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90th out of 292 books
—
263 voters
The Song of Mavin Manyshaped (Mavin Manyshaped #1)
It is never easy growing up as a shape-shifter, learning to control the wild Talent for changing into any shape at all - a winged dragon, a pillar of stone, another human being, a creature from nightmare. But for Mavin Manyshaped - one of only two she-shifters in her tribe, and recklessly headstrong by nature - coming of age is both exhilarating and terrifying. Little does...more
Mass Market Paperback, 183 pages
Published
March 1st 1985
by Ace
(first published February 1st 1985)
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400th out of 722 books
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390 voters
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Song of Mavin contains the kernels of everything I love about Tepper's work. There's the character herself; a little dreamy but becoming determined and practical, coming into her strength by developing self-reliance and thinking far outside tradition. The threads of horror running through it, and the struggles of sexism, of being assigned by birth to baby-making with only limited freedoms. The convoluted and slow punishment of wanton destruction--very few authors could develop a wicker basket i...more
I've been wanting to read a Sheri S. Tepper book for some time. Unfortunately, this wasn't a great one for me to start with. It's the first in a series of books I won't be reading, but it's part of the True Game series, consisting of a few trilogies and short stories. Although, I might give King's Blood Four a go.
So, The Song of Mavin Manyshaped, like most high fantasy books I try to read, had far too many strange words and creatures and names to keep them all straight.
I got about halfway throug...more
So, The Song of Mavin Manyshaped, like most high fantasy books I try to read, had far too many strange words and creatures and names to keep them all straight.
I got about halfway throug...more
Like most high fantasy books I try to read, there are far too many strange words and creatures and names to keep them all straight.
I got about halfway through before deciding that it was too confusing and too much work. I'll stick with urban fantasy.
That said, what I did read and understand was superbly written. I love Tepper's writing style, and I simply adore her social commentary on abused and exploited women, as well as the justified punishment Mavin dishes out to the disgusting rapists. L...more
I got about halfway through before deciding that it was too confusing and too much work. I'll stick with urban fantasy.
That said, what I did read and understand was superbly written. I love Tepper's writing style, and I simply adore her social commentary on abused and exploited women, as well as the justified punishment Mavin dishes out to the disgusting rapists. L...more
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Early Tepper!
This has been kicking around under my ownership for a while, and I decided to read it now because the title character was mentioned, in passing, in the last Patricia McKillip book I read (Od Magic). This made me go, "Huh, is Mavin a mythological character, not just a fictional character?" No. It's just an homage.
Still, it deserves an homage.
I really liked this book. It does show that it's an early work (1985, her 4th or 5th novel, I believe). This is both good and bad. The prose is...more
This has been kicking around under my ownership for a while, and I decided to read it now because the title character was mentioned, in passing, in the last Patricia McKillip book I read (Od Magic). This made me go, "Huh, is Mavin a mythological character, not just a fictional character?" No. It's just an homage.
Still, it deserves an homage.
I really liked this book. It does show that it's an early work (1985, her 4th or 5th novel, I believe). This is both good and bad. The prose is...more
I originally read this book in high school and it made a large impact on me. I've re-read it since, but it's still probably been 15 years since I've picked it up so my memory is now rather sketchy on the actual story. However, this was probably the best book I've read about a shape shifter (not of the werewolf variety, but more like Otto from Deep Space Nine). I also think that this was written early in Tepper's carer as it does not contain the social commentary that her later-written books do.
An outstanding, well developed, brilliantly characterized, clearly imagined and original - this is my favorite of all Tepper's series.
You know, I do understand about messages and causes (especially those I support) but it saddens me to no end to see such a brilliant talent limited in the way Tepper's has become.
You know, I do understand about messages and causes (especially those I support) but it saddens me to no end to see such a brilliant talent limited in the way Tepper's has become.
After over a decade of searching for this book through the dusty confines of my memory I have found it. I am reading it again along with more novels by Sheri. From what I can remember it is a delightful book, with the ability to stay within your memory for many years after you first read it.
Finished this book so easily! I can just step right into Sheri's worlds and trust that I won't get out until I am ready. Usually that means that I take my time with her books and enjoy the stay, but this was a quick read and I got to the end before I realized! Mavin is a wonderful character, so wise at such a young age. I just love how she goes against the grain of traditional teaching to figure out her own way of being, which causes her to become so much more.
I just love Sheri S. Tepper. Plain...more
I just love Sheri S. Tepper. Plain...more
I read this when I was in elementary school, loved it but loaned it to a friend who forgot to give it back! Fortunately I was able to get another copy years later and I ain't letting it out of my sight!
I think I prefer Mavin's prequel to the original true-game. Not only do we learn more about the land of the true game, but we see beyond the edges of the map, beyond the board. Excellent.
This book is a wonderful treatment of shape shifters. Tepper's universe is truly fantastical and full of wonderment in this book and the related series. Good books for YA.
The world of Mavin Manyshaped is a fantastic and wonderful world.
Check it out!!!
Check it out!!!
very nice prequel to True Game
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Sheri Stewart Tepper is a prolific American author of science fiction, horror and mystery novels; she is particularly known as a feminist science fiction writer, often with an ecofeminist slant.
Born near Littleton, Colorado, for most of her career (1962-1986) she worked for Rocky Mountain Planned Parenthood, where she eventually became Executive Director. She has two children and is married to Gen...more
More about Sheri S. Tepper...
Born near Littleton, Colorado, for most of her career (1962-1986) she worked for Rocky Mountain Planned Parenthood, where she eventually became Executive Director. She has two children and is married to Gen...more
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