Book Review
Riddle-Master
by Patricia A. McKillip
This is the omnibus edition of the Riddle-Master trilogy: The Riddle-Master of Hed, Heir of Sea and Fire, and Harpist in the Wind. These books tell a story that on the surface might seem kind of cliched: Morgon, Prince of Hed, after recovering an old artifact in a riddle contest, finds himself pursuing a mysterious destiny. Morgon travels across a realm where long-vanished magic and ancient forces are re-emerging, and along the way he discovers many hidden things about the land and himself. At the same time, Morgon's lover and promised bride Raederle undertakes a similar journey as she attempts to help Morgon and to find her own answers.
McKilip's writing is beautiful, and she executes the narrative with a lot of subtlety, finesse, and elegance. She's not afraid to let the reader figure things out, or to imbue scenes and interactions with great emotional weight. Her world-building is excellent, and is well-served by her ability to pace the way she explores and reveals it for the reader. It's all very like gazing at a very rich tapestry.
by Patricia A. McKillip
This is the omnibus edition of the Riddle-Master trilogy: The Riddle-Master of Hed, Heir of Sea and Fire, and Harpist in the Wind. These books tell a story that on the surface might seem kind of cliched: Morgon, Prince of Hed, after recovering an old artifact in a riddle contest, finds himself pursuing a mysterious destiny. Morgon travels across a realm where long-vanished magic and ancient forces are re-emerging, and along the way he discovers many hidden things about the land and himself. At the same time, Morgon's lover and promised bride Raederle undertakes a similar journey as she attempts to help Morgon and to find her own answers.
McKilip's writing is beautiful, and she executes the narrative with a lot of subtlety, finesse, and elegance. She's not afraid to let the reader figure things out, or to imbue scenes and interactions with great emotional weight. Her world-building is excellent, and is well-served by her ability to pace the way she explores and reveals it for the reader. It's all very like gazing at a very rich tapestry.