Helpful Score: 5
The Gale clan is like a more charming, slightly less incestuous, Canadian version of Anne Rice's Mayfair witches. But while the Mayfairs are dark and disturbing, the Gales get what they want with magical pie, the indomitable will of the family's senile matriarchs, and a more metaphysical/Wiccan approach to power. This is a very whimsical, fun tale full of humor and girl-power! This is a character driven plot with character dynamics to die for. I really really REALLY enjoyed this tale. I've never wanted to be so much a part of a fictional family as I did the Gales. (No, even the Weasleys can't compare.) It's full of what should be clichés in the fantasy and paranormal romance genres--fairies, dragons, urban heroine, promiscuity, and the woes of coming of age. Instead it takes a slightly twisted and humorous approach to these concepts that puts one in mind of the fractured fairy tales of Rocky and Bullwinkle fame. I can't recommend this book enough. Yes, one might find herself struggling to grasp the full concept of the world in which she is unceremoniously and unapologetically thrust into with very little information for the first couple of chapters. But, if she sticks with it, the journey is so worth it. And all becomes fabulously clear in the end.
Helpful Score: 3
The first few chapters I was completely lost. However this is one of my favorite authors, so I kept reading and really enjoyed it.
Helpful Score: 1
I like the strong female protagonists of (most of) Tanya Huff's books and the worlds in which she places them. This one's no exception. There's lots of magic, dragons, whimsy, humor, family, and baking - pies, mostly. There's also some romantic yearning and allusions to sex - a lot of it between cousins in the same family within the context of keeping the magical power in that family. Nothing graphic, though, which I appreciate. The one issue I had with this book is that I would have liked to had more details or explanations of some of the elements mentioned throughout the story - 1st, 2nd, 3rd rings, crossing over, choosing, maybe a bit of background on the Gale family. The lack of these was not a deal-breaker - I still thoroughly enjoyed the book, but some clarification would have added to my enjoyment.
