Customer Reviews

Caught In Crystal

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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

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.

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.

A quite, widowed innkeeper in disturbed by a visitor one day. The sorceress calls on her to return to her past and face a terrible evil. An excellent read and I recommend it to everyone - if you can get a hold of it.

This was the first high fantasy book I ever read, so it holds a special place for me. I found it again after many years, and the enjoyment is still there. Sure the book is a little rough, and a bit dated and formulaic. But if you think about when it was written, it was the beginning of serious fantasy. Dragonlance was very popular, and RPG's were gaining serious momentum. Take it as a great example of its time and go from there.

That being said, I enjoyed the story then and still do. Ms Wrede's characters jump off the page and her descriptions are outstanding. I would love it if she would revisit Lyra after all these years and write more about the history of the world. You can tell there is a lot fo backstory development that isn't included in the books. Overall, a good read.

One of Patricia C. Wrede's earlier titles, this book is an interesting read after some of her more recent selections. It's a shame most of her early works are no longer in print. If you like her other titles, you'll enjoy this as well.

Two kids living very normal lives -- who would have thought mom was actually a sword fighter under a powerful spell? What every kid dreaming of adventure longs to happen! Certainly Wrede's best work -- the characters stick with you forever, and the magic of the environment is entrancing

I am in college and have always loved Patricia Wrede's books. My boyfriend and I recently read this one together. He wants to be a writer and was terribly impressed by the structure of the novel. Wrede's use of flashback sequences adds and eerie, haunted quality to the book. It almost reminds me of Tolkein, but Wrede's characters are much more complex. The ending was a little weak but the book was definitely worth the read.

From the Cover: There stands a twisted tower hidden in the Windhome Mountains. "Something" is imprisoned there - the Sisterhood of the Stars does not know precisely what, but something is bound tight with a wizard's spell so that it can never escape again. Kayl is one of the few to have looked upon the twisted Tower. She has no desire to see it again - she left the Sisterhood long ago, settling down to a quiet life. Her sword lies unused in a secret place beneath the stones of her hearth. But something evil is leaking from the Tower. And now a sorceress and a wizard have appeared on Kayl's doorstep demanding she take up the sword again.

Pretty standard fantasy. I'm thinking it's in the middle of a series, but I haven't read any of the other books.

Something's interfering with the Star sisters' magic, something that's related to the Twisted Tower where Kayl had gone on a quest years before, when she was a member of the Sisters. Now they want her help, but she has an inn, and children, and friends, and the Sisters can't let go of their ethnocentrism.

It's well-written, but not terribly outstanding or unique. I think I'd have enjoyed it more if I'd read this when it first came out... and certainly if I'd read the prior book(s) in the series first.

Though I don't feel particularly compelled to search out others, if I run across them, I'll read them.