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bsmorris's review against another edition
4.0
First published in 1970, this is a classic of young adult fiction, and groundbreaking because it's a female author and has a strong, female protagonist. It's also a really sweet story and an interesting vision of what happens when societies at different points in their development come into contact with one another. The characters are smart and sympathetic and the story line is well paced and suspenseful.
brittneyt603's review against another edition
5.0
A childhood favorite that I picked up again when I found it on my bookshelf over Christmas break. A great retelling of the Fairy Queen with a science fiction twist. Love the story, love the characters, and love the universe.
jameyanne's review against another edition
4.0
I liked this book a lot. I was particularly taken with the world and the concept of trying to stop the colonization of one planet by another civilization, with the limitations of not revealing come from a third civilization to either side. There was something about the voice that kept me at arm's length of this story though, and I found myself putting the book down for long stretches with not much of a desire to pick it back up. Still, it was a really interesting read, and I'm glad I read it.
rouge_red's review
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
This book really surprised me. I didn't expect it to be as layered as it was in terms of ethics and moral choices. I'd never heard of this book before I randomly found it while browsing on Libby, but it still feels like something that would appeal to people now. What I was particularly interested in from the beginning was the idea of mythmaking before our eyes. It only appears at first to that way from Georyn's p.o.v., but later on we see the magic being worked on Jarel too. But there's no real mystery in reality behind the scenes (except the actual telekinesis, of course) and I think it was great that Engdahl didn't make Elana and her people omnipotent. There are a lot of hiccups in their planning, real fear etc, which brings to the forefront that at the end of the day we're all still human. Sure there is a most "advanced" state, but the uncertainty, the moral quandries, etc that make us human is still present in Elana's people. I liked that there is that constant question as to what we'll do for our own benefit and progress- when do you go too far? Is it when you fail to regard those "beneath" you still as people? And how guilty are you when you dangle knowledge in front of someone who otherwise has no choice? What about the complicity in being involved in things you don't want any part of? I liked that all three parties will be affected by this encounter; in this case the effect is positive and pushes each character to want to do better.
sarahbringhurstfamilia's review against another edition
5.0
I was lucky enough to find a beautiful copy of this book at the library book store for $1. I remember it being one of my favorite books as a child, and it was out of print for a long time, so it's not easy to find.
I loved this book as a child because it was so full of interesting ideas--how cultural evolution progresses, the ethical and moral dilemmas that arise when civilizations at different stages of development collide, and the essential humanity that transcends culture. It's also told simultaneously from three different points of view, which is one of my favorite literary devices.
As well as being excellent thoughtful science fiction, this is a beautiful, nuanced retelling of The Faerie Queen. Reading it as an adult, I realize that it's not quite as sophisticated or brilliantly written as I thought it was when I was ten years old, but I still think it's a great book, and it's definitely one I'd love for Axa to read in a few years.
I loved this book as a child because it was so full of interesting ideas--how cultural evolution progresses, the ethical and moral dilemmas that arise when civilizations at different stages of development collide, and the essential humanity that transcends culture. It's also told simultaneously from three different points of view, which is one of my favorite literary devices.
As well as being excellent thoughtful science fiction, this is a beautiful, nuanced retelling of The Faerie Queen. Reading it as an adult, I realize that it's not quite as sophisticated or brilliantly written as I thought it was when I was ten years old, but I still think it's a great book, and it's definitely one I'd love for Axa to read in a few years.
idicalini's review
3.0
A very charming story - almost a fairytale. The storyline is simple in its execution, yet the way the characters speak has a very distinctive quality, both Elana's complex way of speaking and Georyn's 'simpler' way of thinking. The morals behind it - what is progress, what is humanity, what is civilization - reminded me a bit of Star Trek. Yet the story didn't really enthrall me, even though it is well written.
brooke_review's review against another edition
3.0
The clash of three very different civilizations is at the heart of Enchantress from the Stars, a science fiction novel that is just as much about magic, mystery, and space exploration as it is about what it means to be human. The trouble all begins when the Imperial Exploration Corp decides to take over yet another planet which they deem to be uncivilized. The citizens of this planet, the Andrecians, believe that their community has been overtaken by a “dragon” and its minions, and plan to defeat these invaders. Finally, the members of the Federation Anthropological Service arrive on the planet with a plan to save the Andrecians from destruction at the hands of the Imperials. Everyone’s well-laid plans are thwarted, however, as unexpected circumstances arise. What follows is an exciting adventure in a world where not everything is as it seems.
This masterful novel, told from three points of view, works so well for that exact reason – the reader, with an outside eye and ear, is clued in to the plans and secrets of all three civilizations and knows all that they do not know about each other, allowing for more than a mere observational read. The reader will feel like they are on an adventure with the characters as they experience all that is thrilling and captivating when three civilizations, all whom believe themselves to be supreme, find that the world is not what they thought it to be. This Newbery Award winner is recommended for more advanced readers due to its complex plot situations and is an essential purchase for all libraries.
This masterful novel, told from three points of view, works so well for that exact reason – the reader, with an outside eye and ear, is clued in to the plans and secrets of all three civilizations and knows all that they do not know about each other, allowing for more than a mere observational read. The reader will feel like they are on an adventure with the characters as they experience all that is thrilling and captivating when three civilizations, all whom believe themselves to be supreme, find that the world is not what they thought it to be. This Newbery Award winner is recommended for more advanced readers due to its complex plot situations and is an essential purchase for all libraries.