Patricia A. McKillip Books In Order

Publication Order of Cygnet Duology Books

Publication Order of Kyreol Duology Books

Publication Order of Riddle-Master Books

Publication Order of Winter Rose Books

Publication Order of Brian Froud's Faerielands Books

Publication Order of Standalone Novels

Publication Order of Collections

Publication Order of Short Stories/Novellas

Publication Order of MagicQuest Books

Publication Order of Anthologies

Author Patricia Anne McKillip was born in Salem, Oregon on Leap Day 1948. She grew up in England, Germany, and Oregon. She is married to David Lunde, a poet.

Patricia began writing at the age of fourteen, and has been writing ever since, save for a minor detour when she thought she was going to become a concert pianist. It is said she began during a fit of boredom at fourteen, and she sat down in front of some window that overlooked a stately medieval church and its graveyard and wrote a thirty page fairy tale.

She attended college at College of Notre Dame, Belmont, and San Jose University, where she got a BA in English in the year 1971. Then she went on for an MA in the year 1973 at San Jose University. Then she moved on to San Francisco before moving to the Catskill Mountains in New York, later Roxbury, New York. All before living in Oregon once again.

“Harpist in the Wind” was nominated for a World Fantasy Best Novel Award as well as the Hugo Best Novel Award. She won a Balrog Award in the short fiction category for “A Troll and Two Roses” in 1985, a World Fantasy Award for “The Forgotten Beasts of Eld” in 1975, and a Locus Award for “Harpist in the Wind” in 1980.

Her work is from the genres of young adult fantasy and fantasy. She became a published author in the year 1973, when “The House on Parchment Street” was released. She writes the “”Cygnet” books, the “Winter Rose” novels, the “Kyreol” books, and the “Quest of the Riddle-Master” trilogy as well as some stand alone novels.

McKillip’s tales often take place in settings quite similar to the Middle Ages. There are lords or kings, tinkers, minstrels, wizards, forests, and castles. Her writing throws characters into situations that involve mysterious powers they do not quite understand. Quite a few of her characters are not entirely certain of their own ancestry. Music also plays an important role, as well. Love between family members is another important thing in her work, although members of her families tend to disagree.

“The Riddle-Master of Hed” is the first novel in the “Quest of the Riddle Master” series, which was released in the year 1976. A long time ago, the wizards vanished from the world, and all the knowledge was left hidden inside riddles. Morgon, who is the prince of the simple farmers of Hed, proved that he was a master of riddles when he staked his own life to win a crown from the deceased Lord of Aum.

Now evil and ancient forces were threatening him. Shape changers start to replace friends until no one could be trusted. So Morgon had to flee to hostile kingdoms, searching for the High One who ruled from the mysterious Erlenstar Mountain.

Next to him went Deth, the High One’s Harper. Up ahead lay some strange encounters and rather terrifying adventures. With him as always was the greatest of unsolved riddles. The nature of the three stars that is on his forehead that appeared to drive him on toward his ultimate destiny.

“Heir of Sea and Fire” is the second novel in the “Quest of the Riddle Master” series, which was released in the year 1977. Raederle, by her dad’s vow and her very own desire, was pledged to Morgon the Riddle-Master of Hed. A year has gone by since Morgon vanished on his search for the High One at Erlenstar Mountain, and there were rumors that claimed he was dead.

Raederle went off to find the truth out for herself, though her tiny gift of magic seemed too minor for the perils she has to face. The quest takes her on some dangerous adventures and through some odd lands. Only her growing powers allowed her at last to get to Erlendstar Mountain. Here, she found what she was unable to accept.

Accompanied by Deth, the High One’s Harper, she left. Behind them is a pursuer called Morgon that is bent on executing a grim destiny upon both Deth and Raederle. Her only hope lay in summoning all the Hosts of the Dead, led by the King whose skull she has.

This is a strong female character, and was written during a time when that was not a common thing to see. Changing lead characters from one book to another allows the story to fill in more and develop the characters more. The characters in this feel real and exciting.

“Harpist in the Wind” is the third novel in the “Quest of the Riddle Master” series, which was released in the year 1979. During conflict and unrest, the Prince of Hed solves the puzzle of his future when figures out to harp the wind, finds out who the shape changers are, and even understands his relationship with Deth, harpist of Ohm, the wizard.

This book answers a bunch of the questions that were raised in other books, and brings things to a resounding conclusion. McKillip is able to keep readers in suspense the entire way through until the very end of the story. All while she weaves her plot expertly around myths and riddles and characters that are far more complex than they appear.

“The Forgotten Beasts of Eld” is the first stand alone novel, which was released in the year 1974. Spun from threads of gold and living the dreams of ancient powers. This is the story of Sybel, who is an ivory-haired wizard. With the touch of her mind is able to summon a kingdom of all manner of magical beasts, each having their own superhuman power.

Together, they have to go on a wondrous quest across the shimmering and fabled Eldwold and beyond, through some dynastic wars and chilling sorcery. All before Sybel learns about the power of human love.

Readers love the earnestness of each character in the book, and are entirely themselves, even if they do not know who that really is. The language is really gorgeous here in this book, and McKillip does a fantastic job of making you understand the villain’s motivation of what he is doing.

One Response to “Patricia A. McKillip”

1. David Creager: 8 months ago

   I have been a fan of The Riddle Master of Hed series it seems like forever! I read it often. Wish she would revisit the World of Hed !

   Reply