The Forgotten Beasts of Eld - Patricia A. McKillip

The Forgotten Beasts of Eld is a charming and sorrowful book, which looks at the prospect of change that comes to Sybel, an enchantress of sorts who can use her power to bind animals to her will, by claiming their names. When she inherits Eld mountain she comes to look after the menagerie of creatures that dwell there, her peace and tranquillity in looking after these animals however is brought to ruin when a stranger brings her a baby to look after, and Sybel and the young child who she names Tamlorn, will soon become embroiled in the politics and wars of that time

Patricia McKillip won the world Fantasy award with this effort in 1975, and it's not hard to see why. It’s a smooth and very readable book, which knows how it can connect with the readers. It’s got a plethora of magic and mythical beasts, tales of lore and age old legend all bound by a recounting of Sybel and her venture into a world that isn’t very familiar to her. The baby to whom she was entrusted is the only son of a king and the factor which propels her into danger and romance.

They are very familiar plot devices that are being used, long lost princes, wizards and magical beasts, yet when gathered together correctly they can create something timeless and incredible. This is a book that feels written directly and with a close feel to its content, it’s almost as if it has been brought to us from an original tale or gleaned from an oral source. A book this so outlandishly faeire, and yet so carefully written in its richness, that you simply can’t help but be sucked in.

The Forgotten Beasts of Eld - 9 / 10