Dun Ladys Jess

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.

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:

This had it all: epic adventure, fantasy, magic, love and horses! There are plenty of stories where a human is changed to an animal, and even some the other way around, but I havent read any that seem so real. The way the horse/human acts and thinks, just perfect. I cant wait to read more!

This story really captured my heart! I am a horse lover to begin with but, the story itself took me easily away to distant places. The author, Doranna Durgin is an exceptional, imaginative writer!!! Loved her books. Thank you Ms. Durging for bringing this joyous adventure!!

I Loved this Book! Im a horse lover and owner, so I could imagine The feeling what Lady and Jess felt as they did. Im not going to ruin it for you by telling you parts of the story. But if you love horses and magic then this book will take you on a great ride! I couldnt put it down, so much action I wanted to know what was happening. Warning down start to read this book late at night!! Ill start at 11:00 pm and the next time I checked it was 2:30am. That was even after I took my sleeping at 11:00! Cant wait to get the next book.

This book had me almost from page one. Ms Durgin has created and presented a world that is not only believable, but is also true to itself. I wanted to interact with the characters. Of course, I was through her mind! The plot had enough surprises to keep me thoroughly engaged with the story. In fact much of the time I did not want to put the book down. Also the bane of e-books, typos and proofreading errors, were barely noticed - a major plus! I plan on reading the rest of the books in the series and expect to be as well entertained. I highly recommend this book for its fantastical and plausible story.

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

Seems like Ive read a lot of books lately where there is a fresh new concept, the first half is brilliantly executed, then it turns into formula junk that could have been turned out by any hack writer. What gives?

The animal into human idea may not be new, but this is about the only example where I actually could believe it. Jess becomes a human during a transition between worlds - but only in her body. Even as she learns some human things, her thinking is horse, all the way. No 2 days and shes just a woman here, Jess is neither ashamed of being a horse nor completely comfortable as a human even at the end of the story. Of course at first her problem is in getting people to believe her. And in rescuing her owner with the help of people who are horrified that she belongs to Carey. This was a terrific beginning to what turned out to be a terrific series.

How would a horse react if suddenly turned into a human? And dumped into an unfamiliar world to top it off? This is the premise of this book. With it this author weaves an intriguing story with wonderful characters, non-stop action, and interesting solutions to unique problems. Get ready to love a new author.