Time of the Eagle

Secret Sacrament #2

by Sherryl Jordan

Avala's father was the great Deliverer, the giver of freedom, the hero who began the prophesied Time of the Eagle. Leaving the safety of her beloved people, Avala travels to the lands of enemy tribes in the hope of uniting them against the evil dictator, Jaganath. But behind enemy borders, Avala's fortune takes a terrible turn.

Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult, Fiction, Adventure, Magic, Romance, Young Adult Fantasy

464 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 2007

About the author

Award-winning New Zealand author Sherryl Rose Jordan (née Brogden) (1949-2023) began her writing career with picture books, but soon moved on to novels for older readers. Her breakthrough came with Rocco, published in the United States as A Time of Darkness, and since that time she has gone on to pen many more titles for young adult and juvenile readers that have been published both in her native New Zealand and throughout the world.

The recipient of a 1993 fellowship to the prestigious writing program at the University of Iowa, Jordan used her time in the United States to speak widely at schools and conferences about her books, which blend fantasy with bits of science fiction and romantic realism. "All my young adult novels have been gifts," she noted in the St. James Guide to Children's Writers. "I don't think them up. They hit me over the head when I least expect them; overwhelm me with impressions, sights, and sounds of their new worlds; enchant me with their characters; and dare me to write them."

Reviews

[Caroline · Rating 5 out of 5]

Plot
An unforgettable tale of fate, betrayal, and the power of love and faith.

Avala dreams of becoming a healer, but her dreams are not the same as her destiny. Hers is a mighty but lonely fate, for she is the chosen one—the one who will bring the Time of the Eagle (a path started by her father before her, when he sacrificed his life for Shinali's survival)

Does Avala have the courage to set the Time of the Eagle and do what she has to do to unite all the clans to overthrow Jaganath, the evil Emperor of Navora, and finally bring peace and unity?

Setting
The world that Sherryl Jordan set up in the previous book Secret Sacrament is further explored through the eyes of Gabriel's and Ashila's daughter Avala, whose 16 years old when the story takes place.

This is a coming-of-age tale that draws heavily on Native American tribal traditions. The background is rich and helps the reader understand Avala's world and how she views everyone around her.

The characters are well-developed and believable.

Though at times, the story was a bit slow - but it was so well written that those few places didn't detract from the story. Sometimes when I'm faced with a slow book, I often skim through passages - just to get to something interesting. But I didn't do that with this book, as skipping even one page would have taken away from the overall story, and this is so good I didn't want to do that.

We see more of the Igaal and Hena people through the eyes of Avala's POV as she adjusts to the different ways of living, roles, responsibilities, and expectations of all those within the tribes, as she realizes how close to extinction her people came to being wiped out and how impoverished they have become compared to the bigger tribes of the Igaal and Hena.

As Avala experiences a culture shock as she recognizes the differences between her people and the ways of the Igaal, despite the few setbacks, including at one point, dealing with racial discrimination of being a "half breed" of Shinali and Navoran descent.

Not to mention the historical feuds, some members of the tribe including the Igaal Cheiftian harboring old hostilities between the Igaal and Shinali and then later Avala becoming a slave, it takes a while for Avala to let go of her old prejudices, hatred, and learning the lesson of forgiveness, acceptance, and love.

It was nice to see the dynamics of the Igaal tribe are very different compared to the Shinali's more liberal and open way of living and see the Igaal's social and political ladders work and see them grow as individuals and as a group as a whole and in the end, letting go slavery and changing for the better was awesome to see, in breaking the chain and starting anew.

Characters
Avala - she seems pretty accepting, maybe a little prideful in her role being the one destined in bringing the Time of the Eagle and freeing her people, and uniting Navora as one but she's humanized by her doubts, insecurities and her own dreams of being a healer, a pacifist, whose willing to save any lives in the crossfire.

Through the epic tale, she is captured by an enemy warrior, enslaved, escapes, nearly dies in a blizzard, is found by the people who will teach her about her destiny, then leads an army in rebellion. That's a lot for any young woman to accomplish, but somehow, she succeeds.

Ishtok - I found his character very compelling and interesting, a great counterpart to Avala's personality, they balance each other out and he helps her adapt to her new role and bridges the gap between their people as he has more experience in diplomacy and works well with Avala and his brother Ramakoda in succeeding in this task and is more patient to Avala's impatience.

Other Characters - it was awesome to see recurring characters such as Embry and Boaz make a return appearance, especially Embry, and see more character development in his character and his story arc.

The Citadel Masters i.e: Salverion, Taliesin, Sheel Chandra, Delano, it was great reading the passages and their teaching Avala, improving her skills and giving her the tools that would ultimately bring the end of a tyrant's rule.

There are only a couple of mentions of Avala's Navoran grandmother Lena and their long-awaited reunion was bittersweet and wish we saw more between these two as I was looking forward to their meeting but the little hints of Lena's forward-thinking in buying the Shinali lands to the other farmers to protect the land belonging to the Shinali as she foresaw their return, showing Lena's strengths as a character despite only having a few appearances in both books and proving to be a force to be reckoned with in her own right.

Jaganath - I was overall disappointed in this character, as he came off as very one-dimensional, just wish it was more developed as to the motivations for his goals, other than power, greed, and ambition. I guess, being drunk with power? comes to mind, hence he was easily defeated by Avala and her allies.

Mudiwar the Igaal Chieftain who adopts Avala in his tribe as a healer and Ramakoda's kinswoman. He was actually my favourite character instead of the main character lol

I just found his character arc and journey very compelling and touching as the author slowly unraveled his motivations, flaws, and humanity as the story unfolded, very hard to make a side character three-dimensional in a short span of time.


Overall
It's been years since I last read this, the last time I was a kid/teenager, so reading it as an adult, was fun, though I will admit, it felt like reading it for the first time as I was more familiar with the first book.

If you liked the Secret Sacrament, you would like this sequel too, as it's full of intrigue, adventure, and fantasy, as one girl, born to greatness, must decide whether to follow her dreams or fulfill her destiny.

[Jennifer Wardrip · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reviewed by Carrie Spellman for TeensReadToo.com

Avala is a member of the dwindling race of the Shivali. Avala is special -- her mother, Ashila, is the tribe's healer and her father, Gabriel, was Navoran, a member of an enemy tribe who became a great ally in times of trouble. The Navoran still conquer lands, and the Shinali have become nomads, but there are still a few Navoran who honor Avala's father, and are willing to deal gently with Shinali. The true reason that Avala is held in high regard is due to a prophecy that points to her as the chosen one, the one who will finish what her father began and will bring about the Time of the Eagle.

Avala is unsure that she is capable of fulfilling such a high calling. What is she to do? And how? What if she fails? Part of her hopes that the prophecy was wrong, and meant for someone else. She doesn't want to lead an army, much less know how to do so. She wants to be a healer alongside her mother. But, she must venture out to find the future that awaits her and her people.

The path is unknown even to Avala. She will have to find her own way through the lands and peoples she encounters. Most importantly, she'll have to trust in herself, even in her most lost and confused moments. The fate of the Shinali depends upon her.

This is an amazing book! Completely engrossing, you are lost in Avala's world long after the story ends. Avala is very strong, but still frightened and unsure at times. The lands she travels to are both foreign and familiar. And the things she sees and learns!

This is an epic book in the sense that it covers a large expanse of time, and it does so incredibly well. You really feel and live and experience so much right along with her. It's also very interesting to me that this could be a time in the future, or one in the past.

There seems to be a wealth of story both before and after the time frame that this book covers. I truly hope I get to know more of this place and these people!

[Rhi · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book will be forever be linked in my mind to Trickster's Queen, both of them books I loved as a child depicting just revolution by indigenous people against a colonial slave state. Both feature a young woman with a coloniser father and indigenous mother bringing about a propheciesed freeing of her mother's people. Both of them read now as the flawed dream of an author from a colonial state trying to write the good and palatable revolution against her predecessors, though the two books make different compromises. My editions of these books also had a version of their brown skinned protagonist seemingly as whitewashed as the publisher thought they could get away with, but I will try not to hold that against the text too much. I am attempting to keep this focused on Time of the Eagle, of course, but it is difficult for me to write a strict review rather than an analysis of them both together, they have been so linked in my mind for so many years.

The use of dialect in Time of the Eagle serves to identify English as it is spoken in the UK and by decedents of its colonists with Navora. I appreciated this subtle challenge to an anglophone audience but the small dialect changes that attempt to make the other peoples feel more foreign do not work for me. It felt like the vocabulary of the tribes were limited compared the Navorans, which created an impression of unsophistication rather than simply having a language with different vocabularies. On top of that, giving the three indigenous nations a single language without significant dialect changes between may be expedient for the plot but rather undoes the attempt to portray them as long-standing enemies with distinct cultures. The Shinali dialect gets, by my memory, two (always italicised) words for book relevant culturally important concepts. The Navorans Citadel of learning on the other hand is given the dominion over medical and scientific terminology, and is permitted to go on understanding itself as the decider and producer of the most important poetry and representative art, and of course the greatest of the spiritual powers even if the master of those is from a far off land of ancient mysticism. The other nations are not even imagined as having greater knowledge of what grows on their land and is poisonous to eat than Avala has after being taught by the best of the Empire.

The ending felt like it took the position that the world was fixed now. No more work to be done making an equitable future for the slaves, no worries about Navorans deciding that now they were freed from their tyrant that perhaps they didn't need all this land back and emancipation. No thinking about what it means for the future of the city if the farms that fed it owe rent to an independent nation. But I like that it isn't pure restoration fantasy. The future it builds isn't the mythologised past come again.

[Saira Ceballos · Rating 4 out of 5]

Time of the Eagle is a book that should get more praise, due to its richly built worlds and interesting characters. I picked up the book by chance, being intrigued by the synopsis of the book.

It's a book that genuinely made me think, and wonder about things that happen in the book. It made me feel the emotion and made me truly believe that the character was real. It could do well as a stand-alone book since the book explains in detail what happened before the events of Time of the Eagle.

Sherryl Jordan is a great author, and her books are worth reading. It can be a great alternative for the ones looking for fantasy books or the ones looking for rich, detailed books with great storylines.

[Lakisha Haran · Rating 5 out of 5]

My absolute favorite!

The maturation of Avala throughout the book (albeit, slight) is wonderful to read and experience! Her interaction with everyone she meets is a delight to witness.

The character of the Emperor was lacking, but the rest of the book makes up for that.

I loved that Jordan brought the use of love as a weapon (weapon?) and I think the relationships Avala had with everyone she was surrounded by truly embodied the word 'love'. Also loved that she never picked up a weapon and instead, was a Healer (as she remained to be throughout the whole book)

Tldr; one of my favorite books and I will probably read it plenty more times :)

[Amanda · Rating 2 out of 5]

Avala is the only child of Gabriel and Ashila, the main characters of the first book. She is, according to her people's expectations, going do something to fulfill the prophesy for a time of great upheaval and war that will lead to peace.

Did not love this, although it wa not bad either. Avala is too perfect, and her path from confused teenager to slave to student of the arts of mind healing is too straightforward. There is also no doubt, that with all her special abilities and allies, she will wildly succeed.

I read it to finish the duology.

[Robin · Rating 3 out of 5]

This "sequel" to The Secret Sacrament is far more heavy-handed on spirituality and morality. Evil people are all evil. Good ones are all purity and light. It's a bit much, frankly. I love many of her books but this one is preachy. I did like the main character. There's a war, and some hidden places.

[Emily Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is so good, it’s a reread for me every year.
This book deserves more praise and recognition. This is technically the second book but you don’t need to read secret sacrament to start with this book.

[Hadiza · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing storyline

[trijnewijn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Het is altijd fijn als het tweede deel van een tweedelige reeks zo goed is als het eerste, zeker als er twintig jaar zat tussen het leren kennen van de personages en het lezen van het vervolg.

[HM · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s my favourite book. I’ve read it in my teens and reread it several times since then, and it’s always my comfort book. Such a great story and characters.

[Celia · Rating 2 out of 5]

I fell in love with one of Sherryl Jordan's books when I was younger - The Juniper Game - and recently realised that I'd never read anything else of hers. "Well," I said, "this must be rectified! To the library, Jeeves!" And off we went.

Time of the Eagle didn't grip my imagination like The Juniper Game did. It's a young adult fantasy, and shares some of the painful aspects of that genre - characters saying things like, "It was a high lot good" to emphasise the fact that we're in a different world. I was a high lot sick of reading "a high lot" by the end of the book.

Avala is of the Shinali people, a small tribe who spend their days in hiding from the Navoren, the ruling people, and other hostile tribes. Avala is the daughter of a Shinali woman and a Navoren man, and has healing gifts she has inherited from both parents. Oh, and she also has a destiny! Yes, she is charged with the responsibility of uniting all those hostile tribes together, the foretold Time of the Eagle. Avala's a bit depressed about all this, given that she wants to be a healer, and doesn't feel very enthused about leading everyone into a war against the Navoren (just the evil Navoren - the good ones are all excited about the Time of the Eagle too). So, she travels around, heals people, learns mind control with the good Navorens, and then unites everyone. And then gets married. In fact, I probably found the love story the most enjoyable part of this book - it was sweet and realistic, I thought. Except where they get married and Avala says that her husband is a "high lot satisfactory" as a lover. Argh!

Yes, the main plot of this story is rather cliched, and I couldn't particularly get into the evil Navoren who keep capturing slaves from the other tribes, nor the fight to bring them down. But Avala is a pretty cool character, despite being a bit too good at everything for my taste. I probably would have enjoyed this much more when I was in my teens though.

[Vicky · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Avala’s fate is might, for she is the chosen one-the one who will bring the Time of the Eagle, when the hunted will become the hunters and win back their freedom. It is a destiny that requires the spirit of a warrior and the heart of a healer.”

Although this is technically a sequel to “Secret Sacrament”, there is no need to read that book to know and understand what is happening in this one. Though if it is anywhere close to being as good as this one, I recommend it. In this book, Avala, daughter of the Navoran Gabriel and the Shinali healer Ashila, is the Chosen One – the one who will unite all the tribes and overthrow the despotic ruler of Navora. It is a difficult path for a sixteen year old, but one she accepts. Through the epic tale, she is captured by an enemy warrior, enslaved, escapes, nearly dies in a blizzard, is found by the people who will teach her about her destiny, then leads an army in rebellion. That’s a lot for a young woman to accomplish, but she does.

This is a coming of age tale that draws heavily on Native American and Maori tribal traditions. The background is rich and helps the reader understand Avala’s world. The characters are well developed and believable. Though at times, the story was a bit slow – like any epic book is bound to be – it was still so well written that those few places didn’t detract from the story. When faced with a slow book, I often skip whole passages – even chapters – just to get to something interesting. I didn’t do that with this book. I couldn’t. Skipping even one page would have taken away from the overall story and this is so good I didn’t want to do that.

If you’re into epic stories, or if you’ve read any of Ms. Jordan’s other works, especially the prequel to this one, then I highly recommend you pick this one up. You won’t be disappointed. Please note that this is specifically aimed at the teen or YA market. There is no swearing and no sex – and yet the book is still incredibly good. A recommended read for all.

[Cathleen Ash]

My name Avala - I'm about to turn 16.
I was the first child born to a hunted people, in the winter of their flight.
My people are called the Shinali, and by the time I was born, there were only a few of us left. Always, we were moving.
Things were not between my father's people and my mother's. The Navorans (my dad's side) had hunted my people for years, and still did. We hid, camped in valleys hidden by snow, moving often to avoid being found and wiped out.
That day, that fateful day, I was gathering herbs to help my mother (our healer) and learn as her apprentice. I had gathered almost half of the eysela flowers and went back to the river to drink.
There was a feeling of danger, even though the horizon looked clear. Quickly I gathered my things, and heard the sound of hooves. The only place to hid was in the river. I tucked my bag of flowers behind boulders and dove in, hiding, shivering, diving under to hold my breath when I heard men dismount. It was a group of Navoran guards.
One saw me. But instead of yelling to his friends, he smiled - a smile of a friend - and went back without telling where I was.
This is the beginning of the Time of the Eagle - or almost the beginning. Avala is prophecied to lead her people to war - a war that unites the scattered tribes. As she gets ready to celebrate her 16th birthday and the feast the Shinali hold on that day, she wonders if she will ever be loved for just being Avala - or will she only be known as the one of the Prophecy?

[L. Petunia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Maybe a 3.5. I don't remember much about the book to which this book is a sequel, other than loving it when I read it a decade or so ago. And now wanting to re-read it soon.

I'm not sure why I quite liked this book, but I did. It was a beautiful native-people-fantasy type world, and I liked most of the characters.

There were a few things that bothered me, though: It was way too long (especially in the denouement, which went on for 50 pages), and... Not a lot happened. Nothing shocking anyway. With one exception: The Igaal making Avala their slave. I was pretty surprised, after all she'd done for them! It was quite literally the trope of "the main character is prophesied to do great things... and she does them, with little tension or doubt along the way." A lot is just her learning to become the "destined one."

And the villain? Quite literally of the mustache- (or in this case, beard-)twirling variety. *facepalm* Boring!

Still, I felt happy for the characters at the end.

[Gwen the Librarian · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Shinali people have been exiled from their land for many years, but rather than being discouraged, they look forward to the Time of the Eagle, a time when they will rise up with other displaced peoples and take back their land as the prophecy foretold. Avala is the daughter of a healing woman and a peacemaker who came from the enemy Navorans. On her sixteenth borning-day, Avala receives a new prophecy; that she is to usher in the long-awaited Time of the Eagle, as a peacemaker between all enemy peoples. With so much responsibility on her shoulders, Avala longs to shrug off her destiny and follow her own path. But no one can hide from fate; Avala is swept into powerful events that will change the course of history. The award-winning Jordan crafts a sweeping and unforgettable fantasy epic in a world she has created to parallel our own. Full of love, betrayal, adventure, and memorable characters, this sequel to Secret Sacrament can stand alone as a novel in its own right.

[Anne Hamilton · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the sequel to Secret Sacrament and it has a prophecy about the overthrow of a vicious and malevolent power, in this case the evil tyrant and sorceror Jaganath.

Avala’s father, Gabriel, sacrificed himself so that her people, the Shinali, would gain their freedom. Avala however has plans to be a healer, not a martyr. Her wonderful vision of creating the Time of the Eagle by uniting the Shinali, the Igaal and the Hena founders on the drive for appeasement which some of the tribal chieftains advocate.

Once the union is established, however, it is necessary to trick Jaganath into believing that hotheaded zealots have attacked without waiting for the appointed Time. A satisfying story but lacking, I felt, in real tension. There was never a time when it seemed Avala would not succeed, and so I didn't feel drawn forward by any compelling sense of suspense.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

A surprisingly good read for me. I loved that it was clean- so swearing, no sex, only minor descriptions of war. I loved that the point was love. To win with love. Sure, some of it was lengthy and oversimplified and cliche, and I liked that too. Sometimes it is nice to not have a book full of twists and turns. It was relaxing to not be wondering what the next nasty surprise or evil plot might be, and I could put it down to get things done (like dinner and laundry!) but I still wanted to pick it up again. The book could raise some great discussions about religion, the importance of education, destiny and free will, which I enjoyed. I like a happy ending and I got it, so I am content. I just love that it was clean and a fun read full of good stuff. But yes, long.

[Madelyne]

The book is about the fulfilling of a prophecy for a nation of people who have had their land stolen, have been stricken with war, and must become nomads to escape the emperor who wants their race dead. A young girl, Avala, bares the weight of having to fulfill the prophecy, the book is from her perspective. The author is one of my favorites. I really enjoyed the way in which Avala grows from an unsure girl to an amazing healer and confident young woman. The scenes that speak of their final freedom and the uniting of the other nations with Avala's, actually brought goose bumps to my arms.

[Juancarlos Martinez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Time of the Eagle is about Avala a girl completing a prophecy left by her father. This book is fantasy and a very good one. The author explains everything the way it happens and sometimes flashes back to other important things. This book had lots of good events and description with the landscapes and all the different villages. Avail and the other tribes joins together and took back the city. This book shows alot of similes and metaphors comparing the tribes against each other. I did not like this book because I really dint like fantasy books. It was a good book for people who like fantasy.

[Chelsea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh your god I loved this book!!! It was great and I could never take my eyes off of it. Sure it is long but it was so awesome, nothing in the entire book made me think that it could be dumb. All of the scentences were really detailed and nothing was that inapropriate. There were a few wars but...anyways. I loved it and it did a good job of really captivating me.

[Sarah Tilatitsky · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is sooo good. I highly reccomend it to anyone that has a working, caring heart. This book is about a girl that is part of a prophecy that talks about the uniting of the tribes and defending the villian. It's really cool, without the "fake" stuff, like the happiness to serve all the time, and not getting tired, and it seems so sureal. So, basicly, read it.

[Nattymarsha · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book for its detail and well-thought out plot with no holes. I also enjoyed the longer ending, that actually explained what happens after the happy ending instead of stopping right after the victory. Lastly, I very much enjoyed the writing style for it portrayed every emotion very well.

[Louisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved reading this book again, for the 3rd time, I love the world and the characters! Such a great read!

*Second read July 30th, 2011*
I was rereading this book, it was just really good, and I really loved the story, and I picked up on some details that I'd forgotten, or just kinda read over by accident. This is just a great book! I loved it!

[Cara Marie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love Sherryl Jordan, but I like it better when she makes me cry. This was too happy ending to really excite me, and periods would go too long with nothing really happening. In the end, Avala has it all and I'm afraid I couldn't really believe it.

[Annie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sequel to Secret Sacrament by Sherryl Jordan, this book tells the story of Gabriel's daughter who struggles to find her own identity - more than just his daughter - and more than her destined role as peace bringer.

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very encouraging and romantic book about fate and the strong and determined belief of a young girl who wants to have peace between the tribes on the earth. The language is slightly different, but very right in a way that is almost wrong! Lol! I recommend it for any young reader!

[Rebecca Wolken · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book in 2012, it is now 2018 and it is only now that I realize this is the second book in a series.

I remember loving this book, and although I only remember a few things I would be interested in starting the series from book one and re-reading this to continue on.

[Angela Floyed · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really lived this book. I feel like I have been in another world for a little while. The authors ability to create a works that you can vividly imagine is incredible. I will be reading all of Sherryl Jordan's books. A great read.

[Saronda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have read this book multiple times since I was 14 years old. I absolutely love the world that Sheryl Jordan creates in this series. It's a beautiful "Romeo and Juliet" style tale of healing, war and peace.