Chalice

I have long been a Robin McKinley fan, but this book didn't seem as good as her others. The first part is mostly written in past tense and flashbacks, without much dialogue, rather than following a moving plot. This style at times became tedious for me. I think it is unusual that there is no physical description of Mirasol, the main character. The story started to pick up about 2/3 of the way through and from then on I really enjoyed it.

This is a beautiful story for young girls and not so young girls alike. McKinley's prose has a lush, dreamy quality to it. Be warned, the pace is slow. Pages are devoted to bees and descriptions so the plot moves slow. A book to be savoured rather than devoured. Both you and your daughter will enjoy.

Robin McKinley debuted with a fleshed-out retelling of "Beauty and the Beast," and later followed it up with ANOTHER retelling.

And after a few books about dragons and vampires, McKinley returns to her old territory -- she spins up a vaguely medieval tale of a woodland beauty and a charred "beast" entirely out of her own imagination. McKinley's sumptuous prose and her depiction of a "living" land add an extra dimension to a straightforward little love story that drips with sweetness.

Some months ago, the decadent Master of Willowlands and his Chalice were killed in a fire. The new Chalice is Mirasol, whose duty is to fill ceremonial cups and help bind the land.

But then the late Master's little brother arrives from the priests of Fire -- charred black and no longer entirely human. Mirasol is determined to do the best job she can for the new Master, when she isn't tending a woodland cottage covered in bees. Unfortunately the land is still unsettled despite her joint efforts with the Master, especially since his strange behavior frightens his people.

In the course of her duty, Mirasol soon gets to know her new Master -- he's quiet, kind, worried about burning people, and confused by the world he had almost forgotten. But as he struggles to keep his land balanced, the Overlord begins to scheme to put a new Master in Willowlands -- one that will do whatever he wishes. With her role as Chalice and her power over bees, Mirasol must find a way to save her beloved Master...

You wouldn't think that such a slender novel could have such a richly imagined world, where metaphysical bonds link the Master and Chalice to the very land itself. Not only does Robin McKinley conjure such a world in "Chalice," but she also wrought an intricate web of politics and tradition around the ritual roles. Poor Mirasol, trying to navigate her new role.

And McKinley's prose is as sweet and thick as Mirasol's honey ("the great windows were still twilight grey..."), but filled with a slightly bittersweet feeling. And she crams the novel with rural splendour -- trees, little cottages, old dusty books -- as well as anything having to do with bees and beekeeping. When Mirasol is with her books in the woodright, McKinley's writing takes on an exquisitely mystical edge (albeit a quieter one than her Chalice duties).

But once the Overlord's little plan comes into play, McKinley also interweaves a sense of dread and foreboding, which gets worse as the story creeps toward the inevitable clash. If there's a flaw in the story, it's that the bees serve a slightly deus-ex-machinesque function for the Master.

However, the heart of this story is the growing love story between two young people who are unsure how to do their jobs, and fear that they are failing. Mirasol and the Master (whose name is only revealed late in the book) are wonderfully realistic characters, and Mirasol's stumbles and struggles make her seem like a totally realistic country girl suddenly given a great task.

"Chalice" is the sort of story that Robin McKinley has penned before, but the land-mysticism and lush prose make it entirely unique. Definitely a must-read..

Reviewed by Neha Kashmiri (age 14) for Reader Views (8/08)

Born and raised as a beekeeper and a woodskeeper, Mirasol is surprised when the rods chose her as the new Chalice. As Chalice she is the second most important member after the Master. The new Master of Willowlands is a Priest of Fire, whose touch can burn a human's flesh and who hasn't been in the Willowlands for seven years. His brother's sudden death brings him back to the human world, but can he and the new Chalice fix all the harm of the previous Master?--especially when most of the other Circle members are afraid of the new Master.

Even when it seems that the Willowlands can be restored, the Overlord declares an outblood Heir. Inadvertently, Mirasol gives her support to the new Heir and only finds out when it's too late. The Chalice soon learns that the only way an outblood Master can not disrupt the land is if she marries the Heir. Mirasol doesn't support the Heir much less wish to marry him . . . or bear his child.

Then, when it seems that things can get no worse, a faenorn, a fight to the death, is declared. How can the new Master defeat the new Heir when he cannot even pick up a sword? Mirasol has to help anyway she can; but how can she if helping the Master would only get her in trouble with the Heir?

I have only read one other book by Robin McKinley ("Beauty") and it had set my expectations high. "Chalice" met every single one of them. Ms. McKinley sets up a new world and new characters beautifully. The bees and the honey are nice touches which wrap up the story beautifully. "Chalice" is highly recommended to fans of fantasy.

It's amazing how she walks us into the middle of the story of Mirasol the Chalice. It is almost like a Chinese ink drawing in that she fills in very few of the details, a little here and little there slowly as the story demands, but nevertheless sweeps us into this grand tale of growth and the redemption of a land flawed by the abuse of the former Master and the attack of a predatory politician. I was immersed almost immediately even though at first I hadn't a clue. Mirasol is a vibrant figure. A magician with honey and spirit. By not filling all of the details and answering all the questions she allows the presence of mystery and wonder. Like the Bees. . .there is a whole marvelous world to be explored. With any other author I would think to see many other stories in this world, but it being McKinley. This might be it.
Enjoy.