Avielle of Rhia

Where do I start with this book? There is so much that I would like to say about it. I guess I can start with the first thought that came to mind... Wow! This is one of the few fantasy books that I have ever read that completely engrossed me into its world. Calhoun paints a glorious picture of Avielle's world leaving very little unanswered. The reader understands their religion, their history, their customs.. you name it, Calhoun included it. This aspect is only one of many things that I loved about this book. The plot was paced well, but not too fast. For this story, this is not a bad thing since I believe that the reader needs to fully understand all aspects of what is going on this world. Avielle (I LOVE this name) is an interesting heroine. She has flaws, but you cannot help but love her. The other characters are wonderful, and add much to the story. The only character I did not fully understand was Edard. Calhoun gives the reader hints about his hatefulness, but never comes right out and explains it. I also would not have minded a bit a romance. The possibility is there for Avielle, but it is never explored. There are two things (three if you count the cover) that I absolutely loved about this book. First, was Avielle's world, which I already discussed. The other is how Calhoun dealt with racism and prejudice. Both issues are handled flawlessly, and leave the reader with a nice message. This would be a great book to use in middle/early high school classrooms to highlight those issues. The only question I have about the novel is: Where is the sequel??? The ending leads you to believe that there is much more to explore, and I really, really want to, but Calhoun has not written a sequel yet. This book is definitely going on my keepers list. It is well written, has a beautifully explored world, great characters, has a great underlying message for its readers. I honestly do not have any thing bad to say about it... except that there is no sequel in site (the book was published in 2006). If you decide to read this, I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

Avielle of Rhia is one of the best fantasy books I have read thus far. This book had me so in groused I couldn't put it down and finished it in about 4hrs. I give this book 2 thumbs up and must say it is a definite MUST read!

This is another great book by a great author. While the heroine seemed like just another whiny teenager, who couldn't seem to make a decision to save her life; she also demonstrated the essential insecurities we all have. I could really connect with Avielle, and I'm glad that Dia Calhoun was able to do this. Great book for both young and old(though a 50-year-old reading this is a little odd, bordering on creepy)this is a book you'll buy and most likely love.

Dia Calhoun's AVIELLE OF RHIA tells of a teen princess of Rhia who resembles a grandmother who practiced evil magic. Everyone expects Avielle to turn evil as well - and Avielle is shunned by others even as she fears for her kingdom which may go to war with Dredonia, a kingdom under the rule of evil wizard-priests. When Avielle escapes her family's murder, she finds herself assuming a secret identity, learning a new gift, and at last coming to terms with the possibility of evil within herself in this fast-paced fantasy adventure, recommended for older teens.

When I was in fourth grade I discovered reading as a refuge from my large, noisy family. I found that I could disappear into a book as though I had been transported to another dimension. Before my mind's eye was only the world within the book. I was seduced by books, by authors, by a good story; and I loved nothing better than the delicious feeling of allowing a tale to carry me along like a passenger on a ship, voyaging toward lands unknown. I entered reading through science fiction, brought home by my father, who read on the bus to and from work. I quickly discovered the school library, and the Hardy Boys, Tom Swift, and the Land of Oz. When I discovered Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn, my journey into the realm of literature was complete: I had become a confirmed reader. The portals created by Dia Calhoun entice the young reader into kingdoms where the impossible is possible; where the Ugly Duckling really is a swan; where you are Somebody Special but neither you nor anyone else yet suspects. She puts the key into the reader's hand, and the locked door opens as if by magic. The thing about a book, is that you hold it in your hand and the relative thickness of what you have read and what remains is plain to see. You know the story will end, but with a good book, you don't want it to. But when it does end, there are always more books. Let us hope that Dia Calhoun keeps on writing. David Lance Goines, October 20, 2006