The Oracle

The Oracle Betrayed comes from the pen of the award-winning Welsh author and poet Catherine Fisher, and grabs readers quickly with a convincingly imagined Greco-Egyptian setting and characters that defy quick classification. Our heroine, Mirany, begins the story as a timid teen serving the High Priestess, the masked Speaker who discerns the wishes of a god through a mysterious island oracle. When the current Archon (the sequestered God-on-Earth) passes a secret note to Mirany just before he's sacrificed, the story throws intrigue onto intrigue with a murder plot, a drunken musician, a conflicted scribe, a slick tomb robber, an offended Rain Goddess and no shortage of mystic burial rituals and dusty tombs.

Fisher's biggest accomplishment is that for all the page-turning action, she still manages to raise some pretty heady ideas about death, ambition and the nature of faith. Expect both kids and grown-ups to be reaching for Fisher's follow-up. (Ages 9 to 12) --Paul Hughes, Amazon.com

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View books by Catherine Fisher.

Grade 9 Book Review by Mohammad Al-Ansari - Rated
The book, The Oracle, teaches us that you don't have to be big to do big things. The story goes that the old Archon has died and the kingdom is in need of a new Archon. The old Archon entrusts that Mirany, the new bearer of the god, to find the Archon. She sets off to find him with the help with a musician and a scribe, but the General and the Speaker to the god are going to find an Archon that will do their bidding, can Mirany find the Archon in time?

When I was reading the book, The Oracle I noticed that Mirany, the heroine in the story was a shy girl and wasn't very brave. I loved the plot and how Catherine Fisher didn't describe the characters but let you find out on your own by the things they say. The only annoying flaw was the thoughts that Mirany had when she was saying there was no god. I thought it was annoying because it kept on repeating so I skim it all the time. I choose this book because, it was different from the other books I have read, which were more up to date, this one was date back when the Egyptians ruled, which I find interesting.

Be warned in The Oracle it does contain some bad language and some religious statements and beliefs. I would like to say that this book has some complex vocabulary, so I would say this book would be for 13 year olds and up.

Whether you love books with adventure or a bit of history in it, this book is the one for you. Two other books in the series are out The Archon which is the sequel, and then The Scarab.

Al last - something different to wizards. . . - Rated
The reason why I chose this book was because it sounded so different to other children's books. Instead of the usual idea of basing a story around magic, Fisher's book revolves around religion, yet it is so much more than just religion.

The main character, Mirany, is made Bearer-of-the-God. In her new role, she becomes one of the Nine - sacred people who are involved with the God. However, Mirany is unsure of whether the God really exists: couldn't the Speaker-for-the-God simply make up the 'messages' that they supposedly receive direct from the God? Mirany seems aware that treachery could easily happen, yet her role as Bearer means she has to keep quiet. Her fears are realised when the Archon (kind of God on earth) dies, giving her a message on his death-bed that all is not what it seems and that Argelin, a corrupt general, will appoint a new Archon who they will be able to control.

That is only a fraction of the plot. Mirany is not completely alone - she has a few accomplices who try to make sure that the real Archon will be rightly selected: one is a drunken musician and the other is a scribe, who has secrets of his own.

Fisher's book is truly unique - she explores many issues; political treachery, personal betrayal, bribery, religious uncertainty are just some. And she has triumphed in making a book which will easily be enjoyed by children and adults alike. She certainly deserves for this book, and the sequel, to receive the recognition it deserves.

Simply Amazing! - Rated
Its truly an amazing book. It had an interesting plot and colourful character’s. The book starts out with her being chosen to be the new Bearer for the God. Unfortunally for Mirany, she doesn’t believe in God, but being shoved into a building with the nine most sacred people in the land forces her to keep her views quiet. Before he dies, the Archon trusts Mirany with a deadly secret, that the Speaker (really important religious person, kinda like the pope) is corrupt. He tells her to find his good friend Oblek who will help her to find the new true Archon after he is dead. Confused? You should be, so READ IT! This is only a FRACTION of the story. This story includes a traitorous scribe, a tomb thief, a drunken musician, Gods, backstabbing friends and so many ideas your head will explode. This book should defiantly be more popular than potter.

The title is slightly misleading - Rated
At first I thought that this was a sequel to the amazing paperback edition of "The Oracle" until I discovered that it is, in fact, a reprint of the original and the only things that were different were the title and cover.
Although this irritated me , "The Oracle" is still a worth-while read for all ages.

Definetly worth the read - Rated
The Oracle is an amazing story with a host of characters that make you laugh, cry and hold your breath. Unlike other authors Catherine Fisher makes you wonder whether the end will actually be rosey - and at times you doubt that anyone will survive. The description and writing of this book means it is a tale that any age will enjoy - I'm 18 and I still couldn't put it down!