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Pivotal
Book Review
Chalice
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By
Robin McKinley |
Ages 12–up.
Fans and new readers alike will greedily devour McKinley's
latest...A lavish and lasting treat. --Publishers Weekly
This novel is a delight...teens will find themselves
drinking in this rich fairy tale as if it were honey
trickling down their throats. --School Library Journal
Humble beekeeper Mirasol has been chosen to
take on the key ceremonial role of Chalice, the woman
charged with maintaining the province's well-being by
communicating with the (sentient) land. She is keenly aware
of the suffering brought on by the misrule of its former
Master: "[The province Willowlands was restless, hurt and
unhappy... delirious as a child with a bad fever." Hope
flickers when the former Master's brother returns and
assumes the role; but because he is now an Elemental priest
of Fire, he may not be able to perform the duties. Mirasol
and the new Master are drawn to each other, even though she
suspects their union is prohibited, and their smoldering
attraction—plus the gorgeously evoked magic and the
escalating threat that Willowlands will be usurped—gives
this tale its sizzle.
Mirasol and the Master (whose name is only revealed late in
the book) are wonderfully realistic characters, and
Mirasol's stumbles and struggles make her seem like a
totally realistic country girl suddenly given a great task.
You wouldn't think that such a slender novel could have such
a richly imagined world, where metaphysical bonds link the
Master and Chalice to the very land itself. Not only does
Robin McKinley conjure such a world in "Chalice," but she
also wrought an intricate web of politics and tradition
around the ritual roles. Poor Mirasol, trying to navigate
her new role.
In the best McKinley fashion, the fantasy
realm is evoked in thorough and telling detail, with the
energy of the narrative lending excitement to descriptions
of even the most stylized rituals.
The world McKinley creates is rich, lush, detailed. It lives
and breathes; you can almost hear the bees humming and taste
Mirasol's honey.
A lavish and lasting treat.
"Chalice" is the sort of story that Robin McKinley has
penned before, but the land-mysticism and lush prose make it
entirely unique. Definitely a must-read..
Fans and new readers alike will greedily
devour McKinley's latest, a high fantasy as perfectly shaped
and eloquently told as
Beauty
and
The Hero and the Crown.
This book is available
from Amazon
or you can request it for free
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Indian in the Cupboard Study
Guide
 Omri receives several conventional gifts for his ninth birthday,
including a
longed-for skateboard. However, two gifts you would expect to be of
least
interest to a young boy prove to be magical and exciting. Suitable for
primary aged students this study guide has learning outcomes in key
learning
areas such as English, Art and Society and Environment.
Make a book for Grandpa
 Help your child make a book
about Grandpa (or another older friend or relative). When it’s finished it will make a great gift to give to Grandpa.
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