Description
I wonder if the first day of Learning is always like this - do the girls on the hill always feel the ground tremble under their feet? Leira is about to start her initiation as a priestess when her world is turned upside down. A violent earthquake leaves her home - and her family - in pieces. And the goddess hasn't finished with the island yet.
With her family, Leira flees across the sea to Crete, expecting sanctuary. But a volcanic eruption throws the entire world into darkness. After the resulting tsunami, society descends into chaos; the status and privilege of being noble-born reduced to nothing. With her injured mother and elderly nurse, Leira has only the strength and resourcefulness within herself to find safety. A thrilling Bronze Age survival story from the acclaimed author of Dragonfly Song.
Review
Leira is just starting her training as a priestess when an earthquake destroys her home. Leira and her family flee to Crete, but more natural disasters follow.
Left with her injured mother and her old nurse, Leira must find the courage to help her family find safety.
This is a story of resilience and courage, as our heroine Leira must use every bit of resourcefulness and strength as her family struggle to survive.
Set in the Bronze Age, it is quite confronting at times, as everything is so different from our lives today. It is definitely best suited to upper primary readers in Years 5 & 6.
It will be most enjoyed by girls who appreciate a strong female lead and ancient cultures.
Reviewed by Michelle
