Instrument of Fate [Paperback]

Christie Golden (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 1996

Armed only with a magical lute, songsmith Gillien Songespynner embarks on a perilous journey through a fantastical world of Blessers, demons, and elves.

Product Details

• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Ace; 1ST edition (April 1, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0441003222
• ISBN-13: 978-0441003228
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 4.1 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,107,072 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Award-winning author Christie Golden has written over thirty novels and several short stories in the fields of science fiction, fantasy, and horror. Golden launched the TSR Ravenloft line in 1991 with her first novel, the highly successful Vampire of the Mists. She is the author of several original fantasy novels, including On Fire's Wings, In Stone's Clasp, and Under Sea's Shadow, the first three in her multi-book fantasy series The Final Dance from LUNA Books.Among Golden's other projects are over a dozen Star Trek novels and the well-received StarCraft Dark Templar trilogy, Firstborn, Shadow Hunters, and the forthcoming Twilight. An avid player of Blizzard's MMORPG World of Warcraft, Golden has written several novels in that world (Lord of the Clans, Rise of the Horde) with three more in the works. She has also written two Warcraft manga stories for Tokyopop, I Got What Yule Need and A Warrior Made. Golden lives in Colorado with her husband and two cats.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Pretty Good, Could Have Been Better, August 20, 2002

By 

Silmarwen (Huntington Beach, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Instrument of Fate (Paperback)

Finally, life was starting to go well for Gillian Songspynner. She had just won the regional bard title and was on her way to compete at The Castle for the king. But on her way down the stairs, she tripped and crushed her mandolin. Jencir, an elvish bard, begs her to take his lute, a beautifully crafted instrument with a gorgeous tone to the Elf Queen at The Castle. She cannot refuse. However, she later rethinks the elf's largess and goes in search of him. She finds Jencir, only to witness his brutal murder by a dark creature. She flees to her family, but finds that they suffered the same fate. She feels that she has no choice but to take up the dead elf's quest and to try and avenge her family's death. On her way to the Elf Queen, she will be stalked by a demon, sold into slavery, helped by kindly priests, attacked by hideous man-sized rodents and that is just the beginning...

I enjoyed the book quite a bit at first. It is not an especially unusual plot, but it was well told for the most part. However, I did have a hard time believing that so many bad things could befall one person. Also, I felt that the characterization was a little weak and would have enjoyed learning more about the main character. She was loved and admired by many and had a great many talents, but I really didn't feel anything for her. I also really disliked the ending, but I am sure that is just my personal preference. If you enjoy fantasy, I am sure that you would enjoy this book if it comes across your path, but I wouldn't go searching for it.

5 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars entrancing story and characters, May 25, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Instrument of Fate (Paperback)

This is one of the rare books which is both beautifully fufilling as a fairy tale and as dark as the ugliest parts of human nature. The very rich prose should probably be taken in doses to fully appreciate it, otherwise you may find yourself completely lost in Golden's tapestry. I mean that, too: after you read this book you could easily find yourself looking at the world from an entirely different angle for a while. Only once does the plot fall back on overused circumstances, but I think it can be forgiven that for all its other wonderful qualities. The last few pages are some of the most heartbreakingly beautiful I have ever read. Intricate and impressive.

5.0 out of 5 stars WOW! WONDERFUL BOOK!, January 5, 2008

By 

Laura J. Cope (Homer, MI United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Instrument of Fate (Paperback)

What a great story. I was into it from page one and I didn't want it to end. The characters are wonderfully written. The story has a great flow. I could not put it down. Never a boring spot. I will be purchasing more Christie Golden! A must read!