The Glasswrights' Test [Mass Market Paperback]

Mindy L. Klasky (Author)

Book Description

Series: Glasswright | Publication Date: June 3, 2003

Glass artisan Rani's loyalty to the Glasswright Fellowship is tested when she's asked to kill the Morenian Queen.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Ranita Glasswright is astonished and thrilled to be invited by the Glasswrights' Guild to be tested to be a master of her craft. But she is beset with misgivings. She knows that the guild has named her as a traitor for her part in its downfall and ultimate banishment from Morenia. Desperately longing for reconciliation and the opportunity to prove her skills, she makes the journey to Brianta and the guild. She quickly learns that her presence there is an element in a conspiracy to gain control of Morenia's throne, and if she fails to accomplish the heinous task set for her by the Brotherhood, the lives of those she loves will be forfeit. The gods have other ideas, though, and they present a remarkable twist in events that Rani could never have predicted. Now the fate of Morenia and Brianta lies in the hands of the Thousand Gods and in the choice of one reluctant pilgrim. Ranita is a first-class heroine with a nose for high adventure, making this adventure pretty fabulous. Paula Luedtke
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Roc (June 3, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0451459318
• ISBN-13: 978-0451459312
• Product Dimensions: 7.1 x 6.7 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.9 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,075,565 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Mindy Klasky learned to read when her parents shoved a book in her hands and told her that she could travel anywhere in the world through stories. She never forgot that advice.

Mindy's travels took her through multiple careers. After graduating from Princeton University, Mindy considered becoming a professional stage manager or a rabbi. Ultimately, though, she settled on being a lawyer, working as a litigator at a large Washington firm. When she realized that lawyering kept her from writing (and dating and sleeping and otherwise living a normal life), Mindy became a librarian, managing large law firm libraries. Mindy now writes full time.

For years, Mindy's dating life was a travel extravaganza as well. She balanced twenty-eight first dates in one year, selecting eligible gentlemen from sources as varied as Washingtonian magazine ads, Single Volunteers of D.C., and supposedly-certain recommendations from best friends. Ultimately, she swore off the dating scene entirely. After two years of carefully-enforced datelessness, she made one last foray onto Match.com, where she met her husband - on her first match.

Mindy's travels have also taken her through various literary genres. In addition to her Mira and Red Dress Ink books, Mindy has written six traditional fantasy novels (including the award-winning, best-selling The Glasswrights' Apprentice), short stories, and nonfiction essays.

In her spare time, Mindy quilts, cooks, and tries to tame the endless to-be-read shelf in her home library. Her husband and cats do their best to fill the left-over minutes.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Rani's Impossible Task, July 15, 2003

By 

Nancy E. "Nancy" (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Glasswrights' Test (Mass Market Paperback)

When Rani trader was thirteen-years-old she witnessed a horrible murder, a murder she was suspected to commit. As a result of this her guild, which was responsible for creating the beautiful glass that decorated Morenia, was all but destroyed by the kings soldiers. The glasswrights fled to Brianta and have learned to hate Rani's name. Years have past and now, more than anything, Rani longs to be reconnected with her broken guild, The Glasswrights. That's why she is delighted when she receives a letter from them, asking her if she wants to become a master at her trade. Rani agrees, bringing Princess Berylina, an exiled Liantine noble who has the ability to feel the thousand gods all around her, Berylina's priest, and Rani's fellow glass maker and lover Tobin Player. Unfortunately there are darker matters at stake here. The Brotherhood of Jair, a secret organization that Rani is a member of, is controlling the glasswrights guild. And if Rani doesn't do what the brotherhood asks of her, she will never become a glasswright and someone might die. Now Rani faces a horrible decision, will she murder her Queen or face the consequences.

The Glasswrights Test is ever better than the other three books (The Glasswrights Apprentice, The Glasswrights Progress, and The Glasswrights Journeyman) in this wonderful series by Mindy L. Klasky. One thing I discovered in this book is real strong character development. Rani finally starts to take responsibility for her actions and finally understands why other people seem to be seeking revenge against her. She emerges as a truly strong woman by the end of this book, a result of the impossible tasks she is put up against. I was also happy to see Princess Berylina, take a stronger role in this book. She is no longer the shy dimwitted child but a devoted and complex woman. Ever Hal, who spends so little time in the spotlight in this novel, seems more like the king he was destined to become. The new country of Brianta is an interesting place that reminded me a lot of the holy lands in our world.

In conclusion this has got to be Mindy L. Klasky's best work yet and it doesn't end here! The final book in the series, The Glasswrights Master, comes out in June 2004. The ending is quite a cliffhanger and I can't wait to see what will happen to Rani, Hal, Mair, Crestman, and the rest of the characters next. I recommend this book to all fans of the Glasswright Saga.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Plodding and dull, January 8, 2006

By 

Liz (Missouri, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Glasswrights' Test (Mass Market Paperback)

I almost always finish a book once I've started it, but with this one, I could barely get through two pages before I found something better to do. Like watching paint dry.

In the first book, I thought Rani's actions when her fellow Glasswrights were being mutilated daily were despicable, and that's why I couldn't get into this book. I sympathized with the Glasswrights guild. They, especially the thumbless journeymen, have every reason to loathe her and want revenge; I was with them one hundred percent. Rani barely seems to have a conscience most days, certainly she doesn't let murder or the fate of her former fellow apprentices bother her overly much, she just goes on her merry way, being everyone's puppet.

It's hard to get into a book when you're well on your way to despising the doormat of a main character. It really doesn't help that the other characters, her friends, are just as unsympathetic and in many cases, boring.

All that aside, the narration was so slowly paced and so tedious that I nearly fell asleep any time I tried to keep reading past a couple pages. It was a struggle that, in the end, wasn't worth it. I returned this one to the library unfinished, and was thrilled that I hadn't shelled out actual money for this waste of time.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Still a strong series, but...., June 4, 2003

By 

Mamacat (Indianapolis, IN) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Glasswrights' Test (Mass Market Paperback)

I am really enjoying this series, especially with seeing the different lands in this world. However, the character of Tovin seems to be wasted in this book. In the last book, he didn't seem to even think about getting married, but all the sudden, in this book, it's paramount to him. He seems used and abused, and I thought Rani was smarter than that. Also, after being so central in the last book, Mareka has faded from sight. I'd love to see Rani reconciled to Tovin, rather than with Hal, which is where I think the last book will end up. Still, if you're a fan, it's worth it to buy this one.