It seems that my growing BookCrossing addiction is paying off - I'm beginning to purge my shelves of some of the books that, however much I may have enjoyed them in the past, I have not been tempted to re-read. This is one: Patricia McKillip's "Forgotten Beasts of Eld" (older edition, different cover than shown). This is not a part of her other fantasy series, but a stand-alone fantasy novel of great beauty. In a way it's a Sleeping Beauty story in reverse: the heroine is a powerful, but very young and naive, sorceress who dwells on an isolated mountain with her collection of rare and magical beasts, and prefers it that way; the arrival of fugitives from the outside world threaten to jar her out of her dreamy existence. The mere descriptions of the beasts are lyrical, worth reading for themselves alone, and the story's got drama, angst, and romance along with the high-fantasy setting.

I've mailed this book to 'Crosser appaloosatb, as part of her books-for-school experiment.

I thought this was a wonderful faerie tale. The characters were excellently portrayed (I loved the animal descriptions), though my one gripe is that the author didn't delve too deep into what the main character was thinking or feeling (the entire story was about what she was doing or saying, it never got much deeper). The ending was a total surprise- I would never have gotten even close to guessing it!

Was happy to find this book in my mailbox today. Thanks appaloosatb! Once I finish with this book I will be sending it to "cj".
=^..^=

Paperback. 208 pages.
This fantasy novel has the feel of a fairy tale. Here's the back cover blurb: "Daughter and granddaughter of wizards, Sybel rules a kingdom of magical beasts: the white-tusked Boar Cyrin, who answers all riddles save one; the jewel-hoarding Dragon Gyld; the Black Swanthe tawny Lyon; the legendary spell-casting black Cat Moriah; the deadly blue-eyed Falcon Ter. Then an infant human is placed in Sybel's care, beginning a wondrous epic quest of magic, betrayal, and adventure, in the highest traditions of fantasy."
This book was alright but not great. Worthy of a read, but not a second read. =^..^=

Release planned for Monday, March 10, 2003 at Mailed to fellow bookcrosser in Queen Creek, Arizona USA.

I'm sending this book via mail to "cj". =^..^=

rec'd from CalgaryKitty today.
Thanks! Looking forward to reading it.

Read it. A thoroughly enjoyable fantasy. I started it on a 2 hour flight and finished it that night. Fun, quick read.

Released on Sunday, April 27, 2003 at Fairmont Hotel downtown San Jose in San Jose, California USA.

Releasing this at a conference at the hotel this weekend. I had good luck with releasing a book at this library-related conference last year.

I caught this book at a conference on a book exchange table. I plan to set it free on a university campus.

Looks like it should be good.