The Hero and the Crown [Paperback]

Robin McKinley (Author)

Book Description

Release date: January 2, 2007 | Grade Level: 5 and up

From childhood, Aerin had been haunted by the story of her mother - a "witchwoman" who enspelled the king and then died in childbirth, leaving behind a newborn daughter and an heirless land. Left to her own devices, Aerin grew up wild, doing her best to live up to her reputation as the disappointment of the realm. But little did the young princess know the long-dormant powers of her mother would wield their own destiny, and leave Aerin with a duty to her scornful homeland that she couldn't refuse.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Robin McKinley has won various awards and citations for her writing, including the Newbery Medal for The Hero and the Crown and a Newbery Honor for The Blue Sword. Her other books include Sunshine; the New York Times bestseller Spindle's End; two novel-length retellings of the fairy tale Beauty and the Beast, Beauty and Rose Daughter; and a retelling of the Robin Hood legend, The Outlaws of Sherwood. She lives with her husband, the English writer Peter Dickinson.

Product Details

• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Ace Trade; Reissue edition (January 2, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0441013058
• ISBN-13: 978-0441013050
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.2 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (291 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #94,482 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Robin McKinley has won various awards and citations for her writing, including the Newbery Medal for The Hero and the Crown and a Newbery Honor for The Blue Sword. Her other books include Sunshine; the New York Times bestseller Spindle's End; two novel-length retellings of the fairy tale Beauty and the Beast, Beauty and Rose Daughter; and a retelling of the Robin Hood legend, The Outlaws of Sherwood. She lives with her husband, the English writer Peter Dickinson.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

69 of 75 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A must-read for any fantasy fan December 25, 2000

By Whitney S. Christiansen

Format:Mass Market Paperback

This is, I believe, Robin McKinley's magnum opus. This book is often hard to locate, buried in the young adult section where it only half-belongs. Yes, this tale is about a teenage heroine, but the subject matter, her trials and emotions, are not limited to that audience. (Note to booksellers-By the way, most avid young adult sci-fi and fantasy fans have been reading from the adult section for years-you might do better to rethink the placement of these types of books.) Anyway, this novel tels the story of Aerin, arguably one of the most well-written and believable heroines out there. Her feelings of ineptitude and clumsiness are universal, yet her unknown powers don't develop miraculously, deus ex machina style, but are fought for and gained as a result of this fight. The narrative twists and turns in surprising ways, and the tale doesn't always turn out the way we originally think it will, and yet the turns never feel out of place. This is a novel from a whole other world, and yet it feels real. The characters are true-to-life and honestly drawn by this masterful author. This book would definitely draw someone into the fantasy genre.

44 of 48 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars McKinley is a hero April 17, 2004

By C. DeMario

Format:Mass Market Paperback

Have you ever read a book as a child that still managed to resonate as an adult? "Hero and the Crown" was one such book for me. I can still remember reading it as an 11 year old, and presenting a shoe box diorama of the showdown between Aerin and the Dragon in my reading class. While the strong feminist principles were not quite understood as an 11 year old, they are today. Even re-reading it now, you cheer for Aerin as she begins to understand her place in the world, and how what others say really doesn't matter. She longs to be more than the sum of her parts, and proves to be more than capable not only to herself, but to her father and the Damarians.

Great example of Robin McKinley's writing, that transcends age and sex, and is a worthy adventure/fantasy for everyone.

96 of 116 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Fantasy for All Ages and Genders May 14, 2001

By Michael P. Clawson

Format:Paperback

For years this book sat on the shelf of my high school's library staring at me while I obstinantly refused to read it. It's not that I didn't like fantasy; it's just that I had had a few bad encounters in the past with "feminist" fantasy (e.g. Marion Zimmer Bradley), and I wasn't interested in reading another grrl power, male-bashing fantasy novel. I must have just assumed it was like that since it had a female heroine.

Finally, years later (I'm 22 now) I returned to it with a more open mind and a positive review from my wife. I thought it was one of the most captivating fantasy novels I've read. I couldn't put it down. If you've ever felt like the outcast among your peers or like you just don't fit in you'll be able to identify with the main character. If you're introverted and prefer the company of books to people (and many of the people who will bother to read this book are like this) then you will find a soul mate in Aerin. It doesn't matter if you're a guy or a girl, this book will appeal to anyone who likes a good story and knows what it's like to have to "prove" yourself in order to gain acceptance.