Customer Reviews

Ciara's Song

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
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Ciara's Song (1998) is the second novel in the Witch World Chronicles series, following Songsmith. Ciara is the daughter of Talyo and Lanlia, both from families with some Old Blood. Her brother Larian brought word of Duke Yvian's thrice horning of the Old Blood. Lanlia envisions the deaths of her two step-sons and takes steps to protect young Ciara.

Talyo, Larian and Lanlia die at the hands of their neighbors at Elmsgarth, but Ciara is not found by the mob. Three days later, Lord Tarnoor arrives with his son Trovagh to look for survivors and to take away all portable items to keep them from the scavengers. They find Ciara and take her back with them to Aiskeep.

In this novel, Ciara is heart-sick with grief and fear; she is having nightmares and unable to keep down her food. One night, Trovagh comes during a nightmare and hears Ciara speak of her loneliness, so he offers his own family to her. He swears to protect her and proposes marriage. When Ciara agrees, they perform as much of the betrothal ceremony as they remember and then return to their beds.

Lord Tarnoor overhears their conversation and ceremony and is well pleased. He asks the Priestess of the Cup and Flame to oversee a formal betrothal ceremony for them and it is done. Now Ciara will be the daughter that he has always wanted.

After that Ciara's health steadily improves, but Trovagh catches a cold that becomes pneumonia. Ciara prepares draughts for him as had her mother, but he becomes feverish and his lungs gurgle. Remembering the pendant given to her by Larian, Ciara sinks her mind into its gray mists and heals his illness. Later she heals a favorite horse who has broken his leg. Both times, the exhaustion and powerloss last for a week; obviously she is not a very strong healer.

Lord Tarnoor, however, knows that she has enough of the Old Blood powers to inflame passions against her. Moreover, the powerful lords would have no qualms about using her for political ends. Something must be done to protect her from these enemies.

One man suspects her powers, however, and intends her death. Seren tries to drown her in Teral Town, but a friendly merchant loudly orders a search for the missing girl and scares away the would-be killer. Seren tries to harm Ciara in other ways, but the betrayer is himself betrayed. Seren is driven out of his own garth and dies in a strange land. However, his son has sworn vengeance against the people of Aiskeep.

This novel covers four generations at Aiskeep, from Lord Tarnoor to his great-granddaughter Aisling. It encompasses the history of Karsten from the thrice horning to the rise of Duke Shandro. During this time, the witches of Estcarp stir their southern mountains, killing the invading army of Duke Pagar of Kars.

This is a time of great danger to anyone with the Old Blood. Indeed, anyone with any magical powers at all, including healing, are viewed with suspicion. Even an accusation of working for the witches of Estcarp is likely to stir up a lynch mob.

To her sorrow, Ciara finds enemies among her own children. Her son Kirin is just weak, welcoming the attentions of Duke Pagar. However, her grandson Kirion is evil, bullying his own brother and trying to kill his sister Aisling for her powers.

Highly recommended for Norton fans and for anyone else who enjoys tales of magic, loyalty and intrigue.

-Arthur W. Jordin

I picked this book up because I had enjoyed Norton's writing in the past. Unfortunately, I was sorely disappointed by the book. The plot was interesting--if unoriginal--and the book had some cute parts to it. However, the writing style was juvenile at best. The book often seemed more like a plot summary than a novel, so that the authors were able to skim through the events of several decades in 244 pages. The book was told from the point of view of several characters over the span of about 40 years, giving the book a disjointed tone. None of the characters was ever really developed, and most of the villains were incredibly shallow. The ending was anticlimactic and inconclusive. The authors often left out even incredibly basic descriptions, so that I often didn't know what characters looked like. All in all, I had the impression that the authors didn't like the book very much and were trying to get through it as quickly as possible. If they had filled it out properly, or made it into two full novels, it might have been worth the paper it was printed on. The book might be appropriate for adolescent readers, but adult readers might want to look for something a little bit better.

Oh yes, exactly! I, I suppose in contrast to those prior in reviews, LOVED this book incredibly. While I DO wish that Cee's story was expanded upon (towards the end it seemed a little rushed) I still can't wait for a sequel! I'm now reading the "Chronicles of Witchworld," and wish most desperately I could find a sequel on the story of Ciara's granddaughter.

I loved the book - there were many cute moments. That was until I got to the ending. I felt that a lot was left out of the book. Many things were said or hinted at that should not have been if they weren't going to bring it all together at the end. I've been taught that nothing is EVER mentioned if it doesn't prove useful later because it's a waste of time and space. The book could have been expanded upon with more character and plot development. It felt like half the novel was missing once I'd closed the book. Did they just run out of time and rushed at the end to get something completed? There was no real ending. I know people say that cliffhangers are great for the writing of sequels, but come on! That wasn't a cliffhanger... It was a cliff that fell from under my feet! I was sorely disappointed. If you're looking for a quick, cute read with no meat, this is good. However, if you love sci fi and the witch world and love books that actually satisfy you once you're through, do not read this... it'll just make you wish you didn't.

although i did feel as if the authors were trying to piece two short stories into a book, i still found this book to be a great adventure. i love tro and cee especially. however, i hope norton and mcconchie will write another one where we learn more of what happens keelan and aisling.