I was very positively surprised when I started reading this book. I had never read anything from this author before and I was imediately immersed in the story.

The story, though based on the life of Melisende, the first daughter of King Baldwin of Jerusalem, has enough fiction to make it easily readable and very captivating.

The author has been able to recreate the romantic atmosphere of the times, with Knights fighting for the "true" religion and
women who had the courage and character to be true Kings, but could not for their sex.

All characters are so vividly described, you cannot but feel you know them and want to find out what happens to them. The places are very well described and feel as real and ancient as they are.

All in all, a very good book and very enjoyable.

This story of a rather atypical medieval family more than pleasantly surprised me, as I bought it on a whim. The detail is excellent, but not too overdone as to overpower the plot. Tarr also paid close attention to her characters' evolution over time. As this book occurs over a 20+ year time period, we see Baldwin and Arslan turn from infants, to mischevious boys, to knights of a warrior kingdom; Lady Richildis metamorphisizes from cold, practical young widow to earnest, loving mother and wife, yet still steadfast in her servance to Melisende. With exception of, perhaps, slightly more description of Michael Bryennius and perhaps Helena (secondary characters, yet most fascinating), this books misses absolutely nothing. A must read for those who are curious about life in the medieval age, particularly the Crusader Kingdom.

This book was a very enjoyable read, I'd love to know if there is going to be an contiunation because I'd love to know more about the people in the book? For example what happens to Arslan when he gets to France......?

This book is roughly about women inthe north who have no freedom and women in the south with the same equality as men. One particular girl, Sparrow, had a mother captured from the south to marry her father, Drinks-the-Wind, and takes her image as short, dark, and round-faced. Sparrow keeps away from her tribe as much as she can and her childhood friend, Wolfcub, who later becomes Kestrel, was always in love with her. they find out their passion for eachother later in the book when Sparrow and her other friend, Keen, escape to the south. Sparrow becomes part of the southern tribes, as keen and the future prince of the tribe, Cloud, fall in love with eachother also. the romanc is passionate, understandable, and realistic. The adventure is overwhelmingly perfect and changes a lot throught the whole book. It is also both tragic and comedic at once and this novel keeps your eyes glued to the pages. Overall, this book to me has been read and enjoyed tremendously.

I could not put this book down! I hadn't read any of Judith Tarr's books before "Lady of Horses," and now I can't stop reading her different works! The way she wrote this book, and her others, is so phenomenal!
"Lady of Horses" was a very enticing book about the struggle of Sparrow, a young women, within her tribe. Sparrow believes that women should be allowed to be near horses and do many other things that only the men can do, but of course, the men would never hear to such things. So, she sneaks out very late at night and just sits with the royal herd, until one night, a white mare, Horse Goddess, asks her to sit upon her back and feel what it is like to fly without wings.
The story has a great plot, and the characters are well depicted - she describes their physical features wonderfully, and allows you to relate to them so much, that you can see each individual character very clearly in your mind. I would definately recommend "Lady of Horses" to anyone looking for a good book to read!

Judith Tarr is simply one of the best writers in the world today! Whether writing literature, historical fiction or sci-fi fantasy, every novel takes the reader away into the time, place and world of the characters she writes about. You feel as though you are living through the eyes of the character you most identify with, and become emotionally involved in the events of their lives. One can't say Judith Tarr gets better with time because every novel (and I've read them all) written years ago till today are consistently excellant in every way a book can be. Lady of Horses is no exception!

Written about the Horse Goddess and a very powerful female character, she continues in the vain of her previous novel's, "White Mare's Daughter" and "The Shepherds Kings". Sparrow, an isolated, spiritual but strong female, is chosen by The Mare and is complelled to fulfill the destiny demanded by the Goddess to become a powerful Shaman and lead the Grey Horse People of her mother's tribe. Raised in a patriarchal society in the Tribe of the People, where men dominate and women are viewed as worthless and threatening, Sparrow must follow the Horse Goddess lead and learn the ancient lessons of the Gods. Set in the world of pre-historical times, the novel focuses on the physical and spiritual relationship between Humans, Gods and Horses. By daring to turn against the rules and demands of the men of her Tribe, Sparrow ultimately leds Tribes with different values and beliefs together. Through Sparrow's response to the Mare who has chosen her, Tarr leads the reader into the Tribe's world and the Spiritual World of the Horse Goddess. Characters arise from the pages of the book who are evil, wise, compassionate and loving. Walker, the People of the Tribe's powerful Shaman and brother of Sparrow, steals Sparrow's visions to control others in evil ways only to fulfill his desire to make the people do what he wishes and become the Maker of Kings. Keen, Walker's wife and best friend to Sparrow, becomes a strong and independant women with the aid of her friend and the will of the Horse Goddess. Then there's Wolfcub, who has always loved Sparrow secretly, but is bound by honor to return her to the Tribe after Sparrow rides the Mare away. Riding horses is an act forbidden to women by the Men of the Tribe and their Gods. And Old Women, a powerful Shaman who lives alone, she becomes the teacher and spiritual guide to a less then willing Sparrow. These four are but a few of the many characters in the story with which the readers becomes intimately involved.

Then there are the Horses. All aspects of the Horse world are brought intimately to life through Tarr's powerful, humorous and very real descriptions of their behavior, habits, relationships, and physical and spiritual nature. Readers become one with the horse, drawn into their world to the point of feeling the joy of riding on their broad and powerful backs, arousal at their definitive and playful courtships between Mare and Stallion, and understanding their thoughts, emotions and communication with the Humans that they allow the privilidge of being in their lives.

Don't start this book unless you have the ability to sit and read it straight through! As with many of Judith Tarr's novels, everyday life intrusions are as annoying as the flies that can torment the Horses. Lady of Horses is an all incompassing experience and it is with a sigh of both sadness and joy that you reach the final page and close the book. I never let go of a Judith Tarr Novel however, as this book, like her others are meant to past the test of time and be read and re-read for years to come.

I have been reading avidly Jerry's War World books for years ( Not easy in the UK ), and to read a full novel rather than short stories was a great pleasure. The story is very well written and readable ( I have now read it many times, normally in one sitting ). The main characters are easy to identify with and follow, and the story has many intresting strands. Those of you that are War World fans will enjoy the twist within, which really confuses you of whom are the Goodies ( The HaBandari ) or the Baddies ( The Saurons ). At the end of the story you are no longer quite sure. It begs for a sequal. What will Sharku do about the HaBandari? Has the Sauron eye finally awoken? What will the tribes do to the HaBandari? Has finally the Saurons realised that the Havonites are worthy to call allies? Come on Jerry get on with, I am dying to know. I can recommend this book to any SF/War fan, if you have not read a War World book it does not matter that much, and could addict you to the series.

I have read all the WAR WORLD series, and it is hard say which is the best. "BLOOD FUED" and "BLOOD VENGEANCE" are both excellant and are a continuation of the overall, ongoing plot. The only disapointments are the deaths of some of the major players and the "yet-to-be-published sequel. So come on guys......where do Hammer-Of-God Jackson, Karl, Sannie and the unnamed babies go next???

This is my favorite book of all time! She did an excellent job, and it makes me feel like i was actually there in their world. I would recommend it to anyone.

What?!! No other reviews?!! This is one of my favorite books, along with the others in this series (though I've only read three so far). The characters are real, the plot enjoyable. Ms.Tarr does a fine job of portraying Vadin's relationship with Mirain, handling a rather contraversial issue quite well, not skirting around the edges, but not becoming obsessed either. Expect the same high quality from the others in this series.

Frankly, I don't understand how any of Judith Tarr's books can ever go out of print. I own everything of hers that I've been able to find, and I read them all on at least a yearly basis, sometimes even more frequently. The Dagger and The Cross continues the story of Aidan and Morgiana, who met in Alamut. Aidan is a prince from the West, and a Crusader; Morgiana is a Muslim, and a former Assassin. One of Ms. Tarr's most marvelous gifts is the ability to weave basic human conflicts into the fabric of history and fantasy, creating an incredible tapestry of wonder and truth. Aidan and Morgiana's problem, the difficulty of reconciling their enormously different belief systems and moral codes, despite their love for one another, lies at the heart of all relationships. This is historical fantasy par excellence; a book not to be missed.

The fourth entry into the Epona Sequence, a cycle of books set in the ancient past and focusing on the first cultures to ride and tame horses, may well be the best of them. Set generations after the first novel _White Mare's Daughter_, _Daughter of Lir_ sets the stage with a deftly written prologue filled with signs, portents, and the undercurrent of theological politics. From the story leaps forward to begin to show the many differences -- and interesting similarities -- between the People of the steppes and the cities of the Mother. The main protagonist is a woman, but not far behind are several male characters, who together represent the two opposed cultures.

This well-written book keeps a good pace, and Tarr's academic credentials make her depiction of the cultures seem vividly real; even the use of magic (even more clearly an actual working force than in the previous books) seems to fit the novel. Tarr is especially skilled in depicting, with but a few words, deep and complex relationships between individuals without making it seem like vapid romance. Last of all, her style is an impeccably clean prose, not simplistic but simply very clear and unaffected by a desire to seem 'literary'. All in all, the novel was a joy to read.

Set in one of the most exciting times in Egyptian history, the end of the Second Intermediate period, The Shepherd Kings is a vivid and well written novel. The Egytpians have suffered under the yoke of Hyksos invaders who control their country and enslave their people. The unmitigated insult to a nation with such an exalted history can be borne no longer. Under the direction of the Pharoah Amose a revolt begins, using the Hyksos' own weapons, horses and chariot, against them. Rather than focussing on the exalted, Ms. Tarr has chosen to illustrate her story using common people: a slave, a horse-breeder, a soldier and a priestess are her main characters, and they are exceedingly engaging. The novel is historically accurate (to be expected of an author with a degree in history) but the setting is secondary to fine gem of a story. This is the best of Ms. Tarr's novels to date and a must-read for anyone who enjoys a rollicking good story.

I first read this collection of three of Judith Tarr's best books back in the late 1980's. They are a little melodramatic at times, but I really enjoyed them.

The main characters are all incredibly well drawn, especially Alfred, the pious monk turned into a reluctant elven warrior & mage. He wrestles with his own self doubt and the state of his soul throughout the books, even as he changes lives for the better all around him. Sometimes, like his female foil, Thea, you just want to shake him and wake him up to the fact that someone soulless would never do so much good in the world--no matter what the church believes!

Alfred is a foundling who is raised by monks, and becomes a very learned and pious monk himself. His writings are praised by the Pope himself. Alfred eventually realizes that he is not aging and is, in fact, an immortal elf. If he believes his church teachings, then he is a soulless being. He grapples with this throughout the book. He has an encounter with others of his kind, nursing a prince of his kind back to health and meeting a fiery tempered elf woman, Thea. He is mortified that he is attracted to her--he had thought the vow of chastity to be the easiest of his vows, because he was never drawn to mortal women. He turns down the position as abbot, believing himself to be unworthy. (Those who raised him and grew up with him accept and love him as he is without a qualm--they know in their hearts that he is a power for good.) He then sets off to figure his life out. He is swept into the train of Richard the Lion-hearted later into the Crusades and to Rome. He is nearly burned by the church, becomes a great warrior, discovers his magical abilities, and finally learns to accept himself and the love of the elf woman who has been following him since their first encounter back at the abbey.

Don't miss this chance to read this book in this bargain omnibus form. You won't regret it!

I love this trilogy. I read it close to 10 years ago. I have just finished it the second time. I am just as enthralled as ever with this historical fantasy filled with enchantments and interlaced with tender romantic moments. I will always love Alfred, the innocent and beautiful elf monk, turned powerful elf lord after much struggles with his real true self. I will always appreciate Thea who loves him from the very beginning. Finally who could ever forget Alfred's encounter with Richard, the Lion Heart, Alfred's sorrows during the disastrous invasion of Constantinople and finally Alfred's torment in the last of the trilogy when he thought he has lost all those he loves. My only complaint is the seemingly rush writing towards the end. On the other end, it maybe I did not wish the tale of Alfred, Thea, their children and their elf kin to end. The Hound and the Falcon is definitely one of my favorites to be treasured always.

If you do not read this book you have missed a wonderful story that will be with you for life. This is a true fantasy story, but based in real life history. You get to meet Richard Lionheart, you get be there on the conquest of Constantinople. But more importantly, you get to travel inside the mind of Alfred, the tortured elven-monk, immortal, magical, powerful. But he has been raised to beleive that the Fair Folk are creatures of the devil, and have no soul.
You get to laugh and cry with Thea, his oposite, sure in her power, loving her abilities. Loving him.
You get to travel alongside Jehan, young novice, clumsy scholar, powerful warrior-priest.
You get to follow the hard path of the elven King of Rhianna, who knows that only he can protect his country, but also that he is the cause of its peril.
You get to love Nikki, the boy whose path crosses Alfeds by coinsidence, and whose whole world changes.
This story will remain with you forever. Its magical world is our own, and that is part of the magic. The Fair Folk are essentialy us, they are humans, and that is what makes this a story that will break your heart.

It's well written, not cliched. It shows the Arabs to be just as human as the European crusaders...and more civilized and advanced, as they were during those times.

Judith Tarr is the queen of historical fantasy! Magical creatures and the mundane world blend seamlessly in this novel set in the time of the Crusades: occasional appearances are made by kings, warriors, and even Saladin himself! One can almost believe that the world was once like this, and that we are unimaginably diminished by the loss of the magic and wonder that once was a part of everyday life. This novel has mystery, romance, adventure, and some of the most fascinating and memorable characters in all fiction. I've read this book over twenty times, never tiring of it, and loving it each time more than the last

In the third and final book of Tarr's trilogy, The Hounds of God [c. 1223], Alfred, priest and elf, runs afoul of the Paulines and their Inquisitors. He continues to question his place in the world and his religion as he becomes even less human. Look for the cameo by [not yet Saint] Francis of Assissi. My complaint about the previous book holds true to this one as well: rushed, unfinished, and not precisely ill-thought-out. I suppose I've never found the main love interest very convincing, but that could be simply personal taste and not any lack of characterization on Tarr's part. Also, by this time, I was completely tired of all repetition in the text and in the characters [how many times must one gape, or fall to their knees in exhaustion?]. There's also something about describing psychic powers in action that's become cliche', and I think one has to be an incredibly good writer to pull it off without sounding silly. I was ready for it all to end, though when it came it was more touching than I expected. Entertaining, if a little tiresome at times.

The Hounds of God is about how Alfred of Saint Ruans, his adopted brother Nikephoros and his friend Jehan try to find and save Alfred's wife, adopted sister and newborn twins while keeping themselves safe from the sorcerer who kidnapped them. It is a very exciting book that you'll find hard to put down. You may need a little time to get in to it, but I think that most people would enjoy it. This book is almost nothing like the first two in the trilogy, but the story is incomplete without it. I think this is the best book in the series.

I found this book to be a joy to read. Though not, in my opinion, not as good as the first of the series, it is more secular in subject. There is more drama in this than the other books, and it is much more touching (with his un-born children). A must have!!!