New Moon

A multiple re-read for me, going all the way back to the late 80's/early 90's, this book has stood the test of time. It takes place in Oran's capital city, Beldan, and mostly in that city's slums. For two centuries, children with certain elemental powers to earth, air, fire, and water face a certain death. So they take to hiding among the various Flocks or submit to the noddy noose.

Ruling over this land is Oran's Fire Queen, Zorah, who appears to be immortal. She is under the political influence of the Sileans who have promised their guardianship with promises of peace, prosperity, and longevity for her. But not necessarily for her people.

The story takes place from many different viewpoints: Jobber, a smith's apprentice; Alwir, a member show more of a Silean noble family; the Firstwatch, led by a woman whose job is to maintain control of the Silean guards; and the Flocks made up of street urchins. We also meet some of the leaders of these flocks, especially Kai who cares for her Waterlings.

The backdrop of the action is Fire Faire and all of Oran's folk arriving in Beldan. Yet when several street children are killed and Kai follows the killer through Beldan's streets, secret identities are revealed and Zorah knows that her throne is in jeopardy. The action is fast-paced and unrelenting, like life for many in this city, and it does not let up until the book ends. Which makes a great opportunity for the sequel! show less

I really enjoyed this book.
I actually liked the multitude of characters in the first half of the book. It meant that it wasn't too obvious who was going to emerge as the main protagonist or even if there was going to be one.
All the names were different enough to keep track of who was who - something I often have trouble doing at the start of a new book.

I didn't see the main twist coming at all, nor did I pick the hidden identity of one of the villains.
I think this was very deftly handled for what would otherwise be a fairly standard plotline (and yes, I know that all fantasy novels only really share half a dozen plotlines at most)

Nicely set up for an interesting rest of the series.

I was attracted to this book by the beautiful cover. It is a fantasy story about the country Oran. Two hundred years ago, in a war, the Fire Queen beat her sisters the Water, Earth and Wind Queens. She has been ruling over Oran ever since, with help from the Sileans, a military people from a neighboring country. The people of Oran are being repressed, and to keep her power, the Fire Queen kills all Oran children who show signs of having magic.The story is set in Beldan, the capital of Oran. There is a conspiracy going on, called the New Moon, who want to rid the country of Silean rule. Meanwhile, in the streets kids with magic are disappearing.
This book is the first in a trilogy, so the story doesn't really end and feels like the set show more up for the rest of the story. That is not a bad thing, because there is enough action here to keep you going. A nice fantasy world with an action packed adventure. show less

This is the first book in a trilogy, and if the other two are as good as this one, I'm in for a treat! I believe this was originally published as a "regular" fantasy novel, and has since been repackaged as a YA novel by Firebird.

Two hundred years ago, the Fire Queen of Oran destroyed her fellow queens of Earth, Water, and Air, thus allowing the Fire Queen to retain control of her country even as it was overrun by a conquering race. Now she jealously guards her control, to the point of killing any children who show evidence of having elemental Gifts. Winds of change are blowing in her kingdom, however, with a revolutionary group called the New Moon causing chaos, and a group of street rats with secret powers...

This was just so great! The show more world is fascinating and fully realized, and there are a host of great characters. I would probably recommend it mostly for older YAs (highschool age), since there's a bit of sex and some fairly graphic violence. show less

This one is colorful, busy, and violent, full of street people, soldiers and one evil queen. It takes place over a few days in the capital city of an oppressed country. Magic is elemental, but just starting to bust out - two more books will complete the story. The next one is waiting for me at the library...

Interessant plot, leuke karakters, maar in het begin een tikje traag. Vandaar de 4 sterren.

dark, lots of violence and death, don't get too attached to any of the characters.