Caught In Crystal [Import] [Paperback]

Patricia C. Wrede (Author)

Product Details

• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Futura Orbit (2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0708883133
• ISBN-13: 978-0708883136
• Product Dimensions: 7 x 4.2 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,261,508 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

PATRICIA C. WREDE has written many novels, including Sorcery and Cecelia or The Enchanted Chocolate Pot and The Grand Tour coauthored with Caroline Stevermer, as well as the four books in her own series, the Enchanted Forest Chronicles. She lives near Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

28 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Caught in Crystal, July 25, 2003

By 

...Loggie... "Loggie-log-log-log" (I live on the earth, in the western hemisphere, in North America, in the country of the United States of America, in Illinois in the town of Champaign) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Caught in Crystal (Lyra series, no.1) (Paperback)

Caught in Crystal is the story of Kayl and of how she learns that you can't run from your past; you must face it to put the evil memories to rest. The story starts out on a slightly unusual day for Kayl, who is currently working as an innkeeper with her two father-less children. Kayl is sweeping the front steps when a grand visitor appears, which doesn't often happen in this small town. This mysterious lady fascinates Kayl, especially when she realizes that the lady is from the Sisterhood of Stars. The Sisterhood of Stars is a group of sorceresses that are very powerful, and are respected throughout the Eastern Alliance.

Kayl herself was a member of the Sisterhood of Stars until she got so mad at the politics that she left. Before she left was part of a group that preformed a dangerous mission to find out what was stored in the Twisted Tower. Only half of the group survived. This member of the Sisterhood of Stars is asking her to go back.

At the same time a friend of her husband (both husband and friend went to the Twisted Tower and survived) is telling her that terrible things will happen if she goes back. This friend is a Wizard and he can see the future, but he is not an average seer. This `gift' is more like a curse to him, and has been happening ever since his trip to the Twisted Tower.

This is the story of Kayl's choice, and the repercussions of that choice. It tells how Kayl realizes that she must face her past and can't just hope it will go away. This book was told in a wonderful style that is characteristic of Patricia C. Wrede's work. It certainly kept me interested.

Loggie-log-log-log

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An outstanding fantasy, July 19, 2002

By 

E. Thomas (USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Caught in Crystal (Lyra series, no.1) (Paperback)

Patricia C. Wrede is consistently and continually one of my favorite fantasy writers. In recent years, with the popularity of her light-hearted "Enchanted Forest Chronicles," many readers see her as an author that only writes for young adults. In truth, she is an adult fantasy writer first, although now many of her adult fantasy books are being marketed for (and enjoyed by) young adults.

*Caught in Crystal* is one of the novels in her "Lyra" series--a series of fantasy novels that all take place in the same world, although in different places and time periods of that world's history. All the books in this series are excellent novels that stand alone without the need for the other books to prop them up. Three other novels found in this fantasy world were republished together as *Shadows over Lyra*, and another book set in this world is *The Raven Ring*.

I like *Caught in Crystal* because of its strong characters and melancholy, but resigned, tone. It is one of her darker novels. Wrede is a master. Kayl is a character who must deal with aging...as well as going back on a quest to finish something that wasn't finished right the first time.

9 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Lyra fantasy, July 29, 2002

By 

Suzanne K. Moses - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Caught in Crystal (Lyra series, no.1) (Paperback)

Caught in Crystal provides a solid background for later happenings in Lyra. I was particularly impressed with the introduction of the 'gray cyrstals' that show up later in other books.

The plot moves quickly and introduces many interesting characters. My only complaint is that we don't get to delve deep enough into those characters. Definitely worth having, especially if you've already read other books in this world.