The Hidden Arrow of Maether

by Aiden Beaverson

Does Linn possess the gift that can save the mythical lysefolk of Maether? Fantasy at its most appealing.
Linn wants nothing more than to be left in peace–but her brutish stepfather has other plans. When he demands that she convert her faith and worship the demon Rane in order to wed a local Ranite townsman, Linn dares to do the one thing she dreams escape. But not before receiving a whipping at her stepfather’s cruel hands, an act that leaves a gash in her palm in the shape of an arrow–and sets in motion Linn’s destiny.

A mystifying path opens up before her, a path of bent grasses and sloping tree branches. It guides her through the landscape of Maether on a quest to find the City of Trees, home to the mythical lysefolk. . . and to a world whose future depends on Linn alone.

Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult, Middle Grade, Childrens, Magic, Adventure

192 pages, Paperback

First published November 14, 2000

Reviews

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fourteen-year-old Linn continues to mourn her father, even though it's been years since he died. When her mother remarried, this time to a worshipper of the demon Rane, it was almost more than Linn could bear. Her stepfather's beatings over the past years are nothing compared to his latest demand, however. He arranges a marriage for Linn that will requirer her to convert her faith and becom a worshiper of the demon. Obeying this order would go against everything Linn's beloved father taught her. So she runs away and boards a ship, hoping to find the fabled City of the Trees, where the Lysefolk spoken of in her father's religion are said to live. But not before recieving a harsh beating from her stepfather that leaves a strange mark the shape of an arrow in the palm of her hand. This mark, supposedly the Hidden Arrow that can defeat Rane once and for all, causes some to fear and hate her, and others to trust her for their salvation. Linn must find out the true meaning of the "Hidden Arrow" if she is to fufill her destiny and build a new life for herself. I recommend this book to readers who enjoy young adult fantasy, however it's too bad there was never a sequel.

[Abigail · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book so much that with help it magically made itself disappear from the Chino library's file and appear on my bookshelf!

[Destiny · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is by far my favorite book. I have to admit that the middle was a little on the boring side but the ending left me staring at the last sentence for like 10 minutes after reading it.

[Cabrina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book and I really wish there was a part two.

[Naomi Ruth · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book, to be honest, was a disappointment. I wanted to like it more than I did, but I think part of the problem was that the person who recommend it to me made it sound like it was going to be a different kind of book. I just wasn't prepared for the Christian overtones and after my disappointing read of The Last Battle I wasn't in the mood for more theology in my middle grade. There was definitely some bad timing involved, but I also didn't feel like there was enough here. The journey feels too easy and I wanted more. More story, more time with the characters, more of Thom. This story was a let down for me. There was a lot of potential for a magical story but it didn't pull through for me. Definitely not one I'm going to keep.

[Robin Korb · Rating 3 out of 5]

The world in this novel intrigued me as did the main character's journey. It starts when Linn's step-father demands she must convert her faith and marry someone of his choosing, she injured. The scar on her palm leads her on a quest to discover what her future held. The path that lay before Linn introduces her to people and places that guide her to her destiny. I found myself wanting more details and more explanation of this journey. Linn's life will never be the same when she follows the grass that bows, but I don't get to enjoy the journey as much as I would've like to.

[Rey Solo]

One of my favourite or rather unforgettable book of middle school.

[LeAnne · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story of true believers vs demons is consistent with Christian theology without promoting a return of Christ agenda (at least, not in this volume). The plot has all the elements of excitement, but it just didn't excite me. I couldn't quite believe in the magic. Maybe the voice was too North American. This first novel could be the beginning of a series.

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was great, I would like to read a sequel.

[Courtney · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book for the first time in 2003 and have checked it out at least twice a year sense then, always with the vain hope that the story will keep going after the last page.

[Megan (DaRcyWho) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is amazing. It's such a good wholesome story. I so wish that the archons book was able to be published. It's so good, but you can tell there's more to the story!