Overview
ONCE THE 24 MOST powerful magicians in the Empire pledged to use their magic only to protect the people. But the promise that bound them has now corrupted them. They have become a single terrible entity with a limitless desire for domination. Only the Ropemaker may be able to stop them, but he has not been seen for over 200 years. Into this dangerous world come Saranja, Maja, and Ribek. They seek the Ropemaker so that he might restore the ancient magic that protects their valley. It is the task they were born to, but now it seems there is far more than the valley at stake should they fail. . . .From the Hardcover edition.
Synopsis
The spellbinding sequel to the prizewinning novel The Ropemaker.
Once the twenty-four most powerful magicians in the Empire pledged to use their magic only to protect the people. But the promise that bound them has now corrupted them. They have become a single, terrible entity with a limitless desire for domination. Only the Ropemaker may be able to stop them, but he has not been seen for more than two hundred years.
Into this dangerous world come Saranja, Maja, and Ribek. They seek the Ropemaker so that he might restore the ancient magic that protects their Valley. It is the task they were born to, but now it seems there is far more than the Valley at stake should they fail. . . .
★ “The complex, multilayered story includes more heady explorations of magic, joined here by thoughts on the meaning of true love. This is sure to be a hit with fans of [The Ropemaker].”—Booklist, Starred
A Kirkus Reviews Best Book for Young Adults
A USBBY-CBC Outstanding International Book
Publishers Weekly
For the right reader-one who is able and willing to fall in with its stately pace-this novel marks a welcome return to the lavishly imagined lands Dickinson first mapped in The Ropemaker. Twenty generations have passed and once again the Valley and, as it turns out, most of the surrounding Empire are in dire need; only a quest undertaken by a woman of the Urlasdaughter family with an Ortahlson man can produce a magician able to help. This time around, the predestined pair is Saranja, who grew up determined to flee her family's heritage, and easy-going Ribek, who would just as soon stay at home and work his mill. Accompanying them, and providing the point of view from which most of the tale is told, is Saranja's orphaned cousin Maja, whose extreme sensitivity to the presence of magic gives this story an inward, contemplative focus that mostly compels but occasionally veers into self-indulgence. With its imaginative shape-shifting, worlds within worlds and stories within stories, this tale seems to tap into a body of lore that has always existed. High adventure calls: Dickinson treats readers to visions of flying horses, fearsome demons and the twin Ice-dragons who preserve the balance of the planet. A luxuriant exploration of the nature of magic, storytelling and love. Ages 14-up. (Oct.)
Copyright 2007 Reed Business InformationEditorials
Publishers Weekly
For the right reader-one who is able and willing to fall in with its stately pace-this novel marks a welcome return to the lavishly imagined lands Dickinson first mapped in The Ropemaker. Twenty generations have passed and once again the Valley and, as it turns out, most of the surrounding Empire are in dire need; only a quest undertaken by a woman of the Urlasdaughter family with an Ortahlson man can produce a magician able to help. This time around, the predestined pair is Saranja, who grew up determined to flee her family's heritage, and easy-going Ribek, who would just as soon stay at home and work his mill. Accompanying them, and providing the point of view from which most of the tale is told, is Saranja's orphaned cousin Maja, whose extreme sensitivity to the presence of magic gives this story an inward, contemplative focus that mostly compels but occasionally veers into self-indulgence. With its imaginative shape-shifting, worlds within worlds and stories within stories, this tale seems to tap into a body of lore that has always existed. High adventure calls: Dickinson treats readers to visions of flying horses, fearsome demons and the twin Ice-dragons who preserve the balance of the planet. A luxuriant exploration of the nature of magic, storytelling and love. Ages 14-up. (Oct.)
Copyright 2007 Reed Business InformationVOYA
In this sequel to The Ropemaker (Delacorte, 2001/VOYA December 2001), the Valley has been invaded again after twenty generations of peace, and it is Maja Urlsdaughter, her half-sister Saranja, and Ribek Ortahlson's turn to seek the Ropemaker for help. Accompanied by a powerful young magician, Benayu, and the lizard-like, Jex, who is from another universe, they set off on their quest but are caught up in the war that breaks out between the Pirates (Sheep-heads) and the Empire. Threatened by dragons, demons, and the all-powerful Watchers, but strengthened by the addition of a canny spy named Striclan, they discover that the Ropemaker has been stranded by time in Jex's universe. Only by reaching the "touching point" of the two universes on Angel Isle and by benefiting from the help of powerful female magicians, Zara and Chanda, will Maja and the others be able to rescue the Ropemaker and destroy the Watchers. The characters, especially Maja, from whose perspective the story is told, are interesting and well-developed. Maja's relationship with Ribek adds a romantic touch. Dickinson painstakingly weaves together several subplots, but the momentum often slackens. Magic is experienced frequently by characters as a powerful, physical force. There is a heavy reliance on cataclysmic magical events to achieve momentous happenings. Dickinson's fantasy will potentially appeal to teens who enjoyed the first book and to those who relish a fully developed fantasy world. Reviewer: Hilary CrewSchool Library Journal
Gr 7-10 In this sequel to The Ropemaker (Delacorte, 2001), Dickinson's well-constructed fantasy world is rejoined 20 generations into the future. The magical Ropemaker is now trapped in a parallel universe, unable to prevent the evil Watchers from retaking control of the Empire. Angel 's prologue is identical to the epilogue of the earlier book: Maja, Saranja, and Ribek set off to find the Ropemaker so that he can protect their Valley. Along the way they learn more about the history of the mysterious man. Ultimately, what makes Angel compelling are the relationships among the main characters, particularly Maja's love for the much-older Ribek. As with Ropemaker , the lack of a map makes the saga somewhat difficult to follow, and, as sometimes happens with fantasies of this type, the story's unfurling over a period of long months spent traveling on horseback makes the pace drag a bit. Still, patient readers, especially those who enjoyed the earlier book, and fans of Hilari Bell's "Farsala" trilogy (S & S) will find much to like in this character-driven epic fantasy.-Kristin Anderson, Columbus Metropolitan Library System, OH