The Lute and the Liar [Paperback]

Rie Sheridan (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 2002

Apprentice bard, Mortigan Bryre stands on the brink of everything he ever wanted. In two weeks, he will come of age, and receive his coveted Journeyman's papers. He is gifted with the voice of an angel--and cursed with the tongue of a liar. A mysterious witch makes him a bargain, if he sets out on a quest to the wizard Talthos, he will receive a magical lute that will make him a legend. There is only one catch--if he lies along the way, he will risk losing his golden song.

Dismissed in disgrace from the Guild Hall, penniless, and alone, what does he have to lose?

Princess Allysian has been in love with Mordigan Bryre for most of her life. How can she let him set off alone? But how can she follow?

True love will find a way, and some things are worth any sacrifice.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Rie Sheridan has written a magical tale of intrigue, love and hope. -- Kathy Early, Paranormal Romance Reviews

THE LUTE AND THE LIAR is a fascinating tale reminiscent of Jason's search for the Golden Fleece. -- Jani Brooks, Romance Reviews Today

THE LUTE AND THE LIAR, is one of the best fairy tales I’ve read in quite a while. -- Lisa Ramaglia, Scribes World

Product Details

• Paperback: 190 pages
• Publisher: Novelbooks; N edition (July 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1931696659
• ISBN-13: 978-1931696654
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #9,231,754 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Rie's short stories appear in Double Dragon's From Within The Mist ebook and The Stygian Soul anthology. Her short story collection RieVisions is available from Mundania Press and the novel The Lute And The Liar is under their Awe-Struck Books imprint. Writer's Exchange re-released her Young Adult fantasy, The Right Hand Of Velachaz, and YardDog Press is home to humorous horror chapbooks Tales From The Home For Wayward Spirits And Bar-B-Que Grill and Bruce and Roxanne Save the World...Again. Midnight Showcase carries romantic fantasy Sidhe Moved Through The Faire. Her poetry collections are available electronically from Books We Love Publishing Partners and in print from RieNewell Press through Lulu.

Rie lives in Texas with her wonderful husband and three spoiled cat-children. Her poetry collections have been published under her married name Rie Sheridan Rose, because after over seven years of marriage, she has decided he deserves the credit for putting up with her. All work released or re-released from this point onward will be under "Rie Sheridan Rose", so always be sure to check for both!

She occasionally blogs at http://riesheridan.livejournal.com/ under the title "Water Off a Crow's Back"

Her fanpage on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Rie-Sheridan-Rose/38814481714 allows fan interaction and offers news and contests.

Her newly polished website can be found at www.riewriter.com

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Nice Harper Tale, September 18, 2008

By 

Melissa McCauley (North Little Rock, AR) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Lute and the Liar (Paperback)

Mordigan Bryre, an errant harper, is the protagonist in this classic `hero quest' tale. Digan is an orphan who was raised by, and apprenticed to, Cormeyer Stareyes, master bard to the king of Marineaux.
After Mordigan's stubborn nature and lying ways make him lose his postion, he encounters the witch Freitanya on the road and she sets him on a secret quest to win a magic lute from the magician Talthos. In the course of his journey, Mordigan grows up and repents his lying ways, and wins the heart of the princess Allysian.
All the classic hero quest elements are there, the orphan hero who never knew his parents, the wise-woman, the princess, the sorcerer, etc.

While a nice story - this is one of those books that made my fingers itch to edit it. Not because it was bad! The writing is technically flawless, but I must confess I found it a little flat. I think this book was the victim of one of those editors who kept stressing a nice, tight story without excess description or froo-froos. I think more physical descriptions and character development would have really made the story resonate, and I know that the whole quest sequence was WAY too short.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Pleasantly surprised by a Liar, April 8, 2004

By 

Marc Gunn "Marc Gunn of the Celtic MP3s Music... (Austin, TX) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Lute and the Liar (Paperback)

I just finished reading the first Harry Potter book at last. I love how easy it is to read. So when I decided to read THE LUTE AND THE LIAR by RIE SHERIDAN, I was timid because the book was written by a friend.

My fears and worries were totally unbased. While reading it, I realized the story flowed as easily as Harry Potter. It flowed so easily, in fact, I didn't even realize I was halfway through the book.

The story strikes home (being a bard myself) as we meet the thoughtful bard, Mordigan Bryre, who is a compulsive liar, until he meets a witch on the road. She offers him the chance to gain magical instrument, but to earn it, he is not allowed to lie. He goes on a quest to recover it and is beset with poverty and peril, before attaining his prize and learning a little bit more about himself.

Overall, I was very impressed. Rie's use of metaphors and similies have her own magic. And of course, the book is a classic folk story. It's almost astounding to me that something so beautiful could be written by someone I know. But lo and behold, THE LUTE AND THE LIAR is a gem of a novel that will leave you enchanted by the music that flows through the pen of Rie Sheridan.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars moving and beautiful fairy tale for adults, August 18, 2002

By 

Harriet Klausner - See all my reviews
(#1 Hall OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Lute and the Liar (Paperback)

Once upon a time a princess fell in love with an apprentice bard although she never told him what was in her heart. Mordigan Bryre never knew that princess Allysian loved him for he was too involved with his music. He is only two weeks away from getting his journeyman's certificate when his path crosses that of the witch FreiFanya causing him to be late for his music lesson with the princess.

His master kicks him out of the guild house. Dian decides to follow through on the deal he made with the witch and journeys to the Azure City to ask the wizard Talthos to make a magic flute for him. The wizard agrees if he can persuade the griffin to part with some teeth and the unicorn to give him some hair from her tail. He accomplishes the feats but the wizard reneges on the bargain. Dian travels to another city and is unfairly tossed in jail next to the cell where the Princess Allysian is kept. Together they free themselves and journey back home where Dian is prepared to make the ultimate sacrifice in the name of love.

THE LUTE AND THE LIAR is a moving and beautiful fairy tale for adults. The hero goes from being a vain and cocky liar to a honorable and trustworthy man willing to do anything to protect the woman he loves. The princess is a feisty and strong willed young woman determined to get what she wants and doesn't let anyone in her way. Rie Sheridan is a refreshing new voice in the fantasy genre.

Harriet Klausner