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The Oracle Prophecies #2
The Sphere of Secrets
The fate of his world rests in his hands Young Alexos is now officially the Archon. But political corruption and a deadly drought still tear at the heart of the Two Lands. Together with his friends Mirany, Seth, and Oblek, Alexos sets out to save his people. He realizes that the key lies at the Well of Songs -- a place from which no one has ever returned. With only an ancient map written on a silver sphere to guide him, Alexos must embark on his perilous journey to right an ancient wrong, before it is too late.
368 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2003
15 people are currently reading
807 people want to read
About the author
Catherine Fisher
64 books1,611 followersCatherine Fisher was born in Newport, Wales. She graduated from the University of Wales with a degree in English and a fascination for myth and history. She has worked in education and archaeology and as a lecturer in creative writing at the University of Glamorgan. She is a Fellow of the Welsh Academy.
Catherine is an acclaimed poet and novelist, regularly lecturing and giving readings to groups of all ages. She leads sessions for teachers and librarians and is an experienced broadcaster and adjudicator. She lives in Newport, Gwent.
Catherine has won many awards and much critical acclaim for her work. Her poetry has appeared in leading periodicals and anthologies and her volume Immrama won the WAC Young Writers' Prize. She won the Cardiff International Poetry Competition in 1990.
Her first novel, The Conjuror's Game, was shortlisted for the Smarties Books prize and The Snow-Walker's Son for the W.H.Smith Award. Equally acclaimed is her quartet The Book of the Crow, a classic of fantasy fiction.
The Oracle, the first volume in the Oracle trilogy, blends Egyptian and Greek elements of magic and adventure and was shortlisted for the Whitbread Children's Books prize. The trilogy was an international bestseller and has appeared in over twenty languages. The Candleman won the Welsh Books Council's Tir Na n'Og Prize and Catherine was also shortlisted for the remarkable Corbenic, a modern re-inventing of the Grail legend.
Her futuristic novel Incarceron was published to widespread praise in 2007, winning the Mythopoeic Society of America's Children's Fiction Award and selected by The Times as its Children's Book of the Year. The sequel, Sapphique, was published in September 2008.
Catherine is an acclaimed poet and novelist, regularly lecturing and giving readings to groups of all ages. She leads sessions for teachers and librarians and is an experienced broadcaster and adjudicator. She lives in Newport, Gwent.
Catherine has won many awards and much critical acclaim for her work. Her poetry has appeared in leading periodicals and anthologies and her volume Immrama won the WAC Young Writers' Prize. She won the Cardiff International Poetry Competition in 1990.
Her first novel, The Conjuror's Game, was shortlisted for the Smarties Books prize and The Snow-Walker's Son for the W.H.Smith Award. Equally acclaimed is her quartet The Book of the Crow, a classic of fantasy fiction.
The Oracle, the first volume in the Oracle trilogy, blends Egyptian and Greek elements of magic and adventure and was shortlisted for the Whitbread Children's Books prize. The trilogy was an international bestseller and has appeared in over twenty languages. The Candleman won the Welsh Books Council's Tir Na n'Og Prize and Catherine was also shortlisted for the remarkable Corbenic, a modern re-inventing of the Grail legend.
Her futuristic novel Incarceron was published to widespread praise in 2007, winning the Mythopoeic Society of America's Children's Fiction Award and selected by The Times as its Children's Book of the Year. The sequel, Sapphique, was published in September 2008.
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November 17, 2019Dnf 20...en sevmediğim olayı yapmış yazar ,1.kitapta final yapılmamış olaylar yaşanmamış gibi 2.kitaba başlamış. ...
June 7, 2016
Brilliant. Simply brilliant. Review to come.
May 26, 2011
I'm doing a quick review on this:
1. Basically, in the book, everything is going wrong, even though it's supposed to be right.
2. It was like the first one, I'd say, with just a few different problems:
- The drought has not ended. All of our important friends are distracted, and only Mirany can see that something is really wrong.
- Alexos is still being plotted against, which is why he heads to find the Well to give the land water again, following the directions of the Sphere of Secrets.
- Oblek has lost his music, and, it seems, his mind. He has to be on the watch, with the witty Jackal right behind him.
- Seth has been offered an interesting job - his loyalty is questioned by everyone, especially himself.
3. Through it all, the same old themes are explored - loyalty, power, and belief.
4. A lot of mythology in here, again.
5. It ends with more of a bang than the first one - big things happen and we have a huge cliffhanger!
6. It wasn't as pulling as the first, but, like I mentioned, it had a big ending, so I'll be looking out for the sequel.
1. Basically, in the book, everything is going wrong, even though it's supposed to be right.
2. It was like the first one, I'd say, with just a few different problems:
- The drought has not ended. All of our important friends are distracted, and only Mirany can see that something is really wrong.
- Alexos is still being plotted against, which is why he heads to find the Well to give the land water again, following the directions of the Sphere of Secrets.
- Oblek has lost his music, and, it seems, his mind. He has to be on the watch, with the witty Jackal right behind him.
- Seth has been offered an interesting job - his loyalty is questioned by everyone, especially himself.
3. Through it all, the same old themes are explored - loyalty, power, and belief.
4. A lot of mythology in here, again.
5. It ends with more of a bang than the first one - big things happen and we have a huge cliffhanger!
6. It wasn't as pulling as the first, but, like I mentioned, it had a big ending, so I'll be looking out for the sequel.
July 12, 2015
I'm glad that the author used this book to flesh out the characters and setting she introduced in the first book. The added details gave life to the story. As for the story itself, it could get a little outlandish at times. The entire plot goes somewhat like this: "Mirany's up to her eyeballs in treachery, and Seth teams up with two thieves, a drunk musician, and a god to retrieve some stars." Even though it sounds completely ridiculous on paper, it works brilliantly as a story.
I only had two complaints. One, the constant treachery that I mentioned earlier. At one point Mirany herself complains, "Do we all have to be plotting against one another?". Like her, I'm a peacekeeper, so I admire the fact that she was able to keep her head throughout all of this. My second complaint is much more serious: one of the central characters gets murdered. They weren't admirable, but I feel like their death is going to unleash mayhem. I'm approaching the third book with a morbid curiosity; hopefully the aftermath won't be as chaotic as I'm imagining that it will be.
I only had two complaints. One, the constant treachery that I mentioned earlier. At one point Mirany herself complains, "Do we all have to be plotting against one another?". Like her, I'm a peacekeeper, so I admire the fact that she was able to keep her head throughout all of this. My second complaint is much more serious: one of the central characters gets murdered. They weren't admirable, but I feel like their death is going to unleash mayhem. I'm approaching the third book with a morbid curiosity; hopefully the aftermath won't be as chaotic as I'm imagining that it will be.
October 1, 2007
Just as engrossing as The Oracle Betrayed. I particularly like the way solving one problem doesn't magically fix everything for the characters - they struggle along with their character flaws and their adversaries, doing the best they can. Another twist at the end has me (again) looking forward to the next one. So far a solid series.
December 28, 2008
Really really intriguing idea, but unfortunately not a terribly intriguing author. If only Neil Gaiman had written this book...
May 5, 2016
Okurken biraz sıkıldım yine de güzeldi.
May 18, 2024
Meilleur que le premier tome. De bonnes idées mais pas la meilleure réalisation.
February 11, 2022
I rated “Sphere of Secrets” by Catherine Fisher a 3 star. It wasn’t what I expected, but there were definitely a couple parts that I enjoyed. The chapters were quite long at some points, and there were times where I couldn’t follow the story-line. In the book, it followed two scenarios, each with a different character's point of view. The constant switching of settings was a good refresh, but it made me forget what happened where and with who. When the plot twist happened, the build up prior to it gave away what could’ve happened, and what did, ultimately happen. I gave the book a 3 star rating for those reasons, and for another being that it felt like a chore to read. I hadn’t grown attachments to the characters so the book wasn’t as interesting to me. The book, being in the fantasy genre, allows the reader to immerse themselves into this whole new world, and just escape from reality for a short time. It’s an important thing to keep your imaginative side alive, and this book excels in that. I myself would not read another book by this author, unless the subject of it really got my attention.
January 7, 2009
Even better than the first book (which was good). Fisher writes a compelling fantasy here. My only complaint (and it's minor) is that when she runs parallel stories (i.e., two characters in different parts of the world), she jumps between their stories too quickly, sometimes two or three times in a chapter. I find this disconcerting, and I wish she had devoted a chapter to each storyline, or at least half a chapter. It DOES keep you on the edge of your seat, however, since each little episode ends with a cliffhanger.
January 30, 2024
İlk kitabını geçen yıl bitirdiğim Oracle serisinin bir kaç kere başlayıp başlayıp yarıda bıraktığım ve sonunda büyük bir azimle bu ay ikinci kitabını tamamladığım Çöl kitabı ile ay sonunu getirmiş bulunuyorum. Önceki kitapta başlayan macera doğal olarak bu kitapta da hüküm sürdü ve önceki kitabı biraz sıkılarak okuduğum için bu kitapta bir şeylerin açılmasını da bekledim. Nitekim öyle de oldu fakat seri hakkında hala karmaşık fikirlerim var. Zaten Pegasus bu seriyi nasıl basmış onu da hiç anlamadım, bir sürü popüler seriyi yarıda bırakan bu yayınevi, Goodreads'de bile bin küsür rating alan bir seriyi nasıl çevirmiş, şaşırdım doğrusu. Fakat edindiğim bu serinin içinde yolculuğa çıkma fikri de benim geçen seneden beri hedefimdi. İkinci kitabını şimdi okuyabildim ama üçüncü ve son kitabı için çok zaman koymayı düşünmüyorum araya.
İlk kitapta Mirany adında bir baş karakterimiz vardı ve kendisi Dokuzlar adı verilen, rahibelerden oluşuyor diye sayılabilecek meclisin önemli bir elemanı. Rahibe derken tabii bu evrendeki din için öyle. Zaten kurmaca bir evrende geçse de Antik Mısır taraflarını anımsatıyor kitap bizlere. Orta Doğu iklimi gibi, sıcak ve kavurucu çöller var. Susuzluk var ve ilkel yöntemler ön planda. Mirany ilk kitapta Archon adı verilen Tanrı'ya en yakın ünvan olan yöneticinin küçük bir çocuk olması ile o çocuğa hem yol arkadaşlığı yapıyor hem de onun amacına ulaşması ve tüm ülkece onun tanınması için ona rehberlik ediyor. Bu yolda onun karşısında olan bir sürü insan var. İlk kitapta bunları biraz alt edip, ülkeyi ve olayların amacını okumuştuk. Bu kitapta ise ilk kitapta karşımıza çıkan tüm yan karakterler bir araya geliyor ve bu yeni Archon ile zorlu bir seyahate çıkarak onunla emin adımlarla ilerliyor. Bu yeni Archon, gittiği her yerde artık hatırı sayılır bir kitleye ulaştığı için herkesin bir anda umudu haline geliyor ve insanlar kıtlıkla, susuzlukla ve fakirlikle mücadele ederken onlara kurtarıcıları olma sözü veriyor. Bu noktada da Yağmur Kraliçesi'ne adaklar adayarak bu susuz topraklara yağmur yağdırmayı hedefliyorlar. Bu doğrultuda hem kendi adağını yerine getirmek için hem de bu görevi Archon olarak kendisi ve arkadaşları ile yapması için büyük bir yolculuğa çıkıyorlar. Şarkı Kuyusu adı verilen yere giden bu ekip yolda bir çok belayla mücadele ederken, bir çok entrikaya da maruz kalıyorlar. Bir yandan da Mirany, peşlerinden gelen tehlikeye karşı bu ekibi uyarmaya çalışırken istemsiz bir şekilde hepsi birbiriyle aynı amaç doğrultusunda ilerleyen yol arkadaşları haline geliyorlar. Bu Mısır Mitolojisi'ni anımsatan evrende yeni Archon kendi uygarlığını kurmaya çalışırken bütün belalarla da arkadaşları sayesinde mücadele ediyor ve bu devam kitabında da biz de onlarla birlikte bu Şarkı Kuyusu'na gittikleri yolda yolculuk ediyoruz.
Bir devam kitabı olduğu için doğal olarak ilk kitabı okumayan birinin bu kitaptan pek bir şey anlayacağı söylenemez. Ben de ilk kitabı geçen sene okuduğum için bazı noktaları unutmuş olsam da karakterler tekrar tekrar karşıma çıktıkça bir çok şeyi hatırlar oldum. Bir iki karakter dışında hep ilk kitaptaki karakterler ile karşılaştık fakat artık bu karakterlerin farklı farklı yerlerde kalması onların arasındaki bağları beklediğimden daha yavaş ilerletti. Mesela eminim ki bu kitabı okuyan herkes Mirany ve Seth karakterlerinin geleceklerini merak ediyordur ama bu kitapta son kısımlar hariç neredeyse bir araya gelemediler. Tıpkı Game of Thrones izliyormuş gibi hissettirdi bu kitap bana. Herkes bir amaç doğrultusunda ilerliyor ama birbirlerinin yanında değil hiçbiri. Böyle olunca da bir bölüm içinde bile çok kez bir o karaktere bir bu karaktere gidip duruyoruz. Bunun dışında kitap oldukça akıcıydı, şu sıralar çok vakit ayıramadığım için bu kadar uzun sürdü kitabı okuması, yoksa bir oturuşta yüz sayfa okunacak derecede bir akıcılığı var kitabın. Hele ki ilk kitaba göre daha yolda geçen bir olay örgüsü olduğu için çok daha maceralı bir kitaptı. Fakat yine de eksik şeyler bu kitapta da devam etti. Öncelikle her ne kadar akıcı bir dil ve hızlı okunan bir kitap olsa da kitap kendi atmosferini ve verdiği havayı çok özümseyemiyor bence. Olay örgüsü ve ana metin bu ortama göre sönük kalıyor. Çok basit bir konuyu güzelce dallandırıp budaklandırarak muhteşem kurgular çıkarılabilecek yerde çok klişe, dümdüz şeyler okuyoruz. Bir de karakterler de ilk kitaba göre daha stabil kalıyor. Derinliklerini çok okuyamıyoruz, göremiyoruz. Hal böyle olunca akıcı ama okuru çok da etkilemeyen bir kurgu ortaya çıkıyor. Yoksa dil ve anlatım oldukça iyiydi, çeviri gayet güzeldi fakat kitaptaki bu konunun işleniş eksikliği seriye olan ilgimi azalttı açıkçası. İlk kitap bir giriş kitabı olduğu için bununla karşılaşmak normaldi ama devam kitabında da aynı şeyleri hissetmek demek ki bu seri için artık fikrimin aşağı yukarı böyle kalacağı anlamına geliyor gibi. Ama yine de bir üçleme olduğu için son kitabı da okuyup o şekilde son kararımı vereceğim gibi görünüyor.
Oracle üçlemesi çok tatmin etmeyen bir şekilde ilerliyor olsa da beni, toplamda üç kitap olduğu için çok da zorlamıyor okurken. Yani en azından şu an ortalama bir seri gibi hissettirse de yarın bir gün seriyi bitirdiğimde bana zaman kaybıymış gibi gelmeyecek çünkü okurken keyifli zaman geçirtti bana ne kadar çok etkilemese de beni. Ortalama bir hafif fantastik, daha çok macera ve entrika dolu bir eser arayanlara belki önerebilirim bu yüzden bu seriyi. Bakalım son kitabı nasıl olacak.
İlk kitapta Mirany adında bir baş karakterimiz vardı ve kendisi Dokuzlar adı verilen, rahibelerden oluşuyor diye sayılabilecek meclisin önemli bir elemanı. Rahibe derken tabii bu evrendeki din için öyle. Zaten kurmaca bir evrende geçse de Antik Mısır taraflarını anımsatıyor kitap bizlere. Orta Doğu iklimi gibi, sıcak ve kavurucu çöller var. Susuzluk var ve ilkel yöntemler ön planda. Mirany ilk kitapta Archon adı verilen Tanrı'ya en yakın ünvan olan yöneticinin küçük bir çocuk olması ile o çocuğa hem yol arkadaşlığı yapıyor hem de onun amacına ulaşması ve tüm ülkece onun tanınması için ona rehberlik ediyor. Bu yolda onun karşısında olan bir sürü insan var. İlk kitapta bunları biraz alt edip, ülkeyi ve olayların amacını okumuştuk. Bu kitapta ise ilk kitapta karşımıza çıkan tüm yan karakterler bir araya geliyor ve bu yeni Archon ile zorlu bir seyahate çıkarak onunla emin adımlarla ilerliyor. Bu yeni Archon, gittiği her yerde artık hatırı sayılır bir kitleye ulaştığı için herkesin bir anda umudu haline geliyor ve insanlar kıtlıkla, susuzlukla ve fakirlikle mücadele ederken onlara kurtarıcıları olma sözü veriyor. Bu noktada da Yağmur Kraliçesi'ne adaklar adayarak bu susuz topraklara yağmur yağdırmayı hedefliyorlar. Bu doğrultuda hem kendi adağını yerine getirmek için hem de bu görevi Archon olarak kendisi ve arkadaşları ile yapması için büyük bir yolculuğa çıkıyorlar. Şarkı Kuyusu adı verilen yere giden bu ekip yolda bir çok belayla mücadele ederken, bir çok entrikaya da maruz kalıyorlar. Bir yandan da Mirany, peşlerinden gelen tehlikeye karşı bu ekibi uyarmaya çalışırken istemsiz bir şekilde hepsi birbiriyle aynı amaç doğrultusunda ilerleyen yol arkadaşları haline geliyorlar. Bu Mısır Mitolojisi'ni anımsatan evrende yeni Archon kendi uygarlığını kurmaya çalışırken bütün belalarla da arkadaşları sayesinde mücadele ediyor ve bu devam kitabında da biz de onlarla birlikte bu Şarkı Kuyusu'na gittikleri yolda yolculuk ediyoruz.
Bir devam kitabı olduğu için doğal olarak ilk kitabı okumayan birinin bu kitaptan pek bir şey anlayacağı söylenemez. Ben de ilk kitabı geçen sene okuduğum için bazı noktaları unutmuş olsam da karakterler tekrar tekrar karşıma çıktıkça bir çok şeyi hatırlar oldum. Bir iki karakter dışında hep ilk kitaptaki karakterler ile karşılaştık fakat artık bu karakterlerin farklı farklı yerlerde kalması onların arasındaki bağları beklediğimden daha yavaş ilerletti. Mesela eminim ki bu kitabı okuyan herkes Mirany ve Seth karakterlerinin geleceklerini merak ediyordur ama bu kitapta son kısımlar hariç neredeyse bir araya gelemediler. Tıpkı Game of Thrones izliyormuş gibi hissettirdi bu kitap bana. Herkes bir amaç doğrultusunda ilerliyor ama birbirlerinin yanında değil hiçbiri. Böyle olunca da bir bölüm içinde bile çok kez bir o karaktere bir bu karaktere gidip duruyoruz. Bunun dışında kitap oldukça akıcıydı, şu sıralar çok vakit ayıramadığım için bu kadar uzun sürdü kitabı okuması, yoksa bir oturuşta yüz sayfa okunacak derecede bir akıcılığı var kitabın. Hele ki ilk kitaba göre daha yolda geçen bir olay örgüsü olduğu için çok daha maceralı bir kitaptı. Fakat yine de eksik şeyler bu kitapta da devam etti. Öncelikle her ne kadar akıcı bir dil ve hızlı okunan bir kitap olsa da kitap kendi atmosferini ve verdiği havayı çok özümseyemiyor bence. Olay örgüsü ve ana metin bu ortama göre sönük kalıyor. Çok basit bir konuyu güzelce dallandırıp budaklandırarak muhteşem kurgular çıkarılabilecek yerde çok klişe, dümdüz şeyler okuyoruz. Bir de karakterler de ilk kitaba göre daha stabil kalıyor. Derinliklerini çok okuyamıyoruz, göremiyoruz. Hal böyle olunca akıcı ama okuru çok da etkilemeyen bir kurgu ortaya çıkıyor. Yoksa dil ve anlatım oldukça iyiydi, çeviri gayet güzeldi fakat kitaptaki bu konunun işleniş eksikliği seriye olan ilgimi azalttı açıkçası. İlk kitap bir giriş kitabı olduğu için bununla karşılaşmak normaldi ama devam kitabında da aynı şeyleri hissetmek demek ki bu seri için artık fikrimin aşağı yukarı böyle kalacağı anlamına geliyor gibi. Ama yine de bir üçleme olduğu için son kitabı da okuyup o şekilde son kararımı vereceğim gibi görünüyor.
Oracle üçlemesi çok tatmin etmeyen bir şekilde ilerliyor olsa da beni, toplamda üç kitap olduğu için çok da zorlamıyor okurken. Yani en azından şu an ortalama bir seri gibi hissettirse de yarın bir gün seriyi bitirdiğimde bana zaman kaybıymış gibi gelmeyecek çünkü okurken keyifli zaman geçirtti bana ne kadar çok etkilemese de beni. Ortalama bir hafif fantastik, daha çok macera ve entrika dolu bir eser arayanlara belki önerebilirim bu yüzden bu seriyi. Bakalım son kitabı nasıl olacak.
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November 2, 2015A complex book. The author kept switching the narrative like, every other chapter, so it was a little confusing at first, figuring out who was talking.
December 10, 2023
keske filmi cekilse de populer olsa bence mitoloji seven herkes begenerek izlerdi..
July 23, 2019
2.5 stars.
I love Fisher's ideas and her vivid, wild imagination, but her execution always leaves me wanting.
So it was with The Oracle and so it is with this sequel. The journey into the desert to find the Well of Songs was filled with dangers that were all resolved too quickly and too easily. Most of their trials were solved by Alexos becoming the god or by working some divine miracle. Seth, Oblek, the Fox and the Jackal felt like they had little use beyond brawling and acidly snapping at each other to create tension. Despite their long and arduous journey, it did little to stir me.
The political rivalry within the Nine, and between them and Argelin, didn't do much for me either. It was a repetition of everything we'd seen in the first book. Rhetia's stirring shit up as usual. Chryse is still a self-serving bastard. But Hermia. Oh man, she was a pleasure to read in this one. Her development made me see her in a whole new light.
On that note, I did enjoy the characters' growth. Seth finally decides on his true allegiance. Mirany steps up for the god, even if it seems to lead her down ever more dangerous paths. The Jackal finally gets fleshed out, complete with a backstory and demons to boot. I really enjoyed Oblek's painful sobering; you needed it, old friend.
Overall, I enjoyed this book. I'm not sure I really care to continue the series, but I'll probably finish it just for completion's sake.
I love Fisher's ideas and her vivid, wild imagination, but her execution always leaves me wanting.
So it was with The Oracle and so it is with this sequel. The journey into the desert to find the Well of Songs was filled with dangers that were all resolved too quickly and too easily. Most of their trials were solved by Alexos becoming the god or by working some divine miracle. Seth, Oblek, the Fox and the Jackal felt like they had little use beyond brawling and acidly snapping at each other to create tension. Despite their long and arduous journey, it did little to stir me.
The political rivalry within the Nine, and between them and Argelin, didn't do much for me either. It was a repetition of everything we'd seen in the first book. Rhetia's stirring shit up as usual. Chryse is still a self-serving bastard. But Hermia. Oh man, she was a pleasure to read in this one. Her development made me see her in a whole new light.
On that note, I did enjoy the characters' growth. Seth finally decides on his true allegiance. Mirany steps up for the god, even if it seems to lead her down ever more dangerous paths. The Jackal finally gets fleshed out, complete with a backstory and demons to boot. I really enjoyed Oblek's painful sobering; you needed it, old friend.
Overall, I enjoyed this book. I'm not sure I really care to continue the series, but I'll probably finish it just for completion's sake.
April 2, 2018
Para ser sincero, quando comecei a ler o livro questionei-me se não me ia arrepender... Tinha lido o primeiro livro da série, mas não tinha delirado com ele... E esta história não me estava a "agarrar" tanto como à partida eu pensava que me "agarraria". Deparei-me com a mesma fórmula d' O Oráculo: uma narrativa rápida ("cinematográfica", diria eu), personagens planas que não surpreendem muito por aí além, muitos acontecimentos (demasiados!) em simultâneo (então nos últimos capítulos...!). Isso não me costuma agradar muito nos livros. Penso que talvez este não seja bem o meu género literário.
Porém, por outro lado, a autora consegue tratar aqui de forma subtil, mas interessante na mesma, a eterna problemática do poder, assim como a ainda mais eterna problemática da fé. E se o primeiro livro me fez lembrar um pouco a mitologia grega e a egípcia, este fez-me viajar para a América do Sul. É engraçado como Catherine Fisher acaba por cruzar influências e criar um mundo (mais ou menos) credível. Chegado ao fim do livro, não posso dizer que não gostei mesmo nada. Foi uma leitura acima de tudo, agradável e que deu para me ir entretendo à medida que a ia lendo.
Muito me espanta esta história ainda não ter sido adaptada ao cinema, pois parece ter todos os ingredientes para isso.
Nunca cheguei a ler o segundo livro desta série...
Porém, por outro lado, a autora consegue tratar aqui de forma subtil, mas interessante na mesma, a eterna problemática do poder, assim como a ainda mais eterna problemática da fé. E se o primeiro livro me fez lembrar um pouco a mitologia grega e a egípcia, este fez-me viajar para a América do Sul. É engraçado como Catherine Fisher acaba por cruzar influências e criar um mundo (mais ou menos) credível. Chegado ao fim do livro, não posso dizer que não gostei mesmo nada. Foi uma leitura acima de tudo, agradável e que deu para me ir entretendo à medida que a ia lendo.
Muito me espanta esta história ainda não ter sido adaptada ao cinema, pois parece ter todos os ingredientes para isso.
Nunca cheguei a ler o segundo livro desta série...
February 21, 2018
Трилогія "Оракула" вийшла за декілька років потому, як світ побачив (зафанатівши) American Gods. Можливо, Фішер не надихалась Ґейманом чи Ле Ґуїн, але особисто я зловив чимало флешбеків із натяком на переосмислення. Трилогія виглядає так, наче одне з оповідань Ібіса з Ґейманівських "Богів" прописали трохи глибше та ширше за самого Ґеймана.
"Оракул" завершився становленням Бога в новому тілі, дозволивши "Архонові" розширити географію та міфологію цього зліпленого з усього, що лише ліпиться, світу. І цей розгублений у жорстокому зороастричному світі десятирічний Бог, який аж ніяк не знає, звідки йому взяти своїм вірянам дощ - то сильно. Його протилежність - Тінь у Гробницях, їхній творець - то вода, втілена у Царицю Дощу. І як же те все органічно.
"Оракул" завершився становленням Бога в новому тілі, дозволивши "Архонові" розширити географію та міфологію цього зліпленого з усього, що лише ліпиться, світу. І цей розгублений у жорстокому зороастричному світі десятирічний Бог, який аж ніяк не знає, звідки йому взяти своїм вірянам дощ - то сильно. Його протилежність - Тінь у Гробницях, їхній творець - то вода, втілена у Царицю Дощу. І як же те все органічно.
June 3, 2017
The sphere of secrets was by far one of the most enjoyable books i've read. The story takes place in a small region where there are two lands ruled by an archon. These lands are next to a desert and they have been stuck in a drought for decades. And the oracle is corrupted and the real god speaks to mirany. To save the kingdom from war and to bring back rivers and lakes alexos the archon embarks on a journey to the well of secrets with melony, seth, a young scribe and good friend of alexos, oblek alexos's guardian and the jackal.The encounter many things and obstacles. Catherine Fisher writes a very detailed novel that engages you and makes a connection between you and the characters. I recommend this book to anyone all ages alike and i rate this 5 stars because it was an awesome book.
November 28, 2021
It took me longer to read than the first book. It didn't grasp me like the previous volume but it wasn't bad. I feel like I can't really understand some of the characters and despite spending time with them I just don't feel attached. Mirany is definitely growing but she is still our lovely Mirany who just wants good for everyone. I hope to enjoy the third book even more then the first and the second one.
January 31, 2021
The second book was not as thrilling as the first one but I still enjoyed reading it.
I especially like how the main girl's character grows throughout the story. She becomes a lot stronger but not the nowadays popular "I will do everything myself!" type of character. She is not annoying and I liked her ever since the beginning of the first book!
I especially like how the main girl's character grows throughout the story. She becomes a lot stronger but not the nowadays popular "I will do everything myself!" type of character. She is not annoying and I liked her ever since the beginning of the first book!
October 9, 2022
This one is a surprising five stars! It was nearly as good as book one, and took a turn towards the end that was emotional, introspective, more thoughtful than I would have expected from a middle grade novel honestly, but SO true to the characters. 'Seth's choice' was the only kind of incredulous, manufactured dilemma that i didn't care for. Now i need to buy book three.
December 16, 2018
„Archontas“ – „Orakulo“ tęsinys, antroji garsios šiuolaikinės Velso poetės ir prozininkės Katrin Fišer trilogijos dalis. Už knygos herojų nuotykius ne mažiau įspūdingos jų akistatos su savo sielos demonais. Paprastais ginklais jų neįveiksi, nes tai kova su savimi.
September 2, 2019
Δε μπορώ να πω ότι μου άρεσε περισσότεο από το πρώτο, αλλά είχε κι αυτό τις στιγμές του.
December 7, 2014
I greatly enjoyed the first novel in this trilogy and approached the second one with some trepidation, as sequels are often not nearly as compelling. But this one was a pleasure, and quite intriguing. This is more Seth's story than Mirany's, though she is still around and still active, I would say he is the focus of this sequel.
The Archon has brought rain, and is installed as the god, but the rivers are still not flowing and the threat of drought remains, suffocating the land. In addition, Hermia retains her position as Speaker, even though she knows --and even admits -- that she is NOT hearing the God speak, and greedy powerful Argelin is still in control of the army. Mirany, in addition, is in constant danger of being poisoned and has to have a food taster. (She feels terrible about putting someone in danger this way.)
The only way to restore the rivers is to return to the Well of Songs and put back into place the three stolen apples (stars) that the Archon Rasselon took many years ago. This mythology is brought to life when Seth is offered a "mysterious stone" by a trader: a stone with such gleaming light that he is compelled to buy it. This is, of course, the first of the three stars, but no one knows it yet. He is also offered a terrible choice, and is manipulated by his love for his family into agreeing to do something he does not want to do. The tension of this agreement he carries to the very end of the book.
A quest is therefore undertaken, by the Archon, Seth, Obleck (who longs for his musical inspiration to return and believes that the Well of Songs will give him that) and, oddly, the Jackal and his sidekick the Fox. At this point, the book becomes a parallel tale: we bounce back and forth between the men on quest, and the women of the Nine. The parallels are loose at fist but as the book progresses they become more tightly connected. I loved the skill with which the author made this happen: the connections between the two groups, who are miles apart and unable to communicate, are nonetheless getting stronger and their situations begin to mirror one another's situations in striking ways.
The dessert has its own danger. Thirst of course, and bandits: then the mysterious animals, giant lines in the sand which the Archon diligently paces and honors. Then the bird people, who freaked me out a bit. Then the mountains themselves, so difficult to climb. Then the Well of Songs, where you must face..... well, I don't want to spoil it, but that particular scene was beautifully done.
We learn a LOT more about the side characters in this sequel, especially Hermia, Rhetia, Argelin, and The Jackal. I felt the book rounded out these characters and gave us some insight... and some sympathy... about why they act the way they do.
Eager to start story #3. Recommended for all readers. No sex, moderate but not graphic violence, lots of adventure and intrigue, and still those lovely fleeting diary entries at the start of each section.
The Archon has brought rain, and is installed as the god, but the rivers are still not flowing and the threat of drought remains, suffocating the land. In addition, Hermia retains her position as Speaker, even though she knows --and even admits -- that she is NOT hearing the God speak, and greedy powerful Argelin is still in control of the army. Mirany, in addition, is in constant danger of being poisoned and has to have a food taster. (She feels terrible about putting someone in danger this way.)
The only way to restore the rivers is to return to the Well of Songs and put back into place the three stolen apples (stars) that the Archon Rasselon took many years ago. This mythology is brought to life when Seth is offered a "mysterious stone" by a trader: a stone with such gleaming light that he is compelled to buy it. This is, of course, the first of the three stars, but no one knows it yet. He is also offered a terrible choice, and is manipulated by his love for his family into agreeing to do something he does not want to do. The tension of this agreement he carries to the very end of the book.
A quest is therefore undertaken, by the Archon, Seth, Obleck (who longs for his musical inspiration to return and believes that the Well of Songs will give him that) and, oddly, the Jackal and his sidekick the Fox. At this point, the book becomes a parallel tale: we bounce back and forth between the men on quest, and the women of the Nine. The parallels are loose at fist but as the book progresses they become more tightly connected. I loved the skill with which the author made this happen: the connections between the two groups, who are miles apart and unable to communicate, are nonetheless getting stronger and their situations begin to mirror one another's situations in striking ways.
The dessert has its own danger. Thirst of course, and bandits: then the mysterious animals, giant lines in the sand which the Archon diligently paces and honors. Then the bird people, who freaked me out a bit. Then the mountains themselves, so difficult to climb. Then the Well of Songs, where you must face..... well, I don't want to spoil it, but that particular scene was beautifully done.
We learn a LOT more about the side characters in this sequel, especially Hermia, Rhetia, Argelin, and The Jackal. I felt the book rounded out these characters and gave us some insight... and some sympathy... about why they act the way they do.
Eager to start story #3. Recommended for all readers. No sex, moderate but not graphic violence, lots of adventure and intrigue, and still those lovely fleeting diary entries at the start of each section.
October 14, 2024
Book two of the awesome oracle prophecies by the talented author Catherine Fisher. This book was amazing I loved reading more about the characters of mirany, Seth, alexos, kreon, hermia, chryse, rhetia, argelin, jackal, fox. I loved the shocking twists and turns, the betrayals, the shady politics throughout this book. It was highly entertaining and enjoyable book to read.
Jamil prince of askelton comes seeking wisdom from the oracle in regards to passing through the land for an expedition to the mountains of the moon. Which hermia still lying about speaking for the god denies him. It’s been a couple of months since the events of the previous book, alexo is archon, Seth was promoted to second assistant archivist from fourth, oblek is missing, and hermia and argelin are still hostile towards mirany. There is a divide between the sacred nine with rhetia and mirany and the others opposing hermia and chryse. Archon sends mirany to his brother kreon to retrieve an ancient artefact the sphere of secrets. The thief jackal kidnaps oblek and tells them that argelin has been secretly sending expeditions to the mountains of the moon and a survivor was found with gold and now argelin seeks to become a king with no need for the god. But something more precious than gold or silver lies in the mountains the well of songs answer to mirany’s problem of finding a new untainted pure oracle source, a go between the two realms the living and the dead. Seth transcribes the text on the sphere and is blackmailed by argelin to kill the archon for his family’s sake, it reveals a map and he, Alexo, oblek, jackal and fox embark on the dangerous journey of finding the the fallen stars and the well of legend. Rhetia enlists the help from prince jamal to deal with the threat of hermia and Argelin. War is on the brink. Mirany saves Seth’s father and sister telia with the gods help and the god directly speaks to hermia making her realise he really is the archon and that mirany has been speaking to the god all along. She warns mirany about argelin’s plot to kill the archon by using Seth, mutant desperately tries to warn him. Prince Jamal starts attacking. The sacred nine unite and make a vow of silence to protect the oracle. Argelin is infuriated by hermia’s refusal to make him king and has them locked in their rooms separately trying to divide them by offering them to become the speaker. Mirany follows the gods advice and agrees to be the new speaker. Alexo and the others find all the stars and well and gives back what he stole from the rain goddess years ago. Hermia is killed by argelin whilst protecting mirany and the oracle is destroyed Thus enraging the rain goddess who floods the temple. Mirany is now speaker but now In exile in danger from argelin.
Jamil prince of askelton comes seeking wisdom from the oracle in regards to passing through the land for an expedition to the mountains of the moon. Which hermia still lying about speaking for the god denies him. It’s been a couple of months since the events of the previous book, alexo is archon, Seth was promoted to second assistant archivist from fourth, oblek is missing, and hermia and argelin are still hostile towards mirany. There is a divide between the sacred nine with rhetia and mirany and the others opposing hermia and chryse. Archon sends mirany to his brother kreon to retrieve an ancient artefact the sphere of secrets. The thief jackal kidnaps oblek and tells them that argelin has been secretly sending expeditions to the mountains of the moon and a survivor was found with gold and now argelin seeks to become a king with no need for the god. But something more precious than gold or silver lies in the mountains the well of songs answer to mirany’s problem of finding a new untainted pure oracle source, a go between the two realms the living and the dead. Seth transcribes the text on the sphere and is blackmailed by argelin to kill the archon for his family’s sake, it reveals a map and he, Alexo, oblek, jackal and fox embark on the dangerous journey of finding the the fallen stars and the well of legend. Rhetia enlists the help from prince jamal to deal with the threat of hermia and Argelin. War is on the brink. Mirany saves Seth’s father and sister telia with the gods help and the god directly speaks to hermia making her realise he really is the archon and that mirany has been speaking to the god all along. She warns mirany about argelin’s plot to kill the archon by using Seth, mutant desperately tries to warn him. Prince Jamal starts attacking. The sacred nine unite and make a vow of silence to protect the oracle. Argelin is infuriated by hermia’s refusal to make him king and has them locked in their rooms separately trying to divide them by offering them to become the speaker. Mirany follows the gods advice and agrees to be the new speaker. Alexo and the others find all the stars and well and gives back what he stole from the rain goddess years ago. Hermia is killed by argelin whilst protecting mirany and the oracle is destroyed Thus enraging the rain goddess who floods the temple. Mirany is now speaker but now In exile in danger from argelin.
January 12, 2011
The Sphere of Secrets has many of the same problems that the first novel had. I still don't get a feel for society as a whole, and the characters are weak. I feel like the characters are just going through the motions and completing tasks without any drive or determination. They do as ordered by the god and don't really think for themselves. In addition, this novel adds a large amount of traveling. I'm really not into books where the main plot consists of traveling across the land to retrieve an object or complete a task. In a nutshell, that's what this book is. Plenty is happening in this book, but it doesn't seem to fit in with the events of the last story. Most of the events in The Sphere of Secrets are based on the discovery of the sphere and traveling to restore the water. Those things could have been explained without the sphere, and I don't understand why the Archon is just now discovering how to restore water. To sum it up nicely, I would say that the plot doesn't flow very well.
I'm interested in the land, and I want to know what happens with everything. I just want a little more than is being delivered. I want to know more about the characters. I want to know what drives them, why they act the way they do, why they care about certain events. I want to know what the god thinks of people randomly asking for things, and I would like to see a reckoning. I don't know that any of those things will happen, but I will continue to read the series because it's not bad. It's not really good or great, but it's not bad either. I don't judge it too harshly because it is the second book in a trilogy, and I almost expect those to be slow. If you liked the first book, definitely give this one a try.
I'm interested in the land, and I want to know what happens with everything. I just want a little more than is being delivered. I want to know more about the characters. I want to know what drives them, why they act the way they do, why they care about certain events. I want to know what the god thinks of people randomly asking for things, and I would like to see a reckoning. I don't know that any of those things will happen, but I will continue to read the series because it's not bad. It's not really good or great, but it's not bad either. I don't judge it too harshly because it is the second book in a trilogy, and I almost expect those to be slow. If you liked the first book, definitely give this one a try.
January 6, 2012
Much like the previous book, this one isn't a masterpiece, but it is fun and entertaining.
One thing I liked was the fact that despite all the world-saving adventure in the first book, when this one begins not much has changed - the land is still pretty dry, the bad guys got away with it, the heroes were put out of the way. It was unusual, and it felt right, closer to real life rather than everything turning out awesome and riding off into the sunset. It justified this sequel a lot better than having some other villain or danger to fight.
The plot is tropey: there is a Holy!Quest, for which Magical Items must be retrieved. Unlikely Alliances are made when Heroes Bond over difficult times in the desert. But it's handled decently, and you don't feel like putting the book aside with an I've-read-this-a-million-times yawn; there is still much that is engaging and immaginative enough to be read.
The villains are still drab and flat and not very interesting at all, but our merry band of tropey heroes does enjoy some character development, which is nice. They still have their shades of gray, and some have some harsh choices to make and personal demons to battle (quite literally, even). I really do like it when main characters in YA fantasy aren't all SuperGoodAndPureOfHeart.
It was a very decent read and I'm sure I'll re-read it some day.
One thing I liked was the fact that despite all the world-saving adventure in the first book, when this one begins not much has changed - the land is still pretty dry, the bad guys got away with it, the heroes were put out of the way. It was unusual, and it felt right, closer to real life rather than everything turning out awesome and riding off into the sunset. It justified this sequel a lot better than having some other villain or danger to fight.
The plot is tropey: there is a Holy!Quest, for which Magical Items must be retrieved. Unlikely Alliances are made when Heroes Bond over difficult times in the desert. But it's handled decently, and you don't feel like putting the book aside with an I've-read-this-a-million-times yawn; there is still much that is engaging and immaginative enough to be read.
The villains are still drab and flat and not very interesting at all, but our merry band of tropey heroes does enjoy some character development, which is nice. They still have their shades of gray, and some have some harsh choices to make and personal demons to battle (quite literally, even). I really do like it when main characters in YA fantasy aren't all SuperGoodAndPureOfHeart.
It was a very decent read and I'm sure I'll re-read it some day.
February 19, 2008
The Sphere of Secrets picks up where The Oracle Betrayed: Book One of the Oracle Prophecies left off. Even though Alexos was made the Archon and the rain came, their problems are nowhere near fixed - if anything, they've grown worse. He ends up on a journey with his friend Oblek, who is going through detox in the middle of the desert, along with Seth who is struggling with huge moral decisions and the Jackal who has his own plans. I keep hoping to see the Jackal redeem himself - I think that redemption is possible for him, because of his nightmares. I find him frustrating because he has been thrown into this struggle with the others, and he is still only out for his own gain, but I really would like to see him come out on top anyway. He is oddly likeable, whereas Oblek is very lovable; he has his personal demons but he is so loyal and determined. I like Seth less and less; he made the right choice in the end, but he came way too close to making the wrong one, and I found that very irritating. I was a little disappointed that Mirany didn't get to join their journey - I feel like this is her story, and she was left out of a lot of this book and I missed her. Looking forward to reading the final book!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 17, 2016
The first novel in this series ended with the priestess Mirany and her allies (some eager, and some reluctant) have succeeded in thwarting the plot by General Argelin and his lover, the Speaker-of-the-God Hermia, to place their own puppet Archon in power; however, when The Archon (which I read first when it was called The Sphere of Secrets) opens, three months later, all is still not well in the Two Lands. The drought isn't over even though the Archon Alexos's installation did make it rain and the Two Lands face a powerful opponent in the Emperor beyond the Sea (hey, that's pretty CS Lewis-ey, even though I just made that connection) who wants his merchants to get trading rights in the Mountains of the Moon. While Mirany attempts to hold down the Oracular Fort, Seth, Alexos, Oblek, the Jackal and the Fox, make a pilgrimage to right an ancient wrong.
November 17, 2014
I found that this book was quite good, I wasn't as confused as in the first book. Again, it had a lot of mythology and mysterious stuff was going on, which was mainly the thing making this book a bit confusing. The actions of the characters are also kind of misty, you are never sure if they actually did something. Otherwise I think that the plot was good, the Jackal is still my favourite character. There was a lot of character building, you find out more about his past, his real name and that he suffers from nightmares about his past and the dead which he robs for jewels and gold. Sadly, Mirany didn't participate in the action as much even though there were some major developments.
This book was pretty good, even though it didn't capture me as some books do, but I will be looking out for the sequel. I give this book 4 out of 5 stars!
This book was pretty good, even though it didn't capture me as some books do, but I will be looking out for the sequel. I give this book 4 out of 5 stars!
March 12, 2015
Sequel to Oracle Betrayed. Not much has changed since Alexos was chosen as Archon. Hermia and General Argelin are still plotting - this time to make Argelin King. The God has decided to resurrect old traditions and go on a mystical quest for the Well of Songs. Can Oblek, Seth, Alexos, the Jackal and the Fox survive the brutal desert trek to the Well of Songs? Can Mirany survive the plotting of Hermia and Rhetia? The first book was so original and so intriguing, I thought a sequel would not fit. But Fisher pulled it off, investing more of the same originality and intrigue in her second book as well.
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