Review: Pegasus by Robin McKinley

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A gorgeously written fantasy about the friendship between a princess and her Pegasus. 

Because of a thousand-year-old alliance between humans and pagasi, 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 its 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. 

New York Times bestselling Robin McKinley weaves an unforgettable tale of unbreakable friendship, mythical creatures and courtly drama destined to become a classic.

I can see why some people would dislike Pegasus. Robin McKinley often chooses to focus more on the scenic descriptions, the narrative, and the characters, rather than the actual story, which can get a bit irritating at times. It lacks a plot or a real climax, and it can sometimes get...boring. This is possibly why there are so many mixed ratings on Goodreads, although I have yet to read all of them.

I love Robin's descriptions. She does a beautiful job of painting her fantasy world, and it all seems very believable, as do the pegasi (after reading the book, I'm still having trouble trying to learn when to say 'pegasus' and when to say 'pegasi'. Maybe someone can help me out with that one). I got so jealous when it came to the flying scenes. They were so well-written I could really imagine them. *dreams* In fact, I found myself wishing to be bound to a pegasus after reading the book. The author also has a rare way with words that is just stunning.

I also felt super attached to the characters (except for the baddies, of course). Sylvi, despite her faults and occasional whining, was a thoroughly likeable character, and so was the king and all the pegasi. I loved reading about Sylvi interacting with the pegasus children. It was so sweet and again, McKinley does an amazing job with the dialogue and making us like the main characters.

However. Yes, there's always a however. The story dragged. It dragged on. And on. And on. And at times I found myself wishing that Sylvi would hurry up with this and that already, simply because it gets boring reading about something which can be summarised in two pages dragging on for twenty. As sweet as some parts were, they just got old and tedious when overwritten. The plot also lacks a real climax, except perhaps in the last fifth of the story, which seems to me like a cheap trick to force readers into buying the second book. Or maybe I'm overly suspicious.

Anyway, I can't wait to get my hands on Pegasus Part 2, since the story leaves you grinding your teeth and wishing that Robin McKinley would hurry up and write the second part already. Pegasus had many faults but I did love the writing. Since it lacked real substance, it gets three stars from me.

It was okay.