Snow, Fire, Sword (The Chronicles of El Jisal) [Kindle Edition]

Sophie Masson (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 6-8–This novel, which draws on Indonesian myth and is set on a fictional island, is exciting and action-packed. Dewi and Adi are sent on a quest to find Sword, Fire, and Snow in order to vanquish an evil sorcerer who is trying to destroy all that is good in Jayangan, including the old gods and nature spirits. These spirits are virtually powerless against him and depend on the young people's courage and determination. From sinister black-clad motorbike riders, the hantumu, who are servants of the sorcerer, to a jinn personified as a red-haired woman with blotchy skin and a strange voice, to a cave painting of a huge lizard that comes alive as an indigenous nature spirit, the story is packed full of unusual mythological creatures, seen in a contemporary context. Masson sets up tensions within the three religions of Jayangan, one of which, Mujisal, appears to be a thinly disguised version of Islam. The villain is, of course, defeated by the young people, aided by Fire, Sword, and Snow. While the general theme–that tolerance and understanding will triumph over intolerance and cruelty–appears throughout, the apparent connection between the strict Pumujisal sect and fundamentalist Islam ultimately forces readers to see the book on a more straightforward allegorical and political level, which diminishes its power. However, the story will be enjoyed by fans of fantasy adventure.–Sue Giffard, Ethical Culture Fieldston School, New York City
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

*Starred Review* Gr. 6-9. When 16-year-old Adi brings news of a nearby attack by motorcycle-riding assassins, the father of 13-year-old Dewi suspects the violence augurs threats to all of Jayanga (an island nation closely modeled on Indonesia). En route to warn the sultan, Dewi's father is captured--thrusting the "truehearted" teens into the "eternal struggle" between "dharma and adharma . . . clear sight and blindness." Spurred by a vague prophecy about seeking Sword, Fire, and Snow, the protagonists must sort allies from enemies as they encounter capricious spirits, good and evil jinn, and a cross-section of Jayangan society. Adi and Dewi's separation early in the novel introduces intriguing ambiguity about which character is on the right track, and the stakes are never soft-pedaled, with setbacks--including bloody casualties and spiritual uncertainty--deepening Masson's characterizations. The dangers of religious fanaticism are a strong and, perhaps, overplayed theme, but the sense of a permeable membrane between spirit worlds and contemporary reality will fascinate many readers, as will the shifting images of water buffaloes and motorbikes, villages and cities, and sacred and secular ways. For more fantasies that refreshingly depart from the genre's more typical cultural underpinnings, turn to the Core Collection feature, "Diversity in Fantasy and SF Books for Youth," on p.60. Jennifer Mattson
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

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Product Details

• Format: Kindle Edition
• File Size: 315 KB
• Publisher: HarperCollins (March 24, 2009)
• Sold by: HarperCollins Publishers
• Language: English
• ASIN: B001VA1PUM
• Text-to-Speech: Enabled
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #578,371 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)
  • #24 in Kindle Store > Kindle eBooks > Nonfiction > Children's Nonfiction > People & Places > Explore the World > Australia & Oceania

More About the Author

Born in Indonesia of French parents, Sophie Masson was sent to live with her paternal grandmother in Toulouse, France, when she was just a baby and lived there till she was nearly five, when her parents came back from Indonesia and took her to Australia. All the rest of her childhood, the family stayed in Australia, with frequent trips back to France, and this dual heritage underpins a good deal of Sophie's work.
Sophie's first book appeared in 1990 and since then she has published more than fifty novels, mainly for children and young adults, but with several for children as well. her books have been published in Australia, the USA, UK, France, Germany, Italy, and many other countries. She has also had many short stories and articles published in newspapers, magazines, and online journals. She is a regular contributor to the writing blog Writer Unboxed(www.writerunboxed.com)
Sophie Masson lives in the high, cool New England tableland area of Northern New South Wales, Australia, with her husband. She has three grown-up children. She holds a BA and M.Litt in French and English literature, and is on the committee of the Australian Society of Authors.
Sophie's website is at www.sophiemasson.org

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Courtesy of Teens Read Too, April 2, 2007

By 

TeensReadToo "Eat. Drink. Read. Be Merrier." (All Over the US & Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Snow, Fire, Sword (Hardcover)

For readers who enjoy fast-paced and surprising fantasy fiction, SNOW FIRE SWORD is a treat. It's an exciting story with a mixture of fantasy and the modern day. Its two protagonists, Adi and Dewi, are brought together when dark forces begin to terrorize their country, taking Adi's teacher and Dewi's father. Armed only with the knowledge that they can defeat the evil with the powers of snow, fire, and sword, the two children struggle to save their world from tyranny.

The best thing about SNOW FIRE SWORD is the story itself. Masson sets a quick pace, her characters stumbling from one adventure into another chapter by chapter, keeping the reader glued to the page. There are enough twists and turns along the journey to keep readers guessing as to the ultimate outcome. Unpredictable and tightly plotted, it's a hard book to put down.

Making the story all the more engaging are the two main characters. Adi and Dewi are sympathetic and well-developed, with inner conflicts and emotional turmoil to deal with as well as their external problems. Their actions are believable for their age, but also admirable for their courage. They make mistakes as anyone would, but mistakes that fit their personalities. Young readers will find them easy to relate to despite the magical world they live in.

The world itself is another of SNOW FIRE SWORD's strengths. It is a world both intriguing and unlike any other. Adi and Dewi's country has modern elements like cars and radios, as well as fantastical aspects like communications with the spirit world and magical rings. It's all colored by a strong Asian influence, most likely based on the author's Indonesian heritage, which adds richness and a unique touch to the already fascinating society.

SNOW FIRE SWORD is a great read for fantasy lovers of all ages, and with its modern elements may appeal even to readers who shy away from traditional fantasy.

Reviewed by: Lynn Crow

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A beautiful, mythic journey, July 3, 2006

By 

Sheila Ruth "Editor, WandsAndWorlds.com" (Baltimore, MD USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Snow, Fire, Sword (Hardcover)

Adi is an apprentice to a master craftsman who makes kris, traditional swords imbued with spiritual power. He and his master are on a journey to deliver a new kris to the Sultan when his master is taken by hantumu, evil beings garbed all in black who ride motorcycles. (Nazgul on motorbikes?) Lying bound in a rice field, Adi is rescued by Dewi, the daughter of a dukun, a kind of healer or shaman. Dewi's father is also taken by the hantumu, and Adi and Dewi are charged by the spirits to find Snow, Fire, Sword and defeat the evil sorcerer that is plaguing the land. The spirits don't know what Snow, Fire, and Sword are, nor do they know who the sorcerer is. Together, Adi and Dewi set off on a quest to find Snow, Fire, and Sword and save the land. They are helped along the way by various beings, both human and supernatural, but in the end, Adi and Dewi must find the courage to stand up for all that is right and true.

Snow, Fire, Sword is a beautiful and mythic journey through an Indonesia that is a little bit mythical, a little bit modern, and a little bit fantasy. It's a world where the ancient spirits of Indonesian and Arabic myths coexist with motorcycles, helicopters and an absolutely-adorable slightly-supernatural car. The cover of the book sports a blurb from Lloyd Alexander, which seems appropriate, since the book reminded me a lot of some of Alexander's best, such as The Iron Ring and The Remarkable Journey of Prince Jen.

Adi and Dewi are interesting and likeable young people. Dewi longs for adventure, but finds that real adventure is much harder than she expected. Adi is content with his life and loves his master; he is driven by a sense of helplessness and shame that he couldn't help his master when the hantumu took him, and is determined to save him this time. The story is exciting and filled out with a rich cast of wonderfully-envisioned supporting characters. I can't say too much without giving things away, but suffice it to say that this is a story of personal heroism and sacrifice on many levels.

The Indonesian and Arabic names of people and places made the book a little difficult to read at first for someone who isn't used to them, but after a while you adjust and the reading gets easier. It's well worth taking the time to adjust to the differences and get into the book.

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Decent, yet flawed, October 16, 2006

By 

Sidhe (Australia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Snow, Fire, Sword (Hardcover)

In an alternative modern day Indonesia, a young apprentice called Adi and his master Empu are attacked by bandits known as hantumu. Empu is kdnapped and Adi is left to find a way to save him. He meets a young girl called Dewi whose father is the village healer and when he too is kidnaped, the pair embark on a journey to resuce them and obtain snow, fire and sword in order to rid the land of the evil tat si thratening to destroy it.

This book is slow to get going. Although the story move along fast enough, it takes a long whilebefore the haracters really bein to shine which makes it difficult to care what happens to them next. The book picks up about halfway through and although it will never a classic, it's an enteraining read.

I enjoyed the author's use of Indonesian myths and legends to tell the story. They're well woven into a modern day scenario and are told with a sense of mystical wonder. I also really ked the glossary at the back. if you read this book, I suggest you have a look at that first because the book is so uch more entertaining with that knowledge under your belt.

I think that is one problem with the book. Masson doesn't really spend much time explaining each and every concept and seems to presume you'll check the glossary if you're confused. Some authors have managed to tell the reader nothing and still written an absorbing story in which the reader picks it all up for themselves. Ms Masson doesn't quite manage it. The lack of info does hinder the flow of the story at first, but not to the point that you'd give up on reading.

The characterisation fell a little flat, though there were some shining moments throughout the book and at least each character and their own distinct personality, save for a few spirits. Both Dewi and Adi were likeable protagonists, though Adi was slightly more so. I wsh tey'd spent more of he book together and had a bit more of an emotional reunion but in reality, they did barely know each other and didn't go through the hardest times together so it stands to reson their most emotionalreunion was not between them. The ending scene with all the main characters, however, was fairly moving.

In general, I would call this book flawed but a decent enough read. Sophie has written much better books but I don't regret this purchase nor feel sorry for the paper it was printed on.