Customer Reviews

The Dream-Maker's Magic

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The Dream-Maker's Magic (2006) is the third fantasy novel in this milieu, following The Truth-Teller's Tale. In the previous volume, Melinda the Dream-Maker came to Merendon for the Summermoon festivities and brought several dreams to fulfillment. Adele, Edela and Roelynn found their true loves, but Karro found that his misdeeds had become public knowledge.

In this novel, Amelia Carmichael is traveling and suddenly gives birth to a baby boy in the town of Tambleham. She loses a great deal of blood and doesn't see the child again until she reaches home in Thrush Hollow. There she discovers that the child is a girl.

She and her husband Stephen name the child Kellen, which is both a male and female name. Amelia still contends that the child is a boy and keeps an alert eye on the child in cause she reverts back to a boy. She even talks her husband into consulting a Truth-Teller to determine whether she had ever been a boy, but is told that she is now, and always has been, a girl.

Kellen grows up wearing boy clothes and usually playing with the boys. Since she does all kinds of chores around the house -- including chopping wood -- she can keep up with the boys in most of their activities, except fighting. A friendly Safe-Keeper teaches her to box and other self-protection tricks and she soom convinces the bullies in her school to leave her alone.

In this story, Kellen's first -- and best -- friend is Gryffin, a crippled boy who is the brightest student in her school. He is even tutoring the younger students. Although Kellen is not a very good -- or willing -- student, she learns much from Gryffin.

Later, Kellen is asked to convince Gryffin to tutor Sarah Parmer, an older student. Kellen and Gryffin go to the Parmer home several days a week, Gryffin teaching Sarah and Kellen doing various chores about the house. When the Parmers build a post house for the new stage route through Thrush Hollow, Kellen is hired as a waitress and maid.

For the first time, Kellen wears girl's clothes in public. Of course, she wears her normal boy's attire to and from the post house, but she puts on a smock and apron while working there. Although Kellen makes her first few dresses, Sarah soon presents her with two seamstress made smocks as a gift. They are her most favorite clothes.

This story tells of the friendship between Kellen and Gryffin. While Gryffin lives with his uncle, Frederick resents having to take care of a cripple. Eventually Gryffin moves into the post house and does clerical work for the Parmers.

As with the previous books in this series, the author invokes surprises throughout the story. These changes in Kellen's life strengthen her resolve and increase her dreams for others. Then comes the final surprise, which turns her whole life upside down.

Highly recommended for Shinn fans and for anyone who enjoys tales of determined youngsters, changed circumstances, and positive magic.

-Arthur W. Jordin

The thing about Sharon Shinn's trilogy is that she world-builds so subtly you scarcely notice how well she does it--you're too busy focusing on her strong characters.

The Safe-Keeper's Secret, The Truth-Teller's Tale, and The Dream-Maker's Magic: Each of the books represents one of three special types of magically gifted individuals in a slightly medieval kingdom--safe-keepers, who keep people's secrets; truth-tellers, who speak sometimes unwelcome but much-needed truths; and dream-makers, whose influence can bring others' dearest dreams to pass. There is more than one Safe-keeper and Truth-teller in this society, but only one Dream-maker.

The story begins with Kellen, who struggles with her mother's inability to acknowledge that she is a girl. She forms a friendship with Gryffin, whose legs are deformed and whose guardian, his uncle, is abusive. Together these two face challenges, make other friends, and learn how to live their lives. They are compellingly real and appealing characters, and spending an entire book with them is a deeply satisfying experience.

A couple of things stand out for me. I like Shinn's touching Wintermoon rituals and her Summermoon Fair. I also find it intriguing that the Dream-maker, with all his power, is someone who has paid a great price in terms of a life of suffering. Indirectly, that reminds me of the themes in Ursula LeGuin's story, "The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas," about a society where one person's happiness is sacrificed completely in order to pay for the happiness of others. The Dream-Maker's role isn't quite that extreme, but it is thought-provoking. Shinn avoids the easy road that most fantasy writers take when they simply pass out hefty helpings of trouble-free magic to characters like so much Halloween candy.

Although a few plot twists are coincidental, they are rewarding to the reader. I particularly like the way one such development casts a formerly pathetic and unreliable character in a new light--very nice irony!

There's something poignant and just a little haunting about Shinn's three books. What's more, several of her key characters, while they are certainly fallible, seem aware of their effect on others in a way that inspires without being preachy. Shin seems to be saying that even though there are plenty of selfish, mean-spirited people out there, don't forget that many others are kind and regularly reach out in an effort to improve the lives of those around them. This is a balanced and heartening message in a world in which the nightly news might incline young readers to think that serial killers and terrorists lurk around every single corner.

Perhaps it's because I read it so recently, but I think The Dream-Maker's Magic is probably my favorite of the three books. I happily recommend that you read them all.

This short novel is the third in Shinn's series involving young people in a semimagical realm. In this tale, we learn the story of Kellen and Gryffin. Both characters have a harsh live. Kellen's mother refuses to acknowledge that she is a girl. Gryffin is crippled and abused by his uncle. Together, they gain the strength to grow beyond their situation and find love along the way. While this is set as a young adult book, don't let that scare you away. It's enjoyable by all.

The final installment of Shinn's trilogy which began with The Safe-Keeper's Secret (2004) and The Truth-Teller's Tale (2005) features a young girl Kellen whose mother is convinced that she is a boy, and treats her as thus. When Kellen begins school at age 11, she meets Gryffin, a young man who needs assistance walking because of a birth defect, but whose mind soaks up information like a sponge. Kellen and Gryffin become inseparable throughout their school years, supporting one another in their difficult situations. When Gryffin needs shelter from his uncle's abuse, Kellen helps him and they become friends with many of the new travelers who visit their small town's new stagecoach stop. When it is discovered that Gryffin has taken on the magic of the Dream-Maker, Kellen has to let him go discover his powers on his own, until she follows, once again in the guise of a young man, to find that wishes do come true no matter who you are.

Sharon Shinn has a gift for using simple, easy language to build rich characters and wonderful relationships and communities. It took less than a day to read, but this book has depth, is well-plotted, and joyful, without glossing over evil and pain. Kellen, the main character, seems androgynous, but always knows who she really is, and is amazing at caring about other people and wishing wonderful things for them. I wish I could take a vacation in this world and go stay in a village inn for Wintermoon, and visit Wodenberry for Summermoon.

As other reviewers have noted, this is the third book set in the same kingdom (after "The Safe-Keeper's Secret" and "The Truth-Teller's Tale"), and each book is set just a few years later than the one before it. While some characters recur, along with places and customs, the books are each centered on different characters and have different themes. They're young adult books, about teenagers, but so deep and rich that adults will find them rewarding.

The Plot: Kellen's life has been strange from the beginning. She has long been tormented by her mother's insistence that despite everything, she is a boy. This gender confusion colors Kellen's entire live in her small town of Thrush Hollow. Her best friend understand the difficulties of living in troubled households, for Gryffin has no loving family members either. Though he is whip smart and kind, his legs are withered. The boy and girl grow up together, both understanding what it is like to be dismissed for your appearance rather than appreciated for everything you are.

The Good: Shinn has always been good at writing readable, evocative fantasy. One can tell it's written for a younger audience, but the slight difference in writing style does not detract from the story. Our heroine is extremely likeable: she is strong, determined, kind and generous. Our hero exhibits the same attributes. Their friendship is beautiful; to watch it develop is comforting and inspiring.

The Bad: Shinn has a tendency to romanticize her language. This isn't necessarily a bad thing, just a stylistic choice. Truly the worst things about this story is its brevity and slight lack of complexity.

The Bottom line: This was a lovely read and I would recommend it to any reader of Shinn, and all young readers of fantasy novels. Young girls, especially, will love this book.

Wow what a great young adult author I have found! I loved this story and plan to read all Sharon Shinn's other book my only saddness is I found this on first not knowing it was a 3 book in a set! But amazingly enough I was not lost or comfused. This story could stand on it's own and tell a wonderful story all by itself! I can't wait to go back and read the first 2. I know I won't be disaponted!

On the surface, this could be construed to be a simple fantasy story that conveys a message to kids - something like, no matter how hard you have it, you will find some kind of peace in the end, if you persevere.

But it is so much more complex than that! There is an intricate world built, and wonderful, deep characters. The plight of the main character - her mother refuses to acknowledge that she is a girl, and so she lives life as a half girl half boy - is used both as a detriment and as an advantage.

There are good twists in the plot, and a nice, fitting ending.

And, there's the moral that, no matter how hard you have it, you will find some sort of peace in the end, so long as you persevere.

Great read for a young or pre teen - girl or boy.

(*)>

THE DREAM-MAKER'S MAGIC is the third book in Sharon Shinn's Safe-Keepers trilogy. This trilogy is YA fantasy set in an unnamed kingdom in which, along with your average, run-of-the-mill people, there are also three sorts of quite special folk. The safe-keepers, the truth-tellers, and the dream-makers. While it is possible to find several safe-keepers and truth-tellers across the land, there is only ever one living dream-maker at any given time. It is a demanding calling and the individual usually resides in the capital, traveling throughout the kingdom making people's dreams come true. Or not. It all depends on the person and the nature of the desires of their heart. I'm featuring the third book in the trilogy, not only because it is my favorite, but because they really don't have to be read in order. Each volume features different characters, different towns, and different problems. And they each focus on one of the three groups of gifted people. I think each book is worth reading, but I also think they get progressively richer and more enjoyable. I'm not sure why these books didn't received as much attention as they deserve. It could be because they were not graced with particularly good covers (though the interior design is lovely). I am an unabashed Shinn fan, though (similar to Juliet Marillier) I do end up preferring her "adult" titles to her YA. She's better in larger and longer doses, I think. And I haven't loved her other standalone YA titles. But these three are so very good. Particularly the third one.

Kellen's life has been . . . unconventional. Though she appears in all ways to be a girl, she has been raised her entire life as a boy. Ever since the day she was born her mother has insisted she was born a boy, despite all evidence to the contrary. Her father went along with it as long as he could and then finally left when the stubborn insanity on her mother's part became too much for him to handle. And so it has been just Kellen and her mother ever since. When she goes to school she is met with understandable confusion and suspicion. But for once in her life she is not the worst off. At school she meets a boy by the name of Gryffin who receives worse treatment at the hands of the other kids because of his deformed legs. Perhaps inevitably, these two outsiders become fast friends. United in their struggle against the rest of the world, Kellen helps Gryffin maneuver around the village and serves as a sort of buffer between her friend and his abusive, n'er do well uncle. In turn, Gryffin helps Kellen with her studies and her trials with her increasingly out of touch mother. And together they erect a barrier of kindness and hope between themselves and those who deride or look down upon them. Of course their situations are much more complicated than they at first seem and they only grow more so as they grow up and strike out on their own. They both take jobs at a nearby inn where the owners treat them kindly and take them for who and what they are. Then one day a stranger rides into town and changes their lives within the space of a single afternoon and, just as she felt she was getting a hold on things, Kellen is suddenly very sure things will never be the same again.

I find myself coming back to this one more frequently than its predecessors. The last book in the trilogy, THE DREAM-MAKER'S MAGIC strikes just the right chord with me, I guess. A main character whose mother is convinced she's a boy. A best friend whose legs are crippled but whose mind is razor sharp. A Dream-Maker who is weary of making people's dreams come true. And a first-person narrative that maintains a dogged authenticity amid elements both magical and fantastical. I found myself empathizing with Kellen, trying to carve out a space for herself, her real self, while everyone around her insists on offering their versions. Kellen and Gryffin's friendship is the highlight of the novel. Low on angst and high on the thoughtful exploration of what makes us who we are and what goes into the way we perceive ourselves and those around us, this book is quietly beautiful. My favorite passage:

***

At first I thought I had guessed wrong about my mother.

"A dress," she said, when I told her the requirement for me to work at the new Parmer Arms. "But you can't wear a dress. That would look silly. That would be indecent. Boys wear trousers."

I sat up straight enough so that my growing breasts made a definite shape against my tattered white shirt. "Girls wear skirts."

She looked at me as if she hadn't noticed my changing figure before, and her eyes slowly filled with tears. "You're not," she whispered. "You're not supposed to be."

"I don't know what I'm supposed to be," I said tiredly. "But this is what I am."

As it turned out, she neither granted permission for me to take the job nor told me outright that I could not. She merely ignored my request, ignored anything that had to do with my new identity. She did not help me cut and sew the three simple gowns I made for myself, following an extremely simple pattern. She did not ask about the work or comment on the money that I handed over at the end of every week. She pretended, as she had pretended my entire life, that I was someone else.

But I rather liked the new Kellen, who was, in many subtle ways, different from the old one. This Kellen was not quite so fierce, so independent, so wary. She smiled much more often--though that might have been to hide her shyness. She was not used to being stripped of disguises, unfamiliar with the casual appraisal a man might turn on a woman of any age on display, vulnerable, pulled out of hiding, a breath or two away from being starkly naked.

But she rather liked it.

I worked at the Parmer Arms four days a week--three evenings after school and one full day when school was not in session. At first, I walked through town, from my house to Sarah's, wearing my old boy's clothes and carrying my dress over my arm; I changed once I arrived. Sarah quickly decided it would make more sense for her to store all of my "restaurant clothes" at the Arms and made herself responsible for keeping them cleaned and mended. She also added two somewhat fancier garments to my small wardrobe, obviously having a seamstress tailor them after the template of the ones I had made myself. These dresses--one a dark navy and one a charcoal gray--were my favorite two things I owned.

Sarah also spent some time teaching me how to style my hair, though both of us tended to wear braids and buns to keep our hair out of the way while we were working. Still, she showed me how to soften my face with a few loose curls, and she trimmed my long, completely neglected locks so they fell with more grace around my cheeks. At times I didn't recognize myself when I looked in the mirror. And I was glad to see a stranger peering back at me from the glass that hung over the front desk at the Parmer Arms.

Most of the people who passed through the restaurant did not recognize me, either. True, the majority were strangers merely stopping briefly for food or a change of horses, but the restaurant had become a popular place for townspeople who wanted to treat themselves to a special night out. The first two months I worked there, I waited on at least a dozen people whom I had known all my life, and not one of them knew who I was.

But there was one person who was not fooled by my new looks or my modulated personality, and that was Gryffin. Or perhaps I put that wrong. He did not seem to notice what I was wearing or how I had arranged my hair, if I was dressed like the most disreputable street urchin or a quietly stylish young lady. Whether I saw him at school, whether I dropped by his uncle's house, or whether I unexpectedly encountered him on the street, he always greeted my with a smile and my name. I did not bewilder or surprise him. He did not think I was trying to be something I was not, as my mother did; he did not think I was trying to break a chrysalis and become something I was meant to be, as Besty and Sarah surely believed. He just thought I was Kellen.

I found this the most comforting thing that had ever happened to me. At times, when I lay awake at night, confused myself about what role I should take and what direction I should try to follow, all that kept me from slipping into tears was knowing that I was not completely lost if Gryffin knew how to find me.

***

See? Magic. Give it a chance and I have the feeling you'll fall as much in love with Kellen and Gryffin as I did. Pull it out on a night when you want to be especially cozy.

This is just one stand-alone tale set in Sharon Shinn's world where the focus is on small magics, and the lives and loves of her characters. All of her books feature special individuals such as truth-tellers (who cannot lie), safe-keepers (who keep secrets) and dream-makers (whose presence can make dreams come true). But the special gifts of these individual are only part of the backdrop that makes of the lives of the young adults telling their stories in these fantasy stories.

This particular story is Kellen's tale. A young girl whose mother is convinced she was born a boy, finds herself raised as a boy and therefore caught somewhere in between. She enjoys a boy's freedom but finds herself set apart from the other individuals of the town. Except for the friendship she makes with another outcast--a brilliant, but crippled boy whose abusive caretakers make life a hardship for him but never manage to completely crush him. Their relationship, and the story of others who touch their lives in the small town they live in become the heart of the story. When the Dream-Maker's magic comes into their lives can it make their dreams come true? As always, Sharon's focus is on the characters she builds and their coming of age. She is deft at creating characters that rather than larger than life, fit comfortably into life and are easy to relate to. The magic in this tale weaves through in subtle measure--this isn't splashy or spell-driven magic, and what it touches is often as much due to the actions and work of the characters themselves--who may need just a little push to find their happily ever after.

For those looking for adventurous reads, high magics, grand-scale plots and larger than life heroes, this is not your type of book. Shinn's writing style is gentle and relies on the small stage where an innkeeper's life is as important as a king's and the greatest tragedies are personal ones--as are the greatest joys. The magic is unspectacular, the heroes are those who are kind and decent to others, the villains are everyday characters who are cruel or abusive. For those who enjoy books about relationships where a little breath of magic makes everything come out right even when things seem bleak or impossible, this may be right up your alley. If there is one critique I have of Ms. Shinn's style, it is that everything tends to be resolved a little too well on occasion, and I tend to have a preference for stories where life isn't perfect. Still, though this story has it's happy ending, there are many tragic moments and painful events in the characters lives. The struggle they make to become themselves and discover who that will be is really what makes the reader cheer for them and hope for them.

Those who enjoy Ms. Shinn's work may want to check out other books set in this world, including The Truth-Teller's Tale and The Safe-Keeper's Secret. Readers may also like the works of Nina Kiriki Hoffman who also focuses on character building and relationships--though her magic can be a bit more spectacular. Reader's looking for more adventure style stories may want to turn instead to the work of Garth Nix or Suzanne Collins to suit their fantasy tastebuds!

Happy Reading! ^_^ Shanshad