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The Foretelling
A coming-of-age story that pierces the soul and heals the spirit, this is the tale of the future leader of the Amazon women warriors. Rain must hold fast to her inner warrior, but she is startled and mystified by the first stirrings of mercy towards the enemy.
192 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2005
1049 people are currently reading
4625 people want to read
About the author
Alice Hoffman
117 books25.1k followersAlice Hoffman is the author of more than thirty works of fiction, including The World That We Knew; The Marriage of Opposites; The Red Garden; The Museum of Extraordinary Things; The Dovekeepers; Here on Earth, an Oprah’s Book Club selection; and the Practical Magic series, including Practical
Magic; Magic Lessons; The Rules of Magic, a selection of Reese’s Book Club; and The Book of Magic. She lives near Boston.
Magic; Magic Lessons; The Rules of Magic, a selection of Reese’s Book Club; and The Book of Magic. She lives near Boston.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 467 reviews
February 7, 2019
My first Alice Hoffman read, yay!
The Foretelling was a good introduction to Alice's writing style. This is a quick, standalone YA novel that follows the life of Rain. Rain has a big role ahead of her: Being the new queen of her Amazonian tribe. Her birth mother is the current queen but wants nothing to do with Rain's existence. She prepares for the biggest fights of her life, while also, craving for peace. Although Rain herself was interesting to read about, the other characters in the novel felt a little... faded. There wasn't much development and I struggled to visualise the world in which the story was set. This was also a women only tribe and the last 30 or so pages where Rain has to make a tough decision, was very hard to read. I did enjoy Rain's passion for horses though!
The Foretelling was a good introduction to Alice's writing style. This is a quick, standalone YA novel that follows the life of Rain. Rain has a big role ahead of her: Being the new queen of her Amazonian tribe. Her birth mother is the current queen but wants nothing to do with Rain's existence. She prepares for the biggest fights of her life, while also, craving for peace. Although Rain herself was interesting to read about, the other characters in the novel felt a little... faded. There wasn't much development and I struggled to visualise the world in which the story was set. This was also a women only tribe and the last 30 or so pages where Rain has to make a tough decision, was very hard to read. I did enjoy Rain's passion for horses though!
April 23, 2023
Inspired by the ancient Amazon culture where women rule, "The Foretelling," by Alice Hoffman is another wonderful, creative novel by this superb author.
"Rain," the queen-to be, is the daughter of the Queen of a large tribe of warrior women. The Queen, who was raped by fifty men, is impregnated and so Rain is the daughter of fifty men.
The warriors live in an area, which is never mentioned by name, but its landscape resembles that of Ukraine and Russia. They move their tent cities according to the seasons, they call their horses that they ride into battle against invading tribes of men, sisters. The men they kill are discarded, except for a couple who are drugged for a night and used to beget further generations of women. Afterwards, these men are allowed to go back to their tribes.
Rain is the narrator of the story and it is seen in her future by, priestess Deborah, that the future queen will face difficult decisions and those obstacles and challenges is what carries this story, at an amazing speed, to its finish.
This book is relatively short, but its questions, have befuddled the world since the beginning of time, such as the relationship between the animal world and humans, between nature and humans, between men and women, and if the world would be a more peaceful place if more women were in charged?
Simply put, a fast paced, exciting novel, by this amazingly prolific writer.
"Rain," the queen-to be, is the daughter of the Queen of a large tribe of warrior women. The Queen, who was raped by fifty men, is impregnated and so Rain is the daughter of fifty men.
The warriors live in an area, which is never mentioned by name, but its landscape resembles that of Ukraine and Russia. They move their tent cities according to the seasons, they call their horses that they ride into battle against invading tribes of men, sisters. The men they kill are discarded, except for a couple who are drugged for a night and used to beget further generations of women. Afterwards, these men are allowed to go back to their tribes.
Rain is the narrator of the story and it is seen in her future by, priestess Deborah, that the future queen will face difficult decisions and those obstacles and challenges is what carries this story, at an amazing speed, to its finish.
This book is relatively short, but its questions, have befuddled the world since the beginning of time, such as the relationship between the animal world and humans, between nature and humans, between men and women, and if the world would be a more peaceful place if more women were in charged?
Simply put, a fast paced, exciting novel, by this amazingly prolific writer.
June 28, 2010
The Foretelling has a wonderful premise with much mysticism and wonderfully strong women. But the narrative I found strange. While things are at times wonderfully described, I often felt like the story was being summarized for me.
I found each character intriguing, but was eventually disappointed as there seemed to be no growth in anyone but for the main character, Rain. I wanted to know more about Melek and his people, more about Deborah. There were tantalizing tidbits, but no actual depth or dimensionality, and very little background for anyone.
Essentially, I wanted to go deeper into this story, but it stopped short of taking me there.
One thing I must commend this story for is the female/female relationship. I noticed someone else saying that it was unnecessary, but I disagree. In a women-only culture, where men are objects to use and throw away, why should the women not understand love? I think it was a natural product of their society, and was happy with the way it was represented.
All in all I'm glad I read it, and it didn't bore me. It was a nice, quick little read.
I found each character intriguing, but was eventually disappointed as there seemed to be no growth in anyone but for the main character, Rain. I wanted to know more about Melek and his people, more about Deborah. There were tantalizing tidbits, but no actual depth or dimensionality, and very little background for anyone.
Essentially, I wanted to go deeper into this story, but it stopped short of taking me there.
One thing I must commend this story for is the female/female relationship. I noticed someone else saying that it was unnecessary, but I disagree. In a women-only culture, where men are objects to use and throw away, why should the women not understand love? I think it was a natural product of their society, and was happy with the way it was represented.
All in all I'm glad I read it, and it didn't bore me. It was a nice, quick little read.
January 25, 2009
Rain is born to her mother out of sorrow. Rather than a joyous event, her birth marks the permanence of the attack her mother suffered caught alone out on the fields. The Priestesses tell Rain she has the strength of all 50 men, but the consolation means little to her, as her mother the Queen will not speak to her.
As queen-to-be of a fierce Amazon tribe, Rain seeks to know all, and excel. She rides her horse until they become one. She rescues a bear cub, and learns to ride it as well. But in seeking to be something she is not, and letting the bear believe it is something it is not, she brings only sorrow upon herself.
As Rain enters her teens her mother takes up with a woman rescued from a battle. She is surprised to find that her mother can love. The captured woman's daughter, Io, takes to following Rain about. No matter how cruel Rain is to her, Io is only kind in return, loving her as a sister. Soon Rain comes to know that she is a sister, and regrets all the harsh words she spoke.
As Rain continues to grow, she becomes more and more defiant. Breaking rules, searching for herself, trying to find her way, fearing what is to come. Before she has found her answers, her mother is lost in battle. As her most recent child was a boy, not a girl, the Queenship falls to Rain. Some of the tribe do not believe her capable. Seeking to kill her in her sleep, the traitors murder Io instead, as Rain had left already on her journey to bring her brother to his own people.
An interesting look at what life might have been amongst this people. No fathers, no boys, feirce spirits and traditions, but also an understand that eventually change must come.
As queen-to-be of a fierce Amazon tribe, Rain seeks to know all, and excel. She rides her horse until they become one. She rescues a bear cub, and learns to ride it as well. But in seeking to be something she is not, and letting the bear believe it is something it is not, she brings only sorrow upon herself.
As Rain enters her teens her mother takes up with a woman rescued from a battle. She is surprised to find that her mother can love. The captured woman's daughter, Io, takes to following Rain about. No matter how cruel Rain is to her, Io is only kind in return, loving her as a sister. Soon Rain comes to know that she is a sister, and regrets all the harsh words she spoke.
As Rain continues to grow, she becomes more and more defiant. Breaking rules, searching for herself, trying to find her way, fearing what is to come. Before she has found her answers, her mother is lost in battle. As her most recent child was a boy, not a girl, the Queenship falls to Rain. Some of the tribe do not believe her capable. Seeking to kill her in her sleep, the traitors murder Io instead, as Rain had left already on her journey to bring her brother to his own people.
An interesting look at what life might have been amongst this people. No fathers, no boys, feirce spirits and traditions, but also an understand that eventually change must come.
April 5, 2017
Este libro breve es una cosa rarísima. Una narración hermosa, hipnótica y lírica, con el tono y el ritmo que uno se imagina propio de las leyendas antiguas. De las leyendas BIEN antiguas, esas que se contaban alrededor de una hoguera y que fueron sentando las bases de lo que hoy somos.
Es difícil de explicar, porque en el libro pasan o se insinúan un montón de cosas terribles pero, aun así, sigue siendo hermoso. En mi percepción, esta es una historia que le habla a uno —quizás más todavía si se trata de “una”— a un nivel al que ya no estamos tan acostumbrados: un nivel que está más allá de las palabras, más cerca del instinto. Allá donde se acepta que son las pérdidas y las penas las que nos construyen. Donde lo efímero es lo eterno, y lo mítico y lo simbólico son parte de lo cotidiano. Un susurro cariñoso a esa parte que queda de lo que hace miles de años fuimos y, por lo visto, todavía sobrevive, debajo de toda la supuesta civilización que tratamos de arrojarle encima y que, irónicamente, nos tiene bastante perdidos.
Admito que las sensaciones que me despertó esta novela fueron muy inesperadas: en The Foretelling, para mí, todo fue como debía ser y me resultó perfecta en su sencillez, capaz de arrastrarme como lectora a algo que se sentía casi como un trance. Algo bien complejo de poner en palabras, pero definitivamente maravilloso.
Sé que este no es el tipo de reseñas que acostumbro hacer pero preferí quedarme con las sensaciones. Porque es allí donde se percibe la experiencia única que es este libro. Una experiencia muy recomendable, en especial para el lector perceptivo y humilde de espíritu. Ese que acerca a las historias con el corazón abierto a las más extrañas formas de poesía.
Es difícil de explicar, porque en el libro pasan o se insinúan un montón de cosas terribles pero, aun así, sigue siendo hermoso. En mi percepción, esta es una historia que le habla a uno —quizás más todavía si se trata de “una”— a un nivel al que ya no estamos tan acostumbrados: un nivel que está más allá de las palabras, más cerca del instinto. Allá donde se acepta que son las pérdidas y las penas las que nos construyen. Donde lo efímero es lo eterno, y lo mítico y lo simbólico son parte de lo cotidiano. Un susurro cariñoso a esa parte que queda de lo que hace miles de años fuimos y, por lo visto, todavía sobrevive, debajo de toda la supuesta civilización que tratamos de arrojarle encima y que, irónicamente, nos tiene bastante perdidos.
Admito que las sensaciones que me despertó esta novela fueron muy inesperadas: en The Foretelling, para mí, todo fue como debía ser y me resultó perfecta en su sencillez, capaz de arrastrarme como lectora a algo que se sentía casi como un trance. Algo bien complejo de poner en palabras, pero definitivamente maravilloso.
Sé que este no es el tipo de reseñas que acostumbro hacer pero preferí quedarme con las sensaciones. Porque es allí donde se percibe la experiencia única que es este libro. Una experiencia muy recomendable, en especial para el lector perceptivo y humilde de espíritu. Ese que acerca a las historias con el corazón abierto a las más extrañas formas de poesía.
July 1, 2022
Hoffman here gives us a poetic retelling of the myths surrounding the warrior tribe of Amazonian women, in particular the coming of age of Rain, and her acceptance and assumption of her authority and reign as Queen of the Amazons, leading them into a new life.
Rain is born of sorrow, ignored by her mother the Queen. She is raised by the tribe and struggles with identity and belonging. Ultimately she embraces her differences, history and strength, thus able to meet her destiny.
This retelling was well-written and conceptualized. It was just lovely.
Rain is born of sorrow, ignored by her mother the Queen. She is raised by the tribe and struggles with identity and belonging. Ultimately she embraces her differences, history and strength, thus able to meet her destiny.
This retelling was well-written and conceptualized. It was just lovely.
March 15, 2020
I have a category I invented (I think) called Historical Fantasy. This is when history is changed to add elements that weren't there. For instance, Laura Anderson's wonderful trilogy or sextet, or what would have happened if Anne Boleyn's son, would have lived, and Elizabeth still got to be queen? And like in the Book of Esther, where during some fictionalized early war, Golem's rose in the earth to help fight the Jewish cause. This feels to me like it sits in the same category. We don't know much about the time of the Amazon women warriors, but this society and world that has been created, well we really have no idea how or what they lived by. Its not quite history or fantasy. Its historical fiction, I think......
Many of you know Alice Hoffman is one of my favorite, if not my absolute favorite authors. I love everything she writes and I find her soulful and spiritual. And when I talk about magic being done the right way, I am often talking about her - and how it fits with the spiritual story being driven. I also love about her, the fact that she has range. That she writes for YA, for general bestseller, book to movie, she write historical fiction. Always exploring an interesting theme. This is more of a YA fantasized world book, but I still love how she manages to do "her thing" even when she writes a shopping list. Still and almost for always, The Dovekeepers and the Marriage of Opposites remains the books I pull when someone says what is your favorite book? She has a talent that is truly unique and special. I often tell the story, that I never click on long videos, have never seen a podcast, but somehow years back, when I was watching my kid in a playspace on a busy day by myself, for a quick hour, I managed to watch the entire interview of Alice Hoffman interviewing Jodi Piccoult.
I know they are friends and often lunch together, and how I would love to be either a fly on the wall or lunch with them - my heroines and spiritual best friens. And as I always say when I review her books, that I am her best and top fan, and if she comes into the Waban Starbucks - her coffee is on me. Not because I am a barista, simply because its the place I often sneak out to read, and that I often talk books with people there. I will buy her lunch or dinner or breakfast wherever we cross paths.
Now for the book, and I guess for the purposes of a specific challenge, I'd better refer to horses. In this fictionalized early time of the Amazon Women Warriors, their society exists of only women. Which of course immediately begs the question of how are the daughters born? But this book follows Rain, daughter of the queen and queen to be. But it tells the timeless tale, of a girl meant for greatness, who does not feel her mother's love or pride in her. In this society, the women and the horses are blended. The horse sisters are a part of their being and breath, and are embedded as a part of their very existence. It is a tale of women, of horses, of mothers and daughters, of prophecy, of coming of age, of what it means to be queen, and of love versus war. That's a mouthful for the lady who does not like to give spoilers of any kind, and for a book that was only 167 pages long. Less if you count elaborate chapter breaks.
Want to say also, that Kelly and I read this 'together' this month, and I really loved your review, Kelly. Happy to talk more about it, but there might not be that much more to say. I hope we read a lot of books together this year. We both chose it for the unofficial Trim challenge as an emergency substitution for number 22. I have really loved sharing with you all on Goodreads. Now - should you read it? If it calls to you, if its up your alley, enjoy.....
Many of you know Alice Hoffman is one of my favorite, if not my absolute favorite authors. I love everything she writes and I find her soulful and spiritual. And when I talk about magic being done the right way, I am often talking about her - and how it fits with the spiritual story being driven. I also love about her, the fact that she has range. That she writes for YA, for general bestseller, book to movie, she write historical fiction. Always exploring an interesting theme. This is more of a YA fantasized world book, but I still love how she manages to do "her thing" even when she writes a shopping list. Still and almost for always, The Dovekeepers and the Marriage of Opposites remains the books I pull when someone says what is your favorite book? She has a talent that is truly unique and special. I often tell the story, that I never click on long videos, have never seen a podcast, but somehow years back, when I was watching my kid in a playspace on a busy day by myself, for a quick hour, I managed to watch the entire interview of Alice Hoffman interviewing Jodi Piccoult.
I know they are friends and often lunch together, and how I would love to be either a fly on the wall or lunch with them - my heroines and spiritual best friens. And as I always say when I review her books, that I am her best and top fan, and if she comes into the Waban Starbucks - her coffee is on me. Not because I am a barista, simply because its the place I often sneak out to read, and that I often talk books with people there. I will buy her lunch or dinner or breakfast wherever we cross paths.
Now for the book, and I guess for the purposes of a specific challenge, I'd better refer to horses. In this fictionalized early time of the Amazon Women Warriors, their society exists of only women. Which of course immediately begs the question of how are the daughters born? But this book follows Rain, daughter of the queen and queen to be. But it tells the timeless tale, of a girl meant for greatness, who does not feel her mother's love or pride in her. In this society, the women and the horses are blended. The horse sisters are a part of their being and breath, and are embedded as a part of their very existence. It is a tale of women, of horses, of mothers and daughters, of prophecy, of coming of age, of what it means to be queen, and of love versus war. That's a mouthful for the lady who does not like to give spoilers of any kind, and for a book that was only 167 pages long. Less if you count elaborate chapter breaks.
Want to say also, that Kelly and I read this 'together' this month, and I really loved your review, Kelly. Happy to talk more about it, but there might not be that much more to say. I hope we read a lot of books together this year. We both chose it for the unofficial Trim challenge as an emergency substitution for number 22. I have really loved sharing with you all on Goodreads. Now - should you read it? If it calls to you, if its up your alley, enjoy.....
April 7, 2010
Rain is an Amazon and the result of a 50 men pile up upon her mother so it is no great surprise that her mother, the queen, chooses to ignore her presence. That doesn't stop Rain from trying to be the best warrior, rider, and queen in training she can be tho.
She kills men, rides bears, experiences love and loss both while struggling to gain her mother's affections. By the time her mother shows her kindness tho, it may be too late. If her mother will not accept her as a queen, how can Rain expect the tribe of women warriors to accept and follow her? She has much to prove. Her ideas slightly defer from the other Amazons and this could cause some friction.
I enjoyed this story. It was a quick read and very thorough as far as showing the lives of the Amazons, their war methods, their missing breasts, their love of horses, and their festivals. I had one issue that prevents it from hitting the five star mark: no quotation marks. Granted, everything spoken was in italics, but the lack of real conversation was odd and I found myself disliking that aspect.
Still a good read tho and I do recommend it to those interested in the Amazons.
She kills men, rides bears, experiences love and loss both while struggling to gain her mother's affections. By the time her mother shows her kindness tho, it may be too late. If her mother will not accept her as a queen, how can Rain expect the tribe of women warriors to accept and follow her? She has much to prove. Her ideas slightly defer from the other Amazons and this could cause some friction.
I enjoyed this story. It was a quick read and very thorough as far as showing the lives of the Amazons, their war methods, their missing breasts, their love of horses, and their festivals. I had one issue that prevents it from hitting the five star mark: no quotation marks. Granted, everything spoken was in italics, but the lack of real conversation was odd and I found myself disliking that aspect.
Still a good read tho and I do recommend it to those interested in the Amazons.
August 3, 2012
I loved this book, loved the writing, the characters and the imagery.
A bit different to my usual fare: although this is a story about Amazon women - and they certainly are immensely strong in physical prowess, will power and determination - it is a story about seeking peace, redemption, love and balance.
This book does have implied and recollected scenes of significant horror - gang rapes and sexual slavery - which were just bearable for this wussy reviewer, but more importantly, may be themes too strong for younger readers.
The writing, the world, the characters and images are so unusual and so beautiful, this book plunges us into an indelible experience. The sense of space, of landscape and long ago, of the importance and intimacy of a few other people, and the struggle to investigate and embrace newness and change, are rendered with truth and insight.
Beautiful.
A bit different to my usual fare: although this is a story about Amazon women - and they certainly are immensely strong in physical prowess, will power and determination - it is a story about seeking peace, redemption, love and balance.
This book does have implied and recollected scenes of significant horror - gang rapes and sexual slavery - which were just bearable for this wussy reviewer, but more importantly, may be themes too strong for younger readers.
The writing, the world, the characters and images are so unusual and so beautiful, this book plunges us into an indelible experience. The sense of space, of landscape and long ago, of the importance and intimacy of a few other people, and the struggle to investigate and embrace newness and change, are rendered with truth and insight.
Beautiful.
April 8, 2020
A lot of story is packed into this novella. These are the Amazons from a thoughtful emotion-packed perspective.
March 27, 2017
THOUGHTS:
This is a beautiful and powerful story of feminism.
The main character is Rain, and this story is her discovering who she is and what it means to be a leader of her Amazonian tribe.
She faces many trials in her lifetime. She yearns for a connection with her distant mother, strives to be the best warrior, and struggles to feel a part of the whole. She experiences loss, love and betrayal and each shapes and molds her into a strong, intelligent woman worthy of leading her people.
I don't want to go into a lot of detail about what happens because it is a short story and I worry anything I say will be spoilers. I really feel this is story each person must experience for themselves. I don't think it matters what your usual genre is either, everyone can enjoy this story if they like strong, independent women. I will say that the romance, if you can even call it that, is very small in this story and not the main theme.
I am so glad that I re-read this book and I plan to do the same in the future. If I was to describe it I would say that it was inspiring, moving, and raw, yet that doesn't quite capture it at all.
I highly recommend it and I look forward to reading more of Alice Hoffman's work.
This is a beautiful and powerful story of feminism.
The main character is Rain, and this story is her discovering who she is and what it means to be a leader of her Amazonian tribe.
She faces many trials in her lifetime. She yearns for a connection with her distant mother, strives to be the best warrior, and struggles to feel a part of the whole. She experiences loss, love and betrayal and each shapes and molds her into a strong, intelligent woman worthy of leading her people.
I don't want to go into a lot of detail about what happens because it is a short story and I worry anything I say will be spoilers. I really feel this is story each person must experience for themselves. I don't think it matters what your usual genre is either, everyone can enjoy this story if they like strong, independent women. I will say that the romance, if you can even call it that, is very small in this story and not the main theme.
I am so glad that I re-read this book and I plan to do the same in the future. If I was to describe it I would say that it was inspiring, moving, and raw, yet that doesn't quite capture it at all.
I highly recommend it and I look forward to reading more of Alice Hoffman's work.
November 9, 2011
Carol brought this to me along with another Alice Hoffman book, as she is prone to doing from time to time, bless her. I've never read Hoffman but gather that she tells a good love story, so I decided to start with the short, lyrical, young adult book about Amazon warriors who only keep their male captives around when they feel like procreating. The writing was skillful and evocative, and I'm grateful that it didn't devolve into a love story about the warrior heiress who ends up finding her softer side with a man. It is far more a real love story among women, their familial and cultural loyalties, and I wish there were more portrayals of that kind of female relationship in the collective or literary conscience.
May 13, 2009
Women who war against men, slice off a breast so they may become better archers, like black widow spiders, carry on the population with drug induced orgies that often end in the death of their mates, is hard to accept. But, when one considers the fact that women are routinely raped, beaten and mutilated in third world countries and even here in the U.S. it does seem fitting that women should take on the face of the warrior. The heroine Rain, a child of rape, is born into sorrow. In this richly imagined coming of age story she achieves self-actualization, female empowerment and acceptance of self—life lessons we all must learn, male or female.
www.LindaBallouAuthor.com
www.LindaBallouAuthor.com
July 4, 2016
AMAZING!!!
Women warriors.
Girl Power.
Feminism.
The Amazon tribe.
Horses.
Bears.
Tradition.
Killing.
War.
Sorrow.
Adulthood.
Women warriors.
Girl Power.
Feminism.
The Amazon tribe.
Horses.
Bears.
Tradition.
Killing.
War.
Sorrow.
Adulthood.
Read
December 21, 2021I love Hoffman, and this book is an incredible disappointment — and the literalization of this association between heterosexuality, “growing up,” and the idea of mature and moral decision-making. I’m not going to go further into it than that, but suffice it to say, the book I began reading was not the disappointing reinscription of cisheteronormativity that I ended up with.
April 13, 2021
A true coming of age novel and even though it’s labeled as young adult it reads more like middle-grade fiction.
January 3, 2021
So good and too short.
November 13, 2012
Reviewed by Me for TeensReadToo.com
In this intense yet complicated fantasy story, Rain attempts to gain her mother's notice and acceptance by being the best of warriors in their Amazonian tribe. The product of a rape when her mother, Alina, wasn't much more than a child herself, it is hard to gain the Queen's approval. Although Rain knows that she's been raised by Deborah, the wise priestess, to one day be Queen herself, she also pays attention to Deborah's promises of a much grander destiny.
Rain doesn't totally understand the Queen's desire to so thoroughly destroy her enemies, even though her own cousins, Astella and Asteria, are two of the fiercest warriors in the tribe. When Alina takes Penthe as her companion, and Penthe's daughter Io seeks to be Rain's sister, matters become even more complicated. Rain wants nothing more than to ride her horse, Sky, to garner her mother's approval, to earn the place as rightful Queen that will someday come upon her.
On her first journey alone, Rain comes upon a bear cub, which she takes back to camp. She names him Usha, and together with Io the two girls raise the cub as if he were a horse. Although Rain and Io soon discover the mistake of doing so, it's too late--Usha is killed in battle, and Rain still doesn't have the love and acceptance of her mother.
THE FORETELLING is a coming-of-age story set in a fantastical land of the Amazons. Rain is a compelling character who, although she tries so hard to be vicious and fierce like her fellow tribe-members, always leans more towards peace for all men and compassion towards her enemies.
Not to be missed by lovers of fantasy stories!
In this intense yet complicated fantasy story, Rain attempts to gain her mother's notice and acceptance by being the best of warriors in their Amazonian tribe. The product of a rape when her mother, Alina, wasn't much more than a child herself, it is hard to gain the Queen's approval. Although Rain knows that she's been raised by Deborah, the wise priestess, to one day be Queen herself, she also pays attention to Deborah's promises of a much grander destiny.
Rain doesn't totally understand the Queen's desire to so thoroughly destroy her enemies, even though her own cousins, Astella and Asteria, are two of the fiercest warriors in the tribe. When Alina takes Penthe as her companion, and Penthe's daughter Io seeks to be Rain's sister, matters become even more complicated. Rain wants nothing more than to ride her horse, Sky, to garner her mother's approval, to earn the place as rightful Queen that will someday come upon her.
On her first journey alone, Rain comes upon a bear cub, which she takes back to camp. She names him Usha, and together with Io the two girls raise the cub as if he were a horse. Although Rain and Io soon discover the mistake of doing so, it's too late--Usha is killed in battle, and Rain still doesn't have the love and acceptance of her mother.
THE FORETELLING is a coming-of-age story set in a fantastical land of the Amazons. Rain is a compelling character who, although she tries so hard to be vicious and fierce like her fellow tribe-members, always leans more towards peace for all men and compassion towards her enemies.
Not to be missed by lovers of fantasy stories!
February 11, 2020
"I knew that I was made of sorrow. But sorrow is strong. It is lasting. You can't deny it or get rid of it.
I was made out of rain, but nothing could bind me.
Nothing could stop me from being who I was meant to be all along.
I originally picked up this book because it was supposed to be a tale about Amazon women... but it just turned out to be one of the most boring, stream of consciousness books I have picked up in a long time. Even when there was action, it felt like nothing happened and like I was reading through a haze or something. I couldn't connect with or care about anyone in this entire thing, and I would have DNFed it had it not been so short.
September 3, 2020
This book is so amazing. The writing is incredible. I loved every minute of it. Rain goes from a sad unwanted child to a glorious and rightful queen. She has to learn her place among her people and within herself. She finds home, a sister, a brother, and a new love. The Foretelling was GREAT!!
November 29, 2017
Beautiful writing. Loved the subject matter. Wanted more.
February 17, 2020
Powerful story of the strength of women. " I was born out of sorrow, so my mother named me Rain. "
January 14, 2021
This was a different type of book for me. About inner strength. I enjoyed it.
March 9, 2022
This is the story of Rain, Amazon warrior Queen who is tasked with forging a new way for her people. Her story is told in first person, and reading it feels like being in her head. We see what she sees. We think what she thinks. We feel what she feels. Full of symbolic meaning and the strength of women, and in this case the women of the Steppes, it feels especially relevant regarding current events (yesterday was the International Day of Women, and the war in Ukraine is raging on with the Ukrainians holding back the Russian terrorists). Synchronicity.
August 29, 2019
So fun to read one of my favorite authors! This is a YA novel, so the story centers on a young girl's destiny, her relationship to her mother, and to her all female tribe. The men who attack them call them Amazonians.
I know that this was well researched because I have read accounts of the discovery of burial grounds where women were accompanied in death with their weapons - see https://www.nationalgeographic.com/ne...
Many of the descriptions of how these nomadic people lived are found in Hoffman's book.
But beyond the insights into the Amazonian society, Hoffman weaves an intriguing story with her typical magical realism - which serves to almost make everything believable!
I know that this was well researched because I have read accounts of the discovery of burial grounds where women were accompanied in death with their weapons - see https://www.nationalgeographic.com/ne...
Many of the descriptions of how these nomadic people lived are found in Hoffman's book.
But beyond the insights into the Amazonian society, Hoffman weaves an intriguing story with her typical magical realism - which serves to almost make everything believable!
June 28, 2021
I like Alice Hoffman's books and this one's title intrigued me to read it, however, I think it is meant for young readers. It's theme is about the myth of the Amazons and how they and their culture evolved. It concentrates on a young girl and her progression to become Queen. It is slightly mystical but in my opinion it is not exciting enough for adult readers.
May 29, 2021
I normally don't like shorter books because they usually leave me wanting. Alice Hoffman did not do that. There is so much emotion and depth to this story. I was completely captivated by Rain and the rest of her Amazon tribe.
August 31, 2019
The Foretelling
Well written as always from Ms Hoffman. It’s a difficult book for me to review. Rain’s story begins as the book ends but her coming of age is powerful. I wanted more but understand why it ended as she became queen.
Well written as always from Ms Hoffman. It’s a difficult book for me to review. Rain’s story begins as the book ends but her coming of age is powerful. I wanted more but understand why it ended as she became queen.
June 5, 2021
I loved every page of this book. Poetic, vivid, enchanting.
September 9, 2019
Despite Hoffman’s elegant prose, this feminist/lesbian story comes off as a so-there counter punch to the Taliban ideology. What would a primitive tribe of women be like? Would they devalue men as mere slaves and sperm donors? I prefer Hoffman’s other works.
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