The Outsiders (Gods and Warriors Book 1)

July 23, 2012
Paver (the Chronicles of Ancient Darkness series) tells the engrossing story of 12-year-old Hylas, a poor goatherd in Bronze Age Greece, who is attacked, along with his fellow outcast Outsiders, by the Crows, black-garbed soldiers led by the warrior Kratos. When Hylas makes a desperate bid to escape by sea, he is saved by “an enormous fish burst from the waves in a rain of blue fire—but it wasn’t a fish, it was a dolphin.” Washing ashore on the mysterious Island of the Goddess, Hylas meets Pirra, the daughter of a high priestess, who is also on the run, in her case from a forced marriage. Working through mistrust and misunderstandings—and aided by a dolphin, Spirit—Hylas and Pirra work to survive the island’s perils and defeat Kratos. Hylas and Pirra are engaging heroes, and Spirit stands out as an especially intriguing character. First in a planned series, Paver’s story should appeal easily to lovers of historical fantasy (and, of course, Percy Jackson fans) with its polished blend of action, ancient history, and myth. Ages 10–up. Agent: Peter Cox, Redhammer.

In this series debut, set during the Bronze Age in ancient Greece, 12-year-old Hylas is on the run in desperate search of his sister. At the same time, a ruthless band of warriors known as Crows is set on destroying all Outsiders. Rich in historical detail, this harrowing story of survival and intrigue, complete with a runaway princess and an empathic dolphin, is brought to life with the husky, low tones of British actor Toby Stephens. Stephens excels at capturing emotional tension, expertly pitching his voice and measuring his pace to draw the listener close or to signal danger. His impeccable enunciation helps listeners feel completely at home in the ancient world. A.S. Winner of AudioFIle Earphones Award (c) AudioFile 2013, Portland, Maine