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The Queen's Quarter #1
New Moon
After years of living in ignorance and fear under the rule of the Sileans, the people of Oran band together to support four girls with ancient powers who have escaped the Fire Queen's wrath
280 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published February 1, 1989
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1012 people want to read
About the author
Midori Snyder
47 books88 followersMidori Snyder is the author of eight books for children and adults, published in English, French, and Dutch. She won the Mythopoeic Award for The Innamorati, a novel inspired by early Roman myth and the Italian "Commedia dell'Arte" tradition. Other novels include The Flight of Michael McBride (a mythic western), Soulstring (a lyrical fairy tale), The Oran Trilogy: New Moon, Sadar's Keep, and Beldan's Fire (imaginary-world fantasy, recently re-published in Vikings's Firebird line), and Hannah's Garden (a contemporary faery novel for young adults). Except the Queen, a novel written in collaboration with Jane Yolen is forthcoming in 2010.
Her short stories have appeared in numerous venues including the The Armless Maiden; Black Thorn, White Rose; Xanadu III; Swan Sister; Borderland; and The Year's Best Fantasy and Horror. Recent stories have appeared in Young Adult anthologies, The Greenman, Tales From the Mythic Forest and Troll's Eye View, A Book of Villianous Tales. Her nonfiction has appeared in Realms of Fantasy and other magazines, and in essay collections including Mirror, Mirror on the Wall: Women Writers Explore Their Favorite Fairy Tales.
In addition to writing, she co-directs The Endicott Studio for Mythic Arts with Terri Winding. She co-edited and designed the online Journal of Mythic Arts from 2003 - 2008; and she served as chairwoman on the judges' panel for the 2007 James Tiptree, Jr. Awards.
Midori currently lives in Arizona with her husband, Stephen Haessler.
Her short stories have appeared in numerous venues including the The Armless Maiden; Black Thorn, White Rose; Xanadu III; Swan Sister; Borderland; and The Year's Best Fantasy and Horror. Recent stories have appeared in Young Adult anthologies, The Greenman, Tales From the Mythic Forest and Troll's Eye View, A Book of Villianous Tales. Her nonfiction has appeared in Realms of Fantasy and other magazines, and in essay collections including Mirror, Mirror on the Wall: Women Writers Explore Their Favorite Fairy Tales.
In addition to writing, she co-directs The Endicott Studio for Mythic Arts with Terri Winding. She co-edited and designed the online Journal of Mythic Arts from 2003 - 2008; and she served as chairwoman on the judges' panel for the 2007 James Tiptree, Jr. Awards.
Midori currently lives in Arizona with her husband, Stephen Haessler.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews
March 31, 2019
This was a re-read of a book read some time before joining Goodreads. I didn't remember anything about the story other than I had enjoyed it at the time, and in fact was pleased to find I enjoyed it this time too, although in places the writing is a little clunky, for example, the writer often uses a character's name when 'he' or 'she' would be sufficient, and on occasion does a bit of head hopping within a scene. However, the strengths of the narration and characterisation overcame these minor issues.
To briefly summarise, the book is set in the country of Oran in the capital Beldan. Many years ago the Queen, seemingly immortal, invited in the armies of Silea, a militaristic country which we assume is nearby, to put down a rebellion or war now termed the Burning. Apart from a few whispers among the descendants of certain groups within the population which go counter to the version of the Burning given by the Queen, the real story of what had happened has been supressed. Gradually an inkling arises that makes it clear to the reader that the Queen is far from blameless, and in fact her conduct makes it clear that she is a ruthless murderer and oppressor of her own people, collaborating in the tyranny imposed by the Sileans.
For the gift of Oran is that many of the population had psychic gifts aligned with the four elements or Quarters - water, air, earth and fire. A Naming ritual imposed since the Burning means that to get work all children of the ruled classes have to be examined by Readers - a family who have collaborated with the Regime to retain their privileges as nobility. Any child found to have the aura of one of the gifts is hanged. The only person allowed officially to have a gift is the Queen herself: fire gifted and supposedly the only individual alive with such a gift. The rest are all air, water or earth related.
Things have been going badly in Oran in recent years with failed harvests, worsening oppression and grinding poverty. Unsuprisingly, this gives rise to a resistence known as the New Moon. The activities of the rebels are then made the excuse for appalling reprisals as are seen late in the story. And in addition to the officially sanctioned murders of the gifted, an individual known to the city's teams of thieves as the Upright Man, has his own reasons for pursuing them.
The strengths of this story apart from the inventiveness of the world building is the characterisation, especially of the thieves and street children, and other working people. Slightly misleadingly, the book begins with the viewpoint of one of the Readers but it soon switches, and he only has a small part in the story. The main character is Jobber, a gangling adolescent brought up on the streets by a now deceased vagger - vaggers are a group of people who roam the land preserving elements of the ancient and suppressed Oran religion and also various fighting skills - and there are major parts played in the story by a woman who is trying to keep alive certain children whom she knows have gifts, and a Gazali woman, another of the groups who used to have a major role before the Burning, and who has an air gift. We also see enough of the Queen, the Silean Regent and his adviser to gain an impression of their indifference to or even enjoyment of the cruelty inflicted on the general populace. The street people have their own slang and the life of the city is well depicted. There is also a great twist about half way through which I will not spoil.
All in all a very enjoyable read, only held back from a full five stars by the little bit of uneveness in writing mentioned above.
To briefly summarise, the book is set in the country of Oran in the capital Beldan. Many years ago the Queen, seemingly immortal, invited in the armies of Silea, a militaristic country which we assume is nearby, to put down a rebellion or war now termed the Burning. Apart from a few whispers among the descendants of certain groups within the population which go counter to the version of the Burning given by the Queen, the real story of what had happened has been supressed. Gradually an inkling arises that makes it clear to the reader that the Queen is far from blameless, and in fact her conduct makes it clear that she is a ruthless murderer and oppressor of her own people, collaborating in the tyranny imposed by the Sileans.
For the gift of Oran is that many of the population had psychic gifts aligned with the four elements or Quarters - water, air, earth and fire. A Naming ritual imposed since the Burning means that to get work all children of the ruled classes have to be examined by Readers - a family who have collaborated with the Regime to retain their privileges as nobility. Any child found to have the aura of one of the gifts is hanged. The only person allowed officially to have a gift is the Queen herself: fire gifted and supposedly the only individual alive with such a gift. The rest are all air, water or earth related.
Things have been going badly in Oran in recent years with failed harvests, worsening oppression and grinding poverty. Unsuprisingly, this gives rise to a resistence known as the New Moon. The activities of the rebels are then made the excuse for appalling reprisals as are seen late in the story. And in addition to the officially sanctioned murders of the gifted, an individual known to the city's teams of thieves as the Upright Man, has his own reasons for pursuing them.
The strengths of this story apart from the inventiveness of the world building is the characterisation, especially of the thieves and street children, and other working people. Slightly misleadingly, the book begins with the viewpoint of one of the Readers but it soon switches, and he only has a small part in the story. The main character is Jobber, a gangling adolescent brought up on the streets by a now deceased vagger - vaggers are a group of people who roam the land preserving elements of the ancient and suppressed Oran religion and also various fighting skills - and there are major parts played in the story by a woman who is trying to keep alive certain children whom she knows have gifts, and a Gazali woman, another of the groups who used to have a major role before the Burning, and who has an air gift. We also see enough of the Queen, the Silean Regent and his adviser to gain an impression of their indifference to or even enjoyment of the cruelty inflicted on the general populace. The street people have their own slang and the life of the city is well depicted. There is also a great twist about half way through which I will not spoil.
All in all a very enjoyable read, only held back from a full five stars by the little bit of uneveness in writing mentioned above.
August 29, 2009
I read, and loved, the last book in this trilogy years ago. I was unable to find the first two in those days before Amazon made all books accessible and eventually gave up. I am glad to finally have all three books in my possession. The writing is gritty and violent, probably one of the things that set the final book of the series apart in my mind. This book introduces Oran, a land of ancient elemental magic, struggling under the oppressive combined rule of the Fire Queen and the occupying force she has allowed in from a neighboring land. The Fire Queen is attempting to stamp out all magic other than hers by having all children with the Old Power executed. The story takes place in the days leading up to a nationwide festival celebrating the Fire Queen and focuses on a noble rebelling against his family's work among those who identify children for execution, the head of a flock of street urchins, a woman of the nomadic tribes who now act as performers but once served as peacekeepers and arbitrators, and a loner street thief strong in the old power.
May 21, 2021
This was an ok read. The writing was good but there was a distinct lack of proper world building in my opinion, with facts about the world just being thrown about here and there. This book definitely focused on characters more and we got to see some good character development.
My main issue with this book was the fact that it didn’t seem to really go anywhere until the very end where the action climaxed but it was a bit too late. Nothing at all really seemed to be happening up until that point, however. The whole magic aspect of the novel was kind of vague and the main plot points are just dropped randomly and suddenly rather than built up to.
The good parts of this book include the descriptions and imagery and the tension building works well but it definitely isn’t applied thoroughly or frequently around the plot points that need tension to be built up.
Overall, not a bad read but quite slow and didn’t seem to go anywhere.
My main issue with this book was the fact that it didn’t seem to really go anywhere until the very end where the action climaxed but it was a bit too late. Nothing at all really seemed to be happening up until that point, however. The whole magic aspect of the novel was kind of vague and the main plot points are just dropped randomly and suddenly rather than built up to.
The good parts of this book include the descriptions and imagery and the tension building works well but it definitely isn’t applied thoroughly or frequently around the plot points that need tension to be built up.
Overall, not a bad read but quite slow and didn’t seem to go anywhere.
April 6, 2009
I had originally read the 3rd book in this trilogy when i was in high school. I loaned it to a friend so that she could enjoy it and she realized that it was actually the 3rd in a trilogy. She bought me the first two books for christmas and now i have finished the first one. It is sooo good and totally shed light on EVERYTHING that i jumped into in the 3rd book. Still holds as part of my all time favs. Starting the 2nd book tonight and yes i will be reading the 3rd again for the 5th time now : )
July 21, 2012
One of my first adult fantasy books, I actually read it out of order ^_^ but it was well written and I never got lost, even when I read the third book first lol. The world that Midori Snyder created is rich in culture, mythology and history. The characters are well defined and develop throughout the trilogy into even stronger women by the end, and you can even feel for the villain--a rarity in most genres. This series will always be near and dear to my heart.
This first book introduces you to the first three women of the new Queen's Quarter note, the only hope for the land of Oran and their world's survival. Jobber is a street-tough, tomboy who prefers her fists to swords. Lirrel is soft and gentle--Jobber's complete opposite. Yet they quickly become fast friends. Off in the country is the strong-willed Shedwyn, who is determined to flee slave-life on a farm. The way they interact is so relate able and real, and I love the dialect. For months, I kept saying things like "Z'blood" hehe.
This first book introduces you to the first three women of the new Queen's Quarter note, the only hope for the land of Oran and their world's survival. Jobber is a street-tough, tomboy who prefers her fists to swords. Lirrel is soft and gentle--Jobber's complete opposite. Yet they quickly become fast friends. Off in the country is the strong-willed Shedwyn, who is determined to flee slave-life on a farm. The way they interact is so relate able and real, and I love the dialect. For months, I kept saying things like "Z'blood" hehe.
November 8, 2007
I remember trying to read the third book in this series ages ago. The cover was interesting, the cover blurb was intriguing, but I never could get into the actual story. At some point, I realized that the book was the last one in a trilogy and that was why I didn't quite get it. So I put it aside and gradually forgot about it until last month. Randomly, I decided to order the entire series from Amazon, and I'm actually glad that I did.
This book isn't super awesome. It isn't one of those novels that you can't put down because you're dying to find out what happens next. But it is a solid set-up. The characters are introduced, built, grown, and then set out on an adventure. The villains are introduced, the mysteries are set up, and over all it's an incredibly good start to a series.
I can't wait to read the other two books, so I think this can be considered a rousing success.
This book isn't super awesome. It isn't one of those novels that you can't put down because you're dying to find out what happens next. But it is a solid set-up. The characters are introduced, built, grown, and then set out on an adventure. The villains are introduced, the mysteries are set up, and over all it's an incredibly good start to a series.
I can't wait to read the other two books, so I think this can be considered a rousing success.
March 2, 2013
Being very tired of fantasy novels that have one, and only one, smart and strong and intriguing heroine, I was very pleased to find this book in which smart, strong, and intriguing heroines abound. There's Jobber, the tough tomboy who can take down anyone in a fight; there's Lirrel, the spiritual peacemaker musician; there's Kai, the tough but maternal leader of the Waterlings; and, perhaps most fascinating of all, there's Faul, the deadly swordswoman, once a crucial cog in the machine of oppression but now, perhaps, moved to question it? All these girls/women are distinct individuals with different strengths. This alone might have been sufficient to win me.
But I also have Snyder's gripping prose, and her vivid descriptions of place, and her way of letting us get to know the villains, too, and find them complicated. All this adds up to a substantial triumph for me.
Complaints: maybe I got a little tired of the overuse of the book's "f-word." That's about it.
But I also have Snyder's gripping prose, and her vivid descriptions of place, and her way of letting us get to know the villains, too, and find them complicated. All this adds up to a substantial triumph for me.
Complaints: maybe I got a little tired of the overuse of the book's "f-word." That's about it.
February 11, 2020
I went on a journey with this book. It was one of the first fantasy books that I read and I never forgot how much I enjoyed this story!!
April 23, 2022
I really enjoyed this book.
I actually liked the multitude of characters in the first half of the book. It meant that it wasn't too obvious who was going to emerge as the main protagonist or even if there was going to be one.
All the names were different enough to keep track of who was who - something I often have trouble doing at the start of a new book.
I didn't see the main twist coming at all, nor did I pick the hidden identity of one of the villains.
I think this was very deftly handled for what would otherwise be a fairly standard plotline (and yes, I know that all fantasy novels only really share half a dozen plotlines at most)
Nicely set up for an interesting rest of the series.
I actually liked the multitude of characters in the first half of the book. It meant that it wasn't too obvious who was going to emerge as the main protagonist or even if there was going to be one.
All the names were different enough to keep track of who was who - something I often have trouble doing at the start of a new book.
I didn't see the main twist coming at all, nor did I pick the hidden identity of one of the villains.
I think this was very deftly handled for what would otherwise be a fairly standard plotline (and yes, I know that all fantasy novels only really share half a dozen plotlines at most)
Nicely set up for an interesting rest of the series.
November 28, 2017
This is one of those books that has been on my reread radar for a while (along with it's two sequels) and I finally got to it.
It was a slow read - a 1980s paperback with small pages and even smaller type, combined with excellent but dense prose. I'm very happy to have reread it and I'll be moving on to the next in the series soon.
For some reason I can no longer remember, I have the third book but I never read it. I'm looking forward to reading that one too and to have finally finished the story.
It was a slow read - a 1980s paperback with small pages and even smaller type, combined with excellent but dense prose. I'm very happy to have reread it and I'll be moving on to the next in the series soon.
For some reason I can no longer remember, I have the third book but I never read it. I'm looking forward to reading that one too and to have finally finished the story.
March 14, 2018
Years ago, I read the last book, and absolutely loved it. It wasn’t until recently (thanks, internet) that I was able to locate the other books. New Moon is a shaky start, but excels in world-building and characterization. It is weak in pacing, as it takes quite some time to even get to the main character. Things just start off too slowly.
Once the narrative gets moving, though, and the main characters start running into each other, it really gets interesting. I’m glad I went back to read the first installments of this trilogy.
Once the narrative gets moving, though, and the main characters start running into each other, it really gets interesting. I’m glad I went back to read the first installments of this trilogy.
June 8, 2018
"Can't there be any peace between us?"
This was an okay read that I probably would have enjoyed more if I'd read it when I was younger.
It's a YA novel that has a unique premise but it felt like it was trying to be grittier than it was. The world building is pretty apparent with expressions used throughout the book and a big part of the plot. There is some political intrigue and some scrappy characters fighting the odds and some back alley deals.
It wasn't particularly my cup of tea but if you like stories of people with elemental powers it may be of interest.
This was an okay read that I probably would have enjoyed more if I'd read it when I was younger.
It's a YA novel that has a unique premise but it felt like it was trying to be grittier than it was. The world building is pretty apparent with expressions used throughout the book and a big part of the plot. There is some political intrigue and some scrappy characters fighting the odds and some back alley deals.
It wasn't particularly my cup of tea but if you like stories of people with elemental powers it may be of interest.
June 7, 2019
I enjoyed this book. A lot of themes are relatively common in fantasy but that didn't make them less enjoyable. I particularly enjoyed the antagonists as they had a range of motivations rather than just 'evil for the sake of it'. I enjoyed a moment when the main character gets told off for being selfish and just looking out for themselves. I think there was character development and a variety of characters who you get to know and care about. In particular this book definitely passed the Beckdell test which I appreciated.
December 7, 2018
This was actually a reread from my youth as I edit my bookshelf. I was trying to determine whether or not to keep and am still undecided. It’s basically a nice, fun read but when I was younger I loved it. Now, I would argue it’s nothing special, but considering fantasy at the time it was written ( 1989 ), it was much more novel as adventures with strong females were just starting to be more common at that time. I’m going to read book 2 and see if my opinion solidifies.
October 3, 2022
This is one of those series I read over and over again. I picked up this series when I was younger, in high school, and ever time I reread it I discover something new that I hadn’t before about the characters and the world.
This story weaves several lives together in such a fantastical way, and I would recommend it a thousand times over to anyone looking for an interest magic system, great characters and fantastic stories.
This story weaves several lives together in such a fantastical way, and I would recommend it a thousand times over to anyone looking for an interest magic system, great characters and fantastic stories.
December 30, 2024
I wish I'd read this trilogy when I was the perfect age for it! I would have eaten it with a spoon at about 12-14. As an adult, it's rather slow and dated, but I've been finding it a nice little nostalgic treat to dip into. The dear friend who bought the trilogy for me was correct in comparing them to Tamora Pierce!
June 8, 2025
i remember a friend raving about how good this trilogy was when we were in high school and yet i could never find it or finish it. finally found it, determined to finish it, but man do i really hate the protagonist's name.
August 29, 2020
Slow but with a more exciting ending
May 13, 2023
Interessant plot, leuke karakters, maar in het begin een tikje traag. Vandaar de 4 sterren.
September 15, 2023
A fantastic series, and one I will re-read!
I enjoyed the characters, the world building, the adventures, and so much more.
I enjoyed the characters, the world building, the adventures, and so much more.
November 10, 2024
3.5/3.7
March 12, 2017
I read this a years ago, and remembering that I loved it. I'll have to retread it again to give a more honest and better review.
November 14, 2008
This is the first book in a trilogy, and if the other two are as good as this one, I'm in for some good reading. I believe this was originally published as a "regular" fantasy novel, and has since been repackaged as a YA novel by Firebird.
Two hundred years ago, the Fire Queen of Oran destroyed her fellow queens of Earth, Water, and Air, thus allowing the Fire Queen to retain control of her country even as it was overrun by a conquering race. Now she jealously guards her control, to the point of killing any children who show evidence of having elemental Gifts. Winds of change are blowing in her kingdom, however, with a revolutionary group called the New Moon causing chaos, and a group of street rats with secret powers...
This was just so great! The world is fascinating and fully realized, and there are a host of great characters. I would probably recommend it mostly for older YAs (highschool age), since there's a bit of sex and some fairly graphic violence.
Two hundred years ago, the Fire Queen of Oran destroyed her fellow queens of Earth, Water, and Air, thus allowing the Fire Queen to retain control of her country even as it was overrun by a conquering race. Now she jealously guards her control, to the point of killing any children who show evidence of having elemental Gifts. Winds of change are blowing in her kingdom, however, with a revolutionary group called the New Moon causing chaos, and a group of street rats with secret powers...
This was just so great! The world is fascinating and fully realized, and there are a host of great characters. I would probably recommend it mostly for older YAs (highschool age), since there's a bit of sex and some fairly graphic violence.
July 15, 2014
Hahaha, what a story this was. For the first part of the book, all I could find were drunks, whores, thieves, murderers, and bad tempered people. No one pleasant. But I guess that’s what you get when your country (or entire world) is corrupted? Brilliant plot though, I caught on after the first hundred pages and became hooked! I loved the battle scenes and especially, LIRREL, who's like the best character (and the only one with a good head on her shoulders.) XD I didn't like Jobber at first but now I do, after understanding her story and where she's coming from. I actually find her bad temper to be rather funny now, 'cuz before I didn't! There's a lot of characters to remember and keep track of, but Jobber and Lirrel were the most memorable for me. Oh, and Zorah, who still kinda scares me a bit.
Because of all the strong language and sexual references, I think this book would be better for older young adults. PG 16? I wouldn't give it to a 13 year old due to some of the scenes and stuff.
I've already started reading Sadar's Keep, and it's looking VERY good... But it's MUCH more adult than this book. 8P
Because of all the strong language and sexual references, I think this book would be better for older young adults. PG 16? I wouldn't give it to a 13 year old due to some of the scenes and stuff.
I've already started reading Sadar's Keep, and it's looking VERY good... But it's MUCH more adult than this book. 8P
Read
November 26, 2016An exquisite series by Midori Snyder. I had had misgivings about returning to this series. I had read Sadar's Keep as a young adult, and loved it, and always regretted not being able to find the sequel. I was also unaware that Sadar's Keep had been the second in the series. I wasn't sure when I ordered this series if it would stand the test of time, or if I had been wearing the rose tinted glasses of youth.
I was quite delighted to be sucked into this story as well. It has a completely different flavour from Sadar's Keep taking place almost entirely in the back streets of Beldan. One has quite an immediate sense of the lifestyle and atmosphere experienced by the people of Beldan. Poverty somehow seems cozy in this story, and the danger is just enough to make the cozy parts cozier.
The characters are lively and full of spice, as well has having deep subtleties.
Snyder's depiction of elemental magic is both believable, and refreshing without having any taint of astrological elemental associations.
The sophistication of the writing was at least as good as, if not better than, I remembered.
I was quite delighted to be sucked into this story as well. It has a completely different flavour from Sadar's Keep taking place almost entirely in the back streets of Beldan. One has quite an immediate sense of the lifestyle and atmosphere experienced by the people of Beldan. Poverty somehow seems cozy in this story, and the danger is just enough to make the cozy parts cozier.
The characters are lively and full of spice, as well has having deep subtleties.
Snyder's depiction of elemental magic is both believable, and refreshing without having any taint of astrological elemental associations.
The sophistication of the writing was at least as good as, if not better than, I remembered.
December 17, 2008
Like Brandon Sanderson's Mistborn trilogy, this one has PEASANTS rather than it all being nobles. I am more and more inclined to look for this in my fantasy novels.
In fact, this book has better peasants than "Mistborn" does, because in that his peasants are more special cases, and do lead a life of privilege compared to their peers. This is not true in "New Moon;" although most of the peasants featured are exceptional, this has not been giving them an advantaged life.
I am getting more and more interested in the social structures of fantasy; I think it was piqued when in the LotR movie, the large cities were NOT surrounded by farmland. What did people eat? I wondered. And thus it progressed...
I would adore suggestions for other fantasy- or sf- novels that did not focus on the upper classes.
In fact, this book has better peasants than "Mistborn" does, because in that his peasants are more special cases, and do lead a life of privilege compared to their peers. This is not true in "New Moon;" although most of the peasants featured are exceptional, this has not been giving them an advantaged life.
I am getting more and more interested in the social structures of fantasy; I think it was piqued when in the LotR movie, the large cities were NOT surrounded by farmland. What did people eat? I wondered. And thus it progressed...
I would adore suggestions for other fantasy- or sf- novels that did not focus on the upper classes.
Read
April 20, 2013I was excited to start this book, but I found out very quickly that it definitely wasn't for me. The first scene in the book started out between two men deciding which woman they wanted to bed as part of some festival. This immediately turned me off, and I was even more off-put by the crude comments, innuendos, and language that followed. I only got about six pages in before I started to skim to see if this sort of content continued throughout the book. From what I saw the language was pretty regular and frequent(I saw d--n, p--s, b--tard, and sh-t). I have a bunch of other books I could read and so I decided not to waste my time on this book.
I just want to add that I in no way read enough of the book to make any comments about the quality of the writing/characters/setting, but for those who prefer clean books, I'd pass on this based on the content.
I just want to add that I in no way read enough of the book to make any comments about the quality of the writing/characters/setting, but for those who prefer clean books, I'd pass on this based on the content.
November 19, 2013
Midori Snyder set out to write a trilogy, because that is what fantasy authors were supposed to do, and she wrote one of the best trilogies I have ever read. This little known gem, in its first printing named The Queen’s Quarter and in its second printing referred to as The Oran Trilogy, is a multi-layered treasure of a story. It is a story not only about the personal struggles of four young heroines, but of the country's quest for political freedom, and the land's fight to find magical stability. Snyder balances all three of these plot threads and weaves an engrossing tale of enduring worth.
New Moon focuses on the story of the Fire Queen Zorah who has ruled the country of Oran for 200 years. Oran was traditionally ruled by four queens together, one for each of the elements, but Zorah ... Read More:
http://www.fantasyliterature.com/revi...
New Moon focuses on the story of the Fire Queen Zorah who has ruled the country of Oran for 200 years. Oran was traditionally ruled by four queens together, one for each of the elements, but Zorah ... Read More:
http://www.fantasyliterature.com/revi...
January 31, 2011
Midori Snyder begins a journey full of magic and adventure in her book "New Moon," the beginning of the "Oran Trilogy." Even though the book is filled with small print, the conflicts and plot Snyder develops is intriguing and keeps readers interested in continuing on with the story. Along with great background story and research, she makes her world of Oran believable and a place full of potential and discovery. Children may not get a full appreciation of her work, but young adults and older are able to get immense pleasure in reading about her take on those wielding the power of the four elements: Water, Earth, Air, and Fire.
July 14, 2015
I found this book in my middle school library one day during my book club. I was probably 12 or 13 at the time and really getting into fantasy type things, so I decided to check it out. I absolutely devoured the book and came back the next day to see about any others in the trilogy... Only to be told that the book was not meant for the middle school library and had gotten mixed up. I was so devastated, because I wanted to read more! This book draws you in to a thrilling world of hidden magic with likable characters and a fantastic setting.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews