Synopsis
The blue jays and cardinals of Stone-Run Forest have always lived harmoniously side by side. But the fate of the forest—and all its inhabitants—is in jeopardy when the sinister hawk, Turnatt, turns the two bird tribes against each other.
According to legend, only Swordbird, Son of the Great Spirit, has the power to conquer evil and restore peace to the land. But is he real or just a myth? Can Swordbird arrive in time to save the forest...or will it be too late?
13-year old author Nancy Yi Fan has woven a captivating tale about the birds of Stone-Run Forest and the heroism, courage and resourcefulness in their quest for peace.
Performed by Colleen Delany.
Publishers Weekly
As any fan of Brian Jacques's Redwall saga knows, the forest is teeming with societies of animals that have complicated dynamics. Thirteen-year-old author Yi Fan's debut novel joins the genre with her tale told from the birds' vantage point, translated handily to audio by Delaney. The narrator's steady, assured delivery paints a captivating fantasy world for listeners, replete with feathered heroes and villains. Turnatt, the tyrant hawk, forces his enslaved woodbird subjects to steal eggs and food from both the blue jays and the cardinals, causing the two bird tribes to blame each other and go to war. But when a neutral party reveals Turnatt's plan, the warring factions join forces to seek out the Swordbird, Son of the Great Spirit, the only true hope to help them restore peace. Though listeners may have trouble differentiating Delaney's bird character voices, adventure, action and allegory abound here, helping this recording to take wing. A bonus interview with the author is included. Ages 10-up. (Feb.)
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