It has been a long time since I've written many reviews, as I am trying to launch myself as author of fiction. But Victoria Laurie has been one of my favorite authors since I read her first Psychic Eye book. Her Oracles of Delphi Keep series are the best yet.
Delphi Keep at Dover, England. World War II is starting to boil over. Our friends, Ian, Theo and Carl are frightened they may be moved from their beloved Keep, which holds the portals to adventures to finish a quest started by Delphic Oracle Laodamia of Phoencia. The famous seer has hidden six silver boxes with Cryptic clues in poetry that are meant for the children to find and decipher and somehow save the future of the world.
The children's champion is the Earl of Kent, who not only believes them, but assists them on their quest.
The children find their next quest from the Oracle, and it proves to be one of their most dangerous yet. You see, the Nazis are starting to advance and are in powerful positions in Europe, causing chaos. The Keep is being used by the British Army, and captures German soldiers.
Instead of sending the children away, the Earl trusts them to go on their next quest, leaving England and going to France to save two people mentioned in the prophecy. The Nazis have a stronghold on the people there. These children must use every bit of courage they can muster, as they show they are worthy of being chosen by the famous Oracle to save the future.
They also forward their quest by finding the next link to their group, while fighting the evil sisters of Laodamia's time, and their even more evil Magus.
Quest For The Secret Keeper is beautifully written, believable and the ending will leave you breathless.
'Nuff said. If you haven't read the series from the start, this is one you need to start at the beginning to get caught up on the reasons these children have been chosen, and who their allies are.
It is as worthy to read as Harry Potter, and will touch all who that series touched.
I read the first 150 pages in one sitting. That should give you a clue how much this budding author loves Ms. Laurie and the Oracles Series. Reading it while I should have been on my computer typing on my own manuscript!!! But it was worth it!
I have said this before - This series was inspired by the stories Ms. Laurie's grandfather told her, and he, on the Other Side, is so very proud.
A worthy series and worthy read.
ellen george
Bravo, Ms. Laurie!
Oracles of Delphi's Keep, by Victoria Laurie, ISBN: 978-0-385-73861-3, Delacorte Press, review by ellen george
~Rai