Horn Book Review
Hylas and Pirra, separated at the end of the prior novel, find their fates still intertwined as they both end up on Thalakrea, an island on the verge of volcanic destruction. New and old friends and enemies vie to avenge wrongs and fulfill prophecies. History, mythology, and good storytelling make for compelling action that propels the novel to its cliffhanger ending. (c) Copyright 2014. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Kirkus Review
Bronze Age Greece is a dangerous place, filled with angry spirits, vengeful warriors and uncertain alliances. Hylas, a young goatherd and Outsider, must navigate this mysterious world as he searches for his missing younger sister, Issi. Missing his friends, Pirra, the daughter of the High Priestess, and Spirit the dolphin, Hylas is once again alone in his quest (Gods and Warriors, 2012). His journey is cut short when he is snatched by slavers and forced to labor in the mines of Thalakrea, a volcanic island. Twelve-year-old Pirra's fate is no less suffocating: Her mother has once again promised her in marriage. Pirra bribes a seer to help her escape, but the old woman has other plans. Fate brings Pirra to Hylas' island prison, where they meet a spirit-touched lion cub. Together, they must confront the dangerous prophecy hanging over Hylas' life. This second volume is a vast improvement over the first. The historically accurate and opulent setting has receded, becoming the backdrop for the fast-paced adventure. Well-developed characters populate a time and place where the veil between the real world and the spiritual realm is thin. Maps and an author's note enrich the text. Well-crafted historical adventure. (Historical fantasy. 10-14)]] Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Booklist Review
Three Bronze Age teens struggle against their fates: Hylas, who is ignoring a prophecy about ending the reign of the violent Crows; Pirra, whose high priestess mother's wedding plans for her daughter involve a strategic alliance with the Crows; and Telamon, a son of the Crows, torn between upholding and foreswearing the ideals of his warrior tribe. Hylas does attempt to circumvent fate, but developments convince him that he must fulfill his destiny. Paver references past events in the narrative, but readers need the first volume, Gods and Warriors (2012), before embarking on these latest adventures, which follow a similar pattern to the first, even including another endearing animal familiar (this time a lion cub). Strengths of the book include plenty of information about the Bronze Age, and accessible writing, particularly for reluctant readers or boys who think they hate history.--Welch, Cindy Copyright 2014 Booklist
