Love this as a set, a great way to reconnect with the Alta saga.

Jane Yolen is fantastic. I recommend just about anything she's ever written and this collection is no different!

I'd give 5 stars for the style. The story is not just left to tell itself, but the future view of events is revealed through story, myth, ballad and even historical analysis - complete with scholarly competition and linguistic restrictions - and each has its own distinctive style. I was fascinated by Yolen's ability to hint at upcoming events through the songs and legends, and how truth had been warped or misinterpreted later.

Plot-wise, the shadow sisters are unique, giving a very new spin to the concept of women withdrawing from regular society to forge their own way. (Comparisons with the legendary Amazons and fictional Renunciates are almost required.)

On to the meat of the books, as spoiler-free as possible. Book I is about Great Alta's prophecy of the child thrice born and thrice orphaned. Book II is ultimately about acceptance, of people and the roles they must play. Book III is showing how the myth and history are intertwined, how relationships change as people age, and how sacrifices have to be made. Some are expected, others are not.

Overall, the first two books have a general feel of an old saga, while the third shows a step back from the heroic, more like the "after" in the happily ever after, more anchored in family than legend.

If you're like fantasy, strong female characters who hold their own in a world of men, stories that cover a lifetime, or are fascinated by how perception and perspective can alter truth, these will be an entertaining read. They're not fast, or full of witty snark; these are slower to build, but each step feels solid. <spoiler>(My one complaint is that the critical scholar's daughter was never identified, and it bugged me!)</spoiler>

Absolutely love this saga of books! Very interesting concept and I love how she created mythos for her protagonist and incorporated the true stories that created those myths of her heroine and her people. The effort she went through to create such an elaborate storyline shines in what is obviously a labor of love with each and every thoughtful detail that went into giving these characters such realistic feel. A great refresher on why I first fell in love with Jane Yolen's work as a child. Her heroine Jenna is utterly relatable in her humanistic self doubt and love for her fellow Alta sisters. I can't rightly say I've ever read anything as unique as the concept of shadow sisters as well. Please, if you crave something original in the fantasy world, give this series a go!

What a great fantasy series! I can't believe I missed it when it first came out.