Asaro, Catherine
THE CHARMED SPHERE
Catherine Asaro
Luna Books 2004
Pb 471 pgs
ISBN# 0-373-80203-X
1st review by KC Heath
This book seems to me to be the kind of thing someone might buy as a gift for a young lady who probably dreams of marrying a prince. [It has a "G" rating in case you are the purchaser and wondering.] In southern Aronsdale, a young lady called Chime Headwind helps her family grow apples. One day the king comes to this hamlet along with one of his advisors, in search of one of the land's rare mages. Chime suspects that she has mage talent, but she does not wish to go live in Castle Suncroft . . . not even if it does mean she might marry the prince. But the king's advisor hauls Chime away from her family anyway. Meanwhile, Prince Muller Downfield does not appreciate being told by his uncle's advisors whom he should marry. He slips away into the woods surrounding the castle just as Chime escapes the king's "magick" advisor. Chime and Muller meet by accident, and accidentally fall in love.
Now Prince Muller isn't that easy to fall in love with, nor is this tale simple. Prince Muller, at first glance, appears foppish--for his attire is perfect. It isn't until one gets to know him that one discovers Prince Muller strives for an outward appearance of perfection because he is accident prone. Ah, but there's a very special secret hiding behind those accidents!
So, Chime is tutored in her mage powers, as is Iris, the only other potential suitor for the prince. But of course there's another kingdom wanting to conquer Aronsdale, and of course, they have a bad mage to help them.
This is a charming tale of magic and life at court. Catherine Asaro's work is, as always, meticulously good. My only complaint here is the Disney quality which reduces Ms. Asaro's usual punch. This Disney quality, I suspect, is due to the publisher in this case and not the author, for I've read that Luna is a new line of books with a goal of offering a romantic twist to speculative fiction. Preferring a more mature slant to my reads, I am only rating this book a seven (though I do remain a die-hard Asaro fan).
2nd review by Christina Francine Whitcher
When you get down to it we’re afraid of our gifts-our talents. They may not
measure up. They may change our lives. They may make us face who we really are
and that is always scary. Ultimately it leaves us vulnerable-opening us for
others to see, to judge, and to push into pursuing our talents. This is what the
main character, Chime, faces in this book, ‘The Charmed Sphere.’ Her secret is
discovered. She denies it, yet Della, the great shape-mistress from the King’s
court, felt it-knew it. Chime’s power brought Della to ask if the young woman
would go to the castle. They would find the depths of Chime’s abilities and
train her there. Chime wanted nothing to do with Della’s proposal. She liked
living in the quiet town outside the castle. She liked her freedom and she liked
that she could some day marry who she wanted.
Chime is afraid. Her life turns upside down. Everything changes all because of
her powers. Facing the degree of her capacities, along with her flaws is not
easy to face. Chime must now be what the kingdom needed. Her life was not her
own any longer. She must marry the King and face one of the most powerful and
evil Mages ever born in order to save the kingdom.
The author of this book reminds readers of their talents and the fear that goes
with pursuing them. This story portrays a young woman who faces the truth about
herself and the responsibilities that go with it. Along the way she finds
herself in love with a man whom she may never share a life with. Asaro’s plot
holds reader’s attention by gathering momentum as the story moves forward. The
twists and surprises capture and hold interest, taking readers on an interesting
and powerful journey.
Fantasy is my favorite genre, but I’m picky with the type and style. Even though
it is my favorite I don’t read it often. Much is because I simply don’t like a
lot of what is out there. Imagine my delight when finally finding one worth
beginning and sticking with. When your fingers are on the pulse of speculative
fiction certain names pop up again and again. Asaro’s is one. After meeting her
at a World Science Fiction and Fantasy Convention I decided to take a chance,
and bought one of her books. This is the first time I’ve read Asaro and after
reading ‘The Charmed Sphere’ will again.
Facing our skills and flaws leaves many of us immobile. We don’t want others to
know the extent of them and sometimes we downplay our aptitude even to
ourselves. Pursuing who we really are is terrifying business. Often times it is
the path to true satisfaction though. This book matters because meeting
ourselves and making decisions after doing so is on of the biggest adventures of
our lives.
Recommended especially for lovers of fantasy, for those who like light romance,
and for those who like meaning with their entertainment.
Return to Reviews