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Oracle
Jackie French explores a distant and fascinating world, where the future is not always as it seems, and the king's displeasure means death.Ages 10 - 14After Nikko and thetis are taken from their village, their amazing acrobatic skills save them from slavery and make them the focus of the Mycenaean court. the courtiers are in awe of them; the King is enchanted.But thetis may destroy them both when she tells the King a truth about his future that he doesn't want to hear.Nikko and the daring horse dancer Euridce must travel across Greece to find his sister again - and the extraordinary future that awaits them all - in Delphi.Can one young girl change history?Jackie French waves history, myth and fantasy together into one enthralling tale of horse dancers, earthquakes and tsunamis, as well as love and courage, from beyond recorded time.Ages 10-14
352 pages, Paperback
First published January 7, 2010
9 people are currently reading
355 people want to read
About the author
Jackie French
316 books863 followersJackie is an award-winning writer, wombat negotiator and the Australian Children’s Laureate for 2014-2015. She is regarded as one of Australia’s most popular children’s authors, and writes across all genres - from picture books, history, fantasy, ecology and sci-fi to her much loved historical fiction. In her capacity as Australian Children’s Laureate, ‘Share a Story’ will be the primary philosophy behind Jackie’s two-year term.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
June 30, 2020
Actual rating: 3.5 stars
Oracle is a story of love, sacrifice and loss that follows siblings Nikko and Thetis from childhood to adulthood. Thetis is shunned as a child, first for not speaking at all, and then for speaking the truth. Nikko is the only one of her family who protects her and loves her for what she is, and their relationship is written beautifully. The writing style is quite direct and simple, yet also poetic and wonderfully vivid.
Set in Mycenae, Greek myths and history are weaved together alongside genuine and memorable characters. The development of both Nikko and Thetis is incredible, and the side characters are all more than just cardboard cut-outs; they are each important additions to the story. I'm particularly fond of the way Jackie French has written the female characters. They are all strong and they may not be in positions of power, but they are still powerful in their own right. Whilst also enjoyable as an adult, Oracle would be a great starting point for young readers interested in exploring historical fiction.
Oracle is a story of love, sacrifice and loss that follows siblings Nikko and Thetis from childhood to adulthood. Thetis is shunned as a child, first for not speaking at all, and then for speaking the truth. Nikko is the only one of her family who protects her and loves her for what she is, and their relationship is written beautifully. The writing style is quite direct and simple, yet also poetic and wonderfully vivid.
Set in Mycenae, Greek myths and history are weaved together alongside genuine and memorable characters. The development of both Nikko and Thetis is incredible, and the side characters are all more than just cardboard cut-outs; they are each important additions to the story. I'm particularly fond of the way Jackie French has written the female characters. They are all strong and they may not be in positions of power, but they are still powerful in their own right. Whilst also enjoyable as an adult, Oracle would be a great starting point for young readers interested in exploring historical fiction.
February 3, 2014
I credit Jackie French for inspiring my passion for historical fiction. I passed this book over a few times however figuring that not being set in Australia it wouldn't be as enjoyable as her other books. How wrong was I! Jackie French has such a way with language it gives me tingles. "The smoke clung like a dirty tunic to Nikko's skin ; his sweat seemed stained with it." It's sentences like this that have put Oracle up there with Nanberry as my favourite Jackie French novel.
January 23, 2013
Up with "a waltz for Matilda" another one of my fav jackie french's couldn't put it down yet was so sad to finish it. Jackie should write a second!!! It had just the right amount of love and happiness to level out the horrible truth of ancient Greece and the things that did really happen.
December 18, 2019
I think I read this book back when I was 11. I didn't remember any of the events but I always remembered the emotions. I found this book again and it's just as good as I remember.
In regards to content; the character development is brilliant. This novel spans over the course of 15-20ish years and both Nikko and Thetis' characters are developed upon in an enjoyable and realistic way. They are easy to like and follow along with. Not the mention the other characters aswell who have equally as fleshed out character developments despite only being supporting character. The plot is touching, a story of loss and sacrifice but most of all, love. Another thing I particularly love is the presentation of women throughout this book. I find that a lot of pre BC historical novels tend to portray the women of that time as weak and useless, however, this novel clearly shows that women held some of the greatest roles in that time. Sure they weren't as flashy as whatever the men were doing but this book clearly shows that without women society would completely fall apart.
In regards to historical accuracy; I like how the author included a little afterwards note about her research and why she wrote the book the way she did. Her insights were interesting and she clearly put a lot of thought into it.
In regards to technique; the pacing is a little slow perhaps but it fits well for what the story is. The language used is almost poetic in a way, although maybe that's just because I am incredibly bias in favour of this book.
So to sum up? I'll be adding this book to my favorites list for sure
In regards to content; the character development is brilliant. This novel spans over the course of 15-20ish years and both Nikko and Thetis' characters are developed upon in an enjoyable and realistic way. They are easy to like and follow along with. Not the mention the other characters aswell who have equally as fleshed out character developments despite only being supporting character. The plot is touching, a story of loss and sacrifice but most of all, love. Another thing I particularly love is the presentation of women throughout this book. I find that a lot of pre BC historical novels tend to portray the women of that time as weak and useless, however, this novel clearly shows that women held some of the greatest roles in that time. Sure they weren't as flashy as whatever the men were doing but this book clearly shows that without women society would completely fall apart.
In regards to historical accuracy; I like how the author included a little afterwards note about her research and why she wrote the book the way she did. Her insights were interesting and she clearly put a lot of thought into it.
In regards to technique; the pacing is a little slow perhaps but it fits well for what the story is. The language used is almost poetic in a way, although maybe that's just because I am incredibly bias in favour of this book.
So to sum up? I'll be adding this book to my favorites list for sure
September 2, 2021
This wasn't really my cup of tea, as it turned out. I enjoyed the first few chapters when the two children were in their village but lost interest after they moved to the city. It was an exploration of the origin of the Delphi oracle and seemed well researched and well written. I liked the main character and his love for his sister and his friends. His story seemed something of a tribute to Orpheus and Euridice (his love's name was Euridice and she goes into the earth (the temple of the Mother) and he, a musician, seeks her there). I liked the description of the earth mother's temple and the way the author gave rational reasons for some of the events (e.g. the gas in Delphi, the familiarity with the snakes). However, the setting and plot weren't really to my taste.
February 8, 2021
This was not her best work. Aside from the numerous typos, the story was a bit wishy washy, the gaps in time felt rushed and the characters not fully developed. The explanation of the Delphic Oracle’s origin story is a nice way to tie a few historical ideas together. Overall there was just something missing from this one.
March 13, 2011
I was trying to figure out today, after finishing this book, why it is that kids are drawn so strongly to Greek and Roman mythology. There's the stories, of course - these alternative explanations for the world we see around us. I can remember wanting, somewhat self-consciously but also with a germ of genuine hope, as a kid for it to all turn out to be true.
But I think the other thing that really appeals is the intricate and systematic nature of Greek and Roman mythology (and Norse, for that matter, the Mediterranean's chilly cousin). There's the intertwined family trees to begin with - the pleasure of tracing out the criss-crossing lines. There's the tiered hierarchy - the major and minor gods, the humans who are made immortal or mate with the gods, the humans who are struck down by them. And then there are the attributes - the superhero aspect, of costumes, familiars, powers and gifts. It is an enormous body of knowledge to swim in, and slowly absorb.
I noticed two new book based on mythological topics at Unity Books the other weekend, and ordered them from the library. Jackie French's 'Oracle' was published last year and arrived for me on Friday, but I've had to ask them to buy the first book in S.D. Gentill's new 'Chasing Odysseus' series.
'Oracle' isn't actually set in Greece or Roman, but rather in Mycenae, in the period when this hilly, earthquake prone nation dominated Greece.
The story begins in a small village, where six year old Nikko watches one night as his father leaves the house with his new-born sister, to abandon her on the mountainside. Nikko follows him and rescues her sister, an act that is accepted by his father, but which makes the two children outcasts in the village. Something else is strange about the little girl, Thetis - she does not speak.
When Thetis is four or five, her mother takes her and Nikko to visit a 'hag' at another village, who restores Thetis's voice. Always an observant child, it turns out that Thetis can, Cassandra like, only speak the truth - no matter how damaging that is.
On the day that the High King's men come to collect the annual tribute from the village, Thetis and Nikko are caught by on of the men, trying to smuggle the best of the family's goats out of the village and away from the collection. Nikko is singing, and Thetis is dancing, using his body as a platform to leap from and balance upon. The man who discovers them, Orkestres, is an ex-acrobat, once a favourite of the King, but now too slow and pained to dance before him. Caught by the two children's dance, Orkestres convinces the village to give them to him in the stead of the tribute - but not before Thetis's father beats her voice back out of her again.
From here, we enter the enclosed world of the High Court of Mycenae, as Nikko and Thetis are trained by Orkestres and his wife Dora, another ex-acrobat, to perform for the King, to earning them all place in the Court hierarchy. This part of the story is full of colour and satisfying detail.
Fastforward through the middle section of the story, and we get to the point where an earthquake shakes Thetis's voice loose again, and she prophesies the King's death. Thetis is immediately and secretly banished, and Nikko escapes with the horse dancer Euridice (young, hot, fierce, feisty, full of commons sense - you know the kind). Euridice was promised to the Earth Mother before being captured by the King's men and brought to the Court - despite falling in love with her (and she with him) Nikko helps her escape from Mycenae and reach the shrine where she was meant to be sent, before setting out to find Thetis who - ta da! - has turned into the Pythia.
There are a few parts of the book that feel a bit laboured or obvious to an adult reader, but would probably soar over the head of a kid. There's one sentence in the first few pages of a kind that drives me particularly crazy: "Nikko felt that sometimes grown-ups got a bit confused about religion". I don't have a lot to compare this to, but in my personal experience, when adults are confused or inconsistent, that is either (a) barely noticeable or (b) frightening. It's not something a child points out with a sense of irony - at least, not until an adult has taught them irony. That one line nearly put me off the book.
There's also a pretty heavy reference to the myth of Orpheus and Eurydice, telegraphed about half-way through the book and then underlined when Euridice enters the underground shrine of the Earth Mother and Nikko, unable to follow her, lingers at its mouth from winter until spring (so, a bit of Persephone there too) to see whether she will reemerge of her own free will.
This said, the book got better as I read it, and the middle was much better than the slightly self-conscious set-up and the rapidly handled winding-up. I actually came to really like the characters of Orkestres and Dora, who induct the children into the life of the Court, and are very open about their motivation (status, which equates to a good living). Of course, they become loving parent figures eventually, but that early relationship is very interesting.
So, over all, not a great book for adult YA readers, but certainly a good one for actual YAs.
But I think the other thing that really appeals is the intricate and systematic nature of Greek and Roman mythology (and Norse, for that matter, the Mediterranean's chilly cousin). There's the intertwined family trees to begin with - the pleasure of tracing out the criss-crossing lines. There's the tiered hierarchy - the major and minor gods, the humans who are made immortal or mate with the gods, the humans who are struck down by them. And then there are the attributes - the superhero aspect, of costumes, familiars, powers and gifts. It is an enormous body of knowledge to swim in, and slowly absorb.
I noticed two new book based on mythological topics at Unity Books the other weekend, and ordered them from the library. Jackie French's 'Oracle' was published last year and arrived for me on Friday, but I've had to ask them to buy the first book in S.D. Gentill's new 'Chasing Odysseus' series.
'Oracle' isn't actually set in Greece or Roman, but rather in Mycenae, in the period when this hilly, earthquake prone nation dominated Greece.
The story begins in a small village, where six year old Nikko watches one night as his father leaves the house with his new-born sister, to abandon her on the mountainside. Nikko follows him and rescues her sister, an act that is accepted by his father, but which makes the two children outcasts in the village. Something else is strange about the little girl, Thetis - she does not speak.
When Thetis is four or five, her mother takes her and Nikko to visit a 'hag' at another village, who restores Thetis's voice. Always an observant child, it turns out that Thetis can, Cassandra like, only speak the truth - no matter how damaging that is.
On the day that the High King's men come to collect the annual tribute from the village, Thetis and Nikko are caught by on of the men, trying to smuggle the best of the family's goats out of the village and away from the collection. Nikko is singing, and Thetis is dancing, using his body as a platform to leap from and balance upon. The man who discovers them, Orkestres, is an ex-acrobat, once a favourite of the King, but now too slow and pained to dance before him. Caught by the two children's dance, Orkestres convinces the village to give them to him in the stead of the tribute - but not before Thetis's father beats her voice back out of her again.
From here, we enter the enclosed world of the High Court of Mycenae, as Nikko and Thetis are trained by Orkestres and his wife Dora, another ex-acrobat, to perform for the King, to earning them all place in the Court hierarchy. This part of the story is full of colour and satisfying detail.
Fastforward through the middle section of the story, and we get to the point where an earthquake shakes Thetis's voice loose again, and she prophesies the King's death. Thetis is immediately and secretly banished, and Nikko escapes with the horse dancer Euridice (young, hot, fierce, feisty, full of commons sense - you know the kind). Euridice was promised to the Earth Mother before being captured by the King's men and brought to the Court - despite falling in love with her (and she with him) Nikko helps her escape from Mycenae and reach the shrine where she was meant to be sent, before setting out to find Thetis who - ta da! - has turned into the Pythia.
There are a few parts of the book that feel a bit laboured or obvious to an adult reader, but would probably soar over the head of a kid. There's one sentence in the first few pages of a kind that drives me particularly crazy: "Nikko felt that sometimes grown-ups got a bit confused about religion". I don't have a lot to compare this to, but in my personal experience, when adults are confused or inconsistent, that is either (a) barely noticeable or (b) frightening. It's not something a child points out with a sense of irony - at least, not until an adult has taught them irony. That one line nearly put me off the book.
There's also a pretty heavy reference to the myth of Orpheus and Eurydice, telegraphed about half-way through the book and then underlined when Euridice enters the underground shrine of the Earth Mother and Nikko, unable to follow her, lingers at its mouth from winter until spring (so, a bit of Persephone there too) to see whether she will reemerge of her own free will.
This said, the book got better as I read it, and the middle was much better than the slightly self-conscious set-up and the rapidly handled winding-up. I actually came to really like the characters of Orkestres and Dora, who induct the children into the life of the Court, and are very open about their motivation (status, which equates to a good living). Of course, they become loving parent figures eventually, but that early relationship is very interesting.
So, over all, not a great book for adult YA readers, but certainly a good one for actual YAs.
May 6, 2017
An excellent coming of age story set in a distant distant past. She has brought the time and the people to life with scant written records to rely on.
February 7, 2022
Read a while ago, enjoyed
August 24, 2022
A fascinating book that delves you into the culture of Ancient Greece, though with some simplification especially regarding the historical evidence and the mythology (since this is a fiction novel).
May 19, 2011
I anticipated a grander plot after the first few chapters because they introduced another world/time in a very mysterious and interesting way. The bond between Thetis and Nikko is sweet and pure from the start and I have a weakness for stories with close siblings. It is heart wrenching to watch and feel how Nikko rescues Thetis and becomes her recognized protector, but it is a shame that their bond is not developed further and given more attention.Throughout the story there are certain elements repeated - like Nikko being the only one that watches Thetis enough to understand her, and at first this is heart warming, but their bond barely goes beyond that. You are always guaranteed that they are close, but all it appears is that Nikko is an observer and sidekick of Thetis and nothing closer.. because they don't talk much at all (but Thetis can't help it..) Thetis doesn't seem to need Nikko beyond him being a rock for her to step on, even though Nikko's life seems to revolve around her. This becomes one of the things that frustrates me.
Moreover, Euridice seems to be an important character to Nikko but she appears and goes, and doesn't have much time to develop at all. Her reappearence at the end also seems rushed and could have been put more subtly or with more flourish. Likewise, I thought it was funny how Nikko waited for Euridice outside the cave for seemingly months, and then after going in and coming back out he just decides to forget about her and just think about his sister again. Really? It just didn't seem possible that someone can be so devoted to someone for months and then forget it within a day.
Nevertheless, I was most disappointed with the lack of development for Thetis. Sure she developed from girl to woman, but her speechlessness was not solved, and her constant sadness with her fate to tell the truth not given any hint of happiness, even though there can be. This is simply my dislike for the plot to plunge her in a sad fate from the beginning to the end...I was hoping for something good to come out of it in the end, but sadly it didn't happen. Then Nikko moves on to get married and she simply predicts herself to be locked in a room to tell people truths without actually verbally saying anything, and remain single and barren her whole life but has the company of observers that cannot communicate with her casually. Very lonely to imagine..
I also saw echoes of Shakespeare's famous quotes of how life is just a show and we are merely players - it gives a nice feel but the impact isn't as great as it could have been, and leaves much to melancholy. Shakespeare used that quote to describe a loss of purpose, a feeling of mortality in Macbeth because he was about to die. Thus, for the Chamberlain to say that to Nikko near the end when they met seemed inappropriate considering that Nikko was going to begin another part of his life that should be filled with colour and happiness! The bright awing part of being an entertainer was covered with the sadness of mortality there, but I think that Thetis and Nikko's acts are real gifts and should be seen separate from the sadness of mortality that way.
A sidenote:
I spotted a few spelling/typing/editing errors through this book as well.
Overall, I learnt a lot about a sexist world with strong hierarchies and symbolisms in place. The characters were all understandable and redeemable but the rushed pace made them confusing and irrational at the same time. Despite all the flaws, I enjoyed reading this story.
Moreover, Euridice seems to be an important character to Nikko but she appears and goes, and doesn't have much time to develop at all. Her reappearence at the end also seems rushed and could have been put more subtly or with more flourish. Likewise, I thought it was funny how Nikko waited for Euridice outside the cave for seemingly months, and then after going in and coming back out he just decides to forget about her and just think about his sister again. Really? It just didn't seem possible that someone can be so devoted to someone for months and then forget it within a day.
Nevertheless, I was most disappointed with the lack of development for Thetis. Sure she developed from girl to woman, but her speechlessness was not solved, and her constant sadness with her fate to tell the truth not given any hint of happiness, even though there can be. This is simply my dislike for the plot to plunge her in a sad fate from the beginning to the end...I was hoping for something good to come out of it in the end, but sadly it didn't happen. Then Nikko moves on to get married and she simply predicts herself to be locked in a room to tell people truths without actually verbally saying anything, and remain single and barren her whole life but has the company of observers that cannot communicate with her casually. Very lonely to imagine..
I also saw echoes of Shakespeare's famous quotes of how life is just a show and we are merely players - it gives a nice feel but the impact isn't as great as it could have been, and leaves much to melancholy. Shakespeare used that quote to describe a loss of purpose, a feeling of mortality in Macbeth because he was about to die. Thus, for the Chamberlain to say that to Nikko near the end when they met seemed inappropriate considering that Nikko was going to begin another part of his life that should be filled with colour and happiness! The bright awing part of being an entertainer was covered with the sadness of mortality there, but I think that Thetis and Nikko's acts are real gifts and should be seen separate from the sadness of mortality that way.
A sidenote:
I spotted a few spelling/typing/editing errors through this book as well.
Overall, I learnt a lot about a sexist world with strong hierarchies and symbolisms in place. The characters were all understandable and redeemable but the rushed pace made them confusing and irrational at the same time. Despite all the flaws, I enjoyed reading this story.
March 6, 2014
I had to study this book for school, but I probably wouldn't have read it leisurely. The introduction grabbed me with its perfectly poetic words. The anger and resentment of Nikko for his family and village was emotionally captured by Jackie French. The bond between Nikko and Thetis was beautiful as it evolved with time and trials as they faced the difficult journey together. The absolute heartache felt for Orkestres, Dora and Thetis was easy to relate to. I was happy that these lost friendships had been replaced by Euridice's companionship. It was as if Nikko was on they same journey, like the one from Mycenae, but with Euridice, instead of Thetis. When Euridice was dropped off at the temple, the least I coul have expected was for them to stay together. Nikko had lost his Mother, Father, Aertes, Thetis, Orkestres, Dora, Thetis, Euridice. As a humans what did he have left. To find Thetis a big wig in another city was bitterly disappointing, like all this for nothing. The story ends with far-fetched themes of underworlds and a not really happy ending D: Anyway, what happed to his family?
July 10, 2012
Interesting historic novel. I often underestimate Jackie French, thinking: historic novel. Bound to be boring. But they never are. They're interesting and she manages to splash in enough history to help readers gain an insight into the period in time without it being like a history lesson. Which is pretty damn amazing.
I felt like this book could've been more interesting from Thetis' point of view. I mean, she was the one who couldn't speak... the girl who changed history. Nikko was just her 'rock' rather than the Butterfly.
I also didn't like the sudden jump of six years. SIX YEARS? That's far too long... I felt like Nikko and Thetis had been whipped away and replaced with completely new characters. Annoying.
But yeah, apart from that... pretty good book.
I felt like this book could've been more interesting from Thetis' point of view. I mean, she was the one who couldn't speak... the girl who changed history. Nikko was just her 'rock' rather than the Butterfly.
I also didn't like the sudden jump of six years. SIX YEARS? That's far too long... I felt like Nikko and Thetis had been whipped away and replaced with completely new characters. Annoying.
But yeah, apart from that... pretty good book.
Read
July 29, 2011This book is clearly written for young adolescents, and keeping the target audience in mind, is done quite well. It is set in Ancient Greece in the time prior to the battle of Troy. The author has clearly researched about the culture of the era, but has not managed to create a convincing world. This is largely due to the dialogue in the novel. It is an entertaining tale, and gives an interesting possible history for aspects of the era that have become part of Greek legend.
October 24, 2011
Fantastic novel about a girl who is able to read subtle signs in people and nature to predict the truth. This gift creates a cast atrophic chain of events for both herself and her brother, leading them to be traded to the king in exchange for a reduction in the village offerings. They are taken in by a King's performer (who is getting too old to continue to perform) and trained in acrobatics, where their performance in front of the King will decide their eventual fate.
April 10, 2012
Oracle was a bit slow and depressing to start off with but it is worth finishing cos the ending is like, priceless, a mixture of surprise, sadness, and happiness, makes you cry but makes you feel good at the same time, cos Jackie French finishes it off really well and awnsers all your questions. I loved the way you felt like you knew Nikko by the end of the book.
May 17, 2013
I read this book about a year or two ago and I must say it is a great read. I usually put down a book if I'm not interested enough, but this book had me I'm in grade 10 now and to be honest, I'd read it again. The plot and story line is so compelling. Coming from a greek background also made me more interested. But yeah loved it.
March 23, 2011
Despite needing a 'little trim' around the editing, this is a great read. The story of children Nikko and Thetis, two outcast siblings in an Ancient Greek village, who get taken as tribute to the King, and how their lives are changed because of it.
November 6, 2010
Fantasic, i loved this. It's another of Jackie Frenchs wonders.
December 3, 2010
Lovely! A great young-adult tale of the Mycenaean civilisation and of two misfit children finding their way.
March 6, 2011
Another engaging read by Jackie French. Quite the page turner!
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April 26, 2011Not really my thing. But it was well written.
July 22, 2011
The book wasn't very interesting...
VERY BORING
VERY BORING
July 17, 2012
Brilliant writing. I read the first chapter about 30 times just to absorb the word usage.
March 7, 2013
I love everything written by this author anyway. This is a beautiful story about a brother's and sister's determination to survive togther in an otherwise cruel world.
March 22, 2013
This is definitely my favourite book ever I love it soooooooooo much.
March 24, 2013
Amazing. Jackie French has done it again!
February 17, 2014
Interesting combination of mythical, historical and fantasy writing. A fun read.
September 18, 2014
This book is such a great and interesting book. I love this book
February 8, 2015
I just found this book dragged on and on for at least half of the story and it didn't have very many interesting parts. I absolutely hated this book!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews