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321st out of 1,174 books
—
4,761 voters
Sister Light, Sister Dark (Great Alta #1)
by
Jane Yolen
Raised on a mountainside, Jenna learned the arts of the warrior, and from the mountain women the magic of the ancient lore. But the greatest magic of all was her ability to call forth her dark sister from the depths of the mirror of the land of light and shadow.
Skada was the dark one, able to exist only when the moonlight cast a shadow or lamplight flickered in a darkened...more
Skada was the dark one, able to exist only when the moonlight cast a shadow or lamplight flickered in a darkened...more
Paperback, 256 pages
Published
September 15th 2003
by Tor Teen
(first published September 1st 1988)
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An excellent novel with a particularly compelling premise: a group of women in an otherwise non-magical fantasy world can call up their "dark sisters" from mirrors. The "dark sisters" are their alter egos, like yet unlike them, real and solid in moonlight or firelight, but who vanish like mist when the light goes out.
Told in an intriguing mix of conflicting "sources" like "history," "legend," "story," "ballad," etc. Like Yolen's Briar Rose, it's about the knowability and unknowability of the pa...more
Told in an intriguing mix of conflicting "sources" like "history," "legend," "story," "ballad," etc. Like Yolen's Briar Rose, it's about the knowability and unknowability of the pa...more
I read this and it's sequel "White Jenna" along with "The One Armed Queen" several years ago after finding them both in a second hand bookstore and they've all stuck with me. The story that Jane Yolen weaves is both magical and exciting beautiful. The story is told in three parts: First is the historical "sources" and theories written like evidence gathered from experts and historians and the like. The second is the lore, stories, songs and poetry passed from generation to generation written in...more
I came across this book when looking for some fantasy with lesbian protagonists, but I fear I have been mislead a little. It's implied quite heavily in this book that Jo-an-enna, the protagonist, is straight, but it's the society around her that may count towards the mentions I've seen.
Anyway, as a book Sister Light, Sister Dark was something I just couldn't put down that easily. It's about a young girl who kills her mother in childbirth (Well, she didn't mean to) and ends up with a group of war...more
Anyway, as a book Sister Light, Sister Dark was something I just couldn't put down that easily. It's about a young girl who kills her mother in childbirth (Well, she didn't mean to) and ends up with a group of war...more
Multilayered Jane Yolen novel that works on several levels. Jenna, a three-times orphaned child, is brought to a secret woodlands camp to be raised by the all-female followers of Great Alta, a mother Goddess figure. The concept of dark sisters, who only appear after the sun sets, who share a soul with their light sisters, is certainly unique, and is presented in a mysterious fashion that only becomes clear near the end of the book. In between the chapters are little folktales or folk rhymes from...more
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This fantasy novel, the first book in a series, definitely presents a feminist’s medieval world, centering around a religious order/sisterhood that raises girls to become warriors or priestesses (and support personnel) who have “shadow” twins who come from a mirror world, but only at night in the presence of some kind of light. The novel is not the typical fantasy, though the plot is pretty typical, dealing with a prophesied special sister who brings disastrous happenings, as well as triumphs, f...more
I finally found it! I kept on forgetting the title of this book. I initially thought the title was "White Jenna", but then I remembered that's what a character in the book calls the MC. Whew. And, turns out, the second book in the trilogy is entitled White Jenna. Oh well.
I was bummed that I couldn't find the sequel for this series in any of the bookstores that I've been to. I thought this was really good. I love reading about fantasy matriarchal societies. And I liked the idea of a "twin" that a...more
I was bummed that I couldn't find the sequel for this series in any of the bookstores that I've been to. I thought this was really good. I love reading about fantasy matriarchal societies. And I liked the idea of a "twin" that a...more
I first read this book many years ago, but my local library did not have the sequel. I never forgot about it though because I thought the concept was so cool! I reread this book because it had been such a long time, but I am really looking forward to finally knowing what happens. Now that I'm older and more analytical, I must say I really like the style of this book. It isn't just a story, but also includes ballads and songs (with actual music in the back!) as well as historical analyses from th...more
The best thing about this lyrical almost mythological two part series is the world building. I've not seen anything like it before or since and it's, simply put, amazing. The writing is definitely on the side of strong and empowered women (showing feminist 1970s roots, I believe). I think the world and story are complex enough for any reader, although I believe the target audience is YA. (When she wrote it I'm not certain there really was a "YA" concept yet.) Anyway, I love it, it's brilliant!
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The story was OK, but there were all these annoying digressions that were supposed to be academic studies of the events in the book from a remove of several hundred years. They were distracting and didn't add anything.
It was a little too heavy handed with Second Wave feminism and mystical Goddess worship stuff, though I don't mind that too much.
Overall, it just didn't draw me in. I won't be reading the next book in the series.
It was a little too heavy handed with Second Wave feminism and mystical Goddess worship stuff, though I don't mind that too much.
Overall, it just didn't draw me in. I won't be reading the next book in the series.
I stumbled upon this book years ago, and to this day, it is my favorite book of all time. I don't know why it struck me the way it did, maybe being an only child, this was a nice fantasy to have.
The second book in the series is good, but not as good as this one. It isn't a page-turner, or a story that you can't put down, but it just sticks with you.
I don't know how else to say it, but I love this book.
The second book in the series is good, but not as good as this one. It isn't a page-turner, or a story that you can't put down, but it just sticks with you.
I don't know how else to say it, but I love this book.
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Nov 01, 2011
Melinda
added it
I read this so long ago that I don't remember much about the plot, except that I have no desire to read it again. It wasn't miserable, and Jane Yolen has a readable style of writing. It made me uncomfortable, in that when I read it I was a young teen girl, without any wish to explore feminism. It made me think.
I went back and read this (after accidentally reading the sequel first), and happily the things that were glossed over in the second novel were explained and/or unfolded quite satisfactorily here. The story of White Jenna is compelling, especially the way she does not wish to be different from the other girls, does not wish to be a prophesied savior, but finds herself shouldering the mantel anyway as events swirl around her beyond her control. Even if she never truly believes herself that she is...more
I absolutely loved this novel expertly written by Yolen. It is marketed for young adults but is totally engaging even for adults. Yolen has created a myth, story, history, legends, and tales in book one of the Great Alta Saga, a fantastic adventure filled with strong women and feminist tones.
In a female-only warrior culture, everyone has a "dark sister"--a mirror image of themselves who only appears at night. I vaguely remember training montages in which the main characters must slog through mud at starve, and lots of thrilling knife work. Very satisfying.
Aug 07, 2009
Kellyann
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
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This book is an amazing bit of storytelling and novelistic art. Narrative peppered with myths and legends, folk-songs and scholarship (complete with references). A joy to read and re-read. Earthy and funny and serious and spiritual. Like all of my favorite things. :)
This book won't be for everybody but for those who are a little more into fantasy writing and goddess-oriented religions this will be a great, deep, calming breath. A beautiful story.
I enjoyed this book, but never really felt terribly compelled to see what would happen next. I'll keep an eye out for the next one in the series, but I'm not running out to get hold of it.
One of my favorite fantasy novels of all time. The switching between the story, the history, and the legend is really cool.
Me ha gustado bastante el ritmo de narración, pero me ha llamado especialmente la atención la forma narrativa. Relato, leyenda.... diferentes puntos de vista de un mismo relato....
Loved this book as a high schooler - 20 years later, I still love it!
I liked this book, but it took awhile for it to pick up. I enjoyed it though and I thought the story was very unique.
Read this in High School and really liked it.
Best book I ever as a teen
Interesting. Good story
Beautiful tale (though unfinished since it continues in another book) and the songs, myths, legends, and histories are a neat addition, but the additional stuff being spread throughout the narrative made it hard to immerse myself. Almost like swimming along only to hit a branch that you have to swim around before you can keep going. I intend to read the next book White Jenna if I can find a copy since none of the local libraries seem to have it.
Excellent book, but then I am partial to Jane Yolen's books. This, and it's sequel(s)(can't remember if it is one or two follow ups)reads very much like a fairy tale. I read this years ago, and really need to get it back out, because I remember getting just a little confused in the second book due to the length of time between the two.
If you enjoy fantasy reads with a strong female lead, without being pushy, then you will enjoy this book.
If you enjoy fantasy reads with a strong female lead, without being pushy, then you will enjoy this book.
Jane is a hit or miss author. She missed with this book.
Jane Yolen is always great to read! Interesting juxtaposition of legends, myths and her fictional account.
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Yolen was born at Beth Israel Hospital, the first child of Isabel Berlin and Will Hyatt Yolen. She and her family moved to California when she was young but returned to New York a few years later. After her younger brother was born, her father joined the army and served on the European front during WWII. Yolen spent her childhood taking piano lessons, ballet dancing and writing a neighborhood news...more
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