Patricia A. McKillip’s The Forgotten Beasts of Eld is a captivating fantasy novel that tells the story of Sybel, a young sorceress of immense power who has spent her life in solitude on Eld Mountain, surrounded by the legendary, magical creatures she has summoned and tamed. Having been raised apart from the world of men, she knows little of human society—until the day a knight, Coren, arrives at her doorstep, entrusting her with the care of an orphaned infant, Tamlorn, the son of a slain king.
As the years pass and Tamlorn grows, Sybel finds herself drawn into the complex web of politics and ambition that she had once sought to avoid. Two rival rulers, each eager to bend her power to their will, force her to confront the depths of her own magic and the emotions she has long suppressed. Caught between love and vengeance, she must decide whether to embrace the vulnerability of her humanity or retreat into the cold, unyielding strength of sorcery.
With its poetic prose and mythic undertones, The Forgotten Beasts of Eld is a masterful exploration of power, choice, and the nature of the heart. McKillip crafts a tale that is both intimate and timeless, weaving magic and emotion into a story that lingers long after the final page.
Patricia A. McKillip’s The Forgotten Beasts of Eld is a mesmerizing tale of magic, solitude, and the enduring struggle between power and the heart’s true desires. At its center is Sybel, a formidable sorceress who has spent her life in seclusion atop Eld Mountain, tending to a collection of mythical creatures inherited from her father. Among them are the wise boar Cyrin, the enigmatic falcon Ter, and the dragon Gyld—each a being of legend, steeped in ancient knowledge. Content in her isolation, Sybel has little interest in the world beyond her mountain, until a knight named Coren of Sirle arrives, carrying an infant: Tamlorn, the secret son of the late King Drede.
Coren, fearing for the child’s safety amid the treacherous currents of political intrigue, entrusts Sybel with his care. Though reluctant, she raises Tamlorn as her own, teaching him magic and lore while shielding him from the ambitions of men. Yet as he matures, so too does his curiosity about his origins. When he ventures forth to seek his father, Sybel is unwillingly drawn into the realm of kings and war.
King Drede, upon discovering Sybel’s power, seeks to control her, while Coren, now a man, returns—his love for her unwavering, yet entangled in his own cause to overthrow the king. Unwilling to be a pawn in their conflict, Sybel retreats into herself, but a fateful encounter with Drede sparks a fury she cannot ignore. Consumed by a thirst for vengeance, she turns to the dangerous sorcery of the wizard Mithran and calls forth the Liralen, a legendary beast of immense power, to aid her in exacting retribution.
Yet as she treads this dark path, Sybel finds herself transformed, losing touch with the freedom and clarity that once defined her. Coren remains a steady presence, urging her toward the light, while Tamlorn, caught between loyalty and destiny, faces his own reckoning. In the novel’s poignant climax, Sybel comes to understand the weight of her choices—that unchecked power breeds only destruction. Rejecting vengeance, she instead embraces love, freedom, and the life she truly desires.
With poetic prose and mythic depth, The Forgotten Beasts of Eld is a profound meditation on identity, choice, and the delicate balance between solitude and connection. McKillip weaves a spellbinding narrative, exploring the nature of power and the courage it takes to choose love over control, and peace over domination.
First published in 1974 by Atheneum Books, The Forgotten Beasts of Eld marked one of Patricia A. McKillip’s earliest works, establishing her as a distinctive and influential voice in fantasy literature. Written in her signature poetic and evocative style, the novel stood apart from the traditional high fantasy of its time, weaving a tale rich in lyrical prose and mythic resonance.
Upon its release, the book received widespread critical acclaim and was awarded the World Fantasy Award for Best Novel in 1975, solidifying its place as a genre-defining classic. Over the decades, it has remained a beloved work, celebrated for its introspective exploration of power, love, and identity. With each new edition—including a special 40th-anniversary release by Tachyon Publications in 2017—the novel has continued to captivate readers, introducing McKillip’s spellbinding storytelling to new generations and reaffirming its status as a timeless masterpiece in fantasy literature.
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