Customer Reviews

Jerlayne

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

While I wouldn't call it literature, this book is a spellbinding, if deeply flawed, depiction of a well conceived and well fleshed-out world that even those not fond of the elf/fairy/gnome genre will enjoy. I found it extremely enjoyable and resonant in the way that good mythology is, but you have to stick it out through the first hundred pages or so to get to the good stuff. What sets this book apart is its refreshing injection of an unflinching and boldly drawn modern-day mortal realm into the otherwise mostly bland and sweet Faerie. It's like adding rocket boosters to the story. Look to meet a character you won't soon forget. My biggest problem with the book was the unevenness of the writing and the lack of emotional payoff (at least for me) at the end. Sometimes the dialogue is so good it crackles; other times it is confusing or ingenuine. Some of the plot elements seem forced as well. Author Lynn Abbey does such a skillful job in the book's thick middle section of building a strong plot and character conflict that I expected the resolution of those elements to be of comparable high quality. But Abbey seems unsure how to resolve them, especially the lopsided sexual/romantic competition for Jerlayne's love between heroic Goro and tender but weak Aulaudin. Abbey goes to great lengths at the end to counter Goro's strong presence and appeal (ladies, prepare to fall for him) by bolstering Aulaudin's manliness, but it is not convincing, and ultimately Jerlayne's character becomes lackluster as Abbey fits her to remain happily with Aulaudin. Throughout most of the book, Jerlayne's character is quite likeable, even if her "cluelessness," as another character puts it, sometimes makes her seem less than heroic, and she seems to stumble across the truth more than she seeks it out. Her claim of being the one who "changes the world and saves Faerie" is also dubious considering that it is another character's willingness to pay the ultimate price that seems to save it; look for some sometimes disturbing Christ imagery. It is also dissatisfying that this character's sacrifice seems to go unappreciated by the other characters. However, there is a fairly satisfying redemption of another character, and a grisly death for another. The supporting characters are often richer and more interesting than Jerlayne, and you will find that you care about some of them most, including the fierce and mournful Evoni; tormented Cuz; loyal Joff; mischievous Maun; other characters that it would blow the plot to disclose; and Goro, who is the most vividly and sympathetically drawn. If the plot falters sometimes, nevertheless the story is always interesting and complex. Abbey also includes some "cool" concepts such as riding shadows and skirting two realms to shorten traveling distance. With all its faults, this book is a page-turner and I have found myself rereading my favorite parts over and over again. And writing long reviews. Enjoy!

I read the original short story, and was startled to pick up a random book and realize that I'd already read something about it. This is one of the better books I've read in a long time. It's not a short book, but I read it in 48 hours (on christmas break), then immediately picked it back up to read through my favorite scenes again and make sure I hadn't missed anything. The characters are richly drawn, the book has plenty of action, and the world is different from anything else while still reminding you of the best of classic high fantasy. I found myself searching bookstores for a copy to give to my friend so I could have someone to discuss it with. My only problem was wishing Jerlayne would give up her husband for Goro, who is much more interesting and caring (read it-you'll understand). Buy this book. Now!

What a shame. Lynn Abbey gifts us with as finely crafted a tale as we could ever ask. I found it to be totally engrossing--well...almost. So sad that faulty proofreading allowed for so many errors that proved more than a distraction and greatly interfered with my pleasure in this book. I found myself all too often reading back over passages just to make sure I hadn't misread. It was maddening. I anxiously await a sequel to Jerlayne, but certainly hope the publisher decides to play fair and grant the level of proofreading this author so richly deserves!

Jerlayne was a really interesting book. Anyone could believe that Lynn Abbey had actually been to Faerie before, her descriptions are so fabulous. But besides that, the story is great. I'm 15, and I was reading while on vacation. My mom had to drag me out of the stateroom on the ship. Once you start, you just want to keep going. Unfortunately, since this was a pretty long book, that's nearly impossible. But seriously, if you're even the slightest bit interested in fantasy-or even if you're not-read this book. It's not a sugar-spun fairy tale- there's longing, hardship, death, sadnesses, heart-wrenching choices, and real characters. It has a strong plot with plenty-PLENTY of unexpected twists. Read it~

I usually can read a 500 page novel in about 4 days. Jerlayne took me over 2 weeks - and I really pushed myself to finish!

This book had very little explaination about how/why certain things were happening. I felt like I was reading the second book in a series the entire time. The characters were totally uninteresting - even the title character Jerlayne was a bore. I had no sympathy to anyone in this book because they were 2-dimentional sadsacks. I would have liked to read more about the relationships between the characters instead of being told "they loved each other." I wish we would have been shown more than told.

If you like books that are about having children and housework, by all means, read Jerlayne.

If you like books that have a smooth plot, interesting/believable relationships, and intelligence please, read something else.

This was a wonderful read. The portrayal of elves as immortals who filch whatever they can't produce in Fairie (iron, non-stick frying pans, synthetics, etc.) was new and intriguing. From the first few pages Jerlayne is established as an exasperating, intelligent and clueless woman. Witness, for example, her brilliant mastery of the twenty link chain and then her subsequent overdose of bryony to cure the iron-poisoning.

I look forward to reading more about this new version of Faerie, and sincerely hope that they are in the works.

Wow! Certainly not the elves of myth or Tolkien! An excellent concept with many twists that kept me turning pages and left me wanting more. Someone please talk Ms. Abbey into a sequel *and* a prequel!!

This book is not too bad. I like the twists and turns of the story, the story's ending caught me rather by surprise. Thumbs up for the humour *heheh* especially the bit about the siren. The only grouse I have is that the story could have been a little more fast paced and not drag so much towards the end of the book. All in all it is quite a refreshing change from the usual elven stuff.

This was the most different book I've read in a long time. It was quite a breath of fresh air. It makes elves into people, who just happen to be immortal. It postulates where all of our mythical folk stem from: the natural and the supernatural...myth and reality. I mean, sure it's just a fantasy novel, but it gives a whole new twist to the classic elven fantasy, which everyone has copied from Tolkien. I found this story fresh, and clear, and wonderful for its sheer originality. I hope there's a sequel...or a prequel even. (But with not so many type-o's next time.)

This is a story that will keep you interested. She gives all the background info, tells the story and keeps it new and fresh. Very hard to get tired of reading this one. I myself have read it 3 times now.
Has all the wonderful creatures of myth from dragons, sirens, and griffons to elves, dwarves, and goblins.
An all time favorite!