The Boy from Ilysies (Libyrinth) [Hardcover]

Pearl North (Author)

Book Description

Release date: November 9, 2010 | Series: Libyrinth (Book 2)

The magical sequel to Pearl North’s critically acclaimed debut novel, Libyrinth

On a world light-years away, Earth is long forgotten, except for the knowledge protected in the vast libyrinth. But that knowledge was threatened by the Singers, who for generations beyond remembering have relied on oral storytelling. They sought to destroy the books in the libyrinth, which they thought would—if read—kill the words they sing, and the knowledge in their songs.

Now a Song has created peace between the Singers and the Libyrarians who work in the libyrinth. However, the libyrinth is quickly running out of food, and the survival of the ancient edifice and those who serve it may depend on Po, a young Ilysian who has had trouble adjusting to life at the libyrinth. Caught between his longings for acceptance and the Machiavellian tactics of his queen, Po is tricked into a crime that causes him to be cast out. He may return only if he retrieves a legendary artifact that may be the answer to all of the libyrinth’s problems…or could turn the world into a barren, lifeless ruin. For Po, life has finally become exciting…but the cost may be his life, and the lives of those he loves.

The Boy From Ilysies is an exciting, fast-paced novel about acceptance, growing up, and learning to trust oneself.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Gr 8 Up-This sequel to Libyrinth (Tor, 2009) focuses less on the value of books and literacy and more on the struggles of two groups of people once alienated from one another by their beliefs, and now united in an effort to create a thriving community of both Singers and Libyrarians. Because of this change in direction, North has created that rare thing: a second book in a series that is stronger than the first. Po, a 15-year-old from Ilysies, was raised in a culture where women rule and men play a subservient role. He suffers enormous shock when exposed to the more liberal mores of the Libyrinth, and his need for a strong female consort and a meaningful life leads him to make choices that may ultimately result in the destruction of everything he has worked for. Readers who enjoy the world-building novels by Tamora Pierce and Anne McCaffrey may also enjoy this series.-Jane Henriksen Baird, Anchorage Public Library, AK (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

From Booklist

Po, a young Ilysian male from a culture in which men revere and serve women, isn�t fitting in at the Libyrinth. Although a new peace exists between Libyrarians and Singers, tensions are high as the community faces starvation, and Po�s beliefs lead him to inadvertently betray it. To make good, Po must join a mission to find food and locate a powerful aid�an artifact known as the Endymion Rose. More companion to Libyrinth (2009) than continuation, this second book has primarily new characters and story lines. Sexuality figures prominently in this action-oriented exploration of identity, social structure, and conflict. Grades 8-11. --Holly Koelling

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Age Range: 12 and up
  
• Hardcover: 320 pages
• Publisher: Tor Teen; First Edition edition (November 9, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0765320975
• ISBN-13: 978-0765320971
• Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 1.1 x 8.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,681,864 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Pearl North is the author of a trilogy of YA science fiction novels: Libyrinth, The Boy From Ilysies (a Norton Award Finalist), and The Book of the Night. A firm believer in the basic goodness of human beings, she loves writing and reading about characters that transcend the limits of who they think they are and what they think is possible. She mentors graduate students in Seton Hill University's Writing Popular Fiction MFA program, and writes in other genres under different names. A native of the Detroit area, she has never lived more than two miles from Woodward Avenue in her life.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Doesn't live up to the first book...but I'm definitely sticking around for the next one! May 16, 2011

By Lawral Wornek

Format:Hardcover

I guess when I read Libyrinth I missed something key about Ilysies. I knew it was a matriarchal society, but I failed to notice that men are greatly outnumbered and treated as second class citizens. It is this second class status that has Po all mixed up in The Boy from Ilysies. Not only is he having problems thinking of Princess, I mean, Libyrarian Selene as just one of the girls and no more than anyone else, but he's also having trouble seeing himself as no less than. He's used to serving women like Selene, not working alongside them, and he's used to being emotionally taken care of, in return, by a matriarchal figure. All of this equality has left him feeling very alone and unsupported.

Much of the book is spent on this dilemma. It's interesting and important and turns gender stereotypes on their heads, but it wasn't what I was looking for in a sequel to the action-packed, literature-rich, POC and LGBTQ-featuring Libyrinth. I wanted more action than intrigue, more of Clauda's brashness and less of Po's confusion, more of the books' wisdom and less erections as feelings, more of the look-how-I've-grown Selene and less of the back-to-the-beginning Selene, more Nod(s), more Haly, and for the love, more Clauda AND Selene. When Po finally left on a quest, along with former Censor Siblea, Selene, and a few others, I was so happy. I just wish that moment had come before I was halfway through the book.

But that second half of the book was totally worth it for me. The above group sets out for the former Singer headquarters to look for a tool from the legends of every major cultures' folklore that will hopefully make the land around the libyrinth fertile enough to support the community living there. Of course, when they get there, things do not go as planned, but in the course of the search and the fighting, we find out more about the foundations of the Singers' society. Their (former) reasoning behind the fear and demonization of the written word isn't exactly spelled out, but it makes a lot more sense now. Their still present culture of abuse and neglect of women also butts up against Po's sensibilities in a way that makes him take action rather than wallow in confusion and self-pity. The trip is also filled with danger, suspense, a cute but damaged girl for Po, and a cliff-hanger of an ending. I'm re-sucked in to this trilogy (or series?) an eagerly awaiting the as yet untitled Book 3.

Book source: Philly Free Library

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars entertaining thought provoking young adult science fiction November 11, 2010

By Harriet Klausner #1 HALL OF FAME

Format:Hardcover

For centuries the Singers and the Libyrarians were at war with each other over how knowledge should b transported. The former believe in oral storytelling while the latter feel strongly books are the ultimate source. A miracle occurred uniting the adversaries though problems remain between the groups. The hope is to make the dying land surrounding the labyrinth back to fruition with a new crop.

Po, a young man from Ilysies, where males are slaves, is in the field when a fire breaks out destroying the crops. He is blamed though he is totally innocent. To keep Po out of harms way, he is sent with the Chorus of the Word to the Corvariate Cathedral to find Endymion's Rose, an artifact from the Ancients that may save the world as it was before the terraforming started breaking down. It was lush and fertile and green.

The sequel to Libryinth takes place on a world changed to be a new earth, which is just a fleeting myth like memory for those on the orb. The terraforming is breaking apart mindful of what NPR has just described happens to some orthodontic work. It will take special archivists to learn how to reverse the rapid deterioration that threatens both groups. Filled with action and a deep look at a divided culture battling one another (mindful of DC), young adult readers will enjoy the entertaining thought provoking The Boy from Ilysies.

Harriet Klausner

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Pearl North delivers again September 15, 2012

By S

Format:Hardcover

Pearl North's second book in the Libyrinth series takes on gender equality issues in a thought provoking way that kept me riveted as it was wove into the plot. Her main character this time around is likeable and compelling as he fights through his societal based conditioning, his own emotions and a villain that makes all other wicked queens look like mere hobbyists. I also loved how we get delve deeper into this intriguing world as we piece together what is really going on.