Joyce Ballou Gregorian (1946–1991)

The continuing saga introduces another character from Sibby's 'Otherworld' into the Tredanian world. It never becomes clear what Michael Arelon's connection was to Tredana the way Sibby's was revealed. Michael's role didn't play well since there was no need for him to be an unscrupulous aggressor. It was also unimaginative that, when they return to the modern 'Otherworld', there's then no memory of Tredana and its people.

I adored this little known book as a child/teen and it was just as wonderful on a reread. The world she creates is rich and full of magic and culture and feels like a place I can see and inhabit. It does have one of my favorite types of fantasy style, person from our world finds her way into the other world but with some wonderful twists and turns. I read this and it's followup book when they came out but never managed the third book in the series that came out so much later. I'm reading all show more three together now to fully savour how much I love them. show less

I picked this book up from the Simmons Library on a whim - I had never heard of it before. I never suspected that it would be added to my favorite children's books of all time. Sibby leaps into another world and finds herself in the middle of a group of engaging characters on a quest. I'm not usually drawn to quest-type novels, but the writing and the characters drew me in, along with the feeling that Sibby is more at home here than she was in her own time and place. That feeling of an out show more of place youth who finds herself fitting into a fantasy realm always hit home for me as a kid (a feeling out of place kid) and it still does now. I loved this and I'm eager to pick up the sequel! show less

This was probably my first reread of this since the 70s. It was not as strong as The Broken Citadel, the plot line was less coherent and the focus on Sibyl shows up the less interesting parts of her character. It was still wonderful to be swept up into this other world but it didn't draw me in as effectively as The Broken Citadel. I still find it a great read but I am approaching the final book of the series with a bit of trepidation.