Changing Fate

All that the other reviewers have said about this book is true, so I won't add to that. I was a close friend of Elisabeth for almost twenty years, and was with her when she wrote Changing Fate. We discussed it over a load of laundry, as I recall. The book is a gentle tale, much like her character. She said the wolf was based on Signy, her Wolf/shepherd cross, and often joked that she lived in a wolf pack, so she might as well write about it. She has an impressive body of work, all varied and imaginative. We collaborated on some tales, notably "Connecticat," in Catfantastic 3.

This is one of my favorite fantasy novels, mixing shape-shifting, romance, kings, and adventure into a captivating tale. Elisabeth Waters is a great author and I only hope she keeps on writing!

CHANGING FATE is one of those fantasy books that, sadly, seem to be going out of style; that is, an uncomplicated yet imaginative and interesting plot, realistic characters you can relate to, and almost no sex or violence. It is a great book to read when you are relaxing, because it doesn't send you on an emotional roller-coaster, but it still holds your attention and keeps you entertained. I would like very much to see more from Ms. Waters.

Elisabeth Waters manages to fit it all into this comparatively slim novel. Remarkable in its lack of stereotypes, Changing Fate is a truly enjoyable fantasy. Shape-changer Acila is forced to leave her home when it is captured by a Lord Ranulf. She and her dreamy, impractical brother, Briam, eventually come to the city of Diadem. In a kingdom of women-rulers, Briam is chosen as Year-king-- one scheduled to be sacrificed at the end of the summer. Acila's certainly not going to stand for it! But how to rescue him? With the help of Druscilla, the reluctant heir to the crown of Diadem, her companion, Wolf (incidentally a wolf) and her own unique powers, Acila knows she must save Briam. The characters are done very well. There are no villains in Changing Fate. The Queen sacrifices Year-kings merely to keep her people happy; Lord Ranulf...well, he's not at all a cold-hearted invader. I particularly liked the handling of Druscilla, a competent and intelligent woman whom everyone underestimates at first, including Acila. If you're at all into fantasy, Changing Fate is that rare and obscure book that is a must.

I really enjoyed this book. Unlike most fantasy thses days, the characters are non-steriotypical and the magic is original. No sorceresses and handsome knights in this one! The characters were all real people I could actually relate to. I can't believe this book went out of print!