The Sphere of Secrets: Book Two of The Oracle Prophecies (Oracle Prophecies, 2) - Hardcover

Fisher, Catherine

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0060571616 ISBN 13: 9780060571610

Publisher: Greenwillow Books, 2005

Synopsis

Everything has gone wrong.

The drought should have ended, but the land is still parched.

Mirany should be savoring her role as priestess, but someone may be trying to poison her.

Seth should know to stay away from smuggled goods, but his greed has led him to blackmail.

Alexos should stay and rule as the Archon, but his plan is to journey to the Well of Songs -- a place from which no one has ever returned.

Everything is wrong. And in the midst of such chaos, The Two Lands should collapse. But an ancient map carved into a silver sphere may be enough to make things right and save their world.

About this title

About the Author

Catherine Fisher's acclaimed works include Darkhenge, Snow-walker, and The Oracle Betrayed, which was a finalist for the Whitbread Children's Book Award. She lives in Newport, Wales.

From the Back Cover

Everything has gone wrong.

The drought should have ended, but the land is still parched.

Mirany should be savoring her role as priestess, but someone may be trying to poison her.

Seth should know to stay away from smuggled goods, but his greed has led him to blackmail.

Alexos should stay and rule as the Archon, but his plan is to journey to the Well of Songs -- a place from which no one has ever returned.

Everything is wrong. And in the midst of such chaos, The Two Lands should collapse. But an ancient map carved into a silver sphere may be enough to make things right and save their world.

Reviews

Grade 7 Up–This second book in the series has the same power, adventure, and amazement as The Oracle Betrayed (HarperCollins, 2004). Sphere continues the story of 10-year-old Alexos, in whom an ancient god resides, and his friends: Mirany, one of the nine young women who cares for the Oracle; Seth, an ambitious scribe; and Oblek, a drunken musician. Although Alexos has been recognized as the god by his people and has been able to help them by bringing some rain, the land continues to suffer from a drought. He decides to travel through the desert to the Well of Songs, where in a previous life he caused trouble by stealing three golden apples, hoping to once again make the rivers flow. He takes Seth and Oblek with him as well as a pair of tomb thieves who seek riches in the region. As the companions face danger during their quest, Mirany is caught in a web of political intrigue and must find a way to remain true to the Oracle and follow the god's wishes. The plot includes religion, amazing beings, fallen stars that can be held in one's hand, and corruption that tears at the very heart of the entire civilization. Fisher has created an incredible, detailed, and believable setting, and the characterizations are vivid and complex. This compelling novel makes a satisfying sequel but can also stand on its own and may encourage readers to become immersed in the series.–Tasha Saecker, Caestecker Public Library, Green Lake, WI

Gr. 5-8. The middle book in the Oracle Prophecies Trilogy, this novel continues a story set within a culture reminiscent of ancient Greece and Egypt. The god, reborn as the boy Alexos, makes a perilous journey to the Well of Songs, accompanied by four companions who struggle with their weaknesses along the way. Meanwhile, back at the Oracle, Mirany longs to hear the voice of the god guiding her as she struggles against the machinations of the evil power-seeker Argelin as well as treachery among the Nine who serve the god. Readers who enjoy quests and adventures will find plenty of excitement here. Vividly described in the first book, The Oracle Betrayed (2004), the world of the Two Lands becomes increasingly well realized in this novel. Careful plotting helps readers retain focus despite the distraction of having two sets of characters hurtling toward the same climactic moment. Like Oracle, this features a striking jacket illustration that will appeal to many fantasy fans. Carolyn Phelan
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Edition details

• Publisher: Greenwillow Books
• Publication date: 2005
• ISBN 10: 0060571616
• ISBN 13: 9780060571610
• Binding: Hardcover
• Language: English
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 384