Colors in the Dreamweaver's Loom [Hardcover]

Beth Hilgartner (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 10 and up

Distraught over her father's death, Zan wanders into the forest and into a fantasy world where she becomes involved in the Orathi's fight to save their homeland from invaders.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 5-9-- Zan Scarsdale is a worldly 16 and newly orphaned. Driving alone through the Vermont countryside, she wrestles with conflicting waves of grief, anger, and confusion. On an impulse, she leaves her car to wander into the woods, but she soon realizes that she is completely lost. She is found by an oddly dressed pair of children, and taken in by Eikoheh, an elderly weaver. Zan learns that she is with the Orathi, peaceful forest dwellers who are technologically primitive by 20th-century standards, but wise in the ways of dreams, spirit-gifts, and nonverbal communication. When the Orathi are threatened with forceful seizure of their land, Zan discovers that she, too, has a spirit-gift and a role to play in their fate. Her story becomes a heroic fantasy in the tradition of Robin McKinley's The Blue Sword (1982) and The Hero and The Crown (1984, both Greenwillow) , with a strong female lead complemented by sympathetic characters of both sexes and various tribes. As they quest, their progress is followed and perhaps aided, but never fully controlled, by the work growing on the loom of Eikoheh, the Orathi Dreamweaver. Eikoheh weaves on as they journey through the desert to Windsmeet "to ask a boon of the gods," then complete the task assigned by a faithless Trickster goddess, and return for her decree. But there the threads, of the tapestry and of the novel, are left hanging. The book offers likable and believable characters in a distinctive, original setting and a unique and well-plotted tale--except for the wrenchingly abrupt ending. Readers will identify with the adjustment problems of the youthful questers, sharing their triumphs and mourning their losses, but in leading them to care about the six travelers and their fate and then ending the book before it is fully revealed, Hilgartner plays a trick in the cruel tradition of the Trickster goddess she has created. --Susan L. Rogers, Chestnut Hill Academy, PA
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 10 and up
  
• Hardcover: 241 pages
• Publisher: Houghton Mifflin (Juv) (October 1989)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0395502144
• ISBN-13: 978-0395502143
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.7 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,541,146 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I Loved It And I Don't Even Like This Genre of Books, September 9, 2001

By 

Kalika (Tennessee, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Colors in the Dreamweaver's Loom (Hardcover)

I can truly say that I loved this book as well as it's sequel! The heroin, Zan Scarsdale, was believable and endearing. Karivet and Iobeh were sweet and more mature than most adults I know. Remarr's plight was very familiar to the way families work today. Ychass's wild, passionate spirit was refreshing and close-to-heart. Vihena reminded me a tad of myself, striving to be herself while others around her try to shove her into a mold that she neither fits nor wants to be enclosed in. These books wonderful and have remained so even after the 5th time I've read them. I strongly urge you to go to your local library and see if they have these two books.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Must-Read, March 26, 2001

By 

Emily (Rhode Island) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Colors in the Dreamweaver's Loom (Hardcover)

This book and its sequel have been favorites of mine for years. I would give anything for copies to own, this is a must read for any fantasy lover. Vihena was my especial fascination. If anyone can get their hands on a copy, read it.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Compelling and Creative Fantasy, February 28, 2001

By 

Kezarahk (San Francisco Bay Area, Califorina, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Colors in the Dreamweaver's Loom (Hardcover)

Maybe not the best I've ever read, but not far from it either. It seems that an author needs to really love her creations to describe them well. The story is well peopled and the people are well done. The lands are believable. All in all, an unusual story. Read it at least once. Those of you looking for an out-of-print copy may find one at the Advanced Book Exchange. Since it's out of print, the prices may be higher than usual, but sometimes you get lucky and find a bargain.