Yolen weaves a tale about a thirteen-year-old named
Gorse, who happens to be the thirteenth and youngest child in a family of fairies
known as the Shouting Fey. They are called
this because the most gifted among them are able to produce a guttural sound
that can literally move mountains. Gorse
has been kept innocent and ignorant of the family secret, which is that the fey
have been kept captive by a promise made hundreds of years ago. They are bound to do whatever they are summoned
to do by royalty. Fey cannot break their
promises or they will burst into thousands of stars. There are signs that Gorse may be the
promised one that can release the fey from their bondage.
Just as the family is summoned to bless a new
princess, Gorse becomes extremely ill.
If she does not arrive to give her blessing as promised, her entire
family could burst into thousands of stars.
On her way to the castle, she falls into a deep cave, where she finds
even deeper family secrets. She must
find her way out of the cave, at the same time helping other fey relatives to
regain their freedom.
In the course of her journey, Gorse develops her
ability to cast spells using her “shout”.
She finds a creative way to break down the magical door that holds her
and others in the cave, and devises a clever spell with which to “bless” the
princess and the other royalty with sleep for 100 years, so that her family’s
promise is kept and they are able to regain their freedom. This was an extremely creative story based on
the timeless values of keeping promises and loyalty to family, combined with
the modern values of the power of creativity and of the female mind, that
pre-teens are bound to enjoy.
Published November 2012 by Philomel Books, an
imprint of Penguin Boks
For children ages 10 and up
256 pages * $16.99 hardcover * ISBN 978-0399256646
For more information on purchasing options visit http://www.us.penguingroup.com/nf/Book/BookDisplay/0,,9780399256646,00.html
