Fisher, Catherine. The oracle betrayed.FISHER, Catherine. The oracle betrayed. (Book One: The Oracle Prophecies.) Harper-Collins, Greenwillow. 332p. c2004. 0-06-057159-4. $6.99. JS To quote from the review of the hardcover in KLIATT, March 2004: Blending the mythology of Ancient Greece The term ancient Greece refers to the periods of Greek history in Classical Antiquity, lasting ca. 750 BC[1] (the archaic period) to 146 BC (the Roman conquest). It is generally considered to be the seminal culture which provided the foundation of Western Civilization. and Ancient Egypt  Editing of this page by unregistered or newly registered users is currently disabled due to vandalism. , Fisher has created a society where the god speaks through an oracle, and a select group of nine masked priestesses enact the mysteries of their religion. Mirany, timid and terrified ter·ri·fy tr.v. ter·ri·fied, ter·ri·fy·ing, ter·ri·fies 1. To fill with terror; make deeply afraid. See Synonyms at frighten. 2. To menace or threaten; intimidate. , is the most unlikely of the Nine, having come to her position through the scheming and bribery of her father. Her first year as Embroideress-of-the-God's Clothes had not been difficult, but when she is elevated to Bearer-of-the-God, the one who is required to bear the god's incarnation as scorpion scorpion, any arachnid of the order Scorpionida with a hollow poisonous stinger at the tip of the tail. Scorpions vary from about 1/2 in. to about 6 in. (1–15 cm) long; most are from 1 to 3 in. (2.5–7.6 cm) long. or snake, Mirany questions why she of all the others has been chosen. Their land suffers from a great drought, and pleas to the Rain Queen have gone unanswered. Only when the Archon, the God-on-Earth, passes Mirany a note and a warning before he is sacrificed does she recognize that all is not as it seems and that politics, religion, and treachery Treachery See also Treason. Aaron plots downfall of Titus. [Br. Lit.: Titus Andronicus] Achitophel traitorous Earl of Shaftesbury. [Br. Lit. are feeding each other. Her doubts grow even stronger when she realizes the Speakerto-the-God is a fraud, and she alone hears the god's voice that instructs her to seek out the new Archon before a puppet is selected by the scheming High Priestess high priestess n. The female head or chief proponent, as of a movement or doctrine: the high priestess of modern art. and her accomplice, General Argelin. Mirany grows in strength and character throughout the novel's adventures and rituals. By the end of this fast-paced and intriguing tale, readers will be primed to revisit Fisher's rich blending of cultures in the second book of the trilogy. Michele Winship, Asst. Prof., Capital Univ., Columbus, OH J--Recommended for junior high school students. The contents are of particular interest to young adolescent and their teachers. S--Recommended for senior high school students. |
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