The Wizard's Daughter [Hardcover]

Barbara Michaels (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 1, 1996

A penniless yet strikingly beautiful orphan, Marianne Ransom's indomitable spirit has enabled her to survive a cruel life on the backstreets of Victorian London. But it is her gift of second sight that carries her into the world of money and privilege—a power brought on by a strange twist of fate. In the opulent home of a wealthy duchess, Marianne is being called upon to summon her late father—a noted mystic—from the grave. But Marianne's exceptional abilities have become a perilous trap. And suddenly knowing too much could prove fatal.

--This text refers to the Mass Market Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Norma West unevenly narrates Michaels's (The Dancing Floor, Audio Reviews, LJ 5/1/98) historical romance. Table-turning, a familiar party game in the better circles of Victorian London, turns all too real for ingenue Marianne Ransom. The innocent, country-bred girl, a guest of a wealthy duchess, discovers that her body acts as a spirit channel. Suddenly her parentage is called into question, along with other concerns that certain people would prefer to leave unanswered. Unfortunately, narrator Norma West doesn't have the repertoire of voices required for this book. Although her depiction of Marianne is letter-perfect, the other characters require greater nuances than West is able to effect. Male voices are particularly troublesome. Too close attention is required to discern the identity of the male speakers. The story itself is neither particularly memorable nor terribly believable. Not a necessary purchase.?Jodi L. Israel, Jamaica Plain, MA
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Audio Cassette edition.

About the Author

Elizabeth Peters (writing as Barbara Michaels) was born and brought up in Illinois and earned her Ph.D. in Egyptology from the University of Chicago's famed Oriental Institute. Peters was named Grandmaster at the inaugural Anthony Awards in 1986, Grandmaster by the Mystery Writers of America at the Edgar(R) Awards in 1998, and given The Lifetime Achievement Award at Malice Domestic in 2003. She lives in an historic farmhouse in western Maryland.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 336 pages
• Publisher: Severn House Publishers (February 1, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0727849174
• ISBN-13: 978-0727849175
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 5.8 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #7,196,089 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Sheer agony..., January 21, 2001

By 

LadyT - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Wizard's Daughter (Doctrine and Devotion) (Audio Cassette)

Let me say up front, I don't typically read this genre. So keep that in mind when you read my comments. Now for my comments:

This was one of the hardest books I've ever listened to. On more than one occasion I started to just give up and call it a loss. But I kept listening hoping it would get better; it didn't. I purchased the book based upon its synopsis and other reviews. But quite frankly, after forcing myself to listen to it, I can sum it up by saying, this book was boring.

The pace is too slow, and contrary to the synopsis, there's no "earthly terror" to be found here. However, there is mystery but it's no great mystery. And what there was, was unraveled so slowly that I really didn't care about the outcome. To top it off, most of the characters weren't interesting including the main one, Marianne. She was more of an irritant with her simpering ways, than anything else. The setting is dreary, and the story, yawn... Rather than bash this book, I'll end here and say this was definitely not my cup of tea. I prefer books that have either interesting characters and events, or action. This book lacked both.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Just the worst Barbara Michaels' novel, January 16, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Wizard's Daughter (Mass Market Paperback)

I have read about 8 of this author's books. Just about all have kept me totally engrossed and expected the same reaction to The Wizard's Daughter. BUT it is totally banal - I just could not believe it was by the same author. Totally unbelievable plot and insipid heroine.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Did anyone else notice?, January 25, 2005

By 

Mickey Glitter - See all my reviews

This review is from: Wizard's Daughter (Mass Market Paperback)

The character of Bagstock changed names two pages after he was introduced and was called Bagshot throughout the rest of the book. At the very least, that's a red flag for me and I should have put the book down then, wondering if the book's editor ever woke up. Apparently, said editor was asleep through most of the task...this is a tediously written book. The only good thing I can say about the experience is at least I didn't pay full price for it. I couldn't even finish it, it was so bad, although I skimmed the last half to see if it ever picked up. It didn't.