The Shape-Changer's Wife

by Sharon Shinn

From the national bestselling author of The Samaria Trilogy...this is the novel that launched Sharon Shinn's career and inspired Peter S. Beagle to call her "the most original writer of fantasy since Robin McKinley."

Aubrey was a student of the fine art of wizardry. But the more knowledge he acquired, the more he wanted to learn. He traveled in search of the greatest master of all, the gifted shape-changer Glyrenden. From him, Aubrey expected to discover the secret of long-lost spells and the mysteries of arcane magic.

But there was one discovery he never expected, a mystery he risked every thing to solve. Her name was Lilith...

Genres: Fantasy, Romance, Fiction, Young Adult, Science Fiction Fantasy, Magic, Adult

215 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 1995

About the author

I’ve been writing stories and poems since I was eight years old. My first poem was about Halloween: "What is tonight? What is tonight?/Try to guess and you’ll guess right." Perhaps this inauspicious beginning explains why it took me till I was in my thirties to sell a novel. It occurred to me early on that it might take some time and a lot of tries before I was able to publish any of my creative writing, so I pursued a degree in journalism at Northwestern University so I’d be able to support myself while I figured out how to write fiction.

I’ve spent most of my journalism career at three trade and association magazines—The Professional Photographer (which, as you might guess, went to studio and industrial photographers), DECOR (which went to frame shop and art gallery owners), and BizEd (which is directed at deans and professors at business schools). My longest stint, seventeen years, was at DECOR. Many people don’t know this, but I’m a CPF (Certified Picture Framer), having passed a very long, technical test to prove I understood the tenets of conservation framing. Now I write about management education and interview some really cool, really smart people from all over the world.

I mostly write my fiction in the evenings and on weekends. It requires a pretty obsessive-compulsive personality to be as prolific as I’ve been in the past ten years and hold down a full-time job. But I do manage to tear myself away from the computer now and then to do something fun. I read as often as I can, across all genres, though I’m most often holding a book that’s fantasy or romance, with the occasional western thrown in. I’m a fan of Cardinals baseball and try to be at the ballpark on opening day. If I had the time, I’d see a movie every day of my life. I love certain TV shows so much that knowing a new episode is going to air that night will make me happy all day. (I’m a huge Joss Whedon fan, but in the past I’ve given my heart to shows all over the map in terms of quality: "Knight Rider," "Remington Steele," "Blake’s 7," "Moonlighting," "The Young Riders," "Cheers," "Hill Street Blues," "X-Files," "Lost," "Battlestar Galactica"...you can probably fill in the gaps. And let’s not forget my very first loves, "The Partridge Family," "Here Come the Brides" and "Alias Smith & Jones.")

I don’t have kids, I don’t want pets, and all my plants die, so I’m really only forced to provide ongoing care for my menagerie of stuffed animals. All my friends are animal lovers, though, and someone once theorized that I keep friends as pets. I’m still trying to decide if that’s true.

Reviews

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is Shinn's first novel, and a beautifully crafted one at that. The story is simple and simply told, which makes it that much more forceful: a young apprentice magician, Aubrey, is sent to a new tutor, the famous shape-changer Glyrendon, to learn transmogrification. Gifted and with great promise, Aubrey's ambitions to learn all he can from the master magician, who lives in a dark stone fortress overrun with dust and vines in the middle of the forest, clouds his eyes to the truth of Glyrendon and his wife and servants: for they are not what they seem.

Aubrey's growing love for Glyrendon's wife Lilith leads him to realise the truth, but freeing Lilith from Glyrendon would mean losing her forever.

This book reminded me a lot of Mythago Wood by Robert Holdstock - a wonderful fantasy classic if you can get hold of it. Nature is very much a living thing, a reactive thing that can sense the evil in Glyrendon. The ivy creeping into Lilith's bedroom that can't be cut back, that she loves but her husband hates; the dust ankle-deep on the floor that can't be conquered; the bizarre servants, Arachne and Orion, whose real natures are easy to guess - indeed, for all his genius, Aubrey is a little slow in figuring it all out. Though, to be fair, one tends to believe what's in front of one's eyes - and Aubrey hasn't read all the fantasy books I've read!

It's a short book but very packed. Glimpses of the true nature of people are caught here and there, like the sun suddenly and briefly peeking out from behind the clouds, lighting on some small patch of ground before vanishing again. Lilith is very much like that: brief flashes of something more, something other in her eyes give Aubrey some idea that all is not as it seems, and that Glyrendon is a horrible, horrible man.

It's also an old-fashioned kind of fantasy story, told as if from the mouth of a bard: sparse and bald but with embellishment here and there. Aubrey's moral and ethical choice at the end is handled delicately, and it's amazing how much you come to care for a woman who doesn't care for anything.

The book doesn't have the natural grace and ease of Shinn's later works, but is a great addition to the fantasy cannon. For serious fantasy fans, it's well worth the read.

[Mariel · Rating 4 out of 5]

If books have kindred spirits than The Last Unicorn and The Shape-Changer's wife are true bosom companions (as orphan Anne of Green Gables would know it). Shinn's book had a love story that meant more to me (the only aspect of 'Unicorn' that doesn't totally own my soul is the love story), as it is a love story about freedom (the only kind that matters). Took my breath away it did. Beagle himself endorses the book on the cover (the same quote appears on most of her subsequent publications). I've seen authors endorse rip-offs. I'm not the least bit cynical about this instance: Shinn's work evokes Beagle's much as his own did Robin Hood, and other childhood fantasies that meant the most to you when you were young, and needed it the most. (I still need it, will probably always need it. I've heard it said [by someone famous, can't remember who] that musical tastes stick in place at the age of seventeen because that's the time you need it. That's sooo not true of me. People who no longer care probably never cared much to begin with...

My fellow goodreaders are right that the hero figures the mystery out slowly. That didn't matter to me. I love this book because I had that feeling that what matters most to me matters to another person. It's not about owning anyone else! So simple.
, right? Anne of Green Gables bosom companion style. When I'm depressed and overwhelmed by the suckiness of people around me, I remind myself of Peter S. Beagle's awesomeness to feel better. Shinn can join that list. Her ya Truth-teller's trilogy is stellar (especially the first two, and especially the second). Archangel is really good and has a perfect ending (George-Michael Bluth says Freedom 2010). Her thoughts on what we owe other people as far as truth and communication mirror my own. Plus, it's the coziest of comfort reads. Those are hard to find. Why can't they say THAT on book jackets? "This book will make you less lonely..." Or "happy". You don't have to change who you are to be with someone else books.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this. I know it has some negative reviews, but I think maybe those readers went in with mistaken impressions.

Yes, I guessed the 'twist' as soon as the scene was set, but that's not a problem. The story (novella, really, as it's so short) is worth reading for the different characters, the metaphorical journeys they go on, the world-building & magic system, and the ending.

I do have to mention that there is a trigger of offstage pedophilia.

[Laurie (barksbooks) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Aubrey, a young magician, has learned just about all he can from his current mentor and decides to become the apprentice of Glyrendon a feared but extremely talented shape changer. Little does he realize he is about to enter into a very strange world.

Upon arriving at Glyrenden's home he is puzzled when he discovers the wizard is out of town for an unspecified amount of time and is further surprised when he encounters the weird, unpersonable inhabitants of the home. Aubrey, a good natured fellow, decides to make the best of his situation and spends his time getting to know Glyrenden's odd wife Lilith.

Lilith becomes a mystery, almost an obsession to Aubrey. Determined to break through to her and find the cause of her sorrow he uses his shape changing knowledge and risks everything he is to help her.

Although I figured out Lilith's secret long before Aubrey did this did not lesson my enjoyment of the tale.

The Shapechanger's Wife is a delightful, fairytale-like, page turner filled with magic and the wonders of nature. It also has an enchanting ending open to the readers own interpretation. Worked for me.

[Netanella · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this in one day, the story going down like sipping cool, spring water on a hot, summer day. It was Sharon Shinn, a old time favorite author of mine whom I haven't read it over a decade, and it was a lovely, sad love story. I'm extra impressed that this is Shinn's debut novel, as I came to her works with the Samaria series, fully formed and complete.

Here, Aubrey is a young talented wizard, who is sent to continue his training with an older wizard, the sadistic master shape-changer who keeps a bizarre household: Arachne the cook, Orion the food gatherer, and Lilith, to whom he's married and keeps as a cuddle bunny, to appropriate a term from Annie Bot. Slowly, Aubrey grows to realize the truth of the situation, of the real forms of the shape-changer's household, and how to teach himself the intricacies of shape-changing. The story is beautifully told, and there are some super sad moments towards the end. But Shinn has a way of ending things on a hopeful note, which this one does.

Very recommended for fans of old school fantasy stories, before "romantasy" became a word.

[Peter Tillman · Rating 4 out of 5]

This short novel or long novella, the author’s first book, has been on my TBR for many years. I finally got around to reading it. A first-rate fantasy-romance with some interesting twists. For me, this was a 4-star read. Amazingly polished work for a debut!

Here’s the best short review I saw here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show... I know, I’m seriously late to the party on this one. If Laurie’s review sounds appealing, you may want to try the book. Recommended reading.

[Clarissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a simple, beautiful story. I was captured very quickly within the first chapter.

Until Aubrey arrived in the village to study with Glyrenden, he had no idea that the great wizard had a wife.

This is the tale of a young man named Aubrey, a very bright young sorcerer who has set out to learn the arts of transmogrification from a famous wizard named Glyrenden. Upon the wizard's acceptance of his new pupil, he sets off to live with and learn the arts of the man. It is within the dusty, dismal home of the wizard that he encounters two strange servants, and an even stranger, yet lovely, woman--Lilith, Glyrenden's wife.

The rest of the tale slowly uncurls. Though one can quickly piece together just what is amiss within this strange household, the story remains poignantly lovely throughout. This is a love story, but the kind you hear in old folk songs, and it plucked all my heartstrings in the best way. The ending was just how I thought it should be.

What a beautiful story.

[Althea Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

I *thought* this book was part of the same series as 'The Truth-Teller's Tale' and 'The Safe-Keeper's Secret.' (I dunno, something about the title?)
Anyway, it's not. Although I loved those other 2 books, I think I liked this one even more than either. I was surprised to read here that it was actually Shinn's first novel, because it didn't read like a freshman effort at all. The language was gorgeous, and the plot flowed smoothly and beautifully.

A young apprentice wizard is sent by his master to study with the famed wizard Glyrenden. Glyrenden has a mixed reputation, at best, but he's also powerful and knowledgable - and the only adept to have mastered the art of shapechanging. However, he's also odd and prickly - and his household is even odder, consisting of his beautiful but strange wife, and two peculiar servants, one of whom is mute and the other of whom seems to have some kind of OCD disorder. Left alone with her at length, the young man finds himself drawn to his new teacher's wife like a moth to a flame...

This isn't one of those stories where the secrets are revealed to much shock and surprise. Rather, it's a fairytale where everything unfolds just as it ought to. It's a lovely, satisfying story.

Recommended for fans of Patricia McKillip, as well as Shinn's own fans, of course.

[Quartzen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Strange, dark, disquieting. I am not sure how I feel about some things in this book. It buys into a trope I deeply dislike (romantic love = humanity, with either more or less nuance than usual depending on how you look at it) and edges close to several others.

This is a story both specifically about whether women can be fully human to men, and whether anyone is human to a powerful man. It deals with abuse of that power, emotionally and physically- very strong content warning for abuse on this one, in multiple forms, and also warning for an attempted suicide by a minor character.

If you have read Shinn's later work before, this one seems a lot darker and more direct in its takes on dark themes than other books of hers that I've read.

I was captivated and read this book very quickly for me, and I will be thinking about it, its ending, and its epilogue for a long time. I think this would be a good book to dig into in a group read.

[Tammie · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Shape-Changer's Wife is a somewhat odd story. It was very slow paced and the mystery was very easy to figure out. I'm not sure why it took the protagonist so long to figure it all out. Once I unraveled the mystery behind the shape-changer's wife I had to laugh about it a little bit. It was just kind of absurd that he was in love with a tree! I enjoyed the epilogue. I thought it added a nice touch to the story.

[Latharia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I can certainly see why this novella earned Sharon Shinn the Best First Fantasy Book award from Locus! It is very well thought out & sweet morality tale about power, change, and limits.

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

   “[…] Is love the ultimate illusion? Or is it what it seems to be—the greatest transformation of all?” – page 44, Glyrenden

   When I first started this book, it read like a short story out of a larger fantasy world – a story where we find ourselves plopped down in the middle of it, without much to help us gain our bearings in this sudden shift. The allusions to far-away lands, while still carefully crafting the wizard Glyrenden’s home, gives this world a sense of scope as well as a sense of focus. Before too long I felt comfortable in this world, even if I knew I did not know all, or even most, of what there was to it. I could probably say that my comfort levels followed the ups and downs of Aubrey, our protagonist and a young wizard in search of learning how to change shape from the only shape-changing master there is, the wizard Glyrenden.

   Aubrey’s teacher Cyril has sent him to learn the art of shape-changing from his old frenemy Glyrenden, but Aubrey finds much more than just simple lessons in Glyrenden’s home: there, he makes the acquaintance of the alluring Lilith, Glyrenden’s wife, with her mesmerizing emerald eyes, as well as Arachne, the over-worked maid, and Orion, the giant half-wit (to use the villager’s term for him) and game hunter. Aubrey finds himself pulled inexorably towards Lilith just as surely as magic calls to him to learn all its – and her - secrets. But she is about as willing to share her secrets as an oyster its pearl, and it will take Aubrey skills old and new to even peek at the pearl she holds within her.

   This is an inherently magical book, but not the of the flamboyant nature: the magic is subdued, never too deeply analyzed, except when it comes to certain principles of shape-changing – as is to be expected, as we attend to Aubrey during a couple of his lessons with Glyrenden. Most of the magic is quietly suffused throughout, in the grey stone walls of the home, the deep forests surrounding them, to the kitchen with its fire and warm meals with everyone a table together. Even when Aubrey or Sirrit or Glyrenden use magic, most of it is subtle, along the lines of non-intrusive beneficial magic. But there is more than meets the eye to Glyrenden and the members of his household, and Aubrey is determined to discover what secrets are held within. Especially those of Lilith.

   While this is called very original – I could not help but notice echoes of some of the ideas about humanity explored in Peter S. Beagle’s The Last Unicorn. Specifically, that Lilith was never a human woman, she never felt like a woman, until she started feeling for Aubrey. So Aubrey wonders: if Lilith learns enough about being human, will she be unwilling – or even unable? – to return to her natural form? Will she choose love for him over hope of rediscovering her original form? What makes someone human? Is being human an irrevocable state, or is it possible to experience the being of others – animals, plants, objects – and what risk might that cause to a half-trained shape-changer and those he comes to care about?

Favorite quotes:
   “When you release something from the grip of magic, or when you reverse magic, you put that person or that object at tremendous risk. Magic changes people—things—it sometimes makes them unfit to exist on their own. How do you keep from destroying the very thing you are trying to restore?” [Sirrit said.] – page 148

    “But magic, I have discovered, it [sic] like any skill. It is not inherently good in itself. And some of it—yes, some of it is inherently evil. There are wicked spells, strange spells, enchantments that are so black that even to know them withers the heart just a little, taints the soul. And yet to be a great magician, to be a sorcerer of any ability or renown, those spells must be learned as well. For if a magician does not know them, they can be used against him—and what is magic, after all, but a man’s power to change the world while it is incapable of changing him?” – [Aubrey said.] page 162-163

Typo:
What slumbering gods was Faren Rochester trying to wake? – page 101
But magic, I have discovered, it like any skill. – page 162 – ‘it’ should be ‘is’

[Jael Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was so different from anything I've read in a long time. It reads almost boring with the breakfasts, lack of conversation and magic, but the suspense and curiosity this format builds is wonderful! The world and characters are so fascinating - not that you like them necessarily, but you want to know more. It was such an interesting read and the last few chapters make it so worth it!

[Adobe · Rating 2 out of 5]

While apprenticed to a malicious wizard, Aubrey falls in love with his master's wife and learns her horrifying secret.

A love story wrapped in an allegory of domestic abuse inside a faerie tale -- but it doesn't entirely work on any of its levels. The love story is essentially composed of Aubrey telling himself that he's in love; the allegory never allows any action from the victims; the faerie tale has nice moments but never sustains a distinct tone. And Aubrey himself is a opaque protagonist: he must verbally articulate his epiphanies lest the audience miss his character growth. The Shape-Changer's Wife is ultimately pleasant but inconsequential.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Where does she come up with these stories! Crazy imagination this woman has! I enjoyed this book but I like all Sharon Shinn so I am a little biased. But this was so original and the love story so good.

[Chris Bernard · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the book that made me stop writting. That means it was good, right?

[Scott White · Rating 4 out of 5]

First time in many years that I just had to keep reading. Excellent story

[Aphelia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sharon Shinn is one of my all-time favourite authors, and although I've been very curious about this book - her debut novel, and a multiple award-winner - I didn't know much about the plot beforehand, which I think is the best way to go into this book!

Although told in Shinn's clear, compelling writing style that whisks you along like a fallen leaf in a playful skirling Autumn wind, the tale is more whimsical than her usual work, a modern fairy tale along the lines of another favourite author of mine: Patricia A. McKillip!

Aubrey is a gifted young wizard, confident in his skills and always interested in learning more. When he becomes obsessed with shape-shifting magic, his kind mentor very reluctantly sends him to apprentice with the Master of that magic: reclusive, eccentric and repulsive Glyrenden.

His household - two retainers (a maid and an errand boy), along with his remote and aloof wife - is a puzzle to be solved, and Aubrey won't stop until he makes the pieces fit.

I don't want to say anymore, or risk giving away anything about this wonderful, romantic story. It is a twisty-turny adventure that I couldn't put down, and if anything in this description intrigues you, I highly recommend you give it a read!

A small spoiler:It has one of the best, old-fashioned wizard spell duels I've ever read!

(Thanks very much to the lovely friend who gave me this as a birthday gift!)

[Gina Johnson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Probably a 3.5 really. I had a really hard time getting into it but probably half or 3/4 way through I got my flow and ended up enjoying it although I still wouldn’t say it was great. It was...fine. Or o.k. Lol

[Hannah]

Thus was Shinn’s FIRST novel?!? Right out the gate she was this good!?!?

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

The stark simplicity of the writing drew me in quickly. I couldn’t put this book down. And its deeper meaning about life and love gave me something to think about for quite sometime after finishing it.

[Audrey · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you're a fan of cute fantasy, the Shape Changer's Wife will, without a doubt, have you hooked from page one. It's well-written and beautifully developed, with a story that will bring tears to your eyes (well, it certainly brought tears to my eyes).

Aubrey, a young magician, finds himself the apprentice of Glyrenden, a hated, shape-changing magician. Living in the house of Glyrenden brings along some awkward, strange characters in the shape-changer's wife, Lillith, the house-keeper who doesn't seem to know how to keep house, Arachne, and the oversized brute of a man, Orion. What ensues is a beautiful story of magic, love, romance, and hope.

My absolute favorite thing about this book is the character development - we don't just learn more about the characters - there becomes more about the characters to learn, as they grow and develop with the help of their surroundings. The effect that Aubrey has on Lillith still has my heart pounding at the beauty.

The Shape-Changer's Wife is a short, sweet story with a fairy-tale feel that will tear at your heart strings and possibly give you hope for the world. And, like a true story-teller, Shinn leaves the end open for interpretation. Love this booK!

[Meredith · Rating 3 out of 5]

After the disappointing "Archangel", which I checked out of the library concurrently with this other book by Sharon Shinn, I was pretty wary of reading it. But the blurb by Peter S. Beagle praising it convinced me to pick it up.

And hey, it was so much better. This is a short novella that's very fairy tale. I liked the hero, the story was predictable, but that's kind of the point of this kind of story.

I'm not sure if Shinn was expecting that the secret of the Wife, and the two servants would be surprising to her readers, who have everything pretty much figured out by the time the hero finally puts two and two together. I kind of think she was; her readers are going to be familiar with this kind of thing. I was a little bit annoyed by the hero, who spent a lot of time thinking, "Hey, these people may not be what they seem. Nah, I'm probably just imagining it..." When the reader is yelling, "HEY, STUPID. YOU'RE LIVING WITH A WIZARD WHO IS FAMOUS FOR CHANGING THINGS INTO OTHER THINGS. HINT, HINT."

It was very Last Unicorn-like at certain points, but failed to touch the brilliance of that novel. However, it was a solid effort and ultimately satisfying.

[Feena · Rating 4 out of 5]

So this is my 2nd Sharon Shinn book and I have to admit I really loved it. She really has the gift of being the perfect story teller. Her writing isnt anything fancy, its simple but that's what makes it elegant in one way or another. I feel like whenever I finish her books I have just finished a classic old fairy tale of somesort, though her stories do not always entail fluffy endings. I felt that even though I knew half way through the book the mystery behind the shape changers wife it was still very enjoyable to read, and I really loved Aubrey and wanted to see how he would discover the truth that I felt I had discovered before him. Some people will complain on how the mystery was to obvious and that ruined the book, I have to disagree, like I said I knew I had figured out the deal with the shape changers wife long ago , but its still fun to read further and see if your own personal hunch is correct , but to also see how the protangonist discovers the truth himself as well.

So final thought, If you love a good old magical tale , I trust this will be an enjoyment to you :)

Happy Readings

[Diana Green · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've known about this book for a while, as it features on many "best of fantasy" lists. For some reason I never felt drawn to read it until now. Having recently enjoyed Sharon Shinn's novel, Summers at Castle Auburn, I decided to give this earlier book a try. I'm SO glad I did!

This is the Sharon Shinn story I've been waiting for, bringing together all the things I love best about her writing without the bumps I've hit in the other two novels I've read that were written by her. The Shape-Changer's Wife reminds me of the best work by favorites of mine like Robin McKinley and Ursula Le Guin. It reads as timeless and archetypal, while also being specific and detailed, with unique compelling characters and significant emotional impact. Some fable-like stories end up feeling vague and distant, but not the Shape-Changer's Wife. I read it one sitting, unable to put the book down. That doesn't happen very often.

[Shannon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay, Tort, I was able to predict plot twist before the protagonist but... not by much. Around page 70 I knew the twist but not the... specific "thing". Then I finally realized the "thing" and felt stupid b/c there were a lot of hints. The names.. and other things. I'm trying not to be spoilery. I like the themes in this book.. love and magic..and stuff. But I feel like the book was end-heavy (that is, all the really cool stuff happened in like the last 50 pages rather than the preceding 150). But, it wasn't bad. The "battle" scene was pretty cool. OH also, no wonder Peter S Beagle liked it, it is totally remniscient of The Last Unicorn, eh? With like..the way she...remembers. You know? Also.. the very end was kind of lamez.

[Judy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is impressive for a first novel. The prose is lovely. The story is a little slow at parts, but the environment in which the story takes place is very much timeless, so the pace of the story is almost appropriate. Aubrey is a young magician who comes to the great master magician Glyrendon for further training, having learned what his original master could teach him. Gylrendon lives deep in the forest in a large house that is full of dust. A few strange individuals live there with him. None of them are what they seem to be. Aubrey's training most goes well, but he also begins to realize and become very uncomfortable with the secrets that exist around Glyrendon's life.

It's ultimately a tale that ends happily, or as happily as it can, with some cool magic along the way.

[Rita · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was the first Sharon Shinn book I read. Strangely enough (or maybe not so much), I first heard of this author after joining Bookcrossing, at the suggestion of other Bookcrossers. Well, I got this book from Bookcloseouts and finally managed to read it, and I can say that I'll be keeping an eye on other books by this author because I really, really enjoyed this book.

The story is not all that complex, but the way the author writes the characters, sets the mood and develops the narrative makes this novel a real pleasure to read. And the end brought tears to my eyes; this doesn't really say much because I'm very sentimental and cry over everything... :o)

[Tori · Rating 4 out of 5]

Aubrey is a little slowface. I was pretty positive about the "secret" by page 70. I thought I was a little slow to catch on, too. So I'm still kind of frustrated with slowersby the protagonist. Especially considering people's names...But I won't ruin the book. It's pretty good. I think the ending was rather nice. I don't know if the author deserves to be compared to Robin McKinley, though. I don't think she's that good.

[Elena · Rating 5 out of 5]

Her first novel

Intrigued me. Her ideas and use of language are varied and unique. Since reading her first novel, I have gone on to read all of her work, and she has become one of my most favorite authors. Highly recommend ANYthing by Sharon Shinn. An incredibly talented writer.