Shortlisted for the Whitbread Award. First of a compelling trilogy, full of action, betrayals and mystery, drawing on the rituals of the ancient Greeks and Egyptians.
In the distant land of deserts and islands, the servants of the god rule the land, his wishes conveyed through the Oracle and interpreted by the High Priestess. Mirany is the new Bearer, afraid of her perilous duties for the god in the rituals of the Oracle, and fearful of her secret questioning ... Does the god truly exist
The priestess is corrupt and in secret partnership with the General, ruler, since the God-on-Earth, the Archon, has no real power - chosen as a child, his face always masked, never seen by outsiders. Should any national tragedy occur, he is also the sacrifice. When the old Archon dies, his spirit migrates into a child, and there are several candidates for succession. But Mirany begins to experience the real visions of the god, discovers which child is the rightful heir, and that the General and High Priestess intend to choose another child and seize power. With only a tomb-robbing scribe and a mad musician for allies, Mirany begins her quest - knowing that, if she is betrayed, her fate will be to be walled up alive in the Archon's tomb ...
'suspense is constantly built ... rattles along at a dizzying pace ... next volume please. - School Librarian
an intoxicating world reminiscent of the Arabian Nights. Highly recommended - The Bookseller
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
The tension endures until the last page ... we want the sequel, soon! - BfK
will linger long in readers' memories - Kirkus Reviews
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
Catherine Fisher is an award-winning fantasy writer and author of the New York Times bestseller Incarceron. The Oracle was shortlisted for the Whitbread Award 2003, The Conjuror's Game for the Smarties Award, The Snow-Walker's Son for the WH Smith Mind Boggling Award, The Candle Man won the Tir-Na-n'Og Award, and Corbenic was shortlisted. Author of many books for children and two volumes of award-winning poetry, she is particularly well-known in Wales and has been named as the first Welsh Young People's Laureate.