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Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #143631 in Books
• Published on: 2003-01-16
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 368 pages

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

The Bookseller
Catherine Fisher has conjured up an intoxicating world reminiscent of the Arabian Nights. Highly recommended -

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)

'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 )

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Customer Reviews

Al last - something different to wizards. . .
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.

Simply Amazing!
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.

Definetly worth the read
The Oracle is an amazing story with a host of characters that make you laugh, cry and hold your breath. Unlike other authors Catherine Fisher makes you wonder whether the end will actually be rosey - and at times you doubt that anyone will survive. The description and writing of this book means it is a tale that any age will enjoy - I'm 18 and I still couldn't put it down!