Far Traveler

I picked up this book thinking that I would give it to my young teen to read but I started reading it before I passed it along. The book has vivid descriptions of life in 800 AD England while giving a glimpse into the history of England along with an interesting tale to make you not want to put it down. After reading this book, I went to find the 1st book in the series, The Edge on the Sword, which I also enjoyed. I am looking forward to a 3rd novel by the same author.

This book was good, but started out pretty slow. I enjoyed the middle and end of the book much more than the beginning. I realize that the author was basing the book on historical accounts, but I frequently found myself confused and bored. The middle and end gets better, but I don't think that many people under the age of twelve would enjoy the book because of its difficulty level. Overall, it was interesting, but there could have been a little more romance between Wil and Aelfwyn. I also wondered why her cousin went from being her best friend, to hardly showing any kindness or interest in her at all. I give this book four stars, becuase all though it was well written, it was a little lacking in exitement

This is Tingle's second book about 10th century England; I eagerly await a third. Once again, the central figure is a young girl making her way in a man's world -- in this case, Aelfwyn of Mercia, who disguises herself as a boy "scop" (wandering storyteller and singer) to escape the political control of her uncle, King Edward. The story is rich in details about medieval life (the sort that make me long for time-travel), and although it's hard to imagine a girl as bookish and sheltered as Aelfwyn being able so successfully to transform herself into a scop, the momentum of the story carried me forward and over my doubts. I think I fell in love with her accidental protector, Wil, before she did. One tiny complaint: there's no reason for this book to be marketed to a teenage audience. Adults are sure to enjoy it as well. I certainly did.