The Moon and the Face (An Argo book) [Library Binding]

Patricia A. McKillip (Author)

Book Description

Series: An Argo book | Publication Date: September 1985

Kyreol's mission to another planet and Terje's trip to observe their old river home both meet with unexpected dangers and an eventual melding of very different cultures.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 7 Up Rich in imagery, description and characterization, The Moon and the Face takes place four years after Moon-Flash (Atheneum, 1984). Kyreol, who left the primitive Riverworld with her friend Terje, has trained in the Domecity as a space pilot, while Terje has become a hunter-observer. They prepare to make separate journeysKyreol to an alien planet, and Terje to return to Riverworld. While the focus of the first novel is the bold adventurer Kyreol, this novel maintains its suspenseful pace by alternating a chapter on Kyreol and her efforts to survive after she crashes on a Niade moon, with a chapter on Terje as he comes to grips with his new role in the Riverworld. The novel is filled with dichotomies: imagery of the sun (associated with Terje) versus imagery of the moon (associated with Kyreol); the Healer's dream-wisdom versus the scientist's assumptions; and the rich, natural color and textures of the Riverworld versus the sterile, abandoned moon upon which Kyreol crashes. There is also a pull between dreams and reality, between the future and the past, between feelings and the law. When Terje becomes the new Healer after Kyreol's father dies, he re-establishes Kyreol's place in the Riverworld, for he literally paints her back into the world of dreams by drawing her portrait on the ritual cave wall. Not only can she go back home again, she must go back for her answers. Although it is a short book, The Moon and the Face is packed with imagery and symbolism that demand second thoughts and readings, and are well worth them. Yvonne A. Frey, Peoria Public Lib . , Ill.
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 12 and up
  
• Library Binding: 146 pages
• Publisher: Atheneum; 1st edition (September 1985)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0689311583
• ISBN-13: 978-0689311581
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.6 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,278,916 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Sci-fi outing from McKillip, April 22, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Moon And The Face (Paperback)

Although not one of Paticia McKillips's best books, 'The Moon and the Face' is an entertaining venture into Sci-Fi. The two main characters, Kyreol and Terje, come from a simple, primitive world called Riverworld. Since their discovery of higher technology and more advanced worlds elsewhere, they have determined that they could never return to their birthplace. But a series of events brings them face to face with their past.

This story is told with the lyrical and eloquent use of language that is typical of McKillip. It contains elements of romance and action, and is recommended.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Better than most, but not as good as some, February 26, 2009

By 

Djinn - See all my reviews

This review is from: Moon And The Face (Paperback)

If you like McKillip, you may find this very interesting. If you don't or haven't read her before, try something else first, like Forgotten Beasts of Eld or the Riddlemaster trilogy.

This is one of McKillip's few Sci-Fi works, and like her other Sci-Fi, it just doesn't match her level of Fantasy writing. The characters are reasonably believable, but thank goodness the book isn't longer than it is, otherwise it would have got boring.
The best part of it is the interaction between the heroine and the entirely strange creature she meets while stranded after her ship crashed.