The Finest Creation [Mass Market Paperback]

Jean Rabe (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 30, 2005

They were the Finest Creations - mystically forged creatures of perfection sent by the creators to aid the Fallen (mankind) during their mortal existence.
Though they resemble ordinary horses they are highly intelligent, capable of communicating telepathically and completely moral. They are assigned to bond with individuals of great potential and then protect them from harm while guiding them along a path of virtue.

This is as it has been for years unto creation ... but when a young Finest is separated from its mentor before it has been invested with its assignment, the result of an ambush by evil forces bent on corrupting men, the young equine accepts the charge of two orphans to its care not realizing that man's potential may rest in their future.... And that the path forward is already being diverted by an evil mastermind whose manipulation of court politics and affairs of state might instigate a new dark age upon the light of civilization.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Aimed at a YA audience, Rabe’s fun, galloping romp of a story launches a new fantasy series. In the magical land of Paard-Peran, the horse-like members of the Finest Court, the favorites of the gods of creation, look after the "Fallen Favorites," those few humans deemed worthy of their attention. Kalantha and her brother, Meven, are wards of Bishop DeNogaret, a high-ranking priest who’s been caring for them since their parents’ death. The teenage pair are of royal blood, though they’ve been brought up as commoners who have no contact with their uncle the king. Now that their cousin, the heir, is marrying, they are invited to the wedding. Traveling with them on their first-ever long journey is a Finest Court shepherd, who helps the two very green youths through some harrowing trials and teaches them to follow their instincts to survive. While the plot at times stumbles into improbability, Rabe (Redemption and other titles in the Dragonlance series) deftly puts some beguiling twists on the guardian-angel theme. The rearing steed on the jacket will signal young horse lovers that this is a book for them.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Booklist

*Starred Review* Ages earlier, the Creators had discovered that humanity wasn't perfect. So they established the Finest Court, a race of moral, sentient horses that names shepherds to secretly guide and guard the Fallen Favorites. Young Gallant-Stallion has just been appointed a shepherd, but before he learns who his charge is to be, his mentor dies in the violent massacre of the prince's wedding party. Gallant-Stallion manages to escape, carrying 13-year-old Meven and Meven's younger sister, Kalantha. The death of the prince means that Meven, whom Gallant-Stallion now believes is his charge, is the new prince, and the fate of the land lies with Meven because the king is mortally ill. Since Gallant-Stallion and his sudden charges know that the assassins, directed by an evil avian mastermind, are tracking them, the three youngsters hide out in the mountains for more than a year. Rabe's unusual, multilayered story is a fantasy thriller filled with twists, surprises, and truly evil, Machiavellian characters and also a richly depicted coming-of-age tale as the two young, well-characterized humans and the young stallion struggle to stay alive. Sally Estes
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Tor Fantasy (August 30, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 076534727X
• ISBN-13: 978-0765347275
• Product Dimensions: 6.5 x 4.2 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,856,094 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Fun adventures of a young girl & a young horse, October 20, 2005

By 

Margaret P. "mhp2027" (Boulder, CO USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Finest Creation (Hardcover)

"The Finest Creating" is intended for young adults. This book is set in the middle ages, with a sprinkling of magic and magical creatures. The plot follows two main characters. The first is an orphaned girl, the king's nephew. She and her brother have gown up in isolation, and at the start of the story are about to travel with their cousin, the prince, to his weding. The second main character is a magical horse, one of "the finest creations". These magical creatures are morally superior to humans. Their purpose is to guide their chosen humans into being better people. This quest is complicated by their other goal, which is to never let anyone know that they are more than simple horses. The mood of this novel is light and enjoyable.

I had three problems with this novel. First, the middle of the novel is a bit slow. Second, I don't see how the magical horses are supposed to provide moral and ethical guidance to people, while being constrained to pretend to be ordinary horses. Apparently the author doesn't know either, because the magical horses choose good people and then simply protect them. Third, it ends rather suddenly, with the plot continuing in the next book, and I prefer stand alone books. If these sound like overly fussy complaints to you, I'm sure you will love "The Finest Creation."

Overall, the author has crafted an enjoyable story, with interesting people and just the right amount of magic. The mood is quite dissimilar from Mercedes Lackey's Valdemar, which has lots of moody sulking and melodramatic complaints. Rabe's people & horses are happier and more concerned with others, so their quandaries build sympathy. I enjoyed watching the young magical horse grow and learn.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Magical Young Adult Adventure, April 2, 2005

By 

Donald J. Bingle "orphyte" (Saint Charles, IL USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Finest Creation (Hardcover)

Jean Rabe has authored a lot of stories and books in worlds originally established by others and, although she has had a greater impact on many of those worlds than is sometimes realized, it is wonderful to see her create a world that is entirely of her own making. Aimed at a YA audience, The Finest Creation has a magical feel comparable to Harry Potter, but characters who are more innocent (and less bratty) and a less convoluted plotline. Jean has a real affinity for describing the feelings of her young protagonists and for showcasing the natural world, including the equine Finest Creations. Creative and original. Donald J. Bingle, Author of Forced Conversion.

3 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars NOT to be missed!, November 17, 2004

By 

Detra Fitch (USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Finest Creation (Hardcover)

"The Finest" are mystically forged creatures of perfection sent by the creators to aid the Fallen (humans) during their lives. The Finest resemble ordinary horses, are highly intelligent, and can communicate telepathically with other Finests and animals. However, they cannot speak with humans. The Finest are "shepherds". Each is given a "charge" which the shepherd will gently nudge or guide in life. Yet the Finest must not allow the humans to realize he is more than a mere horse.

Prince Edan Montoll of Galmier was en route to Duriam, where he was to marry a princess of Nasim-Guri and unite the lands, when dark assassins attacked. Only thirteen-year-old Meven and his younger sister, Kalantha, (Edan's cousins) survived. They lived only because of Gallant-Stallion "Rue".

Rue's mentor also died in the attack. Rue accepts the two children into his care. They are his first assignment and he fears himself unequal to the task. Dark, evil forces gather bent on the destruction of the two orphans (who are now the last of the royal line).

***** Oh, WOW! It has been a long time since I have had the pleasure of reading such a wonderful tale of fantasy. Here is a book that you will not want to set down for any length of time. It will adorn your "Keeper" shelf to be read again in the future. I predict awards for this gem. This is not one to be missed! *****

Reviewed by Detra Fitch of Huntress Reviews.