Suzanne Helling is thrust into the fantasy realm of Gryylth.This time she faces guns and f11s! but how can there be guns in a medieval world? Gael Baudino turns fantasy on its head as her character has to face the land she her self created and how do you beat your self? the writing is excellent and the charactor are well formed and the hazards they face are not just to the body. This book is worth reading.

The best book in the trio, DoD brings in Sol's exwife, and gives Marrget, and Wykla something to live for. We also get to go deeper into Alouzon's psyche. Not for the faint at heart, I highly recommend this book and the rest of the trio.

When I first read this book, when it was published, I was *so* excited that I would get to see more of Gael's Elves. Strands of Starlight was so haunting, so beautiful...I couldn't stand it.

So I immediately started Mazes of Moonlight and found that I wasn't going to be reading about those characters that I had fallen in love with in the first book. My disappointment tainted the reading and I came away feeling that this was the least of the Children of Elthia books.

Years later I decided to reread the series, this time really paying attention to the way they were written and to the individual stories told. Mazes of Moonlight ending up being just as powerful, just as moving and easily on par with the rest.

So for those who read Strands of Starlight and who felt some disappointment in Mazes of Moonlight...give it another chance...it's so worth it. For those of you trying to decide of the series is worth it...I cannot tell you enough that you need to read these books, all of them. They are some of my all time favorites.

This is the kind of book that (along with Gael Baudino's other elvish novels) creates it's own universe, it's own logic and it's own magic. It's one of the books I read over and over, just to go back there. The characters have believable passion and purpose, and everything really is touched with an otherworldly kind of light. I'd love to say more, but I'd hate to give anything away. It's better to just read for yourself a few times...

I found this book,the second in a trilogy, almost impossible to put down.It is a beautifully written blend of Historical fact and (is it really) fiction. Gael Baudino exposes the hipocracy of the Church and the damage caused by the Papal schism on one hand; and the beauty and power,of unconditioal love and positive thought on the other. I found myself recalling the words of Martin Armstrongs poem "The Gage" (Man afraid to be alive shuts his soul in senses five). I believe that the thoughts and ideas evoked by this book will continue to influence my thoughts and actions for the rest of my life. Can't wait to get my hands on the third book of this trilogy.

Dragon Death is the third in the series by Gael Baudino, known as Dragonsword. The series in itself is on of the most powerfull, most moving series of books I've ever read. Layer upon layer of magic, love, hate, treachery, light, and dark fill the books page after page ending in the stunning conclusion found in Dragon Death.

Alouzon Dragonmaster, once Suzanne Helling; an ex-liberal hippy from the '60's, finds herself trapped in Los Angeles but not in her body of Suzanne. Alouzon is still the same as she was in Gryylth. Fighting past hounds of phosphor and a sinister Specter, Alouzon desperately tries to reach her friends and comrades who are trapped in Vaylle due to the cunning mechianisms of Helwych, a sorcerer who's soul is lost to the Specter.

Join Alouzon and her campanions as they travel the pathways between two worlds to save the kingdoms of Gryylth, Corrin, and Vaylle, and the peoples of a world started by Solomon Braithwaite, the first Dragonmaster. See the power of love and redemption as Alouzon finds the Grail and peace in her Divinity over this young world.

I got into the fantasy genre fairly late, and this was the first book that I read. The characters are finely drawn, and as the mystical and mistical world of Gryylth and it's inhabitants become solid, you really do want to find out what's going to happen to Alouzon, Dythragor, Marrget, Wykla, and the people of Corrin, who have been fighting each other all for a handful of mist. As Suzanne Helling evolves (unwillingly) into Alouzon Dragonmaster, and Alouzon learns how to trust herself again, the line begins to blur a little, when does the fantasy become a life lesson, and when did life become fantasy? This begins to become clearer as you finish the book. I would highly recommend this book, whether you are a late starter or have read other books in the genre.

This is a beautiful, brilliant rock & roll fantasy about a harper from the land of Faerie who forms a heavy-metal rock & roll band 2 try & blast a hole thru reality & retrieve her lost love from The Other Side -- & it works. The adventures on The Other Side I found kinda boring, truthfully, but the main story is heartfelt, involving, vivid, & Baudino has the rock & roll Dtails down solid. The feeling of Bing in a rock band is perfectly evoked, & the way the heroine's faith, confidence & optimism rescues not only her lover but her bandmates makes 4 a glorious happy Nding. Not sure why this book failed 2 sell a million copies, but it's 1 of the great overlooked fantasies of R time. Fans of GOSSAMER AXE might also Njoy Lewis Shiner's GLIMPSES, which tackles some of the same tuff life-issues in a rock & roll framework.

I am very saddened to learn that this book is no longer available in print. It is without a doubt one of the best books I have ever read, and is well worth the time it takes to search it out.

At the begining the premise seems a bit strange; a 200 year old Celtic harper forms a heavy metal band in order to save her lover from her fairie prison? As bizzare as it may sound, this is the truth. Christa's lover is imprisoned in a land where music can be used as a weapon, and only music can set her free. After several attempts to free the lover using her harp, Christa decides that only rock and roll is strong enough to win this battle.

Social issues of the 80s are addressed clearly; drugs, alcohol, rape, abuse, homosexuality, the church, and people's misconceptions of rock and roll music. A word of warning, there is some strong content here, and it may not be sutible for younger teenagers.

Musicians will find this book especially interesting. The theory is all there and correct, everything from modes to circle of fifths.

Do whatever you have to to get your hands on a copy of this book!

This book somehow manages to be both highly entertaining, truly innovative, and deeply profound. The storyline--ancient Druid learns to play heavy metal in order to rescue a long-lost love--sounds almost silly, but Baudino makes it plausible and fun. The exploration of such themes as family ties, sexuality, and religious oppression is done with a light and even hand--though Christians may find themselves a little offended by the (mostly realistic) portrayal of Christianity. Pagans, homosexuals, and anyone who has ever felt like an outcast will find this book to be a healing spiritual experience. I don't suppose I really believe in a Goddess, but when reading Gossamer Axe I felt touched by Her hand. The amount of love and tenderness that Baudino put into this book is truly amazing.

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

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.

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.

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 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!

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.

A decent cap on Baudino's multi-narrative/perspective trilogy. For me, the most interesting part was Sari's crisis of faith and her resolution. Is there a Divine Being? Does it really matter in Whom (or What) you believe, as long as the belief is there?

Read and find out...

I enjoyed this series thoroughly. I recommended it to a friend who reads fantasy (a la Charles de Lint) and she hated the series. I happen to agree that this is not a fantasy series for the faint of heart. The other two books in the series ("O Greenest Branch" and "The Dove Looked In") are necessary for the reader in order to "get" this title. I really hope that somehow these books end up back in print because they are a wonderful example of a writer having a great time writing for themselves.

That's how I usually end up describing how I believe people will feel about Baudino's "Water!" trilogy. Either you love it, or you hate it...and ne'er...well, you get it.

So why did I love it? Mostly it was the challenge. There's *so* much going on in these books that sometimes I just had to sit passive and let the stream of her words carry me on. Other times I was an active participant in the adventure able to use the very simple formula needed for the exact length of swinging rope (this never failed to make me chuckle).

I loved that she kept to her style throughout the whole trilogy, and didn't just dump it in the end of a more conventional style. I think in the end the reason I loved these books is because they were so *interesting*...something to see and think about on nearly every page.

For those that enjoy a good, active read where the author challenges you in many ways, I would certainly recomend this and the rest of the series.

I found this in my lidry's 'Young Adult' section, but some of the stories are not for the age group. 'Dumping Ra' is all about sex and terms whitch arn't for children. Otherwise it's a very good book!

This was just awful. Schlock. Formulaic. Unoriginal. Remaindering is a mercy killing. Not a book to give someone if you want to get them hooked on fantasy fiction.

I bought this book in a tiny little bookstore in Nicosia, Cyprus in 1990. The characters unfold and draw the reader into the nightmare that is Suzanne Helling's personal world, and into her rebirth and healing as Alouzon Dragonmaster, hero of Gryylth. Become entwined in the threads of Gryylth & Corrin, lands built on mist and mystery. The characters have depth and feeling, and when the final page is turned, you really do want to find out how the new, solid worlds of Gryylth,Corrin, & their inhabitants, will evolve.

Truly worth readin