Customer Reviews

Strands of Sunlight

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Gael Baudino writes this third book in the Strands series as a conclusion to the story of the death and rebirth of the Elves. The story begins as the last elf, living in contemporary times, realizes that her race of the Elves is being reborn into the humans of the twentieth century. The story follows her in her quest to find and help these Elves discover themselves and their Goddess who guides them.

I came into this book with a certain set of expectations, and I must say that they were only slightly disappointed. After reading the first in the series, Strands of Starlight, I was expected something the same--a romanticized transformation story with gorgeous writing and an overwhelming mysticism. Instead, though beautiful, this book was perhaps a bit too real for what I was expecting. Woven throughout were themes of violence, racism, abuse--all very important in these troubled times, but also not what I was expecting to find. In a way it enhanced the story somewhat: it showed that Gael can deal with these frightening topics with a graceful and real prose that many authors struggle to find. However, in this fantasy lover's mind, these modern problems didn't seem to mesh with my ideas of Elves very well. I was much more comfortable with the idea of Elves living in the forests of long past than I was with them awakening in Yourtown, USA. For some reason it seemed wrong. But don't let that stop you from picking this book up--the premise is certainly unusual and you cannot lose with Gael's beautiful writing. Once again this book fled past--I couldn't put it down, and I'm sure that no matter your reaction to this resurrection of elves, you will love her descriptive powers and gorgeous imagery.

Strands of Sunlight is an absolutely wonderful book and definately the best of Gael Baudino's writings that I have read so far. She has a certain sense of reality, of truth in her words that read more like an autobiography than a fantasy novel. Her characters are amazingly well developed, the mood perfect, and the ending is not only suprising but also leaves the reader with a feeling of cleanliness and light (that kind you get after taking a shower and the sun is shining beneath the clouds as you look out the window, a rainbow shimmering like a mirrage but still tangible as you sigh and smile) ^_^;; Well, read it and see! I'm certain you will fall in love not only with her characters but the author herself! =P

Fantasy has , in many ways become stagnant. Or at least it was becoming so, until this wonderful writer appeared. She has taken old, dried up themes from medievalist D & D genres and brought them into the '90's .. She tackles everything from abusive relationships to racism in this book-- with style and grace. Reading this book truly makes you believe... at least while you're reading the book--that Elven blood runs through your veins, and that it is waking up, and that there IS mystery and magick.

Gael Baudino's books...
dear elfin kin,
... are a bit slow, yet there is something particularly special about this one that has the last living elf in modern times realizing that her kindred are being reborn in modern humans and she soon starts awakening them. This speaks to our hearts and our experience in ways that only elves and faerie kind can really understand. Do you understand?
kyela,
the silver elves

Strands of Sunlight has likeable, believable, human characters - #1 in importance in my opinion.It also tackles important subjects such as racism, justice, and child abuse. Most of all, it offers a feeling of hope. Loved this book!

This book harkens back to Strands of Starlight. This is beautifully written. It lost some of its fantasy roots by taking place in the modern world, but none of that matters. Sandy Joy's journey to Elfdom is almost as good as Miriam's. Also, I am glad Natil finally found peace, as much as I disliked her in the previous books.