A Knot in the Grain and Other Stories by Robin McKinley

First sentence:

"The child was born just as the first faint rays of dawn made their way through the cracks between the shutters."

Description:

"Five heroines -- five tales of enchantment. . .

Lily. A woman with powers to heal, but no power of speech. Then she meets a mage -- a man who can hear the words she forms only in her mind. Will he help her find her voice?

Ruen. A princess whose uncle leaves her deep in a cave to die at the hands of the stagman. But when she meets the stagman at last, Ruen discovers fate has a few surprises in store for her.

Erana. As a baby, she was taken by a witch in return for the healing herbs her father stole from the witch's garden. Raised alongside the witch's troll son, Erana learns that love comes in many forms.

Coral. A beautiful young newcomer who caches the eye of an older widowed farmer. He can't believe his good fortune when Coral consents to be his wife. But then the doubts set in -- what is it that draws Coral to Buttercup Hill?

Annabelle. When her family moves the summer before her junior year of high school, Annabelle spends all her time in the attic of her new house -- until she finds the knot in the grain which leads her on a magical mission." -- from the back cover

My thoughts:

I liked these stories of fantasy and discovery. I especially liked the stories of Lily and her search for her voice and Erana who learns where her true home is.

Date read: 4/20/2008

Book #: 23

Challenge: Short Story Reading Challenge

Rating: 3*/5 = good

Genre: Fantasy

ISBN-10: 0064406040

ISBN-13: 9780064406048

Publisher: HarperTrophy

Year: 1995

# of Pages: 192

Binding: Trade Paperback

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