Sandwriter [Hardcover]

Monica Hughes (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 11 and up

Traveling to the desert island of Roshan to meet the young man that her aunt wants her to marry, Princess Antia becomes involved in a deadly power struggle when she uncovers secrets surrounding the ancient mystery of Roshan and the identity of the Sandwriter.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

An exuberant, romantic new fantasy from the author of the popular Isis trilogy and, more recently, Dreamcatcher. Spoiled but bright Princess Antia, heir to the wealthy Twin Continents currently ruled by Antia's domineering aunt, the queen, suddenly learns that she is to be sent to the desert island of Roshan in preparation for her marriage to the crown prince. Sure that she's really in love with her childhood tutor, Antia readily agrees to spy while on Roshan; the tutor implies that her duty toward "statecraft" includes discovering Roshan's secret power. Determined to find fault with Roshan and its austerity, Antia instead acquires a different perspective of the world and her place in it. Then she meets Sandwriter, symbolic priestess of Roshan, and the game of "statecraft" becomes a deadly battle in which Antia must decide where her loyalties liewith her past, or with her future. Although the plot is familiar, this is a smooth and sensitively written novel. With sincere portrayals of likable characters and an original setting, Hughes has constructed an engrossing tale. Ages 12-up.
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Grade 6-10 Antia, the princess of two continents, is sent by her stern aunt/ regent on an ambassadorial mission to a desert land. The haughty princess dis dains the simple ways of the people, but her pride urges her onto a desert cara van, riding a camel-like creature. Her dignity is tested further by a sardonic prince who is obliged to show her his country. After enduring a nearly deadly sandstorm, she has a vision of under ground lakes. Spies from her own coun try try to use her as a pawn to steal the desert oil. She begins to respect the desert and its people and thwarts the spies, led by her wicked aunt, in time to save the secret of the oil and water lakes. She meets the mystic Sandw riter, who has devoted an unnaturally long life to protecting the desert and its people. A predictable happy ending, a little romance, extremely little magic, very few details that make the country come alive, and stock characters: all fail to distinguish this tale. It does not uphold the standard of Hughes' ``Isis'' series (Macmillan). Anne Osborn, Riverside Public Library, Calif.
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 11 and up
  
• Hardcover: 159 pages
• Publisher: Henry Holth & Co (J); First Edition edition (March 1988)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0805006176
• ISBN-13: 978-0805006179
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.5 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,280,403 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Another Triumph for Monica Hughes, March 19, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Sandwriter (Hardcover)

It is a long time since I read this book, but I still clearly remember the images that it created. It is about the three countries Komilant, Kamilant and Roshan. Roshan is the poor neighbour of the other two countries and so Antia, Princess of K&K, really does not want to go there to meet her future husband. However when she does she discovers there is much more to the place than sandy desert as she finds herself in the middle of a dreadful struggle between greed and corruption and pure goodness. This is a book about truth, love and self discovery. I loved it when I first read it, and every time after. I would strongly recommend it to anyone, along with its equally good sequel "The Promise".

I aplogise if I have got any details wrong - I haven't read it for about six years.

4.0 out of 5 stars Meaningfull plot., October 10, 2002

By 

shiara the witch "Leah" (Marietta, GA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sandwriter (Hardcover)

I read this a little while ago, but i remember really liking it. It has a good moral as well as a good plot. The characters were very lifelike too. None of them are larger than life. The desert world was well done and highly original. I great read for any age.