Wednesday, July 30, 2008

Sorceress of the Himalayas by Ketaki Shriram

Tien Ming, a girl of mixed race, is sent on a dangerous journey to find a missing spellbook. An evil Force that is taking over wants the book too; it would kill to possess the power, wealth, and immortality the book contains. Tien needs to find the book with the help of her two friends, a golden snow leopard and an owl, to save the good in the world. Tien struggles with bullies, evil forces, and betrayal. On her journey she displays bravery and perseverance. By the time her quest is over, will Tien be able to distinguish the Force with the spellbook or will she be taken over by the Force?

When I first found out that Ketaki Shriram, the author of Sorceress of the Himalayas, was only thirteen years old when she wrote the book, I thought that it may not be too good. However, I soon discovered that it was a magnificent story with a strong plot line. There were many twists and turns in the events that made the book a page-turner. Sorceress of the Himalayas was a quick read, and it was worth it. I liked how there were several genres including fantasy, adventure, and action within the story. The vocabulary was surprisingly advanced for a thirteen year old writer, but it was perfect for a young adult reader. I recommend young readers who like adventure stories to read this book.

Reviewer Age:15
Reviewer City, State and Country: Carlisle, Pennsylvania United States of America