A Strange and Ancient Name [Hardcover]

Josepha Sherman (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 1, 1992

Hauberin, ruler of a Faerie princedom and the target of numerous plots, must search the world where his mother was born--a world where faeries are killed--for the key that will prevent a dying foe's curse.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 386 pages
• Publisher: Baen; 1st edition (December 1, 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0671721518
• ISBN-13: 978-0671721510
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.7 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 0.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,484,591 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars There's potential, but it's not realized, May 17, 2005

By 

Vanessa E. Lee (Cincinnati, OH, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: A Strange and Ancient Name (Hardcover)

There were some interesting ideas in this book, but I thought that it fell far short of its potential. The writing was mediocre at best, the characterization bland, and there were too many plot holes to make it a really enjoyable read. I was also annoyed by the way that Sherman seemed to discard most of the faerie "lore" that has become accepted in the world at large (and by this I mean like folk-tales, not rules set forth by other fantasy writers) but she didn't really create her own either. I spent most of the book confused about the societies of the faerie creatures.

The potential for a good story was there, but the ideas, characters, and world needed to be better developed for it to work well. I would only recommend this book to Sherman fans

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Just fun to read and re-read, March 16, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: A Strange and Ancient Name (Hardcover)

This book isn't necessarily a classic, one that all people should read, but when I picked it up I enjoyed every minute. I've re-read it twice since then and enjoyed it just as much the second or third time. That's a hard thing to find in a book and Josepha Sherman does a good job. If you like fantasy, especially the Mercedes Lackey and Ann Marston type, I think you will like this. I also like the book King's son, Magic's son by Sherman.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great book, fugly cover, September 20, 2007

By 

Serene (Marina, CA, United States) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: A Strange and Ancient Name (Hardcover)

Young Prince Hauberin is a half-elven prince of Fairie. Despised by his cousin for his human blood, he faces the scorn of his people with a wry sense of humor and a quick wit. After being cursed, Hauberin is forced to go on a quest to discover the origins of his human lineage. Together with his friend Li who is a wind elemental, he travels to the human realm to the ancient castle of his forefather.

This was an entertaining book. I really liked Prince Hauberin, he was charming, entertaining and well constructed. His friend Li was also quite intriguing. I liked the way that Faerie was visualized and the various creatures therein.

On the negative side, the romance between Hauberin and Mathilde did nothing for me. It seemed a bit tacked on. I also found the ending a little trite with all elements falling a little too neatly into place. Finally, I found the villain and the battle with him unsatisfying because of his ability to posses his victims. I was never quite sure who he was fighting and what he was fighting. If a book deserved a sequel though, it would be this one.

One final note. The fugly cover of this book just does not do this novel justice. Sweet's art makes every character look wizened. He doesn't even get the hair color right. :Sighs: I guess the publishers will continue to completely disregard the benefits of an appealing cover in favor of hiring the same cheap painter hack who draws everyone the same.