Ysabel by Guy Gavriel Kay
While accompanying his father on a photo-shoot to France, Ned Marriner
explores an ancient church where he bumps in Kate, an American exchange student.
Over the next few days, odd things start to happen - man threatens to kill them, wild dogs attack, a fantastical Celtic warrior appears.
Then, a young woman who works for Ned's father disappears when she becomes entangled in love triangle that has recurred every generation for the past 2000 years.
To save her life, Ned must find Ysabel, the woman at the centre of the triangle.
I found Ysabel interesting enough to stick with it. The overlapping of modern with ancient, Ned's transformation from teen to adult, the need for each generation to know when to give way to the next - these are elements that give this book texture. As well, Ned's developing supernatural abilities and the chase across France to find Ysabel provide enough excitement to keep turning pages.
A good choice for older teens - male or female - 14 or 15 and up through adults. Also a good choice for English literature if the teacher is okay with modern fantasy. The author is Canadian and the book has won an Alex Award. However, I would be interested to know if teens reading it do find it compelling.
While accompanying his father on a photo-shoot to France, Ned Marriner
explores an ancient church where he bumps in Kate, an American exchange student.
Over the next few days, odd things start to happen - man threatens to kill them, wild dogs attack, a fantastical Celtic warrior appears.
Then, a young woman who works for Ned's father disappears when she becomes entangled in love triangle that has recurred every generation for the past 2000 years.
To save her life, Ned must find Ysabel, the woman at the centre of the triangle.
I found Ysabel interesting enough to stick with it. The overlapping of modern with ancient, Ned's transformation from teen to adult, the need for each generation to know when to give way to the next - these are elements that give this book texture. As well, Ned's developing supernatural abilities and the chase across France to find Ysabel provide enough excitement to keep turning pages.
A good choice for older teens - male or female - 14 or 15 and up through adults. Also a good choice for English literature if the teacher is okay with modern fantasy. The author is Canadian and the book has won an Alex Award. However, I would be interested to know if teens reading it do find it compelling.
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