The Ill-made Mute (The Bitterbynde Trilogy) - Softcover
This first title in a new trilogy, set in a world of legendary creatures, introduces the least of the lowly--a mute, scarred foundling, unaware of who she is or why she is wandering the dangerous landscape. Fortunately, an old female servant takes her in and protects her. As she grows, she finds friends in this strange land, and together, they set out to find her name, her past, and her future.
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Review:
This first novel by Australian writer Cecilia Dart-Thornton begins the Bitterbynde series, the saga of a young woman's search for her past as well as her destiny. An orphaned refugee taken in as a servant of powerful Isse Tower, a prominent Relay Station in the world's communications network, the main character is a nameless, badly scarred mute with little hope for better--until he escapes by stowing away on a magical Windship and is befriended by cheerful Sianadh, a self-professed madman and adventurer. Sianadh gives his companion two precious gifts: a name, Imrhien, and the knowledge that he is really she, raised as a boy to protect her from even worse treatment. Together, the two journey into the deep green heart of a great forest, defeat the tricky magics of various eldritch wights, and discover a vast treasure that will change their lives forever. When Imrhien learns of Maeve One-Eye, a healer who may be able to repair her scars and restore her memory, the girl is determined to seek her out. On the dangerous trip west, Imrhien meets and falls in love with the Dainnan ranger Thorn, but doubts he could ever return her affections. While this novel doesn't stand well alone, readers who crave long and detailed journeys through fantastic lands filled with magical creatures will enjoy Imrhien's travels. Dart-Thornton's world takes many traditional elements of epic fantasy and manages to stir them into something charming and new. --Charlene Brusso
From the Author:
THE ILL-MADE MUTE has attracted wonderful reviews from such well-known authors as Andre Norton, Jennifer Roberson, Elizabeth Hand, Susan Krinard and Rosemary Edghill, as well as Kirkus Reviews.
The story draws deeply on the genuine folklore of the British Isles. I delight in weaving these tales throughout my novels, bringing them out of the dusty archives of the 19th century into the light of the third millennium. Some of my favourite species of fairies, or “eldritch wights”, are the handsome ganconers, who lure mortal maidens to their doom. The female version of the ganconers are the baobhan sith; beauteous, lethal damsels. There are also swan-maidens, spriggans, wicked water-horses, fuaths and duergars. British folklore collectors have given us a fascinating multitude of immortal wights - some good, some evil, others mischievous practical jokers.
The other titles in the trilogy are "The Lady of the Sorrows (2002) and "The Battle of Evernight" (2003).
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- PublisherPan Macmillan Australia
- Publication date2001
- ISBN 10 0732910978
- ISBN 13 9780732910976
- BindingPaperback
- Number of pages437
- Rating
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The Ill-Made Mute; Book I of the Bitterbynde
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Tor, Sydney, NSW, Australia
(2001)
ISBN 10: 0732910978
ISBN 13: 9780732910976
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Book Description Softcover. Condition: Very Good. Dust Jacket Condition: No Dust Jacket. First Edition. At the beginning of the text there is a map of the nine countries of Erith and at the rear of the book there are some Ertish words and phrases. Black and white photograph of the author to the penultimate page. Colour illustrated paperback binding with white and green coloured titles to the front panel and black coloured titles to the back strip. Title says it all. Rubbing of the book edges and panels with age toning of the text block edges and pages. Size: Large Format Paperback. 438 pages. Please refer to accompanying picture (s). Quantity Available: 1. Shipped Weight: Under 1 kilo. Category: Science Fiction & Fantasy; ISBN: 0732910978. ISBN/EAN: 9780732910976. Inventory No: 0290422. Seller Inventory # 0290422
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The Ill-made Mute
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Tor Australia
(2001)
ISBN 10: 0732910978
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Book Description Softcover. Condition: Very Good. Dust Jacket Condition: No Dust Jacket. Edition Unstated. Size: Octavo (standard book size). 448 pages. Text body is clean, and free from previous owner annotation, underlining and highlighting. Binding is tight, covers and spine fully intact. No foxing in this copy. Edges foxed and browned. Quantity Available: 1. Shipped Weight: Under 1 kilogram. Category: Science Fiction & Fantasy; ISBN: 0732910978. ISBN/EAN: 9780732910976. Dewey Code: A823.4. All our pictures shown here are of the actual item, not stock photos. Inventory No: RB11865. For further info on this title, click on the "Contact Seller" button within this listing. We will try to reply within 24 hours. Otherwise you can order right now (inclusive of shipping options) from the "Add to Basket" button to the right. Seller Inventory # RB11865
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The Ill-Made Mute - Bitterbynde Trilogy #1
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Macmillan, Australia
(2001)
ISBN 10: 0732910978
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Book Description Trade Paperback. Condition: Good. Trade Paperback. 432 pages. *** PUBLISHING DETAILS: Macmillan, Australia, 2001. *** CONDITION: This book is in good condition. More specifically: Covers have moderate creasing. Edges of covers have moderate wear. Spine has moderate reading creases. . Pages are reasonably tanned. *** ABOUT THIS BOOK: In a world where creatures of legend haunt the lands of men, and to be caught outside after curfew means almost certain death, the inhabitants of Isse Tower find a mute, starving child outside their gates. The wise woman of Caermelor is the only person who might be able to restore the foundling. *** Quantity Available: 1. Category: Science Fiction & Fantasy; ISBN: 0732910978. ISBN/EAN: 9780732910976. Inventory No: 20110027. The photo of this book is of the actual book for sale. Seller Inventory # 20110027
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The Ill-Made Mute - Bitterbynde Trilogy #1
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Macmillan, Australia
(2001)
ISBN 10: 0732910978
ISBN 13: 9780732910976
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Book Description Trade Paperback. Condition: Very Good. Trade Paperback. *** PUBLISHING DETAILS: Macmillan, Australia, 2001. *** CONDITION: This book is in very good condition. *** ABOUT THIS BOOK: In a world where creatures of legend haunt the lands of men, and to be caught outside after curfew means almost certain death, the inhabitants of Isse Tower find a mute, starving child outside their gates. The wise woman of Caermelor is the only person who might be able to restore the foundling. *** Quantity Available: 1. Category: Science Fiction & Fantasy; ISBN: 0732910978. ISBN/EAN: 9780732910976. Inventory No: 10040507. The photo of this book is of the actual book for sale. Seller Inventory # 10040507
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The Ill Made Mute: The Bittterbynde. Book 1
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Pan Macmillan, Sydney
(2001)
ISBN 10: 0732910978
ISBN 13: 9780732910976
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Book Description Paperback. Condition: Fine. Reprint. 434 pages. Book appears to have hardly been read and is in Fine condition throughout. The Stormriders Land Their Splendid Winged Stallions On The Airy Battlements Of Isse Tower. Seller Inventory # 157878
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The Ill Made Mute
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Macmillan, Sydney
(2001)
ISBN 10: 0732910978
ISBN 13: 9780732910976
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Book Description Paperback. Condition: Very Good. Reprint. 437 pages. Book is in Very good condition throughout. The Stormriders Land Their Splendid Winged Stallions On The Airy Battlements Of Isse Tower. Far Below, The Superstitious Servants Who Dwell In The Fortress's Depths Twell Ghastly Tales Of Evil Creatures Inhabiting The World's Outside, A World They Have Only Glimpsed. Seller Inventory # 068661
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The Ill-made Mute
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Pan Macmillan Australia Pty, Limited
(2001)
ISBN 10: 0732910978
ISBN 13: 9780732910976
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Book Description Paperback. In a dark and perilous realm, a nameless outcast seeks a voice, a past, and a future: "A dazzling debut" (Jennifer Roberson). In all of Erith, there is perhaps no one as wretched as the nameless mute foundling confined to the lowest depths of Isse Tower. Abused by many and despised by all, the pathetic creature lives without memories in the shadows. The amnesiac longs to escape--to roam the wild landscape in search of a past, a name, a destiny--but dangers surround the tower. Only flying ships and majestic winged horses carrying important visitors can reach the castle safely, landing high above the ground on its battlements. The local servants whisper about malevolent creatures that roam the forests and bear no love for humankind. Escape seems impossible in this treacherous world of wights and monsters. Praised as Australia's J. R. R. Tolkien, Cecilia Dart-Thornton has set a towering new standard for fantasy fiction, earning the respect and acclaim of readers, reviewers, and some of the world's most renowned fantasists. With roots firmly embedded in the ancient folklore of the British Isles, The Ill-Made Mute--the opening volume of Dart-Thornton's magnificent Bitterbynde Trilogy--introduces fantasy lovers to an unforgettable character whose remarkable adventures rival the epic trials of the Bagginses and the tales of The Silmarillion. This is a used book in fair condition, meaning a worn but fully readable copy; it may be scuffed, have rips or marks, contain highlighted passages and annotations, or be missing its dust jacket.Most of our images are sourced automatically, so the book cover shown might be different to the edition we have in stock. 3.4 Centimeters X 18 Centimeters X 21.5 Centimeters. Seller Inventory # 19438055
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The Ill-made Mute (The Bitterbynde Trilogy)
Published by
PanMacmillan
(2001)
ISBN 10: 0732910978
ISBN 13: 9780732910976
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Softcover
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Book Description Condition: Good. Most items will be dispatched the same or the next working day. A copy that has been read but remains in clean condition. All of the pages are intact and the cover is intact and the spine may show signs of wear. The book may have minor markings which are not specifically mentioned. Seller Inventory # wbs9723241295
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