The Mirror of Her Dreams

Volume I of Mordant's Need

By: Stephen R. Donaldson

Narrated by: Scott Brick

Length: 28 hrs and 27 mins

Publisher's Summary

With The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant, Stephen R. Donaldson changed the face of fantasy fiction forever. In The Mirror of Her Dreams, the astonishing first novel in the two-volume Mordant’s Need series, Donaldson shows us a world of wondrous beauty and seductive illusion, where mirrors hold the deadliest of magics and nothing is what it seems.

The daughter of rich but neglectful parents, Terisa Morgan lives alone in a New York City apartment, a young woman who has grown to doubt her own existence. Surrounded by the flat reassurance of mirrors, she leads an unfulfilled life - until the night a strange man named Geraden comes crashing through one of her mirrors, on a quest to find a champion to save his kingdom of Mordant from a pervasive evil that threatens the land. Terisa is no champion. She wields neither magic nor power. And yet, much to her own surprise, when Geraden begs her to come back with him, she agrees.

Now, in a culture where women are little more than the playthings of powerful men, in a castle honeycombed with secret passages and clever traps, in a kingdom threatened from without and within by enemies able to appear and vanish out of thin air, Terisa must become more than the pale reflection of a person. For the way back to Earth is closed to her. And the enemies of Mordant will stop at nothing to see her dead.

©1986 Stephen R. Donaldson (P)2012 Audible, Inc.

Scott Brick+Donaldson=Winning Combination

Would you listen to The Mirror of Her Dreams again? Why?

I'm listening to "Mirror of Her Dreams" (for the second time) while writing this review. I love it so much that I want to listen to it until I have pieces of it memorized. Those familiar with Brick's readings of the "Covenant" series will understand why. For those who aren't familiar with those recordings, I'll try to explain...

Scott Brick is often an understated narrator (as at least one other reviewer has noted, though calling his voice or this reading boring is grossly inaccurate), but he is always, *always* committed to the story, the characters and (first and most importantly) the words. He's an ideal reader for any book with a strong emphasis on character development because his style is nuanced and complex, marked by small changes in tone instead of histrionics. That's not to say that he isn't capable of a nice loud bellow every once in a while, but (again) only when the text calls for it.

"The Mirror of Her Dreams" and its sequel, "A Man Rides Through," collectively called "Mordant's Need," is one of Donaldson's more peripheral works, a status that it deserves in a superficial way. It's more conventional (plot-wise) than either "The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant" (all three) and the Gap series. But its ideas, particularly regarding reality and identity, are as complex as anything in those two series--as complex as anything in Donaldson's oeuvre. But it takes a while to get to those ideas. You'll listen to about an hour of this audiobook before the plot *really* gets going, but after that it's a joy on multiple levels: for its story, intellectually, and for its truly stellar characters.

One character in particular may be responsible for Mordant's Need's (relative) unpopularity: Terisa Morgan. She's the primary viewpoint character and for the first volume (this one) she does some fairly unlikable things and behaves in very frustrating ways. She struggles with her own existence and allows other (obviously bad) people to manipulate her into harming other (much better) characters. Some (in Amazon.com reviews) have called it a sexist portrayal but this is untrue. Terisa does forge her own identity in the end, but (unfortunately) most of that happens in the second book. For this one, you'll have to content yourself with the loyal-but-accident-prone Geraden, the old dodder and his dastard, King Joyse and Adept Havelock, the hilarious Tor, the dreamy idealistic Myste...I could go on, but you get the idea. Every character in Mordant (the story's fantasy world) is either lovable or fascinating--occasionally both. Even the villain is well and compellingly drawn--a character who likes causing havoc just for the sake of it sometimes, but who is also a devious, careful planner.

What other book might you compare The Mirror of Her Dreams to and why?

The "Mordant's Need" books really aren't like anything else. One might compare them to those fantasy/romance novels on the shelf based on pieces of their plot, but that comparison would be unfair: these are far better. "The Mirror of Her Dreams" resembles, in its intricacy and detailed world, historical fiction; its plot is suspenseful and full of intrigue, though it starts slow; and the characters are all realistically and sympathetically drawn, even characters that other authors would make you dislike.

Which scene was your favorite?

My favorite scene (in this volume, at least) is probably the one between Terisa, Master Eremis and Geraden--when Geraden keeps *cough* "interrupting" the other two. It is not a scene I can read in public; I laugh far too much. Scott Brick's reading of this scene is also dead-on convincing; I could see the characters voicing the words (in his tone) in my head.

A close second has to be Terisa's last conversation with Myste. This scene is a turning point of the story, but I think a lot of people miss its significance (when reading) because it is comparatively quiet in terms of action. Again, it's read perfectly here, and Myste (already a compelling character on paper) fairly pops out of the page, her faraway gaze coming into focus at least for a moment.

Also, I love all the scenes with Adept Havelock. This book is full of fantastic scenes--and it is also better than the sum of its parts.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

There is a point in this book when a 20+-ton wall/ceiling falls in on a (very much beloved) character. The pages that follow are incredibly moving, though not for the reasons that you'd think.

Any additional comments?

This audiobook is already making me excited for the day when Scott Brick reads Donaldson's "Gap" series. I can't wait!

Thank Heavens, It's Finally Over!

Some will probably fault this critique because they'll say that all my complaints are reversed in the second book and shame on me for not having the faith to drop a another credit on it. Sorry, he had 22 hours to pique my interest and give me a reason. I'm not going to throw good credits after bad.

This is a bad audiobook. Do not buy it. If you somehow come to it for free, do not listen to it.

Why is it bad? The characters are bad. I know many readers may have come here from some piece of Thomas Covenant. I read those books many years ago, and although they weren't my favorite, I did like them. I know it is Donaldson's shtick to have a mentally or physically damaged protagonist. Fine. This protagonist has nothing but her damages, and she doesn't experience any development or growth. She ends the book the same milquetoast, weak-willed, ineffectual, submissive "heroine" she is at the beginning. Oh there are three scenes where she "defies" powerful men (mostly by lying to them), but most of the narrative of those scenes are given over to how she is on the edge of insanity, narrowly keeping herself from devolving into a mass of teary jello.

The remaining women in the book are as single-trait as she is. Elega is ambitous. Myste is capricious. The maid is licentious. Most of the men are just as shallow with a couple exceptions.

The Story is bad though not quite as bad. One thing you will have to recognize going into it is that this is not a book. This is half of a book. He's just selling it in two pieces [cha-ching]. Unless you are convinced you're buying both from the outset, do not begin. And I do indeed differentiate this from a two book series as well. This is not that. This book does not stand on its own. That said, there is some intrigue present. You'll have to buy the second book if you want any answers though. The system of magic is ok as well. I would have liked a little more explanation, but there is plenty of potential.

As for the reading: I did not really like it, but I still feel the voice actor is talented. I kind of get what he was going for. I feel like his wispy, breathy, melodramatic portrayal was an attempt to reflect the personality of the protagonist. If that is the case, the reader nailed it and the reason I didn't like the reading is because I didn't like the protagonist. He also did a good job of characterizing the other voices such that they were recognizable and sympathetic. But for all that it was a coherent portrayal, it was just so grating.

Argh-Worthy Character

I totally wanted to smash the main character's head into a wall. Seriously. She was so ... so .... insipid. She had a bit of thought process to her -- in fact, that was all she had since she was sort of the female version of Hamlet, always whimpering over what she should do and not taking any action -- so I can't call her vapid.

She was "Aargh!"-worthy.

I liked the world. I liked the setting. But her inability to take action frustrated to the point that I just didn't like the book.

A girl matures to a woman/Strange tactics

Stephen R. Donaldson is an interesting author. I generally have to read his books with a dictionary beside me. I suppose this story would be labelled a fantasy. It takes a while to build and the young characters are quite immature from the beginning and so indecisive. By the end of the Mordant's Need, however, you are anxiously ready for the second part.

Good story.

Great Romance and Fiction!

What did you love best about The Mirror of Her Dreams?

It has a theme of Romance running thru...it is about a young woman who finally discovers who she is.

What did you like best about this story?

The plot....the way Donaldson draws you in to a new world and the intricate plots and twists.

Which character – as performed by Scott Brick – was your favorite?

He did a great job..

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

When King Joyce finally admited what he had done...why he had done it...and the pain and joy actually made me cry at the moment. (oops...second book) Ok on this one....The heartbreak.... the way Teresa made a choice to be loyal...to follow and TRUST the one person who had been by her side. Everyone one else at this point had left her...as it had all of her life...

Any additional comments?

This is a two book series. You must get the other one....This was well worth the credit paid...Very much so...and the speaker...great!!

I expected more

Unimpressed with slow character development. The premise is interesting however the execution was unimpressive. The sexual storyline was unbearable. I would like to see the Chronicles of Thomas Covenant on Audible.

Donaldson's best work

This book and its sequel are the most captivating that the author ever wrote. I absolutely recommend this book and it's sequel for anyone who enjoys fantasy novels. I think very highly of the first Covenant series, but for purely enjoyable story telling this is his best.

First things first- this book has a lot going on. The main character is involved in lots of plots and sub-plots and had many very interesting interactions with many vivid characters. The book is a fantasy/mystery. The climax is absolutely great.

My only real complaint about Donaldson is that his characters are so damned frustrating. In other books, after restating every problem a hundred times they often do little or do something weird or simply wait for someone else to do something. This book has some of that, but I believe that he handles it much better than in the Covenant novels. As I said, there is a lot going on and many times the character has good reason not to act.

Unfortunately the reader is the patron saint of frustrated narration and I think he was a terrible choice for any Donaldson novel. Technically he's is very good reader, but for my money he was a bad choice here.

Needs an up beat narrator

Not bad but over all dull and the monotone narrator didn't help. If I was active while listening I could focus on it but just to sit and listen it put me to sleep a few times. I don't see my self picking up the rest of the series.

Utterly Cringeworthy

This is one of the most cringeworthy books I’ve ever attempted. I’m halfway through book 1 and I can’t go on. This appears to be the story of a woman so psychologically abused by her parents that she’s at the emotional and psychological age of a preteen and has developed a severe mental disorder. She’s then teleported to a fantasy universe where she’s systemically mentally, emotionally, or sexually abused by everyone around her. Most notably this is done by barraging her with misinformation, tearing down her trust, isolating her from others, threatening her, physically harming her, sexually molesting her, attempting to murder her, etc. This is a woman so psychologically damaged BEFORE all these events she’s been trained to submissiveness to the point she has thinks she doesn’t exist.

The sexual element is particularly disturbing. A creepy man in a position of power basically starts pawing all over her within about a minute of meeting her. She’s obviously not mature or aware enough to know what to do with this, other than submit as she’s been trained to do. After about the fifth gross scene of some creepy old dude heavy-petting the emotionally-crippled protagonist (complete with treating her like an object to be degraded), I’m out.

I generally have zero problem reading material that is dark or explicit. (I found Game of Thrones very exciting and intriguing.) However, this book makes me feel so disgusting just listening... I can’t go any farther. I’ve read enough reviews and spoilers at this point to know this is just the way the book is; no magical change is coming to make this okay.

Also, the book is terribly boring and the characters are all utterly unlikeable or forgettable, including the poor abused protagonist.

Main Character and Plot is Seriously Flawed

I read this book decades ago and remembered liking it. I'm a huge fan of Thomas Covenant series(s) and usually give credit to a good author even when reading something completely different.

The fairly sexist portrayal of the heroine made me cringe and/or yell at the audio at times in this re-visit. I know we're different in 2017 than we were in 1986, but it's hard to believe that even in 1986, a woman would be this easy to manipulate - to the point of allowing sexual assault to occur repeatedly. There's zero satisfactory explanation for her willingness to be manipulated - Daddy issues aside.

What drove me nuts was the fact that the heroine is pulled from a modern day Earth-like world into a Middle Ages realm and there's almost zero curiosity expressed by anyone in that world. Despite her desire to help this world, she takes ZERO knowledge from her life in a more advanced world - never once is it even hinted that she could have knowledge that might help except for a stupid scene about carrier pigeons... huh?

Besides the weakness of the main character, the willingness of every other character to ignore basic logic and common sense was a repeatedly used plot device. Characters became simpletons when needed - not that most of the characters were written as having much more than basic intelligence. Priorities that one would expect when an army is camped outside your castle and dire life-threatening circumstances have occurred inside the castle are paused so that a stupid little trial of who's a possible traitor can be staged as if the army outside the gates is not there ???

Overall, not a great start to a series. Will soon start book 2 and maybe what I remember was a more positive feeling from 1986 based on both books vs this first one.