Here's what the critics said about Shirley Rousseau Murphy's earlier fantasy novels.

Note: Although most of these novels are currently out of print, they can be found in many public libraries. A few signed copies of some are available for purchase.

Click on book jacket to read an excerpt!


The Catswold Portal (Adult Fantasy)

NAL/ROC, 1992; ROC paperback, 1993 EOS, an imprint of HarperCollins, paperback, 2005 ISBN 0-06-076540-2 -- in print! "You don't have to love cats to appreciate this fantasy novel in which a race of shapechanging cats are the key to the fate of a Netherworld.... Ms. Murphy's characterization of Melissa is truly remarkable, making the reader fully alive to the vibrant, sensual world of the feline. Masterfully orchestrating this cat's cradle plot, Ms. Murphy will make you take a second look at the next cat you see." -- Romantic Times "Delightful fantasy.... Murphy...balances her rich, detailed Netherworld with a vividly characterized earthly realm. Her cat people, in particular, ring true." -- Publisher's Weekly "A captivating feline fantasy.... Characterizations are dynamic, whether human or otherwise, and the growing relationship between Braden and Melissa--as cat and as human--is ingeniously handled as is Melissa's Catswold heritage. Murphy has carefully created two well-realized, disparate worlds linked by the dramatic struggle to defeat the evil queen. Romantic fantasy with plenty of action and sure appeal." -- Booklist "Murphy's true sorcery is in her deft juggling of two different but inextricably related worlds...and a cast of exotic beasts, outlandlish creatures and intriguing characters caught in a compelling turmoil that swirls them between those worlds.... Some of the finest moments are Murphy's convincing portrayals of the problems faced by a creature who is a cat and a woman.... The Catswold Portal is an enchanting, inventive and ingeniously plotted fantasy, and Murphy's insight into feline nature is remarkable. A word of warning: Don't pick up this book in the evening, intending to read yourself to sleep. You'll be awfully tired the next day." -- Cat Fancy

Buy It Online! or Order a Signed Copy

Dragonbards Trilogy (Young Adult)

	Nightpool Harper & Row, 1985; Harper paperback, 1987 "A sense that communication with animals once existed but has been lost permeates all of human lore. Georgia writer Shirley Rousseau Murphy's forte is her ability to vicariously compensate for this loss through her stories. In Nightpool she is in top form." --Atlanta Journal and Constitution "Scenes that fairly soar infuse the tale with mythical qualities, which are buttressed by vitalized characterizations (the otters, foxes and dragons as well as Teb are developed in loving detail while the evil ones are truly evil). An enthralling fantasy that begs a sequel, better yet a series of sequels." --ALA Booklist
	The Ivory Lyre Harper & Row, 1987; Harper paperback, 1988 "This well-crafted fantasy has a depth and scope reminiscent of Tolkien." --Publisher's Weekly "A riveting sequel to Nightpool.... A finely crafted story filled with scenes of chilling horror as well as courage and beauty. Murphy's dragon lore exhibits an exciting immediacy; her scenes of dragons in flight exalt the reader.... Anne McCaffrey, make room." --ALA Booklist
	The Dragonbards Harper & Row, 1988; Harper paperback, 1989 "The concluding volume of the author's generally acclaimed Dragonbards trilogy ... assumes a harrowing narrative pace that builds to a grand, good-over-evil finale.... This is rollicking high fantasy...." --Christian Science Monitor "Once again Murphy demonstrates a fine sense of storytelling, high adventure, scene setting, and characterization--human, animal, and evil monster. And her dragons remain some of the most appealing in contemporary fantasy." --ALA Booklist

Ring of Fire Quintet (Young Adult)

	The Ring of Fire Atheneum, 1977; Avon paperback, 1979 "First of a projected series about the land of Ere and the telepathic Children of Ynell.... An intricate adventure story with appeal for fantasy lovers." --ALA Booklist
	The Wolf Bell Atheneum, 1979; Avon paperback, 1980 "The enjoyable tale rises above the pack on the strength of the author's unique and compelling 'warts and all' portrayal of Tayba, a multifaceted, real, and fascinating woman." --School Library Journal
	The Castle of Hape Atheneum, 1980; Avon paperback, 1981 "The many episodes involving the race of winged horses are magnificently imagined." --School Library Journal
	Caves of Fire and Ice Atheneum, 1980; Avon paperback, 1982 "The fourth novel set on Ere . . . moves into the past, the present, and the future ... a mind-boggling time sequence." --The Alan Review
	The Joining of the Stone Atheneum, 1981; Avon paperback, 1983 "The dramatic climax in a series of five fantasies about the inhabitants, human and otherwise, of the land of Ere. Although each book stands alone, Shirley Murphy satisfactorily draws together the strands (and her incredible images) of good and evil that have woven in and out of approximately a thousand pages of adventure." --Atlanta Journal and Constitution

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For new signed copies of the out-of-print books listed below, please e-mail webmaster@joegrey.com to reserve them for a limited time and to obtain the shipping cost and address for mailing your check. (Please include your zip code, as postage rates depend on your location.) If you wish, you can pay by credit card at PayPal.

• The Ivory Lyre - hardcover, $35

• The Dragonbards - hardcover, $35

• Dragonbards Trilogy (set of 3 paperbacks: Nightpool; The Ivory Lyre; The Dragonbards) - $25

Signed copies of many of Shirley Rousseau Murphy's children's books are also available; click on "Children's Books" below.

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