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windhover's review against another edition
3.0
The bad news first. The plot is pretty rough here. Lots of people show up at the right places at convenient times, plans just magically work out (sometimes literally), characters have knowledge (presumably so the dialogue is less clunky). For me, these problems were just confusing and broke immersion.
On the other hand, the setting and the characters were a delight! The setting is a fictional region of Renaissance(?) Europe. The story is narrated by Hail Rosamer, the elderly artist, telling about the adventures of her youth. From her apprenticeship with a certain Madame Carriera to the flight to the shrine of St. Istvan, Hail Rosamer is the sort of intrepid, often inept, often frustrating protagonist it is easy for me to like. Also it's a coming of age fantasy story that is not trying to be Tolkien. It's more like one of those quiet, earnest novels about hopeful young artists coming to grips with craft and love and friendship and family. At least, all of my favorite parts were like that. And I can forgive a lot of plot holes for that.
On the other hand, the setting and the characters were a delight! The setting is a fictional region of Renaissance(?) Europe. The story is narrated by Hail Rosamer, the elderly artist, telling about the adventures of her youth. From her apprenticeship with a certain Madame Carriera to the flight to the shrine of St. Istvan, Hail Rosamer is the sort of intrepid, often inept, often frustrating protagonist it is easy for me to like. Also it's a coming of age fantasy story that is not trying to be Tolkien. It's more like one of those quiet, earnest novels about hopeful young artists coming to grips with craft and love and friendship and family. At least, all of my favorite parts were like that. And I can forgive a lot of plot holes for that.
azurelunatic's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
readingtheend's review against another edition
3.0
apparently a prequel to the Scholar of Magic/College of magic books? it's about an apprentice artist who gets sort of embroiled in this whole terrifying necromantic scheme to bring this world's King Arthur figure back from the dead. could have been creepier, I have to say! the characters all had that very Caroline Stevermer downrightness.
karireads's review against another edition
adventurous
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
katbond's review
4.0
Like her other books, really well-written and very fun to read. The plot was a fairly typical young adult fantasy plot however.
badmc's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
A young girl growing up to be an artist finds herself in the middle of the weird happenings, people coming back from the dead, and it all seems to be linked to something she studies...
Well, Stevermer is one of the authors certain to write a book that I will find enjoyable. Interesting characters, meandering plot, deeper themes that come to the surface. I really liked the coming of age aspect of this, and having a main character that is headstrong and blunt. I was intrigued by hints of the time passed, things changed, and was a bit sorry it wasn't explored more. I would've also liked for the "magic" aspect to be a bit clearer in its execution, or being even more vague - this confused me a bit. Also, some parts of the story were skipped over and thus lessened the emotional impact.
Well, Stevermer is one of the authors certain to write a book that I will find enjoyable. Interesting characters, meandering plot, deeper themes that come to the surface. I really liked the coming of age aspect of this, and having a main character that is headstrong and blunt. I was intrigued by hints of the time passed, things changed, and was a bit sorry it wasn't explored more. I would've also liked for the "magic" aspect to be a bit clearer in its execution, or being even more vague - this confused me a bit. Also, some parts of the story were skipped over and thus lessened the emotional impact.
thecheryl's review against another edition
4.0
Utterly charming!
Although published in 2000, it gives me the feeling of more classic literature. It is apparently part of a series but I never felt a lack of context or story and can happily recommend it as a stand alone. The dialogue is particularly delightful work.
Hail Rossamer is an artsy in all her ways, and not the sort of modern fantasy heroine to take control of the situation and save the day. I think she is allowed to be herself, and not a modern heroine, she is nonetheless engaging to follow.
Although published in 2000, it gives me the feeling of more classic literature. It is apparently part of a series but I never felt a lack of context or story and can happily recommend it as a stand alone. The dialogue is particularly delightful work.
Hail Rossamer is an artsy in all her ways, and not the sort of modern fantasy heroine to take control of the situation and save the day. I think she is allowed to be herself, and not a modern heroine, she is nonetheless engaging to follow.
wmhenrymorris's review against another edition
I'm delighted to find a Künstlerroman that's also a genre novel (in this case alternate history with magic). Even better, Stevermer weaves art, natural sciences, religion, family/friend relationships, and magic into the story. Really good.
katbond's review against another edition
4.0
Like her other books, really well-written and very fun to read. The plot was a fairly typical young adult fantasy plot however.