Amazon.com: Secret Sacrament (9780140383065): Sherryl Jordan: Books

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25 Reviews

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
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4.3 out of 5 stars (25 customer reviews)

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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Unlike any other book I've read, March 19, 2002

By

Merri (Warwick, RI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Secret Sacrament (Hardcover)

When I finished this book I sat back and said "wow". I have to say three days later, when I was re-living Gabriels story I cried. I didn't cry during the book, but after! I'm crazy. Well, most AWESOME books on my A List make me want to read them so fast that I miss half the meaning and never fully capture the essence of the book. This book however, was one where I read it, then I thought about it and I was never bored. I dunno what else to say. I wanted to write this just to make even 1 person read this wonderful book. Im not very good with words....But, lol, READ THIS PLEASE! Thanks a million!

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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Gabriel was strong enough to follow a "different drummer.", May 31, 2001

By

Thomas H. Williams (Huntington Beach, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Secret Sacrament (Hardcover)

There is an ancient prophecy in Navora that the downfall of the empire will be brought about by the rise of the conquered and banished Shinali people. When he was little, Gabriel had tried to run away from his father. During his escape he watches from cover as an escaping Shinali woman is attacked. Gabriel begins to have dreams which he finds he cannot understand. After his father dies, Gabriel disappoints everyone but his mother, by refusing to take over his father's business in Navora.

Gabriel earns the chance to receive healer training. He is happy with his training when a chance meeting with a Shinali girl changes his life and his views. He begins to think that he may be the agent in the prophecy who will bring about war.

A good, exciting tale about the abuses of power, two different societies and values, and the person who must make the choices which will determine the future of both.

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5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Secret Sacrament, July 29, 2004

By

Teenreads.com (New York, NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Secret Sacrament (Hardcover)

With SECRET SACRAMENT, New Zealand teen fiction writer Sherryl Jordan adds richly to her fantasy oeuvre. In her convincingly realized world, two nations --- one powerful, one weak --- live side by side. One inhabits a vast empire; the other, a narrow strip of land. The Navorans are civilized (or so they think). The Shinali are traditional, living their lives as peaceful hunter-gatherers. Enter the unlikely hero, Gabriel Eshban Vala, toss in a prophecy and words like destiny, vows, and dreams, and you have the makings of a perfect fantasy --- a fantasy in which one man will bring about both destruction and rebirth.

Born the son of a wealthy merchant-mariner, Gabriel is to take over his father's thriving business one day. But when he witnesses a brutal act committed against a Shinali women, he is inextricably bound to a different destiny. Highly intuitive by nature, Gabriel is a born healer, a vocation he pursues despite his father's demands. His gift as a healer is finally legitimized when he is accepted into the Citadel, the most esteemed institution in the land. He is soon in league with the powerful of the empire, including Empress Petra herself, who comes to rely on his ability to interpret dreams. In gaining her favor, he makes powerful enemies and witnesses firsthand the corruption that is weakening the empire, rotting it from the inside out. Soon, he will be called upon to make a choice --- a choice that will threaten Navora, his beloved Shinali, and his very life. Who will prevail?

--- Reviewed by Tammy L. Currier

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Most Recent Customer Reviews

2.0 out of 5 stars Interesting read but disappointing overall.
Overall the book was an interesting read, but as a whole very disappointing and anti-climatic.
I found the setting rather unconvincing, most of the time characters spoke as... Read more

Published 6 months ago by sameu

5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutly Stellar
From the beginning this story instantly grabbed me. I got really interested in the way the story is wrapped around the supposed uniting of the continent/countries. Read more

Published on October 1, 2007 by Noir

2.0 out of 5 stars Incomplete, inconsistent, somewhat cliche.
After reading these forums, it seems alot of people really liked this book. They obviously took it very seriously. Read more

Published on February 27, 2007 by Santa Claus

5.0 out of 5 stars Sacrifice and Freedom and the life we want to live
Since a sick day off at thirteen many many years ago, Sherryl Jordan has always been a favourite author. Read more

Published on June 19, 2006 by Dragon Lilly

5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely Outstanding
Im only in the 9th grade (freshman) but i found this book one of the best ive read. I first started out just reading it for an assignment, but when i got about two chapters done,... Read more

Published on January 28, 2006 by Rio Cardez

4.0 out of 5 stars Left Me Wondering...
When I was in junior high, I found this book in the library. I read it and I really liked it, but I've always wandered about the end. Read more

Published on November 23, 2005 by amethyst ember

4.0 out of 5 stars A Tale of Healing
This book is for a young adult audience. After being very impressed by Jordan's Raging Silence, I wanted to explore her other works. Read more

Published on April 12, 2005 by ellen close

5.0 out of 5 stars so good!!!!
I cant not tell you how much i loved this book. It is incredible!! It will always be one of my favorites of all time. I dont think i wll ever tire of reading it again and agian. Read more

Published on November 15, 2004 by lana mark

4.0 out of 5 stars One of the two best books I've read this month...
...and the funny thing is, I only JUST realized that the other fantastic book I read this month was ALSO by Sherryl Jordan. Read more

Published on October 11, 2004 by Ven "Gethenian" H.

5.0 out of 5 stars Best book ever
Amazing book coudnt put it down emotional cool amazing book a must read

Published on May 20, 2004 by Aliza Chasan

› See all 25 customer reviews...

Inside This Book (learn more)
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First Sentence:
TREMBLING, THE BOY crouched in the shadow of the bridge. Read the first page

Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
mourning bracelet, high lot, bone carving

Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Sheel Chandra, Grand Master, Time of the Eagle, Taroth Fort, High Oracle, Navora Infirmary, Sanctuary of Healing Dreams, Elected One, Gabriel Eshban Vala, Great Library, Navoran Empire, Empress Petra, Officer Razzak, Taroth Pass, Master of Herbal Medicines, Moon of the Seventh Sacrament, River Cravan, Sovereign Lord

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