Status
Available
Call number
Collection
Publication
Simon Pulse (1999), Mass Market Paperback, 304 pages
Description
Faced with the prospect of an unhappy life in the Kingdom, fourteen-year-old Birle accompanies a young runaway nobleman on a journey south and falls into slavery in the citadel of a cruel prince.
User reviews
LibraryThing member KatieWallace
A story that has made me laugh and cry since I was nine. Probably my favorite book for young adults...
LibraryThing member krau0098
I actually read this book a very long time ago when I was 12 or 13 years old (over twenty five years ago at this point). I remember absolutely adoring it and had originally borrowed it from the library. A few years ago I acquired a copy of it to read again as an adult. Even all these years later I
The story does move a bit slowly, but the beautiful descriptions and sincere tone to the story match this pace perfectly. As a pre-teen I loved the adventure and romance (I still do) but as an adult I appreciated other things about the story this time through. I really enjoyed how Voigt takes her characters through such a variety of life situations; Birle goes from Innkeeper’s daughter, to servant, to slave, to Lady, and then to farm holder throughout a fairly short span of years. I enjoyed how all of this is spun around the theme of Fortune’s Wheel.
I loved how you see these characters standing up for their true selves despite all their trials. I remember as a pre-teen being upset and angry at how Birle chooses her own path at the end of the book; but reading it as an adult I recognize now how much strength and wisdom she shows in that choice.
I was impressed at how well this fantasy story has stood the test of time. I also was intrigued by how parts of the story affected me differently now that I am an adult. This is a beautifully written story about finding one’s own path in life and staying true to yourself.
Overall a beautiful story and a well done fantasy. I would recommend to those who enjoy deliberately paced fantasies set in beautiful worlds that have some romance in them. This is an excellent read for YA and older.
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still enjoyed it a lot. It’s a solid fantasy with excellent world-building, wonderful adventures, and some romance.The story does move a bit slowly, but the beautiful descriptions and sincere tone to the story match this pace perfectly. As a pre-teen I loved the adventure and romance (I still do) but as an adult I appreciated other things about the story this time through. I really enjoyed how Voigt takes her characters through such a variety of life situations; Birle goes from Innkeeper’s daughter, to servant, to slave, to Lady, and then to farm holder throughout a fairly short span of years. I enjoyed how all of this is spun around the theme of Fortune’s Wheel.
I loved how you see these characters standing up for their true selves despite all their trials. I remember as a pre-teen being upset and angry at how Birle chooses her own path at the end of the book; but reading it as an adult I recognize now how much strength and wisdom she shows in that choice.
I was impressed at how well this fantasy story has stood the test of time. I also was intrigued by how parts of the story affected me differently now that I am an adult. This is a beautifully written story about finding one’s own path in life and staying true to yourself.
Overall a beautiful story and a well done fantasy. I would recommend to those who enjoy deliberately paced fantasies set in beautiful worlds that have some romance in them. This is an excellent read for YA and older.
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Awards
Mythopoeic Awards (Finalist — Children's Literature — 2000)
Utah Beehive Book Award (Nominee — Young Adult — 1993)
Vermont Golden Dome Book Award (Nominee)
Iowa Teen Award (Nominee — 1994)
South Dakota Teen Choice Book Awards (Nominee — 1991)
Best Fiction for Young Adults (Selection — 1991)
Original publication date
1990
Physical description
304 p.; 6.95 inches
ISBN
0689829574 / 9780689829574