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Editorial Reviews:

Product Description
As the newly appointed Chalice, Mirasol is the most important member of the Masters Circle. It is her duty to bind the Circle, the land and its people together with their new Master. But the new Master of Willowlands is a Priest of Fire, only drawn back into the human world by the sudden death of his brother. No one knows if it is even possible for him to live amongst his people. Mirasol wants the Master to have his chance, but her only training is as a beekeeper. How can she help settle their demesne during these troubled times and bind it to a Priest of Fire, the touch of whose hand can burn human flesh to the bone?

Robin McKinley weaves a captivating tale that reveals the healing power of duty and honor, love and honey.

Customer Reviews: Read 21 more reviews...

4 out of 5 stars

Classic McKinley November 22, 2008
After a few pages, I was sucked into this story. It's classic McKinley and reminded me a lot of The Blue Sword not only in tone and format, but the main character is named Mirasol, which called Harimad-sol of Blue Sword to mind.

As a classic McKinley story, however, it also has a few frustrating bits. The world McKinley has created is fascinating (like Blue Sword) and I want more of it. There is a lot of time spent on world building, frankly, and it can get a bit heavy.

Much of the book consists of Mirasol's ruminations on her new position as Chalice for the demesne of Willowlands. Like Harimad-sol of Blue Sword, she doubts her abilities and is constantly worrying whether she is doing a good enough job.

There's a touch of romance, just a touch. If you loved The Blue Sword, you'll probably love this book. If say Sunshine is your favourite McKinley, well, you might not love this one.

One note. The spellings are kept British rather than being Americanized. I liked this a lot.

4 out of 5 stars

McKinley Goes McKillip November 20, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful

Mirasol the beekeeper has unexpectedly become Chalice to a land in turmoil. Somehow she must hold her world together, and convince others to accept a Fire Priest as Master. McKinley creates for us an alternative medieval manor house, with Master and Circle tied to their demiese through magical earthlines.

This is a beautifully written almost poetical story, but if one is expecting the Robin McKinley of Spindle's End or The Blue Sword expect disappointment. The story moves gradually and repetitively. A skimmer will find this comforting, but the careful reader is left wondering if this book was sufficiently edited, or if the author was perhaps forced to expand from novella to novel length. There is little dialogue and a much of the McKinley wit we have all grown to expect and love is missing. Reading Chalice, it felt as though McKinley was getting in touch with her inner Patricia McKillip. Much is described, and most of it exquisitely and richly, but not very much actually happens. Please don't misconstrue, I adore McKillip, but it was a bit jarring to find her style coloring a McKinley novel.

However, one puts all expectations aside, Chalice provides a truly magical journey, leaving the reader satiated with imagery that lingers long after setting the book down. One's mind savors the flavor as one's mouth would the honey from Mirasol's chalice.

3 out of 5 stars

Lost on me November 17, 2008
1 out of 2 found this review helpful

This book is split into 4 parts. After reading the first 2 parts, my husband asked me what it was about. Even though I had read half of the book, I really couldn't tell him what it was about. I'm still having difficulty trying to summarize this book. It's almost like it's not really about anything. Here is what I do know....

Mirasol, a woods keeper and beekeeper, has suddenly been given the responsibility of "Chalice," which is to be the cup bearer, 2nd to the Master of the Land, and one who binds and holds her land together. Having never received and apprenticeship, she is fumbling through her new role. Mirasol and the new Master do what they can to heal the land that had been abused by the previous Master and Chalice. Now, the Overlord sees this as an opportunity to usurp control from the Master and put in his own appointed Master over this land. Mirasol and the Master must find a way to save their land.

McKinley has a few flaws that she regularly shows in her books, and were VERY noticable here.

1. She has the tendency to start a story in the middle and fill you in on the beginning in spurts when she feels like it. So, there are always "flashbacks" happening that sometimes make it difficult to remember if it's happening now or in the past. Sometimes this improves the story because it adds more drama and suspense. In this case, it's just simple things like when Mirasol was first told she would be the next Chalice or how the previous Master and Chalice died. It gets real annoying.
2. She tells this story smoothly and brilliantly and then abruptly saves the day with some random "magical act."
3. Throws you in a world with different language, titles, customs, but never really explains what they are. She just assumes you know. That can be fine, but when it takes you half the book to even understand what a Chalice is and does....that can be a problem.
4. Very little dialogue. Everything was mostly "she did this and that then this and went there and thought this." When there was dialogue, the story actually finally moved forward and got a glimpse of other characters.

I did enjoy the story, but I don't think I will reread it like my favorites.

3 out of 5 stars

Good read, but not her best November 17, 2008
1 out of 2 found this review helpful

I love Robin McKinley's writing, but this book fell short of my expectations...its just not long enough to explore all of the possibilities!!! I kept expecting details, but felt rushed through the book. Its worth the read, but not on par with ones like Deerskin or The Blue Sword.

4 out of 5 stars

A sparse, lucid and enjoyable fantasy November 9, 2008
As in many other books, McKinley creates a harassed, likable, duty-bound heroine; and uses the well-paced action to show glimpses of her world. It's a lightly sketched world, but the glimpses we get are rich and homey. The land is filled with trees, animals and well-meaning but apprehensive neighbors, with high politics and grand magic in the far--very far--background.

Mirasol the beekeeper is sympathetic and harassed, her quest to calm the magical land serves as a background for the understated growth of her friendship with the equally unready new Master. The magic is familiar but gets fresh treatment in McKinley's hands; and the author's language is clear, streamlined and often beautiful.

This book is a fast, enjoyable read. As with other McKinley books, those who expect detailed, thorough world-building will be disappointed. The world is rich, but only glimpsed through Mirasol's eyes, who is far too busy for expositionary lumps. It's not as gripping or intense as the author's best novels, but still more than worth the time to read.

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