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Fantasies to
Take Your Mind Away
By Hollie Parry
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
Click to Buy
 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.
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