The Shamer's Daughter [Broché]

Grade 6-9–Like her mother, the local Shamer, Dina can see the shameful truths hidden in the souls of her fellow villagers–if only they will look her in the eye. Of course, everyone avoids her, and she has grown to hate her so-called "gift." Then Mama is taken prisoner, and Dina must use her truth-telling ability to solve a triple murder and rescue her mother and the young man falsely accused of the crime. Suspenseful and sometimes gory, this fantasy features interesting secondary characters and a well-drawn preindustrial setting. Occasional corny dialogue and overlong escape scenes won't deter readers, who will speed through the unfolding of the story's many mysteries: Who really killed the noble Castellan and his family? Why are there ravenous dragons at his castle? Whom can Dina trust now that the killer has seized control of the kingdom? Although only 10, she thinks and acts like an older child, and her increasing courage and resourcefulness in the face of evil doings, exhaustion, and the strains of her own talent will appeal to fans of Tamora Pierce's work. By the end of the book, Dina finds some peace as she makes a new friend and learns that her gift can heal as well as cause pain. Since the killer remains in power, plenty of conflict has yet to be resolved in the novel's proposed sequels.–Beth Wright, Fletcher Free Library, Burlington, VT
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Gr. 6-8. Dina, nearly 11, bitterly resents having inherited her mother's power as a Shamer; she would rather be normal and have friends. When wrongdoers look into the Shamer's eyes, they are forced to face all their hidden, shameful secrets, which the Shamer also sees. After her mother is summoned to Dunark Castle to solve a violent triple murder, Dina, who is misled into believing that her mother needs her, is taken to the castle. There she must use her Shamer's eyes to save both her mother and the accused 17-year-old Nico, who is innocent of the crime. The story involves a dank dungeon and a dark pit of voracious dragons as well as the real villain, who is as vicious as the dragons. This first book in the Shamer Chronicles is a page-turner; readers will eagerly await the next episode. Sally Estes
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --Ce texte fait référence à une édition épuisée ou non disponible de ce titre.

Dina has unwillingly inherited her mother's gift: the ability to elicit shamed confessions simply by looking into someone's eyes. To Dina, however, these powers are not a gift but a curse. Surrounded by hostility and fear, she longs for simple friendship. But when her mother is called to Dunark Castle to uncover the truth about a bloody triple murder, Dina must come to terms with her Shamer's eyes-or let her mother fall prey to the vicious and revolting dragons of Dunark. And one of those dragons is human. --Ce texte fait référence à une édition épuisée ou non disponible de ce titre.

Fans of Tanith Lee's 'Wolf Tower' series will relish the drama of Dina's adventure and enjoy her witty, sharp narrative.
An impressive and original fantasy, rich in ideas and meaning, with memorable characters and a vivid setting. A page-turning read from an exciting writer - her first novel to be published in English.
Look out for the independent sequel, 'The Shamer's Signet', also published by Hodder.

Lene Kaaberbol is the author of many popular books that have been published in Denmark. She does her own translations, and her English version of The Shamer's Daughter was short-listed for the Marsh Award for Children's Literature in Translation in Britain. Ms. Kaaberbol lives in Copenhagen, Denmark.
--Ce texte fait référence à une édition épuisée ou non disponible de ce titre.