Singer to the Sea God [Hardcover]

Vivien Alcock (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1, 1993

In a powerful tale based on Greek mythology, Cleo is turned to stone by the deadly glare of Medusa, and Phaidon embarks on an epic journey to rescue her from an eternity in marble.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

This latest offering from the author of numerous original and quirky tales is set in a mythic world as rich and thrilling as that of Lloyd Alexander's Prydain Chronicles. An earlier Alcock novel, The Stonewalkers , is delicately echoed in the story's opening scene, in which Perseus, armed with Medusa's head, returns to the isle of Seriphos and turns its king and all the court to stone. With their royal master frozen for all time, the slave and gifted singer Phaidon, his uncle Pelops and two other slaves set off for parts unknown. After a storm at sea strands the travelers on a barren island, Phaidon and friends are joined by Iris, a scraggly tomboy raised by wolves and pirates. Magic, fate and the workaday world converge to provide a vivid background for the events that lead Phaidon to the grand city of Anaktaron, where he fulfills a prophecy and makes a new life for himself and his companions. A strong coming-of-age story, in which the uncanny is never far off. Ages 10-up.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From the Publisher

It is said that if one stares at the head of Medusa, he or she will turn to stone, but Cleo, not believing the legend, does just that and is instantly turned into a statue! Now her brother Phaidon and uncle are on a grand adventure that takes them through ancient Greece as they attempt to turn Cleo back into a mortal. Will Phaidon's song to the sea god have the power to bring Cleo back to life? --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 199 pages
• Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers; 1St Edition edition (January 1, 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0385308663
• ISBN-13: 978-0385308663
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.2 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,392,434 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good reading if you like adventure and Greek Mythology., July 29, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Singer to the Sea God (Spiral-bound)

Would you rather be a well-fed slave with a place to sleep or a free man who knows not where he will rest or how he will eat? That is one question which crops up in this adventure story about a young boy and his companions who escape slavery only to find a harsh, superstitious world. I thoroughly enjoyed this tale and would recommend it to any middle schooler interested in Greek times and people. The characters win your affection and the story transports you back to this primitive time when men believed in oracles and the wiles of the Gods.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Singer to the Sea God, June 6, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Singer to the Sea God (Spiral-bound)

This book got a little boring and confusing, but the end was enjoyable, suspenseful, and exciting. I don't recommend it to people under 12. It's too boring for someone younger than that age. I, 14, liked it a little. I used it as a book report book, which worked out well because the plot is very obvious.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Pretty good book!, April 29, 2001

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Singer to the Sea God (Hardcover)

Singer to the Sea God was a pretty good book. I had to read it for my reading comprehension class. It is partially confusing. I don't recommend anybody under middle school ages to read this book. One trilogy I recommend is The Lost years of Merlin. Those books are excellent and very addicting! Thank you for listening!