The Gates of Sleep (Elemental Masters Series #3) by Mercedes Lackey, Mercedes Lackey

From Barnes & Noble

Marina Roeswood has grown to womanhood as the ward of three bohemian artists on a rural English estate. But this quiet, Bloomsbury-like life is punctuated by miraculous incisions: Marina and her foster parents are, you see, Elemental Masters of magic. Being a fledgling Water Master has its rewards, of course, but Marina grows restless as she begins to fear that her parents have a secret that she needs to unravel…

From the Publisher

In the tradition of her acclaimed fairy-tale-inspired novel, The Serpent's Shadow, best-selling author Mercedes Lackey re-imagines Sleeping Beauty-as a dark and enchanting Edwardian fantasy.

Marina is the cherished daughter of the wealthy Roeswood family, practioners of Elemental Magic. But evil portents have warned her parents that Marina will be killed before her eighteenth birthday-by the hand of her own aunt.

Publishers Weekly

Putting a fresh face to a well-loved fairytale is not an easy task, but it is one that seems effortless to the prolific Lackey, best known for her Valdemar series (Arrows of the Queen, etc.). In a brilliant twist, the author sets the classic story of Sleeping Beauty in Edwardian England, imbuing her characters with the power of elemental magic, including the cursed child herself, Marina Roeswood. In an uninvited visit to her christening, Marina's evil aunt, Arachne, arrives in a puff of smoke and delivers a deadly curse, which is mitigated by the blessing of a family friend who imparts one last gift on the baby. Marina's guardians spirit her away to the Devon countryside to grow up. When we next see her, Marina is galloping through her 17th year, pursuing her magical training, though her guardians have tragically kept her ignorant of the curse. The inevitable triggering of said curse, when she turns 18, pits Marina's intelligence, cunning and magic skills against the full force of satanic evil. Beautiful phrasing and a thorough grounding in the dress, mannerisms and history of the period help move the story along gracefully. Marina's character, along with those of her guardians, her friends and Arachne, are fully fleshed out and credible. The fact that a teenage half-trained water mage would even dare to take on a 40ish satanist may be a bit implausible, but only on second thought. This is a wonderful example of a new look at an old theme. (Apr. 2) Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information.

KLIATT

A variation on the Sleeping Beauty fairy tale, this near-fantasy is set in Victorian England. Marina is raised by a Bohemian family, but is vaguely aware that her biological parents know of her existence. When she is 17, she learns that her parents have died and that her up-until-now unknown aunt Arachne is taking her—for keeps. Without an apparent will, reluctant Marina must go along with the plan. Is her wealthy aunt family-conscious? Oh, yes—for she was slighted at Marina's birth, and now plans to execute her revenge and kill Marina. Into this already slightly gothic setting arises magic. It appears that many folks in the area have some kind of supernatural skill, and spirits hover around. Marina was starting to develop her own magic when taken by Arachne. And while the aunt is not very gifted, her spoiled son is a sincere Satanist. Life does not bode well for Marina, except that the new young doctor in the neighborhood is sweet on her, and has some skill. So does the local minister. Thus, when Marina is poisoned by pricking her finger on her baby cradle, the good does overcome the strangely unsuspecting evil. This is a rather predictable story (obviously), but provides a harmless "spin" that should be a welcome read for teen girls who like the genre. KLIATT Codes: SA—Recommended for senior high school students, advanced students, and adults. 2002, DAW, 446p., Farmer

School Library Journal

Adult/High School-Fanciful and winsome, Sleep is a fantastical version of "Sleeping Beauty" set in England at the turn of the 20th century. Taken care of by family friends since infancy and surrounded by mages, Marina lives a charmed life. Befriended by water sprites, nymphs, and the like, she slowly comes to know why her loving parents sent her away. Tragically, just before her 18th birthday, they die in an "accident," and Marina is ripped from her idyllic country home by her coldly beautiful Aunt Arachne. The woman is controlling and harsh, yet even to the magically gifted she doesn't appear evil. Despite the lack of evidence, Marina's instincts gnaw at her, and fortunately she listens. A visit to one of her aunt's pottery factories provides unpleasant revelations both physical and metaphysical. Old-fashioned manners, dress, and speech set the tone in this pleasantly escapist novel. Mixed in are light touches of modern issues such as feminism and eco-awareness. YAs who liked fairy tales as kids will enjoy Lackey's spin on an old favorite.-Sheila Shoup, Fairfax County Public Library, VA Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information.

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