Teenage fantasy fans of all ages are sure to find a fantastic tale to add to their list of favorites in May’s young adult book reviews.
The Light of the Oracle by Victoria Hanley
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Bryn is a commoner living in a small village with her family. The people in her town think that she is odd, at best. Although Bryn would like to conform to the ways of the small country village she lives in, she finds herself hearing the call of a persistent wind, which she can’t ignore. She doesn’t understand why she, alone, can hear the words of the wind, but endures taunts of her kinfolk and village for behaving so strangely.
One day, the high priest of the temple (Renchauld) travels to the small village and chooses Bryn to come to the temple to train to become a priestess to the Oracle. Bryn gladly follows Renchauld and hopes that this new opportunity will prove a chance to be with other people who are like her.
Although there are many youth in the temple who have also been given gifts of prophecy and visions, Bryn finds that even among people who seem to be like her, the new world in which she has entered has much more complicated problems than she found in her humble village. Bryn’s goodness and hometown values will aid her as she finds herself up against unbelievable power, evil, and tradition.
The Light of the Oracle is a wonderful fantasy fictional adventure. I enjoyed reading it for its entertainment value and realized that although I do not believe in an oracle or birds as magic-giving creatures, it was a fun read.
Silverboy by N. M. Browning
Recently escaped from the cellars of the apprentice shop where he has been enslaved and working with enchanted spellstones, a young boy (Tommo) has eight days to reach the coast and leave the land or face the hangman’s noose. While Tommo stumbles towards the sea in weakness from hunger, fatigue, and the fatal toll that working with the spellstones has wracked on his body, he comes across a fisherman’s daughter named Akenna. She is as mean and fierce of a person as Tommo has ever encountered, but in desperation enlists her help to get to the sea before the eight days run out.
In the same land, there is a tyrannical ruler named Fallon, who has either killed or imprisoned his enemies in order to squelch any chance of being overthrown. His biggest fear is that those who claim to have the magical Inward Power may truly be his ultimate undoing. Fallon uses spellgringers, those who can tap into the magic contained in the spellstones, to control those around him who he can’t do without, but who also pose a threat. Although many of the people despise Fallon as their ruler and speak of plans to rid the kingdom of his reign, Fallon, with his loyal spies and guards, is too powerful for anyone to usurp. Or is he?
Read “Silverboy” to find out how the fates of an oppressive king, a dying boy, and a scrappy fisherman’s daughter are ultimately intertwined. This is a great teenage read for both girls and boys. Full of adventure and suspenseful twists, with an original plot and interesting characters.
Dragon Slippers by Jessica Day George
With no loving family, no friends, and a fate that includes being sacrificed to a fierce dragon in place of a dowry, Creel is down on her luck from the get-go. Although the existence of a true dragon is a myth, Creel soon meets the very real large, shimmering dragon and strikes a deal with him to ensure her freedom. As she leaves the dragon’s lair and sets off to seek her fortune in the city as a seamstress, she carries a beautiful gift from the dragon, a pair of shiny slippers.
When in the city Creel finds a job as a dressmaker’s apprentice. She is very talented and quickly finds herself in with new friends, a bright future, and a destiny all her own. Just as every pretty, strong, rags-to-riches heroine that we all love to read about, Creel meets a handsome boy, thwarts a few jealous enemies, and uses her country smarts and survival techniques to get herself out of some rather hairy situations. This is a light-hearted fantasy tale at its best.
This book is recommended for teens of any age who like fantasy and humor. Dragon Slippers is an easy, enjoyable read with a few unseen twists along the way.
