Status
Available
Call number
Genres
Publication
Ace Trade (1999), Edition: Ace One-vol ed, Paperback, 592 pages
Description
Fantasy. Fiction. Historical Fiction. HTML:For over twenty years, World Fantasy Award winner Patricia A. McKillip has captured the hearts and imaginations of thousands of readers. Now at last her renowned Riddle-Master trilogy�??The Riddle-Master of Hed, Heir of Sea and Fire, and Harpist in the Wind�??long out of print, is collected in one volume. It is considered her most enduring and beloved work. Now it is collected in one volume for the first time�??the epic journeys of a young prince in a strange land, where wizards have long since vanished...but where magic is waiting to b
User reviews
LibraryThing member bragan
This omnibus volume contains all three books of the Riddle-Master trilogy: The Riddle-Master of Hed, Heir of Sea and Fire, and Harpist in the Wind. Which is nice, because this is definitely one story in three parts, rather than three related but self-contained stories.
Back in my youth, when I was
What I can say, at least, is that this is definitely a cut or three above your usual Tolkien rip-off. For one thing, the writing is better. And while there are a lot of familiar fantasy elements -- wizards and ancient powers, a young man with a Destiny, a struggle involving the fate of an entire realm -- what McKillip does with those elements feels rather different from the usual. There's very little swordplay, for instance, and the grand battles, such as they are, mostly happen off-screen, while the narrative concentrates more on the personal level. I also quite liked the way the second book puts the focus squarely on the female characters, who are neither damsels in distress nor improbable warriors in chain mail bikinis.
Which isn't to say that it's a flawless book, even putting aside any criticisms attributable to my unfortunate mental state while reading it. The pacing, I think, is a little odd. And my stress levels, sadly, are in no way accountable for McKillip's horrible incapacity with names. (Calling a country "Hed," I'm afraid, is the least of it.)
All in all, I would definitely recommend it to fantasy readers who haven't encountered it yet. Just try to read it some time when you're actually able to curl up with it and read it properly.
Back in my youth, when I was
Show More
a much more avid reader of epic fantasy, I'd heard this one mentioned as something of a classic of the genre, but somehow I never got around to actually reading it. Now seemed like a good time to finally rectify that... except that it turned out not to be a good time at all. The nice, long chunks of reading time I expected to have ended up being chock-full of interruptions, and various stresses and distractions -- nothing too awful, just lots of little things adding up -- made it extremely hard to concentrate on the story. And I know that made a difference to my ability to enjoy it, because when I was feeling stressed-out and/or was only able to read about two pages at a time before being interrupted, I kept thinking that the magic used in the story was irritatingly vague and the history of this fantasy world was insufficiently explained. Whereas when I was feeling more relaxed and was actually able to read entire chapters at a sitting, the magic and the world-building instead seemed subtle and interestingly mysterious.What I can say, at least, is that this is definitely a cut or three above your usual Tolkien rip-off. For one thing, the writing is better. And while there are a lot of familiar fantasy elements -- wizards and ancient powers, a young man with a Destiny, a struggle involving the fate of an entire realm -- what McKillip does with those elements feels rather different from the usual. There's very little swordplay, for instance, and the grand battles, such as they are, mostly happen off-screen, while the narrative concentrates more on the personal level. I also quite liked the way the second book puts the focus squarely on the female characters, who are neither damsels in distress nor improbable warriors in chain mail bikinis.
Which isn't to say that it's a flawless book, even putting aside any criticisms attributable to my unfortunate mental state while reading it. The pacing, I think, is a little odd. And my stress levels, sadly, are in no way accountable for McKillip's horrible incapacity with names. (Calling a country "Hed," I'm afraid, is the least of it.)
All in all, I would definitely recommend it to fantasy readers who haven't encountered it yet. Just try to read it some time when you're actually able to curl up with it and read it properly.
Show Less
LibraryThing member threadnsong
I've read this and re-read it, even in its one-volume setting, that I have no date for when I last read it. 2004? Maybe? It's such an amazing book, thick with imagery and language, and her need to write of a female protagonist is so far ahead of its time. So many books have female protagonists
The world, the Shape-Changing, the Harp with Three Stars, the mystery of who Morgon is, the power of Raederle; I can never forget these characters and their journeys. And I always find something new when I re-read it.
Show More
since then that they've almost become a commonplace way of self-discovery, but she was one of the first.The world, the Shape-Changing, the Harp with Three Stars, the mystery of who Morgon is, the power of Raederle; I can never forget these characters and their journeys. And I always find something new when I re-read it.
Show Less
LibraryThing member Pianojazz
Excellent fantasy that really owes nothing to Tolkien, although McKillip has been compared with him. Her luminous prose is enthralling, though at times maddening in its ambiguity and vagueness. Still, McKillip writes with her own gentle voice; even when her characters are wreaking unspeakable
Like the finest fantasy (Tolkien, early Frank Herbert, Gene Wolfe), McKillip creates her own complete world. Riddle-Master repays careful rereading. A worthy addition to the canon.
Show More
violence on each other, something of the "hippie girl" comes through.Like the finest fantasy (Tolkien, early Frank Herbert, Gene Wolfe), McKillip creates her own complete world. Riddle-Master repays careful rereading. A worthy addition to the canon.
Show Less
LibraryThing member LisaMaria_C
The first book, The Riddle-Master of Hed belongs to the title character, Morgon of Hed, Riddle-master and Farmer-Prince who finds the most challenging riddle of all is his own identity and destiny. The next book is the story of Raederlie, Morgon's love, who in Heir of Sea and Fire goes in search of
It's a good read. Not a great read. I read this trilogy because it was recommended on the "Seven-League Shelf" of the "cream" of fantasy. I don't think it rates as among the best in the genre I've read. I wouldn't place this with others on the list such as The Gormengheist Trilogy, Lord of the Rings, The Once and Future King, Carroll's Alice books. I don't consider it extraordinary in style, nor did it move me to tears or laughter nor did I find it gasp-worthy. But entertaining? Yes, certainly. And some have told me that McKillip's best book isn't this trilogy but The Forgotten Beasts of Eld. I'd certainly be interested in trying that someday having read these.
Show More
him and finds out much about her own identity and powers. In Harpist of the Wind both work to find out what has happened to the "High One" the "sustainer of the land-law of the realm" that ties the rulers to an awareness of their lands. Despite the multiplying of mysteries in the books, by the end of this one they're all tied up neatly--and with a fairly unpredictable but logical twist. I'd also say that Mckillip develops her world deftly--like most high fantasy it definitely has a medieval European feel, but it feels its own place. Even minor characters are well-drawn, and the style is smooth and the narrative flows well. It's a good read. Not a great read. I read this trilogy because it was recommended on the "Seven-League Shelf" of the "cream" of fantasy. I don't think it rates as among the best in the genre I've read. I wouldn't place this with others on the list such as The Gormengheist Trilogy, Lord of the Rings, The Once and Future King, Carroll's Alice books. I don't consider it extraordinary in style, nor did it move me to tears or laughter nor did I find it gasp-worthy. But entertaining? Yes, certainly. And some have told me that McKillip's best book isn't this trilogy but The Forgotten Beasts of Eld. I'd certainly be interested in trying that someday having read these.
Show Less
LibraryThing member Amaunette
I've heard that this is something like light reading, but I actually think it's so easy to read because it's so well written. I'm very fond of the academic system build around riddles, I think it's parallel, in a way, to the way we investigate truth in our own world. The writing is fluid and
Show More
lovely, beautiful in a way similar to Guy Gavriel Kay's work. In fact, I think "Tigana" is very similar to this work because of the writing style and the tragedy. Show Less
LibraryThing member BobNolin
A bloodless, passionless, incredibly long story. Battles all occur offstage. There is NO sex at all, even in book 3, when our hero and heroine are finally united, and spend LOTS of time alone wandering about. I guess that's because they're noble and they're not married. But the reasoning behind
This is my first, and possibly last, book by this author. I just barely made it through.
Show More
their not getting married is very obtuse. Most of the book is needlessly vague, actually. I suppose this was due to the effect Tolkien had on the young McKillip, but I'm just guessing. In Tolkien, however, when something momentous happens, it's quite clear, and very affecting. In this book, major events occur and are given the same emphasis as anything else that happens. Too much of the time, I read and re-read passages, trying to figure out what had just happened, and had to conclude that there was just not enough information given to understand the events. If you read this book, notice how often a character will begin a sentence that trails off in elipsis.... (yeah, like that) ...and you have no idea what the implied end of sentence is! Too much of the book is like that. If this were a painting, it would have large areas with no paint on it at all, and not enough rough lines showing to indicate what the artist intends to paint in. This is my first, and possibly last, book by this author. I just barely made it through.
Show Less
LibraryThing member wind_song
This is one of the most beautiful books I have ever read! The language reads like poetry in that it is gorgeous and flows. It devles into the different types of love there are and is just amazing!
LibraryThing member MusicMom41
The Riddle-Master of Hed
The first book of the Riddle-Master trilogy introduces us to the main character of the story, Morgan, Prince of Hed as he struggles with coming to terms with a destiny that he never imagined he would have to cope with. As we travel with him we learn about the world he
McKillip has created a unique and fascinating world that we get to investigate along with the hero as he goes on his quest. We also begin to find out the importance of Riddles in this world as Morgan faces many of them
One of the attributes McKillip has that I really enjoy is her ability to write so descriptively that the story flows in the mind as if you were watching it yourself. Warning: have the rest of the series on hand because this book ends on a cliff hanger!
Heir of Sea and Fire
The second book of the trilogy is Raederle’s story. She is the woman who has been promised to Morgan because of a vow made by her father. In this book we learn about her and with her we learn about her powers as she does.
Harpist in the Wind
The final book in the trilogy brings the saga to a stunning and fitting conclusion. At the end I understood why the young Patricia McKillip was favorably compared with J.R.R. Tolkien when this book came out in the 1970s. She has created a wonderful and believable fantasy world that was influenced by the effect that reading Tolkien had on her without borrowing from Tolkien to build it. This is a very satisfying read.
The first book of the Riddle-Master trilogy introduces us to the main character of the story, Morgan, Prince of Hed as he struggles with coming to terms with a destiny that he never imagined he would have to cope with. As we travel with him we learn about the world he
Show More
inhabits and meet many of the characters that will play pivotal roles in the series.McKillip has created a unique and fascinating world that we get to investigate along with the hero as he goes on his quest. We also begin to find out the importance of Riddles in this world as Morgan faces many of them
One of the attributes McKillip has that I really enjoy is her ability to write so descriptively that the story flows in the mind as if you were watching it yourself. Warning: have the rest of the series on hand because this book ends on a cliff hanger!
Heir of Sea and Fire
The second book of the trilogy is Raederle’s story. She is the woman who has been promised to Morgan because of a vow made by her father. In this book we learn about her and with her we learn about her powers as she does.
Harpist in the Wind
The final book in the trilogy brings the saga to a stunning and fitting conclusion. At the end I understood why the young Patricia McKillip was favorably compared with J.R.R. Tolkien when this book came out in the 1970s. She has created a wonderful and believable fantasy world that was influenced by the effect that reading Tolkien had on her without borrowing from Tolkien to build it. This is a very satisfying read.
Show Less
LibraryThing member kw50197
This is one of those books that is truly well worth every cent I paid for it
LibraryThing member yhaduong
In the grand tradition of high fantasy, a reluctant but incredibly gifted hero, a changing of an age and a strong romantic thread, the Riddle Master is one of my favorite fantasy epics. It's never overly convoluted with characters or events, but so deep and rich that you really grasp the world as
Show More
it is being told to you. I read this book over and over. In a sense it reminds me of Ursula Leguin's Wizard of Earthsea series, but slightly more optimistic or maybe having more hope and romance. Show Less
LibraryThing member riani1
I first read this when I was in my 20s, and I didn't like the ending, which didn't fit what I saw as a proper happy ending. I read it again about 10 years later, and it made a whole lot more sense. I was probably too naive to appreciate the choices and consequences then, ie, to preserve good
Show More
things, sometimes you have to make sacrifices. And sometimes they're more than worth it. Show Less
LibraryThing member jlizzy
One of the best Fantasy series ever!
LibraryThing member rosemarybrown
Best beginning of any book ever I think. This trilogy has haunted me since a friend loaned me copies in high school, for which I will always be grateful. The sheer quality of the writing and imagination make most books written since feel awfully plastic and shallow.
LibraryThing member amaraduende
This book is confusing. Nobody ever has a whole conversation that makes any sense. I don't like to be patronized by a book, but jeez.
ETA: As I get farther into it (now about 2/3 through) I am finding it more understandable. I do find that I keep forgetting names though, and then a character will
ETA: I just finished this book. Wow. I'm so glad I stuck with it. It was so strange and beautiful. And confusing, as I said earlier. But a lot of the confusion goes with the themes of the book - you just sort of have to put up with the fact that there are a lot of riddles to work through and you don't have all the info right away. I like a book that doesn't hand things to you on a plate, though, so it was nice. I think a lot of my confusion at the beginning stemmed from the fact that I was reading a chapter or two, then putting it down for several days, then picking it back up again, etc, so I kept losing the threads. I'm so glad I stuck with it, though, it was very touching and interesting in so many ways.
ETA: As I get farther into it (now about 2/3 through) I am finding it more understandable. I do find that I keep forgetting names though, and then a character will
Show More
pop back up and I'll go "crap, I know I'm supposed to know who that is!" I really like some parts of this, though, I'm glad I stuck with it so far...ETA: I just finished this book. Wow. I'm so glad I stuck with it. It was so strange and beautiful. And confusing, as I said earlier. But a lot of the confusion goes with the themes of the book - you just sort of have to put up with the fact that there are a lot of riddles to work through and you don't have all the info right away. I like a book that doesn't hand things to you on a plate, though, so it was nice. I think a lot of my confusion at the beginning stemmed from the fact that I was reading a chapter or two, then putting it down for several days, then picking it back up again, etc, so I kept losing the threads. I'm so glad I stuck with it, though, it was very touching and interesting in so many ways.
Show Less
LibraryThing member isabelx
I borrowed "The Chronicles of Morgan, Prince of Hed" from the library so that I could read the first book in the trilogy for my book club, but I'm afraid "The Riddle-Master of Hed" has failed the 50 page test and I have given up on it. Neither the characters nor story have grabbed me, and it seems
Interesting fact from Wikipedia: Patricia McKillip is a Leap Year baby, born on 29th February 1948!
Show More
more like a YA book than adult fantasy.Interesting fact from Wikipedia: Patricia McKillip is a Leap Year baby, born on 29th February 1948!
Show Less
LibraryThing member antiquary
This is a one-volume collectionof te tree books of this trilogy: Riddlemaster of Hed, Heir of Sea and Fire, and Harpist in the WInd. I read them back when they first came out separately, as I had liked an earlier book of McKillip's, and on the whole I liked these, though not quite as well.
LibraryThing member librisissimo
Outstanding in concept and execution.
LibraryThing member dmturner
Back and forth over the world doing high fantasy
I love McKillip's writing, and remembered fondly reading the first book of this trilogy, but on retreading the books I have no idea how I endured it. There isn't really a plot to speak of, just the hero rushing from place to place on the latest urgent
I love McKillip's writing, and remembered fondly reading the first book of this trilogy, but on retreading the books I have no idea how I endured it. There isn't really a plot to speak of, just the hero rushing from place to place on the latest urgent
Show More
and driven magical mission, often in animal form, pausing occasionally to try to make his girlfriend go home for her own good. (She refuses) McKillip has polished her game since, thank goodness. Show Less
LibraryThing member jamespurcell
Fantasy but not exciting
LibraryThing member jenspirko
Truly a classic of silver-age Fantasy. McKillip's lyrical style obscures the simplicity of narrative, but the power of of her language supercedes the requirements of conventional stories. Her characterizations are as eloquent as they are spare, and the emotional payoff of the ultimate, powerful
Show More
conclusion is undeniable. The story of Morgon, a simple farmer and prince of a small and parochial realm, traces the meaning of power, of love and loyalty, in a story that is about these things and more. Show Less
LibraryThing member t1bnotown
This is actually three books, The Riddle-Master of Hed, Heir of Sea and Fire, and Harpist in the Wind, but I didn't feel like listing them separately. I wasn't all that into these books. When I went to cull books from my shelves, very few fantasy books went, but this one was on the out list. I
Show More
wasn't particularly into the characters or the story- it wasn't an awful read, but it wasn't my kind of thing. Show Less
LibraryThing member dbsovereign
Jam packed with characters who all seem to be fighting something or someone. At times the naming protocol can be a tad confusing - which master, which harpist, for example. Overall though it's a very moving tale of power. Assembled in one volume is the complete trilogy: The Riddle-Master of Hed,
Show More
Heir of Sea and Fire and Harpist in the Wind. Show Less
Original publication date
1979 (omnibus)
Physical description
592 p.; 9.01 inches
ISBN
0441005969 / 9780441005963