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Summers at Castle Auburn -
Sharon Shinn.
New York : Ace Books, c2001.
355 p. ; 23 cm.
Best Books:
- Best Books for Young Adults, 2002 ; American Library Association-YALSA; United States
State and Provincial Reading Lists:
- Iowa High School Book Award, 2004-2005 ; Nominee; High School; Iowa
Reading Measurement Programs:
Accelerated Reader
Interest Level Upper Grade
Book Level 5.9
Accelerated Reader Points 20
Lexile, MetaMetrics, Inc.
Lexile Measure 830
Reading Counts-Scholastic
Interest Level High School
Reading Level 7
Title Point Value 26
Lexile Measure 830
Reviews:
- Donna L. Scanlon (KLIATT Review, July 2001 (Vol. 35, No. 4))
Coriel, the illegitimate daughter of a now-dead noble, spends every summer at Castle Auburn with her half-sister Elisandra, who is betrothed to the future king, Prince Bryan. The rest of the year she spends with her maternal grandmother, the village "wise woman" who teaches Coriel herb lore. Coriel adores her sister and looks forward to her summer visits, but her intention is to be her grandmother's successor. Her Uncle Jaxon has other plans, however, hoping to marry her into the family of one of the viceroys of the kingdom and strengthen their allegiance to the throne. Coriel struggles with this manipulation of her life, made even more painful by her affection for her uncle. In addition, Coriel is increasingly aware of the injustice he has committed, trapping and enslaving humanoid creatures called aliora who are bought as servants to the nobility. As the summers pass and Coriel grows older, she also sees that Prince Bryan, for whose attention she once lived, is not the man she believed him to be and she worries more and more about her sister. Meanwhile, she finds her attentions and affections in conflict as well. Shinn has written a deceptively straightforward coming-of-age story in the form of a romantic fantasy; there is much under the surface story if the reader is paying attention. All of the characters are well drawn and three-dimensional; their emotions and reactions are authentic. Coriel is an appealing character in the tradition of the heroines of Tamora Pierce and Robin McKinley, and Summers at Castle Auburn is an entrancing, thoughtful story that should appeal to a wide audience. KLIATT Codes: JSA*--Exceptional book, recommended for junior and senior high school students, advanced students, and adults. 2001, Berkley/Ace, 355p. 23cm., $14.95. Ages 13 to adult.Beth Karpas (VOYA, August 2001 (Vol. 24, No. 3))
This fabulous romantic fantasy is far more romance, or perhaps fairy tale, than fantasy but should please fans of all three genres. The illegitimate daughter of a Halsing lord, Coriel spends her summers at the royal place with her half sister, the betrothed of the crown prince, and a wide range of royals, commoners, and aliora slaves--a fairylike race with empathic magic. Coriel spends the remainder of each year in the country, far from palace intrigues, learning herbal magic from her grandmother. During the four years of this novel, Coriel grows in her understanding of magic, politics, people, and love. Eventually all will be resolved in this extended fairy tale, with the princesses and slaves finding freedom and Coriel acquiring wisdom far beyond the knowledge of herbs. This book is basic enough to read to younger children, if only they would sit still for the whole tale. The romance, however, is tantalizing enough to appease most serial romance fans. The fantasy is subtle, with the aliora and the acceptance of herbal magics the only characteristics that distinguish this volume from a medieval romance. It is enough, though, to keep fantasy fans from fearing that they are reading such a romance in disguise. Shinn lives up to her status as an award-winning author capable of making the real world disappear within the pages of her tale. Summers is recommended for all libraries where teens are reading romance serials, romantic fantasy, historical fiction, or pure fantasy. VOYA CODES: 5Q 4P M J S A/YA (Hard to imagine it being any better written; Broad general YA appeal; Middle School, defined as grades 6 to 8; Junior High, defined as grades 7 to 9; Senior High, defined as grades 10 to 12; Adult-marketed book recommended for Young Adults). 2001, Ace, 355p, $14.95 Trade pb. Ages 11 to Adult. Subjects:
- Fantasy fiction.
Love stories.
| Language | Call Number | LCCN | Dewey Decimal | ISBN/ISSN |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| English (eng) | PS3569.H499 S8 2001 |
00053431 |
813/.54 |
0441008038 (pbk. : alk. paper) 9780441008032 |