Shadows over Lyra [Paperback]

Patricia C. Wrede (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1997

Peopled by humans, Shee, forest-dwelling, Wyrdsd, and watery Neira, Lyra is a place of beauty and peace--or would be, if it were not for the immensely powerful and evil Shadow-born, straining against the bonds that have held them for millenia.

Product Details

• Paperback: 535 pages
• Publisher: Tom Doherty Assoc Llc (November 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0812567595
• ISBN-13: 978-0812567595
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 5.1 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,086,543 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

PATRICIA C. WREDE has written many novels, including Sorcery and Cecelia or The Enchanted Chocolate Pot and The Grand Tour coauthored with Caroline Stevermer, as well as the four books in her own series, the Enchanted Forest Chronicles. She lives near Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

88 of 89 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I disagree with the first review, December 28, 1999

By 

L. Carlson "blueangelf16" (Plano, TX USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Shadows over Lyra (Paperback)

This book is a compliation of three Lyra novels, Shadow Magic, Daughter of Witches, and The Harp of Imach Thyssal. Reviewer #1 only describes the first novel, and completely leaves out the other three.

The first novel, and the best of the three, Shadow Magic, is the story of Alethia, who meets all four races of Lyra and leads them to victroy against the Shadowborn (evil).

The second novel is about a young woman bonded to an innkeeper who must battle evil and come to terms with her legacy (that she is a witch). "Magic is death in Drinn. And the three strangers who come to Ranira's inn are definitly magic. So why does she link her destiny to theirs?"

The third, is certaintly not Wrede's best work, but it is worth the read anyway. A bard finds the legendary harp of Imach Thyssel and must return it to its rightful owner before it comes into the hands of the evil Shadowborn. "Music to make the Shee weep and power to bring a dying man to life again-that's the magic of the harp. But the cost may be higher than Emereck the minstrel is willing to pay."

If you'll permit me one more comment... In the back of the compilation is a useful timeline of the history of Lyra, which helps the reader to understand the events leading to the novels. Wrede is one of the best authors I have ever encountered-and not just for her Enchanted Forest Chronicles. Please find the time to read this. You won't regret it. :)

42 of 44 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Three excellent books repackaged as a new novel., November 11, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: Shadows over Lyra (Paperback)

If you have already read many of Patricia Wrede's novels you may want to skip buying this one since it is really a repackaging of three previous novels: Shadow Magic, Daughter of Witches, and The Harp of Imach Thyssel. (I discovered this the hard way.) The novels themselves are quite good. Wrede's depiction of magic is very creative and succeeds in evoking a sense of mystery that sets it apart. The cultures of "Lyra" are intriguing and her characters have plenty of depth; her heroes have flaws and some of the villains aren't all evil. Each story is different, but each skillfully combines political intrigue, diverse personal motivations and significant cultural clashes to create a gripping, fast paced plot that operates on a number of levels. These three stories are well worth reading.

19 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best young adult fantasy ever, June 10, 2001

By 

Stefanie Short (CA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Shadows over Lyra (Paperback)

The world of Lyra is one of the greatest fantasy worlds ever created. Patricia C Wrede has brought about the most relistic and loveable characters ever in this book series. All three books in Shadows over Lyra are action packed, with humor and even romance around every bend. Daughter of Witches, the second book in the collection, is the most amaizing take on magic that I have ever read. I could not put it down. I also loved Shadow Magic and the Harp of Imach Thyssel. I higly recomend this book for anyone who love fantasy, regardless of how old they may be. Wrede is truely a master at her craft.