Customer Reviews (5)

Good, but pales in comparison to Sorcerer's Son...
I have to say: I absolutely loved the Sorcerer's Son (the book that this is the sequel to), and I thought that this book started out good as a sequel and as a normal book. However, although the book had many twists and surprises I thought that the overall experience was duller than the first book, and there are some errors that do not fit with the first book.

It seems that although Eisenstein has in some areas expanded the sequel from its origin, in other areas she has shrunk it back, at the expense of the book; for instance (no spoilers except if you haven't read Sorcerer's Son yet, and even then it's a minor one), we are now told that Cray's mother is the only sorceress/sorceror who is not evil and doesn't recruit demons in the whole world, wiping out a lot of possibilities for other characters and contradicting in a way with the first book.

I also thought that too big a chunk of the book was spent inside the crystal palace with somewhat repetitive talk going on between Cray and Aliza. I have nothing wrong with character development, but I would have preffered that Eisenstein had drawn out a story in which the character development could happen "on the move" as it did in the first book.

Another splotch for me was the badly chosen "evil" in the book.(possible spoiler) Having wiped out other possibilities by saying that Cray's mother was the only one who practiced magic besides recruiting demons, we get barely a sense of real danger from the evil sorcerer in this book since we see that he's not even as strong as the one in Sorcerer's Son. It seemed like Eisenstein kept on trying to add on special evil powers to him all through her book to cover what she realised was a rather weak archfiend.

However, I can't deny that I still love Eisenstein's writing more than most other authors'.

So I give this book a "4". In comparison with Sorcerer's Son, however, I would give it a "2.8"

SPECTACULAR!
This book has great memorable characters that you can identify with as well as think of them as your own friends.A fantastic sequel to the book,Sorceror's Son.Kudos to Phllis Einstein for her effort.A third book would very welcome.

A fitting sequel to the Sorceror's Son.
This book was, I think, one of the best fantasy books that I have ever read. In the previous book, Cray finds that hehas inhereted a powerful legacy not only from his sorceress mother but also from his similarlyempowered father. The Crystal Palace shows within its pages how Cray'sknowledge - not his enthusiasm - of sorcery increases.To fill this voidwithin himself Cray must look beyond his life and his world. Eisenstein isa mistress of her art and this book serves to exemplify her skill.

LOVED IT!!
Here is a brief synopsis.This is the 2nd book after The Sorcerer's Son.It follows Cray Ormoru's latest quest on saving the woman he loves from her Grandfather.

Romantic literary fantasy
I haven't yet fallen out of lovefor this book.The story is filled with longing desires, an emotionallyintrinsic brand of sorcery, and villainous jealousy.That there wereends to the depths of her story haveleft me checking the ailes of bookstores for many years.(Where did I put my copy?) ... Read more

Customer Reviews (13)

I adore this book.
I gave it away 'cause I gave away most of my books, from the teenage years. I can't get this one out of my head, though. I loved how simple and vibrant it was. I almost felt like I was in there; seeing and feeling like the characters. I'm an idiot and so I'll buy this one again.

I'm surprised they haven't made this into a film. Wow, I'd love to play the sorceress. I can see myelf there. ;)

3.5 stars: Hell hath no fury like a sorcerer scorned
After the sorceress Delivev Ormoru rejects his marriage proposal, sorcerer Smada Rezhyk becomes worried that she's out to get him. In order to reduce her powers so that he'll have time to weave himself a protective gold shirt, Rezhyk sends his demon slave Gildrum to impregnate Delivev with Rezhyk's own seed. Gildrum takes on the form of a handsome young knight (Mellor) and shows up injured at Delivev's doorstep. As expected, Delivev falls in love with Mellor, but unexpectedly, Gildrum (who doesn't even have a heart) falls in love with her, too. However, Gildrum must return to serve Rezhyk. He doesn't tell Delivev that he's really a demon -- he lies and tells her that he'll come back after he delivers a message.

Sure enough, Delivev becomes pregnant and gives birth to Cray. And, of course, Mellor never returns. When Cray becomes a teenager, he decides to find out what happened to the father whom his mother still loves. This leads to a series of adventures which create more questions than answers.

Phyllis Eisenstein's Sorcerer's Son is a pleasant coming-of-age novel. The writing, for the most part, is lovely -- it flows well and is not overdone or pretentious. The dialogue, however, (and there is more of it than their needs to be) is sometimes stilted and unrealistic.

The plot of Sorcerer's Son is original and interesting -- especially the parts in which Delivev or Rezhyk appear. Delivev has control over nature -- particularly snakes, spiders, and ivy. Rezhyk summons and enslaves various types of demons who live in a complex world and follow strict rules about summoning. These parts are very creative and entertaining and I found that I have developed a respect for Phyllis Eisenstein's imagination.

Unfortunately, I just could not believe in Cray, the hero of the story. He was too nice, good at everything he tried, rarely complaining, and too mature, noble, and philosophical for a teenager. Except for the very rare occasions when he lost his temper, he was boring. I'm not into angsty teenage brooding, but Cray could have used a couple more personality dimensions.

The ending of Sorcerer's Son was a little too sweet for me, but if you like that sort of story, then this is a good read.

FROM BACK COVER
Gildrum came to Castle Spinweb as a wounded knight, to be succored by the Lady Delivev, a sorcerer with control over all magic related to spinning or weaving.Then, after a brief idyll of love, he vanished, leaving behind

A WOMAN WAILING FOR A DEMON LOVER

But neither she nor Cray, the son she bore, could know that Gildrum was a demon, enslaved by the evil sorcerer Rezhyk.Nor could Gildrum return to the woman he had come to love.He could only watch helplessly as Cray set out to find the knight who never was, guarded from peril by the webs of ensorcelled spiders.

Frustrated at every step, Cray turned at last to grimmer sorcery for his answers.And thus he came under the control of his mother's archenemy - the Demon-Master Rezhyk

Great Book
This was a fantastic read.From the cover and the description, it seemed very typical and straight forward.But don't be fooled, this novel is filled with characters with many facets, and lots of twists and turns to keep you guessing.Eisenstein is not a very prolific writer, but if you enjoy this one, pick up In the Red Lord's Reach, The Crystal Palace and Born to Exile.All are fine reads.

Exquisite Fairy Tale
As a jaded fantasy reader, I immediately recognized the character types I'd seen in a hundred other fantasy novels.What Eisenstein did is take characters that could easily have been cliches and made them live.These people seem real and human, and the story -- the wonderful, absorbing, unique story is so well told I couldn't put the book down.Some scenes were classic fantasy novel moments but they were so well done they seemed fresh, like I was reading the book the others had been imitating.The plot itself was original and satisfying; it kept me guessing/hoping/wondering without relying on illogical, artificial twists, and I can't remember the last time a fantasy novel achieved that. ... Read more

Product Description
The Book of Elementals Vol. 1 and 2 is an omnibus reprint edition of two classic fantasies by Phyllis Eisenstien:In Sorcerer's Son, Cray Ormoru, born in magic and raised with sorcery, dwelt in a world of happiness within the walls of Castle Spinweb. His mother, Delivev the sorceress, provided everything he needed or desired. Still Cray yearned for something more. And as he grew from boy to young man, Cray sensed that the time had come to undertake the quest to find the father he had never known, the young knight who had pledged eternal love to Delivev and then never returned from a final mission for his own lord. And so Cray set out on the journey which would take him from town to castle to a fortress of bronze, totally unprepared for the sorrows and dangers that lay ahead. For the fate of Cray's father would only be discovered by the light of demon fire... In The Crystal Palace, Cray and his friend Feldar Sepwin, a seer, craft a mirror of silver, wood and spider web, enchanted to show the viewer his or her heart's desire. Yet for Cray the mirror showed nothing for years. Then one day he was drawn to it to see the image of a young girl. But who she was and where she dwelled remained mysteries. In time, as the girl grew into a beautiful woman, Cray discovered her home with the help of demons of Fire, Air and Ice-a magnificent palace in the realm of Ice. Cray discovered that she was Aliza, a sorceress dedicated solely to the study of her craft. And Cray realized that his quest had just begun-for Aliza was as much prisoner as mistress of her Crystal Palace, and even Cray might not master the power to break the spell and set her free... ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Well I actually bought a book from a Columbia Professor
Good all around, I don't like fantasy much, but this book is worth the read.Give it a shot, especially if you are into fantasy ... Read more

Product Description
The solitary wanderings of a minstrel with preternatural powers lead him to many adventures before he is ultimately restored to his supernatural antecedents, the Lords of All Power. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (7)

Born to Exile
Once you grasp the 243 pages of "Born to Exile", you'll probably guess that Phyllis Eisenstein has a different writing philosophy than the authors of today's doorstoppers.Minimalism was her thing.She made every word count.She kept descriptions short.Characters rarely speak more than two or three sentences at a time.Action flies by at a lightning pace.She's trimmed the fat; you won't find any excess words, and thus you won't get bored.

The protagonist is Alaric, a traveling bard, and boy can he travel.Alaric can magically transport between any two points at any time, a useful skill if you're carrying on a covert love affair with a princess or rescuing a witch trapped in a well.His talent isn't without attached danger, however, as the populace fears magical power and even the royals are highly superstitious.

The plot sends Alaric from place to place, encountering differentcharacters and locations in different episodes.Some might even say that "Born to Exile" is more a story collection than a novel.Diverse as they may be, the tales are all held together by the common theme of exile.Wherever he goes, Alaric fails to fit in, and his story becomes a reflection on what it means to be an outcast.Short as it is, this book doesn't carry very much intensity, but it will take you on a pleasant flashback to the days when fantasy was supposed to be thought-provoking and clever as well as fantastic.

Great Job
This is just a nice strong light hearted read.I recomend to all

My Favorite
I originally read this book Freshman year in high school and lost my copy, I've been looking for it since. Born to Exile is easily my favorite fantasy book, and I stongly recommend reading it. Now, where can I find the sequel?

Born to Exile
Excellent book.The magic was very good and believable, and the power of teleportation was a new idea instead of the usual point and shoot my lighning, etc, kind of magic.I noticed a lot of writers want the name ofthe sequel.The sequel is, "In The Red Lord's Reach" by the sameauthor and that too was an excellent book although not as good as the firstin my opinion.Any fans of magic, castles, and that plain medieval feelwill love this book.

Born to Exile
Born to Exile was a really good book but i wish it had a sequel.It ended rather abruptly.The story was good though. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Trapped in a Parallel World
Celia, a Midwest graduate student who tutors Spanish, has a new boyfriend, Larry- who came to her for language lessons and has now become her lover. Larry has found the gate to a parallel Earth. On this Earth, however, the Spanish Armada was not defeated by the British Navy, the Protestant Church never gained a foothold, the steam engine (nor any technological advance since then) was never invented, and North America is a Spanish-speaking wilderness. Enslavement of any commoner without a protector abounds in this parallel America.
And Celia finds herself trapped there... ... Read more

Product Description
Outlines using pantothenic acid in a successful struggle inflammatory arthritis. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Pantothenic Acid works!
In her book Phyllis Eisenstein says she first read about pantothenic acid in Adelle Davis's book "Let's Get Well." I read Adelle Davis's book over 10 years ago and tried the pantothenic acid (500 mg. twice a day) with food and it absolutely works for me. It took about a month for me, but the pain and swelling in my hands miraculously subsided. I've realized that I'll have to take this the rest of my life because when I quit taking it the pain, swelling and burning of my hands and joints returns.

Excellent Book
This is an excellent book for anyone who is suffering from arthritis. Ipersonally know from relatives who suffer from arthritis that thealternative treatments in this book actually work! And I am not a fan ofalternative medicine. ... Read more

Product Description
From time-viewing to teleportation, from secret worlds to dream worlds, from the medieval to the modern, these stories explore the yearnings of the human heart. In these pages you will meet Edward, Jane, and Stephen, whose dreams are more real than their realities. You will journey with Alaric to the fortress in the Lake of Death, walk the seashore with Lydia in search of the great dark bird, and follow the blind man under the subway with Donnie and his father. You will pursue revenge with Tayis and heart's desire with the sleeping beauty's one true love. (20021201) ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

twilight Zone twist to this collection
Seven of the nine stories that make up this speculative fiction anthology were written between the mid-seventies and early eighties, insuring difficulty in finding them.The other two were furnished within the last six years.Each tale is dark as Phyllis Eisenstein shines a light on the innermost secret dreams of her varying protagonists.As the author explains in her introduction her contributions can be classified as fantasy or science fiction as she seems to have a leg in both genres.All the tales are top notch and fans of short fiction in a twilight Zone twist kind of way in which nothing is as it first seems will want to read NIGHT LIVES.

Harriet Klausner ... Read more

Product Description
Word count: 1043. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

History, or not?Fantasy, or not?
Alaric, the minstrel, travels from place to place playing his lute for both rich and poor in exchange for a meal and shelter.Between places he hunts wildlife for his meals.Alaric has a fancy to see the Great Northern Sea and so has headed in that direction traveling over mountains as the climate becomes colder and harsher.Then he stumbles upon a fertile valley where there is a small cluster of farms and a castle.He learns that this is the abode of the Red Lord, a strangely taciturn figure who rules over an equally mysterious people.Alaric is at first welcomed and treated well by the Red Lord.Soon, however, Alaric becomes aware of strange goings on in the castle and his welcome wears thin.

This is a fantasy story set in a world similar to our own, but not identical.Most travelers in the north of Europe, for example, would have great difficulty in understanding the many different languages and dialects that they encountered.The story has a medieval feeling, but any historian would tell you that this is more literary invention than real history.Castles, for example, were more the exception than the rule.Like any fantasy story there is magic, but on this point Eisenstein has taken an unusual tack.There are, for example, natural born psychic powers that could be described as 'magic', herbalism and other proto-sciences that seem like 'magic' to the uneducated mind, and ritualistic mumbo jumbo that impresses the gullible.Alaric takes a surprisingly modern view of magic, viewing most of it with considerable skepticism, until the facts seem to prove otherwise.

Most of all this is a book about the aching need to find a place to belong.For this reason it will especially appeal to teenagers, but I think we all can sympathize to some degree.We never totally loose our sense of being individuals, and thus different and cut off from others.Like the Romantics (Rousseau), Alaric wonders whether the answer to his loneliness lies in a reversion to primitivism.Will he find acceptance among the herdsmen of the North?

If I have one criticism it is that the title implies that the Red Lord will be very prominent in the tale, but in fact this is not totally true.I spent much of my time wondering: "When will we get back to the Red Lord?"The text does eventually get there, but only after a long and winding mid-section.

This book is the sequel to Born to Exile, which has similar themes, but this book takes the discussion deeper and is different enough not to be a complete repeat.The story does not refer greatly to the first novel and could be enjoyed quite happily without reading the first book.
... Read more

Product Description
Ace mass market paperback, 1977. Fifth annual collection of science fiction/fantasy short stories by various authors. ... Read more