Chalice

By: Robin McKinley

Narrated by: Rachael Beresford

Length: 8 hrs and 41 mins

Publisher's Summary

The earthlines speak to Mirasol, but her family has lived in the demesne for centuries, and many of the old families can hear the land. She knows that the violent deaths of the last Master and Chalice have thrown Willowlands into turmoil; but she is only a beekeeper, and the problems of the Circle that govern Willowlands have nothing to do with her - although she wonders what will become of her demesne, because the Master and Chalice left no heirs to carry on their crucial duties.   

And then the Circle come to Mirasol, to tell her that she has been chosen to be the new Chalice; and the Master she must learn to work with is a Priest of Fire, a man no longer quite human, whose touch can burn human flesh to the bone.

©2008 Robin McKinley (P)2019 Tantor

A favorite McKinley

This is one of my favorite of Robin McKinley's books and she is an author I will buy sight unseen. This story is fascinating and like all her others, it has a strong female lead.

Mirasol has become the new Chalice in her land. The new Master is a Priest of Fire. Neither was prepared to become their new positions and both must not only learn their new roles but also to heal the land that has been torn apart by the bad leadership and the horrific deaths of the previous Chalice and Master. All while the political machinations of others are seeking to wrest control from them.

And Mirasol is just a humble beekeeper.

The one drawback here is the narrator. Rachael Beresford is mediocre at best. Her manner of delivery is hesitant and somewhat inconsistent. Occasionally she loosens up and sounds like she is just talking and then the story flows well. But for the most part, she is a stiff, stilted reader. Not the best choice for this book. Not the worst, but not the best.

But the book itself is wonderful.

A light fantasy romance not helped by the narrator

This story is more enjoyable to read than listen to because of the narrator's breathy almost little girl's voice. The narrator makes the main character seem a helpless and slightly pathetic character, though I don't think that is what the author intended.

Another finely crafted jewel by Robin McKinley

This is a beautiful heart-wrenching story written with no superfluous narrative.

Rachael Beresford's narrative style is perfect for the poetic nature of Robin McKinley's prose.

So happy to see this in audio.

Lovely reading of one of my all time favorite books! Chalice is a graceful country tale that wanders from place to place until it comes to the end and you realize the path you have been traveling was as straight as it could be in order to reach the end. As full of magic and mystery as Marisol's honey, Chalice is a joy.

Terrible narrator, but the story isn't bad.

Very sleep inducing narration. Hated her voice. The story was typically enjoyable Robin McKinley.