Scan barcode
annastarlight's review
4.0
Holly Lisle's Curse of the Black Heron reminds me of what fantasy is lacking nowadays: short, snappy adventure tales.
Isbetta is a weaver's apprentice in a small village. Her father was the court bard, and her mother she doesn't remember, and a few days before completing her apprenticeship her parents' legacy catches up with her. Together with her best friend Girauld she tries to escape from the clutches of those that want to do them harm.
Can we just appreciate the wonderfully pulpy cover this book has for a second? Izzy Might Be the Greatest Bard in All the World - If She and the World Survive! And, the little gem on the back flap, Too Much Power + Too Little Training = CATASTROPHE (No Matter How Good the Intentions)
CATASTROPHE!!!
Curse of the Black Heron is a very straight-forward fantasy story. The bardic magic - casting spells by singing folky songs - was a nice touch. Izzy and Girauld trip through one predicament into the other. What surprised me was that the story took quite a gory turn about midway, raking up quite the body count. The impact of these casualties are lessened by the fact that there is very little room for the feelings and reactions of the main characters. Even though very bad things happen, the story doesn't stop to dwell on this. The action and the adventure is the main focus, and the character's reactions to them are only secondary.
While I loved this little fantasy romp, I agree with the other reviewers that the ending is rushed. If it had received a few more pages, it would have had more of an impact. Still, quite a nice book. Though it is related to a video game, one doesn't need to have any knowledge of the game to enjoy the book.
Isbetta is a weaver's apprentice in a small village. Her father was the court bard, and her mother she doesn't remember, and a few days before completing her apprenticeship her parents' legacy catches up with her. Together with her best friend Girauld she tries to escape from the clutches of those that want to do them harm.
Can we just appreciate the wonderfully pulpy cover this book has for a second? Izzy Might Be the Greatest Bard in All the World - If She and the World Survive! And, the little gem on the back flap, Too Much Power + Too Little Training = CATASTROPHE (No Matter How Good the Intentions)
CATASTROPHE!!!
Curse of the Black Heron is a very straight-forward fantasy story. The bardic magic - casting spells by singing folky songs - was a nice touch. Izzy and Girauld trip through one predicament into the other. What surprised me was that the story took quite a gory turn about midway, raking up quite the body count. The impact of these casualties are lessened by the fact that there is very little room for the feelings and reactions of the main characters. Even though very bad things happen, the story doesn't stop to dwell on this. The action and the adventure is the main focus, and the character's reactions to them are only secondary.
While I loved this little fantasy romp, I agree with the other reviewers that the ending is rushed. If it had received a few more pages, it would have had more of an impact. Still, quite a nice book. Though it is related to a video game, one doesn't need to have any knowledge of the game to enjoy the book.
More...