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Strands Of Starlight (1989)

Strands of Starlight (1989)

Book Info

Author
Series
Rating
3.9 of 5 Votes: 1
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ISBN
0451453166 (ISBN13: 9780451453167)
Language
English
Publisher
roc

About book Strands Of Starlight (1989)

When I was younger, I was very into Science Fiction and Fantasy novels. Also when I was younger, the one thing that I could always count on my mother to buy for me was a book. As a result, I have a shelf full of unread novels at home, so despite the fact that my tastes have shifted a bit, I still take a few of them back to New York with me every time I am home in the hopes that eventually I’ll make it through them all. I do still enjoy the genre, just not with the same forgiveness I had for it when I was younger. This particular novel is a sort of merger between historical fiction and fantasy. The book takes place in seventeenth century England, and features some real historical figures. However, the main character is firmly rooted in the fantasy tradition – she is Miriam, an 18 year old girl with healing power. The book opens with her escaping from a “witch trial”. During her escape, she comes across a man who is dying. After healing him, he repays her by raping her. So, in the first fifty pages, two fantasy conventions have been fulfilled: healing powers and rape. I will never understand why so many fantasy authors are obsessed with the rape, torture and beating of women. The rest of the story follows a fairly predicatable path of revenge and redemption. There is a forest, and a priest and some elves and plenty of magic and sword-fighting. I found most of the book to be exceptionally tedious, and I left it in my hotel room in Nairobi.

This is an awesome book. If you like fantasy that seems realistic (ie Tolkien) this is a wonderful book. The author obviously knows her history - the real stuff - and weaves it together with a wonderful story about Elves. There is true enlightenment in this book. It is filled with beautiful mental pictures and a truly creative plot. I read alot of fiction about the Fae because I am a Fairy Artist and I like to visit their world to keep me inspired. Gael has done a wonderful job of that. I can't imagine why anyone would give it less than 5 stars!

Do You like book Strands Of Starlight (1989)?

I first read Strands of Starlight more than 30 years ago and fell in love with it then read Maze of Moonlight, Shoud of Shadow and Strands of Sunlight. I have not been able to read Spyres of Spirit because my eyes have deteriorated. Between not being able to read the books anymore or the sheer difficulty replacing them if I could I’m denied the pleasure of the series. Been looking for them as ebooks for my iPad for years and still no luck. I can only hope they’ll be available on iTunes before I’m no longer able to read. I really miss reading them.
—Grant Kilbourne

Well when I first started this book, I didn't know if I really liked it. But it turned out to be great! Miriam is branded a witch by the Inquisition so she has to flee. She ends up getting raped by a man she heals who was so close to dying. She gets saved and taken in by the elves, then wants to get revenge on the man who violated her. The ending is really quite interesting, kind of unexpected but I am happy how it did. Great read although I probably wouldn't read it again.
—Chelsea

First book I've said since I've had the time and mind to read. And it was the perfect one to start with. Highly enlightening. The book takes you into the soul of a bitter battered protagonist, who is then raped and seeks revenge. You ascend by feeling completely justified by her anguish, your emotions shift from left to right as you change and grow with her and eventually meet her Fate. It truly shifted my perspective of the world. And for that, I am grateful. This book gives a gift in itself, to those who are into the fantasy genre.
—LondonFog

I first read Strands of Starlight a number of years ago, and found it to be a well written tale that mixes fantasy with the history of 14th century Europe and the horrors of the Inquisition. It follows the story of Miriam, a young woman who has an innate ability to heal, which is considered by the Inquisition to be a power bestowed by Satan. Miriam manages to escape from confinement in the city of Hypprux and makes her way to the village of St Brigid, where she discovers the existence of elves. The elves Varden and Terril help to heal her body and her soul and to move her along the path to a revenge she feels she must take in order to regain her life. Miriam has to decide if the revenge she plans will help or destroy the people of the village she comes to love. A wonderful and thought provoking tale.
—Penney Nile

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