Sybel was born and raised on Eld Mountain, her only contact with other humans her father. Her playmates were creatures from myth, her learning from the magic given to her father which he passed on down to her. She had no desire to mingle with men until a knight came to her door with a baby boy, a child of a king, to be protected and nurtured. She raised him until one day the knight returned and destiny called her son away, and the plots of the men who lived in the valley kingdoms called her from her mountain. In trying to protect those she loves, she discovers her own humanity, both the good and the bad, and finds the path to wisdom.
Impression: While I enjoyed Beasts, it's not one of my favorites from McKillip. The story is unique, the characters strong, but it was told in a way plainer than the books I count among my favorites. She still has a wonderful story telling style, and pulls you into the story with the action, setting, and characters, it was just less poetic. But even at her least poetic, Patricia McKillip has a way with words that's wonderful.
