- Hardcover: 464 pages
- Publisher: Tor Books; First Edition edition (May 19 2005)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 0312858795
- ISBN-13: 978-0312858797
- Product Dimensions: 22.9 x 14.7 x 4.1 cm
- Shipping Weight: 680 g
- Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (1 customer review)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #2,113,616 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Product Details |
Product Description
From Publishers Weekly
The first adult novel by children's author Steiber is a somewhat prolix fantasy in a recognizably contemporary world, featuring an intriguing setting—the enchanted yet tawdry port city of Arcato, in which gods pose as mortals for unfathomable reasons and shape-shifters veer between human and animal forms. Different eras coexist, and residents reach hidden towns through underground passages. The one constant is the jewelry, exquisite gems that possess subtly sentient powers. Most notable is a piece of jade fashioned into a miniature dragon with a mind of its own. Alas, the human characters aren't nearly as interesting. Lucinda de Francesco, whose quest for true love drives the murky plot, tries the reader's patience with her vapid ruminations on life. Still, blurbs from such eminent fantasy writers as R.L. Stine, Jacqueline Carey and Gregory Frost should ensure a strong start for this ambitious tale of magic and romance.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
From Booklist
A prolific writer of young adult and children's fantasy successfully essays adult fantasy in a character-centered story of daily life and occasional crisis in Arcato, a city ruled by the magic residing in gems that are not mere, passive instruments but volitional entities. Eleven-year-old Michael Fortunato may have blood on his hands as a result of the gems' influence. Lucinda de Francesco wants nothing to do with magic, gems, or gods, but can she avoid them? Alasdair the shaman, on the other hand, actively seeks out the gems to draw on their powers, sometimes with more zeal than caution. Antique dealer Sebastian Keane is actively seeking Lucinda and is willing to take all the help he can get from wherever he can get it. The results of these characters' interactions are complex, probably overly long, but told in superior prose. Steiber quite possibly inaugurates a series but, in any event, adds respectably to the fantasy shelves. Roland Green
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
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Most helpful customer reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Surprisingly good,
By
This review is from: A Rumor of Gems (Hardcover)
This book stands out as one of the best ones I've read in the last few years, and that isn't a short list of books. Though at times it feels a bit long, the story is compelling and hard to put down. An intriguing world of mostly modern means and magic and gods. Definitely worth a read!
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta) Amazon.com:
4.4 out of 5 stars (10 customer reviews) 6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Urban Fantasy Plus,
By Rue "a meddling spinster" - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: A Rumor of Gems (Hardcover)
If you loved Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman, and enjoy the books of Arturo Perez-Reverte (odd combination, I know), I think you'll really enjoy A Rumor of Gems.
The characters are fully drawn, realistically imperfect, eccentric, and very likeable. The style of characterization is what most reminds me of Perez-Reverte's books (Flanders Panel springs to mind). The combination of familiarity and strangeness of the setting/background is what reminded me of Neil Gaiman's books. The magic itself is not the usual, and the author lets the reader discover what it's all about alonside Lucinda, the female protagonist. This is the author's first full-length fantasy for adults, and I hope she'll treat us to many more. And I hope the jade dragon returns in at least one of them! 6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Very human magic,
By cadredmed - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: A Rumor of Gems (Hardcover)
Steiber's first venture into the world of adult fantasy is impressive. Rumor of Gems captivated me from the first line, as did the definitely quirky but deeply realized heroine, Lucinda. Unlike much adult fantasy fiction this book revels in depth of character--the plot emerges from Lucinda's own troubled past--and that of Alasdair, the hauntingly romantic and reluctant and definitely sexy hero of the tale. The story opens with gemstones appearing everywhere...in people's pockets, on the streets, in nooks and crannies of the houses of unsuspecting citizens of a modern river town with definite medieval ambiance. The mystery of the why and "wherefrom" of the gems immediately ensnares the reader in a web of magical happenings. The adventuresome action-filled tale certainly piqued my own interest in gems...as well as in the fate of the extraordinary characters...perhaps the most loveable of which is a perceptive and delightfully wiley tiny jade dragon. At the end of the book I found myself longing for a sequel.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
My New Favorite Author!,
By Calissa Hatton - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: A Rumor of Gems (Hardcover)
A Rumor of Gems is a great new fantasy novel by an excellent writer. I can't get enough of this book. Like most people, I didn't want it to end. I felt as if I have been in Arcato now.
The main story is about Lucinda, who finds herself on a journey as she discovers more about herself and helps her friends. There is romance, adventure and lots of fun. The story has a wonderful cast of colorful characters. The gemstone theme throughout the book is so cool. Gods wander the streets among humans, shape shifters cause trouble. With so much going on, it was a lot of fun to read. I highly recommend this and I hope there will be a second book set in Arcato. I can't wait to go back again. |
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