Pegasus

Written by Robin McKinley

Narrated by Kristen Atherton

Because she was a princess, she had a Pegasus…

Princess Sylviianel has always known that on her twelfth birthday she too would be bound to her own Pegasus. All members of the royal family have been thus bound since the Alliance was made almost a thousand years ago; the binding system was created to strengthen the Alliance, because humans and pegasi can only communicate formally, through specially trained Speaker magicians. Sylvi is accustomed to seeing pegasi every day at the palace, but she still finds the idea of her binding very daunting. The official phrase is that your pegasus is your “Excellent Friend.” But how can you be friends with someone you can’t talk to?

But everything is different for Sylvi and Ebon from the moment they meet at her binding—when they discover they can talk to each other. They form so close a bond that it becomes a threat to the status quo—and possibly to the future safety of their two nations. For some of the magicians believe there is a reason humans and pegasi should not fully understand each other…

• Language: English
• Publisher: Recorded Books, Inc.
• Release date: Jun 30, 2021
• ISBN: 9781705031742

Robin McKinley

Robin McKinley has won various awards and citations for her writing, including the Newbery Medal for The Hero and the Crown, a Newbery Honor for The Blue Sword, and the Mythopoeic Fantasy Award for Adult Literature for Sunshine. Her other books include the New York Times bestseller Spindle’s End; two novel-length retellings of the fairy tale Beauty and the Beast, Beauty and Rose Daughter; Deerskin, another novel-length fairy-tale retelling, of Charles Perrault’s Donkeyskin; and a retelling of the Robin Hood legend, The Outlaws of Sherwood. She lives with her husband, the English writer Peter Dickinson; three dogs (two hellhounds and one hell terror); an 1897 Steinway upright; and far too many rosebushes.

Reviews for Pegasus

[Hona B · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I loved it, made my brain tingle. Ends very abruptly.

[fence_2 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

n their twelfth birthday all members of the royal family are “bound” to a member of the pegasi royal family. It has been so ever since humans first came to this land they named Balsinland, after the first king. The pegasi at the time were in danger of being wiped out, attacked by rocs, wyverns, taralians and other dangerous creatures. The Alliance with the humans was a decisive swing in the balance of power, and for thousands of years now there has been relative peace. But the pegasi and the humans cannot learn each other’s language, needing magicians to translate for them. Until now, when the fourth daughter of the king learns that she can speak with her pegasus, Ebon. But not everyone is happy about this. Some of the magicians think that this communication is a the Alliance. Against the interest of the people.

as I’ve said before flying horses are awesome. Even if, in this case, they aren’t really flying horses as all. They are still awesome.

But this is a very different book to O’Hearn’s Pegasus and the flame. It has proper characters and characterisation, no gods and goddesses, and brilliant world-building. It is also a lot slower to develop and in some parts I felt a little clunky.

But I still enjoyed it.

However, it is part one of a story. Pegasus II is not due out until 2014, and it ends on a cliff-hanger. I hate that! Especially considering that I didn’t know that before starting the book. I really think that publishers should be obliged to mention on the title page that this is a story that won’t be finished in this book. It should be a law or something. And when I take over, it will be!

Anyways.

There were parts of this book that I really enjoyed, but as a whole I can’t really say that I loved it. Just a tad slow in the pacing at the start of the book, and I don’t think that the bad guy was threatening enough. I understand that Sylvi and Ebon were totally unusual, and their relationship was totally against many of the rules. But it never seemed threatening enough to be all that dangerous, and so that aspect of the story was lacking in tension. Even though it shouldn’t have been, because it is the central plot point.

So, all in all, a good, solid read, but more of a wold-bulding, establishing the scene sort of a book than an action packed one. I will be picking up the sequel as soon as I spot it though.

[jenniferelizabeth2 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I was...underwhelmed. I was expecting something a little more magical (?) and breathtaking. Unfortunately, most of the time I just felt confused.

[elenaj-147457 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Excellent - but OMG cliffhanger. And let us note, the sequel doesn't come out until next year, AND there's a third book, currently scheduled for 2015. I sort of wish I'd waited.

[cindywho-1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

You can't get any girlier than a princess and her Pegasus. It's a premise that could only be trusted to McKinley with a feisty short princess in a fantasy world threatened by wyverns and rocs and a dastardly magician where humans have created a strange alliance with pegasi. I liked the rambling descriptions and detail that drew me into the story and I was sad to leave - especially at a cliff-hanger point. There are promises of a sequel -- in 2014.

[whatsmacksaid · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is one of the most beautiful books I've read in years and will remain one of my favorites for many years to come--all that despite the awful, gut-wrenching, heart-breaking cliffhanger ending.

The prose is clear and lucid with its poetry, and the purity of the main character's responses--both in reaction to things that happen to her and to her relationships with her friends and family--spoke to me in a wholly unexpected way. Robin McKinley clearly remembers what it's like to be left alone in a strange land/country/experience for the first time, because it translates so well into Sylvi's panic and culture shock.

I love this book, and I absolutely don't know how I'm going to wait until the second one is released. It's NOT just the story of a girl and her magical creature, not at all. It's a story about growing up and becoming your own person.

[bibliovermis · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Ending a book when the story is only halfway over is honestly just rude.

[shulera1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Pegasus features excellent worldbuilding and an interesting reconstruction of a popular mythical creature. It feels like the first book in a series (which it is, so that's fine) because it focuses mostly on establishing a world and the people within it, but the ending makes me certain that the rest of the series will feature plenty of action and political intrigue.

Definitely worth reading just for the excellent culture creation of the pegasi and the fascinating way they interact with humans.

[altheaann · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

"My Little Pony" for smart girls.

But still.

I've read everything Robin McKinley has published, I'm pretty sure, and 'The Blue Sword' is in my top-10 favorite books of all time.
I was really excited to read this book - and it wasn't horrible, but it was rather disappointing and mildly annoying. I might have liked it much more if I were eleven.

In a far-off kingdom, for centuries, an alliance has held between the humans and the pegasi, who cooperate to fight off an assortment of evil and dangerous creatures who threaten the realm. However, although royal children of both species are magically 'bonded' to each other, there's an ongoing inability to effectively communicate.

UNTIL now... the young princess and her pegasus counterpart can speak to each other perfectly, telepathically! But rather than rejoicing, both sides - especially the human magicians - find this to be a dire threat. The head magician is really mad.

But he doesn't do much about it. The princess is invited to visit the secret lands of the pegasi. She does. It's all cool and magical and stuff.

The end.

Yeah, not much happens. I know that sequels are on the way, but really, unless you are *completely* *enthralled* by the idea of having a best friend that is a beautiful, intelligent flying horse, there's not much to this book.

[mizpurplest · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I would have enjoyed this more if I'd known it would just ... end. With two years before the sequel, I wish there had been a little more closure to book 1.

[librarycatnip · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I was unimpressed by this book. The first 200 pages felt incredibly slow and dull. Frankly, I didn't find the character development adequate, and the world building is vague.

I have also acquired a taste for grit in my fantasy, and this is really just too fluffy bunnies and vanilla ice cream for me.

[raselyem7 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I was unimpressed by this book. The first 200 pages felt incredibly slow and dull. Frankly, I didn't find the character development adequate, and the world building is vague.

I have also acquired a taste for grit in my fantasy, and this is really just too fluffy bunnies and vanilla ice cream for me.

[mirandalg14 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I really had to adjust for the pegasus language - I normally hate trying to read a book with made up words and names. I was really unprepared for the ending - it just stopped, like it was missing a chapter. I had heard it was abrupt, but it was still a shock.

[atimco-1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

In Pegasus, Robin McKinley revisits the themes that mark her stories so consistently and yet never seem to get old in her skilful prose. This tale is set in the mythical kingdom of Balsinland, established when military commander Balsin came to "this sweet green land" and made an alliance with the pegasi to drive out the various dragon-like creatures (rocs, taralians, norindours, and the like) who were killing off the pegasi people. The pegasi are intelligent flying horses with quite a developed culture of their own. The humans feel clumsy and awkward beside these elegant creatures, and from the first the two races have struggled to communicate. Only human magicians can translate between them, and so it has been for thousands of years. Until Sylvi. Fourth child of King Corone and Queen Eliona, the Lady Sylviianel is bonded to the fourth child of the pegasi king, according to the royal custom and treaty hailing back to the days of Balsin. But that is where custom ends with Sylvi and Ebon, the black pegasus prince. For the two can speak to one another in their minds, in a way completely unlike anything they've ever heard of in their peoples' history together. Naturally, the Magicians' Guild is upset by the change, as they lose the control they've wielded over human-pegasi relations for centuries. And there are other elements of unrest; the rapacious animals that were beaten back by the humans in Balsin's day are regrouping, multiplying, testing the borders and strength of Corone's kingdom. At a time when unity is critical, the court and magicians are divided because of Sylvi's and Ebon's unique bond. But is it unique? Or is there a more sinister reason that humans and pegasi have never been able to communicate freely with one another?As with all of McKinley's stories, I enjoyed the world-building, character development, and humor—all delivered in deft prose that never calls undue attention to itself. The one thing I disliked about this book was that it ends on a cliffhanger. Oh yes, it's one of those. You're reading along, enjoying yourself immensely, and you suddenly notice the thin amount of pages you have left. You begin to worry, because the plot just seems to be ramping up now and there's really no time for a decent resolution. And as you approach those final pages, you realize: there's more to the story, and it's not what you're holding in your hands. This was just the first part. And naturally, the second part hasn't been written yet. Instead, McKinley wrote something else (Shadows, or something) that looks far less interesting and worthwhile than the world you just came out of. Books like this ought to come with warning labels.The rest of McKinley's novels are stand-alones, which makes this even more unfair. If you're like me and enjoy reading full stories all at once rather than in installments haphazardly published at various times, wait for the next book to come out. We can only hope that one will wrap up the story; if not, wait for the series. I suppose it is a great compliment to the author that her readers are so eager for the next part of the story. But I'm still slightly bitter!

[n.t.embe · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This book is so good that I can't even begin to tell you how much I've enjoyed it. Every single time I pick up one of Robin McKinley's books it turns out to be a fantastic read, and Pegasus is just another one that proves she still has it and she keeps on giving. Every single time I read her book the situations are different and wonderful, the relationships are real and tangible and wrench at your heartstrings so swiftly and strongly that you're going to absolutely fall in love with this world and its characters before you've had the chance to realize it's happened to you. It's the very same here. I wouldn't have missed reading this one for the world.

Oh man-- I almost want to say not even to read this review and just go and pick up the book yourself right now because it's that good. And it's good in a way where it doesn't have to shove anything into your face like some pretentious little narcissistic prick would to try to make you pay attention. You're basically getting the opportunity to look into the lives of other characters as they go along their daily lives--their unique and fantastical daily lives nonetheless--and you get to witness the normal way things are run come apart at the seams throughout the pages of this book.

It's beautiful. The characters are beautiful. The settings are beautiful. The pegasi are beautiful. The humans (for the most part) are beautiful. You need to step into this world to experience it for yourself.

But I'm mindlessly rambling and I'm aware of it, so let me try to focus my thoughts.


The very best part of this book is thankfully the focal point of this book as well: Princess Sylviianel and her bound pegasus, Ebon. The entire point of the story is that there is an alliance between humans and pegasi, and to maintain this alliance, it has become custom over the centuries to have the king, queen, and other members of the noble family "bound" by magic to a pegasus partner that is supposed to act like their closest ally and friend with the opposite species. However, because communication between the two species is still flimsy, even with the feeble help of translators, these 'bound' companions have never been anything of merit. Some few, like the main characters' fathers, have a closer friendship to their bound companions: the King of the humans and the King of the pegasi are bound to one another and said to almost be able to communicate with one another without the use of Speakers (their official translators). Everything changes when from the very first moment that Sylvi meets her pegasus, they realize they can hear one another and speak to one another mentally--something akin to telepathically. Of course, everyone at court notices and soon everyone of both the species knows this.

The book unravels from there through drama and wonder and eventual chaos which is a delight to read and makes for a very well-paced story. McKinley knows how to write a plot that will suck you in, but also awe you with its wonders. For that alone I recommend reading her books.

But the pinnacle for me throughout this book was this relationship between Syl and Ebon that slowly, gradually developed. The humans have all these rules about respecting pegasi and what not to do--like they cannot touch them, or they cannot EVER fly on their backs (though that's because the pegasi are built like birds and cannot bear a human's weight)--and so on. Throughout this book though, you just see how these two essential kids (Sylvi being twelve and Ebon being fourteen at the beginning of the book) start to become best of friends. And you read through four years of their time together where slowly but surely the lines begin to blur between them and they start to become less like officials who happen to be working together, and more and more like they're two parts of the same whole.

Seeing parts where Sylvi leans into Ebon, where they just lie together for hours talking, or how she keeps her hand always wrapped in his mane and her body right up against his side, how he wraps his wing around her or touches her face and hair with his muzzle... these become interactions of beauty and felt so blissfully romantic to me. I literally began to fall in love with them. Not as separate entities, but of them together. For them to be apart is so unnatural, and that's the most magnificent part of the book: because McKinley builds it up so well that after a certain point, you yourself as the reader realize that you can't imagine them being separate either. It isn't natural to think of them as ever being apart. They're always together. And that's how it should be, your heart tells you.

It's a book of magic, reading how those two grow so close and develop a relationship, a friendship of such beauty that you can barely find the words to express over it. Because they're beautiful to see, and you want to see it go on forever.

Of course things happen in the book and all that is good about this is also new to everyone else, which makes people angry. And that's just one part of where trouble comes into play in this book.

And when I got to the ending-- I was heartbroken. Thank God there's a second book coming out, because if there wasn't, I think I'd be devastated. In fact, I'm still devastated! And the moment I hear that sequel is out, I'm getting it. Because this is a series that I absolutely must continue to the end. You don't just paint this beautiful picture and then leave us hanging for nothing! It's going to be rough and hard and painful and crazy and there is probably going to be even more heartache on the horizon once that second book comes out, but by golly, if you haven't read this one yet, you had better read this book. Pegasus is masterfully told and you'll love every bit of the storytelling, the subliminal threat and mystery, the wonderful, rich characters, and the awe inspiring relationships that they share.

This one is a definite read, and even a definite buy. If you love any fantasy or medieval tales, or especially anything to do with mythical creatures, buy this. I can't recommend it enough. This is a book you're not going to regret reading or getting.

[darkfaerietales_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Review courtesy of Dark Faerie Tales.Quick & Dirty: The ultimate vibrant escape into a fantastical world makes you question what exactly is human nature. Pegasus is quite complex, which makes it a more challenging but more thoughtful and worthwhile novel than one that is simply storyline. Reading the novel’s summary, it is easy to put it in a preteen or teen category, but the intricate vocabulary and political undertones make it a more compelling read for adults and even university English fantasy courses.Opening Sentence: Because she was a princess she had a pegasus.The Review:Robin McKinley is certainly a talented author. She was able to take some common elements of fantasy and use them to recreate an entirely new multifaceted world, but one that is still familiar enough to make sense to the reader. She uses a language barrier to set up one of the most pronounced dilemmas for the characters, but then shows how much of our language is not spoken. She shows how powerful people have to be humble to do what’s right, and how people who want to be powerful often do it for the wrong reasons. There is so much you can take from this book and apply to our modern world.The most surprising part of this novel is that it is not part of a series, which it should be. Perhaps the author felt strongly that the ambiguous ending added mystery or intrigue to the book, but it is frustrating to never find out the political consequences of the characters’ actions. There is just so much that is never resolved. It isn’t that the book isn’t wonderful, it’s just that the author does so much to make this all happen, there is so much history and background explained, and so much of it promises this huge impending climax, but we never find out what the end really is, at all, even a little bit.This book takes place in an imaginary land, which the author does an amazing job of describing and a main portion of the book is based on invented creatures. Most of us are familiar with a pegasus, but not as much which rocs, ladons, wyverns, taralians, and norindours. Since a real description is never given of these creatures, it is hard to really picture any battles happening with them. Every time you come to one of these words, or a number of other made up words throughout the book, of which there are several, your mind basically goes blank, and you have to recoup to keep reading, which, although the storyline is wonderful and keeps the reader occupied, it becomes quite tedious to read over these words that in most cases never have a real explanation. I now understand why many fantasy books have a dictionary of terms to describe meanings, however, the author could easily have explained within the text, as she does with other elements.As stated earlier, there is so much background and character development in this book that it is worth the somewhat laborious journey to delve straight into it and keep going. The princess is not a regular princess, which makes her just absolutely lovable. Her parents are actually hard-working, which would be true of real kings and queens but is not how they are normally portrayed, which makes them lovable, and the whole group is just rebellious enough to actually make things happen. You are definitely just rooting for them the entire time. There are two types of villains in this book, both human and beast, and it is interesting to find out how beastly the humans can actually be, just to keep a little power and control. This book is just beautifully written and there is so much imagination and thought put into it, I just feel like the author fell a little short in some odd areas. It is absolutely still worth reading just to get your mind really working and a different view of the world.Notable Scene:“Only you were invited to see the Caves,” he said. “I’m only here at all because I wouldn’t send you all alone to this place where almost no human has ever been—and certainly no one specifically bound by the Alliance has ever set foot. Lrrianay understood that I could not let you come alone, and so agreed to bring me too—for a day, two days, before your real visit begins, I imagine. And I agreed to that because I trust Lrrianay even more that I trust my own right hand.She stared up at him. “You didn’t tell me that,” she said.He raised his shoulders. “I wasn’t planning on telling you at all,” he said. “There is something about the air of this place. Or maybe it’s just the pegasi.”She looked around. Even in their turning-away the pegasi had made a pattern; the smaller smooth arches of their bent necks and bodies provided counter-curves like a scalloped hem, around the edge of the circle she and her father stood in. “I thinking it’s the pegasi.”“So do I, “ said her father, and bent and kissed her again.FTC Advisory: G.P. Putnam’s Sons/Penguin provided me with a copy of Pegasus. No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review.

[lemurkat · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

There is no arguing that McKinley is a fine author. Her writing style is exquisitely descriptive, her world building superlative. She creates strong and interesting characters that you can really feel are real. So why have I only given this story 3 stars? Because in 400 pages, very little actually happens and the story ends in the middle of the plot, with no satisfying conclusion or even any loose ends tied off. The ending is distressing, almost painful (emotionally) and the following book has not even been written yet. Do not read this book, not yet at any rate. Unless, of course, you want an excuse to read through the 400 pages once more when the sequel comes out next year. It is lyrical and beautiful; a slow and sensory tale. But if you prefer a quick thrill - maybe not the book for you.

[capnrandm · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I don't think I'll be able to give this book a decisive rating until I'm able to read the second half of the series. McKinley does a spectacular job developing the opening premise of misunderstandings between humans and pegasi. The realistic details with regards to body language, accent, and cultural values are superb. I couldn't help but feel that the ending was rushed, however, Pegasus feels more like an installment than a complete object in an off itself. Even with this criticism, half of a Robin McKinley book is head and shoulders above most of the whole books I've read lately.

[leftik_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I feel like this book is a tale of two parts. I really struggled through the first half, but really enjoyed the second half of the book – enough to be upset that the sequel isn’t coming out until 2012!

[jennyelizabeth-1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I'm just going to say it... I love Robin McKinley. This book focuses on language, on interaction, on social tradition, and on magic... the magic in ourselves, the magic in our worlds, and the gifts we're born with. I love how she moves between worlds and people, I love the characters, how you can feel them and how she treads through some very difficult moods and emotional and magical drama in a sensitive and beautiful way.

There were times when the pace felt too slow, but it's mostly a psychological fantasy, with most of the action taking place in slight shifts of the emotional sphere of the story within the interactions of characters. So much goes into the power of touch and speech and eye contact, and the lack of these things.

It's so unfair that the sequel isn't coming out for a year or so... can I fast forward to 2014?

[jlsbibliomania · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I've loved Robin McKinley's books ever since I read The Blue Sword in high school. It's great to see another original fantasy from her (rather than a fairy-tale retelling). It's going to be a long wait until the next installment comes out.

[amaraduende · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH.


Exciting.

Already pre-ordered.

... in the midst of it. Today is my day off so I'm planning on curling up with it here shortly and reading till I finish. <3

I see the train of thought that continues from Dragonhaven into Pegasus. What happens when two cultures with seriously different modes of communication come into contact - or even are forced to rely on one another? Also interesting ideas about how kids are much better at crossing cultural and linguistic gaps, like in Dragonhaven as well. So far, totally enjoying it, although it's not quite at the level of a few of her others for me (Spindle's End, Dragonhaven).

[wyvernfriend · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

On her twelfth birthday Princess Sylviianel (Sylvi) is ceremonially bound to her own pegasus Ebon. Only this binding is different and they can communicate, better than has been the case for many centuries, a way of communicating that has only been whispered at. This changes things and Sylvi is at the eye of the storm.Gah, want book 2 NOW! For all sorts of spoilery reasons, not only because I got pretty invested in the characters and wanted them to succeed (or not) and I'm now really curious about a lot of the background of the relationship between the Pegasi and their humans and how things have come to be the way they are.

[refpenny · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

In the land where Princess Sylviianel lives, humans and pegasi coexist peacefully despite the difficulties in communication between the races. When Sylvii is, upon her 12th birthday, bonded to a pegasus, they discover they can communicate telepathically. But their close relationship leads them to break the rules and causes some disquiet. The story is not action-packed but rather a depiction of the pegasi society and the relationship between Sylvi and her pegasus, Ebon. This is the first book in a series and unfortunately (given the ending) the next book isn't due till 2014. It would mainly appeal to teen girls who enjoy fantasy.

[jeneennammar · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

12 to 18 years. Although a previous novel won the ALA Best Book for Young Adults, Robin McKinley's Pegasus is more background than tale, but fantasy fans may still enjoy the portrait of how it feels to be princess with her very own pegasus. In Pegasus, royal family members must bond with a pegasus to fulfill a treaty between the two species. But when the princess can actually telepathically talk with hers, which is unheard of, a threatening magician conspires to separate them. Elisabetta Sinopoli provides an attractive cover of a green field with a princess below her flying black pegasus. Yet from the get go, McKinley fills the space provided by a simple plot with many digressions. McKinley spends the bulk of the book describing the land's history, how the princess feels, the conversations she has with her pegasus, and then describing the culture of the pegasi. However, McKinley fans may not mind, and perhaps neither will pegusas enthusiasts and fans of books with close relationships between girls and horses. This book is recommended for public libraries keeping their McKinley collections complete.

[reading_fox · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Do not read this book ... yet. Wait until the sequel is out (and possibly the conclusion to the trilogy if that's what it is. The ending is unbearable. Not in a Jim Butcher's Changes 'I'm being a smartarse' type of unbearable, but in a fully laden express train hurtling over the edge. Stop. Type of unbearable.The preceding 318 pages are all absolutely adorable, joyful light-hearted wonderful prose about a very lucky princess and her almost sparkly Pegasus. The world building is immaculate and immense, the characters fly (literally), everything just gels as a wonderful reading experience. A gentle start rolls slowly on, as the princess grows from 'too small' to 15 and then 16, her responsibilities and abilities develop a pace, with Ebon her Pegasus ever at her side. There are flashbacks and jumps in time, but the progression is inveitable. However there are tensions too and a faction of the court magicians doesn't appear to appreciate the deep joy her friendship with Ebon brings to the whole Pegasus/human community. Slowly the tension mounts, dissipates while she visits Ebon's homeland, and returns again, building to head. When the book just stops. This is beyond annoying. All the time I was reading the final third I was thinking, ' there aren't that many pages left, this is going to be quite some dramatic finish and wrap-up, on no there are only a few pages left, how's she going to tidy everything up ... to ARGH she's just left it all in midair ARGH ARGH ARGH. Want more. Unfortunately the sequel isn't available 'until next year at the earliest.The back-story is fairly simple, a band of warriors left an unhappy kingdom, climbed their way through some mountain passes and found themselves in a luscious plateau, which turned out to be inhabited by Pegasai of awe-inspiring grandeur, but little battle prowess. They were decimated by a variety of (undescribed) creatures. An Alliance was formed, protection for territory, and the two have co-existed happily together for the last 800 years, even if neither still quite understands the other. It isn't quite clear how the Pegasai exist without trade. They have clearly demarked artisan guilds but somehow all manage to get fed without even a barter economy let alone currency. They won't even trade with the humans, but give gifts because the humans find it polite to do so. This very alien mindset of the Pegasai is extremely well constructed, and clearly demonstrates the frailty of the Alliance. I would lie some physical descriptions of the creatures that are invading but I guess they aren't really necessary. SO sublimely enjoyable, that I really urge you to wait until the sequel is available.

[bookaddictdiary · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

I thoroughly enjoyed a number of Robin McKinley's other novels when I was in middle school, so when I saw that she had something newer out, I thought I'd give it a try. Everything I could recall about her was positive, so I didn't see any downside to going back to my middle school reading roots for this one.Pegasus is the story of a princess, Sylvi, and her Pegasus. In this world, the humans and the pegasi have made this type of agreement to keep the peace. Each heir gets a pegasi to bond with, and Sylvi is no exception. Interestingly, though they are bonded the pegasus and the human can only communicate through a well-trained magician known as a Speaker. But that's not how it is with Sylvi and here pegasus, who can understand each other and share a deeper and more unexpected bond than any other pegasus/human pair ever.I have somewhat mixed feelings about this one. On one hand, Pegasus is written in beautiful, enjoyable prose that I've come to expect from McKinley. The initial set up of the story is also classic McKinley, and holds intriguing promise. Really, at the beginning I was completely on board with this book, and wanted to know more.However, that soon changed. As the story went on, I found that the pacing dragged horribly and that, frankly, nothing happened for the majority of the novel. It was downright painful and boring, so much that I got to the point that I was having to pull myself through the book with the promise that it would get better. And it didn't get better. I would say that it got worse. By the time the ending rolled around, the book was finally getting interesting...then it was over. I felt like I had read only half a book, and the actual action and the real ending was tucked away somewhere in another book...that apparently doesn't exist or will never exist. Really, this was a huge letdown...

[museofire · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

This book showcases McKinley's considerable talents as well as her flaws. The detailed worldbuilding and well-drawn characters make you eager to read on; the maddening reluctance to draw obvious conclusions or resolve necessary plot points leave you disappointed.

[tjsjohanna_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Ms. McKinley writes of protagonists with some impossible task to accomplish and this newest novel is no different. Sylvi becomes the focus for increasing tension in her nation by simply having an ability everyone says is impossible. Oh, and there are pegasi in this novel. I found myself so intrigued by the ways in which the author described them that I really wanted a picture or three. I also like that there are unexplained things in the story - creatures whose names are unfamiliar but not described, events that are taken for granted, traditions that just are. It gives a sense that there is this whole world that I'm just getting a glimpse of. Can't wait for the follow-up novel that will finish out the story.

[les121 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

The Hero and the Crown and The Blue Sword by Robin McKinley are two of my favorite books of all time, so I was excited to try McKinley’s new release, Pegasus. Unfortunately, it didn’t live up to my expectations. That’s not to say I didn’t enjoy parts of it. The premise and the world building are wonderful and engaging. I found the portrayal of cultural disconnect, the breakdown of stereotypes, and the main characters’ experiences of culture shock and reverse culture shock superbly realistic; despite the fantastic setting, this is exactly what people go through in real life. However, my biggest problem with the book is that it’s painfully slow. It took me almost a month to finish it because it dragged on and on. I kept expecting some action, some excitement, but it never happened. It wasn’t until the last fifty pages that I felt like I couldn’t put it down, and even then the story ends on a cliffhanger, so I was never truly satisfied. Additionally, I kept getting confused about the timeline. There’s a lot of jumping back and forth in time, especially in the beginning, and McKinley’s writing doesn’t always make it clear where we are in the progression of events. In her other books, this has never been a problem; I know McKinley can write with grace and clarity, but this story just doesn’t seem polished. Overall, I enjoyed it, but I’m divided on whether or not I’ll read the sequel. If it’s as slow as Pegasus, I might skip it, but hopefully McKinley will step up her game and write a story that’s up to her usual standards. The depth is there, but the entertainment factor needs some serious work.