Peter Dickinson performs some amazing tricks with this young adult novel. The powers of the Gods (O the sun, Aa the moon, and others) infuses pretty much every page, and yet, objectively, nothing necessarily fantastic ever happens. The culture is incredibly detailed and consistent. This is a fascinating world but not a nice one. Tron is naive, but not simple. Having known nothing else Tron is true believer in the many rituals that determine everyday life. And yet believable, he brings great change to a system that resists change, precisely because his belief is so strong.

Highly recommended, right up there with Earthsea. ( )

A slightly-spoilerish tip: This is not happening when you think it is happening. In fact, the genre is not what you think it is, either. I didn't get this the first time I read it. Pay attention!

This is a very interesting story set in ancient Egypt - although perhaps not quite the ancient Ehypt we would recognise. In this world the gods are real enough that they speak to a young boy and guide him into an action that causes a sequence of momentous events, beginning with the death of the king and ending... well I won't say where it ends, as that would spoil the story - but as a story it hangs together very well indeed, and is more than worth the time spent readig it.

I am suprised this book has not generated more reviews as it really is very good. The world is richly imagined and drawn. There is love and friendship here, power and politics, and plenty to set you thinking about the nature of change, of the world and of our place in it. ( )