TERSIAS: THE ORACLE
G. P. Taylor
Firebird/Penguin Young Readers Group
Historical Fiction
ISBN-10: 0142408468
ISBN-13: 9780142408469
288 pages

G. P. Taylor, adroit storyteller that he is, seems to be gaining momentum with each new book released. In TERSIAS: THE ORACLE, his latest tale, Taylor weaves another combined web of part fantasy and part mysticism, all interlaced with reality. Sometimes Taylor's life observances sting while at other times they comfort, but in every instance young readers will be entertained and challenged to see past the obvious and do a bit of critical thinking of their own.

Abused and maimed, now-blind Tersias has fallen under the "protective" care of a bitterly wizened, selfish old magician, Magnus Malachi, who uses Tersias's otherworldly ability to predict the future (when a spirit called the Wretchkin falls upon him) as his sole money source. Tersias is caged and displayed; yet fate intercedes when another equally desperate youngster, Jonah, robs a carriage, gets stabbed by the malevolent Lord Malpas's enchanted knife and steals his alabaster box. Jonah doesn't realize what he has until its power begins to bewitch his best friend, Tara. Within a short space of time, Jonah, Tersias, Tara and Malachi are thrown together in a fight against another crazed power-hungry character, Solomon, intent on purifying the city with a release of deadly hybrid locusts. Assorted evil personages jail them all in different locations.

Resourcefully, they temporarily escape and eventually find refuge amongst unlikely sources (themselves and others), and all the while continue to fight inner battles of choice against good and evil. Before the final encounter, all the characters have been transformed in some way or another, and readers are reminded of the stark contrast between putting off and putting on both actions/attitudes. Rippling through the text are subtle and thoughtful reminders of how important a prepared heart is for living life. Interesting stuff.

Similar to the likes of C.S. Lewis and J. R. R. Tolkien, Taylor's work will endure simply because he offers more than a quick interesting read. He deftly supplies periodic touchstones of truth that readers will continue to consider and reflect upon while awaiting his next installment.

   --- Reviewed by Michele Howe

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