The Forgotten Beasts of Eld by Patricia McKillip
Rate and review The Forgotten Beasts of Eld! | What does everyone else think?

The Forgotten Beasts of Eld was first released in 1974 and has become one of the most endearing and enduring fantasy novels of the past fifty years. Patricia McKillip has written a book that is amongst many fantasy readers’ favourite possessions. The Forgotten Beasts of Eld won the World Fantasy Award for best novel in 1975.
The Forgotten Beasts of Eld is a magical tale set in a time of war. The story centres on Sybel whose story begins when, at the age of sixteen, she is given a baby to care for. Born and raised on the titular Eld Mountain, Sybel knows little of mankind, magical creatures summoned by wizardry having been her main source of companionship. The arrival of the baby takes Sybel out of her comfortable life and into realms unknown.
This novel has everything that a fantasy novel should, swords, sorcery, intrigue, betrayal and love. There is a clear sense of good and evil within this elegantly written tale, the narrative evokes a sense of wonder and magic that makes this book special. This is a book that stays with the reader long after the final page has been turned and placed back on the bookshelf.
The characterisation is excellent, creating well-formed, sympathetic and most importantly, realistic characters. The Forgotten Beasts of Eld is reminiscent of Ursula Le Guin’s Earthsea masterpiece, the writing of this generation contains a magic that few modern authors have managed to successfully retain. This is a beautiful, thought-provoking book that will stay with the reader forever.
The Forgotten Beasts of Eld is a timeless classic that can be enjoyed by all ages and readers of all genres. A wonderful, moving read that is a must for all fantasy fans around the world.
Parental Notes: Parental notes to follow...

The Forgotten Beasts Of Eld (Fantasy Masterworks) (Amazon.co.uk)
Author: Patricia A. Mckillip
Binding: Paperback
Number of pages: 336
Publication date: 2005-11-10
Publisher: Gollancz
RRP: £7.99
Lowest new price: £1.94
Lowest used price: £2.50

Forgotten Beasts of Eld (Amazon.co.uk)
Author: Patricia A McKillip
Binding: Paperback
Number of pages: 336
Publication date: 2005-11-10
Publisher: GOLLANCZ (ORIO)
RRP:
Lowest new price:
Lowest used price: $2.44
Marcie from Oxford

The Forgotten Beasts of Eld is one of the most beautiful and magical book that I've ever been luckily enough to read. There is love and magic and believable characters. Read this book if you get the chance.
Georgina from Wales

This is in essence a fairy story, beautifully told and full of original and magical characters and creatures. I have read The Forgotten Beasts of Eld as a young adult and as a grown up and it has stood time well and is as enchanting and thought-provoking as it was when I was 12 years old. A must for fantasy fans yound and old.
Submit your own mini-review
Let people know what you think about The Forgotten Beasts of Eld. You can write your own mini-review and give the book the rating that you think it deserves. Your reviews will go towards giving The Forgotten Beasts of Eld its overall rating that will decide where The Forgotten Beasts of Eld finishes in the top 100 fantasy books of all time.
Fantasy books you may also enjoy...
The Liveship Traders (Series)
Robin Hobb
Tigana
Guy Gavriel Kay
The Duncton Chronicles (Series)
William Horwood
The Tawny Man (Series)
Robin Hobb
Tender Morsels
Margo Lanagan
Hyddenworld: Spring
William Horwood
Riftwar Saga (Series)
Raymond E Feist
Skallagrigg
William Horwood
Kingmaker, Kingbreaker (Series)
Karen Miller
X-isle
Steve Augarde
Wyrmeweald (Series)
Paul Stewart and Chris Riddell
The Farseer Trilogy (Series)
Robin Hobb
His Dark Materials (Series)
Philip Pullman
Obernewtyn Chronicles (Series)
Isobelle Carmody
The Radleys
Matt Haig
Kushiel’s Legacy (Series)
Jacqueline Carey
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
|||
| Book of the Month | Interviews | Must-reads books | Competition | |||
| The Innocent Mage Karen Miller The first instalment of this bestselling and fast-paced fantasy duology, brimming with action and adventure. |
|
Alex Bell Alison Goodman Lauren Kate Trudi Canavan Isobelle Carmody Marcus Alexander Sean Beech |
The Farseer Trilogy The Liveship Traders Tigana Nation Tender Morsels Hyddenworld Skallagrigg Wyrmeweald His Dark Materials The Two Pearls of Wisdom |
September 2, 2010 will see the publication of Steve Augarde's wonderful X-Isle in paperback. To mark the occasion Random House have very kindly given us three copies to give away as prizes in our latest competition. | ||
| Previous winners | Interview archive | Click here to enter! |

| 




Follow us on Twitter