Rating: 
Summary: Sherryl Jordan outshines herself
Review: "In this luminous fantasy, Sherryl Jordan surpasses her award-winning novel The Raging Quiet with a vividly realized story that centers on a young healer, the evocatively named Gabriel, as he moves inexorably toward fulfilling his destiny with a heroic sacrifice." So begins the editorial review above. But Sherryl Jordan actually wrote Secret Sacrament BEFORE The Raging Quiet. It was published in 1996 and shortlisted in the Aim Awards (as I think they were then called) for 1997. In my opinion it should have won not only the award for Best Book for Older Readers but should also have won overall Book-of-the-Year. But then I almost invariably find myself disappointed in the choices made by the judges of New Zealand's most prestigious annual book awards. A recent addition to these awards is a children's choice. Unfortunately, instead of allowing children to choose from books published during the year, they're given ONLY the shortlisted books from which to choose. Not much better than Hobson's Choice, quite frankly. The children's choice is also invariably a picture book. I wish more encouragement would be given to readers who've gone beyond needing their fiction illustrated. Anyway, back to Secret Sacrament. It's a totally engrossing read for both teenagers and adults. You will never forget Gabriel and even adults will want to keep the book so they can rediscover its delights years later.
Rating: 
Summary: One of the two best books I've read this month...
Review: ...and the funny thing is, I only JUST realized that the other fantastic book I read this month was ALSO by Sherryl Jordan.
How I missed that little detail, I'll never know.
"The Raging Quiet" is a fantastic book, and so is this. I have to say that the ending irked me just a little, but I won't give it away. I WILL say that the book could easily, EASILY have continued on from its ending point, although perhaps the reason it did NOT is that what followed is easily predictable by even the densest of readers (such as myself). The child would have been born and named after the chief's daughter (if a girl) or the hero's brother (if a boy); the rise of the tribe would be successful, the evil sorcerer would have fallen, etc. etc. etc. Still, Jordan's writing is such an absolutely JOY to read, it's a real pity she stopped for the pithy reason that the rest of the story is OBVIOUS. I mean, really. SO many authors simply refuse to take that into account...
...though admittedly not all of them are any good...
In any case, this is a splendid piece of work, a book any author should be proud to consider theirs no matter what the ending is like.
Rating:
Summary: Best book ever
Review: Amazing book coudnt put it down emotional cool amazing book a must read
Rating:
Summary: Beautiful Sacrament
Review: First of all, I'd like to start by saying that this book is one of the most beautifully written and poignant stories I've ever read, and I've read quite a few. I was most amazed that most people haven't heard of this book, and it hasn't gotten nearly the amount of publicity it ought to have gotten. It truly was a buried treasure, and I am so lucky I found it. Jordan does a wonderful job with the language in this novel. The writing is clear, simple, and easy to understand, yet is incredibly descriptive. The wording is so colorful, I could almost feel the wind on my face as I stood beside Gabriel on the city walls, overlooking the bustling markets...and it only starts there. Although this is a fantasy novel, the historical and political references had implications even a child couldn't ignore. Thoughts of the persecuted native Americans, the Roman empire, and Jesus Christ were only a few of the historical concepts going through my head as I read this novel, which not only brought the story to life and made it more realistic, but also brought the story close to home, for I'm sure not only myself. I won't waste time by writing a full synopsis, but the main points to know are that Gabriel is a tormented hero who, ever since he was a child, has wanted to be a healer. He is kind, patient, and above all, flawed yet fundamentally good, which makes him grow on the reader and regard him with close empathy even at the beginning of the story. The rest of the characters were incredibly endearing, also- Ashila and the wise Sheel Chandra, for example. Not only were famous historical allusions made, but many personal difficulties and home life troubles were brought to attention in this story. Gabriel dealt with an unfeeling father who was often away from home, as well as overbearing uncles. Gabriel's mother was an excellent example of what I loved about the story's characters- she was a fundamentally sweet and kind woman who was overly controlled by her husband, yet, despite her weakness, she was not a totally meek and mild person. No one in Secret Sacrament is black-and-white, good and evil. Everyone has some good and bad in them, making all the characters charmingly realistic. I recommend this book for readers of all ages, however, I think it's fair to say that there is some sex, though it is not too graphic and is quite beautiful, as well as this is a heart-wrenching story which had me weeping in the last few chapters, as Gabriel becomes a martyr for his people. If you are interested in a completely beautiful and amazingly well-written story, though, I recommend Secret Sacrament with all my heart.
Rating:
Summary: Amazing...
Review: Gabriel's father never showed him any support, making him feel unloved and wanting. However, after his father's death, Gabriel finds a new beginning for himself, something that connects him to the Shinali bone he found at the age of 7. So, he chooses to become a healer and this destiny leads him to a political mess with the Empress and her advisers and a life with the Shinali people. But Gabriel has to overcome his cowardice, and his fears, to save the Shinali people because Jaganath, an evil adviser of the Empress, is ready to destroy them. This is the story of how Gabriel will manage to save the Shinali people, out of love and courage, completing his destiny and a prophecy that has lived among his own and the Shinali.
The book was beautiful. It was complete, and even though the end made me cringe slightly, I liked it, it made sense. Some people (and this includes me) might find that the ending is sort of a hanger, and a sequel would be possible, because although (this will be understood when the book is read) Gabriel finished his goal, he didn't exactly complete the prophecy.
Well, even though, no matter the ending, this book will definitely leave you happy. I didn't have a moment where I wanted to put it down.
Rating:
Summary: so good!!!!
Review: I cant not tell you how much i loved this book. It is incredible!! It will always be one of my favorites of all time. I dont think i wll ever tire of reading it again and agian. i read alot and so it is high praise for a book to be one of my all time favorites!! It makes you laugh, it makes you cry, and most importantly it makes you love the characters. Highly recommanded!
Rating:
Summary: Emotional
Review: I have to admit that when I started to read this book, I was a bit skeptical. The plot didn't seem to be that well distinguished from other fantasy books that I read. Gabriel goes against his relative's wishes when he decides to become a healer, though he still has the love of his brother and mother. He is very promising as a healer and is accepted into the Citadel, where he will be taught. The Empress becomes in debt to him, and all seems to be going well, except that her advisor, an evil person, has power over her and hates Gabriel because he thinks that his job is being stolen by him. (That whole powerful advisor thing reminded me of Aladdin.) When Jaganath (that's the guy's name) finally turns over Gabriel's life, he starts another with the Shinali people and tries to bring about a prophecy that both cultures yearn for. Those some of this was cliche, it will leave you staring at the last page, wanting to start over again.
Rating:
Summary: I loved it
Review: I loved this book! I couldnt put it down i read all 495 pages in 3 days! but she should write a sequl because it just leaves ends like what about Ashila and his kid what about the citadel and the fate of Navora and his mother and his family! the end left me shocked and crying but this is an excelent read but you have to be committed to it because it gets confusing at some parts like at the end i had to read it a couple of times but still this is the bes book ever!
Rating:
Summary: This is one of my favorites-Top 5
Review: Secret Sacrament is an awesome book! I have read three times already and still every time I turn the next page I get excited and want to keep going. Sherryl Jordan is an awesome author and is one of the many that inspire me. This book is a fantasy that kids of all ages will enjoy! I sure did. I recommend this book along with The Raging Quiet. A book also by Sherryl Jordan. It is Awesome!
Rating:
Summary: An Okay Book
Review: The book Secret Sacrament is a good book. It isn't exactly fantasy it's more spiritual. It also described a story of a very pressured kid. The book is exciting and interesting. Especially the olden times the setting is in. The thing that amazed me the most is the healing and the power of reading dreams. The main character is Gabriel a young boy that doesn't want to be a tough macho man he wants to be a peaceful healer. In this story some major problems are that the empress Petra has a crush on a simple healer like Gabriel. Another problem is that his uncle wants him to be a man by following his father's foot steps in honor of his death, but Gabriel has another idea by the way his life is going. I give the book 4 stars out of 5. It's a pretty good book.
| 
