TIME OF THE EAGLE

A compassionate, heartfelt fantasy fulfills the promise of Secret Sacrament (2001). At 16, Avala is revered not just for the sake of her father’s heroic sacrifice, but also as the One destined to bring about the Time of the Eagle, when the cruel Navoran Empire will fall and her persecuted Shinali tribe restored. While Avala longs to be a healer, she dutifully accepts her prophesied role of uniting all the enslaved peoples against their oppressors. But when her efforts bring forth only disaster and betrayal, Avala begins to doubt: How can she lead warriors when she wishes only to heal? Rich, poetic prose describes a world both familiar and exotic, woven together by dreams and visions. Avala’s transition from naïve adolescent to mature, wise, yet still idealistic woman is delicately rendered. Still, her steely conviction paradoxically robs her efforts of suspense. And the reverence for the good in every culture reduces the complexity of human evil to the cartoonish menace of a single mustache-twirling villain. Yet, especially as a companion to the heartbreaking tragedy of the earlier volume, the themes of reconciliation and forgiveness bring blessed healing. As Avala would say, “a high lot beautiful.” (Fantasy. YA)