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Crystal singers universe #0.5
The Coelura
The Lady Caissa, heir to the Ambassador of the Federated Sentient Planets to the world Demeathorn, had grown up knowing that she owed her sire obedience and unconditional loyalty. She was expected to do her duty, even to the extent of entering into a marriage alliance she did not understand with a man she despised. Lady Caissa, beautiful, rich, and well-educated, had never learned the great secret of Demeathorn, although she was about to be caught in its spell.
In the aftermath of disastrous diplomatic negotiations, she fled north toward interdicted territory. A distress signal from deep within the forbidden zone drew her to a rocky island where she would encounter a man alone: intense, handsome, and severely injured in the crash of his antique flyer. Lady Caissa did not know it, but she had just set in motion events which would determine the fate of her family, her planet...and her happiness.
176 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1983
5 people are currently reading
987 people want to read
About the author
Anne McCaffrey
478 books7,753 followersAnne Inez McCaffrey was an American writer known for the Dragonriders of Pern science fiction series. She was the first woman to win a Hugo Award for fiction (Best Novella, Weyr Search, 1968) and the first to win a Nebula Award (Best Novella, Dragonrider, 1969). Her 1978 novel The White Dragon became one of the first science-fiction books to appear on the New York Times Best Seller list.
In 2005 the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America named McCaffrey its 22nd Grand Master, an annual award to living writers of fantasy and science fiction. She was inducted by the Science Fiction Hall of Fame on 17 June 2006. She also received the Robert A. Heinlein Award for her work in 2007.
In 2005 the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America named McCaffrey its 22nd Grand Master, an annual award to living writers of fantasy and science fiction. She was inducted by the Science Fiction Hall of Fame on 17 June 2006. She also received the Robert A. Heinlein Award for her work in 2007.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 113 reviews
February 12, 2018
Ahoy there me mateys! I am assuming that most of me crew has heard of Anne McCaffrey. I read a lot of her work when I was a younger lass. So when I was perusing some used books that be for sale, I snagged a copy of this short novel. I had never heard of it and it has a funny looking cat like creature on the cover. The edition I picked up was published by Tor in 1987. It is a hardback and part of its appeal were the 50 black and white illustrations by Ned Dameron.
It is an odd little snippet of a story. Lady Caissa is the body-heir for her father. Her father helps rule the planet of Demeathorn. As body-heir, Caissa owes him strict obedience - especially in the matter of producing the next heir. But when her father proposes his pick of suitor, Caissa is appalled at how inappropriate the choice is and wonders what scheme her father is participating in now. So she decides to find out. Will she be a dutiful daughter or will she revolt?
Part of that scheme involves the coelura. I don't even know how to describe them. After reading this book, I still be completely confused as to what one is. They certainly don't look like the cat creature from the cover. The illustrations don't really do them justice. It was perplexing.
The illustrations, while super fun, were rather odd. Sometimes they seemed to match an element of the story. Sometimes I couldn't figure out what they were supposed to portray. They were not always placed near the section of the book being described. In fact, often they were scattered in seemingly random order.
I enjoyed this novel but ended up being mostly confused. As McCaffrey's writing is usually crystal clear and rich in detail, this seemed unusual. But instead of being frustrated, I still very much enjoyed the odd experience and the puzzle of it. I can't recommend the story, such as it was, but I am glad I own this particular book and will certainly revisit it in the future.
Check out me other reviews at https://thecaptainsquartersblog.wordp...
It is an odd little snippet of a story. Lady Caissa is the body-heir for her father. Her father helps rule the planet of Demeathorn. As body-heir, Caissa owes him strict obedience - especially in the matter of producing the next heir. But when her father proposes his pick of suitor, Caissa is appalled at how inappropriate the choice is and wonders what scheme her father is participating in now. So she decides to find out. Will she be a dutiful daughter or will she revolt?
Part of that scheme involves the coelura. I don't even know how to describe them. After reading this book, I still be completely confused as to what one is. They certainly don't look like the cat creature from the cover. The illustrations don't really do them justice. It was perplexing.
The illustrations, while super fun, were rather odd. Sometimes they seemed to match an element of the story. Sometimes I couldn't figure out what they were supposed to portray. They were not always placed near the section of the book being described. In fact, often they were scattered in seemingly random order.
I enjoyed this novel but ended up being mostly confused. As McCaffrey's writing is usually crystal clear and rich in detail, this seemed unusual. But instead of being frustrated, I still very much enjoyed the odd experience and the puzzle of it. I can't recommend the story, such as it was, but I am glad I own this particular book and will certainly revisit it in the future.
Check out me other reviews at https://thecaptainsquartersblog.wordp...
November 22, 2009
An oldie but a goodie. This is a novella length book with wonderful pictures included throughout, is a space opera mixed with highly class driven society romance. It's all about fashion, in the end. Which is probably why I love it so.
April 29, 2014
This is a short illustrated novella. The drawings are outstanding and better in my opinion than the book itself. The book was certainly well written and many might find it very enjoyable. The story struck me more as a young adult novel, and there's nothing wrong with that. But the tale was really a very simple love story that didn't engage me strongly.
October 28, 2024
This is the tale of the Lady Caissa, body-heir to Baythan (who has too many titles to repeat here), and her coming of age on the planet of Demeathorn. It depicts a very stylised, stilted society bound by rigid rules - especially when it comes to procreation. Body-heir contracts can be extensive and have clauses that can reverberate down the years.
When Baythan demands that Caissa consider a body-heir contract with a certain man, Caissa is determined to find out why. Her search - and frustrations - lead her to unwittingly discover Demeathorn's greatest secret, something that's never been mentioned in her presence, and love.
This is one of my favourite McCaffrey stories, and gets reread with regularity. Definitely one of my comfort reads, or a palate cleanser when I feel the need for one. Though the society depicted is stylised and artificial, Caissa is a break from that mold, and the coelura are creatures second to none. Definitely one of the most intriguing, imaginative conceptions I've come across in all my years of reading science fiction.
When Baythan demands that Caissa consider a body-heir contract with a certain man, Caissa is determined to find out why. Her search - and frustrations - lead her to unwittingly discover Demeathorn's greatest secret, something that's never been mentioned in her presence, and love.
This is one of my favourite McCaffrey stories, and gets reread with regularity. Definitely one of my comfort reads, or a palate cleanser when I feel the need for one. Though the society depicted is stylised and artificial, Caissa is a break from that mold, and the coelura are creatures second to none. Definitely one of the most intriguing, imaginative conceptions I've come across in all my years of reading science fiction.
October 12, 2020
Prica osrednja, ali su mi ilustracije super, onako bas stara skola, kao iz stripova i knjiga koje sam kao klinac uzimao bratu i ujaku.
June 20, 2018
The first time I read this I must have been 12 or 13. I know I picked it up because the cover reminded me of one of my favorite comics A Distant Soil (and rereading now, I can see some other superficial similarities).
Its a short novella, made shorter by at least a dozen pictures (a few of which are double page spreads) depicting various scenes. For instance when Caissa is being desressed by her faithful servant Trin, we are shown this:
(not my image by the by, taken from here: http://www.thebookofchoice.com/Scienc...)
Ned Dameron, who illustrated the inside images as well as the image of Caissa in the gold gown for the covers, does very detailed work. They're wonderful to look at and part of what appealed to me as a young teen/tween.
The story itself though, even read through nostalgia glasses, feels much less coherent and smooth than many of McCaffrey's other novellas and short stories. There's less depth to this then I am used to I think with McCaffrey's stories due in large part to the fact this is one of the few I've read not part of a larger universe.
If you take for instance "Lady in the Tower", the short story that would eventually become the first book in the "Tower and Hive" series known as The Rowan, I read that before I read the book itself. And it stands on its own really well. You get a solid feel for who the Rowan is, for who Jeff is, the romance that builds and the menace that hovers. This isn't quite as well replicated in the sequel "Meeting of Minds" (which is the basis for which the second book Damia in the "Tower and Hive" series), but still pretty strong.
We're not given much idea who Caissa is - she's a cipher, going from obedient "body-heir"/daughter to rebellious young adult constantly. Murrell is given even less build up and the ending, quite honestly, left me feeling like they're all devils in disguise because NO ONE seems AT ALL BOTHERED by the fact they are enslaving an endangered species (even if the production is limited).
In the end this is a solid space opera romance for the YA set (despite Caissa's age of 20), but is not the strongest contender in McCaffrey's backlog to bring readers into her world for.
Its a short novella, made shorter by at least a dozen pictures (a few of which are double page spreads) depicting various scenes. For instance when Caissa is being desressed by her faithful servant Trin, we are shown this:
(not my image by the by, taken from here: http://www.thebookofchoice.com/Scienc...)Ned Dameron, who illustrated the inside images as well as the image of Caissa in the gold gown for the covers, does very detailed work. They're wonderful to look at and part of what appealed to me as a young teen/tween.
The story itself though, even read through nostalgia glasses, feels much less coherent and smooth than many of McCaffrey's other novellas and short stories. There's less depth to this then I am used to I think with McCaffrey's stories due in large part to the fact this is one of the few I've read not part of a larger universe.
If you take for instance "Lady in the Tower", the short story that would eventually become the first book in the "Tower and Hive" series known as The Rowan, I read that before I read the book itself. And it stands on its own really well. You get a solid feel for who the Rowan is, for who Jeff is, the romance that builds and the menace that hovers. This isn't quite as well replicated in the sequel "Meeting of Minds" (which is the basis for which the second book Damia in the "Tower and Hive" series), but still pretty strong.
We're not given much idea who Caissa is - she's a cipher, going from obedient "body-heir"/daughter to rebellious young adult constantly. Murrell is given even less build up and the ending, quite honestly, left me feeling like they're all devils in disguise because NO ONE seems AT ALL BOTHERED by the fact they are enslaving an endangered species (even if the production is limited).
In the end this is a solid space opera romance for the YA set (despite Caissa's age of 20), but is not the strongest contender in McCaffrey's backlog to bring readers into her world for.
May 29, 2009
My first Anne McCaffrey book, I read this in 2 hours one night when I couldn't sleep.
It was a great read, and I will definitely be reading more from this author. There were parts that made me laugh a little bit out loud, but the entire story just transfixed me. I can't really explain why.
It was a great read, and I will definitely be reading more from this author. There were parts that made me laugh a little bit out loud, but the entire story just transfixed me. I can't really explain why.
December 28, 2010
Ridiculously simplistic from a writer who usually weaves such realistic worlds. The length, I'm sure, is part of it: this book is tiny. There is, though, almost no character development and the story line staggers like a drunkard.
March 4, 2025
I can see why this novella is largely forgotten.
May 3, 2025
Cool ideas, cool pictures, some of the worst writing I’ve ever encountered. There are some FREAKS trolling the woodmore little libraries.
July 8, 2016
This review originally appeared on my blog, Books Without Any Pictures:
http://bookswithoutanypictures.com/20...
The Coelura by Anne McCaffrey is a novella-length space opera about fashion, contracts, and alien life forms. It reminds me a little bit of the Kill La Kill anime, except pulpier and not quite as developed.
Contracts are very important in the world of Demeathorn. Rather than marriage, people enter into short-term contracts in order to conceive heirs. Caissa is the body heir to the Ambassador, which means she’s grown up to a life of privilege, but also that she owes it to her dad to arrange a beneficial contract when it’s time for her to bear her own heir. When her father tries to convince her to settle for someone below her standards, Caissa rides off into the sunset on her speeder. She hears a distress call and meets Murrell, a handsome young man who has connections to the Coelura, a sentient species that weaves/becomes super fashionable robes that respond to the wearer’s emotions, surroundings, etc. Caissa realizes that the Coelura need to be protected from the schemes of people like her father, and so determines to do whatever is in her power to help.
I’ve been a huge Anne McCaffrey fan ever since I first discovered her in high school. Her heroines are competent businesswomen, and I’ve always enjoyed how independent and assertive they are. Caissa is no different, and continually does her own thing while spinning it to fulfill her filial obligations. But even though I liked Caissa as a heroine, my overall thoughts on The Coelura were mixed.
Compared to McCaffrey’s other books, The Coelura meandered too much and didn’t feel like a cohesive story. The ending in particular hinted at unexpected characteristics of the Coelura themselves, but in a rushed and dismissive kind of way. Another 50 pages and an extra couple hours of editing could have done wonders for the story.
One the other hand, one of the really neat things about The Coelura was the art. This was a really short book, and the only reason that it approaches 150 pages is that there were so many full-page illustrations interspersed throughout. I love vintage pulpy SF/F artwork, so I was delighted to find so much of it.
Verdict: Not McCaffrey’s best work by a long shot, but a fun pulpy romp nonetheless.
http://bookswithoutanypictures.com/20...
The Coelura by Anne McCaffrey is a novella-length space opera about fashion, contracts, and alien life forms. It reminds me a little bit of the Kill La Kill anime, except pulpier and not quite as developed.
Contracts are very important in the world of Demeathorn. Rather than marriage, people enter into short-term contracts in order to conceive heirs. Caissa is the body heir to the Ambassador, which means she’s grown up to a life of privilege, but also that she owes it to her dad to arrange a beneficial contract when it’s time for her to bear her own heir. When her father tries to convince her to settle for someone below her standards, Caissa rides off into the sunset on her speeder. She hears a distress call and meets Murrell, a handsome young man who has connections to the Coelura, a sentient species that weaves/becomes super fashionable robes that respond to the wearer’s emotions, surroundings, etc. Caissa realizes that the Coelura need to be protected from the schemes of people like her father, and so determines to do whatever is in her power to help.
I’ve been a huge Anne McCaffrey fan ever since I first discovered her in high school. Her heroines are competent businesswomen, and I’ve always enjoyed how independent and assertive they are. Caissa is no different, and continually does her own thing while spinning it to fulfill her filial obligations. But even though I liked Caissa as a heroine, my overall thoughts on The Coelura were mixed.
Compared to McCaffrey’s other books, The Coelura meandered too much and didn’t feel like a cohesive story. The ending in particular hinted at unexpected characteristics of the Coelura themselves, but in a rushed and dismissive kind of way. Another 50 pages and an extra couple hours of editing could have done wonders for the story.
One the other hand, one of the really neat things about The Coelura was the art. This was a really short book, and the only reason that it approaches 150 pages is that there were so many full-page illustrations interspersed throughout. I love vintage pulpy SF/F artwork, so I was delighted to find so much of it.
Verdict: Not McCaffrey’s best work by a long shot, but a fun pulpy romp nonetheless.
January 1, 2020
This was a very short novel that seemed to be written more to give words to the artwork (nothing special, and not in color) accompanying the story. The story itself had some serious shortfalls, was implausible, and was extremely time-worn. How many times has the plot device of a forced marriage been used to motivate a character to begin her quest? Add one more to that ever growing list. Luckily, while on her quest the lead character met her true love, and was later able to convince Daddy to give up his forced marriage notion and instead accept her true love. This is quite a shocking plot twist, isn’t it?
And what is the ultimate message or point of the book? It's an environmental message. The coelura creatures are unique, precious, and beautiful for the clothing they make. In fact, they are the clothing -- another unoriginal concept. We should treat all animal species as harmless and beneficial as the coelura are with the love and respect they deserve, and never ever hunt or exploit them to the point of extinction. It's just wrong. If this beauty pageant contestant platitude is a fresh message for you, and one you feel the need to read, this book will surely appeal to you. Otherwise, there's nothing new here. You can safely skip it.
And what is the ultimate message or point of the book? It's an environmental message. The coelura creatures are unique, precious, and beautiful for the clothing they make. In fact, they are the clothing -- another unoriginal concept. We should treat all animal species as harmless and beneficial as the coelura are with the love and respect they deserve, and never ever hunt or exploit them to the point of extinction. It's just wrong. If this beauty pageant contestant platitude is a fresh message for you, and one you feel the need to read, this book will surely appeal to you. Otherwise, there's nothing new here. You can safely skip it.
February 14, 2019
Her father wants Lady Caissa to consider an aliance with someone she does not like at all. When Lady Caissa goes hunting to take her mind off her problems, she meets someone that makes her wonder what could be. Lady Caissa also will meet the Coelura. A species that makes clothes that are thought to be legend and if it is found, they will be hunted to extinction.
I enjoyed this short story. Most of the pages were drawings and the sentences were simple. It reminded me more of a beginner's chapter book, but it had themes to it that I wouldn't let a child read (personally). The theme was more Young Adult and made me think that it was a first try at writing a book. Anne McCaffrey has written much more complex books than this one.
I enjoyed this short story. Most of the pages were drawings and the sentences were simple. It reminded me more of a beginner's chapter book, but it had themes to it that I wouldn't let a child read (personally). The theme was more Young Adult and made me think that it was a first try at writing a book. Anne McCaffrey has written much more complex books than this one.
April 10, 2008
Felt like the story was rushed and summarized.
As if it was a high school/college writing.
Cute story though, wish it had more to it.
As if it was a high school/college writing.
Cute story though, wish it had more to it.
April 1, 2016
Too many illustrations, some of which were sultry, and not enough story. Easily the worst book I've read from this author.
January 24, 2021
I thought it too short on my latest reread 😕
November 4, 2025
I'm not really sure how to feel about this one, mostly due to the format. It is a novella and to add to that, printed in large font (my copy, at least, was) and with many full page illustrations, as well as a few double page spreads. The art, for the most part, is quite lovely and fun to look at. I can guess that the purpose of its inclusion was so that less of the text could be dedicated to describing the scenery and more to the internal worlds of our characters and the specific plot elements, but that is not exactly what reading this feels like.
While I understand the limits of a novella, this book still feels half-finished. I barely know our main character, the Lady Caissa, and I barely know her love interest. Honestly, among the cast of characters, it feels as though we become most acquainted with Caissa's parents, and their family and political dynamic within this unfamiliar world.
This is where my conflicted review comes into play. As a standalone book, which I'm aware this is technically not, it simply is not great. There isn't enough here. But, as a hook to convince the reader to dive into the rest of the series, well, that may be more successful. I am intrigued by the strange politics of this futuristic society, and not at all surprised that they are greedy and destructive, to the point of Unfortunately, that is more of a direct indictment of modern day humanity than some distant made up potentiality, and I'd like to see if this critique is given more depth in the later installments.
Either way, I will continue my way through McCaffrey's works. Even when it's strange or somewhat truncated, I still manage to harbor a fondness for her writing. In this instance, towards the beginning of the book, I was quite charmed to feel somewhat like I was reading rather poorly written fanfic and/or something out of the modern genre of romantasy, proving that, from certain angles at least, McCaffrey's writing stands the test of time.
(2.5 stars)
While I understand the limits of a novella, this book still feels half-finished. I barely know our main character, the Lady Caissa, and I barely know her love interest. Honestly, among the cast of characters, it feels as though we become most acquainted with Caissa's parents, and their family and political dynamic within this unfamiliar world.
This is where my conflicted review comes into play. As a standalone book, which I'm aware this is technically not, it simply is not great. There isn't enough here. But, as a hook to convince the reader to dive into the rest of the series, well, that may be more successful. I am intrigued by the strange politics of this futuristic society, and not at all surprised that they are greedy and destructive, to the point of Unfortunately, that is more of a direct indictment of modern day humanity than some distant made up potentiality, and I'd like to see if this critique is given more depth in the later installments.
Either way, I will continue my way through McCaffrey's works. Even when it's strange or somewhat truncated, I still manage to harbor a fondness for her writing. In this instance, towards the beginning of the book, I was quite charmed to feel somewhat like I was reading rather poorly written fanfic and/or something out of the modern genre of romantasy, proving that, from certain angles at least, McCaffrey's writing stands the test of time.
(2.5 stars)
April 12, 2024
I read through a lot of reviews before submitting my own.
I don't know why this book is often listed as part of the Crystal Singer series or part of the Tower and the Hive series, as it is neither, though it takes place in the same universe. If you are familiar with this author's other works, you will recognize the mention of the FSP. You may also recognize the creature on the cover illustration as resembling a baby barque cat, as described in the Tower and the Hive novels, but that is where similarity ends.
If I had to classify this at all, I would call it a science fiction/fantasy young adult novella. Some of these reviews called it a romance, but that's stretching the one non-spicy romance scene into more than it really is. It hooks you with a secret that the protagonist discovers exists and quickly works to reveal.
Many of the low reviews seem to be centered around the fact that characters and storyline are under developed. But it truly is a short story, so that's to be expected. The writing quality is solid and the editing is good, so you will want to know more, but sadly, since it is not part of a series, there is no more.
I read the hardcover Tor 1987 edition, which contains 156 numbered pages. There is text on 102 of those pages, with more than 50 incredibly done illustrations, making it a very quick read.
I don't know why this book is often listed as part of the Crystal Singer series or part of the Tower and the Hive series, as it is neither, though it takes place in the same universe. If you are familiar with this author's other works, you will recognize the mention of the FSP. You may also recognize the creature on the cover illustration as resembling a baby barque cat, as described in the Tower and the Hive novels, but that is where similarity ends.
If I had to classify this at all, I would call it a science fiction/fantasy young adult novella. Some of these reviews called it a romance, but that's stretching the one non-spicy romance scene into more than it really is. It hooks you with a secret that the protagonist discovers exists and quickly works to reveal.
Many of the low reviews seem to be centered around the fact that characters and storyline are under developed. But it truly is a short story, so that's to be expected. The writing quality is solid and the editing is good, so you will want to know more, but sadly, since it is not part of a series, there is no more.
I read the hardcover Tor 1987 edition, which contains 156 numbered pages. There is text on 102 of those pages, with more than 50 incredibly done illustrations, making it a very quick read.
January 5, 2017
I loved this short quick book with all the pictures throughout it showing scenes from the story. There was almost a picture every other page in parts of the book and sometimes every 4-6pages. The story was well thought out, no pesky plot holes here. The only thing that left me wanting was the very end, why was everyone acting like the womb-mother wasn't happy in getting exactly what she had wanted for so long? That part was never explained, and did leave you hanging at the end in wondering why she wouldnt be happy with it. The story was a good science fiction one in that it read more like a fantasy since there was not much explanation of how those futuristic gadgets worked in physics ways (the what they did and looked like yes was told). So this story was focused on plot and characters. It even fit in it a mystery, a romance, intrigue, and a rescue/protection of endangered species.
Definitely a nice quick good book for whenever you need to get out of slumps or just need a short fun good book. It is even good enough to be rereadable at some point.
Definitely a nice quick good book for whenever you need to get out of slumps or just need a short fun good book. It is even good enough to be rereadable at some point.
July 29, 2022
In need of more of a novella for book club given our August book is 1000+ pages, we chose The Coelura. I think this is actually the first book I've read by Anne McCaffrey, despite owning quite a number of her books. It lands us right in the thick of a sci-fi/fantasy planet, with Caissa, body-heir to Ambassador of the Federated Sentient Planets on the planet Demeathorn, learning from her father that she should be prepared to enter into an heir-contract very soon, as it would be very advantageous to her future and more. Of course, contracts can be complex, as Caissa learns of the contract between her sire and the woman who bore her (I forget off-hand the terminology used for her). With the pressure from her sire to be open to an heir-contract so soon and the offense she felt from initial contract negotiations, she flees to forbidden territory where she catches on to a distress signal. Following that signal will change her world, and her future.
What initially seems as though a very nobility-style political system, is actually much more egalitarian. Having heirs is arranged through heir-contracts, with one parent naming the child their body-heir and the other going about their business, free to enter into any other heir-contract they desire and can negotiate. We were really dropped right into everything, but McCaffrey gives us enough information to get a feel and a not wholly abstract understanding of this futuristic planet. I read an illustrated edition, and with the exception of one image that jumped the shark by appearing before the text it showed, the illustrations were great to look at and enjoy, including the extrapolations Ned Dameron made in clothing Caissa and showing Demeathorn.
Also, I need to keep a running tally of science fiction books which mention Aldebaran as a habited planet - this one does, on page 13. What makes Aldebaran so popular for authors, I wonder?
What initially seems as though a very nobility-style political system, is actually much more egalitarian. Having heirs is arranged through heir-contracts, with one parent naming the child their body-heir and the other going about their business, free to enter into any other heir-contract they desire and can negotiate. We were really dropped right into everything, but McCaffrey gives us enough information to get a feel and a not wholly abstract understanding of this futuristic planet. I read an illustrated edition, and with the exception of one image that jumped the shark by appearing before the text it showed, the illustrations were great to look at and enjoy, including the extrapolations Ned Dameron made in clothing Caissa and showing Demeathorn.
Also, I need to keep a running tally of science fiction books which mention Aldebaran as a habited planet - this one does, on page 13. What makes Aldebaran so popular for authors, I wonder?
July 13, 2018
Not my favorite of Anne McCaffrey's. This is a short illustrated novella, probably fits in best as a YA, although the protagonist is 20. If it had been written by any other author, I would have said s/he was trying to hard to make the reader believe in the society and world being described. I don't expect that from this author, so I don't know why the writing style was so off-putting to me. The many illustrations did not improve the story for me either: the style was a bit 80's (when this was originally published), a bit Art Nouveau, and a bit sci-fi comic. And don't get me started on the cover: totally unrelated to the story. The illustration depicts a young woman holding a cat/rabbit creature which an observer would naturally assume is the title creature, a Coelura, although the coelura is not even remotely described as anything like a four footed creature with a face and ears.
April 22, 2025
Quite a short novella that's been bolstered by a large font size and a thorough peppering of illustrations to clock in at a reasonable size for a mass market paperback. Ned Dameron's illustrations are of high quality, but I found the writing of this book to be nearly impenetrable. Characters say things, characters think about the things that were said, and somehow I floated through the whole thing without investing in anything or anyone. It's one of those courtly fantasy worlds where everyone is knotted up about propriety and such and nothing much actually seems to occur. I've run into similar issues with some McCaffrey stories before, and I know other people love her stuff, so this one can be safely filed away as a "me problem". I'm sure I'll give her work another try at some point down the line.
June 20, 2019
There are guilty pleasure books, I mean, at least I *hope* everyone understands and has that sort of thing. Well, this is a guilty "I love this book" book, actually a novella. Anne McCaffrey leaves enough detail out so you can fill in with your own imagination. It is frothy and hard-hitting because it feels real. As time goes by, her championing of environment way back in '92 seems prescient. Read Gail Carriger's review. Anyway, I have re-read it numerous times through the years and it's time to purchase my own copy, as it's too old and not enough in demand for the library to keep one.
January 31, 2023
This was a short read, which I was thankful for. It was a book club book that I didn’t choose. I got an illustrated version that has really wonderfully dynamic art. Just beautiful. But the story is a bit odd. I guess it felt like a fairytale set in a space opera setting? Lady Caissa assists a mysterious man after his ship is stranded. The Coelura (the creatures themselves) were probably the coolest bit of world building. They are nice and sweet, and I like them. The rest of the story was a bit ho-hum to me.
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December 15, 2024Honestly, this book didn't leave much of an impression on me as I was reading it. The main thought that stood out to me was that my mother, an Anne McCaffrey fan, probably wouldn't enjoy it (due to the non-explicit, but still adult content).
I also feel that the story's condensed format did not work in the book's favor. Not only did it cause problems with pacing, but it also did a disservice to certain characters, who in my opinion could have benefited from more expanded exploration.
Did I like it? I didn't dislike it, but I didn't think it was exceptional either.
Would I reread it? No.
Would I recommend it? I personally feel that Anne McCaffrey has written much better, or at least more balanced, books.
I also feel that the story's condensed format did not work in the book's favor. Not only did it cause problems with pacing, but it also did a disservice to certain characters, who in my opinion could have benefited from more expanded exploration.
Did I like it? I didn't dislike it, but I didn't think it was exceptional either.
Would I reread it? No.
Would I recommend it? I personally feel that Anne McCaffrey has written much better, or at least more balanced, books.
April 25, 2025
The story is probably 3 stars, but the art is 5. I think the story was fine for what it was, low stakes and simple, but I did get confused with some of the world with the contracts and heirs. maybe I just didn't pick it up or maybe it isn't explained well. I also think it could have presented what kind of story this is better. I'm not sure how but I was a little put off by the emphasis of fashion being the root of the problem, essentially.
The art on the other hand was great. I liked most of it and felt it added a lot of flavor and setting to what would otherwise be pretty bland.
The art on the other hand was great. I liked most of it and felt it added a lot of flavor and setting to what would otherwise be pretty bland.
April 3, 2024
McCaffery is my favorite author, her stylistic writing and exceptional vocabulary have long been like a warm hug to me. I think my only regret about this novella is that it wasn’t any longer I adored the graceful and strong Lady Caissa and Murell was so warm and charming I wanted to spend much more time in their world.
Also my copy has the most incredible illustrations throughout the work I truly wish I could live amongst such beauty :)
Also my copy has the most incredible illustrations throughout the work I truly wish I could live amongst such beauty :)
May 30, 2024
Ok, so the story itself isn't anything special in the McCaffrey catalog. Sentient fashion aliens and sexy rescue missions. I haven't read the rest of this series so maybe I would benefit more from knowing thr rest of the universe, but it's not one I'm going to remember. That said, the 70s pulp illustrations of this novella are really cool and are the actual reason I bought this one at the used book store. It's worth a flip through at the very least.
October 6, 2024
A reread that I will keep for now. More of a 3.5, but I rounded up because I'm a big McCaffrey fan.
A body heir can not stomach a brief marriage alliance her sire recommends. She takes to her airship to try and wrestle her feelings back into order and near the end of her flight comes across a distress signal. There she learns about coelura and rescues an attractive man. (Nice to have the heroine rescuing the man for once, though the difficulty seems to not amount to much.)
A body heir can not stomach a brief marriage alliance her sire recommends. She takes to her airship to try and wrestle her feelings back into order and near the end of her flight comes across a distress signal. There she learns about coelura and rescues an attractive man. (Nice to have the heroine rescuing the man for once, though the difficulty seems to not amount to much.)
October 26, 2025
I didn’t love the pacing of this story. Many of the hints dropped for you to begin suspecting what might be going on were either smack you in the face obvious or shrouded by the pretentious voice of the text. I found the general language of the book to be alienating in a way that made it hard to read instead of immersive. This may be because I am new to late 80s sci-fi. In concept an interesting plot.
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