Kate Archer left home years ago, swearing that she would die before she returned to Maine. As plans go, it was a pretty good one — simple and straightforward.
Not quite fast enough, though.
Before she can quite manage the dying part, Kate gets notice that her grandmother is missing, leaving the carousel that is the family business untended.
And in Archers Beach, that means ‘way more trouble than just a foreclosure.
Advanced Praise for Carousel Tides:
“Carousel Tides pulls you into the chill foggy reality of peeling-paint sand-grit coastal Maine outside of tourist season and then hands you something else — the hidden world lurking in shadows or under the land’s surface or just offshore, where Black Dogs hunt the night and selkies toss unpleasant truths over their shoulders before diving into the next wave. In the center of this, Kate Archer tends and guards one of the spookiest carousels this side of Ray Bradbury and wonders what has happened to her grandmother. The old woman sent her a letter, left papers deeding over the carousel and old house and the Land (meaning much more than property), and vanished, telling the spirits of the land and sea that she expected to be back before the turning of the year.
“Now March has come and gone and Kate must return from self-exile to take up powers and responsibilities she has renounced, or dying will be the least of her problems...
“Sharon Lee weaves fantasy into reality so deftly that you scarcely notice when you slip across the edge. And once you’re there, the story’s own magic won’t let you turn back from the strong characters, deep mysteries, and even deeper danger.” —James A. Hetley, author of Dragon’s Eye, Dragon’s Teeth, and Dragon’s Bones
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Product ReviewI've read a couple of the Miller/Lee books, but I enjoyed this book even more than those. I would agree with Steven that the ending was rushed (I would go so far as to say incomplete), and with Charles that the protagonist was just a little bit too stupid-stubborn. Recommended though.
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Product ReviewProtagonists who are stubborn just for the sake of being stubborn, and who do more harm to themselves than good by being that stubborn, annoy me. Despite that, this was a very good yarn. The setting was intriguing. The magic system avoided Tolkienism. I look forward to more stories in this universe.
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Product ReviewVery nice -- a little sharper language then in the Liaden universe. Very nice how the story is build up. More books, please!
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Product ReviewThis is Sharon Lee doing urban fantasy in the style of Charles de Lint or early Emma Bull. I loved the seamless integration of the concept of Faerie (and the explanation for their existence), the magic system and the connection to the magic of this world, personified in nature spirits at this Maine coast amusement park town.
But as always with Lee, the characters shine the most, from the human people who welcome the powerful, honourable but a bit too earnest heroine back after ten years. To the various nature spirits who help or hinder her work, to the family ties of known grandmother and lost mother and surprisingly unknown grandfather - up to a very believable understated love interest who is as dedicated to his guardianship as she is.
And then the amusement park setting and the carousel, especially the batwing horse ^^. I would LOVE to read more with the same characters, really, although the end is totally satisfiying in and of itself.Posted on
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Product ReviewAnother great read! When you read a Lee or Lee/Miller book, you find yourself inside the story. It's easy to identify with the characters, and to think well of them. They may be living in an alternate universe, a different time/place, or whatever - but you believe it, and it exists in realtime. Great stories, great story-telling, great characterization. The only problem I have with Lee/Miller, together or alone, is I can't get enough of their books! MORE MORE MORE!
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Product ReviewI agree with Steven. Thanks Sharon
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Product ReviewA great read. The magic system in the book is fascinating, the characters very easy to identify with, and the story just flows nicely.
The ending seemed a bit rushed, most likely because I didn't want it to end.Posted on
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