Firegold [Turtleback]

Dia Calhoun (Author)

Product Details

• Turtleback
• Publisher: Demco Media (April 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0606183418
• ISBN-13: 978-0606183413
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.2 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Simple delight, April 5, 2001

By 

E. A Solinas "ea_solinas" (MD USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Firegold (Paperback)

If Dia Calhoun continues writing such works as this and "Aria of the Sea," she may become the next Robin McKinley! This book is wonderful, emotional, deep, but all wrapped in simple prose and style.

It centers around Jonathon, a teenage boy who has something that no one else in his native Valley has: blue eyes. Rumors flit about his mother, by the people who live in the valley and suspecy that the young boy is a Dalriada. The Dalriada are viewed as barbarians by the Valley folk, with their horses and astounding powers. They have blue eyes -- and, according to others, they also have horns from their foreheads. The Valley inhabitants fear that, as Jonathon reaches adulthood, he will go insane -- and mysterious welts are rising on his forehead, where horns would be...

These rumors reach their peak when Jonathon's mother dies, and he is accused of bringing a blight down. He must leave his home for his future, among the Dalriada. He will go to the ends of the world and back again, with the Firegold apples that will help him -- and those he loves -- to their destiny.

This book is elevated from a usual coming-of-age novel via Calhoun's beautiful prose and style. Her fantasy world is very similar to ours (a reference is made to a grandfather clock) yet the mythos and mystical experiences are different. It also brings to the forefront the disgusting bigotry and prejudice, without being heavy-handed in the execution.

Jonathon is a wonderful character, growing in strength and complexity as the book progresses. Some of the people who oppose him are a bit too narrow-minded for outright believability, but that is a very small flaw in a very good book.

I advise all admirers of good fiction -- fantasy or otherwise -- to check into this book. (I also advise you to read her second novel, "Aria of the Sea," which I am half done with)

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Caleb-age 12 1/2 Firegold: Book of Emotion, December 3, 2002

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Firegold (Paperback)

Firegold is a very emotional book. As Jonathan, the main character, struggles through his mysterious life, he faces threats from many people. Jonathan's traits, which are different than the rest of his countries, send him on this emotional ride. Soon he must leave his home and join his own "race" of people---the Dalriadas. They are mystical, magical, and mysterious Indians.
The plot is not predictable. Why, when, and how events and people are doing what they do and happening are not told to you right away, and that is what keeps you reading the book. Because of the way it is written, Firegold could be classified in several different genres. They include the following: Adventure, Fiction, Fantasy, Science Fiction, and Historical Fiction.
Firegold has a few violent but necessary scenes. When Jonathan joins the tribe of Dalriada, he must follow their ways, which is inappropriate for immature teens and children under 11.
I'd rate it for mature audiences.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Review, May 22, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Firegold (Hardcover)

Firegold is a very adventurous and exciting book. Most of the events are very surprising, but some can be predictable. I can't think of one particular climax, the book seemed to have many. The book started out a little slow, but well before half way it grew very riveting. The most important part of the book was when the main character figures out that his father didn't like him, so he doesn't belong anywhere. The book had plenty of character development. In the beginning, the main character is very unsure of himself, but he goes through some major changes and becomes strong minded at the end. I think the supporting characters were good, and very different than each other, making the book more interesting and thickening the plot. The setting of the book, in a valley and in mountains, doesn't seem too exciting. When you actually read about the setting, it is more complex and interesting than meets the eye. The book in all has a good lesson about belonging and trust, which not many others have. I suggest you go out and read Firegold; its worth your time!