Elsha is one of the Quelled: a branded people, doomed always to mine coal to warm the ruling class, the Chosen. But Elsha has strange visions that...
read full description
reviews
Nov 20, 2011
Alicia
rated it: 
Creates a world set in the future that is divided into two races-—the Chosen and the Quelled. The world is in a state of extreme cold and firestones need to be continuously mined to keep the population alive. The Chosen force the Quelled to be their slaves, branding them and taking forcing them into a submissive state. Elsha, the heroine of the text, is Quelled but she is taken as the Firelord’s handmaid—a great honor as the Firelord is the highest position available in this world. This breaks m
More...
Jun 17, 2010
Don
rated it:
Few YA novels are are well-written enough to be just as compelling when read as an adult - much less read as an adult for the first time, and not just revisiting a loved story from one's youth, with all the fond memories and nostalgia we bring to a re-read. But that is how I've just read this book, and I was extremely impressed.
The parable of slavery and repression is a familiar one; whether we consider the idea of women being subservient to men, or one people enslaving another - both More...
The parable of slavery and repression is a familiar one; whether we consider the idea of women being subservient to men, or one people enslaving another - both More...
0 comments
like
(4 people liked it)
Mar 04, 2011
Catie
rated it: 
This is a pretty decent fairy tale/fantasy with a little hint of post-apocalyptic goodness going on. Elsha is a sixteen year old girl and a member of a race of people who are "Quelled" - forced to work in mines all day with little food or shelter while suffering abuse from their wealthy, spoiled overlords (the Chosen) who brand them and believe that they can't speak and don't have any intelligence or souls. Elsha has always had a fiery spirit and likes to rebel. She also seems to ha
More...
Mar 28, 2010
Julie
rated it:
One of the signs of a good book is its ability to grow with the reader. I read this book a long time ago and was caught up in the characters, emotion and the energy of the story, but it has been one of the few novels that has moved with me as I have changed. It couples simple entertainment with thought provoking themes seamlessly. There is something in the soul of this book that resonates with who I am.
0 comments
like
(5 people liked it)
Nov 20, 2011
Kirstine
rated it:
I remember reading this when I was maybe 12. I spent a lot of time in our school library and came upon a Danish translation of this book.
I don't remember all of the plot now, but I do remember the ending, it had a very strong impact on me and is to this day crystal clear in my memory.
I've spent quite a lot of time trying to relocate the book, seeing as I've been unable to recall either title or author, it wasn't until I realised the book might not have been originally Danish More...
I don't remember all of the plot now, but I do remember the ending, it had a very strong impact on me and is to this day crystal clear in my memory.
I've spent quite a lot of time trying to relocate the book, seeing as I've been unable to recall either title or author, it wasn't until I realised the book might not have been originally Danish More...
Sep 27, 2011
Deirdre
rated it:
I loved this book, and I'm so sorry it's out of print! I thought Elsha was an amazing character, and I had a lot of sympathy for her. It's true, one reviewer said, that she's very reckless sometimes, and does some stupid things. But, to me, that made her character more vivid and believable.
The book does have one or two problems. Definitely, Elsha relies a little too much on men, and I can see how her relationships with them might bother some readers -- though I think they are very true More...
The book does have one or two problems. Definitely, Elsha relies a little too much on men, and I can see how her relationships with them might bother some readers -- though I think they are very true More...
Feb 02, 2009
Meredith
rated it:
Sherryl Jordan's young adult books don't condescend to the reader, and that really attracted me when I was young. They're less "fantasy" and more "kinda-supernatural-alternative-world-fiction." Her female characters are strong without that annoying "Young girl comes of age in X culture" feminism that is sooooo overdone in young adult fiction. Definitely for teens.
This was one of my absolute favorite books as a kid. I must have read it once a week for at More...
This was one of my absolute favorite books as a kid. I must have read it once a week for at More...
0 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
Jun 07, 2011
Coco
rated it: 
As a whole, the story was good. I found the main character a little stoic and unrelatable. I couldn't quite understand what everyone liked about her so much. Pretty much every guy that met her was instantly taken, but her personality was virutally non-existant.
The plot was simple but solid, with one overarching goal and no side stories lacing into it (I enjoy side stories so this was a bit of a negative for me). At first, I was pulled into the story. The conditions in the mine More...
The plot was simple but solid, with one overarching goal and no side stories lacing into it (I enjoy side stories so this was a bit of a negative for me). At first, I was pulled into the story. The conditions in the mine More...
Nov 22, 2010
Bibliotropic
rated it: 
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
To view it, click here
Nov 30, 2010
Mariel
rated it:
Boy cockatiels will freeze out a girl cockatiel if she sings. I find that to be the most depressing thing ever (I'm shooting dirty looks at my cocky buddies Lester the Molestor and Hey Jude as I type this. They never even attempted to do a Lauren Bacall whistling lesson for me!). There's a scene in the film Clueless when Breckin Meyer (can't believe I just mentioned THAT name) tells Brittany Murphy (or that one) that boys do those dangerous stunts and girls don't so they'll have something to i
More...
8 comments
like
(7 people liked it)
May 29, 2010
Gwendolyn
rated it:
My roommate and I were sitting around talking about kid lit. And she was like "have you read that one....with the quelled people? And the firelord? And the stuff that's like coal but isn't called coal? I can't remember the title!" And I was like "honey, the word 'quelled' is rare enough that I'm sure you could Google it." And, voila! I liked it and it definitely kept me reading, though I agree with some others that the main character is not particularly endearing so I gave it
More...
Dec 09, 2010
Amanda
rated it:
One of my favorite books as a kid, and a great way to spend the afternoon today. There were a lot of aspects that i didn't really get fully when i was younger, and reading it now it is TOTALLY ALL ABOUT FEMINISM AND CLASSISM OMG but at the time, it was just an awesome adventure story. It's still a fun adventure story, but now some of the things Elsha does seem a little... stupid and foolhardy, and she reads as younger than 16. But i still had a lot of fun reading it!
Aug 07, 2009
Kay
rated it:
Elsha and her Quelled family mine coal all day for the Chosen. . .until she is selected by the Firelord to be his hand maid. This breaks with all tradition as Quelled are considered to be less than animals in the eyes of the Chosen. Elsha discovers that the Firelord is not the only one in the world who can divine where coal is located in the earth; she can do it too. She feels she's destined to rescue the Quelled from their slavelike state.
Apr 30, 2011
Typicalfrost
rated it:
one of my absolute favorite books. One of the best things I've ever done in my life was steal this book from my elementary school teacher. Little did my young ignorant self know that one day this book would be out of print, but now i have a copy for the rest of my life.
A good read for young girls; it's inspiring, entertaining and holds a good message that only grows with each return.
A good read for young girls; it's inspiring, entertaining and holds a good message that only grows with each return.
Apr 08, 2011
Nicole
rated it:
I was originally thinking of giving this book four stars, but at some point I realized it really deserves five. While this book had a few problems (which I'll mention later), it also did something few books have done, and that is tell a story that is both entertaining and moving. I don't think you can finish this book without feeling somehow changed. I felt very connected with the characters, as well. This is one of those stories that linger. My only complaint is that it should have been lo
More...
Jul 31, 2010
Anisa
rated it:
An older book that Sarah and I picked up at the York Library book sale. Neat story that has some interesting social undertones when you stop and think about it. Book was great until the last quarter when the author just seemed to give up on her detailed story and rush to the finish. Still, I would be happy to have Ken and Sarah read this book.
Sep 01, 2011
Elimoon
rated it:
This is the book that made me want to read. After reading this book I was so impressed with the fact that there were books out there that I actually did like and so I started reading more and more often. I read it when I was in the 9th grade and I am now 24 and it is still my favorite book ... just wish I owned a hardcover of it.
Nov 06, 2009
Affecting. Haven't read it for years, but I remember:
On her birthday, Elsha stopped working in the mines for a moment and was punished for it. When her father asked her why she would be so stupid as to stop working, she said - To have a minute for myself; to think; to feel joy.
"God, Elsha!" he said. "For joy?"
On her birthday, Elsha stopped working in the mines for a moment and was punished for it. When her father asked her why she would be so stupid as to stop working, she said - To have a minute for myself; to think; to feel joy.
"God, Elsha!" he said. "For joy?"
0 comments
like
(2 people liked it)
Dec 13, 2010
Jessina
rated it:
I can't say that I've re-read this lately, but it was a favorite of mine in my late teens and early 20's. It's sci-fi and all about uncovering your inner possibilities and having faith in yourself.
Aug 16, 2011
Liv
rated it:
This is my all-time favorite book. It's got everything a story in this genre should have, and the masterful way everything is crafted together is nothing short of amazing.
Feb 28, 2011
April
rated it:
This is by far my all time favorite book! Elsha is such an inspiring character! She has flaws but she embraces them. I think we all could learn something from her!
Sep 14, 2011
Denise
rated it:
OMG....It has been LOOOONNNNGGGG time since I have read this book. This book was really good read. I need to read it again. I just have to find it though...lol
May 20, 2010
Grace
rated it:
Honestly? Not too fond of any of the characters.
She seemed to fall in love - or lead people on - a lot. With at least two characters others, not counting the one she finally settled on.
Three stars.
She seemed to fall in love - or lead people on - a lot. With at least two characters others, not counting the one she finally settled on.
Three stars.
Sep 20, 2010
Juanita
rated it:
This is THE book that got me reading fantasy. I first read it when I was twelve, and I've probably read it half a dozen times since. I love it!
Jul 21, 2010
Junebugindeed
rated it:
I read this book in middle school and I fell in love with it. A teacher lent me this book and I haven't been able to find a copy since.
May 03, 2010
I fell in love with this book in high school- ten years later and it is still one of the few books I keep on me when I travel.
0 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
Oct 18, 2009
Alicia
rated it:
This book is awesome. I cannot praise it enough. I have read and re-read this book. What are you waiting for?!
0 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
Aug 03, 2011
Steph
rated it:
I love this book so much, but I can't find it anywhere! It makes me so sad, I really want to read it again.
Dec 23, 2010
Courtney
rated it:
Hands down one of my favourites of all time. OF ALL TIME.
Everyone needs to read this book forever.
Everyone needs to read this book forever.
0 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
May 13, 2009
Asenath
rated it:
People who had so much smoke that it blocked the sun, and had to mine for coal. Ending was rushed.
