The Timekeeper's Moon

March 1, 2010
Gr 5-8-This sequel to "The Farwalker's Quest" (Bloomsbury, 2009) takes place after the Blind War when technology has been lost. It again features Ariel, 13, a Farwalker compelled to obey the moon's summons and travel from one isolated village to another spreading long-forgotten knowledge. She and her taciturn but caring guardian Scarl, a Finder, are journeying through unknown territory following the strange symbols on a map they have found in search of the mysterious Timekeeper. Ariel is having nightmares that take her into the past or into a parallel world where she can see events before they happen. Their companions include Sienna, a Flame-Mage who has her eye on Scarl; and mute Nace, a Kincaller whom Ariel is attracted to. Sensel excels in her vivid descriptions of the setting, the characters, and the adventures that they experiencemost notably an encounter with a raging forest fire. Ariel's maturation into a young woman with her first crush is well done as is her reliance on Scarl while at the same time longing for independence. The theme of finding and accepting one's true calling resonates in this second book as much as it did in the first. However, they should be read in order because characters and events from "The Farwalker's Quest" are often mentioned. The books will be particularly enjoyed by anyone who likes Jeanne DuPrau's "The City of Ember" series (Random) or other postapocalyptic books such as Susan Butler's "The Hermit Thrush Sings" (DK Ink, 1999)."Sharon Rawlins, New Jersey State Library, Trenton"

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