In my review of "Legacy of the Sword", the previous book in the Chronicles of the Cheysuli series, I said I wasn't sure if I wanted to continue reading the series. I'm glad I did. This book was much more enjoyable to me than the previous one. Niall, the main character and the son of Donal and Aislinn and heir to the Lion Throne, is very likeable, and a major component of the book is his struggle with his own identity. It's not as dark as the previous books and doesn't have as much war and fighting. It is not without these things, however, and by the end of the book Niall has acquired some scars from his battles. In addition, we begin to see a different side to the Ihlini, the other magical race who have up to now been portrayed as the evil opponents of the Cheysuli. It ends with some interesting and complex developments in the offing.

Now I feel much better about continuing to read the rest of the series.

It's a great series, and the books interrelate on a very unique level. Roberson is extremely good at making the characters likable and understandable to her readers; you don't have to read much of this book to really care about Niall and the others. This series and this book aren't "classics" but they're enjoyable and for the most part well-written, and if you've gotten this far, you might as well keep reading.

I am a long-time fan of the Cheysuli Chronicles. Of the series I find this book to be the least gripping - in that I could actually put it down - but it is also the most moving of the series, several scenes are intense and very well written. You feel the emotion of what is not said as much as what is. Whilst the book can be read without having read the first three books, it is much better to have read them as you have an understanding and affection for the continuing characters such as Rowan and Donal.

As a sequel to Shapechangers (the first in the series), I think Jennifer Roberson did a fairly good job in keeping interest and the plot going. I like it that she wrote this book in the first person - it created some changes with the first book. However, i think the story was too much focused on Carillon. THe book was written from his POV, and although some scenes were very well done, I wanted to hear more of Alix's story. Shapechangers, which is definitely my favorite in the Cheysuli series, made me love Alix's character, and that she was almost a side character and of only minor importance (except at the end) in this book bothered me. But overall, I thought this was a good book - there are some unexpected plot twists and changes which make you keep reading, despite how much you like or dislike the book.

Roberson doesn't break much new ground in this book. The characters and plot are standard fantasy material; a young prince intending on reclaiming his usurped throne; an evil sorcerer standing in the way; the beautiful, haughty daughter of the usurper. These, however, are not criticisms. I didn't want to stop reading. Roberson takes these standard themes and employs them expertly, and even manages to introduce a few twists. What's lacking in originality is made up for by the detail and the slow, steady development of characters. In the fantasy genre, I would not go so far as to call this a classic, but Roberson's unique use of such typical themes puts it on a special level apart from the other cliches.

The sequal to Shape Changers, The Song of Homana is a very good read. I don't want to give anything away, so I'll just say that it's really good, and not confusing. If you like this book you should also read Sword Dancer, which is also by Jennifer Roberts, but takes place in a differnt world.

The only problem I have with this is that this far in the series, it becomes sort of repetitive.

I still loved this book very much, but some of it is kind of predictable. Some of the events repeat themselves several times throughout the series. I won't mention them, as I don't want to spoil it for anyone who hasn't read it, but I think it takes away from the story.

Other than that, though, this is a wonderful buy and I would recomend it to any avid fantasy reader.

This is a wonderful story with fabulous characters. Each character has a totem animal, which is his other self. They,"The Cheysuli" are awaiting a prophesied son to return balance to the world. Lots of magic and mayhem. What I remember best is hating it when one character got old and died and Roberson went into the next generations. I got so involved with each of them.

I hope to be a good, or at least acclaimed (ahem), writer in the near future. It is writers like Rawn who inspire and awe me. I have read Exiles and (am currently reading) The Golden Key, each of which sets up for the reader more than just an atmosphere, but an entire world! In both, creating seemingly from nowhere, are new planets, societies, fashions, moral codes, languages (god bless indexs), foods, religions, flowers, and more! I have trouble creating a name, and then she (or they, I haven't read anything else by Jennifer Roberson or Kate Elliot yet, but I should give them credit, they wrote it too) go and come up Saavedra, Tza'ab, and Tira Virte! Okay. So maybe I've got a while to go till that "great writer" thing. But till then, cheers to Rawn, Roberson, and Elliot- and the last two will hear from me when I get to their books.

P.S. I'm having a hard time taking myself seriously when I realize I'm reading a book about magic paintings. (oooo, spooky)

I picked up this book because I have always been interested in art, and the synopsis intrigued me. As soon as I began reading I was entranced. This is a complex tale of ambition, greed, beauty, love and, of course, art. The three authors have created a wholly new fantasy world that invokes a nostalgic feeling of Old World Spain and Italy. The intriguing dialogue makes you think and keeps your mind actively working.

The tale, one that would keep even children fascinated at bedtime, follows the life one great artist on his quest for recognition and immortality through his art. Fed by his ambition to be recognized as the greatest master painter in the history of Tira Virte, Sario uncovers a family secret so dark and mystifying that he strives to learn as much as he can. Through this secret learning, without adult guidance or control, Sario uses the Grijalva family secret and his innate artistic genius to make a place for himself in history - for almost 400 years!

Nothing stands in Sario's way, not love, not kindness, not religious ostracism, nothing. He will lie to, cheat, forcibly control or even murder those that may oppose his goals.

After being captivated by this truly original story, I was anticipating an ending that I could not predict (no matter how hard I tried!). I was most definitely not disappointed!

A book that has to be shared and wondered over with a group of friends. Enjoy The Golden Key!

[note to amazon.com--the following is taken from a much longer copyrighted review I had published elsewhere on the web. The reference is "The SF Site Featured Review,"

It isn't true a picture is worth a thousand words. Melanie Rawn, Jennifer Roberson, and Kate Elliott grace their novel The Golden Key with far more than a mere thousand per picture. And these are words well worth the read. It is a fantasy novel about art. Or is it a generational saga? Actually, it is an alternate universe story. Then again, maybe it is hard science fiction. Or should that be hard fantasy? To define it within only one genre is impossible. Suffice it to say that this nominee for the 1996 World Fantasy Award is a remarkable book.

The story centers on two families, the artistic Grijalvas who live in the duchy of Tira Verte and the royal do'Verradas who rule the duchy. An inextricable link joins them; all records of births, deaths, treaties--all human interactions--are painted rather than written. Or are they mere paintings? The answer to that question takes the reader through a tale of intrigue, magic, romance, and page-turning adventure.

The book consists of three novels that fit together beautifully, like a literary jigsaw puzzle. A striking difference exists in Roberson's style in Part One and Rawn's in Part Two. It works because three hundred years separate the stories. The luminosity of Roberson's prose reflects the youth of the characters and culture, whereas Rawn's elegance fits their maturation. The closer resemblance of Rawn and Elliott's style goes well with the lesser time span between Parts Two and Three. Elliott's chapters have a subtle difference in feel suited to a world on the doorstep of an industrial age. The authors maintain the right balance, giving continuity without creating seams in the overall picture.

Just as a frame surrounds a painting, so the authors frame their stories with scholarly writings from fictional experts who discuss works painted by characters in the book. It is an ingenious device, one that showcases the history of this intriguing world without the exposition becoming intrusive.

The magic is set up with scrupulous care. This is no slap-dash of spells spattered across a story canvas; it has the same depth as the world building. The authors base inheritance of the Gift on genetic principles with a rigor worthy of the hardest science fiction. In an ironic twist, the Grijalvas inherit their Gift the way hemophiliacs inherit the traits that prevent their blood from clotting. It leaves the reader a question to ponder: is Grijalva magic a gift--or a disease?

As a physicist, I was intrigued by how the magic plays on relativistic theory, in particular time dilation and "frames" of reference. The Golden Key reads like fantasy, yet within it are lovely allegories to physics, as if spacetime were painted into its universe just as its characters paint themselves and their passions into their own works. How much of it is deliberate and how much derives from the authors' natural intuitive gifts, I can't say, but I do know it evoked for me a real sense of wonder.

My favorite subplot is Rohario's romance with Eleyna in Part Three. Eleyna's artistic genius shines like a star, and at first Rohario seems an unlikely choice for her. As the Grand Duke's second son, he may be handsome and good-natured, but even he considers himself a fop. His maturation into a leader, combined with his earnest love for Eleyna, utterly charms. Through it all, whether riding in pig carts, sneaking around after dark, or getting clobbered in a fight, he valiantly tries to maintain his well groomed self. Elliott's delightful humor thoroughly enhances the story.

The crowning touch to this book is the gorgeous cover painted Michael Whelan. His depiction of the character Sario, who holds a golden key, is actually a picture of Whelan himself. Read the book and it will be clear why Whelan's choice to do a self-portrait is such an eerie -- and effective -- play on the golden key magic.

The Golden Key is one of the most absorbing books I've read in some time. I give it my highest recommendation.

I certainly enjoy whirlwind fantasy books, where long descriptions of identifying every leaf on every tree and going into great depth of everyone's outfits over and over again take a back seat to fast paced action. "Sword-Dancer" is definitely one of these action over substance books that seems to come up a bit short. The characters are overly cliched, especially Tiger, a typical male who often doesn't know what he wants. Try to get Del in bed or chase after all the other women in the book? Del - the mysterious woman of the north has been attempted to be put together as a strong female lead but comes across as being robotic and predictable. She's cold yes, but as the Sandtiger states in the novel itself, she doesn't have an EDGE... as soon as one event ends another begins, with very little time to breathe and even in the most impossible situations they manage to scoot by and get to the next area awaiting yet another confrontation and often another section where Tiger comes close to his death.

There's no dragons or other fantasy creatures and not very much magic or mystery either, Tiger is Del's hired sworddancer to get her to a desert town where she will supposedly find her brother. The whole book is based upon her not wanting to let go of this seemingly impossible quest, and halfway through the book I found myself just wanting them to find the guy and get it over with, as yet another ridiculous and farfetched situation was taking place. Even with all the drawbacks, I was enjoying it until they threw in Theron, a northernor who is hunting Del to challenge her to a sword dance. As they finally 'step into the circle' he's whisked away by the only true magical type creature to rear its head. It seemed little more than a plot device thrown in to pad the novel a bit. All was forgotten until the anti-climatic ending where I was hoping atleast Tiger would get the girl and all would be well, but no Theron shows back up again even more powerful this time (cliche cliche) and Sandtiger has to save Del's bacon. Finally its all over with, Tiger still doesn't get the girl, and there's a rough setup for the next part in what became a series.

Now, even though my review has been pretty much panning "Sword-Dancer" so far, I still must admit the novel was a nice diversion. It was light and fast paced (even though several parts were simply agonizing), and made for a quick read. Enjoyable in places, yes, but the ridiculous tacked on ending left me a little cold. Still, I don't regret reading it but don't expect anything with depth, because you will be extremely disappointed.

The easiest way to sum up this review is to say I bought the next book in the series before I finished this one.

Sword Dancer is the first in a series of books about Tiger, the best sword dancer in the South, and Del, a driven woman who broke taboo to become a master sword dancer in the North. She hires him to guide her to a city far to the south in search of a kidnapped brother. Through plenty of good old-fashioned cliffhangers and revelations her quest is completed, although not necessarily as you'd expect. Along the way the relationship changes from employer/employee to companions. While nicely wrapped up, the climatic scene provides plenty of sequel fodder.

The story is told in first person by Tiger, like most men in the Arabian Nights style setting, can't imagine Del is actually a competent sword dancer until she proves him wrong. Even so he continues to slip back and forth between seeing her as another sword dancer and as a woman (a dichotomy many modern men might understand), leaving a sexist flavor to him. However, it is sexism of the pulp hero and not the woman hater. Del is more of a cipher with her closed mouth nature and single-mindedness.

While fulfilling all the pulp requirements and the expectations of 70s style "strong woman" fantasy novels a la early Tanith Lee or C. J. Cherryh there are some rough points. The slavery escape is a little too fantastic even by pulp standards, mainly in terms of villain stupidity (although no worse than the prison escape in the second Gor novel). The big problem, especially for some women readers, will be the climatic battle. While in story telling terms Roberson made the right choice it has lead to accusations of sexism. However, given events earlier in the novel this is more a case of looking at this one incident. Also, the charge ignores the key reason WHY Tiger has to intervene. Trying not to spoil it all I can say is pay attention to what puts Del at a disadvantage that Tiger doesn't have, it's not sex, it's magic.

These faults aside the novel was a fun quick read, delivering the pulp fantasy tale it promised. Tiger is especially engaging as a more modern and a little more believable version of the John Carter type. The desert as an enemy and the little gems left to fill the next five or six books are fun. The last scene reminds me of the end of C J Cherryh's classic Gate of Ivrel. All in all, a worthwhile read for those into this style of fantasy.

One can read this series from the viewpoint of social commentary on gender relations, heroic fantasy, or both. It speaks well for the author's talent that it succeeds in either category. Whatever you do, begin with this book, the first in the series, and read them in order.

The Tiger/Del relationship is notable for its complexity as well as the variety of interactions. To a certain extent, both are required to show some adaptiveness over time; one watches them learn and grow. As products of very different societies, we see their pre-existing cultural expectations giving way--obstinately--to the realities of life. It is impossible to miss the feminist statement that Del represents, but there is much more going on than just that.

If you could care less about sexual politics and just want to read about interesting characters in a richly detailed environment with a very high excitement level, you also came to the right series. While there is some obvious linguistic and cultural borrowing from medieval earth, it never detracts from the tale. It also has a delightful level of mature humour to keep matters lighthearted.

A must read.

Out of Avalon was good but it gave the taste of something that could have been better. The tales that are featured in this book were interesting but some were down right boring. I had fallen asleep on The Castellan and thought Me and Gallahad could have been written by a fanfiction amateur. I was impressed however with the stories Avalonia and Finding the Grail, especially loved the line that stated men go out for treasures both rare and magickal but women are the ones that find it. Overall it is a reccomended read but still could have been done better.

This anthology is for everyone who loves re-takes on the Arthurian legends, and especially those readers who loved _The Mists of Avalon_ and are seeking more of the same sort of retellings, laced with gender politics, religious issues, and romance.

As in all anthologies, some of the stories are to my taste, some aren't, and there is probably somethig for everyone. In my opinion, the stunner of the bunch os Rosemary Edghill's "Prince of Exiles". Set among bloodthirsty warlords rather than knights-n-ladies, it is narrated by Ator (Arthur)'s bitter illegitimate son, as he unfolds his intricate plan for revenge against his father. It's a darkly engrossing story until you get to the last line--at which point it becomes a shocking, chilling, incredible, six-star story. WOW. I also enjoyed Tricia Sullivan's "The Secret Leaves", the romantic tale of young Vivien, who loves and seduces the ethereal Merlin, but eventually loses him to hs shamanistic dreams. And Judith Tarr's "Finding the Grail" is best described as "sweet", a story about a young girl named Melisende who quests for the Grail with the help of the pretty-boy knight Beaumains. Beaumains hides a secret--and it's not the secret you were expecting.

These stories and many others await you. If you liked _Mists of Avalon_ or any of the wave of women-centric Arthurian novels it inspired, give this book a chance; it's even cheap! LOL.

"Out of Avalon" Is a fantastic anthology put together by a mindspring of artists/authors whom have all been inspired by the Authorian Legends of old. Tales ranging with Artur being portrayed as the cruel king, and Myrddin as a light hearted creature afraid of being chained. These various shorts happily visit many, often unexplored, avenues of these fascinating spins. A must for the Mythology follower, or just plain young at heart. This pleasing book will most definately give one a refreshing new persepctive and reinstall a sense of magic to the soul and imagination.

How to explain my feelings about _Lady of the Forest_? A romantic historical novel about Maid Marian and Robin Hood, it was an enjoyable escape and post-work-stress-reliever for a couple of weeks. I did enjoy it. Unfortunately, when I shut the back cover, I realized I had just read a six-hundred page book containing almost no surprises.

Marion Zimmer Bradley, author of the stellar _Mists of Avalon_, gushes about this book in the cover blurb, and so I was hoping for a novel that would make me rethink the Robin Hood legends, just as Mists made me look at the Arthurian corpus differently. Part of what made Mists fascinating was that it took an old tale and reexamined it, humanizing the "bad guys" and telling another side of the story. Mists questioned all of our assumptions about Arthur and Morgan. _Lady of Sherwood_ questions nothing, challenges nothing. The characters are just what we expect them to be... It doesn't rethink the legend any more than does Disney's kids' movie on the same theme. It may be a nice romance, but it's not in the same league as the best historical fiction. If you want a romance, you might like this, but for a haunting tale of mysterious forests and renegade Crusaders, go read _The Black Chalice_ by Marie Jakober.

This book was well-written and captivating; you had to read it to the end. i think, though, that her ending was a bit inconclusive and almost screams for a sequel. the reader is left to wonder what became of each of the characters they grew to love (or hate) while reading the book. Roberson's book gives Robin Hood fans a new concept to think about: Maid Marian. Marian was previously not a central figure and i think it is good that she has finally been given due credit. . .and Robin Hood needs a lover. it adds to the romantic side of the old ballads.

OK, so this wasn't exactly what I was expecting when I first read it and damn it took me a long time but I found out that I really enjoyed it. The author already explains that this is not a retelling of the CLASSIC, but more of how it came to be. After seeing Kevin Costner's movie, I expected more action (thievery, fighting, etc.) but that did not change the outcome. I love this book!!! Marian is a great heroine (I hate that word, it sounds like the drug) who develops emotionally as the story continues, and Robin is more believable than Kevin Costner's Robin, who was not affected mentally by the Crusades at all and went home happy and started a civilization in the forest. (Not that I'm complaining - I liked the movie too.) The characters were drawn out pretty completely and realistically, too. If there is one part of the book I didn't feel is great, it is the section about Robin's thievery. I would have liked it even more if Ms. Roberson had made Robin's time in Sherwood more impressive. But all in all, this is an awesome book and hope the sequel will be just as good!

As always with short fiction anthologies, I liked some of the stories better than others. I didn't dislike any of these variations on "The Highwayman." The assortment was entertaining in general, and stories like, "The Bishop's Coffer," "The Dowry," and "The Forest's Justice" gave me interesting themes to ponder a little. But none of the stories really grabbed my heart as I know from prior experience some of the authors are very capable of doing. All in all this was a fun if not a very engaging collection. I recommend it for light reading and for those who look for "theme anthologies."

Review by Nina Coombs Pykare, author of the Kate Ketterling series, Death Comes for Desdemona, Death Rides a Pink Horse.

The Regency is my period and many of the stories in this collection take place then. Also, I love horses. So this is super book for me. I tried to space the reading out, keep a little for later, but I got carried away and read it all in a hurry. I highly recommend it.

I really got a shock at some of the reviews of this book. About ten years ago, Shapechangers was one of the very first fantasy books I ever read, and despite moving on to more sophisticated, perhaps better written members of the genre, this book still remains one of my all time faves (as does the whole series). Particularly startling to me was the lack of feeling for Alix, who I've always loved very dearly as a very strong, amazing character. I think one of the reviewers of Shapechangers was quite correct when they pointed out the role of noblesse oblige in The Chronicles of the Cheysuli. I never really liked Carillon or Duncan (I always loved Finn too much, just as later in the series I preferred the Corin's and the Kellin's to the Brendan's) but I had to respect their integrity and sense of responsibilty. If anyone found some of the choices made by the characters in this series a little strange or too treacle-y (as one reviewer found Alix's marriage), perhaps they had not yet formed a coherent conception of tahlmorra and what it entails in the lives of the Cheysuli. I normally don't get attracted to prophecy-type fantasy, but the Cheysuli prophecy was strong enough to sustain me across the eight books of this series. Of the series, the first and the last books remain my favourites. I think Shapechangers seems even more poignant after having read the others - poor babe didn't know what she was getting herself in for! No seriously, the simplicity of Shapechangers and the focus upon Alix was very beautiful (the later books necessarily being broader in scope), and I thank Jennifer Roberson heartily for providing me such a heroine (a very human heroine, at that!) in my early youth and for providing me with the dream of Homana and the Cheysuli full stop.

this book was so good. It is impossible to put it down! The characters are so real, the emotions are so real, the only thing that doesn't seem real is the setting and sometimes the things that the chacters do. I've just read the whole series, and this is the best of the bunch. However, After u read this one, you just have to keep going until you know what happens at the end. The only problems with this series, and that is that the author tends to skip bits and pieces of the history. You even learn a new language (sort of) These books seem like they should keep going after the end, and I truely regret that they don't. Read this one . . . and keep reading!

the chronicles of the chysuli have been one of my favourite fantasy series for years. this book is one of the best, along with daughter of the lion; this series feature strong believable characters, men as well as women, and a prophecy spanning a century. plus, the two warring magic races - the use of magic - it's all written so well and the story is so gripping... i only wish there were more.

This was a good book, but not nearly up to the fantastic standards Roberson has set in the past. I found it difficult to like ANY of the characters. In the past, Tiger's laid-back approach has balanced Del's intensity. I found that balance completely gone, and Del relegated to a poor second place in SWORD-BORN. This was a book about Tiger, told by Tiger and Del plays a very secondary role. This was disappointing to me, since the reparte and arguments that made the previous books so entertaining are sorely lacking this time 'round.(I also missed the stud's antics!). Hopefully, both Tiger AND Del(and the stud) will be back in their usual action-packed sword-swinging roles in SWORD-SWORN.

This is a great book, it ranks up there with all of the others that Jennifer Roberson has written, she is a master story-teller, and she continues it. The first four books left Tiger and Del hanging and allowed one to make up ones own opinion as to what happened, but this account is very anticipated story gives an account that leaves the avid Roberson reader satified. the only aspect that brings the story down is Tiger without his sword and with, magic? Though Roberson handles this very well a Tiger without his sword, just doesn't seem like Tiger. Tiger's wanderlust is a great idea, and I fully recommend this book.

Honestly, after the very first book of the series [Sword-Dancer] which had a refreshingly unimposing story to it, most of the Tiger and Del novels have had highly artificial, overdone plots involving all kinds of inappropriate forces. There, it's said. That would usually make for a pretty average series if not for the main characters, Tiger and Del. Not to mention Tiger being a very enjoyable narrator, the two always seem to be extremely real people, moreso than most any characters I've seen in a novel, and their relationship is terribly entertaining. Moreover, the fifth book in the series adds a new 'central' character, Prima, who indulges in the Sword- series' best activity: having long chats with Tiger on life in general. Great reading, though I very strongly suggest reading the first four books before this one. On the downside, the stud is rather absent in this one, which sucks. [err.. he's a horse, mind you.]