Crystal Sage

By Kara Dalkey and Sim Kern

When two housecleaners arrive at a client's house, they are shocked to discover a strange guitar...one which actually speaks when strummed! It turns out to be their client, who is none to helpful in... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0451456408
• ISBN13: 9780451456403
• Release Date: May 1999
• Publisher: Roc
• Length: 266 Pages
• Weight: 0.28 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 4.2" x 6.8"

Customer Reviews

Crystal Sage A Very Entertaining Tale

Kara Dalkey is able to develope two well thought out characters for the reader to enjoy. They play off each other throughout the story. I only wished it was longer! The story mixes a modern day setting with fantasy elements, in an plausible and often times humorous fashion. Crystal Sage was a page turner until the end and a satisfying read throughout.

As good as light entertainment gets

While reading this book I was aware only of being thoroughly caught up in the story. It was when I'd (reluctantly) put it down to for a while that I found myself marvelling at how well Ms. Dalkey wove her themes together. Celtic fairy legends mingle with Native American mythology. And both fantasy elements mingle with a realistic treatment of the very modern clash of values between those who love the wilderness and those prefer the controlled environment of buildings and roadways. It's rare for a book to be both this much fun and this thought-provoking at the same time. If there were a sequal I'd buy it today!

Clever, well crafted and great fun

There's an almost slapstick element to the premise of this book. Yet Ms. Dalkey's approach is too thoughtful for silliness to take hold. She works the humorous aspect in such a controlled low-keyed manner, and balances it so well against more realistic humorous elements, that what could have been wacky becomes first believable and then even dramatic. The well-drawn characters are engaging (even the crabby ones) and the comingling of European and Native American folklore is deftly handled. Be prepared, though, to be caught in an enjoyable crossfire between those passages aimed at your heartstrings and those targeting your funnybone.

A novel idea executed with diamond-cut precision!

Crystal Sage is a beautifully balanced blend of New Age icons and old folklore. The tale sparkles in a marquis combination of wit and the lessons we wish life would teach us. Bravas to Ms. Dalkey; may she live long and prosper.