It is interesting, how radically different people's tastes may differ. I thought Shadow Magic was okay (and it is the book that launched the Scribblies writers' group -- look it up on wikipedia) but *Daughter of Witches* was the one that really, really launched Pat's career. (Note: I feel a bit of parental pride here. I didn't do anything to help write the book, and this was not one of the Scribblies books that I critiqued extensively; however, I gave the book its title.) Somebody at Ace suggested to Pat that *Shadow Magic* be published under a pseudonym, so that her real name could be used for her later books, which would obviously be better. I did not agree about the pseudonym (and neither did Pat) but still consider *Shadow Magic* to be weaker than her next six or seven. By the way, have you read *The Harp of Imach Thyssel*? I liked this one a lot too.)

Nate