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A Song in the Rain
[This version is out of print.]
In the midst of growing chaos, a young sparrow named Sheer is haunted by visions of a mysterious, dark shroud. The murky darkness connects a cobra who enslaves dozens of woodland creatures, a war-mangled crow who uses avian blood to awaken ancient beasts, and a scarred wolf who spreads wildfire across the lands. Worst of all, there have been rumors of a mystical creature made of shadow, striking terror in the hearts of all...
Deaf, lost and alone, Sheer has no memory of his past and no idea why he is different. Yet each villain wants him dead, and he seems to be the answer to a prophecy as old as the forest itself. Sheer raises an army and becomes a beacon of hope for all of the frightened animals, but the power he gains threatens to turn him into the enemy he originally fought valiantly against. If he abuses his power and trades respect for fear, the world could fall into eternal darkness and devastation.
Join forces with the Silent Warrior, and pray it isn't too late...
In the midst of growing chaos, a young sparrow named Sheer is haunted by visions of a mysterious, dark shroud. The murky darkness connects a cobra who enslaves dozens of woodland creatures, a war-mangled crow who uses avian blood to awaken ancient beasts, and a scarred wolf who spreads wildfire across the lands. Worst of all, there have been rumors of a mystical creature made of shadow, striking terror in the hearts of all...
Deaf, lost and alone, Sheer has no memory of his past and no idea why he is different. Yet each villain wants him dead, and he seems to be the answer to a prophecy as old as the forest itself. Sheer raises an army and becomes a beacon of hope for all of the frightened animals, but the power he gains threatens to turn him into the enemy he originally fought valiantly against. If he abuses his power and trades respect for fear, the world could fall into eternal darkness and devastation.
Join forces with the Silent Warrior, and pray it isn't too late...
322 pages, Paperback
First published July 1, 2014
8 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
May 1, 2020
I've never read a book with a sparrow as the MC before, but the "Silent Warrior" commands respect. He overcomes his disability (lack of hearing) and endures a long and torment-filled struggle against the forces of evil, which come in the forms of a snake, crow, wolf and shroud. The level of writing and imagination in this story are off the charts, and you just might find yourself rooting for a small bird and his companion, Amery, who does her best to save his soul with her song. By the bittersweet end, you'll be wondering how your own life stacks up compared to Sheer.
October 26, 2019
Unexpected, original, and charming are the first three words that come to mind for this delightful fantasy novel. Our unlikely hero, Sheer, is only a very small sparrow but he is thrust into responsibilities and quests far larger than he expects or desires from the very first pages of this exciting story. The world building, in which human existence is hinted at but the focus stays very much on the animal kingdom, reminds me a bit of Watership Down or the Redwall series. The author does a great job of bringing the animals to life as individual characters while speculating on how different species might work together to face a common foe. The adversaries Sheer faces are frightening and daunting, but the heart of the book and central message centers on his struggle with his own internal demons and the intoxication of power that threatens to lead him astray. I think readers at an advanced Middle Grade or lower Young Adult level would enjoy this adventure. There is realistic violence and loss that might be difficult for sensitive younger readers to process but there are also wonderful messages about love, loyalty, teamwork, and self-discovery. I was enthralled from the very beginning of this unique tale and recommend it for lovers of thoughtful fantasy that touches the heart.
December 22, 2019
A charming middle-grade fantasy novel about a young sparrow named Sheer. The book starts off with Sheer waking up in a terrible fire, with no idea where he is, and his hearing gone. Deaf and confused, he seeks help, but a dark force follows him and ruins every place he tries to call home, until he meets the animals of the thirteenth floor.
This was an unexpected and fun twist. Samuel, the lynx leading the animals who call the thirteenth floor of a building in the human city home, grants Sheer protection with special magic. And he isn't the only one with magic. Sheer has begun to realize he has a certain magic too, one that he doesn't understand. Samuel helps Sheer learn how to cope with his newfound deafness, while also helping him to come to understand that he is the catalyst in a prophecy--one that concerns the dark force that Sheer encountered.
Without giving away too much of the plot, Sheer must confront several creatures who have been taken in by the dark force. He must unite the animals of the forest and the thirteenth floor, and prepare them--so they can save themselves from the coming darkness. He is thrust into leadership, and suffers many losses and even betrayal, but most interestingly, he wages a war with himself.
The inner turmoil Sheer experiences is what is special about this book. He experiences greed and then guilt, desire for power coupled with self doubt, loyalty and loneliness. The feelings of this little sparrow are big.
It's sectioned into four (i think..) parts, each part having a particular challenge Sheer faces. Overall a great middle-grade read.
Read my full review here: http://www.lizdelton.com/2019/12/22/r...
This was an unexpected and fun twist. Samuel, the lynx leading the animals who call the thirteenth floor of a building in the human city home, grants Sheer protection with special magic. And he isn't the only one with magic. Sheer has begun to realize he has a certain magic too, one that he doesn't understand. Samuel helps Sheer learn how to cope with his newfound deafness, while also helping him to come to understand that he is the catalyst in a prophecy--one that concerns the dark force that Sheer encountered.
Without giving away too much of the plot, Sheer must confront several creatures who have been taken in by the dark force. He must unite the animals of the forest and the thirteenth floor, and prepare them--so they can save themselves from the coming darkness. He is thrust into leadership, and suffers many losses and even betrayal, but most interestingly, he wages a war with himself.
The inner turmoil Sheer experiences is what is special about this book. He experiences greed and then guilt, desire for power coupled with self doubt, loyalty and loneliness. The feelings of this little sparrow are big.
It's sectioned into four (i think..) parts, each part having a particular challenge Sheer faces. Overall a great middle-grade read.
Read my full review here: http://www.lizdelton.com/2019/12/22/r...
December 10, 2019
When the MC is a sparrow, you know you're reading a story that is different. In fact, it is all about animals.
Waking up in a daze, smelling smoke, the sparrow Sheer is plagued with visions, and lost his hearing.
Sheer is no ordinary bird. He has a gift. A gift that isn't always a 'gift'.
Without giving too much away... I liked the end, the plot, even though I had an inkling of a certain...bird. Well written story about friendship, trust, demons you have to face in life and bravery.
Waking up in a daze, smelling smoke, the sparrow Sheer is plagued with visions, and lost his hearing.
Sheer is no ordinary bird. He has a gift. A gift that isn't always a 'gift'.
Without giving too much away... I liked the end, the plot, even though I had an inkling of a certain...bird. Well written story about friendship, trust, demons you have to face in life and bravery.
June 3, 2017
A fascinating story exploring morality and self-regard in the form of a battle between good and evil where all the characters are animals, and the main character is a deaf sparrow.
April 17, 2018
It is a wonderful allegory centered on themes of good and evil, redemption, sacrifice, and unselfish love. I found so much in it to love.
November 30, 2019
This was a truly delightful read. While geared more towards a younger reader, I was enthralled by the story and the characters.
September 23, 2019
This is my first published book, a fantasy novel geared towards adults and young adults. Popular animal-centered fantasy books like the Warriors series, the Redwall series, and Guardians of Ga'Hoole were a big inspiration for me. I spent a total of seven years through middle school, high school, and college writing, editing, and tweaking the story, and I hope that you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it!
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews