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4.27 AVERAGE
4.27 AVERAGE
I fell in love with one of Sherryl Jordan's books when I was younger - [book:The Juniper Game] - and recently realised that I'd never read anything else of hers. "Well," I said, "this must be rectified! To the library, Jeeves!" And off we went.
Time of the Eagle didn't grip my imagination like The Juniper Game did. It's a young adult fantasy, and shares some of the painful aspects of that genre - characters saying things like, "It was a high lot good" to emphasise the fact that we're in a different world. I was a high lot sick of reading "a high lot" by the end of the book.
Avala is of the Shinali people, a small tribe who spend their days in hiding from the Navoren, the ruling people, and other hostile tribes. Avala is the daughter of a Shinali woman and a Navoren man, and has healing gifts she has inherited from both parents. Oh, and she also has a destiny! Yes, she is charged with the responsibility of uniting all those hostile tribes together, the foretold Time of the Eagle. Avala's a bit depressed about all this, given that she wants to be a healer, and doesn't feel very enthused about leading everyone into a war against the Navoren (just the evil Navoren - the good ones are all excited about the Time of the Eagle too). So, she travels around, heals people, learns mind control with the good Navorens, and then unites everyone. And then gets married. In fact, I probably found the love story the most enjoyable part of this book - it was sweet and realistic, I thought. Except where they get married and Avala says that her husband is a "high lot satisfactory" as a lover. Argh!
Yes, the main plot of this story is rather cliched, and I couldn't particularly get into the evil Navoren who keep capturing slaves from the other tribes, nor the fight to bring them down. But Avala is a pretty cool character, despite being a bit too good at everything for my taste. I probably would have enjoyed this much more when I was in my teens though.
Time of the Eagle didn't grip my imagination like The Juniper Game did. It's a young adult fantasy, and shares some of the painful aspects of that genre - characters saying things like, "It was a high lot good" to emphasise the fact that we're in a different world. I was a high lot sick of reading "a high lot" by the end of the book.
Avala is of the Shinali people, a small tribe who spend their days in hiding from the Navoren, the ruling people, and other hostile tribes. Avala is the daughter of a Shinali woman and a Navoren man, and has healing gifts she has inherited from both parents. Oh, and she also has a destiny! Yes, she is charged with the responsibility of uniting all those hostile tribes together, the foretold Time of the Eagle. Avala's a bit depressed about all this, given that she wants to be a healer, and doesn't feel very enthused about leading everyone into a war against the Navoren (just the evil Navoren - the good ones are all excited about the Time of the Eagle too). So, she travels around, heals people, learns mind control with the good Navorens, and then unites everyone. And then gets married. In fact, I probably found the love story the most enjoyable part of this book - it was sweet and realistic, I thought. Except where they get married and Avala says that her husband is a "high lot satisfactory" as a lover. Argh!
Yes, the main plot of this story is rather cliched, and I couldn't particularly get into the evil Navoren who keep capturing slaves from the other tribes, nor the fight to bring them down. But Avala is a pretty cool character, despite being a bit too good at everything for my taste. I probably would have enjoyed this much more when I was in my teens though.
Sequel to [book:Secret Sacrament] by [author:Sherryl Jordan], this book tells the story of Gabriel's daughter who struggles to find her own identity - more than just his daughter - and more than her destined role as peace bringer.
“Avala’s fate is might, for she is the chosen one-the one who will bring the Time of the Eagle, when the hunted will become the hunters and win back their freedom. It is a destiny that requires the spirit of a warrior and the heart of a healer.”
Although this is technically a sequel to “Secret Sacrament”, there is no need to read that book to know and understand what is happening in this one. Though if it is anywhere close to being as good as this one, I recommend it. In this book, Avala, daughter of the Navoran Gabriel and the Shinali healer Ashila, is the Chosen One – the one who will unite all the tribes and overthrow the despotic ruler of Navora. It is a difficult path for a sixteen year old, but one she accepts. Through the epic tale, she is captured by an enemy warrior, enslaved, escapes, nearly dies in a blizzard, is found by the people who will teach her about her destiny, then leads an army in rebellion. That’s a lot for a young woman to accomplish, but she does.
This is a coming of age tale that draws heavily on Native American and Maori tribal traditions. The background is rich and helps the reader understand Avala’s world. The characters are well developed and believable. Though at times, the story was a bit slow – like any epic book is bound to be – it was still so well written that those few places didn’t detract from the story. When faced with a slow book, I often skip whole passages – even chapters – just to get to something interesting. I didn’t do that with this book. I couldn’t. Skipping even one page would have taken away from the overall story and this is so good I didn’t want to do that.
If you’re into epic stories, or if you’ve read any of Ms. Jordan’s other works, especially the prequel to this one, then I highly recommend you pick this one up. You won’t be disappointed. Please note that this is specifically aimed at the teen or YA market. There is no swearing and no sex – and yet the book is still incredibly good. A recommended read for all.
Loved reading this book again, for the 3rd time, I love the world and the characters! Such a great read!
*Second read July 30th, 2011*
I was rereading this book, it was just really good, and I really loved the story, and I picked up on some details that I'd forgotten, or just kinda read over by accident. This is just a great book! I loved it!
*Second read July 30th, 2011*
I was rereading this book, it was just really good, and I really loved the story, and I picked up on some details that I'd forgotten, or just kinda read over by accident. This is just a great book! I loved it!
The book is about the fulfilling of a prophecy for a nation of people who have had their land stolen, have been stricken with war, and must become nomads to escape the emperor who wants their race dead. A young girl, Avala, bares the weight of having to fulfill the prophecy, the book is from her perspective. The author is one of my favorites. I really enjoyed the way in which Avala grows from an unsure girl to an amazing healer and confident young woman. The scenes that speak of their final freedom and the uniting of the other nations with Avala's, actually brought goose bumps to my arms.