The Riddle (Pellinor Series #2) » (Reprint)

Alison Croggon is an award-winning poet whose work has been published around the globe. She started to write the books of Pellinor when her oldest son, Josh, began to read fantasy, and is currently working on the third and fourth books of the quartet. She lives in Australia.

A young woman embraces her power — and her destiny — as the thrilling quest begun in THE NAMING continues!

Maerad is a girl with a tragic and bitter past, but her powers grow stronger by the day. Now she and her mentor, Cadvan, hunted by both the Light and the Dark, must unravel the Riddle of the Treesong before their fractured kingdom erupts in chaos. The quest leads Maerad over terrifying seas and vast stretches of glacial wilderness, ever closer to the seductive Winterking — ally of her most powerful enemy, the Nameless One. Trapped in the Winterking's icy realm, Maerad must confront what she has suspected all along: that she is the greatest riddle of all. A sequel to THE NAMING, this second book in a captivating quartet about the ancient world of Edil-Amarandh is a sweeping epic readers won't soon forget.

Dr. Lesley Farmer - KLIATT

The second in the Pellinor fantasy epic, the riddle is the protagonist herself: Maerad, a 16-year-old Bard who is destined to be the Chosen One. An orphan, Maerad has endured slavery and deprivation, and her brother has been captured. Although she wants to reunite with him, Maerad's immediate quest is to pursue the mystery of the Treesong. To this end, she must travel to the far north. Much of the time, the self-contained Bard Cadvan guides her--until he is buried in an avalanche caused by evil spirits. Alone, Maerad has to fend for herself and trust strangers; she also has to learn about her own powers and possible dark side. Time is precious; the over young Bard must solve the riddle before the kingdom is lost in chaos and evil. Although this volume can be read without the first book, Maerad's undercurrent of longing for her brother seems a bit affected without more back story details. The Riddle is basically a questing story, filled with adventure and loss. Competently written, it has a disappointing end since the character doesn't seem to have grown substantially and the conflict is far from resolved. Nevertheless, fantasy readers will probably enjoy this saga, particularly when it is complete (four volumes are projected). The device of translating the saga from the world of Edil-Amerandh may either delight or turn off readers. (The Second Book of Pellinor.). KLIATT Codes: JS--Recommended for junior and senior high school students. 2004, Candlewick Press, 490p. map., $17.99.. Ages 12 to 18.