November 1, 2013
Bronze Age Greece is a dangerous place, filled with angry spirits, vengeful warriors and uncertain alliances. Hylas, a young goatherd and Outsider, must navigate this mysterious world as he searches for his missing younger sister, Issi. Missing his friends, Pirra, the daughter of the High Priestess, and Spirit the dolphin, Hylas is once again alone in his quest (Gods and Warriors, 2012). His journey is cut short when he is snatched by slavers and forced to labor in the mines of Thalakrea, a volcanic island. Twelve-year-old Pirra's fate is no less suffocating: Her mother has once again promised her in marriage. Pirra bribes a seer to help her escape, but the old woman has other plans. Fate brings Pirra to Hylas' island prison, where they meet a spirit-touched lion cub. Together, they must confront the dangerous prophecy hanging over Hylas' life. This second volume is a vast improvement over the first. The historically accurate and opulent setting has receded, becoming the backdrop for the fast-paced adventure. Well-developed characters populate a time and place where the veil between the real world and the spiritual realm is thin. Maps and an author's note enrich the text. Well-crafted historical adventure. (Historical fantasy. 10-14)
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July 1, 2014
Hylas and Pirra, separated at the end of the prior novel, find their fates still intertwined as they both end up on Thalakrea, an island on the verge of volcanic destruction. New and old friends and enemies vie to avenge wrongs and fulfill prophecies. History, mythology, and good storytelling make for compelling action that propels the novel to its cliffhanger ending.
(Copyright 2014 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)