’s been there before. What Shori doesn’t remember is that she’s
Fledgling – Octavia Butler Read More »