Ambergate

Orphan Number 102 or Scuff is on the run from the government. Why the government is chasing her isn't quite clear, but she knows they aren't after her to serve her tea and cookies oh, and it might have something to do with the terrible crime she committed a few years ago. With her number branded on her it isn't easy to hide. While Scuff is on the run it is revealed that the government seems to want her for other reasons including a strange prophecy. With its alluring mystery, bird-people and strange magic, this world will pull you in and leave you wanting more.

This was such an interesting book in so many ways. Scuff is an interesting character, full of promise and intriguing traits. The people she meets on her journey were all interesting as well, and the tapestry of their lives fills this novel to overflowing. As a side note, I simply adore odd, mysterious boys with something to hide, so this book was a special treat for me. No spoilers, though! Let's move on. The plot was inventive and constantly surprising, and I was very invested in the outcome of the climax. I hated to leave that world. So many tantalizing questions answered in the end, and yet, so many more remain! I am looking forward to reading more!

Scruff has worked as a kitchen maid at Murkmere ever since she was taken from the Capital five years earlier. Much has changed during that time --- the Master is dead, Leah's whereabouts are unknown and Aggie is the new caretaker --- but what remains are the unanswered questions that continue to haunt her. Scruff has vague recollections of a life before she was found wandering the streets and put into a Home, but they provide no answers as to where she came from. Then Murkmere has some unexpected visitors from the Capital. The Lord Protector is seeking an orphan for reasons not entirely clear, though Scruff thinks it's herself. Anyone who has lived in a Home can be called back to work in return for the "debt" they owe the Home. However, children never receive wages; instead, all they get is pain and suffering through terrible living conditions and often at the hands of their supposed caregivers. The youngsters are branded with a number that identifies them and, in effect, stigmatizes them for life. Desperate to save Murkmere and herself from danger, Scruff seeks Aggie's help in avoiding the police. Aggie hides the young maid in the Master's tower, but when the police return with some other unwanted guests, Scruff realizes she must leave Murkmere. In a harrowing escape, Scruff somehow ends up in the mysterious Wasteland, where she is cared for by a kindly gentleman named Gadd and his son Erland. Over time, Scruff develops a deep connection to Erland and eventually uncovers a strange secret, one that may include her own past. There is another reason why Scruff is afraid of being captured: she committed a crime, though its nature isn't revealed until later in the novel. But the incident is innocent compared to the crimes of individuals with whom Scruff crosses paths throughout her journey. From the Eastern Edge to the streets of the Capital, old and new acquaintances, along with startling new revelations, make Scruff question everything as she tries to figure out who she really is and perhaps start a new life. With complex, intriguing characters and suspense throughout, this sequel to Patricia Elliot's MURKMERE is a thrilling story that will surprise and satisfy readers. --- Reviewed by Sarah Sawtelle

Reviewed by Nicole LeBoeuf (age 16) for Reader Views (4/07) Patricia Elliott's novel "Ambergate" is a suspenseful tale of fascinating characters with the ability to capture you within moments. Growing up in Europe and the Far East, Elliott always had a creative spirit. She has spent her life around books, working in publishing, at bookstores, and finally as a college literature teacher. Her first novel "The Ice Boy" won many awards, followed closely by "Murkmere." The companion novel, "Ambergate" is full of potential. The gothic mystery spins a tale of a young orphan without a name facing countless terrors. It is easy to fall in love with the characters Elliott weaves, as they become so complete in the imagination. The orphaned girl, living in a world we've never experienced before, is forced from the comfort of the place she has called home for so long. Facing the world alone, she is in constant terror of the soldiers from the capital finding her, as she committed a hideous crime in her past. Always in constant danger, she overcomes one obstacle after another. The characters she encounters in her flight are unforgettable, as each is creatively portrayed. The tale dives into complexity as her journey moves on, but as detailed as the novel is, it is never anything but a pleasure to read. The storyline is always clear and never cluttered. Each sentence flows so perfectly, with simple, beautiful detail. Once Elliott's words have pulled you in, it is as though the world and characters she created are living and breathing. Close your eyes and you can hear the birds singing in the Wasteland, feel the sweep of swan feathers against your skin and smell the sweet fragrance of the wedding flowers... "Ambergate" is a simply beautiful novel. Age is not a thing of concern once you have turned its first page, as it is perfect for anyone. "Ambergate" is an inspiring tale, filled with courageous characters that will touch any heart that dares to enter Elliott's world.

This book is a sequel to Murkmere. Its about Scuff the kitchen maid and her secrete past. She committed some sort of crime back in the Capitol and was hiding at Murkmere. Now, the authorities are after her and she runs away, but ends up back in the place she least wanted to be in, the Capitol and the Orphan House. It was a goo read and went into more detail about the world of MURKMERE and the importance of their birds.