Oracles of Delphi Keep (Oracles of Delphi Keep #1)
by
Victoria Laurie (Goodreads Author),
Susan Duerden
Ian Wigby is about to find out that he is a very special boy.
Along the southern coast of England, atop the White Cliffs of Dover, stands a castle. And at that castle’s old keep is an orphanage. Delphi Keep has seen many youngsters come and go through its gates, and Ian Wigby and his sister, Theodosia, are happy to call it home. Life has always been simple at the Keep, and...more
Along the southern coast of England, atop the White Cliffs of Dover, stands a castle. And at that castle’s old keep is an orphanage. Delphi Keep has seen many youngsters come and go through its gates, and Ian Wigby and his sister, Theodosia, are happy to call it home. Life has always been simple at the Keep, and...more
Audiobook, 0 pages
Published
May 26th 2009
by Listening Library (Audio)
(first published January 1st 2009)
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A hellhound wants the blood of orphans Ian Wigby and Theodosia after they discover a box from a cave at the White Cliffs of Dover. The box contains a three-thousand-year-old prophecy written by the great Oracle, Laodamia. As the mystery unfolds the two end up on quest with the likes of a professor, two teachers, and an orphan as they try to save the world from being taken over by a demogorgon or demon God of the Earth.
The pacing is a little slow in spots but picks up toward the end as the charac...more
The pacing is a little slow in spots but picks up toward the end as the charac...more
I read this book as part of an ongoing study of children's books which use Greek or Roman antiquity in some way. The first few chapters were slow-ish going for me, but once I got into the story, I found myself wanting to keep reading; the author handled the pacing of a long book well, I thought.
But I grew increasingly frustrated with the way in which the author presented Classical elements. I don't expect artists and authors to be "true" to ancient sources or even always faithful to ancient his...more
But I grew increasingly frustrated with the way in which the author presented Classical elements. I don't expect artists and authors to be "true" to ancient sources or even always faithful to ancient his...more
I am a great lover of children's and young adult fantasy fiction, so naturally I enjoyed this book a great deal. In fact I simply loved this book, and I'm sure it will make its rotation into my reread piles. Just a few points however listed below--
--The characters are between 8 and 13, however I would caution reading this story to the younger set (8-10). There are intense action sequences, violence, and disturbing characters (Mangus and his hellhounds are killers, and although it does not go int...more
--The characters are between 8 and 13, however I would caution reading this story to the younger set (8-10). There are intense action sequences, violence, and disturbing characters (Mangus and his hellhounds are killers, and although it does not go int...more
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
Well it's not bad, but not otherworldly good either.
On a sinister night at Delphi Keep, a baby later named Theodosia by Ian Wigby, is delivered delivered to Delphi Keep by a horseman who latter perish in a sinister occurrence involving a great hound/beast.
Fast forward 8 years later, Ian and Theo found a treasure box, that turns out to be an oracle from Leodomia. This box is the beginning of great adventure for Ian and Theo. They have to fulfill prophecies and in doing so, they got help from 1...more
On a sinister night at Delphi Keep, a baby later named Theodosia by Ian Wigby, is delivered delivered to Delphi Keep by a horseman who latter perish in a sinister occurrence involving a great hound/beast.
Fast forward 8 years later, Ian and Theo found a treasure box, that turns out to be an oracle from Leodomia. This box is the beginning of great adventure for Ian and Theo. They have to fulfill prophecies and in doing so, they got help from 1...more
I liken this book to Barack Obama's presidency. It starts out with great promise, then falters. And now we're just not sure how it's all going to turn out. The book's ending quite obviously makes way for a sequel, but Im not sure if it's worth the commitment of another 500 pages.
I was surprised I hadn't heard more about this book when I started reading out. It had a gripping storyline, lots of good description, interesting characters - all the right elements. I thought maybe it was because the...more
I was surprised I hadn't heard more about this book when I started reading out. It had a gripping storyline, lots of good description, interesting characters - all the right elements. I thought maybe it was because the...more
I love Victoria Laurie's adult mystery, psychic, and ghost busting books so I started this book, her first book for children, with high hopes. Honestly, I didn't like it much at first but thank goodness I persisted! I ended up loving this story- all 550 pages. It's a fantasy story with dark mythology creatures, seers, magic, travel, portals, ancient treasures and prophesies all set in pre-World War II England.
Ian Wigby lives in the orphanage of Delphi Keep, set on the Dover Cliffs, where he wat...more
Ian Wigby lives in the orphanage of Delphi Keep, set on the Dover Cliffs, where he wat...more
Ian has lived all his 13 years in the well-run orphanage at Delphi Keep. He is responsible and true, as we see his devotion to Theo, whom he considers to be his sister. However, he is also spirited and slightly naughty: he loves exploring the caves along the coast of Dover, although it has been forbidden. One day he and Theo find a silver box in a cave, unleashing a hellhound that follows them home. Thus starts an increasingly supernatural tale that includes prophecies, a magic portal, a crotche...more
Mar 09, 2010
Sarah
rated it
3 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
grades 5-8
Recommended to Sarah by:
5/6 list
Ian, an orphan living in 1930s Britain, loves nothing more than to go exploring. When he and his sister Theo spend their day away from the orphanage exploring some nearby underground caves, they come across some strange writing on the wall and a small silver box half buried in the ground. Unfortunately, they inadvertently disturb a huge dog-like beast from which they barely manage to escape in one piece.
When the Earl of Kent learns of the beast, he instructs Ian to show direct the adults to wher...more
When the Earl of Kent learns of the beast, he instructs Ian to show direct the adults to wher...more
After beginning this book I was shocked that I hadn't heard about it. Then I learned that it was only published this year.
If I was a preteen I wouldn't have been able to put it down. I'm sure I would have ended up with white knuckles. Granted, I easily succumb to suspense.
A boy and his 'sister' live in an orphanage (well kept with loving authority figures) on the Dover coast. He loves to explore and his explorations pull him (and others) into a quest. Usually as a quest begins a large number of...more
If I was a preteen I wouldn't have been able to put it down. I'm sure I would have ended up with white knuckles. Granted, I easily succumb to suspense.
A boy and his 'sister' live in an orphanage (well kept with loving authority figures) on the Dover coast. He loves to explore and his explorations pull him (and others) into a quest. Usually as a quest begins a large number of...more
**** "Oracles of Delphi Keep" by Victoria Laurie, starts in 1930, with 5-year old Ian naming and being set guardian of 2-year old seer Theodesia, newest arrival to Delphi Keep, a Devon cliffs orphanage, during a thundering night. Horrible beast howls and dying screams hint at the fate of the poor horseman who accidentally delivered the baby. Eight years later, exploring tunnels, the two youngsters find old Greek wall inscriptions leading to a small silver box, and race out just ahead of a hell-h...more
A rough ride thru a great adventure. This book is like a whirlwind it speeds up quickly with heart pounding action then cools down with daily details, my only concern with this book is the children its aimed at might find it a little bloody. Now I know we live in the age of Percy Jackson and harry potter and both have kids that die and are violent for kids books. But still... On the whole though this book was wonderful the characters are endearing( Try I dare you to not fall in love with Theo) a...more
Mar 16, 2010
Jessica
rated it
3 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
children-s,
greek-mythology
"Oracles of Delphi Keep" was a particularly frustrating read because, while an interesting concept, most of the first 200 pages were pure infodumping on the author's part and the characters weren't engaging enough to keep my attention from wandering during the first half of the book. I'm usually a fairly fast reader, but "Oracles" took me ages to finish because I had to keep putting it down because it was terribly boring. The book does pick up quite a bit in the back half and I really got into t...more
Another fantasy series, this being the first book. I listened to it on CD and enjoyed it. Ian, Theodosia, and Carl live in a very well-funded orphanage in England in the 1930's. Ian and Theo find a mysterious box half buried in a tunnel in the Dover cliffs and that starts them on a fantastical adventure fighting a personification of evil and his 4 evil (adult) offspring. Adventure and magic abound. Although there are lots of fantasy books out there in which kids fight evil, this one is worth rea...more
I picked up this book because I had read other books by this author and was curious about what she had written for children.
I found that this story grabbed me from the start and would not let go. She made the characters real. I felt like I was right there along with them as they discovered the meaning of the scrolls and fought the wild beast. I was one of their party that went on their adventure instead of someone reading a book. The characters were well developed and the descriptions of the pl...more
I found that this story grabbed me from the start and would not let go. She made the characters real. I felt like I was right there along with them as they discovered the meaning of the scrolls and fought the wild beast. I was one of their party that went on their adventure instead of someone reading a book. The characters were well developed and the descriptions of the pl...more
This debut novel impressed me for its ambitious interweaving of ancient oracles, elemental demons, treasure hunting, exotic adventure, ghastly beasts, historical fiction (pre-WWII Britain), and middle grade orphan friendship story. The beasts in particular stand out in my memory. Hats off to Ms. Laurie for her greasy-hair-by-slavering-fang depiction of her sinister hellhounds. Somehow a beast scene that in audio format lasted about half an hour had me on the edge of my seat the entire time. Note...more
I quite enjoyed this one, and it reminded me a bit of the Percy Jackson books. I enjoy books that deal with Greek mythology and liked how this one twisted things a bit to include a bit of Phoenician history and mythology as well. Although the book is quite long, it held my interest throughout and the action moved along at a rapid pace and never seemed to lag. If fact, I kept finding myself saying that I would read "just one more chapter" but not putting the book down until I was barely able to k...more
Books that are obviously part of a series and don't identify themselves as such make me mad. There is no way anyone would read this book and believe it was a stand alone - because the story is so obviously NOT complete. So, WHY is there no indication on the cover (or title page, etc) that this is the first in a series?!
Other than the very disappointing non-ending, I enjoyed the story quite a bit. It's a tad long, and there is a ton of information thrown at you. But, it was a fun adventure and I...more
Other than the very disappointing non-ending, I enjoyed the story quite a bit. It's a tad long, and there is a ton of information thrown at you. But, it was a fun adventure and I...more
Jan 18, 2013
Lynette
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
mythology,
need-to-review
3.5
Hmm...I LOVED the 1st half of this book, and was going to give it 5 stars. It was amazing. The pacing, the characters, the story, the timeline, I loved it!
But heading into the 2nd half it got really...dark. Now, I've read a lot of books that have scarier things happen, than this one, but there was something about HOW they happened, and how it was written that made it dark.
I don't know. It was almost like I was forcing myself not to get excited, scared, or tense about this book. It was strange...more
Hmm...I LOVED the 1st half of this book, and was going to give it 5 stars. It was amazing. The pacing, the characters, the story, the timeline, I loved it!
But heading into the 2nd half it got really...dark. Now, I've read a lot of books that have scarier things happen, than this one, but there was something about HOW they happened, and how it was written that made it dark.
I don't know. It was almost like I was forcing myself not to get excited, scared, or tense about this book. It was strange...more
While there are the bones of a great story here, the book would have benefitted from a more adept editor to skillfully slice away the repetitive and sometimes cringe-ingly cliched prose and let the story stand on it's own two feet. The writer's attempts at cockney/British English are forced, uneven, and ultimately unconvincing. The addition of a British copy editor could have strengthened the writing and made the wordy prose easier to chew.
Sadly, the characters are a casualty of over-writing. W...more
Sadly, the characters are a casualty of over-writing. W...more
May 05, 2010
Miss Clark
rated it
3 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
Ages 9+
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
It's one of those dark, frightening books, i had 2 close it many times so i wouldn't have nightmares. i loved how the author would make things look like "the-end-of-the-world", then somehow she amuzingly make things back 2 live again. the one thing i didn't like was the ending, well, i liked it, but it wasn't the happily-ever-after, because they never finished the oracles demands, they still had more to do to save the world and themselves.
This book was great! It's about some kids at an orphanage who discover this really huge hellhound (giant wolf thing that doesn't seem like it's from this world) and then they end up going on a huge adventure. If you like Percy Jackson I think you would like this, because it is kind of related to Greek Mythology (but not as strongly as Percy Jackson is). There's a lot of action, faraway places, and mystery. The characters are also fascinating, and there are both boys and girls in the story. I thi...more
This is the first book in this series. The story of two orphans in 1938 England sweeps you up and takes you along for a very exciting ride. There is a classic theme of a young hero fighting for good against extreme evil. The author paints a colorful picture of the White Cliffs of Dover and Morocco. The characters are very well drawn and you learn to love or hate them. It was a long read but worth the effort.
It didn't take long to be completely enthralled with this book. I was up late under the covers, scared and holding my flashlight with a death grip. The anticipation of what was coming next kept me there until the wee hours of morning. It's been awhile since a book scared the holy bejesus out of me. I am a bit of a baby though. I loved the story and the charactures. I will be first in line for the sequil!
IT WAS AWESOME!!!!!!!!!! It scared me at first but it was WELL worth it. I have read the first two books and am excited about the third one, the only problem is that it doesn't come out until February! I can wait though... big fan of the books... I think that my favorite character is Carl or Ian. I most definitely think that anyone that likes Greek mythology should read it. ALL of them.
This book was great according to the kiddies. I thought it was good, too, though, so it was nice to read aloud to them. The plot moves right along, but you can tell there's a sequel coming. We're on the sequel now, so we'll see if that's as good. I sure hope so.
Ian Wigby is an orphan who lives at Delphi Keep along with many other children, under their benefactor, the Earl. Ian likes spelunking and exploring, which gets him into adventure and trouble, usually at the same time.
Ian Wigby is an orphan who lives at Delphi Keep along with many other children, under their benefactor, the Earl. Ian likes spelunking and exploring, which gets him into adventure and trouble, usually at the same time.
This is another fantasy series that will remind the reader a bit of the Percy Jackson series. Two orphans living in an orphanage near the Cliffs of Dover find they are to fulfill prophesies that were written long ago in ancient Greece. The book starts off with a bang and lots of action. There were some sections of the book that seemed to drag a bit, but overall I found it to be very imaginative and a fast, fun read.
Mar 08, 2010
Rachel
rated it
2 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
currently-checked-out-from-the-libr
Along the southern coast of England, atop the White Cliffs of Dover, stands a castle. And in that castle's old keep is an orphanage for lost, abandoned, and parentless children. Delphi Keep has seen many youngsters come and go, and Ian Wigby and his sister, Theodosia, are happy to call it home.
Life is simple at the keep, and the orphanage is secure, until one day, in a cavern unlike any they've explored, Ian and and Theo find a silver box. And within it, a discovery that will change their lives...more
Life is simple at the keep, and the orphanage is secure, until one day, in a cavern unlike any they've explored, Ian and and Theo find a silver box. And within it, a discovery that will change their lives...more
I actually had the opportunity to read this prior to publication, which meant that there were quite a few mistakes and typos. While these things normally would have distracted me, I enjoyed the majority of the story enough to skim over them. While I felt it crawled in a few places, it was a fun read.
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Victoria Laurie is the New York Times bestselling author of 21 books and counting. With three separate series in full swing, Victoria divides her time between her two adult mystery series, (The Psychic Eye Mysteries, and The Ghost Hunter Mysteries), and her children's middle-grade adventure series, Oracles of Delphi Keep.
As a professional psychic, Victoria's protagonists - psychic Abigail Cooper,...more
More about Victoria Laurie...
As a professional psychic, Victoria's protagonists - psychic Abigail Cooper,...more
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Nov 08, 2010 04:46am