marshmallowbooks's review
5.0
This is my favorite book of the three companion books, between The Safe-Keeper's Secret and The Dream-Maker's Magic. I love the characters. I love the story. I love the magic of the safe-keepers and truth-tellers and dream-makers of this world. Even though I have read this book before, I couldn't put it down as I neared the end and read the explanation of how the plot resolves just the way it should. I love books like this.
gardngoyle's review
4.0
It was good for what it is. This is not great literature, but a fun, low-key read for young adults. It meandered just a bit, but not enough to make me put it down. And even though I had things figured out well before the Big Reveal the writing was enjoyable enough to keep me going to see if i was right. There was one moment at the end where things got a little violent (trying to explain without spoilers) and was out of character for the person involved. But all in all it was a solid four.
aphelia88's review
5.0
A delightful romantic comedy rife with misunderstandings!
I enjoyed this book even more than the first - [b:The Safe-Keeper's Secret|241976|The Safe-Keeper's Secret (Safe-Keepers, #1)|Sharon Shinn|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1386924316l/241976._SY75_.jpg|1391552] (my review) - which I didn't think possible! While the first book was a lovely coming-of-age story about living with grief and finding your place in the world, this story is likewise a delightful coming-of-age story but full of gentle romance, mistaken identity and intrigue! Although I highly recommend the first book in the series as well, I think this story can stand on its own and would serve as a good introduction to the author.
Adele and Eleda are "mirror twins"; even their names are inverse:
"To the casual observer, we looked exactly the same, for we both had wheat blonde hair and exceptionally pale skin, and the bones of our faces had an identical structure. But Adele was right-handed; she parted her hair on the right; her right eye was blue and her left eye was green. I was left-handed; I parted my hair on the left; my left eye was blue and my right eye was green. We each saw in the other the very same face, the very same figure, we saw in the mirror every morning." ~ Eleda (1)
But the twins have completely opposite personalities: Adele is a Safe-Keeper, skilled in keeping silence and protecting secrets. Introverted and enigmatic, she is also mischievous, prone to pretending to be her sister and able to lie without qualm. Eleda is a Truth-Teller who cannot keep a secret to save her life, can be honest to the point of pain and cannot comfortably tell a lie. She is also an extrovert and clearly shows her feelings.
Balancing between the sisters is Roelynn Karro, daughter of the wealthiest merchant in town, who is friends with them both. Beautiful and frivolous, she is charming but flighty. Roelynn's conniving social climbing father is determined to wed his daughter to the Prince, despite her wild nature and heart's desire to marry for true love, not political alliances.
An elaborate intrigue is set in motion when Adele secretly falls for Roelynn's brother, a mysterious dancing master captures Eleda's reluctant heart, and his handsome but feckless apprentice steals Roelynn's affections. As the Dream-Maker (Melinda, who gained the power in the last book) - who is a friend of the twins' family - passes through town, wishes are granted in delightfully surprising ways! Fantastic fun for all ages with a wonderfully happy ending.
I enjoyed this book even more than the first - [b:The Safe-Keeper's Secret|241976|The Safe-Keeper's Secret (Safe-Keepers, #1)|Sharon Shinn|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1386924316l/241976._SY75_.jpg|1391552] (my review) - which I didn't think possible! While the first book was a lovely coming-of-age story about living with grief and finding your place in the world, this story is likewise a delightful coming-of-age story but full of gentle romance, mistaken identity and intrigue! Although I highly recommend the first book in the series as well, I think this story can stand on its own and would serve as a good introduction to the author.
Adele and Eleda are "mirror twins"; even their names are inverse:
"To the casual observer, we looked exactly the same, for we both had wheat blonde hair and exceptionally pale skin, and the bones of our faces had an identical structure. But Adele was right-handed; she parted her hair on the right; her right eye was blue and her left eye was green. I was left-handed; I parted my hair on the left; my left eye was blue and my right eye was green. We each saw in the other the very same face, the very same figure, we saw in the mirror every morning." ~ Eleda (1)
But the twins have completely opposite personalities: Adele is a Safe-Keeper, skilled in keeping silence and protecting secrets. Introverted and enigmatic, she is also mischievous, prone to pretending to be her sister and able to lie without qualm. Eleda is a Truth-Teller who cannot keep a secret to save her life, can be honest to the point of pain and cannot comfortably tell a lie. She is also an extrovert and clearly shows her feelings.
Balancing between the sisters is Roelynn Karro, daughter of the wealthiest merchant in town, who is friends with them both. Beautiful and frivolous, she is charming but flighty. Roelynn's conniving social climbing father is determined to wed his daughter to the Prince, despite her wild nature and heart's desire to marry for true love, not political alliances.
An elaborate intrigue is set in motion when Adele secretly falls for Roelynn's brother, a mysterious dancing master captures Eleda's reluctant heart, and his handsome but feckless apprentice steals Roelynn's affections. As the Dream-Maker (Melinda, who gained the power in the last book) - who is a friend of the twins' family - passes through town, wishes are granted in delightfully surprising ways! Fantastic fun for all ages with a wonderfully happy ending.
nelsonseye's review
3.0
I enjoyed The Truth-Teller's Tale, and my rating is hovering between three and four stars. I liked seeing older Fiona (briefly) and Malinda in her role as Dream Maker, and Eleda was a likable narrator. I think certain elements were too glossed over (Edgar and Karro) which may have been due to the intended audience, and the resolution was a bit too easy. However, it was an enjoyable read, and I look forward to finishing the trilogy.
dudeitsmisty's review
2.0
Flat and one-dimensional. I read half the book, waiting for it to get interesting. But then I realized it probably never would.
wordnerdy's review
3.0
https://wordnerdy.blogspot.com/2020/03/2020-book-68.html
This is not a direct sequel to Safe-keeper's Secret, though it’s set in the same world a few years later and few of those characters appear here. The story here centers on a pair of mirror-image identical twins, who have opposite abilities. It’s fairly obvious how things are going to turn out, but it’s still a nice story. (Or mostly—content warning for an off-scene rape.) B+.
This is not a direct sequel to Safe-keeper's Secret, though it’s set in the same world a few years later and few of those characters appear here. The story here centers on a pair of mirror-image identical twins, who have opposite abilities. It’s fairly obvious how things are going to turn out, but it’s still a nice story. (Or mostly—content warning for an off-scene rape.) B+.
blue_squishie's review
5.0
2016-01-31: Another re-read! I was on a bit of a kick re-reading Sharon Shinn's Twelve Houses but just my favourite parts. And then I still felt like reading more light fantasy, so I had a proper re-read of this one. Now I'm undecided about re-reading The Dream-Maker's Magic or Shinn's new book in her Elemental Blessings series...
2012-07-08: Re-read! I was sick and this was my comfort re-read. I love the Shakespearean-esque goings on, especially in the climactic finale. To be honest, I like Adele best, and her whole thing with Micah, I would've loved to have more from her point of view.
Personally, I love this one and The Dream-Maker's Magic. I like the world that's built in The Safe-Keeper's Secret, but the foster sibling relationship kinda squicks me out.
2012-07-08: Re-read! I was sick and this was my comfort re-read. I love the Shakespearean-esque goings on, especially in the climactic finale. To be honest, I like Adele best, and her whole thing with Micah, I would've loved to have more from her point of view.
Personally, I love this one and The Dream-Maker's Magic. I like the world that's built in The Safe-Keeper's Secret, but the foster sibling relationship kinda squicks me out.
indigo_han's review
4.0
Shinn's world building continues to be clever and imaginative. Predictable but charming. If you've read any of her other titles, it is easy to see where she is going. However, she doesn't shy away from the darker parts of her story, and tthere is nothing wrong with a happy ending.