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407th out of 864 books
—
493 voters
The Oracle Betrayed (The Oracle Prophecies #1)
The High Priestess interprets the wishes of the god as conveyed through the Oracle. Mirany serves the High Priestess. But when the god speaks to Mirany, she realizes that the High Priestess does not hear him, that she is manipulating the choosing of a new God-on-Earth for her own gain.
Mirany must join forces with Seth, a young tomb-robbing scribe who knows the secrets and...more
Mirany must join forces with Seth, a young tomb-robbing scribe who knows the secrets and...more
Paperback, 352 pages
Published
February 15th 2005
by Greenwillow Books
(first published 2003)
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So this was an awesome book! I didn't think it would be so great - I mean, check out the cover! But it exceeded my expectations! I've noticed that about books I read - if I expect less of it initially, but it turns out to be better, I give it a high rating. Likewise, if I thought the book would be awesome but it sucks, I give it a low rating. I don't think I'll change that - if you're supposed to be good and aren't, that's your problem; and if you don't seem to be good but really are kudos for y...more
The Oracle Betrayed sat in my tbr pile for about three years. Finally, last weekend, I brushed the dust from it (note to self: dust tbr pile more often), and actually read it.
And it was really, really good.
It takes place in an ancient Greek kind of place, where a young girl, Mirany, is one of chosen Nine who serve the Oracle. Her land is dying from drought...but though the Archon, the god-king, gives his life as a sacrifice, the drought continues.
Mirany can hear the god speaking through the Orac...more
And it was really, really good.
It takes place in an ancient Greek kind of place, where a young girl, Mirany, is one of chosen Nine who serve the Oracle. Her land is dying from drought...but though the Archon, the god-king, gives his life as a sacrifice, the drought continues.
Mirany can hear the god speaking through the Orac...more
2 likes · like · see review
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I decided to read this after I read Incarceron. I enjoyed this book more, but I have to admit that it has some of the same problems that Incarceron had. First, the setting. I do not usually like long winded, overly descriptive novels that tell you what city is north of what body of water, but the setting seemed almost nonexistent in The Oracle Betrayed. From what I understood it is an ancient Egyptian or ancient Greek type of setting. It is certainly set in a desert environment, but I would have...more
Wow. This book was surprisingly good. I enjoyed The Oracle Betrayed much more than I did Incarceron, which was also written by the same author.
I hadn't realized Fisher had been the same author, but I mostly picked this story up because it was a different historical time period than what I've been reading lately. It was an ancient Egyptian teen fantasy, and it was greatly crafted, illustrating so many aspects of the ancient world. The pacing was fast but easy to follow, and the story was enjoyabl...more
I hadn't realized Fisher had been the same author, but I mostly picked this story up because it was a different historical time period than what I've been reading lately. It was an ancient Egyptian teen fantasy, and it was greatly crafted, illustrating so many aspects of the ancient world. The pacing was fast but easy to follow, and the story was enjoyabl...more
A dying God, a twisted priestess and a general wanting control of an empire. Catherine Fisher has created an amazing world which seems to blend elements of Ancient Egypt, Classical Greece and her own imagination. The Two Lands are ruled by the Priestesses who live on the Island. They serve the Archon who embodies the God and there are only nine. One of the youngest is appointed to the role of Bearer of the God which carries with it many dangers as the God appears as a scorpion or a snake. Howeve...more
In my oppinion, 'The Oracle Betrayed' it's a great book; it has action, the characters are well defined, funny and really interesting. It's like you always say, there! I know what's going to happen, but the BAM! Something incredibly amazing happens, and you say you must read just one more chapter, one more chapter, and then you reach the last page-when did that happen?-.
The Oracle Betrayed is the first of the Oracle Prophecies Trilogy. It's about this shy girl, called Mirany. -awesome name, i...more
The Oracle Betrayed is the first of the Oracle Prophecies Trilogy. It's about this shy girl, called Mirany. -awesome name, i...more
The Speaker is corrupt, the Oracle has been betrayed...and I need to get my hands on the sequel. Slightly reminiscent of Megan Whalen Turner's The Thief in terms of alternate mythology, gods who speak to the characters, and intrigue. Hard to put down, and it will make you grateful for every drop of water you have access to.
1 like · like · see review
A light, entertaining read, good for spending a quiet afternoon or two.
There is a conspiracy for power in the Temple(of course) and the only ones who can put a stop to it are Mirany, the quiet, shy girl who never wanted that life (of course), Seth, the roguish young boy who is reluctant to help but does anyway because of his good heart (of course) and the drunken musician with a mild disposition towards violence (of course).
However, despite the parade of tropes, the characters are compelling en...more
There is a conspiracy for power in the Temple(of course) and the only ones who can put a stop to it are Mirany, the quiet, shy girl who never wanted that life (of course), Seth, the roguish young boy who is reluctant to help but does anyway because of his good heart (of course) and the drunken musician with a mild disposition towards violence (of course).
However, despite the parade of tropes, the characters are compelling en...more
This Young Adult Fantasy novel makes for a fast-paced and colourful read. Catherine Fisher has combined the mysteries of Ancient Egypt's religion of death with the bright splendor of Ancient Greece, and weaved around it a story of intrigue, with memorable characters -- both the good and bad ones, as well as those existing in the grey areas in between the two.
The writing style is quite literary and different. I borrowed the novel off a fifteen-year-old, who's an advanced reader with an adult voc...more
The writing style is quite literary and different. I borrowed the novel off a fifteen-year-old, who's an advanced reader with an adult voc...more
Aug 19, 2011
Rebekah H.
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
fans of Artemis Fowl or Percy Jackson
Catherine Fisher doesn't "write down" to middle graders. Her prose/language level and story depth are nearly as complicated as that of her YA novels. "The Oracle Betrayed" is set in a fantasy culture that closely resembles Ancient Egypt, with a touch of Ancient Greek. Despite it not being "actually" in our world, it would be a great school/fun read when studying this period in history, as it captures a lot of the mythology and interest.
MUCH better than the Percy Jackson series, on every level (...more
MUCH better than the Percy Jackson series, on every level (...more
THE ORACLE BETRAYED (originally known as THE ORACLE) by Catherine Fisher is a wonderful book for Middle-grade kids, about an unknown place set in the ancient past where Greek religious rites are blended with Egyptian ritual. There’s been a drought and the Archon is being sacrificed to make rain. But who is to be the next Archon? And has the process of choosing him been corrupted by some ruthless individuals who are in power?
What struck me about this book, which was shortlisted for the Whitbread...more
What struck me about this book, which was shortlisted for the Whitbread...more
This was a nice little book. I'd read Catherine Fisher before and enjoyed Incarceron so when I learned it wasn't her first novel I was curious about her other books. Turns out this was her first book published in the US.
The story is pretty simple. But the characters are interesting if not entirely deep they're well developed enough to support the story. The mythology of the world is interesting, something a little like The Thief but somehow both more involved and less profound.
The allusions to t...more
The story is pretty simple. But the characters are interesting if not entirely deep they're well developed enough to support the story. The mythology of the world is interesting, something a little like The Thief but somehow both more involved and less profound.
The allusions to t...more
I read and loved Fisher’s book Incarceron, which I found to be a very smart fantasy book, so I was interested in reading what else she’d written. Mostly so I could fill the gap between Incarceron and Sapphique. This one caught my eye due to the unique mix of Greek and Egyptian cultures. Plus, working to overthrow a conspiracy? Sign me right up.
I was entertained by The Oracle Betrayed, but it didn’t quite blow me away. That’s not to say it was horrible or mediocre, but it definitely didn’t draw...more
I was entertained by The Oracle Betrayed, but it didn’t quite blow me away. That’s not to say it was horrible or mediocre, but it definitely didn’t draw...more
Mirany udnævnes til tempelpræstinde, og hendes rolle er at bære karret med dødbringende skorpioner. Da “guden på jorden” ofrer sig til skorpionerne for at bringe regn til landet, når han at advare Mirany om, at generalen og ypperstepræstinden har planer om at forråde guden.
Ganske velfungerende fantasyroman for de 12-14-årige. Historien er spændende og trovædig - men også en smule ensformig. Bogen er den første i en serie, men jeg kommer næppe til at læse de to efterfølgende.
Ganske velfungerende fantasyroman for de 12-14-årige. Historien er spændende og trovædig - men også en smule ensformig. Bogen er den første i en serie, men jeg kommer næppe til at læse de to efterfølgende.
This fantasy book is eloquently written. From the very beginning you are enticed into a world ruled by a god ordained by royalty. When it becomes clear the royalty is tainted, a young girl becomes the only one who can re-establish the power of the god.
I enjoyed this book very much. It is well written, with a cast of protagonists of varied status and often differing objectives.
I highly recommend this book.
I enjoyed this book very much. It is well written, with a cast of protagonists of varied status and often differing objectives.
I highly recommend this book.
A great book, without doubt.
The setting (the world) is mesmerizing and beautifully complex in its social workings (and in everything else that makes up a world). All characters are "real" and true to their own machinations, which is pretty much what drives the plot to it's magnificence.
Besides that, I'd have to point out that its depiction of the gods in the short interludes is absolutely stunning.
The setting (the world) is mesmerizing and beautifully complex in its social workings (and in everything else that makes up a world). All characters are "real" and true to their own machinations, which is pretty much what drives the plot to it's magnificence.
Besides that, I'd have to point out that its depiction of the gods in the short interludes is absolutely stunning.
Aug 06, 2011
Elaine
added it
Darn cool storyline that tugs you in further with every chapter. Glad I borrowed the whole series at the same time.
Will goodness prevail? That's the underlying question that doesn't get answered even at the end of this book. And the realization that the god doesn't have all the answers or even possess indomitable power makes it all the more intriguing.
Will goodness prevail? That's the underlying question that doesn't get answered even at the end of this book. And the realization that the god doesn't have all the answers or even possess indomitable power makes it all the more intriguing.
Mirany is the Bearer, one of the Chosen Nine servants of the god. But the god no longer brings rain and it isn’t clear to Mirany that the god is truly real – politics seems to be more of a factor than religion. And then the god talks to her and she must ensure that he is followed.
Mirany - Bearer of the God
Seth - scribe with ambition
Hermia - The Speaker for the God
Argelin - general in league with the Speaker
Oblek - musician and friend to the God
Jackal - thief and nobleman
All their lives are intertwined with the Archon sacrifices himself for the people.
Seth - scribe with ambition
Hermia - The Speaker for the God
Argelin - general in league with the Speaker
Oblek - musician and friend to the God
Jackal - thief and nobleman
All their lives are intertwined with the Archon sacrifices himself for the people.
The Oracle Betrayed turned out to be a pleasant surprise. I wasn't really "gripped" into the book right away but the story line was interesting enough to keep me reading.
Good beach read. I'm interested in checking out the next book in the series.
Good beach read. I'm interested in checking out the next book in the series.
I read this the first time when I was about ten ... Not sure I really got it. But it was great rereading it, I had forgotten nearly everything :P Except the ending. Seems to be like that with a lot of books ... well, I'm looking forward to the next one :P
This was very different and interesting. Fisher is a great descriptive writer! I could almost feel the heat poring out of this book!(The weather was hot) I wasn't sure if I would like it after the first chapter it started out odd but if defiantly took off and I will be reading the next and checking out this author for other books.
A creative story about a young high priestess, Mirany, who is thrown into a dangerous and deadly situation when she discovers that the current Speaker to the god and the general of the army are plotting to take over control of the country. Soon in the company of some unlikely companions, she finds herself trying to save all that she holds dear.
Although I thought the story line was new and different, I found that the writing fell a little flat, and it took quite a bit of the book before I really...more
Although I thought the story line was new and different, I found that the writing fell a little flat, and it took quite a bit of the book before I really...more
tense and unusual. world-building and character development could've been better. i think part of why this book was so enjoyable was because of the stream of shitty books i read before it. still, worth a read.
Mar 04, 2011
Sarah
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
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The characters were deceptive and acted for themselves. I liked the prospect of the Archon and the gods. I was confused at what the Fist House Second House, etc. was, but hey, if you go with the flow and don't question things, it's a good book.
Read this a long time ago so I don't remember it extremely well, but I do remember that is was really intriguing, with some very cool characters and world building, but that it took a long time to get through.
One of the things I like about Catherine Fisher's work is that it uses familiar stories or locations, but comes at them kind of sideways. Here, the culture is a hybrid of Greek and Egyptian; the setting, the people and the economy resemble those of ancient Greece, while the religion, with its elaborate death rituals and taboos, comes straight out of our stories of ancient Egypt. I like that Mirany, most timid of the God's priestesses, has to learn to believe in her God, while Seth, self-sufficie...more
The Oracle Betrayed is a good book. It takes place in a desert. There is a drought and no one knows why. This book is fiction, I'm not sure what kind. According to the speaker the king must die to get rain. Before he dies the king tells Mirany that the speaker is corrupt and that she musts stop it. i would recommend this book to any one who likes books about gods. In conclusion The Oracle Betrayed is a great book.
Started a little slow for my taste, but picked up quickly! Great read. Follows different characters from different walks of life in their quest to find the true oracle.
Really liked this series also. My archeologist sister loved all the stuff to do with ancient civilizations which I didn't get any of but still enjoyed the story.
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Catherine Fisher was born in Newport, Wales. She graduated from the University of Wales with a degree in English and a fascination for myth and history. She has worked in education and archaeology and as a lecturer in creative writing at the University of Glamorgan. She is a Fellow of the Welsh Academy.
Catherine is an acclaimed poet and novelist, regularly lecturing and giving readings to groups o...more
More about Catherine Fisher...
Catherine is an acclaimed poet and novelist, regularly lecturing and giving readings to groups o...more
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“Because sometime, somehow, the god spoke your name. You took a step too far and here you are. None of us can ever go back. Even if we wanted to.”
—
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