Customer Reviews

Night Calls

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I discovered this quiet classic just after it was first published. I have lost track of how many times I have read it. It is very well written, telling its story through the eyes of an 11 - 14 year old but on an adult reading level. Having been a solitary wiccan for 17 years, I was skeptical that it might be just another "monsters and mayhem" tale, but the author manages to walk with ease "between the worlds" without the tiniest smidgeon of exploitation to be found. I have "redisovered" it after a long absence from it, and was astounded to find it had developed an amazing following. So much for that "just to read on the plane" beginning! Bottom line is great story, characters that are vibrantly alive, and a fascinating plot through man, myth, and magic. My only complaint: we need a third book to round out the story!!!!!! Ok, so I'm busted, I want a happy ending with Allie and Shaw... P.S. I now own three copies of "Night Calls" and its sequel, "Kindred Rites" because everyone keeps borrowing them from me!

I received Night Calls as a gift, and didn't read it for several months. I shouldn't have put it off! I was fortunate enough to take it with me on a long train ride, and very little reading time has been spent more pleasantly.

The backgdrop of the story is one I haven't encountered before: the American frontier, but through the eyes of a budding young girl/witch of Scandinavian descent. The unusual (but light) cultural slant, coupled with the author's ability to write a story that serves the characters, gave me a new perpsective on dark fantasy. The reader learns about the magic art along with the protagonist, and the writing makes all of it believable. Much of the magic element of the book is based in herbalism, of which I know little, but which the author presents with authority. However, the technical details never overshadow the human elements of the story. I would recommend this book to adult and young adult readers. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Alfreda may have been a little afraid to discover she could hear the werewolves calling, but she was not afraid to choose the path of learning that would help her protect not just her own family but others. She was gutsy without being snotty, a very normal, believable girl.

I enjoyed this book. It had a consistent, interesting voice that was a little different but not at all difficult to read. I liked the skillfully woven in details, both the realistic and the fantastical. From the smells of cider and baking bread to the use of an ash slat bucket and garlic, from a mother's grief to a friend's loyalty, Kimbriel keeps the details coming, and keeps me fascinated.

Wings of Morning - is the name for the third book, at least i think it is. i came upon it on one of my usual random searches of katharine eliska kimbriel's works and this one was new so check it out bc i hope ally and shaw get together in this one!

I just adore this book, I almost have it memorized after many readings. Unfortunaly my baby riped it up so I need to find a new one. For anyone who is looking for a bit of interesting reading, buy it!

I'm not a big dark fantasy reader and I don't like horror. Don't be fooled by the cover of this book--it's not driven by the dark part, but by the characters. And the story. The one doesn't get away from the other and go tearing off in tangents, either. This is a very smooth read. I didn't find that the book itself interrupted the flow of the story. It is a great coming-of-age tale, but it's not just for the younger set... although it would be a good starting place for young fantasy readers... this is a rich enough novel for adults to enjoy and reread.

A really good read. The mix of magic, fantasy, history and herbology kept me interested throughout. The tone and language of the book makes it readible for kid or kidult alike.I hope she is writing a sequal.

Kimbriel has a true jewel here. Strong characters, good plot, a consistently strong writing style with passages that will truly delight you. An artful blending of mountain lore, myth and lifestyle with dark fantasy elements. I loved the protagonist, Allie, and could hardly wait for the sequel, even though this book can be read as a stand-alone. A young woman comes of age in a tough world---send your teen readers here instead of the latest horror title-- it has enough terror to keep anyone interested, but it has more, much more than the usual horror pulp.

I've loved her science fiction for years. This werewolf story is incredibly emotional and detailed. So happy to see new work by her!

I was given a copy of Night Calls when I was a teenager. I was in the midst of the vampire obsession that everyone my age seemed to have then (ages before Twilight was even thought of), and so a friend of my mother's saw something about vampires on the cover of Night Calls and figured it would be something I'd like. Little did she know how much the gift of this book would change my life.

I started reading it because of the idea of vampires, but I was barely into it before Allie had grabbed hold of me and wouldn't let go. As she went through her journey of learning the arts and how to straddle the worlds, I went along and learned the life lessons that she did. I received this book at just the perfect moment in my life, when it was poised to make the greatest impact on my development. The things I learned about myself, the world around me, and my own place in that world as I read about Allie's journey make this one of the top 5 books that have literally changed my life. I was not the same person after reading this book - I was a better, more thoughtful, and more open individual for the things that Allie's story taught me. My own copy of this book remains one of my prized possessions to this day - I let others read it, but they never get to keep it for long, since I know I couldn't get another copy very easily.

I was overjoyed when I learned there was more to Allie's story and got a copy of Kindred Rites through inter-library loan (since I couldn't find it any other way). Then later, when I learned that Ms. Kimbriel had written a short story of Allie's journey in her chapbook Wings of the Morning, I immediately ordered a copy. I know Ms. Kimbriel is working on a 3rd full book for Allie, and I can't wait. I go back and reread Allie's story when I need a reminder of the lessons I first learned from her, and I will be one of the first in line to order it when a new Allie story is available.