Book Review: "Shadow Spinner" by Susan Fletcher

SPOIL-FREE SUMMARY

When young Marjan goes to the palace to help her auntie Chava set up shop, she tells a story to nearby children. Suddenly she is whisked away where she is inquired about the stories she knows. Marjan reveals a new story that could help save the queen's life. But she doesn't know the whole thing. Now living in the palace, she has to risk the wrath of the sultans mother and sneak out—all the find an old storyteller she originally heard the story from.

CAST OF CHARACTERS

Marjan is a teenage muslim girl. After her mother died, her stepfather no longer wanted her, so he hired her out to Jewish family. Because of her crippled leg she is used to being judged and believes she will never marry.

The khatun is the mother of the sultan. She has spies all over the harem and threatens Marjan, wanting to know if Shahrazad has a secret lover. It is eventually revealed that one of her sons was poisoned and killed. Because of this she is constantly trying to find fault with Shahrazad. She want's a wife for her son that she can control.

Shahrazad is the wife of the sultan. She has given him three sons and has continuously told him stories for as long as they have been married.

Dunyazad is Shahrazad younger sister. She would do anything for her sister. She is quite adventurous and bold, but also naive about life outside of the harem.

Zaynab works in the harem taking care of the pigeons. She becomes a friend of Marjan's and saves her from the khatun.

Soraya follows around the khatun. The khatun wants her to be queen.

Ayaz is a boy who helps lead Marjan to the storyteller.

PACING

The story is well paced. It goes back and forth after going to live in the palace. There are scenes within the harem which are not boring but rather eventful as Marjan makes an ally and an enemy. Then it switches to her journey outside the harem in her search for the storyteller.

MARJAN'S MOTHER-SPOILERS

Throughout the story we learn about Marjan's history. First that she was hired out to a Jewish family because her stepfather did not want her when her mother passed away. And then it's revealed that her crippled foot was not an accident.

Eventually we learn about how Marjan feels about her late mother and this applies to Shahrazad. A theme of forgiveness is implied near the climax.

NAIVE GIRLS

Marjan eventually realizes that both Shahrazad and her sister have lived in the harem for so long that they are naive about the real world. This puts her in a position of leadership where she gets to be the one who makes the decisions. Especially when Dunyazad comes with Marjan on one of her trips. This helps with her outer development.

THE RIGHT STORIES?

Marjan worries about the stories she collects, as there are selfish and immoral woman in them. She thinks that they will just make the Sultan more suspicious of woman. But Shahrazad points out that if she told stories that only painted woman in a good light, then he would sense she was trying to manipulate him. She wants to tell stories about all kinds of woman, good and bad.

I found it interesting because Marjan is correct about how stories can influence people. We often believe that they reflect reality and are not aware when we are being manipulated.

STUNNING REVELATIONS

There are two revelations in the story, one about Marjan's past and one about Shahrazad's feelings. Both end up challenging Marjan as she has to learn how to accept these truths. One causes her pain and the other confusion. Eventually she must decide how to live her life by her reactions to this events.

CHAPTER HEADINGS

At the top of each chapter is an extra paragraph, usually about storytelling but sometimes an extra insight into Marjan's life and character. There is a hint about her mother.

But I really liked the ones about storytelling. There is one where she mentions that there are private stories that you only tell yourself while another she says that people take different things from the same story.

SIDE CHARACTERS-SPOILERS

Soraya eventually develops and realizes the Khatun would trust no one, not even a puppet Queen. She eventually comes to Marjan's aid. I admired how even a side character developed.

Ayaz is the only male side character. He does play a use, helping Marjan and Dunyazad sneak back into the place. But I wish he had been more than that, and perhaps developed a friendship with Marjan (especially since she thinks no man would ever want to marry her).

It is hinted that the storyteller may have had feelings for Zaynab. But this doesn't really go anywhere and it's only hinted at near the end.

EVIL OR MENTALLY ILL?

One criticism I have for the story is the depiction of the sultan. He may have been betrayed by a woman in the past but his reaction isn't someone lashing out in pain. It's someone who is evil or mentally deranged.

If the story had been altered to be that the Sultan would never marry because he knew he could never trust anyone, and would execute anyone who deceived him...then Shahrazad would seem as very brave for wanting to marry him and taking on this challenge.

Or perhaps it could have been revealed that he was being manipulated by his mother and was just very weak-willed. He does stand up to her near the end, but their relationship isn't really examined before then.

Marjan never interacts with him until the climax (which makes sense, as she is servant of Shahrazad's not his). So she only gains information from Shahrazad.

THE STORYTELLER-SPOILERS

It turns out that the storyteller is more than meets the eye. When his identity was revealed I think it was supposed to be important. I understand it was to make his stories seem more relevant to the sultan (he originally snuck young woman out of the city so the Sultan could not marry and kill them). Also, Marjan says she thought he was blind, but he is not. I don't think this was ever explained.

CLIMAX-SPOILERS

Marjan is freed in secret and given money, but she ends up losing it when she is chased. She goes to live with someone she knows but realizes they are going to turn her out. With no money she decides to return to the palace. It sounds brave or maybe just foolish.

She still worries about Shahrazad I suppose, not just herself. I admire her boldness but when she tells the Sultan a story (which is just Shahrazad's story as well as his) I kept thinking, would he really let her go on and tell it? I kept thinking that he was nuts or evil and probably didn't want to be healed.

CONCLUSION

Fletcher creates a well paced story with likable characters and a heroine that develops throughout. Neither Marjan's inner story nor her outer story were neglected. She develops boldness, bravery and leadership while she searches for the lost storyteller and is abused by the Khatun. She also forgives a loved one for a past sin and heals, moving forward. My only criticism is the climax, which seemed a little farfetched to me. As well as the portrayal of the sultan. I give “Shadow Spinner” three and half stars.

Book Review: "Sign of the Dove" by Susan Fletcher

SPOIL-FREE SUMMARY

The sequel to “Dragon's Milk” follows Lyf, Kaeldra's younger sister. When Kaeldra saved her sister by giving her dragon's milk, she also gave her green eyes and the ability to communicate with birds. When the Queen's soldiers come and threaten Lyf's safety she must go stay with her big sister, her husband and their son. That is, until they get separated and Lyf finds some young draclings who need protecting.

CAST OF CHARACTERS

Lyf is only eleven years old, quite younger than the heroines of the other books. Subjectively speaking, I would have preferred it if she had been older. But objectively speaking, Fletcher does a good job developing her, just like she did to Kaeldra and Kara. From the beginning she has the desire to protect Owyn, which endears her to the reader, even if it becomes obvious she is much more selfish than her predecessors.

Spens is the son of a woman who helps rescue Kara and tend to her. He eventually leads her safely out of the swamp and spends the remainder of Lyf's journey with her. He is slightly shy but also brave.

Owyn is the red-haired son of Kaeldra and Jeorg. He is bold, persistent and stubborn. But he is also a loving and happy child. Lyf notes that he seems to have a special relationship with the draclings.

LOTS OF SIDE CHARACTERS

One thing to note is that besides Owyn, there are really no other main characters. There are plenty of side characters, like Jeorg, Kaeldra's husband. Nysian; Miryiam's husband; Alys the innkeeper and Yanil's wife. Not to mention Kymo the harpist and Yanil himself. Most characters act as guides for Lyf and don't stick around very long.

This perhaps is not very different from the previous book, where the girls mainly develop relationships with animals. Although Kaeldra had three draclings and Kara only had Skava the bird. It's quite a contrast to Lyf's thirteen draclings.

And while Kara had Corwyn, Rath and eventually Kazan as friends, Lyf has no real relationships.

THE DRACLINGS

There are thirteen draclings, which might hinder the closeness Lyf feels to them, as opposed to Kaeldra and her three draclings. But they prove to be amusing and charming, just as they have before. And they do help her grow.

An important part is when a dragon egg hatches and Lyf realizes it needs a dragon's milk to survive. Perhaps for the first time, getting the dracling to a mother becomes more important than reuniting with Kaeldra.

LYF'S DEVELOPMENT

Lyf starts out as as fearful and rather pampered, just wanting to return Owyn to to his mother. And even when the draclings enter the picture she just wants it all to be over. She doesn't care for them at first, eventually learning to love them against her will.

There are multiple moments of introspection. Once where she realizes she is expected to keep the draclings and head north with them. She only wants to be free of the burden, and instead be taken cared of. In her immaturity, she resents Kaeldra, knowing she is not brave like her older sister.

Another time, a character may have died to protect the draclings, and Lyf realizes she would not be risking her life for them if she had the choice.

Lastly, a conversation she has with Spens helps her realize she is changing. She says she admires how he is trying to help her when he doesn't have to, and he says she is doing the same thing for the draclings when she could give them up.

THE DEATH OF A SIDE CHARACTER

When one character vanishes, Lyf wonders if that character has drowned. Once again, she is on her own. This is rather important for her, as she is forced to grow and once again be the sole protector of both Owyn and the draclings.

But I didn't like that we actually don't witness the character's death. We could have easily seen her go under the water or be swept away. Instead it is merely mentioned near the end of the book. I understand she was just a side character, but I still felt it was a disservice not to see her moments before her death. Perhaps Fletcher felt it would have been too much for an already fragile Lyf to handle.

SIDE STORY

There is a side story that explains what happened to Kaeldra and Jeorg. It's important to the story but I just didn't care for the way it was done. It changes the story from happening in the present to suddenly being told by someone else. I just found it an awkward format. Perhaps Fletcher felt this way we would be reminded that Lyf was still the main character. But the interludes where almost never more than a page long, so it would be hard to forget that.

It presented a villain who betrays them, but he is never actually confronted. Since we learn he was the betrayer right off the bat, I expected Lyf to develop to the point where she would confront him. But he was pushed to the side, and instead it's the Queen's soldiers who are the real threat. But seeing how the book ended, I can see why the change was made. It's vaguely mentioned that he disappeared.

PACING

The pacing is decent. This is not an action packed story, as much of it involves Lyf traveling, hiding or running. So there are a few good chase scenes. There are more moments of suspense then direct action. One of the best scenes is one where Lyf has to sneak draclings out right under the enemies noses'.

FORESHADOWING

There is a small moment in the beginning where Owyn bangs on a metal cup. This later comes back in the climax. It was such a short moment, I wonder if it was on purpose.

Lyf kens with a bird at the beginning of the book (goes into it's mind and merges with it) then does so again more than halfway through the book. This comes back in the climax.

CLIMAX-VAGUE SPOILERS

Lyf intends to reunite with Kaeldra, tell her about the betrayer and be free from the draclings. But instead she ends up protecting the draclings and urging them to leave her. It's as if Lyf herself doesn't realize how much she has come to care for them until the end of the book. Her character development is complete, from selfish to selfless as she risks her life. I also appreciated she had one other character with her she had actually started to know, Spens.

EXPLICIT CONTENT-SPOILERS

Two of the draclings die, but we don't witness it. A side character dies, but we don't get to see this either.

CONCLUSION

Fletcher creates another original story with a likable heroine who develops from a scared, selfish child into a brave girl who sacrifices for others. With both bounty hunters and the Queen's soldiers on her tail, the story is well paced. Although I don't care for how the side story is presented, it's really a minor qualm. If the story is inferior to its predecessors, it's only slightly. I give “Sign of the Dove” four stars.

Book Review: "Flight of the Dragon Kyn" by Susan Fletcher

SPOIL-FREE SUMMARY

Before Kaeldra there was the girl of legend, the green-eyed Kara. After she was abandoned in a cave as a baby, thought dead, she was revived. And now she has the ability to call birds. When the king's men arrive, Kara is forced to leave for an unknown task. While at the castle Kara is given a white falcon named Skava, and learns how to communicate better with birds with the help of a man named Corwyn. But then she is summoned and is tasked to call the dragons so they can be slayed.

OUR CAST OF CHARACTERS

Kara is rebellious, calling down birds when she goes of alone to not bother others. She is much more bold and assertive than Kaeldra was. She adores birds and quickly bonds with Skava. Originally, she wants to go home, then she daydreams of being a hero. However, when she makes a horrible mistake, her convictions lead her to risk her own life.

Kazan is a trader of birds and a traveler who can build ships. Kara believes he would use her gift to his advantage to make money. Because of this, their relationship is stalled throughout the first half of the book. Although he spends time with Corwyn and his daughter, as well as her in the mew. He tries various times to befriend her but Kara doesn't want to like him.

Corwyn is rather strict and intimidating at first but eventually reveals a softer side. He adores his only daughter, Myrra and teaches Kara how he trains the falcons.

King Orrik is stubborn and fierce. He and his younger brother, Prince Rog, do not seem to get along.

Prince Rog is the one who comes to get Kara. He doesn't treat her with respect, and upon arriving he openly shows his disbelief at her abilities. He often argues with his sister, Gudjen and his older brother, the king.

Gudjen is the King's sister. She is bold and dramatic, and sometimes manipulative. But it is she who allows Kara to spend her time with the falcon. She often comes to Kara's defense.

PACING

There is only one chapter before Kara has to leave home. She spends the first portion of the book merely in the king's home and that time is slower. Similar to the first book, it's after chapter ten that the story picks up and the suspense and action increases. After a short portion of slower pacing, we get back to speed with the beginning of the climax.

STRUCTURE

Similar to the first book in this series, the first portion of the book is used to introduce Kara's character as well as to makes friends with Corwyn, Rath, Myrrah and Skava. These relationships are created and key to later in the book. The second portion goes from suspense to action and back to suspense. Kara comes to a realization that changes everything. She attempts to change her fate but gets herself in more trouble. After some time she has to return to where she started, at the king's castle. From there the climax starts.

FORESHADOWING

Gudjen takes Kara to the bath house and uses steam to foretell of dragons and a mountain, similar to the way Granmyrr used clay. Kara see's the mountains and the dragons later, but notes this doesn't seem like her vision. She sees a second vision, that references back to the first book.

Also, Kara learns that she can not only make birds come, but direct them to go. This is important much later in the book.

FLASHBACKS

In Chapter four, Kara explains the story about her and tells a story of when she first learned others could not call birds. It's a short story that gives us insight into her character and doesn't distract us from the present.

EXPLICIT CONTENT

Prince Rog gets in an argument with his brother where he says he would already have Signy and be bedding her every night.

CONCLUSION

Kara is likable because of her boldness to stand up to a bully like Rog, as well as her convictions after she realizes she makes a terrible mistake. The story is well paced and original. I give “Flight of the Dragon Kyn” four stars.

What do you think? Did you read this book? Agree or disagree with me on any points? Please let me know!

Book Review: "Dragon's Milk" by Susan Fletcher

SPOIL-FREE SUMMARY

When Kaeldra's little sister gets ill with the vermillion fever she is sent to find the only cure—dragon's milk. When she finds the dragon, she barters for the milk by promising to watch the dragon's babies for her. She does this every month for a long period of time until her sister is completely cured. But trouble brews when Jeorg arrives, a dragon slayer. Eventually Kaeldra has to take the dragons and run. But she is hunted and doesn't know who she can trust.

OUR CAST OF CHARACTERS

Kaeldra is the adopted daugter of Ryfenn. She thinks if she were blood, than maybe her stepmother would love her. Kaeldra is not like others of her race, having curly blonde hair, while other have straight black hair. She is also tall and gangly, taller then even many men. She is not bold, but rather shy and self-conscious. Although terrified, she still goes to find the dragon milk for Lyf. Granmyrr has to encourage her when she is too afraid to protect the draclings.

Jeorg is the young man part of a dragon slayer council. He is friendly and charming and is quickly endeared to the younger sisters. Kaeldra runs into him on her travels but doesn't think she can trust him.

Synge, Pyro, and Embyr are the dragons that Kaeldra grows close to. Their characteristics are similar to cats the way they curls up and lay on her and thrum, like purring. Also they are like dogs the way they are so enthusiastic and playful. They are protective of Kaeldra and would kill to keep her safe. They can communicate telepathically with her and she with them.

Fiora is the mother of the draclings. She has no love for humans, and threatens to find and kill Kaeldra if she does not keep her word and watch the draclings. She is blunt, harsh and skeptical of Kaeldra, often laughing at her.

Granmyr is much more like a mother to Kaeldra than her stepmother. She has the ability to work small magic and see where dragons are through the use of clay.

PACING

The pacing is decent although it's not until chapter three that Kaeldra learns that her sister is ill. Only after that does she go to find the dragon. The pacing is slower in the first ten chapters of the book. But Fletcher uses the time before to establish not just the problem but frame us a solution. She also clearly shows us who our main character is. And she gives us seven chapters for Kaeldra, as well as the reader to learn about and bond with the draclings. She also creates suspense and tension with Jeorg and Kaeldra. From there the story's structure goes more from action to suspense and back again.

When Kaeldra has to flee the story really takes off. When she isn't all out running from someone she is often hiding, or wondering who she can trust. The book balances action with suspense well.

STRUCTURE

There are 26 chapters in the book, and the first part of the story we introduce our main character, her first problem, and how to solve it. After she solves it she gets another problem, and has to flee.

The middle portion is mostly Kara on the run. It ends with her being taken away from her goal but eventually succeeding. From there the climax starts.

I think the story is balanced well. The beginning portion is long enough to get to know our main characters but short enough not to impede on the action of the plot.

FORESHADOWING

Kaeldra hears a scream at night that wakes her, but only her and Granmyrr notice it. This gives hints that Kaeldra has gifts we don't yet know of. Granmyrr has the ability to use clay to show hints of the future. She shows Kaeldra dragon eggs hatching. Jeorg reveals important information about the dragons that comes into play at the climax.

AN ATTACK -SPOILERS

There is a scene where Kaeldra senses that wolves are attacking the draclings. She goes to protect them and does so by throwing rocks at them. I don't think rocks would deter wolves. Fletcher vaguely references many large birds attacking the wolves and bothering them. So I gather that's what really put them off, but this isn't mentioned until they back off. I know if I threw a rock and hit even a half-grown wolf, it would probably just pull my throat out. This is just one small scene but I took note of it after rereading the story.

THE CLIMAX

My only criticism is near the climax, it's quite obvious that something is wrong and that Kaeldra is being deceived about something. And she seems to know it, but she naively ignores these suspicions. I was screaming the whole time, you know this isn't right! I think she should have matured enough to go with her gut. It was important that this bad event happened, but I thought there might have been a better way. Maybe tricking the reader somehow to believe it.

EXPLICIT CONTENT

Kaeldra meets a man who own an apothecary, he admits that he has cheated on his wife and has a few kids on the side.

CONCLUSION

Fletcher creates a fast paced story that's original and has a likable main character. I give “Dragon's Milk” four stars.

What do you think? Did you read this book? Agree or disagree with me on any points? Please let me know!