The Cup of the World [Kindle Edition]

John Dickinson (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 9 Up–Phaedra, 16, rejects each of her nobly born suitors in turn because none of them can compare to the mysterious young knight who has visited her dreams since her childhood. When at last she meets her beloved in the flesh, she marries him immediately, despite his family's reputation for black magic and his leadership of a territory in near-open rebellion against the King. As her country descends into civil war, Phaedra learns the chilling truth about her husband's powers and finds the strength to save what she holds dear. Slightly formal prose gives the book the sound of a well-worn, classic tale. Subtle foreshadowing and superb pacing heighten the story's impact as Phaedra slowly uncovers the dark secrets underlying her new life. The characters are well rounded, and their motivations often play out in complex territorial politics that make the map a welcome inclusion. Fantasy lovers will revel in glimmering descriptions of Phaedra's country, complete with an invented mythology and a long history of warfare and subjugation. While central to the plot, these details also give the narrative depth and resonance. The corrupting effect of conquest is a weighty subtext for this genre, but Dickinson successfully weaves it into the story in symbolic terms that will remain with readers long after they leave this troubled, beautiful world.–Beth Wright, Fletcher Free Library, Burlington, VT
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

Gr. 9-12. None of the nobly born suitors who come courting 16-year-old Phaedra compare to the handsome, mysterious young knight who has visited her in dreams since childhood. When she finally meets the knight in the flesh, she marries him immediately, despite his family's sinister reputation for practicing black magic and his leadership of a territory on the verge of rebellion against the king. As her country descends into civil war, Phaedra discovers the dark truth about her husband's powers and must find the strength to fight for what matters most to her. The setting of this story is beautifully realized, and the characters are well-developed and memorable. Dickinson's formal prose gives the book the sound and feel of an old-time classic, while numerous subplots lend a complexity and depth that will appeal to fans of fantasy epics. A map is included to assist with understanding the intricate territorial politics central to the plot. An engrossing, entertaining, richly layered story. Ed Sullivan
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

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Product Details

• Format: Kindle Edition
• File Size: 737 KB
• Publisher: Laurel Leaf (March 25, 2009)
• Sold by: Random House Digital, Inc.
• Language: English
• ASIN: B002361KSA
• Text-to-Speech: Enabled
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #486,310 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Like the Curate's egg - good in parts., March 5, 2005

By 

A. J. Watson "Bones" (Newcastle-on-Tyne, UK) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Cup of the World (Hardcover)

The story starts off in a rather stilted manner, but gradually becomes more flowing and thus more enjoyable as the book progresses, although halfway through it gets a little bogged-down and I felt as though in a dream, with something just out of reach - almost understanding, but not quite - until we discover exactly what the cup is and does.

Unusually, the story is told only from the central character's viewpoint; so wars happen and coups take place, but we only hear about them as and when Phaedra does, which can be a little disconcerting until one gets used to it. Aimed at the early teen audience, it is nevertheless enjoyable to the older reader.

An apparently simple plot; the teenage daughter of a powerful lord attends her coming-out presentation at court, only to spurn all advances in favour of her dream prince - literally, she has never laid eyes on him until he abducts her. Seemingly oblivious to the war she has just started she marries him and embraces her new existence with hardly a thought for the pain and turmoil she has left behind her, or for the strange society she now lives in. And, like a typical willful, insecure child, nothing suits her, everyone and everything conspires against her - you just want to give her a good smack!

But then, seemingly disparate threads come together with a sense of trepidation and foreboding to create a complex, compelling mediaeval tale in the old fantasy tradition. ****

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Starts like Mists of Avalon, October 23, 2006

By 

M. Lane "M.Lane" (Atlanta) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Cup of the World (Hardcover)

This book is set in a King-Arthur type age. There is one kingdom and several regions each with a baron leading them. The main character is a baron's daughter, Phaedra. Phaedra comes of age and has several suitors. She marries someone her father dislikes, and she moves to his region.

After Phaedra moves to the castle, the storyline becomes dark. She starts seeing shadows and people close to her die. She feels aliented from the servants and accosted by the ghosts/demons/whatever in the castle. She begins to question what dark powers exist in the castle and if her husband plays a role in them.

I haven't reached the end of this book (about 20 pages left to go,) but I really like this book because it's different than ones I have read. My favorite books are romantic fantasy with a female lead (Sharon Shinn - Angelica, Angel Seeker, Samaria; Robin McKinley - Blue Sword; Garth Nix - Abhorsen, Liriel, Sabriel.)

This book is different. It's not an overt fantasy. The "shadows" that Phaedra is seeing seem to be madness. Not only is the fantasy played down, but romance is not a large part of the story. The story displays the ups and downs of marriage as in Mists of Avalon. Phaedra suffers when her husband is gone at war for months. Friendships become important when her husband leaves and they eventually end up saving her.

Overall, the writing is good and the story is great. It's a realistic fantasy that becomes more and more fantastic at the end. I loved the friendships and relationships in this book.

7 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best Fantasy books I've read in years, July 1, 2004

By 

RedEggs (U.S.) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Cup of the World, The (Hardcover)

Dickinson has a knack for description, and a grasp on the subtlties of characterization that will take your breath away. As the blurb says, this book hides a secret within itself, so I won't give away any of the plot here. You could take my advice and read it, or you could disregard this review and miss out. It's your choice.