Dollmage (Northern Lights Young Novels)
Grade 6 Up-Between the first line, "My people, lay down your stones," and the last, "Remember me, and love me anyway," is a tightly plotted story of pride, jealousy, magic, passion, and regret. The Dollmage is the keeper of the village's stories, and as she makes the "dolls" of the townspeople's world, she shapes and defines their roles and lives. Leavitt unfolds her tale carefully, weaving other stories into and over it, bringing other villagers into sharp focus and making Seekvalley a well-defined place. She tells of four children born on one day, when her powers are slipping and she must choose a successor. As the years pass, she chooses the wild, lazy Renoa, who has the gift but no desire to help those around her. Annakey also has the gift, and she is kind and industrious. As the girls grow, Annakey's power grows stronger and stronger, until she mistakenly usurps the power of the Dollmage. She is betrayed by the jealous Renoa, raped and forced into a marriage promise by Areth, and denied her rights to justice because she reneges on her promise. The punishment for promise breaking is death. As the story reaches its conclusion, the village is overcome and ruined by wild animals and fire. When blame must be placed, all but two of the survivors, the Dollmage and Annakey's sweetheart, are ready to stone her. The ending, though surprising, fits neatly into the tale, without being too convenient and tidy. A book that is extraordinary for its characterizations and plot.Patricia A. Dollisch, DeKalb County Public Library, Decatur, GACopyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.