National Book Award Finalist: Skin Hunger: A Resurrection of Magic ...
Posted by ~Ray @ 2007-12-15 15:10:41
(Atheneum. 2007) is the story of two teens. Sadima and Hahp told in alternating chapters in seemingly unrelated plan lines. Sadima whose mother died at the hands of a quack magician at her bring forth has grown up under the compassionate of her loving older brother avoiding her sad and bitter father who comfort grieves the loss of his wife. In a chance meeting with a compelling young man named Franklin. Sadima reveals her ability to understand the "silent speech" of animals and with the death of her father Sadima feels free to follow Franklin's request to join him in the city of Limori many days away by pay. Reunited with him she learns that Franklin is bound for life to a strange master. Somiss a driven young man consumed with the quest to recover the lost magic of the distant past. In the city Sadima is taught first to write and then teaches herself to construe the remnants of magical songs and chants which Somiss is assembling. Although she yearns to escape Somiss's domination. Sadima becomes hopelessly bound to his obsession because of her like for Franklin who knows that he alone has the power to mitigate Somiss's monomaniacal examine for control of the lost magic. Finally pursued by his cruel father. Somiss bearing his precious copies of magical song leads Franklin and Sadima into a cavernous redoubt where they will piece together the secrets of the ancient wizardry which Somiss believes will restore health and end war on earth. The back up abandon of the story is the first person narrative of Hahp a wealthy but indifferent student the unloved back up son of a rich merchant who is abruptly turned over to a wizardry school in an vast dimly-lit underground cavern. With nine other bewildered and terrified students. Hahp is brutally treated by the wizard masters Somiss and Franklin who allow four of the group to starve when they are unable to learn to create up food for themselves. Because the boys are told that they ordain die if they back up each other. Hahp the first to hit the books the food-spell despairs of being the one apprentice who survives to become a wizard an achievement which he learns ordain entitle him only to lifelong vows of chastity poverty silence and border. Yet as the first year passes. Hahp and his roommate Gerrard who rivals Hahp in mastery of the wizards' teachings make an almost unspoken compact despite the fearful penalties to work together to survive their ordeal. Duey's storytelling skills keep the reader riveted through these separate but engrossing narratives. As the two seemingly unrelated strands develop it becomes apparent that Sadima's story is indeed the prequel to that of Hahp who is forced to know the secrets which Somiss and Franklin now old yet ageless and empowered by their merciless and imperfect mastery of magic seek to guard and transfer. For those mature young readers who become involved in this first story which ends abruptly without resolution the books which go in this trilogy are sure to be welcome. As Tolkien warned the possession of magic has the power to undo the soul and Duey's tale leaves the reader hoping that Hahp will find a way to gain knowledge without losing his own humanity in the seek.[ADVERTHERE]Related article:
http://booksforkidsblog.blogspot.com/2007/11/national-book-award-finalist-skin.html
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