moirwyn's review against another edition
4.0
This review originally appeared on my blog, Books Without Any Pictures:
http://bookswithoutanypictures.com/2015/12/28/the-changeling-sea-by-patricia-mckillip/
I picked up a tattered paperback of The Changeling Sea at a used book sale in part because I love McKillip’s ethereal writing style, and in part because of the gorgeous Michael Whelan cover. Like most of McKillip’s work, The Changeling Sea reads like a fairy tale or a bedtime story; it’s short, enchanting, and filled with wonder.
Peri (short for Periwinkle) lives in tiny fishing village. Her father died at sea, and ever since, her mother has been listless and distant. Peri spends her time living in a local witch woman’s cottage until she too disappears. Frustrated by her own feelings of loss, Peri decides to hex the sea. As she is constructing her hexes, a bedraggled Prince Kai appears and asks her to include a message to be carried to the sea. Peri doesn’t really believe that her hexes will work, but she agrees. The next day, a sea dragon appears wearing a chain of gold. But who on earth could be powerful enough to chain such a being?
I’m not normally about love triangles, but there is a love triangle in this story, and it is done well. Peri finds herself developing feelings for Kai, but we know from the very start that their love is both passionate and doomed, because Kai is drawn to the sea and loves it more than he could possibly love a mortal woman. Meanwhile Peri builds a companionship with another character that gradually develops into something more, even though it’s not the same kind of love that she experiences with Kai. And there’s so much acknowledgment of how much doomed love can hurt, even if a relationship isn’t practical or feasible or good for the people involved. The entire message is delivered with both elegance and melancholy.
I read The Changeling Sea in one sitting, as it was both short and impossible to put down. It reminds me nostalgically of the stories that I read as a child. I’d highly recommend this, or any of McKillip’s novels. Once again, her work does not disappoint.
http://bookswithoutanypictures.com/2015/12/28/the-changeling-sea-by-patricia-mckillip/
I picked up a tattered paperback of The Changeling Sea at a used book sale in part because I love McKillip’s ethereal writing style, and in part because of the gorgeous Michael Whelan cover. Like most of McKillip’s work, The Changeling Sea reads like a fairy tale or a bedtime story; it’s short, enchanting, and filled with wonder.
Peri (short for Periwinkle) lives in tiny fishing village. Her father died at sea, and ever since, her mother has been listless and distant. Peri spends her time living in a local witch woman’s cottage until she too disappears. Frustrated by her own feelings of loss, Peri decides to hex the sea. As she is constructing her hexes, a bedraggled Prince Kai appears and asks her to include a message to be carried to the sea. Peri doesn’t really believe that her hexes will work, but she agrees. The next day, a sea dragon appears wearing a chain of gold. But who on earth could be powerful enough to chain such a being?
I’m not normally about love triangles, but there is a love triangle in this story, and it is done well. Peri finds herself developing feelings for Kai, but we know from the very start that their love is both passionate and doomed, because Kai is drawn to the sea and loves it more than he could possibly love a mortal woman. Meanwhile Peri builds a companionship with another character that gradually develops into something more, even though it’s not the same kind of love that she experiences with Kai. And there’s so much acknowledgment of how much doomed love can hurt, even if a relationship isn’t practical or feasible or good for the people involved. The entire message is delivered with both elegance and melancholy.
I read The Changeling Sea in one sitting, as it was both short and impossible to put down. It reminds me nostalgically of the stories that I read as a child. I’d highly recommend this, or any of McKillip’s novels. Once again, her work does not disappoint.
juliana_aldous's review against another edition
5.0
I've been making my way through all of Patricia A. McKillop's fairy tale fantasies and I think this one may just be my favorite.
tjwallace04's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
This is only the second McKillip book that I have read, and I am not sure I can adequately express how wholesome and solid and heartening I am finding her books. (The other book was "The Forgotten Beasts of Eld.") Her writing is gorgeous - rich and yet not overblown, beautifully expressive yet crisp. And the characters are so human, even while the stories are magical and weird. This is fantasy that just feels like it has good bones. It doesn't need glitz and crazy plot twists and a frantic pace like some modern fantasy books I have experienced. It is simply a good story, carefully told.
"The Changeling Sea" is a short, fairy-tale-like story of a young girl in a fishing village named Peri whose anger at the sea for her father's drowning sets off a series of magical events that will change her life and the life of the land's royal family in completely unexpected ways. It is amazing how much plot is neatly packed into 137 pages. I just finished a 500+ page fantasy that didn't tell nearly as clear a story or give me as much joy.
One thing I especially appreciated about this story is that Peri loves multiple men in different ways, without shame and as a natural part of her life. It is a YA book, so it keeps the romance at a very basic level, but it was nice to see a YA fantasy move beyond the trope of "fated mates."
I recommend "The Changeling Sea" to readers who appreciate craft over flash and who dream of mermaids and sea dragons.
"The Changeling Sea" is a short, fairy-tale-like story of a young girl in a fishing village named Peri whose anger at the sea for her father's drowning sets off a series of magical events that will change her life and the life of the land's royal family in completely unexpected ways. It is amazing how much plot is neatly packed into 137 pages. I just finished a 500+ page fantasy that didn't tell nearly as clear a story or give me as much joy.
One thing I especially appreciated about this story is that Peri loves multiple men in different ways, without shame and as a natural part of her life. It is a YA book, so it keeps the romance at a very basic level, but it was nice to see a YA fantasy move beyond the trope of "fated mates."
I recommend "The Changeling Sea" to readers who appreciate craft over flash and who dream of mermaids and sea dragons.
nan_sy97's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
littleredbiblio's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
sugarbloom's review against another edition
5.0
The best book by Patricia McKillip, hands-down. It is written in such a straightforward, humorous yet dreamy way that it had me alternately laughing and fascinated with the world and story unfolding. Well worth the read for any fantasy fan.
buffee's review against another edition
4.0
I don't think I shall get this story out of my mind any time soon. So glad to have found it on some Goodreads list.
sam_skogrand's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
This was a very quick read, but delightful all the same. Definitely written for a younger audience, but I found it charming and think others would too.
Honestly, I would love to see a more fleshed-out, lengthy version of this story (for a more mature audience)! Ah well. It's still a sweet little tale.
As can be expected from such a short book, the plot and characters are fairly simple. However, there is still enough development to enjoy everything! The magic in the story is well done and makes sense in the world. The world itself is like listening to old fisher's tales and feeling the sea breeze. Gentle yet fascinating.
If you're looking for a quick read and you love stories of the sea, give this one a try.
Honestly, I would love to see a more fleshed-out, lengthy version of this story (for a more mature audience)! Ah well. It's still a sweet little tale.
As can be expected from such a short book, the plot and characters are fairly simple. However, there is still enough development to enjoy everything! The magic in the story is well done and makes sense in the world. The world itself is like listening to old fisher's tales and feeling the sea breeze. Gentle yet fascinating.
If you're looking for a quick read and you love stories of the sea, give this one a try.
dmturner's review against another edition
5.0
A lovely fairy tale about the sea, unusually easy to follow for a McKillip book and with the usual lovely language. I have put it on my list of books to re-read.