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Forest King #3
Bright and Shining Tiger
Blessed with magical powers but cursed by her ignorant fellow humans, Runa leads a life of exile and scorn until she discovers the abandoned fortress of Silvercat Castellum and the friendly tiller folk, who welcome her as their ruler and protector
218 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1988
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
June 29, 2022
4,25 stars- English Ebook
Runa's mother was hanged when Runa was twelve for being a witch. Runa spent the next eleven years on the run from those who would do the same to her because of her ability to wield magic.
Finally she is caught, imprisoned for five years and then exiled. After two years wandering in the wilderness she enters a green and pleasant land. At this time she is 32, she has never established a home or a lasting relationship of any depth because of the misfortunes in her life.
The story opens with Runa being stalked by a large, invisible beast. When it appears it is a silver striped, sabetooth tiger, longer than Runa's horse. This Silver cat announces that Runa is its "meat" but does not attack her.
Exploring further, Runa discovers a land where the skeletons of the plague dead remain unburied. It is also infested with outlaws. She rescues a young boy whose father has been killed and learns that the land was once under the care of "the Burdened Ones", the Silver Cat Mantic and Margrave.
The Margrave was the war leader and hunter, the Mantic a magic wielder. Together they provided protection, sustenance and healing for the "Tiller Folk."
But about 150 years earlier the Margrave and Mantic had been deposed and killed in an uprising. Since that time the land had suffered. Anyone who had attempted since then to take over the Castellum where the Burdened ones had ruled has been destroyed by the magical guardians.
Her interest piqued, Runa manages to establish herself in the Castellum and begins to surround herself with the Tiller folk, but she finds herself unable to perform the roles of both the Margrave and the Mantic. The Silver Tiger is the guardian spirit of the land who chooses the Mantic and Margrave.
Then, one day, a bearded and braided barbarian, accompanied by a dozen followers pounds at the gate of the Silver cat castellum with the warning that there savage cannibals are coming their way. The savages are being herded their way by the other local leaders because they do not recognize Runa as a proper Mantic despite her possession of two horses and her undoubted skill at sorcery.
This is the story of how Runa and her barbarian come to terms with one another and with the requirments of being burdened by responsibility for other people. From two separate cultures, neither completely understands the other, but they are forced to learn to cooperate and respect one another abilities in order to survive.
This book, despite some small awkwardness in style is definitely a keeper.
Runa's mother was hanged when Runa was twelve for being a witch. Runa spent the next eleven years on the run from those who would do the same to her because of her ability to wield magic.
Finally she is caught, imprisoned for five years and then exiled. After two years wandering in the wilderness she enters a green and pleasant land. At this time she is 32, she has never established a home or a lasting relationship of any depth because of the misfortunes in her life.
The story opens with Runa being stalked by a large, invisible beast. When it appears it is a silver striped, sabetooth tiger, longer than Runa's horse. This Silver cat announces that Runa is its "meat" but does not attack her.
Exploring further, Runa discovers a land where the skeletons of the plague dead remain unburied. It is also infested with outlaws. She rescues a young boy whose father has been killed and learns that the land was once under the care of "the Burdened Ones", the Silver Cat Mantic and Margrave.
The Margrave was the war leader and hunter, the Mantic a magic wielder. Together they provided protection, sustenance and healing for the "Tiller Folk."
But about 150 years earlier the Margrave and Mantic had been deposed and killed in an uprising. Since that time the land had suffered. Anyone who had attempted since then to take over the Castellum where the Burdened ones had ruled has been destroyed by the magical guardians.
Her interest piqued, Runa manages to establish herself in the Castellum and begins to surround herself with the Tiller folk, but she finds herself unable to perform the roles of both the Margrave and the Mantic. The Silver Tiger is the guardian spirit of the land who chooses the Mantic and Margrave.
Then, one day, a bearded and braided barbarian, accompanied by a dozen followers pounds at the gate of the Silver cat castellum with the warning that there savage cannibals are coming their way. The savages are being herded their way by the other local leaders because they do not recognize Runa as a proper Mantic despite her possession of two horses and her undoubted skill at sorcery.
This is the story of how Runa and her barbarian come to terms with one another and with the requirments of being burdened by responsibility for other people. From two separate cultures, neither completely understands the other, but they are forced to learn to cooperate and respect one another abilities in order to survive.
This book, despite some small awkwardness in style is definitely a keeper.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 9, 2015
I picked this off the shelf at a used bookstore not expecting much. The cover and the summary gave me a good impression, but a lot of the time these out-of-print books turn out to be such crap. It didn't take much reading though for me to get totally addicted. From all the little hints and unresolved mysteries Edwards drops along the way, it's clear she planned on writing a sequel. Too bad she never did. Runa, the main character, is a sorceress somewhere in her thirties; she's incredibly well-traveled because she was run out of her country for being a witch, but she's never had a lover because of her situation. She ends up taking care of a castellum and the people and lands around it for a little while. Before she can bail out, a warrior arrives with his band, suggesting that she marry him and that they defend the country together. So it's a little formulaic, but it's one of those books that I sometimes reread all the way through just because it's so short and every scene is so fun.
March 31, 2008
While the story is a bit allegorical and part fantasy it is filled with emotive characters. Not flawless people but personalities dealing with strange and difficult situations that are only partly understood. This is a clash of societies expectations against strong new leaders.
Runa takes her place overseeing the castellum because the totem spirit animal has selected her. The other castellums have warrior Margaves and mystic leaders called Mantics who refuse to recognize her in the position.
A group of outland barbarians arrive forming yet another cultural conflct but also as a support giving Runa her needing warrior Margrave.
Runa and her barbarian come to terms with one another and with the requirements of responsibility for a people from a culture entirely separate from either leaders.
Runa takes her place overseeing the castellum because the totem spirit animal has selected her. The other castellums have warrior Margaves and mystic leaders called Mantics who refuse to recognize her in the position.
A group of outland barbarians arrive forming yet another cultural conflct but also as a support giving Runa her needing warrior Margrave.
Runa and her barbarian come to terms with one another and with the requirements of responsibility for a people from a culture entirely separate from either leaders.
February 17, 2017
I am so glad I discovered Claudia J. Edwards' books. She didn't write many and has passed away but I'm happy to be reading them now. Bright and Shining Tiger is fun. It's a lighthearted fantasy-romance originally published in 1988. The cover is kind of terrible, but I rather like it. It hits the nail on the head capturing Runa and Taharka...heh heh....and Taharka's horse. Runa accidentally becomes "lady of the manor" and ends up married to a barbarian. These two have to figure out how to live with each other since they come from vastly different cultures while dealing with some local magic that doesn't want them around. A few little things I could have done without, but overall it was worth the read. It's out of print but can be found pretty easily online.
March 18, 2012
By rights I shouldn't like this book at all. Any story which has plot points involving "husband's rights" and mentions "taming" where one's wife is involved usually gets short shrift from me. I also find the trope to be annoying as all get out.
Yet I like this book.
Taharka is a sweetheart, there's a ton of interesting cultural negotiation going on, and I could have read a whole book based on the horse-related stuff alone. And I love strong, stoic women learning how to trust.
Yet I like this book.
Taharka is a sweetheart, there's a ton of interesting cultural negotiation going on, and I could have read a whole book based on the horse-related stuff alone. And I love strong, stoic women learning how to trust.
December 3, 2011
I'm very glad I picked this book out of a BookCrossing book box, as it was a lot more interesting than I expected. Claudia J Edwards may not be the world's best writer, but once I got into the story I was hooked. An original setting and plot, interesting characters and lots of horses for added interest.
Her novels all seem to be out of print, but if I ever come across a second-hand copy I'll definitely be buying it.
Her novels all seem to be out of print, but if I ever come across a second-hand copy I'll definitely be buying it.
October 31, 2009
Beautifully written.
July 7, 2013
I unashamedly adore this book for its strong characters, and deft writing. I wish she'd continued writing.
August 23, 2018
I love this book to bits. I'm not a fan of fantasy, but Claudia's choice of words and description made it so easy for me to imagine a world different from us. It has a little bit of everything -- fantasy, suspense, horror, mystery, romance, action adventure and even comedy. Being a short book, busy adults can easily finish the book in a day!
I finished the book wishing there was more. The mystery of the previous mantic and margrave as mentioned at the beginning of the book was never brought up again, unfortunately. I guess Claudia meant to write a sequel, but never got the chance to follow up on the story.
The book follows the adventures of Runa, an exiled sorceress who travelled extensively and used to a solitary life without having to take responsibility for others. Her only care in this world was her horses, and magic. One day, a bright and shining tiger appeared to her, and thrust the responsibility of a township and its civilians (mostly simple minded farmers) to her. Thus begins Runa's journey of accepting a life completely different from the one she was used to. Her transformation from a carefree adventurer to a caring and responsible mantic was gradual and believable. The dynamics between Runa and Taharka was heartwarming and beautiful. Both emerged different from how they used to be at the beginning of the book.
My favourite book of all time.
I finished the book wishing there was more. The mystery of the previous mantic and margrave as mentioned at the beginning of the book was never brought up again, unfortunately. I guess Claudia meant to write a sequel, but never got the chance to follow up on the story.
The book follows the adventures of Runa, an exiled sorceress who travelled extensively and used to a solitary life without having to take responsibility for others. Her only care in this world was her horses, and magic. One day, a bright and shining tiger appeared to her, and thrust the responsibility of a township and its civilians (mostly simple minded farmers) to her. Thus begins Runa's journey of accepting a life completely different from the one she was used to. Her transformation from a carefree adventurer to a caring and responsible mantic was gradual and believable. The dynamics between Runa and Taharka was heartwarming and beautiful. Both emerged different from how they used to be at the beginning of the book.
My favourite book of all time.
January 16, 2023
Though this is #3 in the series, I don't believe there are any characters who carry over, thus they can be read as standalones.
The style reminds me of some of Andre Norton's writing with a cup of Star Wars' Yoda mannerisms. It's a good story and the hero is even better, almost too good to be true. Runa is a strong woman with power, but still pretty naive and inexperienced when it comes to people and particularly men. Taharka and Runa's relationship is the most interesting part of the book as they struggle to understand each other. It was an adequate story, but I wonder that Runa didn't consider .
The style reminds me of some of Andre Norton's writing with a cup of Star Wars' Yoda mannerisms. It's a good story and the hero is even better, almost too good to be true. Runa is a strong woman with power, but still pretty naive and inexperienced when it comes to people and particularly men. Taharka and Runa's relationship is the most interesting part of the book as they struggle to understand each other. It was an adequate story, but I wonder that Runa didn't consider .
May 6, 2017
This book probably ranks third for me out of the 4 books of Claudia J. Edwards. I enjoyed reading it, but it wasn't as interesting, fun, or compelling as "The Taming of the Forest King" and "A Horsewoman in Godsland" for me. I found the concept of governance by a mantic and a margrave interesting though. I also enjoyed how the two main characters got to know each other and care for each other. I guess personally it was just not enough for me to really be fascinated by. I did enjoy the concept of the "overmind" here as much as I did in the other books.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews