A girl growing up on a mountain with a few generations' worth of magic inheritance, Sybel doesn't even know she's lonely; this is how it's always been. Just her, her father (now deceased) and the family collection of magical beasts, such as a Lyon, Falcon, Cat and Dragon. Striving to make her own addition to the collection, Sybel sends out a Call to a far-off white bird called the Liralen. But all she gets in return is an inconvenient young warrior in a mailshirt, Coren, and the baby he has sworn to defend.

The outside world has no business intruding on the mountain of Eld. Faced with the politics and battles that will follow a baby prince, Sybel has to think of someone but herself and start to grow up fast.

The dangers are largely alluded to until late in the tale, and Sybel is a woman of philosophy and spells rather than action. Caring for a baby is not something she has experienced, so despite being female she's not a great choice as carer. Only her potential power and protectors make her useful to others. And the more she keeps Calling the Liralen, the less it seems to hear.

Patricia A. McKillip writes beautifully of fantasy people and magical beasts, giving each a dignity and presence which echoes in the mind after the book is closed. This book won the World Fantasy Award for Best Novel in 1975. My favourite books by her are still the later 'Riddle Master of Hed' series, which contain many of the same features. In 2008 she was awarded the World Fantasy Award for Lifetime Achievement. If you have THE FORGOTTEN BEASTS OF ELD on your bookshelf you'll probably be delighted with the chance to add it to your Kindle and carry it around; if you have never read it, what a treat lies in store. Whether you read this magical weaving as a straight fantasy or look deeper and call it allegory, I guarantee you will fall under its spell. The story is suitable for YA readers or adults.

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