Customer Reviews

Cygnet

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

 

 

Two of Patricia McKillip's most lyrical books are the Cygnet duology, the story of a sorcerous family and the mysterious forces that shape their world. "Cygnet" compiles those books, bringing together the intoxicating mixture of unique magic, invisible dragons, and McKillip's shimmering prose.

"The Sorceress and the Cygnet" introduces us to Corleu, one of the Wayfolk (sort of like gypsies), but with a head of white hair and a strange love of legend. When the Wayfolk become ensnared in a magical trap, Corleu finds his way out, and encounters the mysterious sorceress Nyx, living in the middle of a swamp.

But the Wayfolk aren't the only ones in danger -- the ancient castle of Ro Holding is being haunted by strange godlike beings -- foxes, tinkers, a blind woman -- who seem to have stepped out of ancient legend. To free the Wayfolk, Corleu must unrael the secrets of these beings, and of the mysterious Cygnet.

"The Cygnet and the Firebird" is a sort of McKillipesque version of "Swan Lake." Ro Holding is invaded by two magical forces: a mage who kidnaps magical warrior Meguet Vervaine, and whisks her away to a strange desert, and a young prince enchanted into a firebird's form, whose song can transform objects and people, and who only turns back to himself at moonrise.

Turns out that the mage and the young man-bird are connected, and that the prince cannot remember exactly how he became this way. Now Nyx stretches out her powers to the Luxor Desert, where strange magics and invisible dragons are all over, and Meguet uncovers hidden secrets...

McKillip has never specialized in easy, cliched fantasy -- you know, the cheap stuff with lots of flashy wizards, D&D warriors and sadistic warlords. Her brand of fantasy is more subtle and magical, usually filled with eerie, glimmering conflicts that are of one kind of magic against another.

Like J.R.R. Tolkien, McKillip's writing is all wrapped up in nature's beauty, wind and roses and jeweled trees, as well as the majesty of deserts and forests. And she definitely brings odd scenes to life, such as Corleu's escape from the trap, or Ro Holding being moved from one place to another. It's a bit like being locked inside a beautiful, ivy-covered dream.

And the characters are similarly nonstereotypical, from the dreamy gypsy to the pensive warrior-woman, the enigmatic matriarch to the oddball sorceress. But even better, McKillip gets inside their heads and presents their feelings -- loneliness, love, sorrow and wonderment at the world -- with as much power as if they were all real people.

"Cygnet" brings together two elusive, beautiful fantasy stories, and they're even better when both halves of Ro Holding's story are brought together. Definitely a great read.

In case you somehow missed it, this edition actually contains two books. The first book is The Sorceress & The Cygnet; the second book is The Cygnet & The Firebird.
I have seen other reviewers state that these books are very confusing & difficult to understand. I will admit that the beginning of book #1 was hard to follow but I think that the author may have intended it this way because the main character's mind is in a muddled state. Don't be daunted by this because it starts to clear up by chapter 4 & it becomes a really interesting story about power & magic.
I have also seen other reviewers write that they did not think that book #2 is as good as book #1. I think I enjoyed The Cygnet & The Firebird more than the first book. It was, overall, easier to follow & there was a little more suspense & mystery.
Both are excellent books, as are all of McKillip's novels that I've read. I highly recommend anything by this author.

What a book, if i hadnt have been alittle experienced in love and life this would be a ridicuolous book, but the depth and understanding of love and life for me have been exact in the description and fantasy of this book. I learnt things and got lost in the appeasing easiness of looking at an adventure. A marvelously intelligent book, even for a romantic at heart...

When I first read "The Cygnet and the Firebird," I read it by itself, in its original format, and had no idea that another book preceded it. I absolutely loved it. It's easily one of the best books I've ever read. I love a lot of Ms. McKellip's work, but this is by far my favorite. The imagery, story, breathtakingly gorgeous magic, is like stepping into a fantastic dream. I really feel like I *there,* right with the characters every step of the way. You can feel the desert and the heat, you can almost reach out and touch everything that's being described. It's simply one of the most beautiful things, if not the most lovely thing, you can read. I reread it as often as possible.

I recently decided to purchase this amazing story, and I bought it in this format, "Cygnet," which also has in it "The Sorceress and the Cygnet," the story that precedes "The Cygnet and the Firebird." I read these two backwards, as I said before, and I feel that's really the way to go. "The Sorceress and the Cygnet" is a good story, and definitely has some interesting parts to it, not to mention some back story, so it's worth reading, and, I felt, worth owning. However, I highly, highly recommend that, if you've not read either of these before, you read them backwards. The first part of the story, "The Sorceress and the Cygnet," is not anywhere near as good as the second part of the story. Also, there's absolutely no need to read them in order. The stories are different, and very little carries over. I doubt you'll feel any confusion. In order to peak your interest and get the most out of it, read "The Cygnet and the Firebird" first, then read the first half to get any back story you're missing.

Don't miss out on these. And, if you read "The Sorceress and the Cygnet," and were not overly impressed, give the second half a try anyway. As far as I'm concerned, it's flawless.

Cygnet is actually two books in one, The Soceress and the Cygnet and The Cygnet and the Firebird, which both tell the story of the magical Ro family. I have read many of McKillip's books, and these two are by far one of my favorites. I won't go into a plot summary because that has been done, but, wow, this was a fantastic read. It embodies fantasy--there is action, adventure, mystery, peril, strange lands, mages, a bit of romance, and, of course, dragons! As always, McKillip's writing is simply beautiful; description just doesn't do it justice.

While there are numerous characters, each are unique, and I didn't feel bogged down when the story shifted from one character to another and back again, like I have in some of her other novels. I genuinely cared about what happened to the characters, which doesn't always happen for me. The plot was complex, but flowed seamlessly. There were no gaps in the story, and though there is an air of great mystery throughout the story, in the end nothing is left unexplained. This is a definite keeper.

Still, if you like her writing style, get it for sure.

If you've never read McKillip before, I recommend the Harper Trilogy.

Her writing style is very lyrical and evocative. It's always such a dreamy pleasure to settle into one of her books. I only wish she'd write more. The old ones from the 70s and 80s are difficult to find, but regardless she's progressed so much since then. Her newer work is where it's at.

This is really two books in one volume. They could be read independent of one another, but by the end of the first book you know the main characters of the second. Of the two my favorite was the second, but both were excellent. McKillip weaves magic and mystery in with great character development. Once you get into the book it is difficult to put down.

Two of Patricia McKillip's most lyrical books are the Cygnet duology, the story of a sorcerous family and the mysterious forces that shape their world. "Cygnet" compiles those books, bringing together the intoxicating mixture of unique magic, invisible dragons, and McKillip's shimmering prose.

"The Sorceress and the Cygnet" introduces us to Corleu, one of the Wayfolk (sort of like gypsies), but with a head of white hair and a strange love of legend. When the Wayfolk become ensnared in a magical trap, Corleu finds his way out, and encounters the mysterious sorceress Nyx, living in the middle of a swamp.

But the Wayfolk aren't the only ones in danger -- the ancient castle of Ro Holding is being haunted by strange godlike beings -- foxes, tinkers, a blind woman -- who seem to have stepped out of ancient legend. To free the Wayfolk, Corleu must unrael the secrets of these beings, and of the mysterious Cygnet.

"The Cygnet and the Firebird" is a sort of McKillipesque version of "Swan Lake." Ro Holding is invaded by two magical forces: a mage who kidnaps magical warrior Meguet Vervaine, and whisks her away to a strange desert, and a young prince enchanted into a firebird's form, whose song can transform objects and people, and who only turns back to himself at moonrise.

Turns out that the mage and the young man-bird are connected, and that the prince cannot remember exactly how he became this way. Now Nyx stretches out her powers to the Luxor Desert, where strange magics and invisible dragons are all over, and Meguet uncovers hidden secrets...

McKillip has never specialized in easy, cliched fantasy -- you know, the cheap stuff with lots of flashy wizards, D&D warriors and sadistic warlords. Her brand of fantasy is more subtle and magical, usually filled with eerie, glimmering conflicts that are of one kind of magic against another.

Like J.R.R. Tolkien, McKillip's writing is all wrapped up in nature's beauty, wind and roses and jeweled trees, as well as the majesty of deserts and forests. And she definitely brings odd scenes to life, such as Corleu's escape from the trap, or Ro Holding being moved from one place to another. It's a bit like being locked inside a beautiful, ivy-covered dream.

And the characters are similarly nonstereotypical, from the dreamy gypsy to the pensive warrior-woman, the enigmatic matriarch to the oddball sorceress. But even better, McKillip gets inside their heads and presents their feelings -- loneliness, love, sorrow and wonderment at the world -- with as much power as if they were all real people.

"Cygnet" brings together two elusive, beautiful fantasy stories, and they're even better when both halves of Ro Holding's story are brought together. Definitely a great read.