In a classic McKillip style tale, a knight chases all over Skye, a part of the kingdom where magic still happens, while multiple magical women either observe the plot, stir the plot, or are trapped in it. Mythic and magical, this reminds me more of the Harper books than some of her others. As is typical with McKillip, this is strong on magic and character and not dependent on action. ( )

A little confusing--like reading a dream. ( )

I had a difficult time with this one. As much as I liked the idea of the story, the characters seemed to bleed together, and McKillip's style was--for me, at least--off-putting. It felt over-wrought and overly detailed, to the extent that it sometimes felt like the writing really hindered the story itself. I managed to make my way through the book, but I can't actually say I enjoyed it. There were moments when the story really shined, and when I really got caught up in a character... but, on the whole, I was sorely disappointed. ( )

I always want to ♡ love ♡ McKillip's books because some of them have enchanted and enthralled. This one was too confusing and like the hero (Cyan Dag), I was pushed and pulled through a murky tale that never sorted itself out. Why the lady in the tower ever needed rescuing and who she really was remained something of a mystery. It was like being on a switchback road up the mountain, only I remained in the trees the whole time, even at the top. The cover art is luscious and I happen to have a large framed print of this illustration. I think the mystery was best represented there. ( )

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Title: The Tower at Stony Wood
Series: -----
Author: Patricia McKillip
Rating: 5 Stars
Genre: Fantasy
Pages: 306
Format: Kindle digital edition

Synopsis: Spoilers

A knight on a quest to free his rightful Queen. A noble on a quest to free his Kingdom. A bard on a quest to free her Sister. A mother on a quest to go back to the sea from which she came.

A story where all the storylines intersect at the oddest places and not even the characters know their true motivations.

My Thoughts:

In previous reviews of McKillip's works, I tend to liken her writing as silk; it is beguiling, sensual, sensuous and soft.

A half seen shape at night in the forest, with distant laughter and the faint tinkling of bells. You can't see it in whole, or even distinctly. When you look to your right, you catch a glimpse out of the corner of your eye to your left. When you spin around to catch it behind you, you feel it's eyes on you from the front. You don't know if it is your imagination playing tricks, an elven princess enchanting you or an evil sorcerer leading you astray. The only way to find out is to continue on. Is it a dot of honey on your lover's nose, a glob on a bear's paw or a comb in a bee's nest? What if the honeycomb is a magic sword and the bear is an an enchanted knight and your lover is a witch?

When you wrap fog, silk, honey and darkness into a tapestry of words, then you have this story, this book. And if your very soul is not moved, transported to another realm, then I pity you your grey, joyless existence that you think is life. ( )