Customer Reviews

The Prophecy Keepers

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I would actually give this book a 4.5, if that choice were available.

My sister bought this book after the author came to her high school for a book talk. She LOVED it, so I read it next, and I loved it, too, and I highly recommend it.

On the world of Earde, humans do not believe in the magical races--fairies, goblins, a strange race of creatures called the fenmine, and others. The Prophecy itself is mainly stuff of legend, even for the ritual followers, and while many believe that the Gifted One will come one day to save the world from Darkness, this is thought to be an event that will only take place in the distant future. But when ten-year-old Loki Ackart is taken by goblins, his fourteen-year-old sister, Lisandra, not only discovers that the magical races do indeed exist and events the Prophecy predicts have been set in motion, but also that she is the Gifted One. She doesn't believe it at first, and she wants just to be left alone. But she soon finds that she doesn't have a choice in the matter, and she sets out on a journey to find the twenty three Prophecy Keepers, each whom keeps a single piece of the Prophecy.

This is an excellent book. It is a fast read, a real "page-turner." The characters are endearing, memorable, and three-dimensional; the dialogue is unstrained and real, and the action moves easily and fluently, without the pages of exposition common in a number of books these days. The story itself is engaging and fascinating--I couldn't wait to see what would happen next. The maps of Earde and the path of Lisandra's adventure are beautifully done. And underneath all of this is an intriguing level of symbolism and imagery--the sources of which are included in an "Origins" section at the back of the book.

I would give this book 4.5 stars only because it has a little bit of a slow start. The prologue is interesting, and the first bit of the first chapter is quite exciting, but after that it was slightly difficult to get into right away--partly, I think, because it took me a little bit to get used to the unusual names (which could have been easier if I had flipped to the back of the book before I started reading, to take a look at the dictionary and pronunciation section). But don't let that deter you! It is a fantastic book. The good news is that it is only the first in a series of five; the bad news is that book two doesn't come out until next September. And given that The Prophecy Keepers ends with the words "to be continued...," it's going to be a long wait.

Bryant is a perfectionist. She creates an entire world of races, geography, and languages, and then she hands you the guide book. Her characters are charming and believable and her story is gripping. You've not just bought a single title, you have invested in a story that will stay with you as the next installment promises to go even further into Lisandra's journey to discover her role in an ages old battle. Bryant's extraordinary and intuitive protagonist struggles between the wants of an average girl and the unique gift that has acted as a key to an alternative universe. Will she be able to save Earde from the Darkness? Will she be able to reconcile her new role in a world she barely understands?

Great story, much more smartly written than the usual fantasy fare. Very enjoyable and an easy read. Looking forward to the rest of the series!