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sarahholland's review against another edition
4.0
An old favourite, given a 4 for the good memories.
oldenglishrose's review against another edition
2.0
Song of Sorcery is a fantasy story about Maggie, a sensible, practical hearthwitch whose magic is used to light fires and cook meals. But when her beautiful, empty headed sister Amberwine runs away from her husband with a gypsy, she is forced to leave her comfortable home life to go and retrieve her errant sibling. Her travelling companions are Colin Songsmith, a minstrel who gets into trouble with Maggie’s grandmother by singing a popular song which has sprung up about Amberwine’s actions, and Ching, a talking cat.
Had I read this book ten or fifteen years ago, I’m sure I would have really enjoyed it as it has everything in it that little girls love: magic, unicorns, princesses, heroes, dragons, mermaids and talking animals. The problem is that I’m no longer a ten year old girl and, although this is theoretically a book for adults, it feels very juvenile. There are too many elements to the story given how short it is and they are all passed over too quickly without being particularly well developed so it feels rushed and bitty. Equally, the characters never progress beyond the caricatures needed to perform the actions of the story, which is a shame.
On the other hand, some aspects are expanded to the point of being ridiculous. Maggie’s domestic magical powers, for example, are used for everything from re-hydrating strips of dried venison in order to produce proper meals while camping to creating full length gowns out of her underwear. There are some little details which are entertaining and innovative. I particularly like their visit to Maggie’s aunt who lives in a gingerbread house and has to deal with all the terrible impracticalities that entails. It’s taking a typical fairytale trope and turning it on its head, which I love and I wish there were more of it.
This book fulfilled its purpose. It’s quite entertaining but entirely lacking in substance, which is what I wanted. I’ll probably continue with the other books in the series, but only before bed when my critical faculties are firmly switched off.
Had I read this book ten or fifteen years ago, I’m sure I would have really enjoyed it as it has everything in it that little girls love: magic, unicorns, princesses, heroes, dragons, mermaids and talking animals. The problem is that I’m no longer a ten year old girl and, although this is theoretically a book for adults, it feels very juvenile. There are too many elements to the story given how short it is and they are all passed over too quickly without being particularly well developed so it feels rushed and bitty. Equally, the characters never progress beyond the caricatures needed to perform the actions of the story, which is a shame.
On the other hand, some aspects are expanded to the point of being ridiculous. Maggie’s domestic magical powers, for example, are used for everything from re-hydrating strips of dried venison in order to produce proper meals while camping to creating full length gowns out of her underwear. There are some little details which are entertaining and innovative. I particularly like their visit to Maggie’s aunt who lives in a gingerbread house and has to deal with all the terrible impracticalities that entails. It’s taking a typical fairytale trope and turning it on its head, which I love and I wish there were more of it.
This book fulfilled its purpose. It’s quite entertaining but entirely lacking in substance, which is what I wanted. I’ll probably continue with the other books in the series, but only before bed when my critical faculties are firmly switched off.
jackievr's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
geofisch's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
jennykeery's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
wordnerdy's review against another edition
3.0
https://wordnerdy.blogspot.com/2020/05/2020-book-103.html
I’m still very much in the mood for gentle fantasy books, and this one obliged. It’s about a young woman, a hearthwitch, who finds out her sister has run away from her husband with another man*, and goes off to find her, accompanied by the minstrel who unwittingly brought the news. Magical adventures ensue, and there are awesome unicorns and dragons and CATS to be found. I really liked the world-building here, and the protagonist's magic is fun. My only problem with this book is where is * comes in; this book was published in 1982 and said man is a “Gypsy” and there is a lot about his family and their camp that doesn’t play well to modern readers (the words “flashing-eyed” are used, it’s honestly embarrassing). So I’ll downgrade this to an B+ due to 1980s racist stereotyping and slurs.
I’m still very much in the mood for gentle fantasy books, and this one obliged. It’s about a young woman, a hearthwitch, who finds out her sister has run away from her husband with another man*, and goes off to find her, accompanied by the minstrel who unwittingly brought the news. Magical adventures ensue, and there are awesome unicorns and dragons and CATS to be found. I really liked the world-building here, and the protagonist's magic is fun. My only problem with this book is where is * comes in; this book was published in 1982 and said man is a “Gypsy” and there is a lot about his family and their camp that doesn’t play well to modern readers (the words “flashing-eyed” are used, it’s honestly embarrassing). So I’ll downgrade this to an B+ due to 1980s racist stereotyping and slurs.
lauraellis's review against another edition
4.0
I've been reading in the fantasy genre for 28 years and during that time I've repeatedly run across EAS's books, looked at them,but never
read any of them. What I have been missing! This is a traditional type fantasy, slightly turned on its head. For one thing, one of our two heroes is a woman and that was rare in 1982, when this book was written. She is a hearth crafter witch, which I found lots of fun. And all the traditional fantasy elements are there -- unicorns, dragons, talking animals, gingerbread houses, wicked relatives. Charming and fun. I can't wait to read more.
3.5 stars.
read any of them. What I have been missing! This is a traditional type fantasy, slightly turned on its head. For one thing, one of our two heroes is a woman and that was rare in 1982, when this book was written. She is a hearth crafter witch, which I found lots of fun. And all the traditional fantasy elements are there -- unicorns, dragons, talking animals, gingerbread houses, wicked relatives. Charming and fun. I can't wait to read more.
3.5 stars.
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