Oracles of Delphi Keep [Library Binding]

Victoria Laurie (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 10 and up | Grade Level: 5 and up | Series: Oracles of Delphi Keep

Ian Wigby is about to find out that he is a very special boy.

Along the southern coast of England, atop the White Cliffs of Dover, stands a castle. And at that castle’s old keep is an orphanage. Delphi Keep has seen many youngsters come and go through its gates, and Ian Wigby and his sister, Theodosia, are happy to call it home. Life has always been simple at the Keep, and the orphanage safe, until one day, Ian and Theo find a silver treasure box. And within the box, a prophesy. Three thousand years ago a great Greek oracle wrote of a quest. A quest on which the fate of the world depends. A quest that names two children—Ian and Theodosia. Suddenly Delphi Keep is no longer safe. And Ian and Theo, along with a very special group of friends, realize they must unravel the meaning behind the scroll of Dover cavern before darkness falls on the world. And before an unfathomable evil catches up with them.


From the Hardcover edition.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 5–8—The orphanage at Delphi Keep is a great place for Ian and Theodosia to grow up. They love exploring the tunnels all around the White Cliffs of Dover. One day, they happen upon a silver box in one of them. When Ian wedges it free from the sand, a vicious hell-hound, the servant of an evil sorcerer, begins to chase them. The two soon find themselves embroiled in a wild adventure involving a prophecy foretold by the oracle Laodamia about the coming of the Nazis and the end of the world. It hinges on an old legend about the Demogorgon fathering four children who control the elements and who are bent on destruction. Now, the two children, along with their friend Carl, their teachers, and an old antiquities professor, must race against half-demons and piece together the clues of the prophecy. If they don't find several important objects mentioned in it, the world could be destroyed. While the story begins well and has several breathtaking action sequences, it quickly meanders and loses steam. Laurie has too many plot strands to tie together and she does so haphazardly, leaving the story overloaded with characters, especially villains. The characters themselves seem more like archetypes than real people, and the dialogue is sometimes unrealistic. With an overlong, complicated plot and long stretches of low action, the story is unlikely to find a wide audience.—Necia Blundy, Marlborough Public Library, MA
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

About the Author

Victoria Laurie lives in Austin, Texas. You can visit her on the Web at www.oraclesofdelphikeep.com.


From the Hardcover edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 10 and up
  
• Library Binding: 560 pages
• Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers (May 26, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0385905610
• ISBN-13: 978-0385905619
• Product Dimensions: 5.6 x 1.7 x 8.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (26 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #6,962,083 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

When I was in the 7th grade I took one of those career aptitude tests - you know, the ones where you answer a bunch of questions and the results indicate what profession you'd best be suited for? Yeah, well my test results indicated I was best suited for a career as a government spy.

A SPY!

I think I had the coolest results in the entire class. :)

Needless to say, I did not follow that particular career path - or maybe I just took the more indirect route. In my thirties a very good friend of mine who is now one of the world's most renowned psychic mediums suggested I stop ignoring my talents and dive right into the professional world of a psychic intuitive. On a lark, I did. And the results were pretty mind-blowing. Within just a few short weeks even I couldn't deny it - so much of what I predicted for total strangers was coming true and I really had to accept the "gift" so to speak.

Over the years I've built a really fabulous clientele and all those experiences have helped me create the Psychic Eye Mysteries, the Ghost Hunter Mysteries, and - for children - Oracles of Delphi Keep. And along that way I discovered my true love - writing.

Writing is one of those passions that gets me out of bed in the morning and invigorates my day. I love spinning a good yarn, and when I feel I actually get it right - wow! There is no better feeling.

In fact, the other day I was kicking back after a looooong day of writing, which ended in the completion of a manuscript and I remember just marveling in the fact that I actually get paid to daydream! I can't think of a more satisfying way to spend a life. And let's face it - it's a whole lot safer than working some covert operation. Although - I'm pretty sure the benefits might be better at the CIA. Still, I'll stick to my daydreams...at least for now... :)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Overall, good, but could have been shorter, November 29, 2010

By 

Elizabeth Swigar - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Oracles of Delphi Keep (Kindle Edition)

This book is set just before WWII. It immediately captures your attention. The main character, Ian Wigby, who is living in an orphanage, meets his "sister" Theo under strange circumstances in the opening scene. Mystery as well as psychic ability hangs around her from the beginning. Archetypal figures, symbolic animals, and well-rounded characters make this book a delight to read, except for the rather slow middle section.

The plot centers around these two characters and a mysterious prophecy they find in the cliffs of Dover. A hellhound guards the prophecy, and several scary moments ensue when it comes in pursuit of Ian and Theo when they take it. The middle part of the book unfortunately drags a bit. It feels like a lot of backstory being dumped, and here I struggled to keep my attention focused. The end picks up and keeps you reading breathlessly as the kids make their way through Morocco.

Ian and Theo do not change all that much during the book, it doesn't seem. I would have appreciated a bit more growth or change in them. However, their interactions with each other, and with the character Jaaved, when he is introduced, are well-rounded and complex.

Overall, this book is good for all readers. The target audience of middle readers to early young adult may find itself skimming over the middle section of the book. I did remain engaged enough to finish, but I'm an adult. Descriptions are well done, characters are well developed. But the book could have used a harsher editor.

I could have rated this book four and a half to five stars, with a bit more editing in the middle section. The last part is an adventure ride that will keep you riveted to your seat - just stay in it long enough to get there.

9 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Loved it!!!!, May 29, 2009

By 

Douglas Copeland (Texas) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Oracles of Delphi Keep (Hardcover)

When I first got a Victoria Laurie book, it was a gift. Now she is giving us the gift of this new series. I was absolutely blown away by this story. The characters are well written and the story progresses as she builds to the conclusion of this start of the series. I found this novel as engrossing as the first Harry Potter book. She has done a masterful job of making characters that are interesting with a story that pulls you along to the end. What else can I say but, read this book. You will not be dissapointed. She has another amazing series on her hands to go along with Abby and MJ. Keep writing and we'll keep reading.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A thoroughly engaging read; puzzled by the JK Rowling comparison though., January 12, 2010

By 

Julie Bryant "An Avid Reader" (San Diego, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Oracles of Delphi Keep (Hardcover)

It's not fair to Ms. Laurie for reviewers to continually draw the JK Rowling comparsion. This book was a delightful read, but it was a not Harry Potter. And that's OK. It was rather reminiscent of the Boxcar Children stories I was read as a child. If you like engaging adventure stories for younger readers (and I do) this would not be a waste of time. The characters have dimension, there is suspense and intrigue, and the plot was good.

The Harry Potter stories were a once-in-a-lifetime magical (heh) gift. It's unfair to other authors in the genre to try to find a connection to Ms. Rowling's series. Just enjoy the book for what it is, and don't spend too much time looking for what it's not.