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Safe-Keepers #2
La verdad de los secretos
Eleda tiene una hermana gemela, Adele, que es prácticamente igual a ella en cuanto a aspecto físico, pero que es muy distinta interiormente. Cuando la hacedora de sueños les revela que son una contadora de verdades y una guardadora de secretos, los habitantes de Merendon comienzan a acudir a ellas a requerir de sus servicios. Así pasa la vida para las dos hermanas, hasta la llegada a la ciudad de dos personajes que cambiarán sus vidas. La verdad de los secretos es un interesante relato de la autora americana Sharon Shinn en la que mezcla elementos propios de la literatura fantástica en una historia al servicio del género juvenil.
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First published January 28, 2005
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About the author
Sharon Shinn
58 books2,284 followersI’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.
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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 263 reviews
April 23, 2017
The Truth-Teller's Tale is a charming and, for the most part, sweet-hearted YA fantasy, somewhat light on the fantasy and a little heavy on the romance. It's a coming-of-age tale about two young women, Adele and Edela, sisters who are "mirror twins": one is left-handed and the other right-handed; one has a blue left eye and green right eye, the other opposite. Even their names are a mirror of the other. Most importantly, Adele is a Safe-Keeper, charged with keeping secrets anyone may tell her; Eleda is a Truth-Teller, who is literally unable to tell a lie.
The nature and obligations of Safe-Keepers and Truth-Tellers underlie most of the plot of this book. It's an interesting concept, although I was never quite convinced that Safe-Keepers and Truth-Tellers would be as popular and useful to society as they seem to be in this world, but I was able to roll with it.
Sharon Shinn writes very well, and this novel does have some interesting things to say about the nature of truth and secrets and deception. At times the plot takes a few steps in a darker direction: there's a character who's a remorseless user of women. There's also a father who physically threatens his daughter with a knife and semi-strangulation, and she blows it off afterwards with a comment along the lines of "I know he wouldn't really do anything to me," which was frustrating.
But ultimately this fantasy turns in a romance-oriented direction, juggling three different relationships. That's fine if a little light fantasy romance is what you're looking for; just don't expect anything really deep. The girls are 17 years old and the romances are kisses only, although there are references to what happens behind closed doors in two or three spots.
Overall I thought this was a fun, light YA read. While this is the second book in this series, the only thing it has in common with the first book is that it's set in the same world, so it works fine as a stand-alone read.
Content advisory: brief rape subplot (not graphic).
The nature and obligations of Safe-Keepers and Truth-Tellers underlie most of the plot of this book. It's an interesting concept, although I was never quite convinced that Safe-Keepers and Truth-Tellers would be as popular and useful to society as they seem to be in this world, but I was able to roll with it.
Sharon Shinn writes very well, and this novel does have some interesting things to say about the nature of truth and secrets and deception. At times the plot takes a few steps in a darker direction: there's a character who's a remorseless user of women. There's also a father who physically threatens his daughter with a knife and semi-strangulation, and she blows it off afterwards with a comment along the lines of "I know he wouldn't really do anything to me," which was frustrating.
But ultimately this fantasy turns in a romance-oriented direction, juggling three different relationships. That's fine if a little light fantasy romance is what you're looking for; just don't expect anything really deep. The girls are 17 years old and the romances are kisses only, although there are references to what happens behind closed doors in two or three spots.
Overall I thought this was a fun, light YA read. While this is the second book in this series, the only thing it has in common with the first book is that it's set in the same world, so it works fine as a stand-alone read.
Content advisory: brief rape subplot (not graphic).
September 26, 2010
Talk is cheap. Especially when it comes to telling someone what is what. People lie. I've come to feel as I've gotten older that it's not good for all that much. Is it more important to be honest with everyone, or just honest with yourself (you'll learn more doing the latter)? I think honesty is overrated. There are too many layers, too many almosts to say for certain. The certainty is lying, to me. The intent behind the lie is what matters and the intent behind the truth, right? Because either one can hurt.
What is the price to pay for bearing the burden of someone else's secrets? Words are for relating and if there's the chance to connect out of that, then it is worth it. I just don't trust it farther than I can throw it (and I throw like a girl).
Sisters Adele and Eleda are mirror twins (I'd thought this was made up until meeting a pair earlier this year). Like their appearance traits, the nature of their gifts of truth-telling and secret-keeping are reflections of the other in the other direction. Eleda cannot tell a lie, or be in the prescence of one without naming it. Their names are palindromes, the lies and truths are fake palindromes. Adele is silent, holding in the secrets that people lay on her doorstep for their own peace of mind, regardless of the added weight on her shoulders. It is considered to be their birthrights in the kingdom that they live in. Dream-makers (whom have the power to make wishes come true, yet tragedy strikes those closest to them), truth-tellers and safe-keepers are in every town, keeping up the burdens for "the greater good", at great personal cost. Shinn's deceptively simple fantasy world is gradient and realized as a real one.
Unlike the secret-keepers known from the previous book (Safe-Keeper's Secret, an absolute gem), Adele plays with her position. She'll pretend to be her sister when someone looks for a Truth-teller. It's an issue of communication. I felt it sick beyond words that Adele and their friend had to poison Eleda to keep her from acting on the trust for the wrong person. Why not break out of what you always do when you need to? Words can be important, sometimes. Eleda can overlook nuances in her essentials, though. (Sharon Shinn is amazing.) It is important to try. I loved Eleda for wearing her heart on her sleeve. Truth-keeping nature aside, it was her own nature to keep that open.
It's opposite day and Adele will tell the truth and Eleda will lie.
I related to Adele in the ways that other readers have found to be her unreadably "bad" traits. It's been one of the fears in my life that I'll end up forever the wooden post to be just there to hear other's problems, with no care for me and who that me is that's listening (not always caring, I'll be honest). It's something I'm torn about, like Adele. I wanna be able to listen, but it does eat away at you (especially when the chance to do the same is nil). It isn't the nature of being a safe-keeper solely, the safe-keeper of Safe-keeper's Secret would confess secrets to another of her kind. I think it had to do with the habits of inner honesty and dishonesty, and keeping things to oneself. It's a hard cycle to break. There's a heart that should be kept only for oneself and that's Adele's core.
(Can't believe it took me this long to get to this) Their twin relationship was another feeling I could relate to and eyed with keen interest for its development. It's tricky when you can relate to someone a lot already and then the differences seep in (or slam in, as the case can be). Like experiencing the same thing and coming out of it differently. Beginning a life very much the same; looks to present to the world the same; same influential family background; culture. Yet there are still differences. It fascinates me how a person is different all the same. (Not just because I'm a twin and endlessly interested in everything to do with me. Although that is true, too.) The lies and truths are like that twin relationship too. They stem from the same place and then twist...
The third book in the series, The Dream-Maker's Magic is a fairy tale about the paranoid superstition that something good always brings on something bad. Like if you're afraid to hope for anything good and staying pessimistic keeps open the options for a turn of luck.
Safe-keeper's Secret is easily one of the warmest books I've ever read. It's about trying on everything, pushing your round self into square pegs, until learning what fits. I love Sharon Shinn because she knows how to tell a damned good story in an unpretending way.
(When youngers I gave my twin the sarcastic nickname of "Honest Lauren". She then made it a point to be annoyingly honest [about bad things I'd done, too!]. Ugh.)
What is the price to pay for bearing the burden of someone else's secrets? Words are for relating and if there's the chance to connect out of that, then it is worth it. I just don't trust it farther than I can throw it (and I throw like a girl).
Sisters Adele and Eleda are mirror twins (I'd thought this was made up until meeting a pair earlier this year). Like their appearance traits, the nature of their gifts of truth-telling and secret-keeping are reflections of the other in the other direction. Eleda cannot tell a lie, or be in the prescence of one without naming it. Their names are palindromes, the lies and truths are fake palindromes. Adele is silent, holding in the secrets that people lay on her doorstep for their own peace of mind, regardless of the added weight on her shoulders. It is considered to be their birthrights in the kingdom that they live in. Dream-makers (whom have the power to make wishes come true, yet tragedy strikes those closest to them), truth-tellers and safe-keepers are in every town, keeping up the burdens for "the greater good", at great personal cost. Shinn's deceptively simple fantasy world is gradient and realized as a real one.
Unlike the secret-keepers known from the previous book (Safe-Keeper's Secret, an absolute gem), Adele plays with her position. She'll pretend to be her sister when someone looks for a Truth-teller. It's an issue of communication. I felt it sick beyond words that Adele and their friend had to poison Eleda to keep her from acting on the trust for the wrong person. Why not break out of what you always do when you need to? Words can be important, sometimes. Eleda can overlook nuances in her essentials, though. (Sharon Shinn is amazing.) It is important to try. I loved Eleda for wearing her heart on her sleeve. Truth-keeping nature aside, it was her own nature to keep that open.
It's opposite day and Adele will tell the truth and Eleda will lie.
I related to Adele in the ways that other readers have found to be her unreadably "bad" traits. It's been one of the fears in my life that I'll end up forever the wooden post to be just there to hear other's problems, with no care for me and who that me is that's listening (not always caring, I'll be honest). It's something I'm torn about, like Adele. I wanna be able to listen, but it does eat away at you (especially when the chance to do the same is nil). It isn't the nature of being a safe-keeper solely, the safe-keeper of Safe-keeper's Secret would confess secrets to another of her kind. I think it had to do with the habits of inner honesty and dishonesty, and keeping things to oneself. It's a hard cycle to break. There's a heart that should be kept only for oneself and that's Adele's core.
(Can't believe it took me this long to get to this) Their twin relationship was another feeling I could relate to and eyed with keen interest for its development. It's tricky when you can relate to someone a lot already and then the differences seep in (or slam in, as the case can be). Like experiencing the same thing and coming out of it differently. Beginning a life very much the same; looks to present to the world the same; same influential family background; culture. Yet there are still differences. It fascinates me how a person is different all the same. (Not just because I'm a twin and endlessly interested in everything to do with me. Although that is true, too.) The lies and truths are like that twin relationship too. They stem from the same place and then twist...
The third book in the series, The Dream-Maker's Magic is a fairy tale about the paranoid superstition that something good always brings on something bad. Like if you're afraid to hope for anything good and staying pessimistic keeps open the options for a turn of luck.
Safe-keeper's Secret is easily one of the warmest books I've ever read. It's about trying on everything, pushing your round self into square pegs, until learning what fits. I love Sharon Shinn because she knows how to tell a damned good story in an unpretending way.
(When youngers I gave my twin the sarcastic nickname of "Honest Lauren". She then made it a point to be annoyingly honest [about bad things I'd done, too!]. Ugh.)
February 6, 2020
Three and a half stars. I’m not sure why I didn’t like this as much as The Safekeepers Secret. It was similar and maybe that was the problem. I did like it quite a bit despite that. It may be that it leaned too heavily on the romance, my favourite bits took place during the childhoods of Eleda and Adele. I particularly loved the descriptions of Summermoon and Wintermoon in both books and the day to day events in the lives of the two sisters.
April 20, 2024
An old-fashioned, romantic fantasy. I liked the dynamic between the sisters and some of the (low fantasy) magical concepts.
March 8, 2020
Light, sweet, and almost hilariously predictable.
August 11, 2016
What I find most distinctive about this novel is the unexpected contrast between style and story; but while I'm all for creative works that break traditional genre boundaries, in this case, the book is interesting but I'm not sure to whom I would recommend it.
In a lot of ways The Truth-Teller's Tale is written in traditional fairy tale prose -- at once simple and direct but also a bit old fashioned and lyrical. I like that. But I'm not entirely comfortable with recommending the book to younger or middle-grade readers who like fairy tales because there are just a couple of plot elements that I think they might not like. The young teenage characters talk about whether they will make love to their romantic interests, and at one point a girl is raped. There is no detail in either case, and nothing is ever described in language that would warrant more than a PG rating, but I think some middle grade readers would not like to hear of a character being raped, nor would their parents agree that 15 year old girls should be contemplating whether to have sex. Add to that the fact that the end of the novel is surprisingly subtle and emotionally mature, and I'm not really sure who the ideal reader is. I think younger readers might find the content too mature and older teens would find the style a little bit childish, so maybe the ideal reader is an adult or teen who isn't concerned with the novel fitting neatly into a YA or fantasy or fairy tale box.
In a lot of ways The Truth-Teller's Tale is written in traditional fairy tale prose -- at once simple and direct but also a bit old fashioned and lyrical. I like that. But I'm not entirely comfortable with recommending the book to younger or middle-grade readers who like fairy tales because there are just a couple of plot elements that I think they might not like. The young teenage characters talk about whether they will make love to their romantic interests, and at one point a girl is raped. There is no detail in either case, and nothing is ever described in language that would warrant more than a PG rating, but I think some middle grade readers would not like to hear of a character being raped, nor would their parents agree that 15 year old girls should be contemplating whether to have sex. Add to that the fact that the end of the novel is surprisingly subtle and emotionally mature, and I'm not really sure who the ideal reader is. I think younger readers might find the content too mature and older teens would find the style a little bit childish, so maybe the ideal reader is an adult or teen who isn't concerned with the novel fitting neatly into a YA or fantasy or fairy tale box.
August 8, 2017
I love Sharon Shinn, but I think she should stick to writing adult novels. This is a solid story, with amazing characters, and a great setting, but just like the first book in the series, The Safe-Keeper's Secret, the ending was incredibly predictable.
This book still gets a high rating, because despite the predictability, I did enjoy it very much. I like the world Shinn has created, with people being born with a gift that makes them tell the truth at all times or keep secrets. However, these unique characteristics don't overshadow the narrative. This is a story about two mirror twin girls and their friends growing up together, finding themselves, and figuring out what they want in life. There are broken hearts, disappointed dreams, and many very happy, touching moments.
If you enjoyed The Safe-Keeper's Secret, you will love The Truth-Teller's Tale. For those new to the series, if you like romantic coming of age stories with a light fantasy backdrop, you will love these books.
Also posted on Purple People Readers.
This book still gets a high rating, because despite the predictability, I did enjoy it very much. I like the world Shinn has created, with people being born with a gift that makes them tell the truth at all times or keep secrets. However, these unique characteristics don't overshadow the narrative. This is a story about two mirror twin girls and their friends growing up together, finding themselves, and figuring out what they want in life. There are broken hearts, disappointed dreams, and many very happy, touching moments.
If you enjoyed The Safe-Keeper's Secret, you will love The Truth-Teller's Tale. For those new to the series, if you like romantic coming of age stories with a light fantasy backdrop, you will love these books.
Also posted on Purple People Readers.
February 28, 2021
A delightful romantic comedy rife with misunderstandings!
I enjoyed this book even more than the first - The Safe-Keeper's Secret (my review) - which I didn't think possible! While the first book was a lovely coming-of-age story about living with grief and finding your place in the world, this story is likewise a delightful coming-of-age story but full of gentle romance, mistaken identity and intrigue! Although I highly recommend the first book in the series as well, I think this story can stand on its own and would serve as a good introduction to the author.
Adele and Eleda are "mirror twins"; even their names are inverse:
"To the casual observer, we looked exactly the same, for we both had wheat blonde hair and exceptionally pale skin, and the bones of our faces had an identical structure. But Adele was right-handed; she parted her hair on the right; her right eye was blue and her left eye was green. I was left-handed; I parted my hair on the left; my left eye was blue and my right eye was green. We each saw in the other the very same face, the very same figure, we saw in the mirror every morning." ~ Eleda (1)
But the twins have completely opposite personalities: Adele is a Safe-Keeper, skilled in keeping silence and protecting secrets. Introverted and enigmatic, she is also mischievous, prone to pretending to be her sister and able to lie without qualm. Eleda is a Truth-Teller who cannot keep a secret to save her life, can be honest to the point of pain and cannot comfortably tell a lie. She is also an extrovert and clearly shows her feelings.
Balancing between the sisters is Roelynn Karro, daughter of the wealthiest merchant in town, who is friends with them both. Beautiful and frivolous, she is charming but flighty. Roelynn's conniving social climbing father is determined to wed his daughter to the Prince, despite her wild nature and heart's desire to marry for true love, not political alliances.
An elaborate intrigue is set in motion when Adele secretly falls for Roelynn's brother, a mysterious dancing master captures Eleda's reluctant heart, and his handsome but feckless apprentice steals Roelynn's affections. As the Dream-Maker (Melinda, who gained the power in the last book) - who is a friend of the twins' family - passes through town, wishes are granted in delightfully surprising ways! Fantastic fun for all ages with a wonderfully happy ending.
I enjoyed this book even more than the first - The Safe-Keeper's Secret (my review) - which I didn't think possible! While the first book was a lovely coming-of-age story about living with grief and finding your place in the world, this story is likewise a delightful coming-of-age story but full of gentle romance, mistaken identity and intrigue! Although I highly recommend the first book in the series as well, I think this story can stand on its own and would serve as a good introduction to the author.
Adele and Eleda are "mirror twins"; even their names are inverse:
"To the casual observer, we looked exactly the same, for we both had wheat blonde hair and exceptionally pale skin, and the bones of our faces had an identical structure. But Adele was right-handed; she parted her hair on the right; her right eye was blue and her left eye was green. I was left-handed; I parted my hair on the left; my left eye was blue and my right eye was green. We each saw in the other the very same face, the very same figure, we saw in the mirror every morning." ~ Eleda (1)
But the twins have completely opposite personalities: Adele is a Safe-Keeper, skilled in keeping silence and protecting secrets. Introverted and enigmatic, she is also mischievous, prone to pretending to be her sister and able to lie without qualm. Eleda is a Truth-Teller who cannot keep a secret to save her life, can be honest to the point of pain and cannot comfortably tell a lie. She is also an extrovert and clearly shows her feelings.
Balancing between the sisters is Roelynn Karro, daughter of the wealthiest merchant in town, who is friends with them both. Beautiful and frivolous, she is charming but flighty. Roelynn's conniving social climbing father is determined to wed his daughter to the Prince, despite her wild nature and heart's desire to marry for true love, not political alliances.
An elaborate intrigue is set in motion when Adele secretly falls for Roelynn's brother, a mysterious dancing master captures Eleda's reluctant heart, and his handsome but feckless apprentice steals Roelynn's affections. As the Dream-Maker (Melinda, who gained the power in the last book) - who is a friend of the twins' family - passes through town, wishes are granted in delightfully surprising ways! Fantastic fun for all ages with a wonderfully happy ending.
April 23, 2021
Original Review:
I enjoyed this book even more than the 1st one. I find the premise of the world very fascinating. The idea that there could be Safe-Keepers who cannot reveal secrets, and Truth-Teller's who cannot tell a lie.
Try to imagine that in our modern society! A Safe-keeper on the witness stand? OR a Truth-Teller as a politician??
I enjoyed this book even more than the 1st one. I find the premise of the world very fascinating. The idea that there could be Safe-Keepers who cannot reveal secrets, and Truth-Teller's who cannot tell a lie.
Try to imagine that in our modern society! A Safe-keeper on the witness stand? OR a Truth-Teller as a politician??
January 16, 2011
I liked this series. They were very well done and beautifuly written. There is a lot of adult themes is this series but they kept it clean. I would suggest for a older young adult reader.
June 20, 2017
Another cute, sweet story by Shinn. I did wish to feel more of an impact of the challenges and intricacies of what a truth-teller and secret-keeper face. A pre-teen or even teen girl would probably really enjoy this book.
June 25, 2025
3.5 stars.
In many ways this reminded me of Summers at Castle Auburn, but that one is the masterpiece and this one is the prototype, the preliminary attempt.
In many ways this reminded me of Summers at Castle Auburn, but that one is the masterpiece and this one is the prototype, the preliminary attempt.
May 5, 2012
This is the second book in the Safe-Keepers series. I picked it up, since I wanted a book to read between some new books I was waiting to come out. I'm a Sharon Shinn fan. So, thought I'd give it a try. Glad I did.
It's about two twins that are complete opposites. Adele and Eleda have opposite names, wear their hair parted on opposite sides, and even write with opposite hands. They are also opposite in deeds, one keeps all secrets while the other has to always tell the truth. They're called Safe Keepers and Truth Tellers. And it's the sequel to a brilliant new world introduced by Sharon Shinn.
We follow the twins from age 12 to the significant age of 17. As inn keeper's daughters, they have to help out in all things such as the laundry, cleaning the rooms, and cooking meals for guests. We are led through their teen lives of girl gossip with the local rich girl, Roelynn, whose main problem in life is that she doesn't want to marry the Prince. She wants to marry for love. In fact, they all do. Roselynn tends to tary with boys not approved by her father, while Adele is secretly in love. Our narrator, Eleda, seems to fall the wrong guy. In the end, all of the events point to a satisfying ending.
I did like the story quite a bit. It was simple and had the tastes of a YA. It wraps up with a simple, gratifying ending. So it is worth the read. I really like the world that is created. I could plunge into the first book now, and enjoy another trip into a place that people have safe-keepers instead of psychs and truth-tellers instead of judges. Something satisfying about that, that their is a magic compulsion to keeping secrets and telling the absolute truth. In all, anyone that likes a simple world with simple truths will enjoy this story.
It's about two twins that are complete opposites. Adele and Eleda have opposite names, wear their hair parted on opposite sides, and even write with opposite hands. They are also opposite in deeds, one keeps all secrets while the other has to always tell the truth. They're called Safe Keepers and Truth Tellers. And it's the sequel to a brilliant new world introduced by Sharon Shinn.
We follow the twins from age 12 to the significant age of 17. As inn keeper's daughters, they have to help out in all things such as the laundry, cleaning the rooms, and cooking meals for guests. We are led through their teen lives of girl gossip with the local rich girl, Roelynn, whose main problem in life is that she doesn't want to marry the Prince. She wants to marry for love. In fact, they all do. Roselynn tends to tary with boys not approved by her father, while Adele is secretly in love. Our narrator, Eleda, seems to fall the wrong guy. In the end, all of the events point to a satisfying ending.
I did like the story quite a bit. It was simple and had the tastes of a YA. It wraps up with a simple, gratifying ending. So it is worth the read. I really like the world that is created. I could plunge into the first book now, and enjoy another trip into a place that people have safe-keepers instead of psychs and truth-tellers instead of judges. Something satisfying about that, that their is a magic compulsion to keeping secrets and telling the absolute truth. In all, anyone that likes a simple world with simple truths will enjoy this story.
July 14, 2009
I thought this started off a bit slowly, but by part two the action had kicked in and it kept going for the rest of the book. I could really relate to Eleda because I too find secrets infuriating and often wanted to smack Adele, even though I did understand why her role as a safe-keeper was important and why Eleda still loved her (she had her moments). Nothing in this book came as a surprise: I guessed that Adele had put the herbs in Eleda's food the minute she got sick, suspected Alexander and Gregory of being the prince and Tobin from the second they arrived, knew Adele had the hots for Micah and that he wasn't really dead when the ship sunk and so on and so on. This made it a bit annoying in places; especially at the end when irritatingly mysterious Adele could've saved a lot of uproar by saying "Alexander is the prince" as soon as she entered the room where Roelynn's father was holding a knife to her throat. Instead that whole scene was ridiculously drawn-out to avoid making the 'revelation' as long as possible, which I suppose would've been very suspenseful if I hadn't guessed it already. But still. Despite all this I found it a very enjoyable read, so there you go. I liked Gregory/Tobin and found his relationship with Eleda satisfying and realistic: he was tired of the lies and intrigue of court life and just wanted to be with someone honest and real, which she was.
My final gripe: the cover was awful. I couldn't get the picture of those two dishwater-blondes with their namby-pamby faces out of my head and it really spoilt my mental image of the girls.
My final gripe: the cover was awful. I couldn't get the picture of those two dishwater-blondes with their namby-pamby faces out of my head and it really spoilt my mental image of the girls.
September 10, 2011
"The Truth-Teller's Tale" is a young adult or middle-grade fantasy novel which will appeal most to girls. It's the second novel in a series, but you don't need to read the first book to understand this one. This one may spoil events in the first novel, though.
It's a charming novel, though I found it predictable. But it probably won't be predictable to a middle-grader. I was expecting a more complex story based on the "a Safe-Keeper told a secret, a Truth-Teller told a lie" beginning promise, but the moral choice was there at the end.
The story was a quick read, though it built slowly toward an action-filled ending. It was mostly about relationships--learning about the pitfalls of romantic relationships as well as loving people who are very different from you (like her twin sister and best friend). The characters were engaging, and the encounters they had due to their special skills were interesting.
I liked that the story touched on the drawbacks of getting physical (even "just" intense kissing). One couple cared about each other for years and were always true to each other, but there was one female (and two male) characters who were constantly falling in and out of love. Though our main character was rightly skeptical, it was implied that finding true love will immediately and completely break people of their habit of falling in love, growing bored with the person, and then looking elsewhere.
There was a minor amount of explicit bad language. There were no sex scenes. Overall, I'd recommend this enjoyable novel.
It's a charming novel, though I found it predictable. But it probably won't be predictable to a middle-grader. I was expecting a more complex story based on the "a Safe-Keeper told a secret, a Truth-Teller told a lie" beginning promise, but the moral choice was there at the end.
The story was a quick read, though it built slowly toward an action-filled ending. It was mostly about relationships--learning about the pitfalls of romantic relationships as well as loving people who are very different from you (like her twin sister and best friend). The characters were engaging, and the encounters they had due to their special skills were interesting.
I liked that the story touched on the drawbacks of getting physical (even "just" intense kissing). One couple cared about each other for years and were always true to each other, but there was one female (and two male) characters who were constantly falling in and out of love. Though our main character was rightly skeptical, it was implied that finding true love will immediately and completely break people of their habit of falling in love, growing bored with the person, and then looking elsewhere.
There was a minor amount of explicit bad language. There were no sex scenes. Overall, I'd recommend this enjoyable novel.
November 27, 2020
It took me a little while to get into this book. The first few chapters narrated Edela and Adele's early life, and there wasn't much in that portion that I was really invested in. But once they became teenagers, the story became much more engaging.
This is the second book I've read by Sharon Shinn, and I think the author is very talented in telling slice-of-life type of stories that are set in a fantastical world. I found this book similar to "Troubled Waters" in that we follow the main protagonists through the struggles of everyday life and navigating social circles, without a real urgent plot moving things forward. But also, like "Troubled Waters" I found the romance to be not my cup of tea. I don't know what it is about the love interests in Shinn's books (at least in the 2 I've read) that just... repels me. They lie and they keep secrets, and show very little remorse about it, even though those secrets affected the protagonists adversely; instead, they make excuses and point out the upsides of their lies. I don't know why the protagonists would love them, to be honest; they're not that compelling to me.
Also, is it just me, or did anyone else find the treatment of Karro quite inconsistent? I can't believe he tried to choke and stab his own daughter, and moments afterward, Roelynn said she didn't think he would really hurt her. He already did! And the prospect of Karro regaining his status as a prominent business man after all his shady dealings? I don't know...
This is the second book I've read by Sharon Shinn, and I think the author is very talented in telling slice-of-life type of stories that are set in a fantastical world. I found this book similar to "Troubled Waters" in that we follow the main protagonists through the struggles of everyday life and navigating social circles, without a real urgent plot moving things forward. But also, like "Troubled Waters" I found the romance to be not my cup of tea. I don't know what it is about the love interests in Shinn's books (at least in the 2 I've read) that just... repels me. They lie and they keep secrets, and show very little remorse about it, even though those secrets affected the protagonists adversely; instead, they make excuses and point out the upsides of their lies. I don't know why the protagonists would love them, to be honest; they're not that compelling to me.
Also, is it just me, or did anyone else find the treatment of Karro quite inconsistent? I can't believe he tried to choke and stab his own daughter, and moments afterward, Roelynn said she didn't think he would really hurt her. He already did! And the prospect of Karro regaining his status as a prominent business man after all his shady dealings? I don't know...
December 28, 2021
It's not possible to fairly review these three books separately. Theoretically they can stand-alone, and in the past I've read them separately, but this week I read all three in order and it's a much richer experience.
And so this review is for all three. Readers very sensitive to spoilers may not want to click through, but any spoilers are mild and therefore most of you go right ahead and view.
I think one of the reasons I like this trilogy so much is that they are, in the end, gentler reads. They acknowledge that there is darkness in the world, but the stories are more filled with joy and optimism than drama or conflict.
Also the writing is graceful, lucid, and sometimes downright beautiful.
This one is a bit more fun, even humorous.
And so this review is for all three. Readers very sensitive to spoilers may not want to click through, but any spoilers are mild and therefore most of you go right ahead and view.
I think one of the reasons I like this trilogy so much is that they are, in the end, gentler reads. They acknowledge that there is darkness in the world, but the stories are more filled with joy and optimism than drama or conflict.
Also the writing is graceful, lucid, and sometimes downright beautiful.
This one is a bit more fun, even humorous.
April 24, 2009
I was a bit reluctant to start this, since I had loved The Safe-Keeper's Secret so much when I first read it that I just didn't believe there was really something that could follow that up in a satisfying way. While I didn't absolutely love this novel, it was a very enjoyable read and I had a lot of fun with the story and characters. The idea of two twins that are mirror opposites in appearance and personalities was interesting, and one thing I really enjoyed was how the longer I read the more I came to understand their relationship was more that they were two halves of a whole, rather than opposites.
Like with the first in this series, the story doesn't ever really deal with a huge nefarious plot like so many fantasy novels wind up being about. This time, it's about two innkeeper's daughters and them growing up as a Truth-Teller and a Safe-Keeper. There's plenty of drama and excitement, but of a more day-to-day kind of drama, like teenagers falling in love and people just trying to find happiness.
The ending was a bit too perfect, but then again it's a fantasy novel where there's such thing as a Dream-Maker, so who am I to argue with that? It was pretty predictable, but I still really enjoyed seeing things turn out the way they did, even if I did see it coming a long way out.
Like with the first in this series, the story doesn't ever really deal with a huge nefarious plot like so many fantasy novels wind up being about. This time, it's about two innkeeper's daughters and them growing up as a Truth-Teller and a Safe-Keeper. There's plenty of drama and excitement, but of a more day-to-day kind of drama, like teenagers falling in love and people just trying to find happiness.
The ending was a bit too perfect, but then again it's a fantasy novel where there's such thing as a Dream-Maker, so who am I to argue with that? It was pretty predictable, but I still really enjoyed seeing things turn out the way they did, even if I did see it coming a long way out.
April 4, 2012
I really enjoy Shinn's writing, but I didn't like this quite as much as the previous book in this series, "The Safe-Keeper's Secret."
It's a stand-alone story, although reading the first one first would help, a little bit, as far as understanding the premise behind this 'world.'
In this story, the romance is front and center, and the 'fantasy' aspects take a (very) background role. Adele and Eleda are 'mirror twins' - seeingly identical, but with very different personalities. One becomes a 'safe-keeper' - honor bound to never spill a secret, the other a 'truth-teller' - pledged to always speak even difficult truths. Their similar appearance can lead to trouble!
I like the scenario a lot, but I felt that the previous book dealt deftly with complex ethical issues, and this one just kinda got everyone happily hooked up with their true love, while actually ignoring some of the social issues brought up by the plotline.
I'd still recommend this for fans of fairytale-style fiction.
It's a stand-alone story, although reading the first one first would help, a little bit, as far as understanding the premise behind this 'world.'
In this story, the romance is front and center, and the 'fantasy' aspects take a (very) background role. Adele and Eleda are 'mirror twins' - seeingly identical, but with very different personalities. One becomes a 'safe-keeper' - honor bound to never spill a secret, the other a 'truth-teller' - pledged to always speak even difficult truths. Their similar appearance can lead to trouble!
I like the scenario a lot, but I felt that the previous book dealt deftly with complex ethical issues, and this one just kinda got everyone happily hooked up with their true love, while actually ignoring some of the social issues brought up by the plotline.
I'd still recommend this for fans of fairytale-style fiction.
May 5, 2010
I was pleasantly surprised by this book. I couldn't believe I didn't see the ending coming, and yet I didn't! I think perhaps that's because the plot sort of creeps up on you, most of the book I kept asking myself, "What is this book even about?" because it seemed like nothing was happening, but then before you know it it's all exploding all over the place and there's crisis and drama and oh my! I did guess most of it before it happened, but only like a page or two prior, so that was fun. And again, I think it's because she had a way of lulling you into thinking that none of it was all that important, until everything was falling apart so to speak and you then knew how important it all had been, all along.
Caution: this book does have one brief mention of rape.
Caution: this book does have one brief mention of rape.
October 2, 2012
It had nice parts. Still like her prose and her ability to tell a simple story with such fine small details while still feeling as if things are happening. It creates such a rich texture and atmosphere. I was not very emotionally connected to this cast of characters though and while I liked Adele and Eleda, I found it hard to care about their romantic interests and their friend and her never-ending stream of paramours made me want to scream. Ultimately, nothing happened to make me love these characters or want to ever read it again, so not recommended, but not objectionable either.
Content: Their friend has a steady stream of lovers. Kissing. Um, pretty much it.
Content: Their friend has a steady stream of lovers. Kissing. Um, pretty much it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 18, 2012
I know some have been disappointed that the "twists" were fairly obvious. I, however, didn't feel this to be a story about twists, but rather one where the reader has all the pieces and gets to slowly, joyfully come together into a pretty pattern. We never needed to fear there wouldn't be happy endings - the question was how it would all come about.
As per usual, I love the worlds that Shinn creates. They're well thought out and interesting and, for this particular novel, I really loved the interplay between the twins.
As per usual, I love the worlds that Shinn creates. They're well thought out and interesting and, for this particular novel, I really loved the interplay between the twins.
January 30, 2019
Don't know why I read this when I didn't even like the first one. But the blurb sounded so mysterious and interesting. It wasn't. Nothing remotely interesting happens in this book and the mysteries are way too predictable and easy to guess. I actually had the impression that the main character was kinda dumb, she just refused to see everything that was happening around her until the truth slaped her in the face. The romance was too fast, and any problens they had was solved way too easily. To wrap it up, don't recomend.
October 25, 2020
It was good for what it is. This is not great literature, but a fun, low-key read for young adults. It meandered just a bit, but not enough to make me put it down. And even though I had things figured out well before the Big Reveal the writing was enjoyable enough to keep me going to see if i was right. There was one moment at the end where things got a little violent (trying to explain without spoilers) and was out of character for the person involved. But all in all it was a solid four.
November 17, 2015
I read this awhile back and for the longest time could never remember the name or find it online. Although I read this years and years ago the story stuck with me. The characters were well written, the plot extremely interesting and the romance heartbreaking. Now that I found the book again I will be rereading as soon as I get my hands on a copy of the book.
January 24, 2011
3.5.
I was pleasantly surprised with this book, and was definitely surprised by the ending.
The only thing that it was a bit slow at times, and that made me feel like the story was going nowhere.
I was pleasantly surprised with this book, and was definitely surprised by the ending.
The only thing that it was a bit slow at times, and that made me feel like the story was going nowhere.
September 25, 2008
So many of Sharon Shinn's books just make me feel warm inside.
August 4, 2016
Not the best, really, especially because the characters seemed a lot less real to me than during the first book. Still, it's good light romance and castle intrigue.
March 7, 2021
Beautiful and heartwarming
I remember getting this book years ago, but lost it without finishing it. It was the Spanish version, which had an absolutely beautiful cover... But the translation was not that great. Not bad, just not great... I think it was the flow of the reading rather than the accuracy that put me off a little bit. I was recently reminded of the book, though, and I remember liking the story and characters well enough to give it another chance but in its original language.
I'm SO GLAD I DID.
This book is my cup of tea since the very first sentence to the very last.
The book, to me, seems like a Jane Austen with some Shakespearean elements but with less sarcasm than the normal Austen and more fantasy and world building. It is very character driven and most of the characters, at least the ones we read about the most, are very likeable. The world itself feels very familiar as it is like a "cottagecore" environment in a world that has a lot of people, places and dynamics that are very standard in the genre but also have its original flare thanks to the fantasy elements that compose the mythology.
The writing itself is very, very well done. The rithm is very smooth and the voice of the narrator is soothing and at the same time very gripping. I'm usually a very slow reader but this one hooked me in right away and didn't let me go until the end.
I definitely recommend this to anyone who likes fantasy, cottagecore or Jane Austen.
Also I'm a bit scared to try the other two books of this trilogy as the premises of those lack the intriguing allure of the mirror twins of this one. They also seem to be less heartwarming... But I will read them. I'll review them as soon as I do.
I remember getting this book years ago, but lost it without finishing it. It was the Spanish version, which had an absolutely beautiful cover... But the translation was not that great. Not bad, just not great... I think it was the flow of the reading rather than the accuracy that put me off a little bit. I was recently reminded of the book, though, and I remember liking the story and characters well enough to give it another chance but in its original language.
I'm SO GLAD I DID.
This book is my cup of tea since the very first sentence to the very last.
The book, to me, seems like a Jane Austen with some Shakespearean elements but with less sarcasm than the normal Austen and more fantasy and world building. It is very character driven and most of the characters, at least the ones we read about the most, are very likeable. The world itself feels very familiar as it is like a "cottagecore" environment in a world that has a lot of people, places and dynamics that are very standard in the genre but also have its original flare thanks to the fantasy elements that compose the mythology.
The writing itself is very, very well done. The rithm is very smooth and the voice of the narrator is soothing and at the same time very gripping. I'm usually a very slow reader but this one hooked me in right away and didn't let me go until the end.
I definitely recommend this to anyone who likes fantasy, cottagecore or Jane Austen.
Also I'm a bit scared to try the other two books of this trilogy as the premises of those lack the intriguing allure of the mirror twins of this one. They also seem to be less heartwarming... But I will read them. I'll review them as soon as I do.
July 10, 2023
A compelling story that will stay with readers, and have them seeking out the companion novels!
This was my introduction to Sharon Shinn, years ago, and I loved it. Her spunky "mirror" twins—so opposite in literally every way—were fantastic.
The focus in the book is on the daily, homey, believable aspects of life, but within a context of a world where certain, clearly defined magical powers exist. They just are, they are never explained, but therein lies their charm. The truth-tellers, the safe-keepers, and the dream-makers are ideas (and ideals) full of wonder and whimsy—and yet just plain, down-to-earth people.
This is an interesting coming-of-age tale set in a medieval fantasy world that feels very real indeed. The characters are vivid, fun and flawed. The family dynamics, especially the sister bond with all its vexations and unconditional loyalties, are wholehearted and believable. The love interest has some real charisma, and the romantic sparks fly right off the page. The kingdom and its villages feel a little sleepy, like any adventure always befalls someone else, and far off... but that tone is just right for exploring the small adventures that come upon our MC.
While the romance is sweet and wholesome, there is a darker, gritty thread that runs through this tale, which unfortunately means I cannot yet hand it to my 12yo daughter. In fact, the very premise of the safe-keepers is a two-edged sword, for both the safe-keepers and the reader, as it means there will be some hard things at least hinted at. That is part of what makes this story-world ring true.
The message is that truth is nuanced and complex, and there are times when you have to bend and adapt in order to be true to yourself and to those you love.
This was my introduction to Sharon Shinn, years ago, and I loved it. Her spunky "mirror" twins—so opposite in literally every way—were fantastic.
The focus in the book is on the daily, homey, believable aspects of life, but within a context of a world where certain, clearly defined magical powers exist. They just are, they are never explained, but therein lies their charm. The truth-tellers, the safe-keepers, and the dream-makers are ideas (and ideals) full of wonder and whimsy—and yet just plain, down-to-earth people.
This is an interesting coming-of-age tale set in a medieval fantasy world that feels very real indeed. The characters are vivid, fun and flawed. The family dynamics, especially the sister bond with all its vexations and unconditional loyalties, are wholehearted and believable. The love interest has some real charisma, and the romantic sparks fly right off the page. The kingdom and its villages feel a little sleepy, like any adventure always befalls someone else, and far off... but that tone is just right for exploring the small adventures that come upon our MC.
While the romance is sweet and wholesome, there is a darker, gritty thread that runs through this tale, which unfortunately means I cannot yet hand it to my 12yo daughter. In fact, the very premise of the safe-keepers is a two-edged sword, for both the safe-keepers and the reader, as it means there will be some hard things at least hinted at. That is part of what makes this story-world ring true.
The message is that truth is nuanced and complex, and there are times when you have to bend and adapt in order to be true to yourself and to those you love.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 263 reviews