Fourteen-year-old Roger has the singular ability to cross over to the Land of the Dead. For years, his evil uncle Hartah has dragged him to fairs where he is beaten until he crosses over—pain is the catalyst for Roger's transitions into the other world—and returns with information about customers' deceased loved ones. When Hartah dies suddenly during a battle for a ship, Roger is saved by his gift and taken to the Queendom where he works in the laundry and then serves as Queen Caroline's fool. His main challenges—enduring his unrequited love for the selfish, spoiled, and silly Lady Cecilia; surviving the warring queens; and finding a way to Soulvine Moor, where his mother died, in hopes of finding her among the dead—do not always do their part to drive the plot. Debut author Kendall's prose is at times lackluster, but an atmospheric depiction of her hero's journey and freshly imagined vision of the afterlife should resonate with gothic fantasy fans. Ages 14–up. (Oct.)
Whether it's a curse, or a blessing, or an ability, the fact remains that whenever Roger is injured or in enough pain he crosses over to the land of the dead. Once there, there are rules. Only the newly dead will talk, for example, and nothing will raise the longer dead from their tranquility. There are rules in the land of the living as well, rules which would have Roger hanged for witchcraft if he was ever caught. But refusing to cross over isn't an option. His uncle depends on Roger to hide under the table in their fairground act, listen to the recently bereaved asking questions of their dear departed, and then cross over to find the answers. It's a hard way of life, made all the harder as his uncle's fists usually provide the trigger for Roger to cross over. It's not the only way of life, though, and when Roger sees a chance to escape he fights for it-little knowing that love, loss, shocking revelations and, ultimately, war lie ahead of him.
Whether it's a curse, or a blessing, or an ability, the fact remains that whenever Roger is injured or in enough pain he crosses over to the land of the dead. Once there, there are rules. Only the newly dead will talk, for example, and nothing will raise the longer dead from their tranquility. There are rules in the land of the living as well, rules which would have Roger hanged for witchcraft if he was ever caught. But refusing to cross over isn't an option. His uncle depends on Roger to hide under the table in their fairground act, listen to the recently bereaved asking questions of their dear departed, and then cross over to find the answers. It's a hard way of life, made all the harder as his uncle's fists usually provide the trigger for Roger to cross over. It's not the only way of life, though, and when Roger sees a chance to escape he fights for it-little knowing that love, loss, shocking revelations and, ultimately, war lie ahead of him.
Editorial Reviews
Product Details
| BN ID: | 2940169900927 |
|---|---|
| Publisher: | Blackstone Audio, Inc. |
| Publication date: | 10/14/2010 |
| Series: | Soulvine Moor Chronicles , #1 |
| Edition description: | Unabridged |
| Age Range: | 12 - 17 Years |
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