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Secret Speakers and the Search for Selador's Gate
The School Library Journal compares Secret Speakers to the Narnia, Lord of the Rings, and Wizard of Oz novels in their starred review: "“Kingworth has created a rich, detailed fantasy world that is unique and as vivid as all of them, with charming, whimsical touches.” Hidden in the depths of Cloven Grave, the harsh imposter Harrold King hides a deep secret the parents know nothing about. After spending nine years hidden in a cellar, thirteen year-old Fair O'Nelli finally assumes it's safe to be seen. She knows that her father and brother are missing or possibly dead.
But when she sets off in the company of three guardians to find Selador's Gate, she heads right into Harrold King's secret. If she and countless others are to survive, she will have to start making choices that place friendship above fright, faith over doubt, and compassion over fear.
The audio book adaptation is brought to life by Booklist's Voice of Choice, Simon Vance. (The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest, The Girl Who Played with Fire.) British-born Vance was awarded Audiofile Magazine Golden Voice status, June 2009.
But when she sets off in the company of three guardians to find Selador's Gate, she heads right into Harrold King's secret. If she and countless others are to survive, she will have to start making choices that place friendship above fright, faith over doubt, and compassion over fear.
The audio book adaptation is brought to life by Booklist's Voice of Choice, Simon Vance. (The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest, The Girl Who Played with Fire.) British-born Vance was awarded Audiofile Magazine Golden Voice status, June 2009.
475 pages, Paperback
First published April 6, 2010
6 people are currently reading
800 people want to read
About the author
K.S.R. Kingworth
3 books346 followersMy name is Kareylyn. K.S.R. stands for Karey, Shirley (my mom's name), and the R, just because I like how it sounds. Stories have been meaningful to me my entire life. Back in high school, there were books that came at just the right time to help me understand how I fit in the world in a way that made more sense. Because of them I knew I wasn't the only one who felt different, lived with difficult things, or was faced with hard choices.
After publishing Secret Speakers and the Search for Selador's Gate back in 2010, I didn't think I would ever write again. That is, until July 2023 in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, when the whimsical, zany and powerful world of Primørdiya showed up in my mind as I sat next to a sweet cat named Max. I could not not write it.
Carli Rockell and the Fire Seed is ready to share with any omringle who is ready to go on Carli’s adventures with her. Book Two will be out by next year. And the final book in the trilogy, will follow!
For me, my greatest hope is that the story of Carli and her friends Guido and Ariki will be the book that comes along at the perfect time to guide you on your own journey through this bewildering thing called life.
After publishing Secret Speakers and the Search for Selador's Gate back in 2010, I didn't think I would ever write again. That is, until July 2023 in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, when the whimsical, zany and powerful world of Primørdiya showed up in my mind as I sat next to a sweet cat named Max. I could not not write it.
Carli Rockell and the Fire Seed is ready to share with any omringle who is ready to go on Carli’s adventures with her. Book Two will be out by next year. And the final book in the trilogy, will follow!
For me, my greatest hope is that the story of Carli and her friends Guido and Ariki will be the book that comes along at the perfect time to guide you on your own journey through this bewildering thing called life.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 75 reviews
January 15, 2009
Finished! I’ve never had the opportunity to read a book in manuscript form so this was a fun first for me. The format of the manuscript (a pdf file) made it difficult for me to sit down and commit to the story so I feel like I was reading this one forever, but that was due more to a personal preference for something printable vs. an e-document than anything else. I’d love to re-read this story someday in a traditional book format because it was definitely “one of those stories.”
I also feel like I need to add the following caveat: I typically tend to shy away from the YA genre unless the book achieves cult status (Twilight, Harry Potter, Golden Compass, etc.), comes highly recommended from a friend and/or really, really really appeals to me and that happens on such a rare occasion that it barely warrants mentioning. I’m sure that will change when I have children of my own someday because I love to read and if I bring future readers into the world, I will want to know what they’re reading. But since that is a blessed event that is in the unknown future, I spend most of my time reading fiction for grown ups.
Now, for simplicities sake because I’m rushed for time at the moment, the rest of my review will be in list format:
Things I Liked
--I like allegories (see my ultra-high ratings for The Lion The Witch and the Wardrobe and The Reluctant Fundamentalist if you want proof!)
--Once I got into it, I had a hard time putting it down and had to keep reading to find out what happened next!
--It was a perfect escapist read.
Things I Didn’t Like
--I think the prologue was too much too soon. Fantasy novels frequently make me feel like I’ve just been blindfolded and dropped into the deep end of the pool. I don’t like that feeling and tend to rate the authors you gently ease you into the world much higher. I went back and reread the prologue after finishing the story and appreciated it so much more. I keep thinking that there might be a different way to engage the reader and build in the mystery. Maybe cut the prologue short and then infuse the rest of it into the remainder of the novel as necessary?
--I would have also appreciated more of a back story about Harrold King straight off the bat. Knowing exactly what kind of person he is straight off the bat would have warmed me to the other characters much sooner than it actually did by virtue of the fact that he was a bad dude! That probably ties in with my earlier comment about different ways to engage the reader.
--As mentioned in my “intro” the format was a major hindrance for me. I guess I’m just not that into e-books!
Things I Loved
--The main character was a young teen girl who felt very real and was easy to identify with.
--Gibber Will. I wasn’t sure about him at first but he was one of those characters who really grew on me.
--The second time I read the prologue. Love! Feeling more comfortable with the new words/ideas and having a familiarity with the characters and their lives made the world-building concepts feel less foreign and I was much more open to the message it was promising.
Overall, I’m giving it three stars but I feel like it’s on the verge of getting four. It’s so, so, so close!!!!
I also feel like I need to add the following caveat: I typically tend to shy away from the YA genre unless the book achieves cult status (Twilight, Harry Potter, Golden Compass, etc.), comes highly recommended from a friend and/or really, really really appeals to me and that happens on such a rare occasion that it barely warrants mentioning. I’m sure that will change when I have children of my own someday because I love to read and if I bring future readers into the world, I will want to know what they’re reading. But since that is a blessed event that is in the unknown future, I spend most of my time reading fiction for grown ups.
Now, for simplicities sake because I’m rushed for time at the moment, the rest of my review will be in list format:
Things I Liked
--I like allegories (see my ultra-high ratings for The Lion The Witch and the Wardrobe and The Reluctant Fundamentalist if you want proof!)
--Once I got into it, I had a hard time putting it down and had to keep reading to find out what happened next!
--It was a perfect escapist read.
Things I Didn’t Like
--I think the prologue was too much too soon. Fantasy novels frequently make me feel like I’ve just been blindfolded and dropped into the deep end of the pool. I don’t like that feeling and tend to rate the authors you gently ease you into the world much higher. I went back and reread the prologue after finishing the story and appreciated it so much more. I keep thinking that there might be a different way to engage the reader and build in the mystery. Maybe cut the prologue short and then infuse the rest of it into the remainder of the novel as necessary?
--I would have also appreciated more of a back story about Harrold King straight off the bat. Knowing exactly what kind of person he is straight off the bat would have warmed me to the other characters much sooner than it actually did by virtue of the fact that he was a bad dude! That probably ties in with my earlier comment about different ways to engage the reader.
--As mentioned in my “intro” the format was a major hindrance for me. I guess I’m just not that into e-books!
Things I Loved
--The main character was a young teen girl who felt very real and was easy to identify with.
--Gibber Will. I wasn’t sure about him at first but he was one of those characters who really grew on me.
--The second time I read the prologue. Love! Feeling more comfortable with the new words/ideas and having a familiarity with the characters and their lives made the world-building concepts feel less foreign and I was much more open to the message it was promising.
Overall, I’m giving it three stars but I feel like it’s on the verge of getting four. It’s so, so, so close!!!!
November 4, 2014
I loved this book! Took me back to my childhood when I would expect fairies and goblins to pop out of trees. Thank you Karey! I can't wait to hold it in my hands so I can hug it!
February 7, 2010
From the moment I started to read, I was mesmerized. I was taken in to a brand new world that I was eager to explore - in other words, I couldn't put it down even though I'm trying to plan a wedding ;)
Secret Speakers is not formula story where you can anticipate what happens next. Far from it. I never knew where the story was going and it kept me interested right through to the end. The writing is excellent! Karey paints a vivid picture of this beautiful and sometimes dangerous new world.
I would highly recommend this book to families - children as well as adults. It is a wonderful story on the surface and also has deeper subtle meanings that I know that I will continue to discover as I continue to reread this book.
Excellent job, Karey!
Secret Speakers is not formula story where you can anticipate what happens next. Far from it. I never knew where the story was going and it kept me interested right through to the end. The writing is excellent! Karey paints a vivid picture of this beautiful and sometimes dangerous new world.
I would highly recommend this book to families - children as well as adults. It is a wonderful story on the surface and also has deeper subtle meanings that I know that I will continue to discover as I continue to reread this book.
Excellent job, Karey!
February 20, 2009
Holy moly. Get this book when it comes out! I got to be one of the early readers of Secret Speakers and all I can say is it's going to stand the test of time. Children that have yet to be born will be reading Secret Speakers years from now. Then, when they get old, they'll be reading it to their grandchildren. It's that good.
Now a word about Karey Shane / K.S.R. Kingworth: She has got to be the most innovative new author out there when it comes to setting trends in the world of self-publishing. I see her name everywhere here on GoodReads. She rocks!
Now a word about Karey Shane / K.S.R. Kingworth: She has got to be the most innovative new author out there when it comes to setting trends in the world of self-publishing. I see her name everywhere here on GoodReads. She rocks!
January 28, 2011
The beginning confused me alot, but as I came towards the middle I couldn't find myself leaving the book unread. I was dissapointed the that Tooli, the good prince, died. Also that Sauveren, Fair's dog, died. It surprised me that he came back alive and was the person they were looking for the whole time throughout the book,Selador. All in all, it was a great book.
"The Secret Speakers and the Search for Selador's Gate" is also self published. We must announce this great book to the world and give it the praise that it deserves. I urge everyone who reads this to read the book. =D
"The Secret Speakers and the Search for Selador's Gate" is also self published. We must announce this great book to the world and give it the praise that it deserves. I urge everyone who reads this to read the book. =D
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 23, 2009
Move over J.K. Rowling and Stephenie Meyer and make room for a new fantasy and adventure master--K.S.R. Kingworth! Her debut novel will keep you turing pages as you get caught up in the mystical, marvelous adventure that takes place in an amazing universe. It goes without saying that after reading Secret Speakers and the Search for Selador's Gate all fantasy and adventure fans will eagerly await more tales from the fertile imagination of Kingworth.
April 11, 2010
Very descriptive. Story keeps moving at a great pace; enough to keep you interested and on the edge of your seat waiting for what will happen next. Characters are well developed, and believeable.
Read
April 8, 2008this book is great i recommend this to everyone
March 1, 2010
First off, I must admit this book is much better than I expected, and this is for several reasons. While this is not a perfect book, as I will explain further on, it is quite good and I am glad I took the time to get through it.
To begin with, I don't really read fantasy, mostly because fantasy books can take themselves a bit too seriously. this book did take itself seriously (as all books should), but it wasn't like this one event would destroy the planet if it did not come to pass. Also, the made-up jargon (hoomin for the humanoid inhabitants of the land, etc.) was a bit close to English, which suggests to be a bit of a Tolkein-esque flair for words. her personal notes at the back of the book list linguistics as an interest, so that probably accounts for this. Another reason I don't read much fantasy is because of the tone, which was completely different in this book. Written for children, Secret Speakers had a very positive tone. Even when someone suffered a great deal or died, it was used as a teachable moment for building strength and character, as well as reiterating how important it is not to give up. I think that lesson is important to all of us, no matter how much we've heard it.
I was also a bit uncertain of this book because of what I considered a bit lengthy for most children. I assumed a normal child would lose interest or not be able to follow something that would seem like such an epic undertaking. Then as I got into it, I realized there isn't much boredom to be had with the book. There is always action or a lesson being taught. the characters seem real enough to almost be like imaginary friends to young readers along the journey of the pages. Even though this book is part of a series, I think the younger set will pursue it because it isn't daunting, the language is clear, and it really isn't above their heads. In the case of readers who only want to read this installation, it is also helpful that the end is tied up quite neatly, so they are not left hanging as is the case with some of the Lord of the Rings books.
That said, there were some other things about the book, mostly minor, that I worried about, but these fears were allayed as the pages passed. However, there were a few problems, mostly mechanical, that I felt should have been handled a bit differently. The author had two characters whose dialogue was handled phonetically, Tooli and Hale. This was good to set them apart and also to show that differences such as being deaf or having a lisp are socially acceptable, but halfway through, the phonetics was dropped, which seemed a bit lazy to me. Also, in the little bits before and after Tooli's Joust and dangle, his Secret Speaker inexplicably changes names. Sometimes perspective would change and the Secret Speaker being used would not. Then there are the numerous instances of the quotation marks beginning or ending in such a way as not to encapsulate the dialogue properly. This made me a bit sad for the author, since several people had edited her work and hadn't caught it. I believe these things can be changed before a future edition, and the book will be much improved.
Overall, then, this was a very good book that pleasantly surprised me, and with a bit more careful editing, I believe it has the potential to go far.
To begin with, I don't really read fantasy, mostly because fantasy books can take themselves a bit too seriously. this book did take itself seriously (as all books should), but it wasn't like this one event would destroy the planet if it did not come to pass. Also, the made-up jargon (hoomin for the humanoid inhabitants of the land, etc.) was a bit close to English, which suggests to be a bit of a Tolkein-esque flair for words. her personal notes at the back of the book list linguistics as an interest, so that probably accounts for this. Another reason I don't read much fantasy is because of the tone, which was completely different in this book. Written for children, Secret Speakers had a very positive tone. Even when someone suffered a great deal or died, it was used as a teachable moment for building strength and character, as well as reiterating how important it is not to give up. I think that lesson is important to all of us, no matter how much we've heard it.
I was also a bit uncertain of this book because of what I considered a bit lengthy for most children. I assumed a normal child would lose interest or not be able to follow something that would seem like such an epic undertaking. Then as I got into it, I realized there isn't much boredom to be had with the book. There is always action or a lesson being taught. the characters seem real enough to almost be like imaginary friends to young readers along the journey of the pages. Even though this book is part of a series, I think the younger set will pursue it because it isn't daunting, the language is clear, and it really isn't above their heads. In the case of readers who only want to read this installation, it is also helpful that the end is tied up quite neatly, so they are not left hanging as is the case with some of the Lord of the Rings books.
That said, there were some other things about the book, mostly minor, that I worried about, but these fears were allayed as the pages passed. However, there were a few problems, mostly mechanical, that I felt should have been handled a bit differently. The author had two characters whose dialogue was handled phonetically, Tooli and Hale. This was good to set them apart and also to show that differences such as being deaf or having a lisp are socially acceptable, but halfway through, the phonetics was dropped, which seemed a bit lazy to me. Also, in the little bits before and after Tooli's Joust and dangle, his Secret Speaker inexplicably changes names. Sometimes perspective would change and the Secret Speaker being used would not. Then there are the numerous instances of the quotation marks beginning or ending in such a way as not to encapsulate the dialogue properly. This made me a bit sad for the author, since several people had edited her work and hadn't caught it. I believe these things can be changed before a future edition, and the book will be much improved.
Overall, then, this was a very good book that pleasantly surprised me, and with a bit more careful editing, I believe it has the potential to go far.
June 9, 2010
oh my gosh.. if i could give a book negative stars i would.. at times the story line was mildly interesting. I was turned of the most by the fact that she portrays this book as an interesting original story of love.. really what it was was a rip off of the bible... story of heavens war, right down to the gethsemane scene.. only it was a dog that she compared to christ... it was painful to read at times as it was so insane what she was doing... the idea of secret speakers was very interesting... i think if she would have actually made it an original idea that wasn't religious we would have enjoyed it more, she had a good concept of telling peoples story but she tried to feed you religion. Now i am a religious person, and like the bible.. but when i'm told its like harry potter or something like that.. it makes me uncomfortable and roll my eye a lot...
also..the book said that people liked it better than harry potter and really the reviews said they were asked to compare it.. its nothinbg like HP.. i couldn't put those down... this... was awful and we kept reading to see if it would get better.. but when they made the dog sweat blood for our sins.... that was too much.. we stopped reading.. please run from this book.. unless you DO want to read a religious book, then you might enjoy it..
also..the book said that people liked it better than harry potter and really the reviews said they were asked to compare it.. its nothinbg like HP.. i couldn't put those down... this... was awful and we kept reading to see if it would get better.. but when they made the dog sweat blood for our sins.... that was too much.. we stopped reading.. please run from this book.. unless you DO want to read a religious book, then you might enjoy it..
skimmed-or-did-not-finish
September 28, 2011I didn't put a star rating for this one. I didn't finish reading it, since I ended up skimming the last half. While I really enjoyed the fun fantasy world and some of the characters, I could not get my mind of focus enough on the story to appreciate it. It felt like there was too much going on and the episodes didn't connect very well. Also, I did not particularly like the prologue, because it was just like a list of characteristics of the people and not really a narrative at all. When the story started, it was much better. But, I still had a hard time connecting with the characters and some of the made-up language threw me off. They either weren't used enough for me to remember what they meant or I couldn't figure it out from context. Fun premise and interesting story, but I had a hard time getting through it.
December 28, 2008
I read this as a preview read--the book comes out this summer--but I thought I would throw my two cents in. This book follows in the footsteps of books like Pilgrim's Progress and The Chronicle of Narnia series, though I'm not 100% sure that is the path Kingsworth intended to follow. Fair, a young girl who has lived in a cellar for the past 7 years to escape from being captured and killed by the pretender king, sets out on a quest to find Selador's Gate. Selador is a Savior figure who sacrifices himself to save not only Fair, but her entire community. Along her path of discovery, Fair learns about faith, hope, and charity.
All in all, it was a good read. I finished it feeling better about my progress through this world.
All in all, it was a good read. I finished it feeling better about my progress through this world.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 24, 2015
It was confusing at first, then got a bit interesting. I couldn't put it down, until I got to her version of the "war in heaven." She's very original... (sarcasm) I've tried to read beyond that, but she keeps copying things from lds doctrine, and very uncreatively at that. CS Lewis tales are religious, but it's not obvious, and is very creative. Kingworth unsuccessfully attempts to do the same. Don't waste your time, unless you want to read her version of the pearl of great price. And on her website, when asked where she got her inspiration for her story, not one mention of the BOM or POGP.
May 8, 2008
This is a great book and a must buy! We were happy to award the 2008 Reader's Choice to this book at http://www.textnovel.com. Karey joined our contest a little late, but in the course of only a few weeks, this novel shot to the top of our contest and remained there through the end. That is quite a testament to how reader's feel about this book and the incredible world of Cloven Grave.
You will love this book if you are a fan of C.S. Lewis' Narnia series, of George Macdonald or of Tolkien.
You will love this book if you are a fan of C.S. Lewis' Narnia series, of George Macdonald or of Tolkien.
December 28, 2008
Secret Speakers is a wonderful fantasy story with a strong moral background. I really enjoyed this book by Goodreads Author K.S.R Kingworth, who may be the new C.S. Lewis. It is the story of a girl named Fair and her loyal dog Sauveren, and I was engrossed and enchanted from beginning to end. If you like books such as the Chronicles of Narnia series, I think you will really enjoy Secret Speakers and the Search for Selador's Gate. I look forward to reading any and all other books in this series.
June 25, 2010
This book was a tough read... not because of the vocabulary used or the way that it was written, but because of the way the author took pieces of my religious beliefs and adapted them to fit into her own little story of a make believe world.
Then there is a part at the end of the book where she likens one of the characters to Jesus Christ and the Ultimate Sacrifice.
I will not be reading this book again. Nor will I recommend it to others.
Then there is a part at the end of the book where she likens one of the characters to Jesus Christ and the Ultimate Sacrifice.
I will not be reading this book again. Nor will I recommend it to others.
January 17, 2010
First off, let me give a shout out to my friend Karey of congratulations on all your hard work and effort in writing and publishing this book. Good for you! I enjoyed looking at the religious symbolism throughout the book. Fair is such a like-able protagonist and I was cheering for her and Hale and all their friends along the way. I'm proud of you!
June 30, 2010
Okay, this is one amazing allegory. It's got the war in Heaven, the plan of salvation, Christ's ministry including miracles, the garden of Gethsemane, death and resurrection, pretty much the whole ball of doctrine. She even added a night, a day, and a night of darkness. Brilliant! I wish I'd thought of it myself. CS Lewis has nothing on KSR Kingworth. We need to talk, girl!
February 18, 2010
I read this in manuscript form thanks to Karey :)
The story is fantasy, but can be enjoyed on so many more levels. Deeper meanings will at times reach out for you as you read it, but it is at the same time an escape into a fantasy story that will; no doubt; rival the greats.
The story is fantasy, but can be enjoyed on so many more levels. Deeper meanings will at times reach out for you as you read it, but it is at the same time an escape into a fantasy story that will; no doubt; rival the greats.
January 16, 2009
I enjoyed this book so much! This book is a little bit of "Wizard of Oz" mixed with a little "Lord of the Rings" and a bit of "Chronicles of Narnia. I enjoyed every second of reading it! It was like being a kid again! I can't wait to visit again. This book is definitely on my reread list!
February 11, 2010
I loved this fantasy. The characters live in my mind. I laughed with them and cried with them. Sometimes I held my breath to see what happened to them. The story has a positive message without being preachy. I am getting ready to read it again.
July 13, 2017
Yay, another goodreads first reads win :) This book was pretty amazing: fantasy with substance! I definitely saw parallels to The Wizard of Oz and the Chronicles of Narnia. Plus there was plenty of action to keep the pages turning.
June 2, 2009
I absolutely loved this book. The characters were so engrossing and I loved the concept of good vs. evil, and how the good overcomes the evil :) I can't wait for a sequel to this book!
January 21, 2019
I don't think I'm going to ever win a Goodreads First Reads book again until I review this, so here goes...
August 27, 2010
I loved it. I liked how it taught the Plan of Salvation in another way. I thought it surpassed books liked Twilight and Harry Potter. It also made me think of the Wizard of OZ and Pilgrim's Progress. Many positive thoughts to contemplate.
some of my many favorite parts:
128 You are powerful.
You will always have strength given to you
when you need it most.
131
You come into this life with a bundle of wisdom
that you are supposed to unpack and give away.
If you don’t give it away, it will get heavier and heavier,
until the only option is to drag it behind you.
126
Purity of heart. Strength of mind.
They who seek shall also find.
Eyes to see. Ears to hear.
Look to through me and to me
and all will be clear.
174 “Often we hear only what we want to hear, when we think we’re
hearing everything, so really we come away having learned nothing at all.
Just pieces. I’ll tell, when you’re ready to listen.”
Fair answered, “I’m ready to listen. Really I am.”
“Time will tell.”
225 She quoted from memory: “Because ‘we only accept the love we believe we deserve, no more, no less.’ You don’t let anyone love you. So you must not believe you deserve it. And you don’t let anyone else have friends. You must be very lonely to be so bossy and mean.” She couldn’t stop the flow of words, and bit her tongue to stop herself from saying more.
List of characters
message 1: by Karey Shane (last edited 11/10/2008 07:38PM) (new)
11/10/2008 07:37PM
Avran Lamb: The owner of Lamb’s Tavern.
Axum King: Harrold and Sophrea King’s youngest son, the brother of Tooli.
Azanamer: An elderly woman who people whisper comes from the Night People who live in the pastures of prepahr in Mount Rillmorrey. People call her grandmother. She is known for her gift to heal and give comfort and has skin the color of freshly-turned soil.
Cael: Father of Selador, Rithel and the children of Light. Known as Father King of Light. Rules with Thelras, Mother Queen of Light.
Fella Doon: One of Harrold King’s lead guards. He is called upon to perform many tasks. Hale O’Nelli: Fair’s twin brother.
Harrold King: A wicked and evil man who began to rule in Cloven Grave—uninvited. He makes everyone bring everything they make or grow to him once a shoomin for the Rendering. Then he gives it back to them in much smaller portions and keeps the rest for himself. He has 400 guards to protect him.
Impissh Nissen: Small, spritely creatures that cultivate jewels in the moss that grows in the woods. Legend has it that they can grow and shrink in size, and they have been given the responsibility to protect and guard the souls of the hoomin. They are only visible to those who are ready to see them.
Lariel O’Nelli: Tharin and Hale’s mother. She is one of the sweetest mothers to have ever lived.
Pewgen Flype: A greasy, pumpkin-faced captain. He wants to prove to Harrold King that he can follow the rules to perfection. But he tries so hard that he breaks rules to do it.
Rill O’Nelli: Fair and Hale’s father.
Rithel: He is the brother of Selador.
Sauveren: He is Tharin Zothiker’s faithful and enormous dog. He carries her on his back since she is frail and falls a lot.
Selador: He is the brother of Rithel in the realm of Airen Or. Son of Cael, father king of Light, and Thelras, mother queen of Light.
Fair O’Nelli: The main character in Secret Speakers.
Thelras: Mother of Selador, Rithel and the children of Light. Known as Mother Queen of Light. Rules with Cael, Father King of Light.
The Woolly: A strange fellow with a long, black and tangled beard who roams the fields and woods of Cloven Grave in his bare feet. He wears tattered clothing and eats only honey milk and the bugs and grubs he finds beneath rocks and rotting logs. He is known for speaking in riddles or making no sense at all.
Tilly Mote: She takes care of all the little children in the village of Cloven Grave. She refuses—or is unable—to speak to grownups. She is known and loved for all the moss blossom trinkets that she carries in the very large pockets of her apron. She claims that many of them come from the Impissh Nissen, the creatures that plant and grow jewels in the moss that grows in the woods.
Tooli King: Harrold and Sophrea King’s oldest son. He has a younger twin brother, Axum.
Glossary
message 1: by Karey Shane (last edited 11/13/2008 06:27PM)
Ballen Nor = A creature that swims in the depths of Lakinren Bae.
Cansee = A distance that is as far as you “can see.”
Caves of Osden Shorn = Caves underneath the temple of Osden Shorn.
Cries Unia = Wooden tablets nailed to roadside trees where Harrold King posts his laws.
Fires of Espritan = A hot, volcanic path that leads to the Pastures of Prepahr.
Garden of Agesmeneth = A small little garden off the path on the way to Mount Rillmorrey. It is full of old and gnarled apple trees.
Hoomin = What the people of Cloven Grave call themselves. We call ourselves people, or humans. They call themselves hoomins.
Joust & Dangle = A fierce game of jousting that takes place on the deep lake of Lakinren Bae between two armoured opponents. They come at each other on long, fast boats powered by 12 men behind them who row in rhythm. Just moments before the boats pass each other, the rowers lift their oars straight up. The two opponents, standing on the prow of their boats, try to jab the other one overboard with their lance. The jousters are attached by a rope around their ankle. A sauvetage boat goes to the immediate rescue of the loser who dangles upside down in the water. The rope is attached to a crane and they are lifted out of the water by the use of a pulley.
Lakinren Bae = The broad, deep lake around which the hoomin of Cloven Grave, High Grave and Low Grave live.
Morning Meal, Middin Meal, Evening Meal = Breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Moss Blossoms = Jewels that grow up out of the moss. Planted and gathered by the Impissh Nissen.
Night People = A magical race of people who are rumored to live in the Quorum Range. The hoomin of Cloven Grave whisper among themselves that they have skin the color of the night. Their eyes shine like stars and they wear their shining black and curly hair cut close to their heads.
Osden Shorn = The large, sprawling estate where Harrold King lives under the self-imposed protection of 400 guards. It was built long ago as a temple to house the once wise kings and queens of Cloven Grave.
Pastures of Prepahr = A meadow that grows at the steep base of Mount Rillmorey. There is a beautiful tree with pure white fruit that grows in the middle of it.
Rendering = Once a week the people of Cloven Grave are required by law (so says Harrold King) to bring everything they grow, weave, milk or make to Osden Shorn where it is collected then handed out to people in small little portions. Harrold King keeps the rest for himself. Of course.
Sea of Longriden = A sea that spreads out on the other side of the Quorum Range. Its salty taste makes its way to Lakinren Bae through an underground tunnel.
Searing Ruwen = Explosive fires that shoot up out of the ground unpredictably. They are at the mouth of the pass that leads into the Quorum Range.
Shoomin = A month.
Waters of Arbiter = The waterfall that must be passed under in order to get to the Pastures of Prepahr.
Yarren = A year.
some of my many favorite parts:
128 You are powerful.
You will always have strength given to you
when you need it most.
131
You come into this life with a bundle of wisdom
that you are supposed to unpack and give away.
If you don’t give it away, it will get heavier and heavier,
until the only option is to drag it behind you.
126
Purity of heart. Strength of mind.
They who seek shall also find.
Eyes to see. Ears to hear.
Look to through me and to me
and all will be clear.
174 “Often we hear only what we want to hear, when we think we’re
hearing everything, so really we come away having learned nothing at all.
Just pieces. I’ll tell, when you’re ready to listen.”
Fair answered, “I’m ready to listen. Really I am.”
“Time will tell.”
225 She quoted from memory: “Because ‘we only accept the love we believe we deserve, no more, no less.’ You don’t let anyone love you. So you must not believe you deserve it. And you don’t let anyone else have friends. You must be very lonely to be so bossy and mean.” She couldn’t stop the flow of words, and bit her tongue to stop herself from saying more.
List of characters
message 1: by Karey Shane (last edited 11/10/2008 07:38PM) (new)
11/10/2008 07:37PM
Avran Lamb: The owner of Lamb’s Tavern.
Axum King: Harrold and Sophrea King’s youngest son, the brother of Tooli.
Azanamer: An elderly woman who people whisper comes from the Night People who live in the pastures of prepahr in Mount Rillmorrey. People call her grandmother. She is known for her gift to heal and give comfort and has skin the color of freshly-turned soil.
Cael: Father of Selador, Rithel and the children of Light. Known as Father King of Light. Rules with Thelras, Mother Queen of Light.
Fella Doon: One of Harrold King’s lead guards. He is called upon to perform many tasks. Hale O’Nelli: Fair’s twin brother.
Harrold King: A wicked and evil man who began to rule in Cloven Grave—uninvited. He makes everyone bring everything they make or grow to him once a shoomin for the Rendering. Then he gives it back to them in much smaller portions and keeps the rest for himself. He has 400 guards to protect him.
Impissh Nissen: Small, spritely creatures that cultivate jewels in the moss that grows in the woods. Legend has it that they can grow and shrink in size, and they have been given the responsibility to protect and guard the souls of the hoomin. They are only visible to those who are ready to see them.
Lariel O’Nelli: Tharin and Hale’s mother. She is one of the sweetest mothers to have ever lived.
Pewgen Flype: A greasy, pumpkin-faced captain. He wants to prove to Harrold King that he can follow the rules to perfection. But he tries so hard that he breaks rules to do it.
Rill O’Nelli: Fair and Hale’s father.
Rithel: He is the brother of Selador.
Sauveren: He is Tharin Zothiker’s faithful and enormous dog. He carries her on his back since she is frail and falls a lot.
Selador: He is the brother of Rithel in the realm of Airen Or. Son of Cael, father king of Light, and Thelras, mother queen of Light.
Fair O’Nelli: The main character in Secret Speakers.
Thelras: Mother of Selador, Rithel and the children of Light. Known as Mother Queen of Light. Rules with Cael, Father King of Light.
The Woolly: A strange fellow with a long, black and tangled beard who roams the fields and woods of Cloven Grave in his bare feet. He wears tattered clothing and eats only honey milk and the bugs and grubs he finds beneath rocks and rotting logs. He is known for speaking in riddles or making no sense at all.
Tilly Mote: She takes care of all the little children in the village of Cloven Grave. She refuses—or is unable—to speak to grownups. She is known and loved for all the moss blossom trinkets that she carries in the very large pockets of her apron. She claims that many of them come from the Impissh Nissen, the creatures that plant and grow jewels in the moss that grows in the woods.
Tooli King: Harrold and Sophrea King’s oldest son. He has a younger twin brother, Axum.
Glossary
message 1: by Karey Shane (last edited 11/13/2008 06:27PM)
Ballen Nor = A creature that swims in the depths of Lakinren Bae.
Cansee = A distance that is as far as you “can see.”
Caves of Osden Shorn = Caves underneath the temple of Osden Shorn.
Cries Unia = Wooden tablets nailed to roadside trees where Harrold King posts his laws.
Fires of Espritan = A hot, volcanic path that leads to the Pastures of Prepahr.
Garden of Agesmeneth = A small little garden off the path on the way to Mount Rillmorrey. It is full of old and gnarled apple trees.
Hoomin = What the people of Cloven Grave call themselves. We call ourselves people, or humans. They call themselves hoomins.
Joust & Dangle = A fierce game of jousting that takes place on the deep lake of Lakinren Bae between two armoured opponents. They come at each other on long, fast boats powered by 12 men behind them who row in rhythm. Just moments before the boats pass each other, the rowers lift their oars straight up. The two opponents, standing on the prow of their boats, try to jab the other one overboard with their lance. The jousters are attached by a rope around their ankle. A sauvetage boat goes to the immediate rescue of the loser who dangles upside down in the water. The rope is attached to a crane and they are lifted out of the water by the use of a pulley.
Lakinren Bae = The broad, deep lake around which the hoomin of Cloven Grave, High Grave and Low Grave live.
Morning Meal, Middin Meal, Evening Meal = Breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Moss Blossoms = Jewels that grow up out of the moss. Planted and gathered by the Impissh Nissen.
Night People = A magical race of people who are rumored to live in the Quorum Range. The hoomin of Cloven Grave whisper among themselves that they have skin the color of the night. Their eyes shine like stars and they wear their shining black and curly hair cut close to their heads.
Osden Shorn = The large, sprawling estate where Harrold King lives under the self-imposed protection of 400 guards. It was built long ago as a temple to house the once wise kings and queens of Cloven Grave.
Pastures of Prepahr = A meadow that grows at the steep base of Mount Rillmorey. There is a beautiful tree with pure white fruit that grows in the middle of it.
Rendering = Once a week the people of Cloven Grave are required by law (so says Harrold King) to bring everything they grow, weave, milk or make to Osden Shorn where it is collected then handed out to people in small little portions. Harrold King keeps the rest for himself. Of course.
Sea of Longriden = A sea that spreads out on the other side of the Quorum Range. Its salty taste makes its way to Lakinren Bae through an underground tunnel.
Searing Ruwen = Explosive fires that shoot up out of the ground unpredictably. They are at the mouth of the pass that leads into the Quorum Range.
Shoomin = A month.
Waters of Arbiter = The waterfall that must be passed under in order to get to the Pastures of Prepahr.
Yarren = A year.
September 2, 2010
I could not finish this book.
I bought a copy when I ran into the author at a local Costco, promoting and selling her book. As I am an aspiring author(with a novel and an agent, shopping for publishers), I could not resist an opportunity to help another struggling author. Talking to her, I found out she self-pubbed her novel. I did not have enough time to chat and find out why she chose the self-pub route, but I am beginning to suspect it is because nobody wanted it.
I only managed to read the prologue(never, ever write a 20 page prologue explaining every excruciating detail of your world), and two chapters, and what little of the story I could discern was trite and shallow, and the prose was, well, difficult. Let me give you an example:
'It's possible that those who are powerless will find power. And those who are alone will be alone no more. The silent voices of those who are crying out might, just possibly, be heard.'
The entire book is like that, with what sounds like an attempt to be poetic. Despite twenty pages of boring back-story(a literary no-no), I had no idea what was going on for some time. I think maybe the author was simply trying to hook the reader by leaving some things tantalizingly unsaid, but all she did was leave me confused.
Too poetic, boring, trite and vague. I would not recommend this book to anyone.
I bought a copy when I ran into the author at a local Costco, promoting and selling her book. As I am an aspiring author(with a novel and an agent, shopping for publishers), I could not resist an opportunity to help another struggling author. Talking to her, I found out she self-pubbed her novel. I did not have enough time to chat and find out why she chose the self-pub route, but I am beginning to suspect it is because nobody wanted it.
I only managed to read the prologue(never, ever write a 20 page prologue explaining every excruciating detail of your world), and two chapters, and what little of the story I could discern was trite and shallow, and the prose was, well, difficult. Let me give you an example:
'It's possible that those who are powerless will find power. And those who are alone will be alone no more. The silent voices of those who are crying out might, just possibly, be heard.'
The entire book is like that, with what sounds like an attempt to be poetic. Despite twenty pages of boring back-story(a literary no-no), I had no idea what was going on for some time. I think maybe the author was simply trying to hook the reader by leaving some things tantalizingly unsaid, but all she did was leave me confused.
Too poetic, boring, trite and vague. I would not recommend this book to anyone.
May 14, 2010
I received an autographed copy of this on Goodreads. Secret Speakers and the Search for Selador’s Gate definitely has many strong messages about doing the right thing, having faith and compassion for others. The characters are very well developed and believable. I did find the Prologue difficult to follow the first time I read it. The author was defiantly setting the stage for the story but lost me in the terminology. I wasn’t sure after the Prologue what direction the story was going to go, which was not a bad thing. I appreciated the Prologue much more once I finished the entire book and then was able to relate the events to the characters. Like others, I saw comparisons to the Wizard of Oz. Here is a young girl traveling with three companions (a rock, a rabbit and a monkey) trying to find Selandor. Each person Fair meets has a major impact in her actions. I found myself thinking Fair was looking for Oz and Harrold King made me think of the wicked witch. Just as Dorothy was accompanied by Toto, Fair was helped by her faithful companion Sauveren. I felt picking Sauveren to be Selandor was perfect. The author completely got the message across to me of his suffering for people while being a true friend.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 2, 2010
Karey is my friend, but that doesn't mean I will review her book any differently... it just means I get to review it before some others do!
Comparing it to Harry Potter or Twilight as others have seems silly to me. They have little in common. All are engaging stories. Secret Speakers is certainly a finer caliber of writing than Twilight (and I DO like the books!), but really they have little to compare. What I would compare this brilliant fantasy to is the Chronicles of Narnia. Both can be enjoyed on the surface as a fun fantasy as well and reading more deeply and appreciating the religious allegory. Both have characters you love and identify with. Both are rich and beautiful. Both have meaning beyond. And I love both!
My ONLY (and I mean ONLY) complaint was that as someone who shares Karey's Mormon faith it wasn't fantasy ENOUGH for me. Parts would have been more beautiful and awesome to me if it wasn't foreknowledge from Sunday school.
Oh, wait, I also felt a bit bad for my Leopard Gecko, Jack, as he was a bit like the enemy. :( hee hee
Anyway, READ IT! You will love it. *sigh* Unless you are a lizard.
Comparing it to Harry Potter or Twilight as others have seems silly to me. They have little in common. All are engaging stories. Secret Speakers is certainly a finer caliber of writing than Twilight (and I DO like the books!), but really they have little to compare. What I would compare this brilliant fantasy to is the Chronicles of Narnia. Both can be enjoyed on the surface as a fun fantasy as well and reading more deeply and appreciating the religious allegory. Both have characters you love and identify with. Both are rich and beautiful. Both have meaning beyond. And I love both!
My ONLY (and I mean ONLY) complaint was that as someone who shares Karey's Mormon faith it wasn't fantasy ENOUGH for me. Parts would have been more beautiful and awesome to me if it wasn't foreknowledge from Sunday school.
Oh, wait, I also felt a bit bad for my Leopard Gecko, Jack, as he was a bit like the enemy. :( hee hee
Anyway, READ IT! You will love it. *sigh* Unless you are a lizard.
July 23, 2010
As the Hoomin (not to be confused with human) people suffer under the rule of a tyranical king, one girl sets the prophecy to the end of this Dictatorship into motion. This book was a good entertaining read with many religions correlations, which reminded me frequently of The Chronicals of Narnia, by C.S. Lewis. Kingworth's plot also relies heavily upon the Plan of Salvation, where as if you may not be a Mormon, you might not pick up on that as quickly. She does a great job of bringing the main character, Fair, to life, but my only complaint is her journey through the woods. Her journey following the grassy path, with a scared rabbit, a stone without a heart, and a crazy monkey, while looking for her dog was a little to similar to another story. (Dorothy, cowardly lion, heartless tin-man, and scarecrow without a brain.) It was hardly original and I nearly stopped reading it, but once moving on past that point, the story was able to redeem itself, but I still deducted a star for it!
October 1, 2011
I was interested to read this novel since the author has the same religious beliefs as I do. I was bugged by a few part. Especially when Christ was in the form of a dog in this book. It was just too weird for me. I also did not like the Pegwen Flype character and his evil nature made me want to stop reading the story. The whole secret speakers idea just kind of bothered me because it felt like it only needed to be stated a few times that they were telling the story...not at the start of every chapter. There was also a few parts that needed better editing and didn't make much sense to me. I also felt like it was very close to the Wizard of Oz at some parts. I really liked the beginning of the story until Fair set out on her journey and her friends turned into animals and they aided her on her journey. It just seemed kind of childish to me. I liked some parts and some I didn't really care for. All in all it wasn't a great read for me.
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