Customer Reviews

The Charmed Sphere

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(16)
3 star:		(8)
2 star:		(8)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

Catherine Asaro strays from her sci-fi background in "The Charmed Sphere," a fluffy but pleasant fantasy. While "Sphere" has a steady plot and a fair amount of charm, Asaro's built world is a bit bland and simple. But fans of romantic fantasy will enjoy the quirky lead characters.

Chime is an ordinary girl in a village -- except she has a magical ability that she keeps hidden. But the king's mage shows up one day and whisks her away, saying that she is powerful enough to be not only a mage, but the future queen. The king's rather foppish nephew Lord Muller is as displeased by this as Chime is, but they gradually warm up to one another.

Then Chime's rival Iris has a sudden burst in magical ability, reaching out to the king's long-lost son Jarid, who is even more powerful. As Iris marries and heals the tortured Jarid, both Muller and Chime find themselves displaced from the roles they thought they would have. But they don't have much time to feel sorry for themselves, since a neighboring kingdom is threatening them, and even Jarid is a possible threat to those around them...

Catherine Asaro doesn't seem entirely comfortable writing fantasy -- "Charmed Sphere" is a pleasant fantasy that seems geared at adults and teens (preferably ones who like a little romantic sparring). Just about everything in it is relatively fluffy and good, but not great.

The setting is pretty standard ye-old-medieval-European-kingdom, without much to really make it stand out. Her ideas about magic -- which are wrapped up in geometry and color -- are surprisingly unique. And her writing is good. Not outstanding, but good and descriptive, and keeping a good pace going. But Asaro really shines in some of the darker scenes, like descriptions of Jarid's inner thoughts.

Chime is a good heroine, a tomboyish country girl who wanted to stay where she was. And the magic-impaired Muller, who is initially more interested in clothes than being king, makes a good foil to Chime. But the supporting characters like Iris, and aging mage Della, tend to be 2-D and not terribly compelling. The exception is Jarid, who is tormented by his inner demons.

"Charmed Sphere" is less than charmed, but it is an amusing middleweight story. Catherine Asaro needs to darken her fantasy a little to make it really, really good.

Both Muller and Chime have responsibilities that they don't want to have, but they have to face their destiny. Muller being the heir and future King and Chime a powerful shape-mage. But their roles change, Muller is no longer the heir and Chime is no longer the most powerful, although neither one wanted what they thought to be their destiny, they wonder what will become of them when it changes. They are asked to help the new King and Queen of Aronsdale against the dark powers and armies of the neighboring Harsdown. Who are invading in time of uncertainty...

A beautifully written novel. A story of percerverence and love, set in a magical world. The Charmed Sphere was my first by the author I will be looking for her other titles, as well.

I very much enjoyed this fantasy tale, of two sets of young lovers forced together by custom and the needs of their country. This is a well created world of Aronsdale, actually a small kingdom set within a wider world of which we are only given small glimpses. Charm Headwind was plucked from a happy life because of her magical mage abilities. Muller Dawnfield was forced into his role as heir to his uncle King Doran after the death of his son and grandson. Accordingly they are meant to wed for the sake of Aronsdale. However, a new possible female mage is found in the person of Iris and then the plot thickens and deepens with the discovery by her of Jarid the true heir to the throne. The kingdom is then threatened by the more powerful neighbouring kingdom of Harsdown and an evil dark mage.
The love stories are well to the fore and are presented with a sensitive touch. All four lovers are sympathetic and each has a different set of personal demons to grapple with and overcome.
The story kept me reading, it had suspense and well drawn secondary characters in support. I will look forward to another tale set in this world - there are several vague loose ends that appear set to be picked up to that end.
However, there were frequent jarring phrasings and words that ought to have been ironed out by the editorial process. The villain was also set up in an interesting way, but at the end the entire premise collapsed most unconvincingly. Indeed the final scenes regarding the fate of Harsdown were irritating, especially after so much that was good.

The Charmed Sphere (2004) is the first fantasy novel in the Misted Cliffs series. In the small, but affluent kingdom of Aronsdale, mages are able to use shapes and colors to initiate spells. Two-dimensional polygons power can be used to generate minor spells, but three-dimension polyhedrons can produce the strongest spells.

The colors of the rainbow determine the type of spells, with red spells creating light, orange spells soothing physical pain, green spells revealing the emotions of others, blue spells healing physical wounds, and indigo spells healing emotional wounds.

In this novel, Chime is the daughter of a couple of apple tree farmers. Chime believes that she is a shape-mage, but doesn't want to leave her family or home. When King Daron progresses through Jacob's Vale, Chime hides up in a tree to escape Lady Della, the Shape-Mage Mistress of Castle Suncroft.

Muller Startower Heptacorn Dawnfield is the heir of King Daron. The king's grandson had disappeared long ago in the same incident that had killed his son and daughter-in-law. Muller is the King's nephew and his closest known relative.

Everyone is expecting Muller to take the throne after King Daron passes away, but Muller doesn't want to be king. Although he hides his powers, Muller is himself a shape-mage, but with an erratic talent. Since shape-mages are usually females, none suspect his powers until Chime comes into his life. She causes him to lose control in some very spectacular ways and soon learns his secret.

Anvil the Forged is a powerful shape-mage who lacks all green magic, but can detect such magic applied against him. He explains his deficiency as due to the persecutions against his mage family by the inhabitants of Stonce, his home village. He is working with King Varqelle of Harsdown to conquer Aronsdale.

Iris is another shape-mage discovered by Lady Della. She is much more voluptuous than Chime and she also appears to be more powerful. Iris easily understands the procedures, but has difficulties performing the spells.

In this story, Chime runs away from the King's Progress the night before they are to reach Castle Suncroft. Muller also leaves the castle to avoid meeting this powerful shape-mage who is slated to become his wife. By chance, they meet in the woods and are attracted toward each other.

Unfortunately, the Prince's bodyguards find them and they learn each other's true identity. Naturally, they turn away from their designated spouses after that. But they do enjoy each other's company and soon become besotted with each other.

Chime has an unfortunate relationship with Iris. Her insecurity and lack of courtly manners causes her to say things in awkward and often misunderstood ways. Then Chime discovers the reason for Iris's inability to perform at her highest level and soon she realizes that Iris is a more powerful mage than herself.

Since tradition requires the King's heir to marry the most powerful of the eligible shape-mages, Iris obviously should be one to marry Muller. By then, Chime and Muller have truly become enamored with each other. Oh, the complications that arise.

This story also has another major character who complicates the situation even further. High in the Boxer-Mage Mountains, Unbent lives in a modest cottage with his adopted son, whom he calls Dani. The boy is blind, deaf and mute, but has the shape-mage talent.

One day, Iris detects this strong talent and is sent out to bring the boy back to the castle. Unfortunately, the guards confuse and scare the boy and he is brought to the castle trussed up like an animal. Things don't go very well until Iris contacts the boy with her talent and soothes his fears.

The story presents an exotic form of magic in a fairly standard tale of a power-hungry king trying to conquer a smaller and richer, but magically powerful, neighboring country. The romance between Chime and Muller is subject to powerful traditions, but it all works out at the end. The romance between Iris and Dani is less traditional, but it too ends well.

Highly recommended for Asaro fans and for anyone else who enjoys tales of exotic magic, insecure adolescents, and romantic twists.

-Arthur W. Jordin

Every once in awhile I get an urge to read a fantasy story, so on a whim I picked this book up while I was waiting on a flight out of Pittsburg. The Charmed Sphere was my first book by Chatherine Asaro so I really didn't know what to expect when I started reading the book. Well, I wasn't disappointed and I thought it was one of the best fantasy books I have read. The location of the story is old medieval Europe and the author's writing style on magic was a surprise and different from other authors. Her descriptions were excellent and the story moved along at an even, smooth pace. Not only was there magic, but a bit of romance that made the story realistic and warm at the same time. If you enjoy a story of magic, romance and some dark suspense, then this is the book for you.

I cannot believe this book has had so many positive reviews. I am a huge fan of Asaro's previous works and if you are too then stay far, far, far, far, away from this novel and presumably its sequel. Asaro's previous works were a sci fi/ romance blend with characters of incredible depth and strength. Her romance was a little gritty, slightly pornographic (in a tasteful sort of way, no gratuitous sex) and thoroughly realistic. I highly reccomend "Primary Inversion", "Ascendant Sun", "The Radiant Seas" and "The Moon's Shadow" by Asaro. These were engaging, heart rending and sometimes slightly disturbing but throughly good sci fi/fantasy/reads.


The "Charmed Sphere" is such sickly-saccharin-cotton-candy-sweet bubble gum fantasy I honestly felt sick to my stomach by page 151. I kept looking back at the cover to be sure that I purchased the right book! It's REMARKABLY bad for such a great author! The sheer inconsistencies and shallowness in the characters and setting are staggering.

1. There's a king with no court
2. Theres an incredibly beautiful (eye-roll) commoner who metamorphasizes overnight into a well mannered and haughty princess apparent
3. There's a second incredibly beautiful commoner who also becomes a princess apparent.
4. There's a 19 yr old heir to the throne who actually REMEMBERS the nonexistant court as well as his father and grandfather despite being mute, deaf, dumb, blind, kidnapped and impoverished since the age of six. And naturally, through it all our vanished prince is still spreading mute cheer and joy to his kidnapper/saviour/parent (The fact that this guy killed his parents causes no bitterness for our benevolent and crippled lost prince....bitterness...what's that)?

If that is not enough to start the nausea roiling in your stomach then here's another little whiff of sunshine.... everyone is thoughtful and quite introspective. Did I mention that everyone is beautiful also? Apparently no one in this kingdom is ugly, fat, diseased, mean-spirited or even impatient.
Even the Bad guys are cream puffs! I quote "Get close to Daron's general's. Learn their plans. Make them ill. Strike them with grief, sorrow, pain". This is what a INVADING king has to say about Aronsdale (the fluffy, beautiful, sweet kingdom the story is set in). Thatt's the worst he could think of to instruct (to his knowledge) the most powerful and evil sorcerer in the land to do to his lifelong enemies. PUH-LEASE!
I honestly cannot even believe Asaro wrote the Charmed Sphere after reading her previous works. I would blame it on Luna (also know as Harlequin Romance (yuck!yuck!yuck!) but I've read Silver's Edge and Silver's Bane (both Luna books by Anne Kelleher) and found them to be strong 4 star fantasy/romance novels. I don't know if Asaro just downed a big glass of "happy and shiny" juice or what but this is just garbage with a capital "G". Perhaps a straight romance fan oould enjoy it...perhaps not. I do not reccomend it.

For a little more realism and grit with your romance/fantasy/sci fi try: "Primary Inversion", "Ascendant Sun", "The Radiant Seas" and "The Moon's Shadow" by Asaro. "Silver's Edge" and "Silver's Bane" (both Luna books by Anne Kelleher).

If you're in the mood for fluff but well-thought out romantic fantasy fluff with engaging characters try Sharon Shinns Summers at Castle Auburn" or any of the Samaria series (start with ArchAngel).

I love Catherine Asaro's science fiction novels. But this novel, The Charmed Sphere, is just not up to her usual standards at all. Tedious, repetitive and juvenile are just some of the adjectives to describe it. A very disappointing effort from an author I usually greatly admire.

This fantasy tale with magical spheres of light and power , a wicked warlord, a twisted mage, an enchanted prince and two mystical women is lyrical and filled with interesting locations, acts of heroism and strength of heart and courage.
LUNA is the new Fantasy label from Harlequin. Their books are targeted at women. I read the original Charmed Destinies anthology that the Mage Worlds premiered in and really enjoyed it.
I think that this line is particularly good reading for younger audiences- the general themes presented in a fresh tone make great self-esteem building reading for young girls. There is nothing too heavy in the sexuality in this book- totally ok for girls in junior high and a nice companion to reading Tolkein.

Courtesy of CK2S Kwips and Kritiques

Chime Headwind is a young country girl who has never desired anything but to work her family's apple orchards. Unfortunately for her, she was born with impressive mage talents that she needs to keep hidden. If anyone knew just how strong her abilities were she'd have to leave her home and move to the royal palace to be trained. However power like hers can only be hidden for so long and the day comes that Della No-Cozen, Mage to the Royal family, finds Chime and takes her away to learn the ways of the Shape Mages and possibly wed the heir to the throne.

In a matter of months Chime's life is turned upside down. Just as she is starting to settle in to her new role, when she is finally beginning to feel like she fits in, another powerful mage, Iris, is found who holds abilities unlike anyone has ever seen. At the same time, Muller, Chime's betrothed and the former heir, is released from his future position. In the middle of all these changes, a neighboring land's ruler decides time is ripe to overthrow Aronsdale. Now Muller and Chime must use their love and their abilities to help the new king, Muller's cousin, and his young wife Iris to conquer the evil pervading their homeland.

This is a unique and intriguing look at the brilliant world created by Ms. Asaro. The land where power is held by those strongest in the magic of colors and shapes will capture the imaginations of many readers, be they fans of romance or fantasy, or both. The imagery is vivid and readers will be enveloped in the lives and world of the characters. The rules of society are well defined, giving this fantasy the feeling that there could be such a world out there somewhere. Though some aspects of the magic and life found there get confusing at times, by the end of the book, one will understand how things work in Aronsdale.

The players in this saga are brilliantly rendered. Muller feels like he can never measure up and that he is twisted inside, never to be free of the cursed abilities. Chime feels like she will never quite fit in to the elegant life of royalty, being more comfortable climbing trees than learning magic and propriety. These two are set adrift when their world changes. If not for the love they found in each other, they'd be lost. Jarid, the new king, is a tortured man; eaten up with guilt over something he did as a young boy that he could not control. Iris is a simple mountain girl who comes in to her own when she is taken under the wing of Della and the royal advisors.

If readers are looking for a well-told fantasy tale that takes place in a brilliant world of magic, then The Charmed Sphere is for them. The sequel to this book, The Misted Cliffs looks to be a winner as well. So why not run out and purchase both books today?

© Kelley A. Hartsell, July 2005. All rights reserved.

This was the first book of Ms. Asaro's that I'd read or had ever even seen. And chances are if I had found it on the shelf at the bookstore I probably wouldn't have picked it up. But it was the "Book of the Month" for the bookclub that I was once part of (Luna) and it only seemed right to read it after paying $[...] for it. I was pleasantly surprised after finishing it and have enjoyed several of her books since (all sent to me through the same book club). But this one to date has been my favorite.
I once had the opportunity to chat with Ms. Asaro at [...] and was pleased to find out that she is a very pleasant person (at least her online personna). I think that you should know that this has also laid sway on my review.