Books

[msmemory_archive]

6. College of Magics, by Caroline Stevermer
Lots of fun. Mannered in a Regency sort of way, but clearly set closer to 1890.
Alas, could have used a more aggressive editor. It's reading books like this that make me think I could work in that field - and save authors from two matching instances of the same weird phrase less than a chapter apart* (no, in description, not in dialogue), or awkward transitions of place. (OK, now we're going to have the incident with the highwaymen.)
People will probably think she based this school on Hogwart's, but I think College of Magics was published earlier.

*pg. 297 "He led Faris through a room off the ballroom, where white linen-covered tables held silver trays of crab puffs and lobster patties, and into the corridors beyond."
pg. 304 "Finally, in a room off the ballroom, where tables covered with white linen held splendid silver trays of crab puffs and lobster patties, they paused to collect themselves."

7. Schism, by Catherine Asaro
Soz goes to the military academy. Her family reacts emotionally to her choice of career.
(This is the one from which Ms. Asaro read at Balticon 2004.)

Comments

[greatsword.livejournal.com]

I liked College of Magics. I'm still looking for a copy of Sorcery and Cecelia, (sp?) which seems to be out of print. I'm not looking too hard, just keeping my eyes open in used bookstores.

Have you read Patricia Wrede's _Marlion the Magician_ and _Magician's Ward_? Similar feel, maybe a bit more skewed juvenile.

[msmemory.livejournal.com]

Sorcery and Cecelia came back in print with the release of The Grand Tour last fall. I recommend them both. Sorcery and Cecelia is the one that put me onto Wrede & Stevermer generally.

I still have Marilon the Magician and Scholar of Magics on my to-be-read pile :)

[new-man.livejournal.com]

I haven't read College of Magics, but it sounds like a less good version of Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell, which is long, but doesn't feel that way. I'd be happy to lend it to you if you're interested.

[msmemory.livejournal.com]

Oh, that's in my pile too, waiting for a time when its sheer size isn't off-putting (as in, some time to read it at home instead of taking it along to the laundromat).
Thanks for the offer.

[ealdthryth.livejournal.com]

I read Sorcery and Cecilia after your message about The Grand Tour. I liked it so much I decided to try something by each of the authors. I liked Mairelon the Magician. I read College of Magics too. I thought it was okay. It didn't compel me to keep coming back to it though. The writing style just didn't appeal. Maybe better editting would have helped.

Page 304, edited

[cristovau.livejournal.com]

"Finally, in the shellfish puffy and patty room, they paused to collect the whole set."

Frankly, white linen and silver trays seems almost expected given the items held, or not worth mentioning. I'd have prefered a color or decorating scheme hint instead, one that can be used to evoke a foreshortened description elsewhere.