Dun Ladys Jess

The story is well written and grabs you right from the beginning. I did not want to stop reading this book and look forward to more in the same series and by the same author!!

Very entertaining and fun book, good characters and quite a interesting storyline to read to me it was a good attempt at giving the reader a real look at the way a horse might think

Hard to believe I hadnt found this one earlier in my life. It is beautiful and has such depth. Would love to read more of the series.

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.

Apart from the Harry Potter books, Ive read few fantasy novels. My one exception: the books of my friend Doranna Durgin. Of course, as shes been my friend for over 20 years, you cant expect me to be wholly objective in a review. So Ill just tell you what I like about her very first published book, Dun Ladys Jess, which has been reissued in a beautiful new edition by Canadian publisher Red Deer Press. Beautiful dun mare Lady, and her rider, Cary, are running for their lives when Cary invokes a spell that sends them hurtling to an alternate reality--a reality that does not include magic. Not only that, but Lady has been transformed into a human woman. Shes found by Eric, a kind-hearted environmentalist, and his friend Dayna. They quickly realize that Lady is in a state of mental confusion. Wary about turning her into the authorities, they take her to Daynas home to try to figure out what to do next. They meet up with their friends Jaime, who owns a horse training facility, and her brother Mark. And when Carey shows up--thats when the fun begins. This book has everything I look for in great storytelling: endearing friendships, action, adventure; suspense, thrills and fun. Im not kidding when I say itll make you laugh and cry. Theres a reason this book won the Compton Crook Award, and its hard to believe this could be someones first book because Doranna got everything right. The characterization, the action, and most importantly, the mindset of Dun Ladys Jess--a horse changed by magic into a woman. Read it. Youll love it, too.

This is not the normal type of story I choose. I was influenced to curiosity by the reviews. Im really glad I gave it a try. It was an unusual approach to the body swapping/turned into an animal tropes, and I felt that it was handled very well, and in a unique manner. The pace was a little slow for me, but it worked well for the story. I dont want to give anything away, but I encourage readers to give this unusual story a try. A man on a mission and his horse are thrust into our world, and the horse is unexpectedly turned into a woman in passage. She manages to retain her sanity with the help of experienced horse people, new friends, and her loving rider, but shes still a horse on the inside. She learns more than anyone ever expected she could, and develops opinions, ideas, and goals of her own, but remains deeply committed to her rider, their mission, and to getting home. There are many questions about what will happen to her when they figure out how to get home, and questions about whether or not home will still be safe since their mission has been delayed. Even more questions arise when they are just as unexpectedly transported back to their own world--along with their new friends from this one. Its really pretty well done. I liked it, and I look forward to reading the next book in the series, despite it being very different from my regular reads.

I think it is fair for me to say that with my very busy life, I am still reading it. I am finding it to be original, imaginative, surprising, an enjoyable read. A very refreshing change from the run of the mill obsession with murder that seems to plague most authors nowadays. I might submit a more complete review later on.

If you are looking for book that is fun to read and does not have any parts that lag, purchase Dun Ladys Jess. It is an imaginative, well-written book that will keep you entertained the entire time you are reading it. Hard to put down. The the storyline concept and thought put into the book made it one that I will think about for a long time. This would be a good book for someone that doesnt know if they think they like fantasy but would like to try it. The characters are believable and the action non-stop. Ive ready two other titles by this author and cant say Ive been disappointed yet. I will be reading more of her work this summer!

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.

I liked this book so well, I have purchased the 2nd in this series of Changespell Saga and it is proving to be just as spell binding. Doranna Durgin has a wonderful imagination and what a way with word. You feel yourself being in both World, our normal earth and the world of Magic. I had to rate this one 5 stars!