This book caught my interest, despite the author's uneven and at times weak writing skills.  Kerr has created a wonderful celtic world and culture in Deverrey, with strong if unfully realized characters, and certainly has  a story to tell.  I simply wish she had taken more time to flesh out her  plot and characters.  Also, the transitions between time periods that occur  are more often awkward than smoothly segued.  Nonetheless, there is enough  here that is original and captivating that I will continue on with the  second book of the series.  Furthermore, the author appeared to be reaching  her stride by the second half of the work, offering hope that the sketchy  storyline and sparse detail that detracts at the start will resolve itself  into fuller expression as the tale continues.  It's definately worth a  read, and I suspect will improve with the telling.
Finally, I must say  that many of the reviews I find herein, both for this work as well as  others, seem to ignore any proportioned approach or critical evaluation,  burdened by an emotional bias that refutes credibility. It beggars belief  that every book written deserves either 5 stars or an opposing trashing.  It would be nice to see a bit more balance in these reviews, as well as  evidence of thoughtful and comparative approach.
This book caught my interest, despite the author's uneven and at times weak writing skills. Kerr has created a wonderful celtic world and culture in Deverrey, with strong if unfully realized characters, and certainly has  a story to tell. I simply wish she had taken more time to flesh out her  plot and characters. Also, the transitions between time periods that occur  are more often awkward than smoothly segued. Nonetheless, there is enough  here that is original and captivating that I will continue on with the  second book of the series. Furthermore, the author appeared to be reaching  her stride by the second half of the work, offering hope that the sketchy  storyline and sparse detail that detracts at the start will resolve itself  into fuller expression as the tale continues. It's definately worth a  read, and I suspect will improve with the telling. Finally, I must say  that many of the reviews I find herein, both for this work as well as  others, seem to ignore any proportioned approach or critical evaluation,  burdened by an emotional bias that refutes credibility. It beggars belief  that every book written deserves either 5 stars or an opposing trashing. It would be nice to see a bit more balance in these reviews, as well as  evidence of thoughtful and comparative approach.