Obernewtyn - Isobelle Carmody

Recommended for ages 10-adult.

Very few avid readers have not heard of Isobelle Carmody and her Obernewtyn series. I only recently got around to reading the first book, Obernewtyn, and immediately wondered what on earth I had been waiting for. Carmody is known for being a skillful storyteller who asks punchy questions about humanity and the nature of good and evil, but Obernewtyn is so much more than that.

Set in a fantastical post-apocalyptic world, the story follows the early life of Elspeth - a girl with mysterious powers and a very good reason to hide them. The world in which she lives is governed by the cruelty and false religion of the Council who seek to find and destroy everyone who threatens to oppose their rule. As the narrative unfolds, we join Elspeth's quest to understand her growing abilities and the threat they pose to her life.

Full of suspense, this book will lead you from clue to clue as you discover Elspeth is facing a MUCH bigger problem than her own survival. As she finally learns, some things are worth more than one person's life...

PS. Check out the comprehensive fan site at http://www.obernewtyn.net/e107/news.php for the latest news on Carmody and the series.