Sherryl Jordan, Time Of The Eagle

Time Of The Eagle

Sherryl Jordan

Eos, Jul 2007, $17.99

ISBN: 9780060595548

The Shinali survivors are on the run from the Navoran Empire who annexed their neighbors in a brutal campaign. The Navoran Emperor Jaganath orders his soldiers to finish the mission by exterminating the few remaining surviving Shinali. Those remaining Shinali flee through treacherous mountains and even the deadlier Desert seeking safety, but the enemy keeps hunting them. Shinali healer Ashila gives birth to the first child born since they took flight. Over the years, Avala remembers hunger and thirst, but vividly recalls her mother carrying her through hostile environs.

When Ayala is old enough to understand Ashila tells her about her deceased father, Gabriel (see SECRET SACRAMENT) of Navoran, which provides some solace to the child, as times at best were tough. Avala dreamed of following her mother's footsteps by becoming a healer, but tribal seer Zalidas thinks otherwise. He believes Ayala will herald the TIME OF THE EAGLE that will prove the salvation of the Shinali, but the chosen one has doubts as she fears she lacks the courage of the warrior hunter as she is just a novice healer who detests hurting anything living.

Although reading SECRET SACRAMENT will enhance this tale because it provides more detailed background that led to the predicament that the Shinali face, TIME OF THE EAGLE can stand alone as a terrific coming of age young adult fantasy. The story line is told predominantly from Ayala's perspective as she turns from frightened healer apprentice to even more frightened destiny's savior. She keeps the tale focused as she relates the events that must turn a hunted healer's heart into a hunting warrior with a healer's heart if the Shinali are to survive their ordeal. Fans of all ages will appreciate Sherryl Jordan's next generation sequel.

Harriet Klausner