- Hardcover: 341 pages
- Publisher: Greenwillow Books; First American Edition edition (Mar 2004)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0060571578
- ISBN-13: 978-0060571573
- Product Dimensions: 23.7 x 16.4 x 2.9 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
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Amazon Bestsellers Rank:
2,820,942 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #79 in Books > Children's Books > Authors & Illustrators > F > Fisher, Catherine
The Oracle (The Oracle Sequence)
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More About the Author
Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
The Oracle Betrayed comes from the pen of the award-winning Welsh author and poet Catherine Fisher, and grabs readers quickly with a convincingly imagined Greco-Egyptian setting and characters that defy quick classification. Our heroine, Mirany, begins the story as a timid teen serving the High Priestess, the masked Speaker who discerns the wishes of a god through a mysterious island oracle. When the current Archon (the sequestered God-on-Earth) passes a secret note to Mirany just before he's sacrificed, the story throws intrigue onto intrigue with a murder plot, a drunken musician, a conflicted scribe, a slick tomb robber, an offended Rain Goddess and no shortage of mystic burial rituals and dusty tombs.
Fisher's biggest accomplishment is that for all the page-turning action, she still manages to raise some pretty heady ideas about death, ambition and the nature of faith. Expect both kids and grown-ups to be reaching for Fisher's follow-up. (Ages 9 to 12) --Paul Hughes, Amazon.com
Review
'suspense is constantly built ... rattles along at a dizzying pace ... next volume please. (School Librarian 20030801)
'an intoxicating world reminiscent of the Arabian Nights. Highly recommended' (The Bookseller 20010209)
Vivid and convincing ... a very satisfying read for young people who want some depth to their fiction, and the depiction of an unusual and interesting world. (Vector 20010209)
The tension endures until the last page ... we want the sequel, soon! (BfK 20050201)
'will linger long in readers' memories' (Kirkus Reviews 20050201)
A crisp, quick-moving narrative ... will keep readers hooked. (Publisher's Weekly )
A powerful and very exciting adventure story (School Library Journal )
DARKWATER HALL: 'a seriously good author ... makes for some nail-biting reading.' (The Independent )
'... a thrilling, chilling world of magic and menace' (The Mail on Sunday )
'A gripping story that'll keep you guessing!' (SHOUT )
'an extraordinary imagination, always coming up with some new twist that is both weird yet utterly convincing.' (Nicholas Tucker, Rough Guide to Children's Books )
'Breathlessly paced . . . almost painfully heightened tension right to the end . . . will have readers queuing for the concluding volume.' (Harper Collins Publishers )
'an intoxicating world reminiscent of the Arabian Nights. Highly recommended' (The Bookseller 20010209)
Vivid and convincing ... a very satisfying read for young people who want some depth to their fiction, and the depiction of an unusual and interesting world. (Vector 20010209)
The tension endures until the last page ... we want the sequel, soon! (BfK 20050201)
'will linger long in readers' memories' (Kirkus Reviews 20050201)
'the reader will fall under the spell of this fantasy story'
(Grafschafter Nachrichten )A crisp, quick-moving narrative ... will keep readers hooked. (Publisher's Weekly )
A powerful and very exciting adventure story (School Library Journal )
DARKWATER HALL: 'a seriously good author ... makes for some nail-biting reading.' (The Independent )
'... a thrilling, chilling world of magic and menace' (The Mail on Sunday )
'A gripping story that'll keep you guessing!' (SHOUT )
'an extraordinary imagination, always coming up with some new twist that is both weird yet utterly convincing.' (Nicholas Tucker, Rough Guide to Children's Books )
'Breathlessly paced . . . almost painfully heightened tension right to the end . . . will have readers queuing for the concluding volume.' (Harper Collins Publishers )
'gripped by the deeper truths of the story and the compelling, vivid intensity of the writing.'
(Armadillo - Douglas Hill ) --This text refers to the Paperback edition.
Inside This Book
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First Sentence
The Procession was at least halfway down the terraces before Mirany stopped trembling enough to walk properly. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Excerpt | Back Cover
The Procession was at least halfway down the terraces before Mirany stopped trembling enough to walk properly. Read the first page
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Concordance
Browse Sample PagesConcordance
Front Cover | Copyright | Excerpt | Back Cover
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
The reason why I chose this book was because it sounded so different to other children's books. Instead of the usual idea of basing a story around magic, Fisher's book revolves around religion, yet it is so much more than just religion.
The main character, Mirany, is made Bearer-of-the-God. In her new role, she becomes one of the Nine - sacred people who are involved with the God. However, Mirany is unsure of whether the God really exists: couldn't the Speaker-for-the-God simply make up the 'messages' that they supposedly receive direct from the God? Mirany seems aware that treachery could easily happen, yet her role as Bearer means she has to keep quiet. Her fears are realised when the Archon (kind of God on earth) dies, giving her a message on his death-bed that all is not what it seems and that Argelin, a corrupt general, will appoint a new Archon who they will be able to control.
That is only a fraction of the plot. Mirany is not completely alone - she has a few accomplices who try to make sure that the real Archon will be rightly selected: one is a drunken musician and the other is a scribe, who has secrets of his own.
Fisher's book is truly unique - she explores many issues; political treachery, personal betrayal, bribery, religious uncertainty are just some. And she has triumphed in making a book which will easily be enjoyed by children and adults alike. She certainly deserves for this book, and the sequel, to receive the recognition it deserves.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Its truly an amazing book. It had an interesting plot and colourful character’s. The book starts out with her being chosen to be the new Bearer for the God. Unfortunally for Mirany, she doesn’t believe in God, but being shoved into a building with the nine most sacred people in the land forces her to keep her views quiet. Before he dies, the Archon trusts Mirany with a deadly secret, that the Speaker (really important religious person, kinda like the pope) is corrupt. He tells her to find his good friend Oblek who will help her to find the new true Archon after he is dead. Confused? You should be, so READ IT! This is only a FRACTION of the story. This story includes a traitorous scribe, a tomb thief, a drunken musician, Gods, backstabbing friends and so many ideas your head will explode. This book should defiantly be more popular than potter.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
The book, The Oracle, teaches us that you don't have to be big to do big things. The story goes that the old Archon has died and the kingdom is in need of a new Archon. The old Archon entrusts that Mirany, the new bearer of the god, to find the Archon. She sets off to find him with the help with a musician and a scribe, but the General and the Speaker to the god are going to find an Archon that will do their bidding, can Mirany find the Archon in time?
When I was reading the book, The Oracle I noticed that Mirany, the heroine in the story was a shy girl and wasn't very brave. I loved the plot and how Catherine Fisher didn't describe the characters but let you find out on your own by the things they say. The only annoying flaw was the thoughts that Mirany had when she was saying there was no god. I thought it was annoying because it kept on repeating so I skim it all the time. I choose this book because, it was different from the other books I have read, which were more up to date, this one was date back when the Egyptians ruled, which I find interesting.
Be warned in The Oracle it does contain some bad language and some religious statements and beliefs. I would like to say that this book has some complex vocabulary, so I would say this book would be for 13 year olds and up.
Whether you love books with adventure or a bit of history in it, this book is the one for you. Two other books in the series are out The Archon which is the sequel, and then The Scarab.
When I was reading the book, The Oracle I noticed that Mirany, the heroine in the story was a shy girl and wasn't very brave. I loved the plot and how Catherine Fisher didn't describe the characters but let you find out on your own by the things they say. The only annoying flaw was the thoughts that Mirany had when she was saying there was no god. I thought it was annoying because it kept on repeating so I skim it all the time. I choose this book because, it was different from the other books I have read, which were more up to date, this one was date back when the Egyptians ruled, which I find interesting.
Be warned in The Oracle it does contain some bad language and some religious statements and beliefs. I would like to say that this book has some complex vocabulary, so I would say this book would be for 13 year olds and up.
Whether you love books with adventure or a bit of history in it, this book is the one for you. Two other books in the series are out The Archon which is the sequel, and then The Scarab.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Good book
The book came quickly and in good condition. My daughter is enjoying the book very much. She says she would recommend it to her friends.
Published 9 months ago by Mrs. Sr Stewart
A great young teenage read
I read all three books to see if they would be suitable for my kids and I really enjoyed them myself. They are well written, exciting and work equally well for boys and girls. Read more
Published 13 months ago by Lisa S
The title is slightly misleading
At first I thought that this was a sequel to the amazing paperback edition of "The Oracle" until I discovered that it is, in fact, a reprint of the original and the only things... Read more
Published on 21 Feb 2004 by "knightkeeper"
Definetly worth the read
The Oracle is an amazing story with a host of characters that make you laugh, cry and hold your breath. Read more
Published on 10 Dec 2003 by H. Trend
Why should kids have all the fun?
I'm an adult, and I loved it. It's gritty (human sacrifice in chapter 1) but also feeds escapist fantasy by being set in a country which is a vague approximation of ancient Egypt. Read more
Published on 16 May 2003 by Sheenagh Pugh
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