And here we are at book 3... so let's look at the series as a whole. I appreciate that McKillip doesn't waste time dilly-dallying around - people travel from one place to another in the space of a sentence - but at the same time, if you happen to space out for a moment while you're reading, you can end up very confused! The archaic style of language made it seem like pieces of the story were sometimes missing, and the magic system left something to be desired, simply because by the end of the book, it seemed like anything was possible by just using your mind to perform magic, without defined rules. I found myself asking "but HOW is that possible?" multiple times, and was often frustrated by the vague way that people talked to each other.

That said, yes, I will read more McKillip in the future. I think it's good to try different styles of writing, and I thought that the story in the Riddle-Master trilogy was pretty good. I mean, I read them all pretty quickly, so that has to say something! I'm holding out hope that the 'master of fantasy' title that others have placed on McKillip will be proven to me in the future... I think if you enjoy fantasy, you'll get something out of the trilogy, and it's a fairly quick read. Just don't expect the epic qualities that you'll find in some other fantasy novels, and take everything just as you read it.

In the end, I didn't love the trilogy, but I liked it enough to say: It's worth your while to spend some time in the world McKillip created. ( )

Harpist in the Wind is the final part of the trilogy by Patricia A. McKillip and I found myself as I am with every good series, rapidly devouring and yet desperately not wanting it to end!

Bringing together all the characters from the previous two books, I have to admit there were few disappointments, and the writing and descriptions remained beautiful. I only had one complaint.......I would like to have heard more from some of the minor characters, (Tristan, Astrin, the Morgol, Lyra).

Apart from this, it is an exemplary example of how to make a 'typical' story completely stand out. The twists and turns, and the 'riddles' that makes it so thrilling to read are the kind of frustrating where you groan and curse and love it all at the same time. And the final twist actually made me gasp out loud.

The ending was bittersweet, for so many reasons, and I was so tired and sleepy and caught up in the world that I had tears in my eyes (both good and bad). The thing that makes McKillip stand out for me is the darkness she adds to her stories, and the way they feel so real, despite being full of wizardry and magic.

A fantastic fantasy read ( )

http://tamaranth.blogspot.com/2008/12... ( )

Final book in Patricia McKillip's "riddlemaster" trilogy. She ties up the final and driving riddle of the stars on the "riddle master's" forehead and his place in the destiny of the land. Very rich imagery. ( )

This is a great classic story and one that is worth reading. McKillip's writing is just so beautiful and haunting that you have to read it to understand. It might be an older series of books, but its creativity really stands up. ( )