Customer Reviews

Strands of Starlight

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4 star:		(0)
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2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

It is unfortuante that this book has become difficult to come by. This book was perhaps one of the strongest influences in how I see the world now. The main charecter suffers from the indignant perpective of a victim. Through her cathartic and difficult journey she finds within herself an overflowing wealth of compassion and love. Only after having suffered at the hands of those who seek power over body and thought. The book has been trivialized as Pagan thumping propaganda. However charecters like the priest Kay are endearing in their sincerity. The rest of the series does not fully match the power of the original book. However, the series itself is a journey through the darkest of times and finaly into the light of hope. Ms Baudino reflects the natural tendency of reality to move through cycles, always coming around to the same message. No matter what belief system, no matter what line has been drawn to seperate human from human we are all part of the same matrix of reality. What is done to one person affects not one individual put the entire dance of our world. No action is without consequence ,for the lighter or the darker. Strand by strand we are all connected.

This book is simply magnificent. The characters were involving, and their stories tug at your heartstrings. A spiritual journey of a girl from the Middle Ages, 'Strands of Starlight' combines all of the best aspects of fantasy, history, and character development you can find in modern stories. I've bought this book twice, and both times forced it into someone else's hands so they would have to read it. Coming back now to buy it *again*, I was shocked to see that it's out of stock; of course, I have every intention of being persistent in getting it later. Six or seven copies. I have a new group of friends I want to read it, and I want to have at least one copy for myself.

Gael Baudino takes you on an adventure that will leave you wanting more. I recieved Strand of Starlight as a gift and fell in love with it the moment I first opened the book. Gael takes you an an adventure between two religions, two ways of life. She introduces us to magic and elfs. You see the conflict between Christianity and "Magic". You will see how a race struggles to survive and thrive in a world that is slowly supressing them. In addition you follow the struggle of a women who it pursucuted, raped and struggles to come to terms with who she really is inside. I recommend this to all people who are facinated by elves, magic, fantasy, etc.!! Also grab the rest of the series!

I picked up this book in a used book-store here in Hong Kong, and it changed my perception of the fantasy world forever...The story has already been described by the other admirers on this page, and I'd just like to say that I agree it's a pity it's so hard to come buy. It is a very, very good book. Not only does it focus on the whole emotional experience of the girl- Miriam- but it also involves you in the situation of the 14th century political work during the Spanish Inquisition. The background is realistic and ultimately draws you in to the darkness of life for the Elves and the Free Towns. Other fantasy novels tend to focus on elves as being a magical, yet superior race that does not intigrate with humans because of their proudness and belief of their Gd's faith in them- in this well-written book we see anoter version of the same mythical race, which was the incentive for ME to read the book. My copy has been worn down to little more than the solid body- the front cover dangels loosely and the backcover is precariously pinned in place, a testiment of how much I like, admire, and enjoy this book. You won't regret reading it if you're that kind of person...

Gael Baudino's Strands of Sunlight (and the other books in the series) are among the novels I've re-read a half dozen times, always with deep enjoyment if no longer a sense of surprise. I seem to reach for this one when I'm in a time of personal transition -- in need of spiritual comfort and support that is not necessary "Oh, you poor thing." Every time I read this book, I walk away with a new sense of inner peace and certainty. Which is a heck of a thing to gain from a fantasy novel.

Basic premise: it's the Middle Ages in Europe. A young woman with the power to heal escapes torture by the Inquisition (since such a power can only come from the devil, believe the Bad Guy priests) but not personal torment. After she heals a stranger in the forest, he rapes her -- and Miriam swears revenge. To that aim, she befriends the Elves who live in the forest of Malvern... but to achieve her goal she must undergo transformations on many levels.

Whew, that sounds like quite a handful. And it is. The author does not back away, is not shy about putting her characters in untenable situations, and yet infuses the entire story with hope, awareness of consequences, and the belief that by helping one another we can make it a better world. It's uplifting without any saccharine. And it's a great, great story with completely believable characters and incredibly powerful writing.

Some elements (not the least of which is the rape, even though presented indirectly) make this unsuitable for younger readers, but I think anyone over 12-14 is ready for the concepts presented. There's a strong element of the Goddess here. While the Catholic Church is presented as the source of some of the Bad Guys, Christians will not necessarily be turned off. (One of the main Good Guys is a priest, too.)

If you can lay your hands on a copy of this book, grab it. No question.

I saw this book the shelf right after it came out, and Thomas Canty's artwork is what made me buy it. I wound up reading it 5 times in a row. It tore at my heart like no other book has. Although I'm a Christian and do not believe as Gael does, her message of love, peace, and tolerance is a powerful one, and it is exceptionally told story. Christendom's shameful history plays a large part here, and she pulls no punches in weaving the historical facts into her tale. I still read the series about once a year. The later books aren't as good as the first and are darker, but the series is still breathtaking.

Although it IS hard to get into, and rather patronising in the beginning, it is a wonderful read. Miriam, a young, plain woman is gifted, or in her opinion cursed, with the power to heal. This uncontrolable power eventually lands her in trouble with the inquisition of 1350. She escapes, and on her way to seek her future is raped by a man whom she had just healed. The book takes you through her life after that- how she finds friends only to push them away, the lack of trust, and the burning fire of revenge that motivates her to kill her attacker. A powerful, moving story that is addictive- I've read it several times, each time understanding more of the plot...Full of interesting ideas on 'The Lady' and the Christian Church- a wonderful fantasy novel, truly worthy of your attention.

Sword of Justice- Eltieviel- Rainfire

At first it was slow and I actually tried to disregard the thought of reading. It but it was like the more you read the more involved you get. I give it 2 thumbs up because I dont have more to give!!!!!!!!!

I'm a christian-ritual abuse survivor, so I resonate with Miriam. I know exactly what it's like to be tortured by the "Good Guys" and to be told the ones who have bent over backwards to help you heal are evil - because they aren't xtians. This book was empowering for me and came at a time in my life when I was ready to give up. Miriam came full circle from a victim, to a survivor to a warrior with a heart. This book opened me to reading Gael's other "Strands" books and I found more of the same message, "Be true to your own soul, help and heal where you may and strive to be more."

I got this book nearly 10 years ago and still have it. I can still read it over and over and enjoy every moment. Baudino's development of Miriam, although this is a fantasy novel, is very nearly lifelike. There is one line I love out of the whole novel which gives me peace: You are here, and I am here. We are both standing on the same ground. We breathe the same air.