Customer Reviews

Daughter Of Witches

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

In most fantasy novels one reads, magic is an accepted form of making things happen. But not in this novel. Here, to do magic is to be a witch. To be a witch is to burn at the stake. Wrede's story follows a young girl, whose parents were burned as witches and herself sold to pay for their debts. And then she meets strangers who come to the inn where she works, strangers who are more than they seem, and who force her to confront what she really is. I have never read a book on magic in which magic was illegal before this. Patricia C Wrede's rendition of this storyline is breathtaking, forcing me to read the entire novel in one sitting or die of anticipation. The characters are likeable and rounded out, with orgins recognisable from previous Lyra novels. I highly recomend this and all other Patricia C Wrede novels for all ages of readers. (note: book can be found in the compiliation Shadows over Lyra as well)

Yes, there have come to be plenty of fantasy books about repressive societies, or downright evil societies--places where an uncommon gift is as good as a death sentence. Ranira, the main character, suffers slavery, persecution, bigotery, a highly repressive fanatic government that forces everyone to worship a truly evil being, and a variety of other harsh problems. The supporting characters (her friend the street urchin; a lecherous, power-hungry high priest; and a group of travellers from far more liberal countries who may be able to rescue Ranira--etc.) are not terribly unique. The plot isn't terribly original. In a literary sense, there's nothing terribly new about the way the book is written. It's not one of the best Lyra books.

But gee, it's still really entertaining. And for all that, it's really well done. Wrede's prose, as always (especially in her later books), is clear and compelling. You'll feel like you've read about similar characters before--but you'll still care about these. They may not be unique, but they're still interesting--same for the book in general. If you're looking for some really superb, classic fantasy, try _The Raven Ring_ (the last Lyra book, though they're not tied directly together and are told out of order, so it's OK to skip around). But if you just want a good, well-written fantasy book to read, or you're already a Wrede fan, you'll probably like this one, too.

The book is set in a city where something just isn't right. There is something that reeks of bad magic calling to good witch named Mist. This brings her and her two friends upon a young girl whose parents have been burned as witches. Mist helps the young woman come to terms with her fear of magic and accept that she is really a daughter of witches, and a witch herself. <|:o)

I had this same book many years ago, but after many years (and it already being old when I found it) it was time to get a newer one. I love books by P. C. Wrede... she put women as the lead characters in her books and it's good to see that in a fantasy sifi book. It was the first one I had ever seen written like that and have loved her writings every since.

Its a very imaginative book, with suspense and romance. I liked it because it is pure fantasy, my favorite!

Wrede's story is very readable and unique enough to be entertaining. The setting is believable and the characters are likable. Although they fit the typical stereotypes of fantasy novel characters, the book somehow avoids feeling as stereotyped as others. The writing somehow allows the characters to feel natural, almost as if Wrede developed the story around them, rather than inserting them into a story she developed.

I recommend this book as a quick, light read. It will not change your life, but makes excellent bed-time reading. Due to its lack of sex scenes and strong female characters, this book would make an excellent gift for any young, precocious female reader.

Cursing: none
Gore: A few people are killed during fights, but none of the killing is described in detail.
Sex: None

Tells the story of a bonds woman, who's parents have been burnt for being witches, she of course, doesn't believe that! The story progresses until she finds out that she is a witch after all, with the help of some folk from outside of the empire. Expertly written, keeps the reader hocked until the end. I should know,I've read it three times already!

This is a standard sword and sorcery type book, but if you like this sort of books. I thought it a bit too short but what there was of it was rather good.

This was the first book by Ms. Wrede that I read and I still go back and re-read it every couple of years or so. Its a coming of age sort of story, but with wonderfully unique characters and excellent writing. It's well worth a hunt in your local used-book store.

A fan of Wrede's "Enchanted Forest Chronicals" and alternate reality Regencies, I recently snatched up at my local used bookstore several of Wrede's earlier works.

Upon reading them, I can only suppose that these standard sword and sorcery novels were written as the result of a need to gain a toehold on the market. If that was their purpose, then I applaud them. But as pieces of literature, they are dull, undeveloped, cliche, and inconclusive.

The usual S&S elements are evident in "Daughter of Witches": a tyrannical monotheistic church which actually worships a demonic power (*long-suffering sigh insert here*), a girl with untapped magical abilities, a mercenary - both male and female, a mage (female), a streetrat-thief (boy), and several conveniently expendable temple guards under the control of a lustful, manipulative, tyrannical meglomaniacal highpriest (male - *insert second long-suffering sigh*).

Ranira's plight is not compelling, mainly because her final decision - to develop her latent magical talent - is painfully obvious from the first. Their flight from the city, while tense at times (the river bit worked fairly well), counteracts the semi-interesting world-building conflict Wrede had begun within the city by removing the threat of a return to the city with every pageturn.

In short, "Daughter of Witches" from the title to the last sentence, is predictable.

Those who first discovered Wrede with her later novels would be well-served not to invest in her earlier S&S fare, but keep an eye out for upcoming novels from this otherwise excellent author.