Review:
The taste of lightning by Kate
Constable.
Allen and Unwin, 2007
Age 11+ A spin-off of the wonderful Chanters of Tremaris series,
this adventure story will appeal to readers of that series, although it
could also be read as a stand-alone. The book opens with a gripping
description of the evil power that an evil witch, Wanion, holds over
Tansy, a young laundry maid. It continues with the rescue of Skir, an
imprisoned Priest-King by Tansy and Perrin a young soldier, who has
been recruited to gain access to the prisoner.
Constable draws compelling pictures of each of her characters and the
reader is drawn into the action of the escape and consequent
adventures.
I found the story of Skir slightly confusing and wished that the author
had concentrated on Tansy as the main character or provided more
information about Skir’s background early in the book, but the ending
leaves lots of options for future sequels. The combination of action,
romance and magic is memorable and the story will appeal to readers who
like Tamora Pierce and Ursula Le Guin.
Pat Pledger
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Consulting, 2007