Synopses & Reviews
A compelling and inventive novel set in a world where science and magic are at odds, by Robin McKinley, the Newbery-winning author of
The Hero and the Crown and
The Blue Sword, as well as the classic titles
Beauty,
Chalice,
Spindles End, Pegasus and
Sunshine
Maggie knows somethings off about Val, her moms new husband. Val is from Oldworld, where they still use magic, and he wont have any tech in his office-shed behind the house. Butmore importantlywhat are the huge, horrible, jagged, jumpy shadows following him around? Magic is illegal in Newworld, which is all about science. The magic-carrying gene was disabled two generations ago, back when Maggies great-grandmother was a notable magician. But that was a long time ago.
Then Maggie meets Casimir, the most beautiful boy she has ever seen. Hes from Oldworld tooand hes heard of Maggies stepfather, and has a guess about Vals shadows. Maggie doesnt want to know . . . until earth-shattering events force her to depend on Val and his shadows. And perhaps on her own heritage.
In this dangerously unstable world, neither science nor magic has the necessary answers, but a truce between them is impossible. And although the two are supposed to be incompatible, Maggies discovering the world will need both to survive.
Review
-High fantasy as perfectly shaped and eloquently told as
Beauty and
The Hero and the Crown. A lavish and lasting treat.+ -
Publishers Weekly, starred review
-Readers who long for beautiful phrases and descriptive writing will find themselves drinking in this rich fairy tale as if it were honey trickling down their throats.+ -School Library Journal
Review
“McKinleys characters and dialogue make this novel a joy: Maggie is a brash yet vulnerable protagonist, and her family, Val, and two possible boyfriends (both of whom may be magical) are well developed. . . . The culture of Newworld is a fascinating amalgam of the everyday and the strange. All in all, a delightful read.”
Review
“Maggies wry and witty conversational tone is an excellent vehicle for relating her fantastic yet logical adventures.”
Review
“A winning combination of fast action, romance, likable characters and inventive language makes this YA novel hard to put down.”
Review
“This fantasy focuses on the relationships among characters. . . . Exciting action, lovable characters, and witty dialogue.”
Review
“Intricate world building is matched with rich characterization; a bit moody, a bit flighty, and all teenager, Maggie makes a relatable protagonist, and her wisecracks and astute observations help readers gain ground in this eerily familiar but nonetheless complex world of old magic, new science, and breaks in reality.”
Review
“May just be one of her most brilliant books to date. Everything in the story meshes perfectly. The characters are compelling, well-defined people who become real.”
Review
* "LaFevers is that wonderful sort of storyteller who so completely meshes events, descriptions, and characters that readers get lost in the world she's concocted. It's a place where history mingles with mystery and love is never expected."
—Booklist, starred review
* "The prose's beauty inspires immediate re-reads of many a sentence, but its forward momentum is irresistible. An intricate, masterful page-turner about politics, treachery, religion, love and healing."
—Kirkus, starred review
* "Brimming with powerful emotions, thrilling sword fights, and accurate period detail, this tightly plotted tale will enthrall readers of romantic historical fantasy."
—Publishers Weekly, starred review
"Personal where Grave Mercy was political and comprehensive, this story focuses tightly on Sybella as she seeks vengeance upon the many men who have wronged her. . . . Her romantic relationship with the imprisoned warrior unfolds with a sweet tenderness that romance fans will relish."
—Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
"Romantic fantasy with a vengence. . . LaFevers offers a pungent mix of inner torment, costume drama, and dagger-, sword-, poison-, and garrote-play."
—Horn Book
"An expertly crafted novel, with deep characters and an interesting plot that is, at the same time, fantastic, yet realistic. LaFevers has agazin used great artistry to create an excellent tale for both young adult and adult audiences."
—VOYA, 4Q 4P S
* "As with the first book, LaFevers has filled the pages of her novel with adventure, and the pace is electrifyingly fast. The characters are well drawn, and even the secondary figures have dimension. Sybella's quick-thinking and fearless approach to terrifying personal and political situations renders her an incredibly strong protagonist with whom readers will identify."
—School Library Journal, starred review
Synopsis
Beekeeper Marisol has been chosen as the new Chalice, destined to stand beside the Master and mix the ceremonial brews that hold the Willowlands together. But the relationship between Chalice and Master has always been tumultuous, and the new Master is unlike any before him.
Synopsis
A captivating tale, from bestselling and award-winning author, that reveals the healing power of duty and honour, love and honey. Mirasol is a beekeeper, a honey-gatherer, with an ability to speak to the "earthlines"--the sentient parts of Willowlands, where she lives. The concerns of Master, Chalice, and Circle, who govern Willowlands, have nothing to do with her-until the current Master and Chalice die in a fire and leave no heirs to take their places. The Master's closest relative has been a priest of Fire for the past seven years; he is not quite human anymore. And then the Circle comes to Marisol and tells her that she is the new Chalice, and it will be up to her to bind the land and its people with a Master, the touch of whose hand can burn human flesh to the bone. . . .
Synopsis
The author of the Newbery Medal winner "The Hero and the Crown" is back with a masterful new novel--a captivating tale that reveals the healing power of duty and honor, love and honey.
Synopsis
Mirasol is a beekeeper, a honey-gatherer, with an ability to speak to the ÒearthlinesÓÑthe sentient parts of Willowlands, where she lives. The concerns of Master, Chalice, and Circle, who govern Willowlands, have nothing to do with herÑuntil the current Master and Chalice die in a fire and leave no heirs to take their places. The MasterÕs closest relative has been a priest of Fire for the past seven years; he is not quite human anymore. And then the Circle comes to Marisol and tells her that she is the new Chalice, and it will be up to her to bind the land and its people with a Master, the touch of whose hand can burn human flesh to the bone. . . .
Synopsis
Sybella's duty as Death's assassin in 15th-century France forces her return home to the personal hell that she had finally escaped. Love and romance, history and magic, vengeance and salvation converge in this thrilling sequel to Grave Mercy.
Synopsis
The convent views Sybella, naturally skilled in the arts of both death and seduction, as one of their most dangerous weapons. But those assassin's skills are little comfort when the convent returns her home to the life that nearly drove her mad. And while Sybella is a weapon of justice wrought by the god of death himself, he must give her a reason to live. When she discovers an unexpected ally imprisoned in the dungeons, will a daughter of Death find something other than vengeance to live for?
Synopsis
New York Times Bestseller Spring 2013 Kids' Indie Next List
Sybella's duty as Death's assassin in 15th-century France forces her return home to the personal hell that she had finally escaped. Love and romance, history and magic, vengeance and salvation converge in this thrilling sequel to Grave Mercy. Sybella arrives at the convents doorstep half mad with grief and despair. Those that serve Death are only too happy to offer her refuge—but at a price. The convent views Sybella, naturally skilled in the arts of both death and seduction, as one of their most dangerous weapons. But those assassin's skills are little comfort when the convent returns her to a life that nearly drove her mad. And while Sybella is a weapon of justice wrought by the god of Death himself, He must give her a reason to live. When she discovers an unexpected ally imprisoned in the dungeons, will a daughter of Death find something other than vengeance to live for?
Synopsis
A compelling and inventive novel set in a world where science and magic are at odds, by Robin McKinley, the Newbery-winning author of
The Hero and the Crown and
The Blue Sword, as well as the classic titles
Beauty,
Chalice,
Spindles End, Pegasus and
Sunshine
Maggie knows somethings off about Val, her moms new husband. Val is from Oldworld, where they still use magic, and he wont have any tech in his office-shed behind the house. Butmore importantlywhat are the huge, horrible, jagged, jumpy shadows following him around? Magic is illegal in Newworld, which is all about science. The magic-carrying gene was disabled two generations ago, back when Maggies great-grandmother was a notable magician. But that was a long time ago.
Then Maggie meets Casimir, the most beautiful boy she has ever seen. Hes from Oldworld tooand hes heard of Maggies stepfather, and has a guess about Vals shadows. Maggie doesnt want to know . . . until earth-shattering events force her to depend on Val and his shadows. And perhaps on her own heritage.
In this dangerously unstable world, neither science nor magic has the necessary answers, but a truce between them is impossible. And although the two are supposed to be incompatible, Maggies discovering the world will need both to survive.
About the Author
Robin McKinley (www.robinmckinley.com and robinmckinleysblog.com) has won various awards and citations for her writing, including the Newbery Medal for
The Hero and the Crown and a Newbery Honor for
The Blue Sword, both about the magical country of Damar. Her other books include
Chalice;
Dragonhaven; two novel-length retellings of the fairy tale Beauty and the Beast,
Beauty and
Rose Daughter;
Deerskin, which was inspired by the Perrault fairy tale Donkeyskin; a retelling of the Robin Hood legend,
The Outlaws of Sherwood;
Spindles End, a retelling of Sleeping Beauty; and two volumes of Tales of Elemental Spirits,
Fire and
Water (with Peter Dickinson). Her
Imaginary Lands won the World Fantasy Award for best anthology and her novel
Sunshine won the Mythopoeic Fantasy Award for Adult Literature.
Robin lives in England with her husband, the English writer Peter Dickinson, two hellhounds, a hellterror, an 1897 Steinway upright, and too many rosebushes.