Rating: 
Summary: Magical read!
Review: Fire in the Mist, an early fantasy novel by Holly Lisle, is a delight! Fire in the Mist is filled with engaging characters, especially the main character: Faia Rissedote. Others, also interesting and memorable in their own way, are Medwind Song, Yaji Jennedote, and Rakell and her cat (with hands) Flynn. Even the villain of the novel has some sympathetic qualities.Besides intriguing, realistic characters, is the excellent play of foreshadowing and plot twists. The mage academy Daane is equally interesting, so is the unfolding history of Ariss, and the magic that exists in this world, as well as the people who wield it. If there isn't a sequel, I wish there were. Fire in the Mist is an excellent novel, and I encourage everyone who likes fantasy, originality, and Holly Lisle's other works, to read this one soon.
Rating: 
Summary: Very suspenseful and fast moving.
Review: In Faia's early trials Holly Lisle nails what it's like to be alone, and not only friendless, but surrounded by enemies. Then, as Faia finally gains the smallest bit of acceptance . . . This book really flies. The farther in we go, the faster the story moves, right up to the end. In fact, it went so fast, I was sitting here screaming, "You can't end it already! What about ____! You didn't tell me about _____!" The book answers all the questions it raises in relation to the plot, but it left many unanswered questions about side issues and more about the world of Arhel. Questions I would love to see answered in other books. Like the back story that explains where "Arhel" came from. I know it's "Our Hell" (really, I'm not making it up!) but wondering why is driving me buggy.
Rating:
Summary: Very suspenseful and fast moving.
Review: In Faia's early trials Holly Lisle nails what it's like to be alone, and not only friendless, but surrounded by enemies. Then, as Faia finally gains the smallest bit of acceptance . . . This book really flies. The farther in we go, the faster the story moves, right up to the end. In fact, it went so fast, I was sitting here screaming, "You can't end it already! What about ____! You didn't tell me about _____!" The book answers all the questions it raises in relation to the plot, but it left many unanswered questions about side issues and more about the world of Arhel. Questions I would love to see answered in other books. Like the back story that explains where "Arhel" came from. I know it's "Our Hell" (really, I'm not making it up!) but wondering why is driving me buggy.
Rating: 
Summary: A style/subject mismatch.
Review: The opening was slow and didn't hold my interest. The story looked like it would pick up after the heroine gets to the college, but I found myself unable to believe either the confrontations or the setting. I couldn't believe that the leaders of the women's school of magic could have so few interactions with men as to excuse the blind 'Here Abide Monsters' response they came up with--what, do they only /trade/ with women, too? I couldn't believe Jann's lack of sophistication in her first confrontation with Faia--it was simply too crude for someone who's supposed to have been involved in academic politics all her life. I couldn't believe that, historically, the men and women could have separated for the reasons they're supposed to have, as if none of them had working relationships with each other too strong for some poor propaganda to sever. The writing style is one that works well enough in light or humorous stories that aren't supposed to be taken quite seriously; the problem is that this story is serious, and the not-quite-believable, overblown quality to some of the dialogue and background interferes with taking it that way.
Rating:
Summary: Poignant
Review: The poignant start to this story, is fitting for this tragic heroine. I felt so sad for her intro where she discovers magic/power (lets just say it's not a happy experience). It felt like a tide that was drownding this character....but she always kept trying to keep her head above the water. I have re-read this book several times, and enjoy it every time. This hero isn't some perfect paladin. She has accidentely precipiated some horrible things, and no matter what good she does that will always be a part of her persona. No don't get me wrong, this book isn't some dark gritty thing, but the characters do have multiple fascits to them. Nothing is absolutly good and has been, and vice versa. I can't recommend this book enough!
Rating:
Summary: Mutch, mutch too short!
Review: The story is exeptionaly written, ritch and compelling and the plot is very quick! However it saddens me greatly to see a work of this quality be so short, and last so little! I need more!
Rating:
Summary: Fast paced "tightly" spun fantasy.
Review: This was the first Holly Lisle title that I've read. TerryBrooks, Terry Goodkind, R.A. Salvatore and David Farland are my favoritefantasy authors. New authors(to the reader) are always a risk. I was pleasantly surprised. Faia is a good strong lead character. The plot moves quickly with some enticing mystery elements to keep the pages turning. In pace and structure it reminded me of R.A. Salvatore. A very enjoyable and recommended read.
Rating:
Summary: Fast paced "tightly" spun fantasy.
Review: This was the first Holly Lisle title that I've read. TerryBrooks, Terry Goodkind, R.A. Salvatore and David Farland are my favoritefantasy authors. New authors(to the reader) are always a risk. I was pleasantly surprised. Faia is a good strong lead character. The plot moves quickly with some enticing mystery elements to keep the pages turning. In pace and structure it reminded me of R.A. Salvatore. A very enjoyable and recommended read.
Rating:
Summary: A Great First
Review: This was the first of Holly Lisle's books and the first I have ever read. What a first effort! A wonderful setting in a city divided on sex lines between the Mages (women) and Sages (men). Both have their legends about the cause of the rift. Both are right, and wrong. Faia Rissedotte is a young woman with great powers of magic and an attitude of defiance who finds herself among the Mages. And ancient evil is awakening, and only Faia has the ability to see past the hatred of the two groups of magicians and dicern the truth. A page turner and recommended for anyone with a love of high fantasy.
Rating:
Summary: A Great First
Review: This was the first of Holly Lisle's books and the first I have ever read. What a first effort! A wonderful setting in a city divided on sex lines between the Mages (women) and Sages (men). Both have their legends about the cause of the rift. Both are right, and wrong. Faia Rissedotte is a young woman with great powers of magic and an attitude of defiance who finds herself among the Mages. And ancient evil is awakening, and only Faia has the ability to see past the hatred of the two groups of magicians and dicern the truth. A page turner and recommended for anyone with a love of high fantasy.
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