Kes

by Robin McKinley

Robin’s blog serial fiction.

In which we meet our heroine, who is on the brink of a major life change...

http://robinmckinleysblog.com/the-sto...

Genres: Fantasy

blog serial

First published January 1, 2013

About the author

Robin McKinley is an American author acclaimed for fantasy novels and inventive retellings of classic fairy tales, often featuring resilient heroines and richly imagined worlds. She gained early prominence with Beauty, a reworking of Beauty and the Beast, and achieved major recognition when The Hero and the Crown won the Newbery Medal, establishing her as a leading voice in children’s and young adult fantasy. Drawing on a widely traveled upbringing and a lifelong devotion to folklore, she has reinterpreted stories such as Sleeping Beauty and Robin Hood while also creating original works, including the Damar novels and later titles like Sunshine and Dragonhaven. Her fiction is known for emotional depth, moral complexity, and sensory detail, blending adventure with themes of courage, identity, and compassion. In addition to novels, she has written short story collections, edited anthologies, and collaborated on projects exploring mythic elements. Her influence on modern fantasy has been widely recognized, culminating in her designation as a Grand Master by the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers Association. McKinley’s body of work continues to attract devoted readers across generations for its distinctive voice and enduring imaginative power.

Reviews

[Selah · Rating 3 out of 5]

I LOVE Robin McKinley and it hurts my heart to give her less than 4 stars, BUT this story is unfinished (and given that it's been 10 months since the last installment, will likely remain so) and it took a really crazy turn not long before she quit writing. :(

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Note that the "Date I finished this book" is incorrect because it is an ongoing serial. At this point there are something like 266 full-size pages for this novel? That's at least 450 paperback pages? Something like that. Long enough to merit a review.

So far, I LOVE this story. Kes is a relatable main character, the supporting cast are entertaining and interesting and PLEASE can we go back to New Iceland for more muffins? I follow Robin McKinley's blog but have been "saving" the serial so that I can read a bunch all at once.

"Kes" is different from her other novels in that it is more like a sort-of version of Robin's own self: Kes is an author, wears Converse shoes and loves tea (I could go on, but I'd sound like a stalker). The whole story is fun and Robin McKinley is clearly enjoying writing this. Hopefully we'll get a book (or two?) out of this!

[Sarah Knife · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fresh take on the contemporary female lead falling through the interface to a fantasy world... I loved the imagination, the humor, the way she keeps it real... I wish I’d printed out all the blog-by-blog episodes because I want to re-read it.... too late, now the blog’s disappeared.

[MLL · Rating 4 out of 5]

The oddball heroine of this story is just recovering from the breakup of her 18 year marriage. Through a random twist of fate she ends up leaving the familiarity of the city she has lived in all her life for the unknown country to start her new life. Here she faces such sinister forces as whooshing pine trees, teeth gnashing crickets, and cows. But at least there are no cockroaches in the country. Right?

Luckily she is welcomed by a host of friendly, helpful, quirky characters who help her relocate to Cold Valley near New Iceland. Read her adventures as she aquires an oversized house, oversized vehicle and oversized pet. None of these compare to her gargantuan oversized imagination. But that's good because she IS a fantasy writer.

Join Kes as she stuggles with Yggdrasil in the backyard, Yog-Sothoth in the cellar, deinonychus under the porch and sinister men in black shadowing her. Of course those are all just a product of an overactive imagination. Aren't they? Our heroine couldn't be more out of place. Or perhaps she will finally find where she always belonged.

Once I got started reading this story series I read all 91 Episodes (so far) in one day. It is funny and charming with touches of fantasy. The only reason I gave it 4 stars instead of 5 was because I would like to see more action and fantasy. Oh yah I like romance too. I can't wait to see where Ms. McKinley takes this serial in the future.

[Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story is currently up to part 91 and I enjoyed every paragraph. I love Robin McKinley's work, but I don't normally read much other than fantasy and science fiction, so I wasn't sure how I would like something so contemporary. I was pleasantly surprised. The story is about a divorced writer moving to a small town, but there are hints of magic and whimsy, along with a lot of nerdy references. It's hard to tell in which direction this story is going, but I'm looking forward to the next update!

[Coyora Dokusho · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay, I love Robin McKinley and I hope she doesn't kill me dead for my presumption in adding her book...ish-thing to goodreads but I LOVE. THIS. and I read it all the time so I want to add it to my currently reading. She's such an amazing writer that I gobble up everything she does and this Kes thing does not disappoint!!! So very, very, very amazing, go check it out!!!

[Julia · Rating 5 out of 5]

The hardest part about this is having to wait a week for the next few paragraphs. I want to buy this book today, so I can see what happens next! This ranks up there as one of my favorite McKinley books so far. I love the way she takes an ordinary, realistic story, and you turn the corner and smack into fantasy. And Kes is awesome!

[Zach Sparks · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm all caught up with the updates, and I have to say I'm loving it so far. The opening chapters feel so true to a person having to confront (and occasionally run from) a major life change that I was drawn in instantly wanting to know what happens next. And I still want to know, but from now on I will be one of those eagerly checking the blog for new updates.

[Kat · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 for being unfinished, otherwise a really solid four. I really enjoyed this, and I wish it had been finished/published, but it's very fun for what it is. I really liked Kes, and wish we got to know her more and spend more time with her, but she's such a great character that I'm happy we got the 146 little chapters that we did!

[Dr susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had another migraine today, and was looking for something to distract me, so I read Kes. McKinley is up to #122, so I had about 6 hours of awesome distraction. I look forward to this continuing story.

[Marianne Dobie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Each new chapter is posted on Robin McKinley's blog as it is written, which means waiting... I am really enjoying it, particularly the idea of a main character who is able to write about strong heroines, yet is bewildered and extremely reluctant when that role is thrust upon her

[Monica · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an ongoing serial on McKinley's blog. It is well written, and though it is not the type of story that I would usually get absorbed in, I find that I really am liking it. McKinley has written some great novels, and it is interesting to see some of her writing process in a serial novel.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

As nothing has been added in over a year, I'm going to have to assume this is as far as we'll follow Kes.

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