Mary Brown Reviews

Page One

Added June 13, 2003

Master of Many Treasures

Author: Mary Brown
Publisher: Baen Publishing Enterprises
Available At: Bookstores Everywhere
Publishing Date: October 1995 - Reissue
Genre: Fantasy
Format: Paperback
Price: $6.99
ISBN: 0-67187-693-7
Reviewer: Sharyn McGinty

At the end of Pigs Don't Fly, we learned Wimperling the Pig was really a dragon who would also be a man for a total of three months out of the year. As a dragon, he set out towards the East to the Land of Dragons, leaving Summer with only her faithful friend and companion, Growch the dog.

Missing her dear Wimperling but needing to move on, Summer decides to return to Matthew, a kind merchant who wished to marry her. Deep in her heart, she wants nothing more than to follow her former pig now turned man-dragon. After much deliberation, she and Growch set off for the Land of Dragons.

Just like her previous journey, Summer sets off on All Hallow's Eve and is soon joined by others. The shifty human Dickon searching for treasure, a young prince that she rescues from slavery, a dancing bear with a the mind of a cub, a dragon's egg, and the mysterious Ky-Lin. Out of all new companions, it is Ky-Lin who becomes her closest friend. The former companion of Lord Buddha on the earth, Ky-Lin is on a journey of his own, he must "work off his badnesses by helping others, until Lord Buddha decides he may join Him".

Dangers and challenge abound, forcing the travelers to depend on each other and altering their lives permanently. But it is the journey's end where the biggest surprise is revealed and tragedy strikes.

Ms. Brown work continues to entrance. Her characters are familiar and unique, full of personality and believability. It is interesting to note that while Summer's character continues to evolve becoming more understanding, patient, and compassionate, Dickon never changes. Throughout the novel he remains selfish and self-centered. An amazing contrast to Summer.

Out of all the new characters introduced in Master of Many Treasures, I fell in love with Ky-Lin. He had his own journey to complete, but remained devoted to Summer and her journey, even acting against his Lord's commands to keep her safe. His devotion to Lord Buddha's teachings shaped his every move and subtly influenced the others. A magnificent character in an already incredible novel; making it worthy of a spot on the keeper shelf.

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Added June 13, 2003

Pigs Don't Fly

Author: Mary Brown
Publisher: Baen Publishing Enterprises
Available At: Bookstores Everywhere
Publishing Date: May 1994 - Reissue
Genre: Fantasy
Format: Paperback
Price: $6.99
ISBN: : 0-67187-601-5
Reviewer: Sharyn McGinty

My mother was the village whore.

Thus begins the story of Summerdai, a young woman possessed of no remarkable skills or qualities. With her mother's death, Summer is left alone and unwanted, for the village elders have asked her to vacate the house she shared with her mother so the new village whore could move in. Summer is given less than twenty-four hours to leave.

While gathering her belongings, she finds a small ring in her mother's jewelry box and slips it on. Immediately her fears and worries dissipate and she calmly places food, clothing, and other valuables on a cart, sets fire to the house and runs away from the village. Due to their superstitions regarding All Hallow's Eve, the villagers remain locked inside their house and do not even know of her departure.

The next morning, Summer must decide which direction she will travel in. Startled by a sudden voice, she believes the Little People have found her and tries to remember how one must escape them. To her great surprise, the voice belongs to a stray dog. The dog, who she names Growch, explains the origins of her ring and how it enables her to hear animals. Together, Growch and Summer head south, both wanting to find a place to belong.

Along the way, they are joined by Mistral the horse, a blind knight, a turtle, an injured messenger pigeon, and a flying pig named Wimperling. The only thing the group shares is their desire to head south. But is it enough?

Disasters and adventures befall them every step of the way; from bandits to a rich noblewoman determined to keep Wimperling for herself. As they journey, Summer notices that Wimperling continues to change until the point he no longer resembles a pig. So what is he? And why does she get a shock every time she kisses him?

A truly spectacular read, Pigs Don't Fly captured my attention from the start. I fell in love with Summer and her odd assorment of companions. They were brimming with life, each unique and different. It Summer's transformation from an obese young woman caring only about her future to a caring woman worried about her friends' well-being and futures that endeared this story to me. Her transformation was beautifully written; the reader saw it happening while she herself was unware of her attitutde shift until it was pointed out. Definitely one for the keeper shelf.

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