LitPick Review
Chalice takes place in a magical land, Willowlands, where the earth is kept healthy by a circle of people with special powers. This circle is controlled by a Master and his Chalice, two people who must work together to bind the land. The book tells the story of one such Chalice, Mirasol, who must work with the new Master that has come to Willowlands. The problem is that this new Master is not a human - he is a priest of Fire, so his mere touch can burn. Mirasol must learn to work with him in order to restore Willowlands to health. Except Mirasol herself is young and inexperienced, so the very land she loves may fall apart.
Opinion:
I would recommend Chalice if you enjoy fantasy books or enjoy reading books by Robin McKinley. Chalice is very similar to McKinley's other books - the characters and writing style are very comparable. If you enjoy her style (like I do), then you will enjoy reading Chalice. Even if you have never read a book by Robin McKinley, that does not mean you will not enjoy Chalice. McKinley is very skilled at making absorbing and interesting worlds, and the plots always seem to have a fresh twist on the traditional fairy tale story lines. Chalice does not disappoint in these respects. At first, I found the book a little hard to get into, but once I did, I found myself absorbed in the world of Chalice. I found the ending very satisfying- it has the traditional feel of a fairy tale, but was also surprisingly original.
