Synopses & Reviews
A compelling and inventive novel set in a world where science and magic are at odds, by Robin McKinley, the Newbery-winning author of
The Hero and the Crown and
The Blue Sword, as well as the classic titles
Beauty,
Chalice,
Spindles End, Pegasus and
Sunshine
Maggie knows somethings off about Val, her moms new husband. Val is from Oldworld, where they still use magic, and he wont have any tech in his office-shed behind the house. Butmore importantlywhat are the huge, horrible, jagged, jumpy shadows following him around? Magic is illegal in Newworld, which is all about science. The magic-carrying gene was disabled two generations ago, back when Maggies great-grandmother was a notable magician. But that was a long time ago.
Then Maggie meets Casimir, the most beautiful boy she has ever seen. Hes from Oldworld tooand hes heard of Maggies stepfather, and has a guess about Vals shadows. Maggie doesnt want to know . . . until earth-shattering events force her to depend on Val and his shadows. And perhaps on her own heritage.
In this dangerously unstable world, neither science nor magic has the necessary answers, but a truce between them is impossible. And although the two are supposed to be incompatible, Maggies discovering the world will need both to survive.
Review
“McKinleys characters and dialogue make this novel a joy: Maggie is a brash yet vulnerable protagonist, and her family, Val, and two possible boyfriends (both of whom may be magical) are well developed. . . . The culture of Newworld is a fascinating amalgam of the everyday and the strange. All in all, a delightful read.”
Review
“Maggies wry and witty conversational tone is an excellent vehicle for relating her fantastic yet logical adventures.”
Review
“A winning combination of fast action, romance, likable characters and inventive language makes this YA novel hard to put down.”
Review
“This fantasy focuses on the relationships among characters. . . . Exciting action, lovable characters, and witty dialogue.”
Review
“Intricate world building is matched with rich characterization; a bit moody, a bit flighty, and all teenager, Maggie makes a relatable protagonist, and her wisecracks and astute observations help readers gain ground in this eerily familiar but nonetheless complex world of old magic, new science, and breaks in reality.”
Review
“May just be one of her most brilliant books to date. Everything in the story meshes perfectly. The characters are compelling, well-defined people who become real.”
Synopsis
Because of a thousand-year-old alliance between humans and pegasi, Princess Sylviianel is ceremonially bound to Ebon, her own pegasus, on her twelfth birthday. The two species coexist peacefully, despite the language barriers separating them. Humans and pegasi both rely on specially trained Speaker magicians as the only means of real communication.
But it's different for Sylvi and Ebon. They can understand each other. They quickly grow close-so close that their bond becomes a threat to the status quo-and possibly to the future safety of their two nations.
New York Times bestselling author Robin McKinley weaves an unforgettable tale of unbreakable friendship, mythical creatures and courtly drama destined to become a classic.
Synopsis
A "New York Times"-bestselling author and Newbery Medalist ("The Hero and the Crown") delivers a gorgeously written fantasy about the friendship between a princess and her Pegasus.
Synopsis
A compelling and inventive novel set in a world where science and magic are at odds, by Robin McKinley, the Newbery-winning author of
The Hero and the Crown and
The Blue Sword, as well as the classic titles
Beauty,
Chalice,
Spindles End, Pegasus and
Sunshine
Maggie knows somethings off about Val, her moms new husband. Val is from Oldworld, where they still use magic, and he wont have any tech in his office-shed behind the house. Butmore importantlywhat are the huge, horrible, jagged, jumpy shadows following him around? Magic is illegal in Newworld, which is all about science. The magic-carrying gene was disabled two generations ago, back when Maggies great-grandmother was a notable magician. But that was a long time ago.
Then Maggie meets Casimir, the most beautiful boy she has ever seen. Hes from Oldworld tooand hes heard of Maggies stepfather, and has a guess about Vals shadows. Maggie doesnt want to know . . . until earth-shattering events force her to depend on Val and his shadows. And perhaps on her own heritage.
In this dangerously unstable world, neither science nor magic has the necessary answers, but a truce between them is impossible. And although the two are supposed to be incompatible, Maggies discovering the world will need both to survive.
About the Author
Robin McKinley (www.robinmckinley.com and robinmckinleysblog.com) has won various awards and citations for her writing, including the Newbery Medal for
The Hero and the Crown and a Newbery Honor for
The Blue Sword, both about the magical country of Damar. Her other books include
Chalice;
Dragonhaven; two novel-length retellings of the fairy tale Beauty and the Beast,
Beauty and
Rose Daughter;
Deerskin, which was inspired by the Perrault fairy tale Donkeyskin; a retelling of the Robin Hood legend,
The Outlaws of Sherwood;
Spindles End, a retelling of Sleeping Beauty; and two volumes of Tales of Elemental Spirits,
Fire and
Water (with Peter Dickinson). Her
Imaginary Lands won the World Fantasy Award for best anthology and her novel
Sunshine won the Mythopoeic Fantasy Award for Adult Literature.
Robin lives in England with her husband, the English writer Peter Dickinson, two hellhounds, a hellterror, an 1897 Steinway upright, and too many rosebushes.