- Paperback: 204 pages
- Publisher: iUniverse (9 Jan 2008)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0595481779
- ISBN-13: 978-0595481774
- Product Dimensions: 21.6 x 14 x 1.2 cm
- Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 1,324,438 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
Narwhal (Quetzal Skull)
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More About the Author
Product Description
Product Description
When Gray retrieves an engraved narwhal's tusk from the sea disturbing changes begin to happen to both marine and bird life. The islanders suspect Gray's unusual powers of being able to communicate with seals and other creatures as the cause of the unrest. They find the tusk he has hidden away and fear that an ancient prophecy threatening the island will come to pass since they have always considered the narwhal as an omen of disaster. Gray finds himself a victim of a confused and complex web of superstition as the islanders decide a ritual sacrifice must be made. How can he prove his innocence and escape their final condemnation of him? Narwhal was shortlisted for the Cinnamon Press Awards.
About the Author
ABOUT THE AUTHOR I was born in a small mining village in South Yorkshire. I was able, however, even as a small child, to escape to the countryside to be alone with my love of nature. I wrote poetry from a very early age and my first novel at fourteen. But later the pressures of teaching full time and raising a family meant that writing was put on the back burner. When I started teaching part time, I began to write seriously and have since written seven children's novels and most recently a trilogy for young teenagers. My books seem to be peopled with strong gutsy heroines who are prepared to go through hell, fire and damnation to reach their goals. Although my current novel which takes place on the Isles of Scilly has a hero for a change. Many of my books centre around places that have intrigued me like Costa Rica which is the background to Return of the Quetzal, Syria which is the arena for a dark mystery and Tibet which features strongly in The Eye of the Mandala. Indeed several readers have been impressed with my detailed knowledge of other countries and I quote "Having read your "Quetzal", I was struck by the authenticity and verisimilitude of its setting and wondered if you had actually researched it in Costa Rica, or indeed lived there for some time. Please do let me know since I'm very keen to settle there, especially during the period of our formidable winters" Charles Muller MA. PhD. DLitt. And from the same reader "I am certainly hugely impressed by your grasp of the country. Indeed , after reading "Quetzal" I was convinced you had grown up there." Rachel Hinckley of The Literary Consultancy says about Quetzal "The author demonstrates what is obviously a greatly detailed knowledge of the Costa Rican country and its history both contemporary and ancient." CONTACTThe author is available by email, just a click away. Your comments are of serious importance to Margaret Gill and are read with interest. margaret.gill@narwhalwriter.co.uk thank you for visiting.Ma
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Gray has to deal with many problems in his adolescent life. He has always been an outsider to the Scilly islanders and must learn to face up to their hostility and superstitious attitudes when he finds a narwhal's tusk. He battles against loneliness, alienation and fear whilst trying to solve his problems. Relationships become a challenge and even the sea seems to rise up against him as he battles to become master of his fate. An absorbing story which carries you along with the well drawn characters. The images of the Scilly Isles and life on one of its offshore islands, the savage intensity of the elements, all enhance the atmosphere of this 'rites of passage' story.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This is a very exciting tale and a strong blend of mystery, adventure and the supernatural. I particularly loved the central character, Gray, and the tensions arising from his conflict with fellow-islanders. A thrilling read for any young adult, and indeed for all ages!
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
3 reviews
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
SHAMROCKED!
23 Oct 2008
Format:Paperback
Storytelling is an art that at it's best holds its audience spellbound. Using ancient Icelandic legends, keen, yet subtle descriptions and the captivating lure of a hero finding his place in the world, Margaret Gill weaves her spell until we are totally shamrocked.
Shamrocked, you say, sounds delightful, and so it is. With today's overwhelming penchant for blasting us out of reality and then shocking us with violence and irreverence, Gill takes an entirely different approach. She eases us into the life of Gray, in just a few short paragraphs, but there we are concussed with the revelation that while major and mysterious loss has befallen him something magical has been bestowed upon him and his island world.
Dialogue that ranges between Gray's modern voice and that of his elder St Hellick island mates adds immensely to bring us also to this small island that could once have been....oh no you don't, for that you must read.
While we fall for our developing hero we too must try to solve the mystery that has engulfed the island after his by-chance discovery while visiting his sanctuary. Runic inscriptions and `Guise dancing amidst the incredible rocks and mystical waters surrounding St Hellicks will keep you reading as though held in a trance.
Books like this are special. They can be read again and again, each time alerting you to something almost subliminal that you missed the first time around. And then of course there's that feeling of being shamrocked!
Shamrocked, you say, sounds delightful, and so it is. With today's overwhelming penchant for blasting us out of reality and then shocking us with violence and irreverence, Gill takes an entirely different approach. She eases us into the life of Gray, in just a few short paragraphs, but there we are concussed with the revelation that while major and mysterious loss has befallen him something magical has been bestowed upon him and his island world.
Dialogue that ranges between Gray's modern voice and that of his elder St Hellick island mates adds immensely to bring us also to this small island that could once have been....oh no you don't, for that you must read.
While we fall for our developing hero we too must try to solve the mystery that has engulfed the island after his by-chance discovery while visiting his sanctuary. Runic inscriptions and `Guise dancing amidst the incredible rocks and mystical waters surrounding St Hellicks will keep you reading as though held in a trance.
Books like this are special. They can be read again and again, each time alerting you to something almost subliminal that you missed the first time around. And then of course there's that feeling of being shamrocked!
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Margaret Gill's Narwhal is Absolutely Amazing!
16 Oct 2008
Format:Paperback
Having no knowledge what so ever about the narwhal or their tusks,
still I was intrigued from the very first page.
I couldn't put it down; it became a part of me, every free moment I had
turn into a chance to pick up this book again.
It made me want to know more about the Narwhal, and in my research
discovered that, the narwhal, is a whale with a long, twisted tooth, and
swims in Arctic waters. Narwhals can grow to be about 16 feet (4.5 m)
long (not counting the tooth), and weigh about 1.8 tons. Good to know
while reading this book, it helped to envision the tusk Gray came in contact with.
The difference in their speech and the spelling of their words added
a little mystery, pulling you in instantly, coupled with Ms. Gill's excellent style
of storytelling, and tales of myths and legends.
The rollercoaster of emotions in the story ranged from
sadness, curiosity, hopefulness, and relieve.
I found myself holding my breath as I awaited Gray's fate, and taking
sighs of relieve when I discovered he was safe.
This book was captivitating to say the least.
I recommended this book for reading at our local middle school,
after I passed my copy on to my granddaughter.
still I was intrigued from the very first page.
I couldn't put it down; it became a part of me, every free moment I had
turn into a chance to pick up this book again.
It made me want to know more about the Narwhal, and in my research
discovered that, the narwhal, is a whale with a long, twisted tooth, and
swims in Arctic waters. Narwhals can grow to be about 16 feet (4.5 m)
long (not counting the tooth), and weigh about 1.8 tons. Good to know
while reading this book, it helped to envision the tusk Gray came in contact with.
The difference in their speech and the spelling of their words added
a little mystery, pulling you in instantly, coupled with Ms. Gill's excellent style
of storytelling, and tales of myths and legends.
The rollercoaster of emotions in the story ranged from
sadness, curiosity, hopefulness, and relieve.
I found myself holding my breath as I awaited Gray's fate, and taking
sighs of relieve when I discovered he was safe.
This book was captivitating to say the least.
I recommended this book for reading at our local middle school,
after I passed my copy on to my granddaughter.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
An interesting tale
24 Mar 2009
Format:Paperback
This is an interesting tale. I liked the way Margaret mixed modern science with ancient runic symbols. Gray is a loney boy with a knack for communicating with the sea life and getting into trouble. He is bullied by the local island boys and his life is turned upside down when his father and brother disappear on a fishing trip. Through all this Gray finds solace in a young girl - the touch of teenage love. And in the end he finds peace within himself and everything turns out alright at the end.
Highly recommend - good book!
Highly recommend - good book!
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