Helpful Score: 3
It's the strangest thing. Whenever I see a copy of this book I feel compelled to buy it. Mel Gibson's character in Conspiracy Theory was the same way with Catcher in the Rye. I don't get it, since it's hardly the only book I've ever really enjoyed, but I guess this is one I must really want to share!
I love this book. It's techinically a young adult novel with a slight touch of fantasy, but it's not kiddie fare. The main character is great, and her transformation from teen to young woman is well done and fun to watch. There's also the transformation of a villian, moral dilemmas, a little romance, and a huge - but secret! - mystery to be solved! Or should it be solved? This is a smile of a book that I would have loved as a young teenager and love now.
The only odd thing is that the very last chapter of the book has a disjointed quality, as if it was meant to be tacked on later like an epilogue although it clearly isn't. I wasn't disappointed with the storyline, but it seems like the transition to the end of the book could have been smoothed out just a little...
I love this book. It's techinically a young adult novel with a slight touch of fantasy, but it's not kiddie fare. The main character is great, and her transformation from teen to young woman is well done and fun to watch. There's also the transformation of a villian, moral dilemmas, a little romance, and a huge - but secret! - mystery to be solved! Or should it be solved? This is a smile of a book that I would have loved as a young teenager and love now.
The only odd thing is that the very last chapter of the book has a disjointed quality, as if it was meant to be tacked on later like an epilogue although it clearly isn't. I wasn't disappointed with the storyline, but it seems like the transition to the end of the book could have been smoothed out just a little...
Helpful Score: 1
This is the first book I've read by this author . . . Why did I waste all that time? Great book.
Corie was a girl with a talent for witchcraft and a taste for adventure--The illegitimate child of a royal lord, she longed for a man who could never be hers. And she lived for her summers at Castle Auburn.
Now she is a woman who has grown accustomed to standing alone. What she once loved, she has lost. Where she once saw joy, she now sees terrible injustice. And at the castle where she once lived in peace, she now walks in fear for her life.
The author has also written, THE SHAPE-CHANGER'S WIFE, ARCHANGEL, JOVAH'S ANGEL, THE ALLELUIA FILES, WRAPT IN CRYSTAL, and HEART OF GOLD.
Corie was a girl with a talent for witchcraft and a taste for adventure--The illegitimate child of a royal lord, she longed for a man who could never be hers. And she lived for her summers at Castle Auburn.
Now she is a woman who has grown accustomed to standing alone. What she once loved, she has lost. Where she once saw joy, she now sees terrible injustice. And at the castle where she once lived in peace, she now walks in fear for her life.
The author has also written, THE SHAPE-CHANGER'S WIFE, ARCHANGEL, JOVAH'S ANGEL, THE ALLELUIA FILES, WRAPT IN CRYSTAL, and HEART OF GOLD.
Helpful Score: 1
Aww... it made me cry. It did. (In the happy way.) A completely sweet fairytale romance with castles and royalty and wise healer women and brave guards and good-natured tavern keepers and villagers and all that good stuff, along with a dosage of politics, intrigue, injustice, cruelty and illegitimacy. Oh, and "elves". And themes of personal freedom and justice and love....
No great quests or saving the world, but more of a focus on a young woman's growing up and coming to terms with the world...
No great quests or saving the world, but more of a focus on a young woman's growing up and coming to terms with the world...
Helpful Score: 1
Theres a special shelf in my mental/virtual bookcase. Until now, only Crown Duel resided there, a little proud in being the only one to make it onto that shelf but getting kind of lonely.
AND THEN! ANOTHER BOOK TEARS THROUGH THE LONELINESS AND SPREADS ITS SUNSHINE ON THE SHELF/MY LIFE! Its SUMMERS AT CASTLE AUBURN! It, too, contains that rare phenomenon where the characters and the romance make me squeak with glee while not skimping on the fantasy world-building!
HURRAH!
I did think about writing a more official review but I think I about covered all I have to say about this book. Squeeeeee.
AND THEN! ANOTHER BOOK TEARS THROUGH THE LONELINESS AND SPREADS ITS SUNSHINE ON THE SHELF/MY LIFE! Its SUMMERS AT CASTLE AUBURN! It, too, contains that rare phenomenon where the characters and the romance make me squeak with glee while not skimping on the fantasy world-building!
HURRAH!
I did think about writing a more official review but I think I about covered all I have to say about this book. Squeeeeee.
It was entertaining even though it was somewhat predictable. Shinn's writing style really pulls you into the world even though the writing isn't as polished and effortless as, say, Archangel. The ending also felt weak. Overall, an entertaining read but don't come looking for anything moving or life-changing.
I generally love Sharon Shinn's work, but this was a bit of a let-down compared to her Samaria tales. Good, but not fabulous.
This was a delightful read, a bit fluffy, but nice for a summer afternoon.
I've really been reading a lot of Sharon Shinn lately. This was a good book for any fantasy reader. Growing up between two worlds can be tough if you are a noble. Corie spends her summers at her father's castle, and the rest of the year with her grandmother(her mom's mom). Having lost both parents, Corie has her Uncle Jaxon to thank for bringing her to meet her father's relatives. She enjoys spending time with her half sister, who treats her more as a full sister. And other cousins she enjoys horse back riding, going out and even attending an Aliora hunt. But as she grows older, people seem to change as her perspective changes to an adult.
I really liked this book, especially since it had a fairy like race of people called the Aliora. It was a main debate in the book that the Aliora were enslaved by the nobles, and Corie struggles with the injustice of this action. The ending is a great surprise and triumph as well. Any Sharon Shinn fan will love this book. A fantasy reader will enjoy this as an introduction to a fabulous fantasy writer.
I really liked this book, especially since it had a fairy like race of people called the Aliora. It was a main debate in the book that the Aliora were enslaved by the nobles, and Corie struggles with the injustice of this action. The ending is a great surprise and triumph as well. Any Sharon Shinn fan will love this book. A fantasy reader will enjoy this as an introduction to a fabulous fantasy writer.
I enjoyed reading this book in one day. The heroin grows from an innocent girl to a wise young woman. The story is told in first person, from Corie's perspective.
Bought at library book sale, immaculate condition. I liked the story of
Corie, a girl with a talent for healing and a taste of adventure. She grows into a beautiful woman,independent and spirited. A refreshing and uplifting tale.
Corie, a girl with a talent for healing and a taste of adventure. She grows into a beautiful woman,independent and spirited. A refreshing and uplifting tale.
Fantasy set in an alternate medival world with a brigadoon like boundry between fairie and human lands. Well written. I'm not a big fantasy reader, hence my star rating. If you like this kind of fiction there is nothing here not to like.
This is one of my favorite books from my childhood, and I will always love it! Such a wonderful read.
