Enchantress from the Stars
by Sylvia Louise Engdahl

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Book Reviews of Enchantress from the Stars

Book Review: One of the Most Influential Books of my Life
Summary: 5 Stars

Elana is both girl and woman, and her integrity, intelligence and courage inspired me. She was the first literary heroine I truly took to my heart and cherished as a role model. She lived in a world previously unimaginable to me (this was my first science fiction book), but her challenges and the way she faced them were immediate and real. Like Noren, the central character of Engdahl's "Children of the Star" trilogy, she wrestles with issues of truth, integrity, courage, love, and responsibility, because she cares so very deeply about them.

This was my first clue that science fiction could be about something besides ray guns and bug-eyed-monsters. Three cultures meet in this story, and the consequences of that impact held my attention and fired my imagination long after the last page. I'd always dreamed of adventures beyond the lovely but small town in which I was growing up. This book raised my eyes to the stars.

Finally, "Enchantress" taught me that the way a person perceives life and truth are inexorably bound up with their life experiences and references. Three people from different worlds meet in this book, and each has a completely different understanding of what's going on. From then on, I knew that my own perspective was necessarily limited, and I could never assume that another person automatically shared my understanding.

In the year 2001, I'm 36 years old, with a Masters Degree and a personal library of over 1000 volumes, and Elana and Georyn are still among my favorite characters of all time. "Enchantress from the Stars" stands among the few dozen on two special shelves of books that are set apart from the rest as being especially precious. When my now 5 year old daughter turns 12, I'm going to give her this book as a special gift.

Do yourself a favor: get it for yourself. And think seriously about getting it for a young woman of your acquaintance. Elana is an exceptional heroine and role model. And it's a great story.

Summary of Enchantress from the Stars

Science Fiction, Fantasy, & Magic Books

• Subjects > Children's Books > Science Fiction & Fantasy > Fantasy & Magic