BOOK REVIEW: PEGASUS by Robin McKinley

First thoughts: "But this is only the beginning!"

I got this book exactly two months ago and I’m still twisting myself in knots about it. If you’ve read Robin McKinley before, you’re probably familiar with her open-ended endings. They’re usually full of unanswered questions and unexplored possibilities; one reason why her writing pulls me in. And at the end of every book I’m usually hoping that the sky will open up and a sequel will fall into my lap… and it never happens. So at the end of PEGASUS I was left feeling even more forlorn than usual when I read the last line and realized that this was the end.

Because of a thousand-year-old alliance between humans and pegasi, Princess Sylviianel is ceremonially bound to Ebon, her own pegasus, on her twelfth birthday. The two species coexist peacefully, despite the language barriers separating them. Humans and pegasi both rely on specially-trained Speaker magicians as the only means of real communication.

But it’s different for Sylvi and Ebon. They can understand each other. They quickly grow close—so close that their bond becomes a threat to the status quo—and possibly to the future safety of their two nations. (Goodreads)

When I read the last line my first thoughts were: But this is only the beginning! A reaction I’m used to having but never actually validating. PEGASUS ends right when the action begins to start. The entire book felt like an introduction to an even larger story and adventure. It reminded me of the beginning of THE HERO AND THE CROWN but instead of coming full circle it ends on the climax.

When I read the first line I was zapped into this word of winged horse-like creatures and Rocs, and I was reminded again of why I love to write. It reminded me that details aren’t always the enemy in this quick-read world. Even though I felt like the entire book was an introduction to the world and the relationship between Ebon and Silvi, I couldn’t put the book down when I tried. I was enamored from Ebon’s first line to Silvi, “Aren’t you excited, or are you just a dull stupid human?” And from there I fell in love with their world and their families. I can’t help feeling like there’s more to this story; I know there is more to this story. I’m just wondering if I’m going to have to leave what happens all up to my imagination.


EDIT: I just read Robin McKinley's blog and a sequel has fallen into my lap! There will be a book II! So go read PEGASUS!