What do you think?
Rate this book
Emerald House Rising
A gemcutter’s daughter, Jena yearns to create jewellery for the Diadem Court – until the night a mysterious noble appears, wearing a ring only Jena can see. Its touch transports her to a distant fortress, where Jena learns that she possesses incredible, undreamt-of magical powers.
Now, faced with a murderous plot for control of the Adamant Throne, Jena must master two sources of wonder. For only a wizard can wield the magic able to save the Diadem, and only a gemcutter can cleave the facets of sorcery that threaten to shatter the world…
‘An impressive first novel, full of invention’ – Joel Rosenberg, author of The Silver Stone
Now, faced with a murderous plot for control of the Adamant Throne, Jena must master two sources of wonder. For only a wizard can wield the magic able to save the Diadem, and only a gemcutter can cleave the facets of sorcery that threaten to shatter the world…
‘An impressive first novel, full of invention’ – Joel Rosenberg, author of The Silver Stone
336 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published June 1, 1997
About the author
Peg Kerr
4 books14 followersPeg Kerr was born in a Chicago suburb, moved to Minnesota to attend St. Olaf College, and has stayed in Minnesota ever since.
With $50.00 from her first paycheck, she registered for a science fiction and fantasy writing class. There, she met her husband and wrote the first story she ever sold. In hindsight, this is all quite pleasant consolation for the fact that she was fired from her job the day the class started.
She attended the Clarion Writers Workshop in 1988 and has an M.A. in English Literature, specializing in speculative fiction. Her fiction has appeared in various science fiction and fantasy magazines and anthologies. Emerald House Rising is her first novel. The Wild Swans, a stand-alone fantasy based on the Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale, is her second. Both novels were published by Warner Books.
Peg Kerr presently lives in Minneapolis with her husband and two daughters. She has earned her black belt in karate.
With $50.00 from her first paycheck, she registered for a science fiction and fantasy writing class. There, she met her husband and wrote the first story she ever sold. In hindsight, this is all quite pleasant consolation for the fact that she was fired from her job the day the class started.
She attended the Clarion Writers Workshop in 1988 and has an M.A. in English Literature, specializing in speculative fiction. Her fiction has appeared in various science fiction and fantasy magazines and anthologies. Emerald House Rising is her first novel. The Wild Swans, a stand-alone fantasy based on the Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale, is her second. Both novels were published by Warner Books.
Peg Kerr presently lives in Minneapolis with her husband and two daughters. She has earned her black belt in karate.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
November 15, 2016
I think this is one of the first fantasy books I ever read. I stumbled across it at my local library as a kid and devoured it in a few days, so this book contributed (along with The Hobbit) to jump-starting my interest in fantasy. I spent years looking for it at bookshops, but never found it again (until Amazon.com, at least) and perhaps that affected how good I remember the book being, but I remember really liking it.
Jena is a regular person, looking forward to her upcoming marriage, trying to get into the gemcutter's guild so she can become a master of the trade she loves. While she does dream of bigger things, getting involved with magic and court intrigue was not really what she had in mind. She meets Morgan, a noble who commissions work from her. Of course, this being a fantasy novel, she soon learns that she's not so 'regular' after all.
The politics of this world were interesting. There are a number of noble houses each named after a gemstone - the Ruby, the Emerald, the Sapphire, etc., with the ruler called the Diamond chosen from among them. Emerald House has recently been completely wiped out so now all of the other houses are trying to get their chosen candidate named the new Emerald. The Diamond is dying, so the appointment of the new Emerald will have huge political ramifications. Add to this magic and Jena's discovery of her own not inconsiderable magical powers and Jena becomes a rather important player in all of this.
I really liked that this was not a Cinderella story where working-class girl meets nobleman and they fall madly in love. Morgan may play a large role in Jena's life, a partner, but not a love interest. Friendships and partnerships can exist between compatible individuals across social and class lines. I liked that magic could draw you to someone who balances out your own power without straying into romance. Morgan doesn't replace Bram as a significant person in Jena's life - he becomes another one, with a completely different type of relationship.
I felt that the Jena's struggle to join the gemcutter's guild, her application denied because she's female, wasn't necessary and didn't really contribute to the plot much. Even when the female characters overcome such prejudices and save the day anyway, I just don't like reading about such inequality. There's enough of that still ongoing in the world and being reminded of it doesn't quite provide the escapism I'm looking for in a fantasy novel.
There was enough going on with the magic and political intrigue that I just found that bit rather unnecessary, especially since she doesn't really solve that problem at all - they still refuse to admit women and only admitted Jena because she uses magic on them. She can't ever have any sons or they'd inherit the title from her, as she's not really a member on her own, but just holding the place for a future son. Jena was juggling balancing a household and applying to the guild - I think that was enough 'normal' conflict for her before she gets pulled into the magic and political stuff without the sexist guild rules on top of it.
Jena is a regular person, looking forward to her upcoming marriage, trying to get into the gemcutter's guild so she can become a master of the trade she loves. While she does dream of bigger things, getting involved with magic and court intrigue was not really what she had in mind. She meets Morgan, a noble who commissions work from her. Of course, this being a fantasy novel, she soon learns that she's not so 'regular' after all.
The politics of this world were interesting. There are a number of noble houses each named after a gemstone - the Ruby, the Emerald, the Sapphire, etc., with the ruler called the Diamond chosen from among them. Emerald House has recently been completely wiped out so now all of the other houses are trying to get their chosen candidate named the new Emerald. The Diamond is dying, so the appointment of the new Emerald will have huge political ramifications. Add to this magic and Jena's discovery of her own not inconsiderable magical powers and Jena becomes a rather important player in all of this.
I really liked that this was not a Cinderella story where working-class girl meets nobleman and they fall madly in love. Morgan may play a large role in Jena's life, a partner, but not a love interest. Friendships and partnerships can exist between compatible individuals across social and class lines. I liked that magic could draw you to someone who balances out your own power without straying into romance. Morgan doesn't replace Bram as a significant person in Jena's life - he becomes another one, with a completely different type of relationship.
I felt that the Jena's struggle to join the gemcutter's guild, her application denied because she's female, wasn't necessary and didn't really contribute to the plot much. Even when the female characters overcome such prejudices and save the day anyway, I just don't like reading about such inequality. There's enough of that still ongoing in the world and being reminded of it doesn't quite provide the escapism I'm looking for in a fantasy novel.
There was enough going on with the magic and political intrigue that I just found that bit rather unnecessary, especially since she doesn't really solve that problem at all - they still refuse to admit women and only admitted Jena because she uses magic on them. She can't ever have any sons or they'd inherit the title from her, as she's not really a member on her own, but just holding the place for a future son. Jena was juggling balancing a household and applying to the guild - I think that was enough 'normal' conflict for her before she gets pulled into the magic and political stuff without the sexist guild rules on top of it.
January 9, 2019
This book took me a very long time to get through-- mostly because the copy I was reading did not belong to me and I was terrified to take it anywhere or read it anywhere that it could be damaged. But it was absolutely worth the semester long wait to get a day when I could sit in one spot and read the majority of the book in one sitting.
Emerald House Rising was absolutely wonderful. I am so glad that it was brought to my attention because it now rests alongside The Graceling Realm (Kristin Cashore and the Witchlands Series (Susan Dennard)-- and those who know me and my reading know how high of praise that is. I would highly recommend this novel to every reader as I think Jena Gemcutter and the powerful magic of possibility is a magic we need a lot more of in this world.
Emerald House Rising was absolutely wonderful. I am so glad that it was brought to my attention because it now rests alongside The Graceling Realm (Kristin Cashore and the Witchlands Series (Susan Dennard)-- and those who know me and my reading know how high of praise that is. I would highly recommend this novel to every reader as I think Jena Gemcutter and the powerful magic of possibility is a magic we need a lot more of in this world.
May 16, 2024
FINALLY remembered the title of this book! I read it way back in high school, having randomly picked it up at the library. I recall being very impressed by the gem-based magic system and its descriptions of gem cutting etc. Felt really cool and original, and I remember also wishing to read a continuation of the story, but none exists. I hope that Peg Kerr writes more stuff, she's good!
November 1, 2011
i really enjoyed it. i loved the world creation and some of the distinctive uses of magic. the characters were interesting people to spend time with. one thing that was more problematic for me than it would be for many other readers (i'd insert spoiler space here if it would make a lick of difference on this page) was that the construct for the optimal usage of magic was so definitively heterosexual. i realize that one's magic-working partner did not have to be one's lover, but it still wound up having that feel to it. but it was a fun read.
May 8, 2016
I came across this book on a list of good stand-alone fantasy novels that are not connected with any larger series, a “one and done” if you will. I had never heard of the novel or the author and since this year I had really been wanting to expand my reading horizons, especially in the world of fantasy, I thought I would give it a try.
The book is told from a single point of view, a young woman by the name of Jena Gemcutter (most often just called Jena). Living in the coastal city of Piyar with her father, she balances effectively running the household, learning the gemcutting and jewelry making trade from her father, hoping the Guild will make her a journeyman and allow her to make a living doing what she loves, all while looking forward to marrying Bram, the son of a tailor, to whom she in engaged to. Jena as a woman does face some challenges to what she wants to most do in life – become a master gemcutter – but still is largely happy if occasionally wistfully dreaming of bigger things.
All that changes when a mysterious noble, the man refusing to give his name, comes calling upon her father Collas for a strange commission one evening after the end of normal business hours. As if that wasn’t strange enough, he comes wearing a ring, a ring that Jena comes to realize that only she can see. From there Jena is propelled into a world of magic and noble politics and intrigue, traveling far across the continent in an instant (literally teleporting there) and becoming involved in the lives of not only this nobleman but his family, allies, and enemies. The intrigue involves not only the fate of this man – a noble by the name of Morgan – but also the status of wizards in the land of Piyar (vaguely tolerated though there are many nobles and commoners who greatly dislike them) and who rules Piyar (ruled by a council of noble lords and ladies, each lord or lady representing one of the great houses – Ruby, Emerald, Topaz, Citrine, Aquamarine, Sapphire, and Amethyst – all presided over by a monarch known as the Diamond). The political aspects played very large as plot points in the novel, as things are in doubt because the Diamond is deathly ill and one of the houses – Emerald – has very recently perished to a person, creating lots of turmoil in the council as each of the houses vie for their nominated candidate to become the new Emerald house.
In the course of the novel, Jena welcomes new allies, discovers new enemies, becomes involved in court politics very high above her social station, and perhaps not surprisingly discovers she has great magical skills of her own.
I liked the book. It wasn’t a particularly fast or slow read and the pacing was decent. It might have moved a little faster but never really dragged. A few times the overuse of adverbs in describing how people spoke or reacted got a bit annoying – taught as I have been to be very sparring in their use – but didn’t see any glaring writing errors and that problem sort of came and went. The characters were believable, there were some nice twists and turns in the back of the third of the novel, Jena was a very likable character who wasn’t perfect and was quite relatable, and I really liked that the gemcutting aspect of her character continued to play a role throughout the novel, even after she is well into using her magical powers (sorry mild spoiler maybe?).
Several reviewers remarked that the magical rules of this setting were interesting and I agree, it is not quite like anything I myself have come across before. There were times it could have been a little more fleshed out and sometimes I thought there was (almost literally) too much hand waving as this spell or that spell was used, especially by Jena, but the combination of magic in this setting based strongly on not only possibilities but the perception and desire for those possibilities to manifest (or not) and the fact that most all wizards in the setting have a natural partner, almost a soul-mate, that makes them stronger, each person balancing out the other, and the fact that this is not tied up in romance (necessarily) was intriguing.
The book did not have a young adult feel and I always got the impression Jena was a mature young twentysomething by the way she acted, not a headstrong teen. She was a strong female and not the only female character. Though there was one female character that was quite weak, there was another who was very strong, at least as strong as Jena when it came to defying expectations and doing what must be done. Female characters definitely dominated in the novel and overall were better fleshed out, though to be fair most male characters just weren’t present often enough to get as fleshed out as the female characters for the most part and I don’t see this as a fault.
Unlike a lot of books I have read there was no profanity, sex (there was some mildly implied nudity done for humorous effect on two occasions), and while there was fighting (on an individual basis, not in epic battles), the combat and the wounds weren’t gratuitous or shocking. Most of the book lacked any physical combat of any kind, though I don’t think this was in any way a problem and suited the plotline of the novel.
At times quite a few gemcutting and jewelry terms were thrown around. I never really got explanations for most of them (though there were a few sections were cutting gems was discussed and explained) but they seemed to ring true to me though I am certainly no expert. It was certainly not something I had ever seen before in any novel I have read, fantasy or otherwise.
The setting was decently described, a fairly low magic setting that was vaguely Renaissance Italy as far as I could tell. There were no monsters or cosmic horrors to contend with and most of the story was pretty tightly confined to Piyar or two other locations, one only briefly used.
The book is told from a single point of view, a young woman by the name of Jena Gemcutter (most often just called Jena). Living in the coastal city of Piyar with her father, she balances effectively running the household, learning the gemcutting and jewelry making trade from her father, hoping the Guild will make her a journeyman and allow her to make a living doing what she loves, all while looking forward to marrying Bram, the son of a tailor, to whom she in engaged to. Jena as a woman does face some challenges to what she wants to most do in life – become a master gemcutter – but still is largely happy if occasionally wistfully dreaming of bigger things.
All that changes when a mysterious noble, the man refusing to give his name, comes calling upon her father Collas for a strange commission one evening after the end of normal business hours. As if that wasn’t strange enough, he comes wearing a ring, a ring that Jena comes to realize that only she can see. From there Jena is propelled into a world of magic and noble politics and intrigue, traveling far across the continent in an instant (literally teleporting there) and becoming involved in the lives of not only this nobleman but his family, allies, and enemies. The intrigue involves not only the fate of this man – a noble by the name of Morgan – but also the status of wizards in the land of Piyar (vaguely tolerated though there are many nobles and commoners who greatly dislike them) and who rules Piyar (ruled by a council of noble lords and ladies, each lord or lady representing one of the great houses – Ruby, Emerald, Topaz, Citrine, Aquamarine, Sapphire, and Amethyst – all presided over by a monarch known as the Diamond). The political aspects played very large as plot points in the novel, as things are in doubt because the Diamond is deathly ill and one of the houses – Emerald – has very recently perished to a person, creating lots of turmoil in the council as each of the houses vie for their nominated candidate to become the new Emerald house.
In the course of the novel, Jena welcomes new allies, discovers new enemies, becomes involved in court politics very high above her social station, and perhaps not surprisingly discovers she has great magical skills of her own.
I liked the book. It wasn’t a particularly fast or slow read and the pacing was decent. It might have moved a little faster but never really dragged. A few times the overuse of adverbs in describing how people spoke or reacted got a bit annoying – taught as I have been to be very sparring in their use – but didn’t see any glaring writing errors and that problem sort of came and went. The characters were believable, there were some nice twists and turns in the back of the third of the novel, Jena was a very likable character who wasn’t perfect and was quite relatable, and I really liked that the gemcutting aspect of her character continued to play a role throughout the novel, even after she is well into using her magical powers (sorry mild spoiler maybe?).
Several reviewers remarked that the magical rules of this setting were interesting and I agree, it is not quite like anything I myself have come across before. There were times it could have been a little more fleshed out and sometimes I thought there was (almost literally) too much hand waving as this spell or that spell was used, especially by Jena, but the combination of magic in this setting based strongly on not only possibilities but the perception and desire for those possibilities to manifest (or not) and the fact that most all wizards in the setting have a natural partner, almost a soul-mate, that makes them stronger, each person balancing out the other, and the fact that this is not tied up in romance (necessarily) was intriguing.
The book did not have a young adult feel and I always got the impression Jena was a mature young twentysomething by the way she acted, not a headstrong teen. She was a strong female and not the only female character. Though there was one female character that was quite weak, there was another who was very strong, at least as strong as Jena when it came to defying expectations and doing what must be done. Female characters definitely dominated in the novel and overall were better fleshed out, though to be fair most male characters just weren’t present often enough to get as fleshed out as the female characters for the most part and I don’t see this as a fault.
Unlike a lot of books I have read there was no profanity, sex (there was some mildly implied nudity done for humorous effect on two occasions), and while there was fighting (on an individual basis, not in epic battles), the combat and the wounds weren’t gratuitous or shocking. Most of the book lacked any physical combat of any kind, though I don’t think this was in any way a problem and suited the plotline of the novel.
At times quite a few gemcutting and jewelry terms were thrown around. I never really got explanations for most of them (though there were a few sections were cutting gems was discussed and explained) but they seemed to ring true to me though I am certainly no expert. It was certainly not something I had ever seen before in any novel I have read, fantasy or otherwise.
The setting was decently described, a fairly low magic setting that was vaguely Renaissance Italy as far as I could tell. There were no monsters or cosmic horrors to contend with and most of the story was pretty tightly confined to Piyar or two other locations, one only briefly used.
December 27, 2020
I read this back when it was first published as a teenager, and I enjoyed it as much as I did then. Jena Gemcutter, shy and afraid of causing offense or trouble, takes a surprise journey of self-discovery and magical abilities. Perhaps because I've been marginalized myself, I appreciated that the book doesn't end with her winning everything she wants, the way she wants. Jena is left with personal battles to wage and decisions to make, even while the main plot of the story has concluded. And so refreshing that her magic doesn't include romance! This is a true coming of age story, with politics and intuition playing a heavy part.
March 30, 2021
It looks like, finally, this book is available as an ebook! I first read this book over a decade ago and have reread it twice since (always carefully, because it was out of print and my copy was fragile). I wish this book had become a series, not because the book is incomplete (it is an excellent stand alone with a fully complete plot etc), but because the world this book shows us is so intriguing! It has been a few years since my last reread, but I remember enjoying it and wishing for more. A fun magic system, an interesting and clever MC, some adventure and a little bit of romance - what’s not to like? Now, you can get the ebook instead of hunting down a used copy. Enjoy!
April 30, 2023
https://wordnerdy.blogspot.com/2023/0...
Well, I really loved this. It has everything I love: magic, mystery, court politics, an ambitious heroine, etc. Our protagonist is a young woman who is apprenticed as a jeweler under her father when she discovers she has the ability to do magic, and obviously adventures ensue. But the plot never went where I expected, there are so many cool women, the magic is so interesting, and the conclusion is very satisfying. This was first published in 1997 but it feels very modern (though it is very hetero, but otherwise!). A.
Well, I really loved this. It has everything I love: magic, mystery, court politics, an ambitious heroine, etc. Our protagonist is a young woman who is apprenticed as a jeweler under her father when she discovers she has the ability to do magic, and obviously adventures ensue. But the plot never went where I expected, there are so many cool women, the magic is so interesting, and the conclusion is very satisfying. This was first published in 1997 but it feels very modern (though it is very hetero, but otherwise!). A.
December 11, 2020
An excellent stand-alone fantasy novel. Well worth reading and hard to put down.
There's a major plot twist almost halfway in that I had never seen in all my years of fantasy reading.
Magic system was a bit wonky, and it seemed that the author was still trying to figure it out as she was writing.
There's a major plot twist almost halfway in that I had never seen in all my years of fantasy reading.
Magic system was a bit wonky, and it seemed that the author was still trying to figure it out as she was writing.
January 1, 2023
I found this gripping from almost the first page and read it in a day. Really enjoyed Jena's journey (both internally and through the world) and learning about this world. I could gladly have read a longer version with twice as much detail.
September 5, 2023
Reread after many years. This book was still entertaining. A little bit of humour and some nice world building. The plot was pretty good, with a few twists and turns, but easy enough to follow. Our heroine had some nice personal growth. Overall, a solid, clean, youth fantasy book.
May 8, 2017
Highly surprised. A little slow to get started, but in the end I found myself awake until 1am, desperate to finish it.
August 17, 2018
Honestly, the only thing that really got me was that they have this HUGE confrontation in the chamber of the DYING RULER and NO ONE SHOWS UP for a really long time!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 17, 2019
Love this book. If anyone has an ebook of it please let me know! Would like to reread without having to get a hard copy.
November 13, 2009
Lightweight. I had been quite taken by the ideas behind the premise, specifically the patterning of gems that built the Piyar culture and the gemcutter protagonist, but the novel itself was disappointing and I particularly disliked the author's voice. While the worldbuilding is creative and ambitious, it's also very wooden. Kerr has a heavy hand guiding the story along, and the narrating throughout was aggravating. The story read like the background setup of a D&D gaming adventure.
I found it grating that Kerr limited the narration so exclusively to the POV character, Jena, when Jena throughout the book has no idea what's going on and shows no initiative in finding out. Fifty pages in I gave up on being actually involved in the story and just flipped pages to watch where Kerr was trying to take this. "Oh, the world around Jena has vanished and she finds herself blinking in the sunlight in a strange courtyard? That's interesting. Oh, this courtyard is on the other side of the country. Okay. So, this is because she accidentally teleported herself? Right. And no one in that courtyard finds the sudden appearance of an unknown woman to be terribly unusual, even though magical abilities are frowned upon and never flaunted? Hurm." When I got to the midway point and realized I was now only skimming maybe every fourth page, I gave up.
I did skip to the ending anyway (shhh) to read the very last bit, and bonus points for Kerr on having a somewhat unusual romantic element. I liked how the wizard partnership pairings were arranged and how wizards who were partners were not automatically each others' love interest. Jena never did grow out of being a Mary Sue character,* but I'm willing to grant that Kerr probably explained somewhere on one of the pages I didn't read why Jena and her wizard partner had such incredible magical abilities.
But then Jena's truelove was ridiculous! They had scene together at the beginning that implied that he could never accept her as a wife or lover because her magical ability was so abhorrent, and then he shows up at the ending with a heartfelt confession of how so great was his love that he crossed the country in search of her and he had both known of and accepted her magical ability all along. I didn't miss a key scene, either, in my skipping through the book: Jena directly reminisces during this heartfelt confession that they hadn't seen or spoken with each other since a scene at the start of the novel. What, Kerr decided at the last minute Jena really did need to have a romance to bookend the story?
It is of notable mention that the acknowledgment section lists Patricia Wrede and Joel Rosenberg as Kerr's mentor and tutor, respectively, and both Jane Yolen and Lois McMaster Bujold are blurbed as endorsing the book. Now, I've never yet found a book I've liked of Rosenberg's, but Wrede and Yolen are great favorites of mine and Bujold somewhat less so. I'm rather left wondering what were they thinking?
This is Kerr's first published work, and she does have a second novel, The Wild Swans, that I might read if I happen to come across it in the future. (Maybe her storytelling ability improves?) But I won't go through any special effort on tracking it down.
I found it grating that Kerr limited the narration so exclusively to the POV character, Jena, when Jena throughout the book has no idea what's going on and shows no initiative in finding out. Fifty pages in I gave up on being actually involved in the story and just flipped pages to watch where Kerr was trying to take this. "Oh, the world around Jena has vanished and she finds herself blinking in the sunlight in a strange courtyard? That's interesting. Oh, this courtyard is on the other side of the country. Okay. So, this is because she accidentally teleported herself? Right. And no one in that courtyard finds the sudden appearance of an unknown woman to be terribly unusual, even though magical abilities are frowned upon and never flaunted? Hurm." When I got to the midway point and realized I was now only skimming maybe every fourth page, I gave up.
I did skip to the ending anyway (shhh) to read the very last bit, and bonus points for Kerr on having a somewhat unusual romantic element. I liked how the wizard partnership pairings were arranged and how wizards who were partners were not automatically each others' love interest. Jena never did grow out of being a Mary Sue character,* but I'm willing to grant that Kerr probably explained somewhere on one of the pages I didn't read why Jena and her wizard partner had such incredible magical abilities.
* Oh, yes. Who starts out as a talented young gemcutter following in her father's footsteps, who is the sole caretaker of the family home following her mother's death, who is the only apprentice in her father's busy shop, who is being mentored by the local wizard, who still has the time and energy to go courting with the young tailor down the way. Also, her application for journeyman status is denied because she is a woman, and rather than telling the guild to go screw themselves and proceeding with her preexisting plan of inheriting her father's business with or without guild approval—which is directly stated in the book as an option†—she ultimately decides to use her magical abilities to, quote, "change the guild's mind." And later she plans to use her magical abilities to only give birth to female children because her mastership status (of which she qualifies for by the end of the novel) would actually only be a mastership held in trust for any male children she might have and would automatically pass to them upon birth. (Those last bits, admittedly, aren't so much examples of MarySueism as they are examples of a story element I seriously disliked.)
† Sadly though, without the go screw themselves wording. That was just me adding that part.
But then Jena's truelove was ridiculous! They had scene together at the beginning that implied that he could never accept her as a wife or lover because her magical ability was so abhorrent, and then he shows up at the ending with a heartfelt confession of how so great was his love that he crossed the country in search of her and he had both known of and accepted her magical ability all along. I didn't miss a key scene, either, in my skipping through the book: Jena directly reminisces during this heartfelt confession that they hadn't seen or spoken with each other since a scene at the start of the novel. What, Kerr decided at the last minute Jena really did need to have a romance to bookend the story?
It is of notable mention that the acknowledgment section lists Patricia Wrede and Joel Rosenberg as Kerr's mentor and tutor, respectively, and both Jane Yolen and Lois McMaster Bujold are blurbed as endorsing the book. Now, I've never yet found a book I've liked of Rosenberg's, but Wrede and Yolen are great favorites of mine and Bujold somewhat less so. I'm rather left wondering what were they thinking?
This is Kerr's first published work, and she does have a second novel, The Wild Swans, that I might read if I happen to come across it in the future. (Maybe her storytelling ability improves?) But I won't go through any special effort on tracking it down.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 25, 2013
I liked this book. It was interesting, and used ideas I haven't seen in fantasy novels before. It got points from me right away, in fact, when I realized that it wasn't going to be one of those stories where . Other tropes--, for example--are similarly subverted.
I really liked the setting: a medieval city, laid out like a terraced bowl, in a country ruled by a strange rotating monarchy. (Really, though: isn't a system like that just begging for assassinations?) I also thought the idea of partnered wizards was pretty cool.
This world kind of begs to be extended into a lot more stories. A number of infodumps, unfortunately, detract from the story, and most of those backstories could have supported novels on their own. I have the strong impression that Peg Kerr is a seat-of-her-pants novelist--writing as she goes along, dropping any plotlines that don't work out. Though this is a great way to write an original story, it has the unfortunate side effect of leaving the story cluttered with dead wood, including a lot of foreshadowing for storylines that don't actually develop.
Another thing that struck me was how gentle this novel was. It's basically a book about nice people, who by-and-large come from nice families, getting confused and worried about people who aren't behaving nicely. It actually reminded me a lot of Sherwood Smith's YA novels (and not just because of Lord Morgan's situation). All the main characters have modern sensibilities, which somehow don't cause them much trouble even in this carefully researched medieval setting. Even the villain seems to come from a not-entirely-terrible emotional space, and isn't nearly as horrible as he easily could be.
In the end, this was a really enjoyable book, and I'd love to read more set in this universe. However, I think more focus, and a bit more peril, would have made it even better.
I really liked the setting: a medieval city, laid out like a terraced bowl, in a country ruled by a strange rotating monarchy. (Really, though: isn't a system like that just begging for assassinations?) I also thought the idea of partnered wizards was pretty cool.
This world kind of begs to be extended into a lot more stories. A number of infodumps, unfortunately, detract from the story, and most of those backstories could have supported novels on their own. I have the strong impression that Peg Kerr is a seat-of-her-pants novelist--writing as she goes along, dropping any plotlines that don't work out. Though this is a great way to write an original story, it has the unfortunate side effect of leaving the story cluttered with dead wood, including a lot of foreshadowing for storylines that don't actually develop.
Another thing that struck me was how gentle this novel was. It's basically a book about nice people, who by-and-large come from nice families, getting confused and worried about people who aren't behaving nicely. It actually reminded me a lot of Sherwood Smith's YA novels (and not just because of Lord Morgan's situation). All the main characters have modern sensibilities, which somehow don't cause them much trouble even in this carefully researched medieval setting. Even the villain seems to come from a not-entirely-terrible emotional space, and isn't nearly as horrible as he easily could be.
In the end, this was a really enjoyable book, and I'd love to read more set in this universe. However, I think more focus, and a bit more peril, would have made it even better.
April 2, 2010
I initially thought this book might be dark. As far as magical stories go it was mild. It seems to be more about intrigue. It is a good story. I like to think of it as an upper crust type of a story. Meaning that it's an easy read and doesn't get too deep. I enjoyed the falling action.
PG Rating
Romance is secondary to the story line, although the characters do refer to intimate relations on occasion.
Murder and intrigue are a part of this story as well. It seemed minor up to the climax when ....spoiler.....someone tries to pummel someone else to death. If that type of violence or violence against women is difficult for you then skip the bottom third of page 296 and page 297.
Morally speaking half the characters seem to think infidelity is inevitable. Magic is also discussed in its potential for good and evil.
PG Rating
Romance is secondary to the story line, although the characters do refer to intimate relations on occasion.
Murder and intrigue are a part of this story as well. It seemed minor up to the climax when ....spoiler.....someone tries to pummel someone else to death. If that type of violence or violence against women is difficult for you then skip the bottom third of page 296 and page 297.
Morally speaking half the characters seem to think infidelity is inevitable. Magic is also discussed in its potential for good and evil.
June 12, 2017
I am SO thrilled I finally got my hands on this book. Fascinating and charming - fantasy when it's best! It was one of those books I couldn't put down, yet was sad to finish, because I wanted to spend more time in the company of the characters. Peg really managed to make them come to life through the pages of the book.
Reread in 2017: Didn't have quite the same sensation of not being able to put down the book on my second time around, but I still really enjoyed it, and read the last 150 pages in one sitting. It's a bit slow to start, but once it does it's greatly enjoyable and I really got to care about the characters.
Such a shame the sequel never happened. I would have loved to read that!
Reread in 2017: Didn't have quite the same sensation of not being able to put down the book on my second time around, but I still really enjoyed it, and read the last 150 pages in one sitting. It's a bit slow to start, but once it does it's greatly enjoyable and I really got to care about the characters.
Such a shame the sequel never happened. I would have loved to read that!
April 29, 2009
A small fantasy, but very well-told, about Jena, a gem-cutter's apprentice, as she is introduced to nobility through her skill in jewelry, and learns she possesses a rare magical talent. Her writing reminds me a lot of Patricia Wrede's early fantasies, and I was disappointed she never followed this up with more stories in the same world.
February 23, 2017
A young woman with aspirations of following in her father's footsteps as a jeweler finds herself kidnapped by a noble who recognizes that he needs her in order to properly do magic.
While it was a good book in general with an interesting take on how magic requires two to work even if they don't fancy one another as individuals.
While it was a good book in general with an interesting take on how magic requires two to work even if they don't fancy one another as individuals.
September 9, 2014
One of my absolute favorite reads! I checked this one out on impulse from the library and I know recommend it to anyone with a passion for easy fantasy worlds that you can get lost in without having to memorize a millenium long family tree. The characters are fun to learn about and the development is well-paced. The only thing that makes me sad about this book is that there isn't a sequel!
December 27, 2014
This book started strong but fizzled out. Magic is banned, but the nobles all use magic secretly. The main character discovers she has magic, then is magically whisked away to learn magic...I think. It was all very vague and confusing.
I stopped reading. Did not finish book.
I stopped reading. Did not finish book.
August 6, 2017
One of my favorite books, I come back to it whenever I need a quick read for a trip or a waiting room.
June 19, 2020
Pretty good for a first-time standalone! You may like it if you're into low-fantasy!
Full review at: https://skybookcorner.blogspot.com/20...
Full review at: https://skybookcorner.blogspot.com/20...
May 28, 2016
Very nice well constructed fantasy novel. Interesting system of magic created and a well thought out use of characters and situations to keep the plot moving. A good read.
June 29, 2015
Great stand-alone Fantasy.
July 17, 2017
I enjoyed this. From the cover you might think this was a fantasy romance, but it was really a coming of age book. There was a lot of discussion about partnerships and finding balance, and also thoughts on choosing between options, and seeing options that were not obvious.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews