Customer Reviews

The Lute and the Liar

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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.

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.

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

The Lute and the Liar is the story of Mordigan Bryre, an apprentice bard who can't stop lying. Two weeks before he is to receive his journeyman's status, he is dismissed in disgrace and meets a mysterious witch who strikes a bargain with him. If he seeks out the wizard Talthos he can gain a magical lute that will make him legendary. But if he tells a lie, he will lose his golden voice. He sets out on his quest without realizing Princess Allysian is following him, determined to declare her love and bring him home. Ultimately, Mordigan faces the choice of saving her honor and reputation or his voice and his life.

I really enjoyed this tale. It reminded me of the classic fairy tales I used to devour as a child. Rie has a deft touch with characters and settings. She creates a magical world and fantastic people and still pulls in the emotional connections. Mordigan is a lovable yet flawed character. Allysian spends most of the book sitting in prison. I would have loved to see more action from her. I also wanted the book to be longer and much more involved. I loved the setting and the characters and wanted to play with them more. The ending came too soon. Overall, this is a delightful book.

Dismissed from his place as a musician and challenged to only tell the truth by a witch, Mordigan Bryne has his hands full when he winds up wandering the roads to nowhere in particular.

The Princess Allysian takes it into her head to find him for reasons of her own so cuts off her hair, dresses like a boy and takes to the road only to wind up in prison.

Where will their futures take them? Will Mordigan find his destiny and will the princess be freed to find him or will their paths never cross? It may be only the witch knows for sure.

A fun, well told tale that any fan of romance will enjoy. The story is flavored with the once-upon-a-time of the fairy tales of childhood with witches, wizards, and castles, and will remind any reader of those fun reads.

I'm happy to recommend this tale to any romantic. Talented author Rie Sheridan weaves a story that will keep you reading and you'll be looking for other books by her. Enjoy. I did.

The "liar" of the title is 17-year old Mordigan Bryre, an apprentice musician whose talent is recognized by his master, Cormeyer, but whose arrogance and constant fibbing make Master Corneyer doubtful as to whether Mordigan's talents outweigh his disadvantages. Princess Allysian, to whom Mordigan gives music lessons, has no such doubts. Her 15-year old heart belongs completely to the handsome and talented Mordigan - except he doesn't know it. Hasn't a clue. Would never guess. After all, Princess Alyssian is a princess, the king's daughter, and Mordigan is - well, as he would put it, a nobody. An unknown orphan. A commoner, to say the least. A commoner who may someday be a bard, but that's as high as Mordigan's ambition flies.
These two teens are as lovable a pair of lovers as has ever been created in fiction. Lovers? Yes. But the kind of lovers who first don't realize each others' love; secondly, have an impossible time getting together; thirdly, once they get together, have a hard time staying alive long enough to even mention love, far less enjoy it happily ever after. Despite all thse complications, "Lute" is a fun read, and it certainly left me with a smile on my face.