Series: Gods and Warriors, Book One
Publisher: Puffin
Format: ARC
Published: 28th August 2012
Number of Pages: 304
Book: For Review*
Genre: Fantasy, Mythical, Historical, Action-Adventure, Magic, Mystery, YA, YA-Child Crossover, MiddleGrade
Recommended
Age: 12+
Contains: Violence, Death, Gory Stuff
No Alcohol, Drug References
Author's
Site: Michelle Paver
Hylas couldn’t take it in. Last night he and Issi had made camp in a
cave below the western peak. Now his
sister was missing, his dog was dead, and he was running for his life.
Hylas
is scratching an existence with his goats in the mountains when he’s attacked
by mysterious warriors – nightmares of black rawhide armour and bronze spears,
their faces smeared with ash.
The black warriors want Hylas dead. He doesn’t know why. He must escape and find his sister.
So
he begins his quest across land and sea.
His only friends are Pirra, the rebellious daughter of the High
Priestess, and a dolphin called Spirit.
The black warriors are relentless.
Why are they hunting Hylas… and how will he survive?
Gods and Warriors is a breathtaking
adventure series set in the Greek Bronze Age: a time of chieftains, chariots
and ancient magic – when the lowliest goatherd could rise to become a hero.
Review:
“But
why we're the black warriors after Outsides? It didn't make sense.
Nobody cares
Hylas is an Outsider, a boy without kin, ancestors
or a clan. A nobody, the lowest of the low. No one cares about him,
no one other than his sister Issi and his dog Scram.
And then the Crow warriors attack.
They are killing Outsiders, and Hylas has no idea why.
He doesn't know where his sister is or if
she is even alive. Scram is dead.
On the run and fearing for his life, Hylas
fled the only home he's known - he must carry out his quest alone. Until
he finds Pirra – the daughter of the High Priestess, who grew up in the House
of the Goddess and has just seen the outside world for the first time, having
fled the arranged marriage she is meant to be forced into – as well as a dolphin
named Spirit.
But even with their help, can Hylas escape
the Crow Warriors? Can he find his sister? And will he ever know
why the Crows are after him?
And what is the importance of the plain
bronze dagger a dying man pressed into his hand...?
I love Michelle's Chronicles of Ancient Darkness series. It's so new and
awesome and cool. Gods and Warriors
– well, it just exceeded even my highest expectations. I raced through
the story at warp speed, gobbling it all up. I felt like I was there with
Hylas and Pirra and Spirit, going on all their adventures with them, seeing the
island and Blue Deep with Spirit. I loved every second of the book and
can't wait for the sequel: I also can't wait to pass this onto my brothers –
they love Michelle just as much as me and are desperate to get their hands on Gods and Warriors!
Hylas was an outsider – and really kind of
amoral. I found finding out what he didn't know intriguing – he didn't
know what a bath was, for example, and had never seen a horse up close.
And even though he had this rule to not help people who couldn't help you, he
was still caring and a generally good person, albeit a bit selfish. As for Pirra, I totally got her obsession
with freedom. She was totally useless at
living rough, but she was strong and tough and determined. She kind of hated her mother, but in her
toughest moment, Pirra thought of her. It's little oddities like that
that made Pirra – and in fact, all of the characters – come to life. And I loved
Spirit, the dolphin. He was so clever
and protective and I loved seeing the
world through his eyes – he saw everything so differently and it was so
intriguing and amazing. I just loved him
to pieces.
Plus, the relationship between Hylas and
Pirra killed me. They were such
unlikely friends, so mismatched. That just made me crack up – how they
scoffed at everything the other didn't know... Until they had to ask what
something meant! But they were totally on the same level and were a
brilliant team, even though they really were the oddest pair!
There weren't really that many big
characters in the book. Sure, we had the leads but there weren't that
many others. Somehow, Michelle made me fall head over heels or into an
instant burning hate for these few characters. She's amazing... But
I also really liked Userref, Pirra's slave and surrogate big brother. I
really didn't like Pirra's mother, though, 'cause she was heartless! But Telamon was a great character too – he was
noble and honourable: a warrior.
I love Michelle's writing to absolute
pieces - it's so marvellously descriptive and paints a picture in my
head. And I absolutely loved the time I spent in Spirit the dolphin's
head – I loved being a dolphin! He thought hair was seaweed – that one
really made me giggle! Now, I'm not squeamish or anything, but the scenes
where Hylas was eating raw fish or turtle eyeballs or drinking blood – just YUCK. It doesn't help I'm a
vegetarian, I think. But kids will love the gory stuff – they do love
Horrible Histories after all! Actually, I love HH too... So funny!
Back on topic: the plotline was even
better. It had me hooked from the very first sentence. The action
started on the very first page and didn't let up. It was nonstop and
totally addictive – I loved every second and was constantly guessing: I had no
idea where it was all going whatsoever!
And the setting? Oh, so epic! I loved
learning about all the rituals and rites and beliefs. They were all so
different and intriguing to me. I could so see how much work Michelle had
put into it - it was all so amazing! Their belief system knocked my socks
right off! I loved learning all about all the gods, all the mythologies
and rituals. And I loved all the spirit-y stuff. Oh, I just loved
the entire setting full stop. Loved the
whole book full stop…
A story that had me hooked every single
moment and racing towards the end, Gods
and Warriors us a book both children and their parents will love – whether
it's being read aloud or in your head, you're always be hearing: just one more
chapter... This is the perfect book for all reluctant readers and reading
addicts alike – whether you're ten or a little older... I know I'll be
anxiously and excitedly waiting for the next in the series – what can I
say? I'm hooked!
Star Rating:
4¼ Out of 5
4¼ Out of 5
Read this
book if you liked:
Chronicles of Ancient Darkness by Michelle Paver
Percy Jackson and Heroes of Olypmus by Rick Riodan
The History Keepers by Damian Dibben
Wereworld by Curtis Jobling
Challenges
It's Taking Part In:
Happy Reading
Megan
* This
book was received from Penguin in exchange for an honest review
