The Light of the Oracle

June 1, 2005
Gr 6-9 -This companion novel to "The Seer and the Sword" (2000) and "The Healer's Keep" (2002, both Holiday House) stands very well on its own. Bryn, a poor stonecutter's daughter, is recruited to become a handmaiden in the Temple of the Oracle. There she will be tutored in the ways of prophecy and might possibly be chosen as a priestess. Entering the Temple at the same time is Clea, a spoiled rich girl who becomes Bryn's nemesis. Kiran, a horse trainer who can communicate with animals and is a priesthood candidate, is immediately attracted to Bryn. To be a priest or priestess, one must first be chosen by a bird. Clea is -bird chosen - by a vulture, which gives her the power to cast curses. Bryn, however, is chosen, not by a bird, but by the wind, which means that her powers of prophecy are great. Intrigue and treachery abound within the Temple grounds. Characters are fully good or evil; the bad guys are mean and hateful just because they can be. In the landscape of this kingdom, there is an extensive pantheon of gods that ally themselves with the mortals and intervene in earthly events. Dreams and visions symbolically reveal the complex inner workings of the characters' minds. When an exiled priestess finally unravels the evil plotting of the Master Priest and his henchmen, the story builds to an exciting climax. This is a fast-paced, well-written fantasy in which adventure and suspense take center stage, with just a touch of romance for good measure." -Bruce Anne Shook, Mendenhall Middle School, Greensboro, NC"

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