The Prophecy [Bargain Price] [Hardcover]

Hilari Bell (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 1, 2006

Can a bard, a sword, a unicorn–and a hopeless prince–save a kingdom?

Fourteen–year–old Prince Perryn is teased for loving books more than swords. But Perryn's books are his best weapons to stop the dragon that is destroying his kingdom–and his one hope of earning his father's respect. When he unearths a prophecy on how to kill the dragon, Perryn sets out to find the three things needed to make it come true–a unicorn, a true bard, and a special sword. But, as everyone knows, the only thing more absurd than pursuing a prophecy is believing any of these legends might still be found. From acclaimed author Hilari Bell, The Prophecy unfolds with wit, wisdom, danger, and discovery, as any unforgettable adventure should!

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 5-8–Prince Perryndon wants nothing more than a chance to be a scholar, while his father wishes only for a warrior son. When Perryn stumbles across a prophecy that might help him to destroy the black dragon devastating the kingdom, he runs away from the castle hoping to find the elements described in the forbidden book of magic–a true bard, a unicorn, and a unique sword. With the king's men searching for him (and someone trying to kill him), Perryn discovers that nothing is as he imagined. The bard is in prison, the unicorn is terrified of every danger, and the sword is rusty. The prince must use his wits to discover his true worth in order to save the kingdom and himself. Bell has crafted a coming-of-age story that engages adolescents who are themselves trying to determine the path to selfhood. Prophecy has all the essentials of a good fantasy adventure and moves quickly enough to connect with reluctant readers.–Sharon Grover, Hedberg Public Library, Janesville, WI
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From Booklist

Gr. 6-9. "You'll be the forty-fifth warrior-king and not some worthless scholar," the king of Idris tells his 14-year-old son, but Prince Perryn much prefers academic pursuits to his warrior training, and he longs to postpone knighthood for a stint at the university. Then he uncovers an ancient scroll that details how to slay the dragon that is terrorizing the kingdom, and he learns that the king's most trusted advisor is a traitor intent on destroying the kingdom. So begins a classic hero's quest, and, with the murderous traitor in pursuit, Perryn sets out to kill the dragon and restore peace. Bell expertly maintains the delicious suspense to the last page, and she layers the breathtaking action with a cast of fully realized magical creatures and universal coming-of-age questions: How do you reconcile a parent's desires with your own? Is book learning or messy experience a better life guide? Perryn's authentic, urgent feelings--the hurt, misunderstanding, and increasing openheartedness--will draw readers as much as the wholly satisfying, escapist adventure. Gillian Engberg
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 208 pages
• Publisher: Eos (August 1, 2006)
• ISBN-10: 006059943X
• ASIN: B001G8WP76
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.6 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,074,130 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Me the writer--a loose, not-really-biography of Hilari Bell.

A lot of writers will tell you that they've been writers from the time they were children--well, I'm not one of those people. I was always a reader. There's nothing better than falling into the world of a book and just living there till the story's over...and even then, it stays in your head and heart. At least, the best ones do. But writing came a lot later, in school assignments--which I enjoyed, but still, assignments. Homework no less.

I started writing seriously when I first got out of library school. I'd been reading picture books preparing to do storytimes, and I thought, "Picture books. They're short. They're for little kids. How hard could it be?" Several years and dozens of unsold--and unsalable--picture books later I'd found out how hard they could be! Picture books are harder to write (a good one, anyway) than anything except poetry. And they're harder to sell than anything but poetry, too.

One of the things I've learned about writing over the years is to never say never, because whenever I've said "I will never write XYZ" within a few years I end up writing it. Some true examples: I could never write a novel. I could never write a young adult novel. I could never write science fiction. I could never write an adult novel. I could never make those books a romance. (OK, so I haven't actually made them into a romance, but a lot more romantic elements are creeping into my writing.) I should probably say, I could never write a best seller, just to see what would happen... Hmm. I could never write a best seller!

OK, Murphy's Law being what it is, that probably won't work. If for no other reason than that, primarily, I write for me. This is something I probably shouldn't admit, but I don't really care that much about my audience. (Sorry, audience.) I write the books I want to read. I tell the stories that I want to tell. And I write to make the story the best it can be...because the story is what I care about it. I love it when other people care about my stories too, but that's not my primary motivation. Which is the other reason "I could never write a best seller."

(I know it probably won't work--but it doesn't hurt to try, now does it?)

--Hilari

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars entertaining coming of age quest fantasy, September 8, 2007

By 

Harriet Klausner - See all my reviews
(#1 Hall OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Prophecy (Paperback)

The dragon has devastated Kingdom of Idris, destroying the land and terrorizing its people. For five years young scholar Prince Perryndon has searched the enormous castle's library seeking a means to slay the dragon. Finally when he turns fourteen, Perryndon believes he has found the solution in an ancient prophecy. His father the king pays no attention to his scholarly teenage offspring as the royal ruler thinks that a master swordsman to fight the Norsemen and the dragon is what is needed and not a physically pathetic bookworm.

Although he is hurt by his sire's disdain for him, the courageous Perryndon seeks to save the kingdom so he turns to the magical Mirror of Idris where he learns that Cedric the master of arms, the Norsemen, and the dragon are in cahoots. Unlike his liege, Cedric recognizes the threat posed by Perryndon and plans to kill him. Perryndon realizes he must leave his home in search of the elements that make up the prophecy. He seeks a bard, a unicorn and the Sword of Samhain while his adversaries want him dead before he fulfills his quest of killing the dragon

This entertaining coming of age quest fantasy hooks the audience from the opening sequence when preteen readers meet the young hero and never slows down as he tries to save the kingdom. Perryndon is a terrific yet uncommon hero as he is totally a scholar rather than a warrior, which is why his sire is disappointed in him. Hilari Bell provides a fun tale as her intrepid teen attempts to fulfill THE PROPHECY while his foes try to kill him.

Harriet Klausner