Crystal Sage (Salterton Trilogy) [Paperback]

Kara Dalkey (Author)

Book Description

Series: Salterton Trilogy | Publication Date: May 1, 1999

When two housecleaners arrive at a client's house, they are shocked to discover a strange guitar...one which actually speaks when strummed! It turns out to be their client, who is none to helpful in explaining her predicament. In their search for clues, the cleaning duo find that their client (now a guitar) had been performing bizarre musical experiments on her computer involving ancient Celtic manuscripts. What follows is an offbeat and humorous journey to locate the one man who can help restore their client's humanity...but he isn't so eager to do so!

Praise for Kara Dalkey:

"...quirky and colorful enough to stand out from the crowd." --Locus, for Steel Rose

"A nice blend of humor and drama...an enjoyable light fantasy." --Starlog, for Steel Rose

"[Steel Rose] is contemporary fantasy at its best." --Painted Rock Reviews

"An exotic repast...tempts the palate with tantalizing hints of wonders yet to come." --Publishers Weekly, for GOA: Vol. 1 of Blood of the Goddess

"Splendid characters...a highly auspicious launch." --Kirkus, for GOA: Vol. 1 of Blood of the Goddess

Product Details

• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: Roc (May 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0451456408
• ISBN-13: 978-0451456403
• Product Dimensions: 6.6 x 4.1 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,696,130 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Clever, well crafted and great fun, June 23, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Crystal Sage (Salterton Trilogy) (Paperback)

There's an almost slapstick element to the premise of this book. Yet Ms. Dalkey's approach is too thoughtful for silliness to take hold. She works the humorous aspect in such a controlled low-keyed manner, and balances it so well against more realistic humorous elements, that what could have been wacky becomes first believable and then even dramatic. The well-drawn characters are engaging (even the crabby ones) and the comingling of European and Native American folklore is deftly handled. Be prepared, though, to be caught in an enjoyable crossfire between those passages aimed at your heartstrings and those targeting your funnybone.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars As good as light entertainment gets, July 5, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Crystal Sage (Salterton Trilogy) (Paperback)

While reading this book I was aware only of being thoroughly caught up in the story. It was when I'd (reluctantly) put it down to for a while that I found myself marvelling at how well Ms. Dalkey wove her themes together. Celtic fairy legends mingle with Native American mythology. And both fantasy elements mingle with a realistic treatment of the very modern clash of values between those who love the wilderness and those prefer the controlled environment of buildings and roadways. It's rare for a book to be both this much fun and this thought-provoking at the same time. If there were a sequal I'd buy it today!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A novel idea executed with diamond-cut precision!, May 27, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Crystal Sage (Salterton Trilogy) (Paperback)

Crystal Sage is a beautifully balanced blend of New Age icons and old folklore. The tale sparkles in a marquis combination of wit and the lessons we wish life would teach us. Bravas to Ms. Dalkey; may she live long and prosper.