Judith Tarr
Author of Household Gods
About the Author
Judith Tarr was born in Augusta, Maine on January 30, 1955. She received a B.A. in Latin and English from Mount Holyoke College, an M.A. in Classics from Cambridge University, and an M.A. and a Ph.D. in Medieval studies from Yale University. She is the author of more than twenty novels including show more The Golden Horn, The Hound and the Falcon, Avaryan Rising, Alamut, The Daggar and the Cross, The Lord of Two Lands, Pillar of Fire, The Throne of Isis, White Mare's Daughter, Queen of Swords, Arrows of the Sun, and Spear of Heaven. She also wrote a juvenile book entitled His Majesty's Elephant. (Bowker Author Biography) show less
Series
Works by Judith Tarr
Uncanny Magazine Issue 24: September/October 2018 (Disabled People Destroy Science Fiction) (2018) — Editor — 53 copies
Mending Souls [short fiction] 4 copies
Them Old Hyannis Blues {short story} 3 copies
"Signs and Stones" (in Whatdunits) 2 copies
I Sing of a Maiden [novelette] 2 copies
Piece de Resistance 2 copies
Finding the Grail 1 copy
The Hermit and the Sídhe 1 copy
The God Of Chariots 1 copy
The Revenants 1 copy
Al-Ghazalah 1 copy
Penthesilea 1 copy
Nine white horses (short) 1 copy
Collected Short Fiction 1 copy
Silver Stone And Steel 1 copy
Dealing In Futures 1 copy
In The Name Of The King 1 copy
Dame A La Licorne 1 copy
Kehailan 1 copy
Remedia Amoris 1 copy
Classical Horses 1 copy
Associated Works
The Year's Best Fantasy and Horror: Eighth Annual Collection (1995) — Contributor — 329 copies, 6 reviews
Out of Avalon: An Anthology of Old Magic & New Myths (15-in-1) (2001) — Contributor — 322 copies, 3 reviews
The Year's Best Fantasy and Horror: Sixth Annual Collection (1993) — Contributor — 219 copies, 1 review
What Might Have Been, Volumes 1 & 2: Alternate Empires, Alternate Heroes (1990) — Contributor — 184 copies, 2 reviews
Nevertheless, She Persisted: A Book View Cafe Anthology (2017) — Contributor — 48 copies, 18 reviews
Tagged
Common Knowledge
- Other names
- Brennan, Caitlin
Bryan, Kathleen - Birthdate
- 1955-01-30
- Gender
- female
- Education
- Mount Holyoke College
University of Cambridge
Yale University - Occupations
- novelist
horse breeder
historical novelist
science fiction writer
fantasy novelist - Organizations
- Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America
Book View Cafe - Short biography
- Judith Tarr received her undgergraduate degree in Latin and English from Mount Holyoke College. She went on to earn an M.A. in Classics from Cambridge University, and an M.A. and PhD in Medieval Studies from Yale University. She taught Latin at Wesleyan University from 1990 to 1993.
At Dancing Horse Farm, her home in Vail, Arizona, she breeds Lipizzan horses. She's the author of more than 20 acclaimed fantasy novels, including The Throne of Isis (1994), Queen of Swords (1997), and White Mare's Daughter (1998), and five volumes in the Avaryan Chronicles, in addition to historical and science fiction novels. The romance novels she produces under the pseudonym Caitlin Brennan for Harlequin feature dancing horses modeled on those that she raises. - Nationality
- USA
- Birthplace
- Augusta, Maine, USA
- Places of residence
- Vail, Arizona, USA
- Associated Place (for map)
- USA
Members
Reviews
Melisende, princess of Jerusalem after the First Crusade, was married to a man she neither desired nor felt she needed, because the 12th Century was not a time when a queen could rule on her own account. And yet, she did.
Jerusalem and the surrounding European-ruled kingdoms of Outremer (derived from the French for "overseas") after the First Crusade are a rich and unfamiliar setting for a story. This book's author gives the titular queen and her immediate family some space, connecting show more fictional characters to those fascinating historical figures. As a result the book's protagonists can easily show the reader the alleys and outskirts of the vividly described setting as well as the inhabitants of same. The author's implicit criticism of the militarism, racism, and sexism of the time is all the more effective for being manifest in who the reader meets and what they do.
Both the real people and the fictional come to life in this story of intrigue, romance, and character-driven drama. Their moral depth and verisimilitudinous conversation kept me interested, and I am more than a little sad to see that this book doesn't have a sequel.
Vocabulary:
accidia - More often spelled "acedia", meaning sloth or more generally a lack of interest.
antiphon - A scripture said or sung before and after a canticle, psalm, or psalm verse as part of the liturgy
arrant - being notoriously without moderation
atabeg - A hereditary title of nobility of a Turkic origin, indicating a governor of a nation or province who was subordinate to a monarch and charged with raising the crown prince.
badinage - banter
chatelaine - wife of a castellan, more broadly the mistress of a household
collops - originally an egg fried on bacon, more broadly it means a portion of something
cortege - retinue
equable - unchanging, uniform
estampie - a Medieval dance and its musical accompaniment
excoriate - criticize severely
frowsty - stale, warm, and stuffy
fusty - stale, damp, and stuffy
gambeson - a padded quilted jacket worn under or as armor
garth - an open space surrounded by cloisters. More broadly, a yard or garden.
hieratic - of or concerning priests
houri - a beautiful young woman, specifically one of the virgin companions of the faithful in Muslim paradise
hoyden - a boisterous girl
hypocaust - a hollow space under the floor of an ancient Roman building, into which hot air was sent for heating a room or bath
infelicities - unfortunate, inappropriate remarks
insouciant - indifferent
louvers - Angled slat vents in a door, shutter, or roof.
mooncalf - a fool
paynim - an archaic word for heathen, specifically applied to Muslims
portress - woman porter
posset - A drink made of hot milk curdled with ale, wine, or other alcoholic liquor and typically flavored with spices, drunk as a delicacy or as a remedy for colds.
probity - the quality of having strong moral principles; honesty and decency
reiver - raider or reaver, specifically one that traveled on a river
salubrious - healthy
scrofulous - diseased
supernal - heavenly
surfeit - surplus
trammel - Something impeding activity, progress, or freedom or one of seven distinctly different tools. show less
Jerusalem and the surrounding European-ruled kingdoms of Outremer (derived from the French for "overseas") after the First Crusade are a rich and unfamiliar setting for a story. This book's author gives the titular queen and her immediate family some space, connecting show more fictional characters to those fascinating historical figures. As a result the book's protagonists can easily show the reader the alleys and outskirts of the vividly described setting as well as the inhabitants of same. The author's implicit criticism of the militarism, racism, and sexism of the time is all the more effective for being manifest in who the reader meets and what they do.
Both the real people and the fictional come to life in this story of intrigue, romance, and character-driven drama. Their moral depth and verisimilitudinous conversation kept me interested, and I am more than a little sad to see that this book doesn't have a sequel.
Vocabulary:
accidia - More often spelled "acedia", meaning sloth or more generally a lack of interest.
antiphon - A scripture said or sung before and after a canticle, psalm, or psalm verse as part of the liturgy
arrant - being notoriously without moderation
atabeg - A hereditary title of nobility of a Turkic origin, indicating a governor of a nation or province who was subordinate to a monarch and charged with raising the crown prince.
badinage - banter
chatelaine - wife of a castellan, more broadly the mistress of a household
collops - originally an egg fried on bacon, more broadly it means a portion of something
cortege - retinue
equable - unchanging, uniform
estampie - a Medieval dance and its musical accompaniment
excoriate - criticize severely
frowsty - stale, warm, and stuffy
fusty - stale, damp, and stuffy
gambeson - a padded quilted jacket worn under or as armor
garth - an open space surrounded by cloisters. More broadly, a yard or garden.
hieratic - of or concerning priests
houri - a beautiful young woman, specifically one of the virgin companions of the faithful in Muslim paradise
hoyden - a boisterous girl
hypocaust - a hollow space under the floor of an ancient Roman building, into which hot air was sent for heating a room or bath
infelicities - unfortunate, inappropriate remarks
insouciant - indifferent
louvers - Angled slat vents in a door, shutter, or roof.
mooncalf - a fool
paynim - an archaic word for heathen, specifically applied to Muslims
portress - woman porter
posset - A drink made of hot milk curdled with ale, wine, or other alcoholic liquor and typically flavored with spices, drunk as a delicacy or as a remedy for colds.
probity - the quality of having strong moral principles; honesty and decency
reiver - raider or reaver, specifically one that traveled on a river
salubrious - healthy
scrofulous - diseased
supernal - heavenly
surfeit - surplus
trammel - Something impeding activity, progress, or freedom or one of seven distinctly different tools. show less
Under her various pen names, Judith Tarr has long been one of my favorite authors, particularly when she writes about horses. This book is full of horse-magic, the usual kind because they're so marvelous and the special kind created by the "white gods" of Aurelia as they Dance the patterns of the world. One moment they're ordinary "fat white ponies," but don't let that fool you. We all know their wisdom and power run far, far deeper. I especially loved how their motives and values are not show more always clear -- they truly are mysterious as well as magical.
In this world, the stability of the realm is maintained by a meticulously executed equestrian Dance, very much akin to the performances of the Lippizan horses of the Spanish Riding Academy of Vienna. The riders train all their lives for ii, in partnership with the magnificent white stallions. Historically, only boys have been Called (as in the title of the book) to the riding school, so when our heroine Valeria shows up, and then bonds with a young stallion of exceptional power, the reactions range from bewilderment to outright hostility. She then becomes a prime target for recruitment into a plot to usurp the throne and the very fabric of the kingdom. Suffice it to say, divided loyalties, not to mention schemes and betrayals ensue. Because the book appears under the "Luna" imprint of Harlequin Books, there is of course a love story. Actually, depending on how you look at it, more than one. But fantasy readers won't be disappointed, as the story, the first part of three, is anything but formulaic with its independent, earthy heroine, two dashing lovers, and of course the magical white horses. This one definitely belongs on the bookshelf of every fantasy reader and horse lover. show less
In this world, the stability of the realm is maintained by a meticulously executed equestrian Dance, very much akin to the performances of the Lippizan horses of the Spanish Riding Academy of Vienna. The riders train all their lives for ii, in partnership with the magnificent white stallions. Historically, only boys have been Called (as in the title of the book) to the riding school, so when our heroine Valeria shows up, and then bonds with a young stallion of exceptional power, the reactions range from bewilderment to outright hostility. She then becomes a prime target for recruitment into a plot to usurp the throne and the very fabric of the kingdom. Suffice it to say, divided loyalties, not to mention schemes and betrayals ensue. Because the book appears under the "Luna" imprint of Harlequin Books, there is of course a love story. Actually, depending on how you look at it, more than one. But fantasy readers won't be disappointed, as the story, the first part of three, is anything but formulaic with its independent, earthy heroine, two dashing lovers, and of course the magical white horses. This one definitely belongs on the bookshelf of every fantasy reader and horse lover. show less
I didn’t expect to fall into this story the way I did. I'm not normally a historical fantasy reader. But I crossed paths with Judith Tarr and she made a big impression.
The Isle of Glass takes place in a richly imagined medieval England. This world is one still shaped by church power, royal ambition, and the presence of Fair Folk. But for me, the heart of the novel isn’t the world building. It’s Brother Alfred (Alf), a monk who’s lived seventy years in an abbey, yet still looks like show more a teenager and hasn’t aged a day.
That detail hit home for me. As the author of the Immortal Rising series, I’ve spent years writing characters who stop aging in their mid-twenties, so discovering Alf (who looks seventeen at seventy), was a delightful surprise. I actually came to this book after finishing the first novel in my own series, and it felt like finding an unexpected literary cousin.
When Alf brings an injured stranger (the Traveler) into the abbey and nurses him back to health, it sparks more than a mission, it begins Alf’s journey out into the world, away from the cloistered life he’s always known. Along the way, he’s forced to confront what he truly is, what he believes, and what it means to belong. Themes of self-discovery and belonging are huge wins with me.
What stayed with me most was Alf’s quiet strength. He wasn't flashy or heroic, but rather he was rooted in care, integrity, and a deep sense of wonder for the world. Tarr balances political intrigue, spiritual reflection, and personal discovery in a way that works. This book feels timeless. I mean, this was written in the 1980s and I just found it all these years later - and I loved it.
And on a personal note: Judith Tarr once edited a chapter of mine and gave me a lesson I’ll never forget: what belongs on the page, and what doesn’t. I’ll always be grateful for her words. show less
The Isle of Glass takes place in a richly imagined medieval England. This world is one still shaped by church power, royal ambition, and the presence of Fair Folk. But for me, the heart of the novel isn’t the world building. It’s Brother Alfred (Alf), a monk who’s lived seventy years in an abbey, yet still looks like show more a teenager and hasn’t aged a day.
That detail hit home for me. As the author of the Immortal Rising series, I’ve spent years writing characters who stop aging in their mid-twenties, so discovering Alf (who looks seventeen at seventy), was a delightful surprise. I actually came to this book after finishing the first novel in my own series, and it felt like finding an unexpected literary cousin.
When Alf brings an injured stranger (the Traveler) into the abbey and nurses him back to health, it sparks more than a mission, it begins Alf’s journey out into the world, away from the cloistered life he’s always known. Along the way, he’s forced to confront what he truly is, what he believes, and what it means to belong. Themes of self-discovery and belonging are huge wins with me.
What stayed with me most was Alf’s quiet strength. He wasn't flashy or heroic, but rather he was rooted in care, integrity, and a deep sense of wonder for the world. Tarr balances political intrigue, spiritual reflection, and personal discovery in a way that works. This book feels timeless. I mean, this was written in the 1980s and I just found it all these years later - and I loved it.
And on a personal note: Judith Tarr once edited a chapter of mine and gave me a lesson I’ll never forget: what belongs on the page, and what doesn’t. I’ll always be grateful for her words. show less
A Wind in Cairo is a well-researched historical fantasy set in the tumultuous period of the early Crusades. Egypt lies under Saladin's hand, and the story is told entirely from the point of view of Muslim characters, something rare at least in English literature, especially for 1989.The story follows two protagonists: Hasan, a degenerate Arabian prince who as a guest in a magus' house rapes his daughter and as punishment is turned into a horse and bound to serve Zamaniyah, the daughter and show more only living child of Al-Zaman, who happens to be Hasan's father's mortal enemy.
What follows is a tale of coming of age and a little romance, though I'd hesitate to call it young adult at all. The writing is timeless, and holds up even today, and the characters are rich and real. Zamaniyah is her father's heir and raised as a boy would be raised, learning the arts of war and indeed riding to war. The sultan Saladin features heavily, and in this novel we see him as a youngish man, intelligent and wise and lordly, all of the traits that made him the greatest of the medieval Muslim kings and respected even in the West.
Judith Tarr certainly knows her horses. A good chunk of the book revolves around Zamaniyah training Hasan and bonding with him. At certain points it became a little much for me, but it never became a slog. This is a brisk novel, and the prose is elegant without ever becoming dense.
A Wind in Cairo is a bit of a departure from what I normally read. It's a bit hard for me to relate to a young girl as a protagonist, especially one belonging to a foreign religion. But for all that it was an enjoyable read, the historical setting is vivid and interesting, and it didn't overstay its welcome. Some may have have an issue with the ending, but to me it was thoughtfully and gracefully handled. show less
What follows is a tale of coming of age and a little romance, though I'd hesitate to call it young adult at all. The writing is timeless, and holds up even today, and the characters are rich and real. Zamaniyah is her father's heir and raised as a boy would be raised, learning the arts of war and indeed riding to war. The sultan Saladin features heavily, and in this novel we see him as a youngish man, intelligent and wise and lordly, all of the traits that made him the greatest of the medieval Muslim kings and respected even in the West.
Judith Tarr certainly knows her horses. A good chunk of the book revolves around Zamaniyah training Hasan and bonding with him. At certain points it became a little much for me, but it never became a slog. This is a brisk novel, and the prose is elegant without ever becoming dense.
A Wind in Cairo is a bit of a departure from what I normally read. It's a bit hard for me to relate to a young girl as a protagonist, especially one belonging to a foreign religion. But for all that it was an enjoyable read, the historical setting is vivid and interesting, and it didn't overstay its welcome. Some may have have an issue with the ending, but to me it was thoughtfully and gracefully handled. show less
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- 88
- Also by
- 60
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- 7,988
- Popularity
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- Rating
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