The Changeling
A tender, bittersweet story of two childhood outsiders whose friendship makes the world a brighter place. Despite its YA audience and lack of fantasy, The Changeling offers adults a surprisingly powerful dose of nostalgia for the friendships that shaped them.
Mindbond
Kor and Dannoc spend an exhausting amount of time discussing their magical bond, their feelings, and their feelings about each other's feelings. The plot barely registers, but the increasingly suggestive love triangle kept me reading for entirely undignified reasons.
The Witchstone
Three villains pursue a magical stone, and an intriguing exploration of damaged people gives way to a disappointing quest and an unconvincing redemption. Wonderful beginnings, frustrating execution, and yet another case of Bad Back Copy.
The Gate of Ivory
A pragmatic young woman stranded on a magical planet finds friendship, intrigue, and a wonderfully unconventional family. Clever, funny, deeply human, and an absolute delight from beginning to end.
The Seventh Gate
The breathtaking conclusion to Seven Citadels left me sobbing at one in the morning. A remarkable story of complicated friendships, physical beauty, and the painful, wonderful realities of being human.
Children of the Wind
The second Seven Citadels adventure deepens its wonderfully human characters, explores faith and philosophy without preaching, and introduces an argumentative companion and a delightful cat.
The Wizard's Shadow
The Wizard’s Shadow is, both at its best and at its core, a story about a fantastical, medieval odd-couple. Except they have to share a lot more than living quarters.