The Riddle: The Second Book of Pellinor (Pellinor Series)
Grade 9 Up—Maerad, who was rescued from slavery and became a Bard in Croggon'sThe Naming(Candlewick, 2005), has her hands full here. Along with her tutor Cadvan, she has been charged with finding the Treesong, a source of power so ancient that nothing but the barest of rumors remain. Their journey is hounded by agents of a treacherous Bard professing to act in the name of the Light and by an enigmatic entity known as the Winterking, an ally of Maerad's adversary, the Nameless One. At the same time, the protagonist struggles to understand the light and darkness within herself. Deep currents of sorrow, loneliness, and love run through this haunting epic fantasy; Maerad's feelings of alienation and self-doubt will resonate with many adolescents. Appendixes help to further flesh out the characters and cultures of Croggon's Edil-Amarandh, an engrossing world that fantasy aficionados will be eager to revisit.—Christi Voth, Parker Library, COCopyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.