A short story about a male sorcerer who meets a wild-living princess who can't be tied down, not even by his magical stories. I think if I read this tA short story about a male sorcerer who meets a wild-living princess who can't be tied down, not even by his magical stories. I think if I read this twenty years and many other similar stories like this ago, I'd have liked it better. By which I mean: there's nothing wrong with it, but there's nothing much fun or novel about it either.
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A short story about a male sorcerer who meets a wild-living princess who can't be tied down, not even by his magical stories. I think if I read this twenty years and many other similar stories like this ago, I'd have liked it better. By which I mean: there's nothing wrong with it, but there's nothing much fun or novel about it either.
Set in an alt-Regency England in which race and sexuality are of no matter. Unfortunately, rumors are quite important--and there are enough surroundinSet in an alt-Regency England in which race and sexuality are of no matter. Unfortunately, rumors are quite important--and there are enough surrounding Catherine that she marries some random gentleman to end them. Luckily for her, he turns out to be a generous landlord and overall good guy. And luckily for him, she's not only rich and attractive, but quietly generous and kind herself. I really admired the way she tried to put everyone at ease when she moved into Andrew's house. The hang up is that Catherine only wants to be with someone she loves, and Andrew is sure he can't love anyone after a tumultuous relationship years before.
I liked the opportunity to read a Regency romance with pictures accompanying & supplementing the story. The characters themselves aren't a huge draw, but I liked the setting and art....more
I listened to this as an audio book. Dr Treuer goes through various aspects of the Native American experience, politics, histories... It's a lot to coI listened to this as an audio book. Dr Treuer goes through various aspects of the Native American experience, politics, histories... It's a lot to cover! I didn't particularly like the way he answered many of the questions because he has a politician-like way of giving answers....more
Set in an alternate present where it's known that the human world once joined with the spirit world. As a child Nina listens to a story by her very loSet in an alternate present where it's known that the human world once joined with the spirit world. As a child Nina listens to a story by her very long lived great grandmother. She doesn't understand it for years, but eventually learns to translate enough to get the jist. Meanwhile, cottonmouth spirit Oli struggles to live on his own and makes friends with a motley crew of other spirit animals. Their paths cross when Olie ascends to the human world in order to save his friend's species from extinction. He asks for Nina's help, and offers his own in protecting her family's (magical, it turns out) land.
I really liked a lot of this. Every one of Oli's chapters were great, first because I enjoyed his particular personality, and second because his world is so cool. Seriously, I love the alternate communities and ways of life in the spirit realm. And some of the writing was truly beautiful. I kept this rating at three stars rather than higher because Nina's sections (including the ending) tended to feel like a slightly clunky middle grade tale....more
Trying to save her brother, teenaged Mina sacrifices herself to the Sea God. Instead of immediately drowning as she expected, she instead finds herselTrying to save her brother, teenaged Mina sacrifices herself to the Sea God. Instead of immediately drowning as she expected, she instead finds herself in the spirit world. She struggles to solve the mystery of how to calm the Sea God. I liked the beginning but Mina's personality becomes diffuse and she and a spirit fall into insta-love. I would've liked more exploration of the spirit world and way less of Shin being a standard tormented paranormal ya love interest. Plus, it's written in the present tense in a clunky way I grew tired of quickly....more