The Hermit Thrush Sings

Rating:
Summary: A masterfully plotted and well-written novel.
Review: When the world was hit by a meteor many years before, the world itself forever changed. Society reformed, but into a different position and with different forms of new breeds of people created by the devastating blow of the meteor. Thus began a new people, different in looks but still maintaining human characteristics and features. Leora is one of those called 'Mutants' -- people that were formed by the meteor, often referred to as defectives. She has one webbed hand, a marvelous hand that can perform fantastic gifts for her, the gift to draw things like no one else. Though she is mocked by her people for her defective hand, she defies their mockery and soon sets off on an unforgettable adventure : beyond the Wall, where all people of her home, Village Fifteen, are forbidden to go. What lurks behind those mysterious walls? What will become of it when she finally has the courage to go beyond the Wall, defying the laws? She soon becomes involved in a battle to save all she knows, and sees wondrous things that no one could have the gift of seeing but her. Leora wants to answer all the mysteries that surround her, but first she must keep herself alive and make the right friends to help conquer what lay ahead of her on her dangerous journey. The Hermit Thrush Sings was an excellent and marvelously plotted and written novel by Susan Butler. Readers of Lois Lowry's poetic novel GATHERING BLUE will no doubt love this wonderful young adult novel. But even if you aren't the type to read such a novel, The Hermit Thrush Sings because it truly is an exception from many, many young adult fiction novels to choose from.

Rating:
Summary: Not so great, but worth a visit to the library
Review: While the plot line of this book is pretty interesting, in some places, it just falls flat. For instance, I think a lot of things are way too easy for Leora, and that people are also too willing to believe her story. For people who are oppressed and ready to get into a war, they are unrealistically trusting of her, and her "predictions" which they buy into almost immediately. I also thought Leora was a very pale character, with not a lot of life. I am a very avid reader, and I like almost everything I read, so the fact that I disliked this so much is a surprise even to me. However, it is an amusing read, and like I've previously stated, the plot line is pretty good. Worth getting from a friend or the library, but use your book money to buy Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials instead.