A bit difficult to get into compared with other books of Paticia's that I've read. I felt that there where to many point of views so it was difficult to really connect with the characters. Plus I don't think the setting or the plot was really my thing. ( )

Lots and *lots* of fun. ( )

This was a lovely book, something akin to the work of a master confectionist at the height of her powers. An unapologetic celebration of fantasy and beauty, without so much as a single swordfight, I found it engrossing and entirely enjoyable. Must read more of her work. ( )

A novel set in two different times, as two different bards try to find the magic behind bardic music. A really fantastic novel. I enjoyed the setting, the characters and the plot, though the real strength of this book is the writing. It is entertaining, engrossing and amusing. ( )

As with all of McKillip's books, it was beautifully written and an unusual tale, in this case about a vaguely steampunk fantasy world and a princess archaeologist, her dilettante bard boyfriend, and an oddly threatening stranger.

However, I have a big bone to pick about this odd stranger. We read the whole book with him being presented as threatening, dangerous, unknown, and at the end of the book not only do we still not know who he is, but apparently he's not actually a bad guy, and they all play their harps together and he goes home--or wherever. To say that the ending is disappointing is a huge understatement. ( )