Author: Christine Brodien-Jones
Illustrations: Maggie Kneen
Publication Date: April 13, 2010
Tags: owls, magic, dystopian fantasy
Age: 10+
Pages: approx 304
Series: 1st in a series
Book Acquisition: ARC from Other Shelf Tours
My Rating: 5 / 5 Stars
(from publisher's website)
Maxwell Unger has always loved the night. He used to do brave things like go tramping through the forest with his gran after dark. He loved the stories she told him about the world before the Destruction—about nature, and books, and the silver owls. His favorite story, though, was about the Owl Keeper.
According to Max’s gran, in times of darkness the Owl Keeper would appear to unite owls and sages against the powers of the dark. Gran is gone now, and so are her stories of how the world used to be. Max is no longer brave. The forest is dangerous, the books Gran had saved have been destroyed, and the silver owls are extinct. At least that’s what the High Echelon says. But Max knows better.
Maxwell Unger has a secret. And when a mysterious girl comes to town, he might just have to start being brave again.
The time of the Owl Keeper, Gran would say, is coming soon.
According to Max’s gran, in times of darkness the Owl Keeper would appear to unite owls and sages against the powers of the dark. Gran is gone now, and so are her stories of how the world used to be. Max is no longer brave. The forest is dangerous, the books Gran had saved have been destroyed, and the silver owls are extinct. At least that’s what the High Echelon says. But Max knows better.
Maxwell Unger has a secret. And when a mysterious girl comes to town, he might just have to start being brave again.
The time of the Owl Keeper, Gran would say, is coming soon.
My Review:
As what usually happens when I absolutely love a book, I'm having a hard time reviewing it! The Owl Keeper was pure magic and I wish I had my own copy to read again right now. Although I haven't seen it at my local bookstore yet, I'm sure I'll buy it as soon as I do. So good!
Fantasy stories are my all time favorite and lately dystopian novels have been giving my favorites a run for their money. The Owl Keeper is a perfect combination of the two. A dystopian fantasy with a hint of magic. Loved it!
Max is such a lovable character. His world is a mix of the chaos of society turned upside down and the simplicity of peace he finds when he is alone with his magical silver owl. I think the main reason I loved this one so much was that it was unpredictable. I really couldn't say what would happen next, but I was never disappointed.
For me, stronger then the pull of magic was the force of hope that the Owl Keeper presented. Max has a hard time keeping his but in the end, his strugles are worth it and I for one, felt his hope shining through the darkness.
I'm recommending this one to everyone. Fantasy, dystopian, magic fans and everyone else up down and in between.
Loved it!
Last thing - I'm really not one for book trailers but this one is just beautiful. You can check it out here on Christine's blog.
Linkage Love:
Delacorte Press
Author's Website
Other Reviews:
Wicked Awesome Books
Book Crazy
The Neverending Shelf
*if you would like your review added please leave me a link in the comments*
Oooo pure magic? I could use some of that!
ReplyDeleteWonderful review. I am glad that you enjoyed it. This novel was definitely one of my favorites of the year.
ReplyDeleteNice review. This book sounds great! I'll have to check it out.
ReplyDeleteI got this book and it's pushing to the top of the pile!
ReplyDeleteI need to read this one, it looks fantastic!
ReplyDelete