Dun Ladys Jess

Wash t sure Id like this book but I loved it. When I read the summary I thought it was pretty far fetched but I sure glad I bought it. Cant wait to read the rest in the series!

The character development runs deep. Amazingly detailed development of Jess. Having horses myself, I found her portrayal of horse turned woman realistic and compelling. A must reed for anyone who loves horses and likes fantasy.

This was a fine story, and such a novel concept: a horse transformed into a woman.

I absolutely LOVED the story! It is the BEST horse - human story ever written. I havent read the sequels yet but theyre next! The story is also a great Romance as well as Mystery, Action, sci/fi, and paranormal activity with a megaverse full of parallel worlds thrown in.

To read an action packed, magical, animal focussed story was fantastic. The author certainly knows her horses and as a horse lover, the story rang true. Dont we all wish we understood animals so well. And her humans were very interesting too. I guess this could be a stand alone story, but I certainly will enjoy reading the further adventures of all the characters and alternate universe.

This books magic weaves itself around you until you refuse to put it down. A touch of adventure along with the magic grips the imagination.

It reads like an offering from a far more experienced writer. But then, I expected nothing less, by the time I actually read it. I discovered Doranna Durgin many years ago, but even then, Dun Ladys Jess was already out of print. I finally tracked it down at an online used book store. It was VERY hard to find... apparently, not many people who read it were willing to give it up. That should tell you something. I, myself, couldnt wait for the American edition of the re-issue... I bought the Canadian edition. HUGE thanks to Red Deer Press for reintroducing it! I have read and enjoyed other fantasies that involved shape-shifting--and Im looking forward to Durgins new one in the Silhouette Nocturne line next year. But Dun Ladys Jess is a change fantasy on an entirely different level. As a person, Jess has the instincts and sensibilities of a horse, but has to learn to use her new and expanded human brain power. As a horse, Jess is not a person in a horses body, shes a horse, confused by the new scope of thought available to her horses brain. This makes the whole story fascinating on a personal development and characterization level, as well as the actual intriguing plot-line of travel and adventure taking place across two very different dimensions. All the characters benefit from Durgins talent at characterization, of course--like all her books--but Jess has, and always will have, a special place in my heart. The action aint bad, either. Durgin excels at pacing a story to keep you turning pages far into the night. Also recommended:

A witty affecting fantasy romp wherein a mare becomes a woman. In the process, she learns to value herself, interact with humans, express her love and defeat numerous villains. I dont know if the author had read or knew the Horse Whisperer but Duns Lady Jess is a great description of horse behavior. A YA before that became a genre, it is well written and effective. It caused tears at some points - something that rarely happens.

I suppose its OK if you are a teenager in love with horses. The premise is set in our world and a magical world, so the lack of detail development conveniently relies upon magic. Character development seemed shallow. The writing did not meet the level of the Clan of the Cave Bear series. I will pass on the follow-up books.

This was a cute story about a horse that was turned into a human woman and plummeted to earth where she had to learn all the ways of humans and women. Very good reading andsweet