Emerald House Rising [Mass Market Paperback]

Peg Kerr (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1, 1997

Jean is the daughter and only child of Collas the Gemcutter, jeweler to the nobility and supplier of magical gems and amulets. Jena has learned everything her father can teach her, and has created some beautiful objects of her own--but as a girl, she is expected to marry, not carry on her father's business. When Lord Morgan, a mysterious noble from the king's court, realizes that Jena has magical abilities, her life changes forever. The two must work as partners if they are to avert a disastrous war among the ruling families.

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 336 pages
• Publisher: Aspect; Warner Books Ed edition (June 1, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0446603937
• ISBN-13: 978-0446603935
• Product Dimensions: 4 x 1 x 6.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,467,394 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Original, delightful, and complete!, August 17, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Emerald House Rising (Mass Market Paperback)

Actually, all of those things (original, delightful, and complete) have been said by other reviewers, but they're the three qualities I admired the most. This book is lighthearted without being cutesy and saccharine as so many fantasies are, and yet it has some very serious, thoughtful issues and real characterization (magic, for example, is based on a system that's kind of like reading Virginia Woolf's theories about how certain qualities are rigidly set by society as masculine and feminine and how they have to interact to form complete individuals or artists) I don't agree that the writing of this book is like Patricia Wrede's, or Barbara Hambly's, or Anne McCaffrey's, or like the writing of anyone else in particular (well, okay, maybe Martha Wells at her best). Kerr shows a wonderful blend of wisdom, emotional maturity, and craftsmanship that I think deserves to stand on its own. I'm looking forward to buying and reading Wild Swans.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A unique fantasy government and an engaging heroine, August 6, 2003

By 

S. A. Cain "writer" (Indiana USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Emerald House Rising (Mass Market Paperback)

Jena Gemcutter thinks she knows what she wants out of life--to marry Bram Tailor, to become a master gemcutter, to make her father happy. Then she meets a stranger with a ring only she can see, and strange things start happening. She learns she can do magic. She has strange visions and dizzy spells. She discovers she feels trapped in her life. And suddenly only someone who can use magic--someone like Jena--can save the entire Diadem from treachery.

Kerr's detailed world provides a strong backbone for this exciting fantasy. The kingdom is ruled by the Diamond, whose council (the Diadem) is made up of six other noble houses. Every year, the Diadem house which holds Heirship for the Diamond rotates. This year it is Ruby, but next year it will be Topaz. I've never seen a government system like this in all the fantasy novels I've read, and I found it to be a refreshingly different system.

Jena and Kestrienne are easily the most engaging characters in this book. Jena is the viewpoint character, and it's exciting to watch her discover who she really is and what she really wants. Kestrienne becomes Jena's mentor, as a noble lady who is also an adept. Lord Morgon is an interesting character, though he really doesn't get the development he deserves. Lady Vianne is another exceptional character, a woman of poise, character, and personality.

Kerr gives lavish attention to descriptions, but at times the narrative skips days or weeks at a time -- this gave me slight pause, but all-in-all, I found the book to be entirely satisfactory. I only wish there were a sequel!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This new author shows definate promise., June 6, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Emerald House Rising (Mass Market Paperback)

A story of government intrigue follows a young woman as she proceeds to save the kingdom and discover herself at the same time. Kerr creates a stuning new world as the background for this lovely book. This is a must read! You will hear more about this author!