Customer Reviews

The Beguilers

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This is an entertaining (and relatively short) story about a young woman coming-of-age, learning about personal responsibility and commitment to one's dreams. The universe that the author created is interesting, the characters are largely believeable, and the tale kept my interest. It was a fine book to read on an airline flight... not a story to change one's life, but better-than-usual mind candy.

Some of the society's features were rather appealing, such as a monthly tradition among the townspeople to state your Intentions (i.e. your current short-term goals) and report how you'd done on the last one. Other story elements are a little simplistic, but not in an annoying way.

Adults shouldn't think this is a story only for kids; I didn't realize this book was classified as Young Adult until I looked at the Amazon listing. The writing isn't "childish" in any way, though there's nothing offensive to younger readers.

Most people know Kate Thompson from her Switchers Series. I didn't know she had any other books till I found this one in a used bookstore.
Let me start off by saying that The Beguilers is very underrated. It's a lovely coming-of-age book about a girl who is different and discovers what her path is in life (okay, I know that every YA book is like this, but somehow, Thompson's writing makes it work).
In Rilka's village, nobody is allowed to go out after dark because of beguilers, which are mysterious, luminous ghosts that "lure you to your death." Kate Thompson writes without being overly ridiculous of "jubjub" fruits and the chuffies (which are very friendly, emotion-sensing dogs) that Rilka is allergic to. Being allergic to these lovable pets makes her fit in even less and she often dreams about life outside the village. So for her Great Intention in life Rilka decides to capture a beguiler.
She sets out on her journey as an awkward, outcast of a girl. After listening to the advice of an eccentric, elderly woman, setting off expecting to die, foraging her way through the wild and befriending a handsome young blind boy, she discovers the beguilers' secret. When this happens, the reader will understand what the beguiler stands for and why Rilka makes the choice that she does. The secret isn't even that important, but Rilka's journey is.
Readers will rejoice at her triumphs and be proud of the wise woman she becomes.

an exellent book, a bit short and rushed, but great nontheless. some parts i didn't understand, but that may just be me