This is a beautifully written story of love, magic and transformation reminiscent of a fairy tale. Most contemporary adult
fantasy is written on an epic scale with multiple tomes of five-hundred pages or more. It was refreshing to be able to read
the entire book in one day.

The world building is a bit sketchy, but that's the tradeoff for keeping the story simple by sticking to one main plot
and a few characters. These characters are well enough drawn to be interesting through not terribly complex. Aubrey is almost
always cheerful and kindhearted, Lilith dispassionate, and Glyrenden temperamental.

Sharon Shinn has a true gift for story telling. This slender novella is actually my most favorite of her books, for it's simple style. She never over explains, it's just charming and romantic.

This book was a bit predictable - some heavy handed foreshadowing, but was an enjoyable quick read. Interesting plot and very rich prose, vivid and totally immersed in the world of the plot. Set in a kingdom where the royal courts have sorcerers. A talented young wizard apprentices with the master of a special skill - shape-changing. This was a gothic romance/fantasy. Had lots of the same elements as a traditional gothic plotline - sense of danger, setting in an isolated country mansion, class distinction, gender differences, all very similar to a typical suspense novel.

Original fantasy, thought provoking and human

Great read!

THE SHAPE-CHANGER'S WIFE is a first novel that deservedly won several awards; Locus' Best First Fantasy Novel of the year and also Nominee for the John W. Campbell Award for Best New Writer. Evocative of the best of Charles de Lint and Nina Kiriki Hoffman.

From back cover: Aubrey was a student, gifted in the fine art of wizardry. But the more knowledge he acquired, the more he wanted to learn. So he traveled to a faraway land in search of the greatest master of all, the powerful shape-changer, Glyrenden. From him, Aubrey expected to discover the secret of long-lost spells and the mysteries of arcane magic.
But there was one discovery he never expected, one mystery he risked everything to solve.
Her name was Lilith.

This is the review from Peter Beagle (The Last Unicorn). I couldn't have said it nearly as well:
"Sharon Shinn strikes me as the most promising and original writer to come along since Robin McKinley... Her deceptively low-keyed, marvelously straightforward storytelling is a delight and a comfort to discover"

Wonderful book. It felt much like a fairy tale story, not too slow, yet not too fast. There's vivid details that can put you right into the mood. It's a short read and well worth it.

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